The Penne Medici at downtown’s new Lorenzo’s Ristorante (15 E. Maryland St., 317-635-3096), tossed with roasted chicken, artichokes, sun dried tomatoes, and capers. The crock of bubbling-hot spinach dip served with warm, salty tortillas at Champions (350 W. Maryland St., 405-6111). The vibrantly colore
In case you were wondering what the raised beds at 30th and Central were all about, we have the dirt. Maggie Goeglein, project manager for Fall Creek Gardens, tells us it’s the start of a new community garden. “The goal is to provide support to home and urban food production by practicing and teaching organic and sustainable methods of growing food, encouraging community garden space (virtual and physical), and by providing access to tools, supplies and information,” says Goeglein. They will start by growing basic garden veggies such as tomatoes, peppers, broccoli, cabbage, and leafy greens such as lettuces, collards, kale, and spinach, along with herbs and edible or beneficial flowers. The group welcomes all who want to learn–about everything from how to plan a garden, to how to raise a flock of backyard chickens.
It is difficult to imagine a cozier retreat from the winter chill than Meridian Restaurant & Bar (5694 N. Meridian St., 317-466-1111), a charming log cabin built in the 1800s, with dark wood, a stone hearth, and windows overlooking Meridian-Kessler. To receive the most transcendent culinary experience, though, set the menu aside and allow chef Dan Dunville to choose the evening’s feast for you. As we did. After starters of meaty and succulent quail grilled and served with lemon Parmesan kale risotto, and roasted beets with tarragon, apples, and white pepper (with the perfect amount of acid) came the liquid goodness of Meridian’s smoky, warm corn soup. The puree of roasted corn, parsnips, and bacon is flecked with red pepper and drizzled with oil made from herbs de Provence. Entrees were the house’s go-to dry-rubbed pork tenderloin, with flavors of cumin, chorizo, and red chile, and scallops drizzled with lingonberry, apple, and balsamic sauces. We could not have picked a better and more satisfying rotation of plates ourselves.
When the history of cuisine in the United States in the 20th century gets written (it’ll take some time to get some real perspective), there can be no question that chef Charlie Trotter will have a place in the pantheon. His eponymous Chicago restaurant ranked with French Laundry, El Bulli, and other temple destination as one of the places anyone serious about dining needed to visit—not to mention served as a training ground for an emboldened generation of chefs, including the likes of Grant Atchatz and others. On New Year’s Eve, he announced that his cozy place would close in August, after its 25th anniversary. Get your reservations … now.
There is a good summary in the Chicago Tribune, as well as a Sun-Times piece from New Year’s Day. (Props to that scrappy newspaper, which broke the story.)
The Traitor, a deliciously updated Eggs Benedict at Ruth’s Keystone Cafe (3443 E. 86th St., 317-757-8006). It features two eggs poached (to such creamy-dense perfection that we wish this kitchen would run a workshop on the lost art), placed atop seasoned mashed-potato pancakes (instead of the traditional English muffin) and drizzled with a luscious Hollandaise that rides the rich lemony-buttery-creamy flavor wave. A
The belovedly funky but now slightly dated Shelbi Street Cafe has changed its name to the verbose End of the Line Public House (1105 Shelby St., 317-687-4857), promising a slice of Indianapolis history and the best selection of local craft beers. We popped in to see the changes over the weekend. But not all that much has changed here, save for a row of historical photos of such classic Indianapolis sights as the streetcars for the old Interurban system–which is where the restaurant gets its new name.
New to the Mass Ave corridor is a vodka-meets-video concept that fills a gap in the city’s bar scene. Tini (717 N. Massachusetts Ave., 317-384-1313) opened on Dec. 13 to much buzz from those who can’t get over the idea that “Video Killed the Radio Star,” which is, not coincidentally, the first music video that owner Brad Kime played. The visuals are colorful and lively, of course, and the rest of the room complements those video clips, which skew evenly across classic and current. You’ll get both your Bruce Springsteen and your Beyonce here.
When Garuda, the short-lived Indonesian restaurant around the corner from Taste Café and Marketplace closed last summer, we weren’t planning on the owners reopening its doors just a few months later. We were surprised to hear that original owner Peter Oomkes’ son, Helger Oomkes, recently reopened the spot as SoBro Cafe (653 E 52nd St., 317-920-8121).
The corn “creme brulee” at Divvy (71 W. City Center Dr., Carmel, 317-706-0000), sweet but not overpowering, with firm kernels, a great creamy sauce, and the signature burnt topping. The artfully plated gorgonzola-stuffed chicken with scalloped potatoes and asparagus at
The Hyatt’s rooftop revolving restaurant, The Eagle’s Nest (1 S. Capitol Ave., 317-616-6170), quietly unveiled a tasteful facelift last week. In sedate champagne hues, with crisp white-leather seating and metallic wallpaper—it’s a P. Diddy video up there—the updated space does not compete with its own 360-degree view of a downtown Indy after dark, lit up like a Lite-Brite board. Diners sink into booths so deep (some equipped with throw pillows) that they can barely reach their Flirtinis and Lemon Drops, while Sade provides the obvious background track.
The make-your-own sundae bar at Dave’s All-American Pizza and Eatery (1247 W. Main St., Danville, 317-745-6942), with hand-dipped vanilla ice cream and a spread of toppings that includes marshmallow fluff, butterscotch, strawberries, whipped cream, sprinkles, and, of course, thick, hot fudge. The decadently rich Artichoke Cream Cheese Spread from the deli at Pogue’s Run Grocer (2828 E. 10th St., 317-426-496
