New restaurant Hue taking over for Taste of Tango

October 27, 2010
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Hue IndianapolisA new restaurant and lounge called Hue is taking over the former Taste of Tango space at the northwest corner of Washington and Pennsylvania streets. (Am I the only one thinking Bill Hader's Stefon on SNL might want to pay a visit? The hottest new club in Indianapolis is Hue... ) On a serious note, the owner is Mick Reed, who has worked in bars and restaurants for more than 20 years including stints at Tiki Bob's, Chili's and Golden Corral. This is his first solo venture, and he hopes to open the second week of December. The restaurant will serve steaks, seafood and pasta dishes with Asian and Creole influences. The interior is getting a revamp including hardwood floors and more modern fixtures. Reed is leasing the space from the proprietors of the former Taste of Tango, an Argentinian restaurant that closed in September.

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  • Dream Club
    Club loverOctober 27, 2010 12:09 PM
    This club sounds awesome. I hope it's a combination of all 3 previous employee's of Mick Reed. I can already envision a crowd of overweight rib eating dancing maniacs getting down to a solid Usher beat. So glad we are getting another club in Indianapolis.
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  • Hey...
    Caliboy28October 27, 2010 12:18 PM
    ... I don't get the previous comment at all, in fact, I think it sounds great! Good sign, also, that the space didn't sit empty very long at all!
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  • renovate!
    DDOctober 27, 2010 12:26 PM
    I know a billion fights would ensue, but in order to make this place viable, they will need a facade renovation. On the order of a nice glassy entrance that allows views inside the restaurant. You walk past this place now and see dark tinted old design...needs upgraded!
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  • fast
    GregOctober 27, 2010 1:01 PM
    Corey, that sign I'm pretty sure was not there yesterday. Nice job!

    Also there's a new restaurant coming into the old 'Urban Element' spot on Penn. Rumor has it it'll be a small oyester bar.
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    • A little confusing...
      Wha?October 27, 2010 2:30 PM
      Ok so, let me get this straight. Steaks, seafood and pasta in a restaurant/lounge that will have an Asian/Creole influence. Implemented by a guy who's only *noted* restaurant experience is Golden Coral & Chili's. Who gives people like this money to fund these ideas? Not to be too much of a debbie downer, but, it's ideas like this that inflate restaurant failure statistics.
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      • well...
        Caliboy28October 27, 2010 2:51 PM
        ... the basic principles behind a successful restaurant are pretty much the same, regardless of the concept. Just because this proprietor has limited/no previous *noted* experience with the suggested cuisine shouldn't relegate him to failure. All he really needs to do is find a competent chef who DOES have the experience. I am assuming that this guy isn't the one doing the cooking....
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      • More Visibility
        JoshOctober 27, 2010 3:12 PM
        Taste of Tango was hard to see and very dark with bad signage. They need to fix that.
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      • Name ?
        urbandwellerOctober 27, 2010 3:36 PM
        Some will be confused with the name. A "hue" is a historic Chinese wine vessel.
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      • Resume'
        barguyOctober 27, 2010 6:49 PM
        He apparently left out the fact that he was also the GM at at a strip club by the name of Club Rio. Recap: Tiki Bob's, Chili's, Golden Corral, Club Rio. Don't know if downtown sounds like the right place for him. We'll see.
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      • Urban Element
        JoeOctober 28, 2010 8:56 AM
        I spoke breifly with the painters at the Urban Element on Penn. Their belief was that it would reopen as urban element again?
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      • Haters! ;-)
        ablerockOctober 28, 2010 12:09 PM
        You guys are haters! :-) His work-history is humorous, and the lounge concept isn't for everyone, but that doesn't mean he doesn't know what he's doing.

        He's being brave and opening a non-chain restaurant downtown for pete's sake. Let's give him a fair shot.

        Also, I really don't understand the "problems" with the menu:

        Gotta have steaks in downtown Indy. Check.

        Creole and Asian influenced pasta and seafood dishes? THAT'S CRAZY! Oh wait, no it isn't. NEWS FLASH: pasta and seafood are STAPLES of Asian and Creole cuisine.

        Sheeeeeeeeesh.

