Food & Drinks

Ted Miller, beer master behind Brugge Brasserie (1011 E. Westfield Blvd., 317-255-0978), is known for his “mad science” intellect and passion for creating outstanding esoteric beers around the world. He has created beers and built microbreweries in places like Seattle, Hong Kong, the Caribbean, Mainland China, and Taiwan. But because of his Indiana ties, he moved back in the early 2000s and has lent his knowledge to countless students of beer and brewery start-ups since. After generously sharing his talent and experience, Miller decided it was time to expand his own business. So he is changing addresses again. This time, however, he is sticking to Naptown and keeping Brugge as-is.

Indianapolis will officially be ready for St. Patrick’s Day after the Greening of the Indianapolis Canal on Friday, March 16. Check out these events for St. Patrick’s Day.

A glance at the rack of well-edited bottles that line the walls behind the bar at Martha Hoover’s new Napolese Wine Bar (114 E. 49th St., 317-925-0765) makes one thing clear: Hoover is keeping it simple. Instead of a War and Peace-sized list practically straight from the distributors, she is eliminating decision fatigue. The wine list is what you see displayed. And it will change seasonally,” says Hoover. She also told IM she is not increasing wine prices more than 20 percent above retail, unlike other spots in Indy that mark up two- or three-times the retail price.

You’ve been waiting for your invitation, and it has finally arrived. St. Elmo’s Beef Steak event—traditionally a guys-only, invitation-only gorge fest on the first day of the NCAA tournament—has expanded to two days, the second of which will be open to the public. Founders Beef Steak will host the usual power brokers on March 15. But on March 16 from noon to 4 p.m, everyone is invited to enjoy the all-you-can-consume filet mignon, steak fries, and pitchers of beer for $75. Utensils are discouraged, so prepare to eat with your hands. No one said it was civilized.

Two of Indy’s fastest growing trends—craft beer and mobile fare—have come together. Flat12 Bierwerks (414 N. Dorman St., 317-635-2337) has created a beer truck. The Flat12 name pays homage to the Flathead12 Cylinder Engine popularized in the early 1900s, so it’s unlikely they were going to let the other boxy trucks in town pass them by. Sean O’Connor, Flat12’s CEO, designed the shiny new truck to house six tapped kegs on the side and is available for festivals and events.

You have had the opportunity to Devour Downtown and Savor the Southside. The $30 prix fixe frenzy rages on when Northside Nights kicks off this Thursday. The specials run for two weeks (March 8-18), which gives you ample time to indulge on the cheap.

Last month, caterer Brad Gates opened a small counter in City Market, where fans of his gourmet comfort food can stop in for grab-and-go items such as organic chicken risotto, horseradish grouper with Israeli couscous, and Shagbark cured salmon. Gates, a fixture in the local restaurant scene whose resume includes runs at Puck’s at IMA and the former Buggs Temple restaurant, Euphoria, runs his catering operation out of the market-side kitchen. In addition, he continues to oversee the menu—and, most spectacularly, the cheeseboard selections—at Ball & Biscuit (331 Massachusetts Ave., 317-636-0539).

Crisp and browned salmon cake at Room Four (4907 N. College Ave., 317-925-7529), topped with a bright Meyer lemon sauce. The Mixiote at El Sol de Tal

Blarney Puffballs at The Irish Lion in Bloomington (212 W. Kirkwood Ave., 812-336-9076), savory little dollops of cheesy mashed potatoes deep-fried to a crispy golden brown.  Crazy delicious Camarones Momias at La Casa de los Mariscos (7940 Michigan Rd., 317-228-9550): big juicy shrimp wrapped in cheese and thick-cut bacon, served with rice, seasoned fries, and a spi

My brain is a sieve when it comes to details of meals gone by. Was that black or green cardamom? Chive or cilantro?

Duos Indy opened up a brick-and-mortar shop on the ground floor of the International Medical Group at 2960 N. Meridian Street

In the coming months, Charlie McIntosh will don an apron and assume his head baker role at the soon-to-open Amelia’s, an Italian-style hearth bread bakery in a Fletcher Place mini-restaurant complex at 653 Virginia Avenue.

A select group of culinary stars (Brown, Mehallick, Hardesty, Dunville) spearheaded the renaissance in Indy’s restaurant scene, but these days, the young chefs training under them are just as likely to be the ones making your dinner. We caught up with the next wave and grilled them about personal favorites and inspirations. It’s an enticing taste of where cuisine is headed.

When Martha Hoover founded Cafe Patachou in 1989, she was unaware of the future she was building for her then–3-year-old daughter, Rachael. But from early on, Martha profoundly influenced the way the girl thought about food. “I have vivid memories of the family driving around Indy for salad ingredients,” says Rachael, “and of coming home […]

On a recent chilly night, a ruddy-cheeked mix of date-nighting hipsters, ethnic foodies, and Spanish-speaking expats filled the 10 tables inside Mama Irma Restaurant. Twinkle lights in the windows gave the storefront a Thomas Kinkade glow. And yet, even as the owner greeted diners with a motherly “Hi guys!” as if they had just come in from band practice, this snug Peruvian eatery in Fountain Square seemed blissfully unaware of its own preciousness.