It is well understood that Chicago does not have many (truthfully, any) decent Indian food. In fact, New York's Soho district, Washington D.C., and Los Angelos have far more sophisticated options for those who seek inspired Indian cuisine. India's cuisine is rich and greatly respected by the world's greatest chef's like Thomas Keller, Adrian Ferrar, Grant Achatz, etc. It is indeed tragic that it is so poorly represented in one of the greatest cities in the U.S.- Chicago. India House, Viceroy, Gaylord (one of the best, but still far from extraordinary) faithfully serve the standard North Indian Cuisine that has been imitated and duplicated without any real thought or innovation. Marigold strives for something more- which I truly commend. There space is quite nice, as are their presentations. However, though i commend them for doing more for Indian cuisine in a city mired with mediocrity, I must still say there is MUCH ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT. Since they've taken a step in the right direction, I sincerely urge them to try SWAGATH restaurant in Defense Colony, New Delhi (five star review by the New York Times, this restaurant was covered on our NPR station). This is Indian cuisine executed at it's best. Brilliant flavors and aromas from every region of Indian take the diner on a culinary odyssey he is not bound to ever forger. If somebody could do Indian food here in Chicago like Swagath does in Delhi, it would be an enormous success!
Pros: A STEP in the right direction for Indian food in Chicago
Cons: Still room for improvement.
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