TL;DR Prepare yourself for an essay of a review (I didn't expect for it to be this long, but here we are...)
I have not been back to Indigo Moon in almost seven years, and I knew that I had to return when back in Cambria for their famous pistachio-crusted goat cheese salad. I made reservations for 4:30PM on Sunday (opening time), and we arrived early to be first to get seated in the indoor patio-- within an hour, the place was full! I would definitely recommend making reservations if you're dining in.
Our server was friendly and knowledgeable about the menu/specials of the day. Despite the slight mix-up of forgetting the goat cheese salad, she was quick to get them right over to us. Excellent service, despite the dinner rush hour-- A+ in my book!
Besides getting half orders of the goat cheese salad, we ordered crab cakes for starters, along with pork osso buco and rack of lamb. Also got a glass of San Simeon Syrah and a glass of Madeleine Cabernet: I preferred the latter, as it was smooth and light, which complemented the red meats very well. The San Simeon was mild, but was too plain for my taste.
Crab cakes were delicious, just as I'd remembered them the last time I got them: a light, crispy outer shell and a tender, flaky interior. The chili-lime sauce was more lime than chili (I barely tasted the heat), but it complemented the crab cakes.
Pork osso buco was just-okay: it was a bit too dry for me, but I did appreciate the red wine that brought richness to the dish. It wasn't my dish, so I only had a bite-- however, I was informed that the center towards the bone was lukewarm, which was assumed that it'd been frozen, then reheated not long enough, before being served. A bit disappointing, but not terrible.
I really enjoyed my rack of lamb: it was seven small pieces, cooked medium-rare, and absolutely perfect. It was everything you wanted in lamb: tender, juicy, meaty, and not overly gamey. The asparagus and polenta were a nice touch, too. A must-have at Indigo Moon.
Only got the half portion of the pistachio-crust goat cheese salad this time, but still as flavorful as I'd remembered. Goat cheese was creamy and warm, and the pistachio and herbs made it such a unique taste to savor. The toasted nuts were delicious and added texture, and the grapefruit provided a perky acidity to the baby greens. Definitely recommended if you're vegetarian, or want something a bit lighter for dinner.
As if I wasn't already at my stomach's limit, I ordered a key lime pie to round off two hours of feasting and drinking. The pie was bursting with tanginess (as a good key lime pie should be) and the sweet fruitiness brought a refreshing change from the heavy, savory foods I had earlier. My only wish was that I would've loved a bit more crust, but that's just me being picky (I'm a crust gal). Would recommend the key lime pie for dessert!
The splurge ($177, including tip) was worth it. While not all of the dishes were perfectly-executed, it was the food quality, the service, and the ambiance that made the night so memorable. If I would recommend the perfect meal (based on what I had that night), it would be the crab cakes for starters, rack of lamb (and/or pistachio-crusted goat cheese salad), and key lime pie-- all paired with the Madeleine Cabernet. I have been coming to Indigo Moon for nearly eight years, and this won't be the last time! read more