Asparagus
7876 Broadway, Merrillville, IN, 46410
Asparagus Menu
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant menu details.
Visit below restaurant in Merrillville for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Merrillville for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Merrillville for healthy meals suggestion.
Sorry, we don't have Q&A for this restaurant.
Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.
-
Address :
7876 Broadway
Merrillville, IN, 46410 - Phone (219) 794-0000
- Website https://www.asparagusrestaurant.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 9:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : No
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Classy
Noise Level : Quiet
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
Looky Weed - Buy Marijuana Online
Looky Weed is here to help you navigate the maze of legalized marijuana. We provide you with a complete dispensary directory.
James P.
We went there for the first time a few days ago. While the food was outstanding, the service was a joke, particularly for a higher priced restaurant. Our server was absent most of the evening. She had no suggestions on food and I was speculating that she may have another job at a neighboring business. She popped in on us every 20 or 30 minutes even though they weren't crowded. Our desserts (ice cream and sorbet) were completely melted when they arrived. If you're going to charge $10 for a little bowl of ice cream, serve it from the freezer. I rated them 2 stars because the food was excellent. We had an avocado crispy roll and a beef appetizer as well as steaks, curry, and salmon for dinner. While the food was great it was overwhelmed by the poor service. At these prices (approx $50 per person), I expect a much better level of service. As a result we will probably not go back.
(2)J L.
This is one of the best restaurants that qualify as " special occasion"-worthy in NWI. The decor is elegant, the service pretty flawless and the menu/ drink options a fine combo of classics and creativity. I wish I could eat at least one meal per day here. They can and will accommodate any type of group and there is enough space for it to be kid-friendly. It is always recommended to try the noodle/ rice dishes but the seafood is truly exceptional as are the steak/ chops.
(5)Region R.
The food is quite good (especially considering there are practically no Thai options in the region). If you want to dine with a bunch of hipsters (hey, sometimes I do), go to Five Star. If you want a classier experience, go to Asparagus. The service and the presentation of the food was probably the best I've had outside of Chicago. This place should do more business than it gets. FYI: there's a dining room (small, quiet) and a lounge area with an impressively stocked bar. I much prefer the lounge for the atmosphere.
(5)Lola T.
Asparagus is a great escape from the giant oasis we call Merrillville. The quality is superb, unique recipes and great ambiance.
(5)Josh K.
Eclectic menu that can be quite exhausting to read through and then narrow it down to a couple choices. My banana duck curry was okay, a little too sweet for my personal curry taste, the duck was also pretty chewy. My dad got the steamed sea bass, great piece of fish w/a sweet sauce that was on the right side of the sweet line. My ladyfriend got a tofu dish with a great, great sauce. My mom ordered something with all kinds of seafood, she really enjoyed it. Our waitress talked way, way too much and called my mom, her elder, honey and dear. Otherwise, very pleasant experience and they seem to hit their flavors pretty well.
(4)Tucker J.
I have been here a few times and I love it. I never have to wait for a table and the food is always very good. They have a very wide variety of appetizers and a lot of different foods. They also have some good tofu options for vegetarians. Great desert as well. They also have very good teas and coffee. Sometimes service can be a little slow, though.
(5)Katie R.
Our dinner club decided to go to Asparagus for our quarterly get together. It's really 3 couples who each takes turns deciding where to have dinner every 4 months. Never having tried Thai food, I was really excited our friends chose Asparagus. That really is the point of the "club", going to new places and trying new foods. I cannot comment whether this was authentic Thai food or not but I can say it was very delicious! For an appetizer, we ordered the Vietnamese Spring Rolls and the Lobster Mango Summer Rolls. Both were scrumptious! Another couple ordered the Avocado Crispy Rolls, and I assume they were also yummy cause they were gone in an instant! lol I have to say everyone was happy with their meal. Well, except for my husband who ordered the Red Snapper Deluxe. He was warned that it was a complete fish, head and all but I don't think he really thought that through. The sweet sour sauce on top was very good and the fish was tasty, but the work to eat it without choking on bones was a bit much for him. As my Entrée, I ordered the Shitaki duck and shrimp and it was very, very good. I was expecting a small portion, much like you'd find in classier restaurants. That was not the case however. I could not even finish the meal. Of course, I had to save room for dessert! My husband decided on the cheesecake, his favorite "go to" dessert and it was good, but not anything extraordinary. I order the apple crisp and ice cream. Unique and not at all what I was expecting! It had several types of nuts, peanuts and cashews! OMG! Yummy doesn't describe it! The portion could have easily fed two and I barely finished half! The only bad thing to report was they automatically added a 20% tip to our bill. Not sure if this was because we had 6 in our party, even though we all paid separately. But I'm more accustomed to this practice in larger parties. Our waitress benefited from this since no one realized this until the following morning. Each couple gave an additional 20%. Next time we won't be so generous! And I do believe there will be a next time!
(4)Melonee W.
My husband and I was there for dinner. The food was awesome and I tried a couple of new things. So far I haven't had anything bad yet. Love this place!
(5)Theresa O.
Bland and over-priced. After moving to NW Indiana, we are always on the lookout for new restaurants, especially Asian, which seem in short supply. We made the drive to Valpo with high expectations and were very disappointed. The room was lovely and the bathrooms were clean but that's the only good thing I have to say. The curry had no heat and veggies were scant. All the dishes were bland. I ordered a side of broccoli and it tasted funky. And lunch entrees were $14-20-- come on! I'd love to see a competent Thai chef take over this place. I won't go back till that happens.
(2)Jerry S.
This is an Awesome place. It is kinda expensive, but the food was very very good. Something out of the ordinary, service was great too.
(4)B M.
I ordered takeout tonight for the first time and was really happy. The pad thai was great and unique. The pad see-ew was FANTASTIC. Loved the bok choy. Great sauce on both noodle dishes. The Tom Yum was also very good. The menu had a lot of options and it was hard limiting myself. I could have made a meal of the appetizers alone. Staff was very courteous and the inside of the restaurant was very attractive. I don't live close by but will make a point of stopping here again when I'm in town.
(4)Roz J.
This is my 2nd review; my 1st review was a solid 4 stars, BUT my 2nd review is a solid 5 stars!!!! The martinis; Asian desire was strong & good BUT the Green tea was off da chain!!!! It was so refreshing and you can actually taste the green tea, altho you really couldn't taste the alcohol, you most definitely felt the effects of it =) Our group of 4 enjoyed all our meals. We tasted each other's dish and they were all delicious. The most memorable was the spicy catfish... OMG!! The service was excellent and upon our request, the owner/chef eventually came to our table to greet us. She took the time out to speak which was great because it was a nice crowd in the main dining area AND she was serving a large private party as well. Btw, on Fridays and Saturdays, there is a live jazz band playing in the bar area. Asparagus is a MUST TRY spot!
(5)Courtney G.
Really good. Was not planning on such a good dinner heading home from Chicago to Indianapolis. I live in Dallas and will now crave this place! We shared several appetizers- the lobster/mango roll was fantastic. I had the spicy basil dish with chicken- delightful! So light and fresh, just the right amount of spice. Really a find in this random small town in Indiana.
(5)Karen F.
What a surprise to find a Thai restaurant in Merrillville but I did treat myself to a nice, late lunch before I had to drive back to St. Louis. I ordered the asparagus soup as well as the lamb chop appetizer. I thought the service was perfect and will consider stopping back in next time I'm in the area.
(4)Camron D.
im an asian from California. i know thai and vietnamese food. this place is FO REAL! great flavors, presentation and a vast selection of food choices. i was impressed. prices are typical of "fine dining".
(4)Anthony P.
Some co-workers and I have come here for a nice lunch every month or so. It is definitely on the pricier end, even when ordering from the lunch menu, but it makes for a nice occasional treat. Another bonus is that I guess Thai food lends itself well to vegetarians, which is helpful when you have some as guests. I invariably order the chicken pad thai. The serving size is out of control; for the hungriest person, it is easily enough food for 2 meals. Considering the price, though, that's a good problem to have. The decor is tasteful, too. I've eaten in both the main dining room, and in the cozy bar area. The bar is gorgeous; I always wanted to drink something from here, but it's during the workday... I'll have to make it a point to come after work sometime.
(4)Brad S.
From the drinks to the appetizers all the way to the desserts. You won't be disappointed. Great atmosphere and decor paired with great food. And if you're fortunate enough to get Angela as a sever, she rocks!!
(4)Nathan J.
Thai chicken noodle soup is so comforting
(5)Robert K.
Excellent service, nice atmosphere and outstanding Thai food. This place is really good and I highly recommend it if you find yourself looking for great food, reasonaly priced and you are in Northwest Indiana.
(4)Anthony G.
