Julia Spalding

Construction on the downtown mixed-use complex CityWay is still in its hard-hat–and–yellow-tape phase. But look closely through the jackhammer dust, and you will notice that some of the key components of the eight-block project are starting to take form. Most notably, we can see the outline of the restaurant Cerulean, slated to open as early as November at the corner of South and Delaware streets. The 6,000-square-foot space bears little resemblance to its Winona Lake flagship, a wood-shingled cottage with a surprisingly hip decor—where diners settle into baby-blue Eames chairs to eat locally sourced meals served in lacquered bento boxes. Co-owner Caleb France, who opened the northern-Indiana restaurant six years ago with wife Courtney, gave us a preview of the Indianapolis outpost, which the 30-year-old self-taught chef sees as an extension (but not a duplicate) of the original.

The Paleo Taco (tucked inside a jicama “tortilla”) and bacon–sweet-potato hash with all-organic ingredients from the Caveman Truck parked downtown last week. The sweet-corn ice cream that chef Micah Frank has been making at Black Market (922 M

As thousands of gamers, cosplayers, and just-your-average Doctor Who fans descend upon Indianapolis for Gen Con weekend, Duo’s food truck knows its audience.

>> MORE: To Eat or Not to Eat—State Fair Dos and Don’ts, now through Sunday, Aug. 19

Some people get excited about the Midway rides. Others can’t wait to see the farm animals and monster trucks. But last week’s opening day at the Indiana State Fair put us in a state of deep (fried) thought. For some of us, it’s about the food. And though the concessionaires try to outdo themselves every year with ever more outrageous dishes (spaghetti ice cream, deep-fried peanut butter cups, raspberry doughnut chicken sandwiches), we have our perennial favorites. Want to know which IM staffer has a thing for Hot Wisconsin Cheese? Here, we tell all.

Italian Spaghetti Ice Cream at the Indiana State Fair, one of this year’s buzzed-about newcomers. With a flavor reminiscent of strawberry shortcake, the frozen treat consists of a pile of creamy, noodle-shaped vanilla gelato; a “red sauce” of syrupy pureed strawberries; chocolate malted milk “meatballs”; and grated white-chocolate “cheese.” Points for creativity, and the kids will love it.

1.     Watermelon gazpacho—rich and yet refreshing—at Bluebeard (653 Virginia Ave., 317-686-1580). A fresh fluke-and-corn ceviche tops the bowl.

Minutes later, she sat down a sugar-rimmed martini glass filled with a hot-pink liquid that was actually hissing at the surface, like a witches’ cauldron.

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1.     Two fully saturated and crumble-topped hunks of buttermilk bread pudding at Bluebeard (653 Virginia Ave., 317-686-1580), scattered with ricotta and sweetened with prosecco cherries.

2.     The Polo Loco Real at El Meson (multiple locations)—chicken breast pounded thin, grilled, and topped with liquefied cheese, with mini flour tortillas for taco making and juice sopping.

3.     The Mega-Miller breakfast sandwich from Uptown Cafe (809 Conner St., Noblesville, 317-674-8668): a biscuit sandwich with egg, American cheese, ham, bacon, and hash browns, topped with jalapeno jelly, spinach, and tomatoes.

4.     Cafe Korea’s (7262 Fishers Crossing Dr., Fishers, 317-578-1987) seared pork dumplings. Inside a crispy fried crust, the filling is just hot enough to bring out the pork’s full flavor.

5.     The open-faced braised short rib sandwich at Palomino (49 W. Maryland St., 317-974-0400), in which tender meat holds its own against a starchy double whammy: mashed potatoes and a crusty roll. Beef Manhattan with an attitude.

1.     Whole catfish—cornmeal-dredged, deep-fried, and served with a plastic tub of tartar sauce—at Frank & Mary’s Tavern (21 W. Main St., Pittsboro, 317-892-3485).

2.     A summer zucchini-potato bisque topped with sea trout and sweet corn at Room Four (4907 N. College Ave., 317-925-7529).

3.     The Pomodoro pizza at Jockamo Upper Crust Pizza (5646 E. Washington St., 317-356-6612; 401 Market Plaza, Greenwood, 317-883-8993), with thin slices of eggplant encased in tangy-sweet tomato-basil sauce and cheese in sinful excess.

4.     Fried green beans at Scotty’s Lakehouse (10158 Brooks School Rd., Fishers, 317-577-2900), a restaurant that has no shortage of dipping sauces. In this case, go for the sweet mustard one.

5.     Creamy blueberry ice cream from H2O Restaurant & Sushi Bar (1912 Broad Ripple Ave., 317-254-0677).

Don’t blink. Gardens blooming with delicate squash blossoms have the briefest harvest season. FARMbloomington’s chef Daniel Orr told us about a delicious way to prepare nature’s ephemeral bounty here (in a fritatta with new potatoes), and he offers these tips on handling the flowers with care:

The cool, refreshing prawn salad called goi tom thit at Sizzling Wok Thien Huong (7280 Michigan Rd., 317-298-9001), in which shrimp and slivered veggies wilted in a sweet marinade are topped with crushed peanuts and rice crackers for scooping. Fountain Square new arrival Bluebeard’s (653 Virginia Ave., 317-686-1580) Sanctuary cocktail, a pretty-in-pink s

The Huffington Post calls out 10 Breastaurants You Should Know, including two Indy destinations: the classic Hooters and The Tilted Kilt, which boasts the city’s highest concentration of mini tartans.

Please note that Strange Brew Coffee House (4800 W. Smith Valley Rd., Greenwood, 317-881-5282) will be closed tomorrow for the holiday, as will many other local dining spots. So call ahead. And don’t eat too many hot dogs.