Capturing The Spirit Of The Carolinas
Spring/Summer | 2002
A Tempting Taste of the Far East
We’ve all tasted Chinese and Japanese cooking; however, cuisines of Vietnam
and Thailand are sometimes hard to find, especially in this part of the
country. Solange Thompson had the vision for many years of opening a Thai/Vietnamese
restaurant in Wilmington, NC. One day it all came together when the ideal
building became available. The past five tenants couldn’t make it, yet when
Solange found the place she felt it was Heaven-sent because of the wonderful
Asian style architecture and spaces outside for beautiful gardens. With
incredible attention to detail, Solange furnished and decorated every inch
of this blessed building. She chose Alana Solomon to expertly faux finish
the bar and tabletops and to paint striking scenes of the Far East on the
walls around the bar and in the restrooms. It is obvious that Alana shared
Solange’s ideal vision. Indochine is a gorgeous site to behold from the
Naga Bar to the dining room to the gazebo garden created by artist Doug
Campbell. What a magical artistic setting! There is even a banquet room
called the Mandalay Meeting Room for 40 to 50 guests.
My
friend started with a glass of champagne while I sipped a Bangkok beer called
Singha. The Naga Bar’s atmosphere and Asian accents really got us in the
mood for the food we were about to taste. We almost forgot we were in Wilmington.
The place was already packed, so we moved to the dining room where Solange’s
son himself took our order.
Solange paired the Kenwood Old Vine Zinfandel with the appetizers and entrees we selected. Looking up, we noted the interesting scalloped ceiling painted by Alana. And to the front and rear there are large rounded windows looking out on the gardens, one with a copper banana leaf gazebo and a totem pole surrounded by what could pass as a rain forest. This unique building was perfect for Solange’s dream.