Asparagus is the go- to restaurant for me when it comes to drinks and appetizers. The menu is a new take on classic Thai, with a few French influences thrown into the mix, with good results. The restaurant is situated in front of a non descript strip mall, but do not let that deter you! This place is anything but run of the mill strip mall fare. The interior of this place is very high scale, clean linen and Asian influenced art is everywhere. The bar is even better looking, with a modern boudoir twist to it. Now onto the food. As stated before, I eat more of the appetizers here than the entrees. It's not that the entrees are bad, it's just that the appetizers are very good. They have a varied variety of appetizers to choose from which are very creative, from escargot to grilled quail. Add very creative( and very strong...lol) drinks to the mix and you have a winning combination. So, in my opinion, order 3 or 4 of the appetizers, a couple of nice drinks and have an entertaining evening at Asparagus. P.S. Fellas, if you want to impress a date, reserve the small room there. It's not known by many patrons that it exists, but it'll add an intimate touch to any outing. Enjoy! P.P.S. If you are looking for classic Thai dishes, this is not the place for you. This is modern Thai. I do think that they own another restaurant in Cal City called Siam Marina though that serves more classic Thai fare, they are good also.
(4)Angela W.
I love this place, it's a secret little pleasure if you have a diverse palate. Asian pear martini is a must have. The hawian prawns delightful, spring rolls tasty, bb riibs out of this world. Stop by you will thank me.
(5)Paul D.
I had the drunken noodles and they were ok, just not as good as I've had at real Thai restaurants. The shrimp rolls were really good.
(3)Jeff C.
Checked out Asparagus based on the recommendations of others here and we were quite pleased with our visit. We had calamari and soft shell crab for starters. Both were excellent. For the main course, I ordered spicy tofu massaman and it was incredible. What really made the whole experience great was the attentive waitstaff. They were always close by and checked in frequently. Lastly, I certainly didn't expect the top-class decor on the interior when walking in from the parking lot. Unfortunately, I don't travel down I-65 more often. :o(
(5)Jonathan S.
Only been here once, but I was impressed with the menu and the decor inside. Great place for a date, food was good but a little expensive which is why I gave 4 instead of 5 stars.
(4)Ashley G.
Asparagus gives me faith that NWI will at some point blossom into a thriving modern area. ( crossing my fingers ) The lobster mango rolls & the sauce they serve with it is delectable. Love the decor as well.
(4)Ann A.
There is less to this restaurant than meets the eye. It has very appealing decor and an appealing-looking menu. That's why I was surprised that the food -- at least what I ordered anyway -- was a bit Panda Express-ish. That is, soggy vegetables in too much oil and salt. What was even more surprising is that the dish I ordered was the only one specifically asparagus-based -- and it was substantially pricier than the other dishes. I figured that in a restaurant called "Asparagus" I couldn't go wrong with what sounded like a signature dish, but the asparagus had the texture of vegetables that have been on a steam table for several hours. The white asparagus was literally so limp and soggy that I wouldn't have recognized what it was if the menu hadn't told me. Perhaps the kitchen was just having a bad day, but I'd be reluctant to return.
(2)Colin M.
I wanted to take my wife to a nice, romantic, upscale restaurant, and Asparagus restaurant in Merrillville, Indiana had come highly recommended. This is a Thai/Vietnamese/Asian inspired restaurant, although there were only two Vietnamese items on the menu (Vietnamese Spring Rolls and Pho Ga soup). The ambiance is elegant with muted lighting and white tablecloths. On Valentine's evening, the place was packed; the place probably did tens of thousands of dollars in business that evening, although my wife and I agreed that Asparagus is a HUGE disappointment. First of all, the place is quite expensive, and if you are looking for good value in times like these, steer clear of this place. I can honestly say that after our two appetizers, salad and entree, I went home and had a snack. You are not going to get stuffed full of food here, which is actually a plus, except the amount you pay for such a small amount of food is really bordering on obscene. We ordered a couple of cocktails to start things out, a good Dirty Martini and one called "Kiss Me baby" which featured pineapple, rum, and Peach Schnapps. They rang in at about 9 bucks each, but such is what you'll pay at a nice restaurant. Next came the appetizers, the "Duo Cargot" and the Soft Shelled Crab. The "Duo Cargot" was a pairing of Shrimp and Escargot, and was the best thing we ate all evening. For 12 dollars you get an trendy plating of Three Shrimp and Three Escargot served over a sauce redolent of coconut milk, with a nice amount of heat from chilies. The other appetiser was a Tempura battered soft shell crab, served on a bed of micro greens with a dressing of of the same sauce. It was acceptable, but demerits were scored because it wasn't hot at all. Merely luke warm and a bit soggy. For our entrees, we ordered the Wasabi Crusted Rack Of Lamb with Green BEans and a soy buerre blanc, and the Asparagus Lover With Shrimp and Scallops. The entrees were preceeded with either soup and salad. The house soup, aspagragus and crab had my wife shrugging "where's the crab meat?" She felt that it was relatively tasteless; I tried it, it was ok, but there wasn't very much of it...about a cup. The salad I had featured microgreens, pieces of asparagus shaved parmesan and a peanut sauce. It was okay, but was a harbinger of things to come: SUGAR. This was my major complaint with the food at Asparagus. You would imagine a Thai restaurant to feature complex flavors of lemon grass, coconut, peanut, chili pepper, basil, etcetera. WHile those flavors may have been present on other dishes, they were absent on our entrees. The main flavors were unfortunately sweet. Really sweet. Wayyyyy too sweet. My entree, the Wasabi Crusted Rack of Lamb had NO Wasabi flavor at all. None. Zero. I have to admit that the rack was perfectly cooked and very tender, but was almost room temperature. The sauce it was served in, advertised as Soy Buerre Blanc, was actually sweet enough to be a dessert. It tasted like sweet butterscotch. It really ruined what was a nice little rack of lamb. Underneath the lamb was a combination of blanched cabbage, celery, onions and carrots. No green beans to be found anywhere. All of this was swimming in the syrupy sweet butter sauce. To add another unfortunate element, this was served in a large high walled bowl, so that when you tried to cut the lamb, your bowl rocked back and forth and splashed sauce over everything. My wifes entree, also served in a bowl, was a little better, but still way too sweet. The sauce that coated the pea pods, shrimp, scallops and onions was akin to a Panda Express Bourbon Chicken sauce with lots of extra sugar. Hers was served with about half a cuip of steamed white rice; she said about halfway through the meal that she couldn't eat any more without more rice cause it was too sweet. Her shrimp were large and plump, with a nice texture. The scallops were also large, but had no sear to them. Even so they were not tough and were cooked through. Six shrimp and three scallops, plus pea pods equals $35.00. My lamb rack was also $35.00. When the bill arrived, we were shocked to see the total, and I quickly discovered I had been charged for a bottle of wine that I didn't order. The mistake was corrected, but the entire bill plus tip came to $150.00 The experience for this price was simply not acceptable. A word about the service. Our server seemed to be a girl in her late teens, who knew nothing about the menu. When I ordered cocktails she tried to take the drink menu from me, not thinking that I might want to order wine later. She wasn't very prompt or attentive. My wife and I certainly agreed she didn't earn a 15% tip, which amounted to about 20 dollars. This girl probably made five or six hundred dollars in tips on Valentine's evening, not because she was providing good service, but because the food was so expensive, and people give the customary 15%. Something is wrong with that picture.
(2)Sharon V.
My boyfriend and I are pretty new to the area and exploring new restaurants has always been one of our favorite hobbies. Being used to the dining experiences Chicago and Detroit and their suburbs, we were a tad apprehensive as to how Northwest Indiana would compare. Overall we have been pleasantly surprised and this place is one of the main reasons why. We have been here twice and found it pretty much flawless on both occasions. We were greeted immediately at the door and both times we sat at a table in the bar. The servers are friendly and super knowledgable, you can tell most have worked there awhile and I have always found that to be a good sign at an establishment. Wine was perfectly chilled, hot sake nice and hot, and water glasses always filled. Plates cleared immediately. This time we split the satay platter, which has a combo of scallops, chicken, lemongrass beef, lamb chops and I think shrimp. All items cooked perfectly and the accompanying peanut sauce is the best I have ever had. We then split the mussaman curry with chicken and it was awesome too. Sauce was really flavorful and the right consistency with lots of ingredients. I left wondering why we don't go there more often and I won't make that mistake again. One of the area's best, for sure!
(5)Hector R.
Great place to eat and relax. Food is excellent, drinks are divine. French and Asian pear Martinis are a must. Calamari and spring rolls for appetizers are top notch. Servers Kate and Amy are the best. They know the menu and will help you order. Be ready to spend some money.
(5)Kevin F.
Not only some of the best Thai food in northwest Indiana, but some of the best Thai food anywhere! I recommend the green curry.
(5)Kelly R.
The BF and I have been anxious to check this place out. It's located down the street from my new office, which is just too cool now that it's one of my favorite places. We stopped in to check it out last night with the intention of having one drink... The owner, Sam, AWESOME, friendly, and kind, recommended a martini my BF loved and a beef dish we were able to share, which we WILL be having again. We are excited to have found a nice, clean and very classy establishment in an area where that is RARE! We can't wait to go back for a full dinner. Everything on the menu sounds YUMMY!!! Rave review! :)
(5)Madeline L.