        I applaud his entrepreneurial spirit and wish him the best of luck. I hope he earns enough money to rehab the craptastic facade left by the previous owners.


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      • Mick can *cook*
        DaveOctober 29, 2010 12:54 AM
        In the name of full disclosure, I know Mick and have worked with him in the past. I am certainly not an impartial observer. That said, I am very much a food snob. If my mother cooked something I didn't like, I would tell her.

        Mick is an excellent cook, and the work I've seen him do in menu design leads me to believe that this venture has the potential to be something really special.

        If Mick can build a team around him that executes his vision well, Hue will be a great addition to the culinary landscape. I look forward to seeing what he and his team produce.
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      • Feedback
        MickOctober 29, 2010 12:44 PM
        Want to thank everyone for the feedback on my new adventure here in Indianapolis.

        I do want to clear up the confusing of the few things for you.

        HUE will combine the food elements of many types of culinary traditions, while not fitting the mold of just one. We will offer lunch, dinner and a bar menu.

        As far as my experience I have worked and been around food most of my life and have a great passion for it. Yes, I do very much know how to cook and manage.

        I hope to see you all soon at our grand opening.

        Thanks,
        Mick
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      • Count me in!
        oh yesOctober 29, 2010 5:56 PM
        Sounds good, but will they have Furkles?
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      • overpriced
        carl izziOctober 29, 2010 9:37 PM
        The problem with Taste of Tango was that it was overpriced and the portions were so small. Fogo de Chao is a much better value and the food is better quality.
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      • Agreed
        kimOctober 30, 2010 9:54 AM
        I agree with this comment.
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      • Better already
        TMBOctober 31, 2010 12:01 AM
        By simply tearing down the silly wall that was two feet behind the windows along Washington Street, thus opening up the view into the nice looking space on the inside is already a great improvement. With Taste of Tango you couldn't see inside from the street and didn't know if it was open, what it was like inside, if anyone else was eating there, etc. Its a nice looking interior and is a place I'll want to check out. Its too bad Taste of Tango didn't last - but I think one think that would have helped them is if they would have opened up the front windows to make the place look more inviting. Good job Mick.
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      • Less Chains, Less Hillbilly Is Definitely What Indy Needs
        NYCCommuterNovember 3, 2010 2:46 PM
        I don't watch SNL because I'm actually out and about on Saturday night, but that line in the article seems to indicate the the name "Hue" is really exotic by local (and/or the author's) standards. Really?! If that's the case, then this town really is more backwards than people in large cities think. Hue is perfectly acceptable name, and the concept is unique (at least for the Hoosierland.) Why are locals more comfortable with large portions of bland food at chains and cheesy, independent sports bars? More of those eateries is not going to bring in more tourists or the respect from major urban markets such is New York, LA, and Chicago that locals so desperately want. (I can tell you that the fact the Super Bowl is in Indianapolis in 2010 does not excite many people used to traveling to exciting urban locales.) Best of luck to the forward-thinking owner/staff at Hue.
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        • Less Chains, Less Hillbilly Is Definitely What Indy Needs
          NYCCommuterNovember 3, 2010 2:50 PM
          Sorry for the typo, 2012. Was busy making reservations at places named Bub's and Boogie Burger and grooming my mullet for my next trip 'out der.'
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        • Android App
          MikeWNovember 3, 2010 11:46 PM
          So Cory, when is Property Lines going to appear on the Android App (which is awesome by the way)?
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        • Show Some Creativity
          DexterNovember 4, 2010 9:32 AM
          You should really try a new tactic if you are going to slam Indianapolis or the Midwest. I'm sure everyone who reads this blog is impressed by how busy you are on Saturday nights and how you have a finger on the pulse of the big cities. I am equally as sure that everyone is glad you approve of the name and think it sounds exotic. I am fairly confident in saying that readers will also accept your excuse for the typo (making reservations at less-exotic sounding restaurants). With all of that being said, you should leave the mullet jokes and big city pomposity out. I don't imagine that you'll read this though, on account of your commute/busy schedule/overall active and worldly lifestyle. After all, if we really cared what you thought we would just read your blog.
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          • Previous Post
            DexterNovember 4, 2010 9:34 AM
            My previous post was directed toward NYCCommuter. It would be nice if posts that replied to earlier posts would be linked, but apparently that is not the case.
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          • Heard of a DVR?
            LolaNovember 4, 2010 4:12 PM
            Wow, they must not have DVRs or Hulu in NYC...some people can watch things on other days than they actually air on television.

