Newly renovated Indy’s offers fresh look at food

  • Published
  • By Jana Hall
  • 14th Force Support Squadron
COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  The newly renovated Indy's restaurant at the Columbus Club here is now open for lunch and dinner offering lunch choices from a new menu Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Evening diners can enjoy an array of options from the Indy's at Night menu Monday through Thursday from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday until 10 p.m.

Valentine's Day seems the perfect day to celebrate the grand opening of the new and improved Indy's restaurant - a project Col. Kenryu M. Bryson, 14th Mission Support Group commander, Club Manager Lisa Pajac and Executive Chef Lance Orsborn hold near and dear to their hearts. All are invited to attend the ribbon cutting Feb. 14 at 11 a.m.

"This has always been part of my vision for true food service to Columbus Air Force Base," said Colonel Bryson.

The newly remodeled restaurant's atmosphere might best be described as casual elegance with the stained concrete floors, stamped tin ceilings, Tiffany-style lighting, comfortable booths, floor to ceiling windows and rich wood tones throughout.

"We purposely designed it to be a restaurant that serves alcohol rather than a bar that serves food," Colonel Bryson said. "We want to cater to families, but still provide an atmosphere comfortable for the adults who might stop in after work."

"The place looks like what it is -- a nice restaurant with wonderful food," said Mrs. Pajac. "The new items on the lunch menu as well as all of the evening entrée dishes are just some of Chef Lance's specialties. They mirror his personality...homemade, comforting and a bit spicy!"

Chef Lance came to Columbus AFB just three months ago with his primary focus on expanding Indy's service to include night dining and, working closely with Pajac, to develop the new menus. His resume is impressive having cooked for and with such famous culinary personalities as Emeril Lagasse, Michael Simon and Paula Dean.

Pajac is not shy about bragging on the Columbus Club's talented find. "I've worked with many chefs in my career, and Chef Lance is one of the best," she said. "His staff responds to him, and his enthusiasm for the food and the restaurant is contagious."

The likable, humble chef may come across as a laid-back country boy, but Chef Lance is a whirlwind of talented energy in the kitchen. He and his kitchen team move like a well-oiled machine.

"I'm excited about Indy's," said Chef Lance. "This has been our baby, and we're ready to show her off now."

The restaurant will continue to offer daily "endless" specials and discounted prices for Club Members during lunch. Indy's at Night will also offer daily specials and discounts for Club Members. Just some of the evening specials are Family Night each Monday when members' children eat free off the kid's menu, "endless" wings each Wednesday night and $18 dinner-for-two specials every Thursday evening.

Colonel Bryson said he is confident that Indy's will be a success from the standpoint of the restaurant providing quality food at fair prices, "but its success will also depend on the support it receives from the base community."