I've heard so much about this place and how amazing it is. I was so excited when I found out my boyfriend had made a reservation for us. When we arrived a woman that looked like management seated us. We looked over the menu and decided we were going to get the soft shell crab for an appetizer and what we wanted for our dinner/drinks. Realizing a waiter/waitress hasn't even come to greet us we tried to flag any of the wait staff that was buzzing about to at least get a drink order in. No one seemed to pay any attention us. Long story short we waited..and waited..and waited. After almost 45 minutes of no one coming to take our order we decided to head for the door. On our way out we ran into the same lady who sat us. We let her know that we had been sitting there for 45 minutes and not one person came to greet us or at least get our drink order. Her response was " sorry..have a nice night" like it didn't even matter. I was extremely disappointed on how she handled the situation. I haven't decided if I'd give this place another chance or not. First impressions stick.
(1)Honest A.
The closest you'll get to good Thai food in NW INDIANA - but it's pricey like a Chicago restaurant. My advice is to come for a special occassion and not as your monthly stop. C'mon, Asparagus, ask your customers for their email addresses and email us some discount pricing specials or days!
(4)Jennifer K.
Asparagus is a Thai-fusion restaurant (so not completely traditional Thai- more "fancy" Thai). I don't have a favorite entree- I try to switch it up each time we go. However, their appetizer selection is great!!! There are so many interesting and different appetizers, there are times those ARE our entrees!!! They have great Martinis too, and the atmosphere is casual, but attractive (in the bar area, anyway).
(3)Denise S.
I love it! But then I've been a fan of their other restaurant, Siam Marina in Calumet City, for years. I was so excited when I heard they opened a restaurant in Indiana. They have many vegetarian options. The food is fresh and well done. The drinks are mixed well. I crave their avocado crispy rolls!
(5)Val R.
After waiting to try this restaurant for awhile, I finally made it there this week. The neu looked delicious and apetizers as well. We ordered the lobster mango margherita for a starter and we were not disappointed. We did ask the water if he could bring out some bread or crackers though so we could use it as more of a brushetta dish. It was served with just two spoons at first so we topped the small slices of garlic bread that were brought out with it. We were not even close to half way done with it when our food was brought out. That was the only thing that could have waited atleast another 15 minutes to be sent out. I ordered the drunken noodles dish and my friend ordered the pad thai. We were both satisfied with our choices. I will def. be back, but this time will ask the waiter to wait on putting our main course in so soon.
(4)Margie S.
Just as we had given up on fine dining in northwest Indiana, we came across Asparagus. Excellent in every category, this dining experience rivals anything Chicago has to offer. Their liberal use of fresh ingredients and large portions is a pleasant surprise in comparison to other up-scale restaurants. Having had dinner on two occaisions, we have only scratched the surface of the offerings on the menu. Try the crispy seafood eggrolls, packed with chunks of seafood; or, the extensive list of satays, all with interesting sauces. I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone who is tired of the same old stuff in the region. With drinks, appetizers, entree and dessert we spent an average of $40 per person (in Chicago it would have been much higher!)
(5)L. R.
We arrived 15 minutes before our reservations and was promptly seated with a friendly hostess. The decor and ambiance of this restaurant are beautiful. It is understated elegance, as are the place settings and cleanness of lines throughout the restaurant. Their wine list is extensive, but sadly, you can only get 6 or 7 wines by the glass. I settled for a bright Reisling and my husband ordered a drink which I think is called Hong Kong Nights (or something like that). It was loaded with alcohol but you'd never know it (including sake). It was delicious! We could have sat there all night drinking those, but someone would have had to come to pick us up. We started with a tofu satay. The peanut sauce had just the right spice for us and was creamy and delicious. The tofu, such as it is, was dry, but there isn't much you can do with grilled tofu. So, we dipped and it was delicious. My husband ordered the Mussaman curry and it was very good. There was a small bite to it but it wasn't overpowering. I ordered Asparagus delight with tofu. To my utter surprise, the waitress pointed out to me the dish had fish sauce, surmising I was a vegetarian and I appreciated that. She explained I could order this without fish sauce. How refreshing and accommodating. I agree with the last writer who stated the food was a little sweet. My dish was sweet, but it wasn't overpowering. When I brought this up to the waitress, I asked her why this was sweet. She said it was in the wine they used. The next time, because I have no sweet tooth, I will ask that it not be as sweet. All in all, this dinner was wonderful (came to $67 with drinks) and was worth it. I highly suggest this place. It's a nice change.
(4)Yeng Z.
Mixture of Flavors Assaulted my Palate Best Asian restaurant I've dined at so far in Northwest Indiana. The food is creative, flavorful and not greasy. The menu consist of fusion of Vietnamese, Thai and French. Seafood Crispy Roll is definitely good, the vegetables and the roll itself are crispy and not greasy and soggy. Not very impressed with the sesame sweet sour sauce though, it's got a funky-gingery taste. Nem Nuong is basically a pork meatball with spices. The turnip added a little bit of crunchiness when you bite. A little bit of bland in my opinion. Pad Thai Chicken is a mixture of stir fried rice noodles, vegetables and peanuts with sweet and sour sauce. The sauce is good, it's just the right mixture of sweet and sour. Seafood Panang is what I liked best, shrimp, mussels, squid and scallops in a curry and coconut milk creamy sauce. It's got a tangy, creamy taste with a little bit of kick. The Chocolate Truffle Egg Roll is divine. It's a chocolate wrapped in egg roll, fried (but not greasy) and served hot with vanilla ice cream.... yum! The ambiance is simple-elegant. Attentive, but not hovering, and amiable service. A little bit pricey, but it's well worth it.
(4)M O.
This is an up-scale Thai restaurant near Southlake Mall - cloth tablecloths, unusual geometric dinnerware, etc. The atmosphere is refined and calming. The food is an interesting twist on the usual Thai favorites. The crispy asparagus rolls was a good appetizer. Cilantro lime tilapia entree was a large portion and quite good, though I would have preferred that the sauce not be poured over the fish. It made the crunchy tempura batter soggy. The spicy salmon was also good, but very spicy for our tastes. Chocolate egg rolls for desert were great. Though rather expensive, this is a nice alternative to the usual chain restaurants that cluster near major shopping malls.
(4)Shannon D.
Where to start? This place is awesome. When I first went here, I ordered the pad thai lunch special which was $8 and it was accompanied with a cup of soup. NOW, that same special is $12 which is very disappointing because I feel as though the portion size is smaller than when it was previously $8. It's still awesome tasting. Because of that price difference, I won't go out of my way to this restaurant anymore because now I feel like I'm being overcharged for an even smaller portion than before - I'm a college student, I'd rather go to Noodles & Co and pay $6.99 than $12. Besides that fact, the place is beautiful and has great ambiance (which is probably what your money is paying for). I've only been here during lunch time which was a little packed but not annoyingly packed, so I don't know how it is during dinner hour. The service is great, the manager (or who I think is a manager bc she's always there when I'm there) is very nice and always giddy/happy. They always make sure your water glass is full, which I think is very important because I hate going places and they don't ever check on what's left in my cup. It's a good place if you've got $$.
(4)Judi M.
Angela was a wonderful waitress - so helpful and knowledgeable about menu. We loved the Asparagus Almond Beef!
(5)Harina B.
A huge disappointment on the quality of food. We took out highly recommended appetizers and Bangkok Back Rib. All of them were horrible: dry & bland. The soft shell crab = like leftover; looked like half a very tiny crab, no flavor, didn't taste fresh. The grilled tofu & asparagus satay = no flavor at all. The Thai egg rolls were okay, but seemed to have fried in highly oxidized oil; best of all meal, but far from outstanding. The lobster mango roll = okay for me, but not enjoyed by my husband; was the lobster an imitation product? The asparagus crab meat soup = where is the crab meat? It was more like egg drop soup with green coloring; too much quantity for a soup that was bland and watery. It went to trash after several spoonful of tasting. The Bangkok Back Rib was relatively fall off the bone, but so dry; not enjoyed. The sauces were mediocre = not what I would expect from a 4.5 star place. We don't mind tasting pricey foods on the road. This time for a lunch that cost $65, it was the first disaster by following Yelp. We decided to try Asparagus because of a wonderful (flavorful & presentation even in the take out container) soft shell crab from a Thai restaurant we took out in DC, and I couldn't believe how the same dish for the same rating can be so far cry different from one place to another.
(1)Kat M.
FINALLY. My fiance and I have been looking for a good place to get Thai food since moving to the area back in November; who knew finding a decent plate of Pad Thai would be so freaking hard? We went for a late lunch since they have a weekday special between 1 and 3pm where your meal includes the soup of the day, so we figured it was a great time to try it. We tried two appetizers: the crispy avocado rolls and the calamari tempura. Both were excellent. The soup (unfortunately, I'm not sure what it was called) was also very good. We ended up splitting an order of Pad Thai since we filled up on appetizers. It is by far the best Thai food we've had in the area. The prices were pretty reasonable for the quality and portion size, and, though we didn't have a drink, their bar was fully stocked and impressive. We will definitely be back! Just a note if you plan on giving it a try: I disagree with other reviewers saying that this place is casual. It is not. I was very glad to be in a blouse and heels, and would have felt under-dressed in anything less.
