My Best of Indy: Loreal Gavin

The Food Network Star’s “butcher babe,” Loreal Gavin, recently left her gig at Kincaid’s Meat Market to chef at Plow & Anchor and teach charcuterie at The Chef’s Academy. Here, she shares a few eateries in Indy that make her cut.
If you want a good steak, go to Ocean Prime—and have Kyle Fitzgerald cook it for you. The Chilean sea bass there is kind of amazing, too. I think about it for days after. But I have to eat the rest of the day like everyone else. For breakfast, I often eat at Milktooth; the cool thing is that the menu is always changing, and their coffee is out of this world. For lunch, I’ve always loved Thai Taste in Castleton. Not everyone knows about it, but it’s great. And for late-night snacks, I’m really into the Sinking Ship. Of course, a lot of the people there are my friends. I tend to stay pretty close to my hood in SoBro. Which reminds me: Recess. Greg Hardesty is the man. Recess/Room Four is the epitome of doing it right here in Indy.
Elsewhere in the city, Irvington is trying some really cool things. Black Acre’s beers always amaze me. And the vibe in there is right up my alley—dark and chill and full of regulars.
My motto is leave the ego at the door. Fantastic food and drink will speak for themselves. And there’s always something more to learn from someone, whether it’s the new hostess or your dishwasher. Smile with your eyes, and cook with your heart.
To see all 119 Best of Indy winners, click here.