            Also, maybe you should actually make sure you understand the joke before you say something about it. In that particular sketch, every club mentioned is a one-word name, such as, "Slice," "Taste," or "Slash."

            You must have an extremely busy life if you are reading a blog about Indianapolis real estate so you can make fun of it...odd.
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          • HUE/MICK REED
            TonyNovember 15, 2010 2:15 AM
            The problem with this city is that no one is loyal to independent restaurants. The name and concept for this new place is perfect. As someone posted previously the Superbowl is coming and when people are in town from big cities and other countries I guarantee they will be at Hue. I spoke with the consultant who is working on this project with the owner Mick Reed and if you knew the places he has opened and the cities you can rest assured this place will start out extremely hot and stay that way for a while. Just because the owner has corporate restaurant background doesn't mean that they cannot hire consultants and chefs to make the place successful. I think the owner is extremely smart by bringing in people who have done this in other big cities to assist him in his venture.
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          • Huh?
            IknowNovember 16, 2010 12:59 AM
            What does opening concepts in big cities have to do with Indianapolis? In case you haven't forgotten we are NOT a big city and we ARE in Indiana. Remember, people don't travel here too often and the superbowl will be over as fast as it comes. The place has to cater to the "Indiana" type first and foremost because a business needs to survive 365 days a year and not only when there is an event in the city. Mon, Tues, Wed, sometimes even Thurs is dead here. Hopefully the establishment is very successful and I'm anxiously awaiting great food anytime.
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          • Huh?
            IknowNovember 16, 2010 12:59 AM
            What does opening concepts in big cities have to do with Indianapolis? In case you haven't forgotten we are NOT a big city and we ARE in Indiana. Remember, people don't travel here too often and the superbowl will be over as fast as it comes. The place has to cater to the "Indiana" type first and foremost because a business needs to survive 365 days a year and not only when there is an event in the city. Mon, Tues, Wed, sometimes even Thurs is dead here. Hopefully the establishment is very successful and I'm anxiously awaiting great food anytime.
            Reply to CommentFlag Comment
          • big cities
            tonyNovember 16, 2010 7:09 AM
            Hello i read the previous posting and had a few comments. Indianapolis according to the visitor and convention bureau will experience itshighest volume of travel in the next 5 years. Multiple contracts with new conventions are secured and thousands of new residences are being built downtown as we speak. Indianapolis needs to finally come out of its shell and realize it is a big city and deserves to have the ammentities of a large city. The" indiana" people need to progress withthe rest of the country if they want to be taken as they try and percieve themselves. I think the mix between indiana hospitality within the concept they have on their website will make for a unique place. Good luck and cudos on the forward thinking as someone said before.
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          • I'm all for it
            there first guestNovember 25, 2010 4:04 AM
            I hear that Abdullah from Tastings inside the Conrad will be there. I have been to multiple of his food and wine pairings at Tastings on Wednesday, and am highly excited to see what he has up his sleeve for here. I think alot of the negative comments wouldn't have been stated if those people had tasted his food or experience any bit of what he did right down the street inside the Conrad.
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          • "There" first guest
            UIZDUMBNovember 27, 2010 11:25 AM
            I'll correct your grammar. Their first guest! See, this is what happens when a population of idiots get their hands on technology. The can now share stupidity with everyone. Your comments don't count if you cannot get your point across in a grammatically correct way.
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          • agree
            AgreeDecember 21, 2010 7:32 AM
            You are so right. not sure if i was the only one thinking this!
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            • Agree
              agreeDecember 21, 2010 7:38 AM
              I was replying to: "A little confusing...
              Wha?"

              Also, would ya like to bet on how long it stays open. I say 2 years tops!
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            • Stefon
              KristenJanuary 10, 2011 5:50 PM
              Stefon MUST come to Indy and rate all the clubs, restaurants and hot spots.... Would love to hear his spin on family friendly Indiana, given his recommendations on family friendly establishments in NYC. :-)
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