(5)TB H.
Let's start with a Figy-tini in the bar. Seriously will warm you up this winter. The wine list by the bottle is nice and reasonable so go for the bottle. They do a great job with lamb, not gamey for those wary so go for it and enjoy.
(4)Dawn Z.
We came on a Saturday night at 6:30 and it was starting to fill up. They had an extensive list of inventive martinis. Service was friendly and efficient. We enjoyed all the appetizers and entrees. Five spice roast duck was outstanding. Dishes were well-seasoned and arrived hot. Portions were large. The interior was serene and elegant. Overall, a lovely meal!
(4)Naina J.
The drinks were fantastic! The food was delicious as well and the portions were just perfect.
(4)Vanessa F.
This is my sixth time coming to Asparagus for dinner. All other times have been great; great food and service. We even had our wedding reception dinner here. This particular experience was lacking both to say the least. I decided on this restaurant for my birthday dinner celebration. Party of 4 people, with reservations on a Friday evening. This place is always at max capacity for dinner on the weekend, and this day was no exception. There are a couple of points that have shown up repeatedly during each time here. *Long wait time between courses. At first I chalked this up to our menu selection, restaurant being at capacity, etc. However this is a common theme that has happened each time we're there. As my mother in law said "This is a place for you to take your time and really enjoy the dinner". *Server was friendly, but lacked the "extra effort" that I've experienced at other establishments. For example, seeing that it was a long wait between courses, we wanted to order many more rounds of drinks (to celebrate my birthday). Our servers' attention to our table was infrequent, and when we finally placed a drink order, it took just as long as our wait. She could have sold at least another 8-10 drinks that evening. The husband and I wanted to share the Pho (the server said it was a LARGE portion, and said that we can share). She brought out the soup, with 1 spoon. I would have thought she would have provided us with a second small bowl (or something comparable), and even a 2nd spoon for both of us to enjoy. *Food temperature I'm not sure if it's the staff not listening to the chef, the chef not knowing what is going on, a lack of communication between staff members, or our server is slow/not attentive, but each time our food has been warm, luke warm or cool. Every time the server placed the entrees on the table, they always mention "be careful the plate is hot". Obviously this is from sitting in the "window" for who knows how long. In addition to the items above; husband had to send back his steak due to being cooked improperly, and cold vegetables on the side. Everyone at the table finished their main course (except husband, who was just sitting there). He received the steak again, and it was cooked medium well, not medium rare. At this point, he wrapped everything up because the rest of us finished our meal. The server did not take anything off our bill for the inconvenience of my husband's dinner entrée. We even ordered desserts and coffee/tea. She could have given us a dessert or tea/coffee for the inconvenience. Plus the server knew that it was my birthday, so no free "ice cream"... nothing? We will go back again, but from what people have told is that we should just go to Siam Marina. It's the same food, same menu, for half the price.
(2)Katherine R.
How did this restaurant end tucked a short way from Route 30 on Broadway beats me. It is a elegant dining spot with an intriguing menu of asparagus dishes. As soon as my dad dropped my mother and I off here with our very good friend Phyl we drank hot tea and ate a glamorous array of appetizers served on unusual plates with unique vegetables and sauces. I really felt at home in the city night life here with the art deco and staff for being in Merryville, IN where farmland prevails under a main highway artery not to far off from the restaurant. My dish was a beautiful dresses and displayed fish that was so soft and tender that it felt like hot butter in my mouth. The capers gave it away with just the right amount saltiness. The breading the fish was boiled in it seemed due to the warm moisture mildly falling apart at every bite left me feeling light and airy and so I had room for another large piece of this delicious mouth watering fish with capers and a light glaze of buttery sauce.
(5)Melissa B.
I work very close to this place. This area doesn't exactly have a lot to choose from as far as restaurants are concerned. I was pleasantly surprised when a co-worker suggested this place for lunch. We split several appetizers and salads and everything was fresh and wonderful. My two favorites were the eggplant and the avocado rolls. I certainly wouldn't make this place a destination, but would choose it if in the area.
(4)Harini P.
This place is divine. The atmosphere is chic and luxurious from the moment you walk in! You must start with the avocado crispy rolls because they are so amazing. It goes so well with the sweet and sour sauce. Trust me, this is something you can't miss! My favorite meals have to be the following: Green Curry, it has a mild flavor but amazing none the less. I would ask them to kick up the spice a bit to add to it and add more green curry paste. I love the fact they personalize it to your heat preference but anything over medium heat ruins the flavor of the meal. Red Curry, I absolutely love it here. So fresh and full of flavor. I could swim in this sauce. The crispy vegetables are perfectly cooked and add to the flavor. I would not touch this dish, it is perfection! I do like to add some srirachi to it to complete the flavors but that is because I am a heat head. I love spices! Five Spice Duck, so I have mixed reviews about this dish. The first few times I had it, it was amazing. So moist and delicious. The five spice really adds something to the dish and it is so unique. Then came the bad experience, the duck was sooo dry that I had to send it back and get my usual red curry. Their sweet Thai iced tea is amazing! If you live in the area and have not experienced Asparagus for yourself, you have clearly been living under a rock!
(4)Benjamin R.
Very good Asian food, enormous portions. Got curry and some kind of spicy pork bowl I've forgotten the name of. Good crispy egg roll type appetizers too.
(4)Reed H.
This is the best restaurant in the region. Our waitress said that their seafood was flown in fresh from Hawaii. I was hesitant to believe that, but after tasting it, you could tell that it surely was fresh. 5 spice duck is out of this world. They have such an extensive menu, there is still plenty of things I can't wait to try
(5)Steven L.
For Asian/ French fusion they hit the mark! Clean Asian setting, with a super menu, of all levels of flavors. If you want to try something different, this is your place. The staff knows what they are doing, and a friendly, and don't rush your dinner. A great place for a romantic dinner, or special occasion. Super for both lunch and dinner. A must try! A++++++
(5)Sari H.
Don't let the strip mall fool you; Asparagus is spectacular. Food, cocktails, atmosphere, and service are always perfect. The flavors are perfectly balanced -- not the exaggerated, Americanized flavors of many Thai restaurants. My favorites are the spring rolls (tamarind chunks in the sauce - mmm) and lad na (recently removed from menu, but they're still happy to make it). Pricey for NWI, but definitely worth it!
(5)Anne L.
So, i was really disappointed with Asparagus this time around. And since you know it's my go-to restaurant, it hurts to have to say negative things about this place. No one in my household felt like cooking yesterday, nor did we feel like sitting in a restaurant. The best solution to this conundrum? Take out! But from where? Asparagus, duh! The take out items on Asparagus' menu are the same as the standard items, save for alcoholic beverages (container laws and such apply). Instead of getting a standard noodle dish, we ordered some Thai Egg Rolls, and Garlic Chicken with fresh veggies. So, I walk into Asparagus to retrieve my meal; and a snippy server emerges from the bar area. "Are you here to pick up an order for Mary?" I'm still trying to figure out how she new I picking up take out. At any rate, I confirmed. She brought the bag, and then took my money. If she'd reversed the process, it would have been more efficient. I digress. About five minutes later, the server ran back through with my money and placed it in my palm. I said, "Thank you!" That's a little backwards, ey? On my way out of the door, I peaked at the change in my hand. I'm a math teacher...I knew I was short changed. But whatever, I wasn't going to make a stink (or wait 5 more minutes) over $0.40. After sitting down to eat what I anticipated would be a wonderful meal, I wished I'd made a stink about the $0.40. The food was not of the quality I'm used to at Asparagus. The sauce was too salty to stomach. And as for fresh veggies, there were very few drowning in at the bottom of this oily, salty, container. The container of rice was broken, and started spilling out into the bottom of the bag. And I could've sworn we were told that there are supposed to be 4 Thai Egg Rolls in an order. There were only 3. From the (lack of) service to the (lack of quality of the) food, I expected so much more from Asparagus. Hopefully, last night was a fluke, and the next time I'm in town it's better.
(2)Dionne G.
Fine Thai dining has arrived. The dessert menu is first class. The creme brulle is exceptional.
(5)Tanya H.
I had been wanting to dine at this restaurant for years and finally, for my birthday, my fiancée took me there for dinner. I was very let down. I do not know if I had built up the expectation so high that anything less than spectacular would have been failure or if the food was just really really bad. We went on a Monday night and were 1 of three tables, which was fine and lent itself to great service. The staff was friendly and upbeat. Our server was friendly and attentive but not too attentive. We ordered seafood crispy rolls which were tasty and well-cooked, not drenched in oil and soggy but crispy like the menu states. I loved the sesame sweet n sour sauce served with the rolls - by far the best thing I had all night! I ordered the Asparagus Beef Lover and was served a bowl full of chopped up sirloin bits with veggies drenched in soy sauce. The dish was so salty and lacking in any other flavor other than soy sauce. I could have made a much better dish at home for a fraction of the price. I suppose if the dish wasn't $25 I would not have expected it to be anything special. But it was $25...$25 for a cheap cut of meat, baby corns, mushrooms, and asparagus swimming in 10 cent soy sauce. Very disappointing. My fiancée ordered the spicy lemon grass scallops and shrimp. I do not like lemon anything so I cannot comment other to say that the portions of scallops and shrimps were ample. He said it was okay but not worth the $29 - nothing special. I have no desire to ever try this place again.
