Essential for the reductive metabolism of L-phenylalanine, L-tyrosine and L-tryptophan (PubMed:29168502). Catalyzes the conversion of phenylpyruvic acid to phenyllactic acid, 4-hydroxy-phenylpyruvic acid to 4-hydroxy-phenyllactic acid, and indolepyruvic acid to indolelactic acid (PubMed:29168502, PubMed:4384683). (R)-3-phenyllactate + NAD(+) = 3-phenylpyruvate + H(+) + NADH (2R)-2-hydroxy-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)propanoate + NAD(+) = 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)pyruvate + H(+) + NADH 3-(indol-3-yl)lactate + NAD(+) = H(+) + indole-3-pyruvate + NADH Optimum pH is 7.0 for indolepyruvate reduction. Optimum pH is 8.5 for indolelactate oxidation. Amino-acid degradation. Mutants are deficient in reductive metabolism of phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan, and exhibit growth defects when cultured with amino acids as the sole carbon source. Belongs to the D-isomer specific 2-hydroxyacid dehydrogenase family.