Naked Tchopstix

Naked Tchopstix was our "fallback" lunch restaurant after we were rebuffed at Binkley's by bad parking options. NTchopstix (NT from here on out) falls into the category of a "fun" Asian restaurant. The casual tone put me in mind of a sushi bar I used to frequent in Philly that sported that early '80s punk-meets-raw-fish feel with black walls, Duran Duran art, and Madonna et al in heavy rotation on the giant video screen. Ah, the American version of Japan in the '80s. But I digress.

So, anyway, NT is nothing like that place, save for the fact that it looks like you could have a lot of fun there after a few too many Kirins. The decor is light and airy with a good-sized sushi bar. Word on the street is that it has a hopping later-night scene, although I've only been there during regular dining hours. Its proximity to the Vogue and all of Broad Ripple makes it a perfect jumping-off point for the rest of your evening.

Of course, lunch is lovely too, and that's when I was here. The menu is extensive, offering a la carte sushi, Korean and Japanese dishes, and sandwiches and salads with an Asian bent. All four of us were drawn to the aesthetic qualities of the Japanese box meal, so four were ordered. The meal started with a delicate Miso soup and a standard iceberg lettuce salad with ginger dressing (the dressing's worth the price of the entire meal alone). The lacquered compartmented bento box presentation was lovely and sizable. I picked the bulgoki version (that's Korean for "oh my God this is delicious beef"), which also comes with pot stickers, marinated julienned vegetables and rice. Hearty. My three mates got the chicken teriyaki version and raved as well. They're $8.95 -- an excellent lunch deal.

Unfortunately, we barely made a dent in the menu offerings. There are 22 appetizers and as many entrees, not including separate lists for noodles and Korean specialty dishes.

And of course, there's the sushi. I've eaten it here before over the course of a few visits, and it's fresh and creative. I recommend the Dancing Dragon Roll (inside out roll of eel, avocado and cucumber) and the Spider Roll (soft shell crab and spicy mayo). They also offer quite a few pre-set sushi meals, including vegetarian and all-cooked options for the meat- or raw fish-averse.

Also don't forget to try out the interesting mixed drinks like Naked Apple Pie and Sake Bomb. I had to go back to work or I would have (I doubt that anything called Sake Bomb is compatible with writing month-end reports).

Service was quietly competent. No gushing servers, no flare, no up-sell. Just an efficient waiter who was there when we needed him.

Prices aren't cheap but I'd consider them fair for the high quality offered here. Do you really want to be eating cut-rate raw fish anyway?

Location

Naked Tchopstix
6253 N. College Ave
317-252-5555
www.tchopstix.com
Lunch, December 21, 2004

Ratings

Food:
Service:
Atmosphere:
Price: $$$