(2)john k.
Sticker shock!!! Downtown Chicago prices. Noodle dishes $16-$20+. Large portions but a bowl of noodles with 5oz. of meat for those prices is insane. Gratuity added to parties of 6 or more, now your $20 dish is $24, at these prices you should not expect me to pay your staff's salaries. What really pissed me off was the way they served their avocado rolls. They made them smaller and cut them diagonally to make the portions look much larger. They have table cloths and then cover them with some stiff paper that continues to poke you as it is so thick, it doesn't fold out of the way. Did I mention that the prices are ridiculous? Food is good, presentation is good but prices need to be 30% less.
(2)Katie W.
"Paid $150.00 For Lunch. Rudely Asked To Leave." I'd like to preface this review by saying that I've been a long time patron of this establishment, and I've always been pleased. However, during my last visit for lunch, my best friend and I were treated very rudely by a lady, who stated that she was a co-owner. We arrived for lunch around 3:00pm, ordered drinks, an appetizer, main entrees and dessert. The total bill was $124.00, and we left a $26.00 tip. The food, and our server were great; however, I guess we were there a little too long (catching up), and we were told by the aforementioned, "I Need This Table!" When questioned about her rudeness, she did say that she could have stated her request differently. She said that she needed our table, due to impending reservations. We observed no one waiting in the lobby, and several tables were empty, in our surrounding dining area. We were never asked if it would be okay to be relocated at the bar. So much for the 250 seating capacity this establishment's website boasts. This restaurant's decor is aesthetically pleasing, but it's covering up a caustic dirty little secret.....TERRIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE by the CO-OWNER(female). Will NEVER patron Asparagus, Siam Marina I, and Siam Marina II again!!!
(1)Toyin L.
Everything in Asparagus was fantastic! I have eaten their twice and can't think of a better restaurant!
(5)Ellen M.
I ordered Pad Thai with Chicken for carry out. It was delicious! My food was ready in 10 minutes, the spice level was perfect, and overall it was fantastic. The price was right given that it could easily serve two. I will definitely go back. The also have some great lunch specials for under $10 (dine in). The atmosphere seemed nice, but I didn't get much beyond the front counter. I could have done without the burning incense, but incense always bothers me. The staff was pleasant and efficient.
(5)Larry C.
Stopped in for lunch on a hot summer Monday. First off, at 12:30pm - the place was almost empty. And it was FREEZING! But the Thai food was excellent as was the service. We left stuffed and a little chilled - but satisfied. My wife and I both agreed that this is place that would be better for dinner so we are making plans to return for an evening.... Pricey for NWI but I'm all for more upscale food instead of another Jimmy Johns...
(4)Mike M.
Service was quick for lunch. Five spice chicken and crispy catfish and asparagus roll was delicious.
(4)Julie M.
Disappointing. Stopped here with high hopes after some of the yelp reviews. Went in on a weekday around 4 so it was dead. They sat us directly next to the only other occupied table in the restaurant which was a little awkward considering there was no music or background noise so I felt like we were eavesdropping on the conversation next to us and vice-versa. Anyway, our party of 5 ordered calamari, oysters, and chicken eggrolls for appetizers. Eggrolls were good, oysters were ok, calamari was terrible (very overcooked and rubbery). For entrees we got scallops, shrimp pad thai, steak (can't remember which one), shrimp tempura (for a child) and some other noodle dish I cant remember. I can say that my scallops and my daughters shrimp tempura were excellent. That's about as far as the praise goes. Both noodle dishes were edible but certainly nothing exceptional, especially for the price. My husbands steak was awful. He ordered it medium rare and it came out far over well. He would have sent it back but after waiting for our waitress to make another appearance for more than ten minutes he gave into hunger and just ate it. I also have to say I was a bit puzzled by the tempura asparagus and onion ring served with everything. Maybe it's just because I'm not a big fan of fried things, but it was very heavy and totally off balance with what was on my plate, not to mention reminiscent of something you might find at a carnival. Who puts a fried onion ring on top of sauteed scallops? It felt like it was thrown on as an afterthought even though it seems to be their signature thing. Our waitress finally returned after everyone was finished and we asked for the bill. She proceeded to move and set tables in the dining room for a few minutes (while we watched her and waited) before she decided to comply with our request. I can't say that she was rude, just very inattentive. I would have much higher expectations for a $200 lunch. I wouldn't return here for anything we tried. Overpriced for the quality. Service was lacking, and I left hungry.
(2)Dinner Club Chicago C.
I had the crispy roll for my appetizer and the pineapple/cashew chicken as an entrée, with the cashews on the side. The private room and the company were on point, even though I had to put-up with Chris. Darlene I had the Vietnamese spring rolls as a appetizer and the pineapple/ cashew chicken as a entree. I enjoyed ALL of it and I would go back again. I give it 5 stars!!! Great choice Vonn and Chris!!!! Ed C. I had the crispy roll for my appetizer and the Red Snapper for my entree. The presentation on both was outstanding. I really enjoyed the Red Snapper. The ambience was great and the Jazz band was an added bonus. Fred W. I had the shrimp rolls for an appetizer. I enjoyed every bite. I had the mojito halibut steak as an entree. The mojito sauce was a tad bit too sweet for me but I enjoyed it nonetheless. It was nice to have a private room and background music. I give this dining experience 4 stars -- well worth the drive to Merrillville. Lori Carol had the asparagus lover with scallops and shrimp combo which she said she enjoyed very much. The meal had a combination of sauteed shrimp and sea scallops with mixed white and green asparagus, sea pod and onions in a delicate ginger soy glaze which for some may have been too sweet but I like sweet and enjoyed the combination. Mike had the grilled flank steak with two good goose martinis and we also shared a combination of appetizers the pork meat balls, seafood crispy rolls and spicy lemongrass beef all very good. The enclosed room made our dining experience more private allowing us to really enjoy our time together and our waiter's service was excellent. We give Asparagus 5 *****stars.... Cudo's to Yvonne and Chris for a wonderful pick and enjoyable evening. Carol and Mike Val and I shared the Shrimp Roll and the Lobster Mango Roll appetizers and we had the same review on them; the Shrimp Roll & Sauce was excellent, the Lobster Mango was OK the sauce did not do it justice. Val's Entrée was Sugar Cane Salmon which she said was to sweet, but her asparagus was delicious. She loved the intimacy of the room and the roses from the husbands made it a special occasion. Would have enjoyed the music more if she could have seen the band. Harold's Entrée was the Beef Lovers ? Very tasty I also enjoy the intimacy of the room, and the band was excellent. Great pick 5**** stars Harold & Val I had the the spring rolls for my appetizer which was very good and for dinner I had the pineapple cashew chicken it was very tasty. I'm glad we got a private room it gave us the opportunity to talk to each other without screaming across a table. The flowers were very lovely from the men and of course it was very enjoyable dining with the best dinner club in the world! I give Asparagus 5***** stars. Kim M. Our outing to Asparagus was superb and I'd like to say thanks again to our hosts, Chris & Yvonne, for choosing such a wonderful restaurant. I had a ginger/pear martini at Chris's suggestion which was "refreshing". I wanted to try something new on this outing so my appetizer was the signature fish cakes (a combination of sea bass, swordfish and salmon)....moist, light and delicious. My entree was the stuffed quail and although this is such a tiny bird, it took a while for my dish to arrive. Everyone was well into their meals by the time my dish came (I was told the kitchen made a mistake with the first two they tried to cook and they only had one left). It was a little under seasoned for my taste but worth the wait. I paired it with a red wine blend (can't believe my fellow wine heads opted for martinis all evening)...you missed out! My dessert, double layer Godiva chocolate cake, was DELECTABLE and was on the house!!! I'll give Asparagus 4.5 stars because of the food, the service (MICHAEL -YOU ROCK!!) and their ability to accommodate a large group with their own private room. Having the band nearby was a nice touch, but it was nice being able to close off the room as we do enjoy ourselves. Sandra Well Dinner Club, not trying to be the last one to respond, but it is great to see that everyone sent in their critique. Asparagus was a breath of fresh air compared to some of the other restaurants and considering that we missed last month. The ambiance was nice with a touch of jazz playing in the background and a private room is always a plus for me. The appetizers were excellent we ordered several so there were plenty to share, The Vietnamese spring rolls, The Thai spring rolls, the spicy lemongrass beef, The Pork Meatballs and The Shrimp rolls, WOW What a Treat... The drinks were potent, just the way I like them. For my entrees I had the Strip (not Skirt) Steak served with creamy garlic potatoes and tempura asparagus excellent flavor... To top it off the server Michael was superb; he was attentive throughout to entire evening. Great pick Vonn & Chris definitely going back. 5*****s Will L.
