Volusia County welcomed a brand-new restaurant earlier this month, serving traditional Indian cuisine with a dash of modern "American flair."
Imli Indian Kitchen and Bar started serving guests just two weeks ago at 330 S. Atlantic Ave. in Ormond Beach, the former location of Millie’s North — which closed in the final weeks of 2023. For owners Sreeraj and Alexis Meleparambath, or "Mele," opening the serene new restaurant has been a long-time dream, well worth the wait.
After moving to Florida in 2015, Sreeraj, originally from South India, met his now wife, Alexis, while working as a chef at a local restaurant owned by her parents in Venice, Florida. With over a decade of experience in the kitchen, Sreeraj is now cheffing up his own authentic array of scratch-made creations beachside, following the recent opening of the couple’s first restaurant together.
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After searching for the perfect space for roughly a year across Florida, the pair stumbled upon the former seafood restaurant, whose sizeable kitchen, expansive dining area and standalone, roadside location, made it a perfect fit for their evolving concept.
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And so far, locals seem to think so, too.
“It’s been super good. Customers seem really happy and just really excited,” Alexis said, noting several patrons had already returned for seconds, alongside friends and family, during the restaurant’s opening week.
What’s on the menu at Imli Indian Kitchen and Bar?
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The new Indian kitchen boasts a lengthy menu of shareable appetizers, including the samosa — a traditional, golden-fried pastry layered with potatoes, green peas and cumin seeds; and the pakora — onion, potato, eggplant and bell pepper fritters in house-spiced chickpea flour.
Visitors will also find an array of vegan “meatless marvels” on the menu, including the dal tadka — lentils, cumin seeds, fresh garlic and sliced ginger; and the okra, eggplant or mushroom kadai.
“There’s not too much sauce in there — just a little bit,” Sreeraj said of his kadai. “And mostly coriander, bell pepper, onions” and tomato, making for a “simple," much “lighter” meal as compared to more robust curry dishes, Alexis noted.
“(The menu) will all have a more South Indian flair, which normally is less sweet,” she said.
“They do a lot of coconut and fish (where he’s from), so I definitely wanted to add that. And my American twist was some appetizers, like we did masala fries,” as well a chicken wrap, layering chopped chicken tikka with vegetables and garlic sauce wrapped in freshly-prepared wheat bread.
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The Ormond eatery’s variety of scratch-made curries are already a fan-favorite, the duo noted, with a range of options, customizable in spice level, including the popular “traditional curry” ($14-$20) made from a tomato onion sauce with ginger, garlic and turmeric; the Kerala fish curry with salmon, tilapia or shrimp; and korma — creamy cashew sauce with cardamom, garlic and the diner's choice of chicken, lamb or goat, among other meat and veggie options.
“His korma is different than most places. Again, he just makes everything stronger — more whole spices, more forward. Not just cream and a hint of flavor, you know?” Alexis explained.
“His has more cardamom in it than other places that will usually have more garlic.”
Imli Indian Kitchen also showcases a handful of tandoori meats, prepared with house marinades and cooked in the restaurant’s tandoor oven. The traditionally vase-shaped clay oven can reach above 700 degrees Fahrenheit, according to Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, yielding tender meats with a pronounced smokiness and unique depth of flavor.
Having trouble deciding on just one? The tandoori sampler plate ($28) gives diners the full flavor array, with a helping of basil chicken, malai kebab, chicken tikka, tandoori chicken, tandoori shrimp and lamb chops.
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For dessert, the eatery’s homemade mango mousse ($5) is a light, creamy must-try with a refreshing flavor and sweet biscuit crumble coating that will leave you craving seconds.
Looking ahead with Imli Indian Kitchen and Bar
Currently, the restaurant features a full bar, boasting cocktails with an "Indian twist," like the mango rum lassi, Imli spritz and kheera tonic, and has plans to introduce more "tapas-style" menu items in the future.
Imli Indian Kitchen also offers a dine-in only lunch special from 11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Tuesday – Friday starting at $12, with customers’ choice of curry alongside lentil soup; basmati rice; papadum; naan; the daily appetizer; and dessert.
Though currently closed Mondays, the duo hopes to eventually open daily.
Imli Indian Kitchen & Bar is located at 330 S. Atlantic Ave. in Ormond Beach and is open for lunch 11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Tuesday – Sunday and dinner 4 – 9 p.m. Tuesday – Thursday and Sunday, 4 – 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday and closed on Monday. The restaurant offers dine-in, takeout and delivery through DoorDash. For information, call 386-281-3323 or visit imlikitchen.com.
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