(5)Sanchez H.
Everything was DEEEEE-lish! The service was fantastic too! We ordered the Avocado Crispy Rolls & Coconut Soup for our starters--both were excellent. The crispy rolls were light and airy even though they were fried. The Tom Ka Gai (sp?)soup was full of flavor, none of which was over powering. For dinner we ordered the Drunken Noodle and the Grilled Flank Steak. Again each one was fantastic! Each dish was cooked to perfection, the noodles were perfect (not slimy like what you often find in some Thai restaurants) the basil and citrus in this dish were in a perfect balance with all the other flavors in the dish. The same can be said for the flank steak. It was a melody of flavors that were just yummy. We finished off with the bread pudding and again it was another yummy dish. OMG! Seriously, this was a great great dinner. The folks in merrillville are lucky to have this quality of Thai food in their town. I met a friend here because it was a half-way point for us ( I live in Indy and she lives further north) this place was soooo excellent that I would make the 2 hour drive again just to have dinner.
(5)Nae F.
We ordered the asparagus crispy rolls for an appetizer with asparagus lover with shrimp and scallops and Bangkok baby back ribs to follow. This would be 3 starts if it wasn't for our really good server Maureen-she was on us like flies on shit lol, never skipped a beat. 3 stars due to the entrees coming out cold. My entree was luke warm but I was starving so I didn't complain the other was not warm at all-which we sent back. I was expecting a bit more fish in my entree considering it came with 2 scallops only-although it was tasty. The menu is extensive and there are many other things I want to try. I will probably be back at some point, hopefully the food isn't cold next time.
(4)Daniel O.
Here is a restaurant you can go in to open the menu close your eyes and point your finger and guarantee you'll have one of the best meals you've ever had. Nothing short of spectacular very unique delicious dishes I would not recommend any single dish has everything I've ever tried here is great
(5)Juan G.
Giving it 3 stars this time because of the service. And that's sad but true. Maybe it was cause our guy needed to get warmed up for the day I don't know. That being said, service accounts for so much of a dining experience. However, what was lacking in service was made up for in the food. Took the safe route today and ordered the chicken pad Thai for the entree and the Thai egg rolls for apps. Thai egg rolls out shined the pad Thai by far. Very robust flavors packed within a very small package in those egg rolls. I was very impressed. The pad Thai I think is the safe route for a new eater of Thai. I would recommend this dish to someone who is a little cautious about trying new cuisines. Overall ok and a nice break from the regular. Not a regular place to eat, just one to visit for the atmosphere.
(3)Mike T.
This is a classy, classic Asian place. The decor is beautiful. The tables, silverware and setting is well thought out and just meticulous from what I saw. The music is calming and in the background as it should be. The staff is friendly and polite. Now... the food. Is Amazing. I had avocado spring rolls, light, tasty and had 2 sauces to dip. Both flavorful. I tried the shrimp Pho. Never had it before, but it was great. Rice Noodles were light, airy. Bean Sprouts and green onion, jalapeño and Thai basil gave it a full depth of flavor while maintaining a simple presentation and again a light delight. Had an unusual sweet, yet savory taste while giving a spike of heat that made me sweat a bit. Awesome! I also tried the Nutty Chicken. Very tasty, complex flavor profile. From the carmelized onion, green onion, carrots and dates, cashew, almond, peanuts and water chestnuts with perfect rice. The chicken was cut into thin pieces and the sauce brought it all together. Fantastic! I've eaten here a couple of times, this time I came for lunch, about noon. The dining area had quite a few tables full, but I sat in the lounge. A little quieter at lunch time. The server told me dinner service had a livelier lounge area and the dining area was quieter. Great service, great food, plenty of parking. A little pricy, but worth it. About $36. For the 2 mains and 1 appetizer
(4)Al G.
Great food and drinks, excellent bar with live jazz. Unfortunately, the service was extremely slow even though they appeared to have plenty of staff. Patrons got up from their tables to walk to the bar and order their drinks citing M.I.A waiters (waitresses). We sat at the bar and waited almost 1 hour for our food to come out. They either need to staff more appropriately or retrain their staff.
(4)Kristen P.
Wonderful! We had a table of five and everyone ordered something different. We all tried each others' and unanimously enjoyed all the dishes. The service was attentive and answered all our questions. Portions are very generous.
(5)Toby R.
Surprisingly, Merrillville has some good restaurants! On a family trip, we stopped here. The options were great and the portions were huge. Staff was knowledgeable and friendly.
(4)Tom C.
One of my favorite restaurants in northwest Indiana. We went for the lunch specials. I had the shrimp Pho and my wife decided to try the Chilean sea bass from the dinner menu. The service was excellent. They attended to us right off the bat. The waiter was super friendly. We tried the fried eggplant for an appetizer and was really good. Going back to the Pho and the Chilean sea bass, it was something I didn't expect to find in this area. The food was delicious and we will be back very soon. I highly recommend this restaurant.
(5)Edward W.
Excellent meal and excellent service. It was almost empty when we arrived (around 3pm on a Sunday) so we didn't wait long for anything. I ordered avocado spring rolls and the monk curry, both of which were very good. The waitress we had was very helpful and could describe most of the items on the extensive menu in great detail. My only issue were the prices, expect to drop around $30-40 per person when you come here.
(4)John B.
Real classy place, excellent food, drink, and service! So many awesome things to choose from on the menu. Will definitely be back!
(5)Horacio G.
I cannot even give it a star. The waiter was rude an having a bad day. However, after a $200 bill he should have been more then accommodating. Our waiter was a middle aged man with a bad hair style and glasses that he thought made him look intelligent. He bring me my drink and he tries to convince me that it was the same drink thst I had previously ordered. Even after I told him that it was not the same drink he tried to convince me otherwise. Yet, he did not even offer to replace my drink. I do not reward bad service therefore he only received 10 %. Do not waist you're money there. Food is judt ok an service is horrible.
(1)Regina F.
Husband and I have been here several times and recommended this place to many people, however this will stop. We were here for dinner on 9/12/15 and it was terrible. Husband ordered ribs, as he always does, and there were not good, they were tough, not tender like usual. My order was completely wrong. I also get the same thing every time and it was wrong and not good. The martinis - same thing; made differently. Just an overall bad experience. Waiter was nice but he really should have sent over a manager to speak with us. We come here 1-2 times per month and spend a nice amount on food, appetizers and alcohol, I believe this was very poor treatment and food. Last time we were here, there were 6 of us, we sampled many martinis and spent over $700; the time before that there were 6 of us again and we spend about $500. We expect good service and good food and did not receive that at all. We were also put off that a child was greeting people in the front and seating them. This is a nice, expensive restaurant and to be greeted and seated by a child is also just ridiculous for this type of establishment.
(1)Kawone H.
Consistently great food and excellent service defines this gem tucked off interstate 65. The atmosphere is calming, yet not awkwardly quiet. This trip led me to order up different fare, making my way around the menu. For starters, the Seafood Crispy Rolls are simply good! The scallops, lobster, crab, and shrimp were cooked perfectly and blended quite well in the spring roll. These were miles ahead of the Thai Egg Rolls stuffed with chicken. The Shiitake Duck and Shrimp was delicious. This duck was moist and seasoned well. Although the sauce was a tad bit too sweet for me, the rice and veggies helped to reduce that. As for the desserts, I wanted to try most of them but landed my finger on the Apple Crisp. I'm glad they pulled back on the sugar to allow the apples to do most of the work. The caramel tasted like caramel and not sugar. The whole peanuts and cashews were a nice surprise to the crisp. The service was excellent! She knew the menu and articulated it to all parties.
(5)Amoli P.
I happened on Asparagus while driving through Merrillville on my way back to Chicago. I don't know what the rest of the restaurant scene in Merrillville is like, but Asparagus was fantastic. Overpriced? Absolutely. I was traveling for work so I didn't mind the few extra dollars, but normally $17 for a tofu curry would annoy me unless it was the best curry I've ever had. That said, it's important to point out that the servings are pretty gigantic. I easily had enough to take home for my husband to have for dinner. I had the Monk Curry with tofu that was probably one of the best curries I've ever had. Not THE best, but pretty darn close. Not super oily, full of tasty tofu and fresh vegetables, and the presentation was excellent. I highly recommend it for vegetarians and meat lovers, alike. The lemongrass beef appetizer looked and smelled amazing, so I highly recommend that based on what I saw and smelled from other tables. I saw a number of other dishes being served as well, and I think Asparagus is the type of place that can do no wrong and every dish of theirs is probably pretty delish. There's a reason they can charge those prices in a small town and still be in business. Obviously they are doing something right, and that something is the food. Service was prompt and friendly (the place was empty - it was 5pm on a Wednesday). The atmosphere is classy but casual. The type of place that you can you dress up for on date night without feeling out of place, but also the type of place that you can just stop in on a whim in shorts and flip flops and also not feel out of place. I can't wait to stop there every time I drive through that area. It's without a doubt better than any Thai food I've had in Chicago (and I've had ALOT).
(4)Phoebe C.
Its a super nice place, however its a bit pricey for just a fish filet and some lettuce. We didn't like the drinks so we ask if they can switch our drinks for another. Our waitress was nice and the food was slightly ok but the service was not ok. We waited too long for our waitress to take our order. Even through we changed out our drinks for another they did not change the price. The only reason why I give this place a two star is because our waitress was really nice just slow on taking orders.
(2)Jon P.
We took our small group here after church. We try to visit a new restaurant every month or so. They delivered in quality. This is borderline fine dining without the fine dining cost. The place is very classy the staff is very very good. Go with friends so you can share the small appetizers. We highly recommend the avocado rolls... wow. This is one of my personal favs.
(5)SK H.
Excellent!!! Great food, very friendly staff. Three of us were on a business meeting had dinner at the bar staff was fantastic food recommendations were very good.
(5)Cindy M.
My first time here and ordered "calamari tempura" "asparagus almond beef" and "pak ki eiw" stir fried noodle. However, my so called "Asparagus Almond beef" doesn't even have any asparagus inside. And the food in General is too salty - expect to drink a lot of water. Also, the price is bit high, well, I understand the place is fancy. But a plate of veggie cost 20 bucks? That's crazy. But I do like the environment. Fresh flowers and water table cloth provide a classy feeling. A great dating place.
(3)Neville M.
Wherever Tammy opens a Thai restaurant I will go. This is the third restaurant she's opened that I will travel to have good Thai food. Still haven't been to Siam Marina in Tinley Park, but I will. The food is always so fresh and flavorful. I love that it's also very healthy and not overly oily. The Vietnamese Spring Rolls and the Spicy Lemongrass Beef are two of my favorite appetizers. The only problem you will have, will be trying to decide what you want to order, as the menu has a plethora of delicious options. I love the Seafood Clay Pot and Basil Chicken dishes. In addition to the food the service is excellent. Pedro has been serving my family for the past 15 years! He is one of the best waiters I've had the pleasure of being served by. He is always there with a smile when you need him, but not overly present. Tammy, as I am currently in the process of moving to Berwyn, I would like to put in a request that you open your next restaurant there;)
(5)Alan B.
This is one place that I'll let you figure out on your own. First of all I don't care much for Asian food. I went here with a couple of friends (it was my turn to treat) because they said that this spot was phenomenal, but I didn't see that. It reminded me of some swanky New York restaurant where you get one small piece of meat and they drizzle it with a bunch of crap and charge you $50.00 bucks for it! I'd rather get a fat Italian beef sandwich w/provolone and giardiniera peppers or a deep dish pizza, not gonna happen at this joint. The lemongrass beef is decent but like I said, they only give you a few strips of it but give it to you on a pile of crap that you're not gonna eat. I spent over $150.00 bucks for the 3 of us and didn't leave even close to full! One other yelper described the place as an overpriced Panda Express and I totally agree with them.
(2)Cat L.
Who would have thunk? Excellent food in Merrillville, Indiana. This is not the first time we've been to Asparagus, and it won't be the last. I had a superb martini tonight...Sugar Plum. I can't remember the name of my entrée but it was basically scallops and shrimp in an extremely flavorful ginger sauce. Mmmmmm. If you need to impress someone with a spectacular meal in the Region, this is the place.
(5)Bill S.
Well after three visits my review continues to be meh. Yep meh. Today I ordered the hot and spicy stirfried beef which arrived neither hot or spicy. The atmosphere and overall presentation of the meal was excellent and I want to come back, but the food is never very good. My wife on the other hand would give this restaurant five stars as she always enjoys the drunken noodles dish. Today's lunch was beef and the beef was tasteless and often filled with tendons. I'm not a food snob I just expect that when I order a beef dish that I can actually taste that it's beef I'm eating. When I ask for spicy at an Asian restaurant I'm expecting to be almost blown away with spice. I detected absolutely no spice in the hot and spicy dish. I'm giving this four stars only because my wife would give it five and I would give it three so if their average is four stars.
(4)Kim S.
Had dinner here this past weekend and came away disappointed. Server seemed to rush our party to order, even to the point of bringing drink orders piecemeal. We enjoyed the seafood spring rolls for an appetizer, but the wait between courses was almost inexcusable. Server returned to our table approximately 20 minutes after appetizers had been finished and reconfirmed our entree orders. Then we waited another 15 minutes or so for the entrees to arrive at the table. We were never offered a second drink, although the bus staff was excellent about keeping water glasses refreshed. I ordered a dish with shrimp and scallops and was horrified to find the shrimp tremendously over cooked and rubbery. The scallops were properly prepared, even if there was only one whole scallop in the bowl. I will say the sauce was delicious. We ordered dessert, and the tiramisu was excellent. The creme brûlée was ruined by a heavy hand on the torch in the kitchen. Acoustics in the small room where we were seated were not conducive to conversation at the table. Sorry, I won't be back.
(3)Rott G.
My friend and I like to go here for lunch. We both enjoy Pho. (I used to enjoy Saigon until we became ill from eating there) My friend informed the server our Pho didn't taste right. Our server told us that the owner sometimes uses different ingredients. WHAT?? It's PHO! I hate when a server deals me some bullshit! We will go back because there is not another Pho place where we won't get sick. I guess we will have to put up with inconsistency. The $10 Cucumber Martini's are good but I think they should be around $7. I have ordered other items but they are heavy. I like traditional thai. The decor is beautiful. The staff is friendly but when very busy can be slow.
(3)Kurt N.
My wife and I visited this place for dinner about a year ago. We were extremely disappointed with the meal, especially at the price point they command. My "to die for" pork shank was extremely salty and my wife's $32 grouper was not only frozen fish but was still cold in the middle. All and all we were thoroughly disappointed with the experience. We decided to give it one more try recently for lunch. Our calamari came out overdone and rubbery. Which didn't seem to matter to our server. Our lunches weren't bad, but neither of us thought it warranted the high price. I've had better Thai food at a hole in the wall take out place for half the price. They do have a nice ambience, but that was unfortunately the highlight of our two experiences there. I wouldn't recommend this restaurant.
(2)David O.
They are always on point, never had anything bad there. Panang and Pad Thai are the best even when doing carry out and have to drive 1/2 hour smelling the wonderful smells all the way home and doing a little re-heating. Great, friendly staff, they always take good care of you.
(5)Jane T.
Nothing bad here! Classy.... Amazing food presentations and flavors to come back for! Oh and martini options unlike anywhere else!
(5)Leslie L.
So I really enjoy the atmosphere here because it is a really inviting place. I had the appetizer Chilean Sea Bass and it was delicious and the Chicken Pad Thai for dinner. I have had this a few times and it is very good. I do not have my h to compare it to however as I have only had Pad Thai at 3 other restaurants. To me this was the best out of 4 total. My husband had something with pineapple and I tried his and it was very tasty. I need to go back soon and have a martini and also try something other than Pad Thai on the menu!! It will be hard though because I really like that
(5)Christian K.
Asparagus - Chi-town style atmosphere in "The 219" I've been here a few times, not as often as I'd like but, often enough that I know what to order before I get there. Here's the skinny: This place is good for "Date Night" The menu has something for everyone. Appetizers really ARE appetizing! Bar area deco is very relaxing. Martinis are ridiculously tasty. Here's the fat: The menu is very eclectic, I'm pretty sure that there's NOTHING on it that I don't want to try. Some of my Fave's: Asparagus & Crab Soup - It's damn near perfect. I add a bit of salt to it, that's it. Bangkok Baby Back Ribs - delicious and fall off the bone. Pineapple Fried Rice - Ya... If you're a pineapple fan, this is where it's at! Basil Fried Rice - I can't lie, it's good but I always say "easy on the basil". Desserts are to die for, if you're not too full because of the giant portions, definitely take a look. As far as appetizers go Asparagus dominates in taste and showmanship. I really like how they take the time to add some elegance to the plate. The only thing negative I can say is that it's just an appetizer... I wish some of the appetizers were made into full meals. My Fave's: Lemongrass Beef - tender, just the right spice and beautifully presented. BTW the red sauce is pretty HOT but, compliments really well with the beef. Thai Egg Rolls - perfect, that's it, just perfect. Gettin' your drink on?? Try these: Tokyo Night (This is My absolute favorite one) Lychee Martini Kumquat Martini Geisha Girl Hot Sake Good food, good drinks, good people! You'd be crazy not to try it at least once. #SYOY Woohoo review #57! #Awesome
(5)Saara H.
Better Thai food in NW Indiana than in NYC - can't wait to go back
(5)Karen G.
I can't keep count how many times I've been to this place and brought different friends almost all the time. It's so pleasing from the ambiance to the food selection, that I'm delighted to suggest this restaurant everytime somebody wants a good dining experience. Not only are the foods delectable, they're in sufficient portion. The variety of cocktails are tasty as well. Service is awesome. Servers are knowledgeable about each item in the menu. Definitely a place to try!
(5)Eunice A.
The best restaurant around. Marvelous food and beautiful presentation. Appetizers, drinks, curries, noodles- everything is a big 5 star!! Thank you!!
(5)Bryan M.
This is definately the classiest restaurant in this town.. tried some things here I would not usually order... the kumquat quail... tasted good but imagine picking the meat off a small bird... not worth it... now the almond beef was fantastic. I would definitely check this place out if your into unique asian food..
(4)Mitch S.
Took my daughter here on 10/15/2014 for her birthday. Our waitress was very attentive and have no complaints about her. I ordered the $30 ribeye steak, which came to me cold and a very small, sorry looking cut of beef. All of the entrees ordered lacked freshness and I can infer that they sat for a long while before served. The amount of food for the cost was very discouraging. They took my steak back and heated it up promptly, but this meal was definitely not worth the price. I ended up going to Wendy's right after and was more fulfilled ordering $4 worth of burgers than I was with my $30 steak. I won't be making a return trip
(1)Eric S.
Very disappointed, I called a week in advance to get a reservation and asked if they could prepare a special plate for my table when I arrived and I was assured I would. When my date and I arrived there was no host and after waiting for a few minutes a server finally was like I'll take you to a table. Needless to say my surprise was ruined and never happened. Strike 1. Then we got sat and waited and watched three other tables that got seated after us get to place their drink order. Finally after our server came to the table we ordered our drink and then waited another 20 minutes to receive the beverages because there was no one at the bar making the drinks ( we were right next to the bar) strike two! After we finally placed our order our drink was done and we ordered another, to no surprise at this point our food came and after we ate our entire meal we finally received our 2nd drink. And that was strike 3! We may have seen our server 3 times and it was to take our drink order twice and the bill once! Horrible valentine dinner and terrible experience. I will never go back and never suggest this place to anybody else. The only reason they got 1 star, the dinner food was pretty good but nothing to die for like some of the posts I have previously read! What a shame I wanted to like this place!
(1)Molly S.
Great place for dinner before a show at the Star Plaza. Our food was very good and the ambience was upscale. We would definitely dine here again!! We were in the back room where a large party was seated and it got loud at times. Next time we would request s table in the front room or bar area. We had the pineapple cashew and shrimp/scallop pad Thai, both of which were delicious! The portions are very generous. The service was very friendly and quick on turn around.
(4)Karan M.
Great food and a beautiful setting. One of the best dining experiences I have had in a while.
(5)Anuj S.
One of the best Thai places I've had. This was my first time there, and I tried my standard Thai red curry. I asked for it to be spicy and they definitely delivered. Asparagus is a bit pricey, but they do deliver on a great ambiance, service, and good. I look forward to trying the Pad Ki Mao next time. That'll be the next big test. So far though, Asparagus gets flying colors.
(5)Paul P.
Best on menu Avocado spring rolls Chicken pad Thai that rivals chicago. Ribs....ummm. I was shocked too but the most tender in nwi. Sauce is solid just wish it was a little sweeter but would order it again and again. Better then Wagners and Kelsey's if possible
(5)Elizabeth M.
I've been to Asparagus a dozen or so times over the last 4 years, and I've always had a top-notch experience from start to finish. I'll start with the service: these are career waiters/waitresses who know what they're doing, they understand the menu inside & out, can recommend a wine or cocktail to pair with your meal, and are attentive without being intrusive. Additional servers visit the table frequently to refill your water or clear your plates. Last night we were lucky enough to be served by Amy, who is friendly, knowledgeable, and super cute. The food is outstanding. My favorites include monk curry, mussaman, spicy basil leaves, the Asparagus platter, and any of the dessert coffees. Last night I also tried the cinnamon and fig martini, which was a treat. I sipped on my friend's Asian boar martini, which was garnished with a piece of bacon. Wow! I didn't stray from my favorite entree; others at my table enjoyed the spicy baked salmon and the Asparagus lover with scallops & shrimp, but nothing compared to the "to die for pork shank." I won't even attempt to describe it, you just have to try for yourself. The menu is consistent except for a few specials and additions here and there. Be sure to ask your server if you're interested in something specific. Asparagus also includes a separate bar with occasional live music and a private party room. It's a fantastic choice for a special occasion or apps & cocktails with friends. Definitely one of my favorite restaurants in NWI.
(5)Erb B.
best restaurant in NW IN!
(5)K B.
Ok, second time is the charm. The appetizer fish cakes were divine, I would have eaten just those happily. And my thai drunken noodle meal was excellent, and of a large quantity. I believe this is just one of those restaurants where carryout cannot do justice to the deliciousness of the food, so definitely dine in.
(4)Sherry L.
I wasn't expecting much from a Thai restaurant in the Midwest, so I was pleasantly surprised by how great Asparagus was! I wouldn't say that the food is "authentic". It is actually more fusion style, but Asparagus really makes it work! I ordered the lobster mango spring rolls and the tofu pad thai. Both were superb! The peanuts in the pad thai were BBQ roasted, which really lent the rest of the dish a nice smokey flavor. The sauce served with the spring rolls was delicious - not quite the typical peanut sauce - but with a bit more tang and a hint of plum. Any of the rice/noodle dishes are big enough for two to share. Since I was eating alone, I had enough for a whole second meal (midnight snack/early morning breakfast). Woohooo.
(5)Scott S.
One of the more challenging reviews I've written. A little shocked when we saw the menu. I would rate this at $$$ instead of 2. When an order of chicken fried rice is $16, I'd call that pricey. As other reviewers have mentioned, if this was in Chicago, I'd accept the pricing buts this is high for this location in Merrillville. I think what you order here will greatly influence the review. My 2.5 stars are for our overall experience. I ordered the Mojito Halibut Steak. It was very good, flavorful, & well prepared. Generous portion of fish with a large side of grilled vegetables & steamed rice. Recommend this. The big disappointment was my wife's order (also the primary reason for our visit) Tum Yum Goong. She was in the mood for a traditional Thai soup and this missed the mark by a mile. It was not spicy like it should be, it was sweet like it shouldn't be, and clearly did not contain the ingredients it should. This was a BIG disappointment. The Hawaiian fried rice that we ordered for our son was pretty tasty. We took a lot of it home as it was a full order. A negative was the lack of any child's menu items or the ability to make a half order of an entree. Considering the fail on the soup & the lack of choices for children, I will not be going to Asparagus again. Maybe try it for Asian Fusion, but not for Thai favorites. If you are Thai (as my wife is) I think you will not get your craving satisfied here.
(2)Angela M.
My husband and I are major fans of this restaurant. We absolutely love Sam and Tammy! The food is always sooooo good. Having grown up in the restaurant business, there is no such thing as perfect...but there is close to it! Thats what they have created. We wish this family owned establishment nothing but success..forever! Looking forward to the next visit as always. Its our favorite local spot:) We love Katie as our server:) and of course Sam at the bar;)
(5)Stacy S.
The food and service were amazing. If I am in Merrillville again it will definitely be on my short list for a meal!
(5)Gustavo L.
Today I had the chicken basil for lunch. It was good, but the portion was very small. It look like an appetizer. This is totally ridiculous because prices are not cheep at all.
(2)Mary M.
Went in on a weeknight for dinner. The hostess behind the podium asked if we had a reservation and I told her we didn't. She then told me that they had a table available but it was going to the other party waiting. Was it necessary to say that? We were still waiting on our friend anyway, so we stepped over to the bar to wait and order a drink. I never even got to sit because the male host that was seating walked past me and almost knocked me over. No excuse me, no sorry, no screw you. I have never been treated so rudely at a restaurant before, and I will certainly never return. Just shows you can't even pay some people to show a little courtesy.
(1)Josh M.
Charming and elegant, this little gem north of US 30 is always a pleasant surprise. The food is delicious with almost embarrassingly big portions (of the four meals we ordered, at least half of all four went home with us). The prices are on the high side, especially the appetizers (which are, honestly, fantastic, but not necessary, given the portion sizes of the dinners), and there is a curious disconnect with them as well: despite being pricey, and the entrees being huge, the appetizers are curiously small; almost taster plates. But, whatever. Don't overdo it on the apps, I guess is what I'm saying. That said, although they claim "asian/French fusion", their specialty is really their Thai food. The pad see eiw (my go-to meal) is remarkable...light, flavorful, bursting with fresh vegetables and tasty noodles. The "martinis" were very good as well...one in particular, the "not without my figtini" (no idea about the name), was excellent...full of cinnamon spiciness and figgy sweetness. A final, very minor criticism: service was a little on the slow side, but it was prime time on a Friday night, and once our server got to us, everything went smoothly. An excellent time, and a great meal.
(4)Kim B.
Going here is always a special treat. The avocado crispy rolls are amazing. The best green curry around!
(5)Angela T.
So, it's that time of year again and I find myself in NW Indiana. When here, this is THE place to dine. Keep in mind, I am not here often but I was extremely surprised that the waitress remembered my from last year. She remembered how I wanted my spring rolls prepared and even where I sat!! Amazing, talk about customer service, she should provide classes to others do they recognize how it is done! Another great meal. It is so well worth the visit whenever you might be in the area. If you need to be in this part of the state, make the drive here for lunch or dinner. You will not be disappointed!!
(5)