Swoon List: Metro Diner, Gregory’s Russian Restaurant, and More

Metro Diner’s (3954 E. 82nd St., 317-296-8262; 7225 US 31, 317-285-0149) over-the-top interpretation of shrimp and grits. Two stacked grit cakes—cheesy and shot through with red peppers—provide the base for the shellfish and extra-creamy gravy.

The simple but delectable draniki at Gregory’s Russian Restaurant (6066 E. 82nd St., 317-693-9123), a Belarusian take on Golden potato pancakes topped with sautéed mushrooms and onions.

Draniki at Gregory’s Russian Restaurant

The Rambo sandwich from the deli at Pogue’s Run Grocer (2828 E. 10th St., 317-426-4963), a vegan take on the classic reuben with housemade seitan, sauerkraut, Daiya cheese, and vegan Thousand Island dressing on marble rye.

Rambo sandwich at Pogue’s Run Grocer

Livery’s (720 N. College Ave., 317-383-0330) elaborately layered pork pastor, with pineapple-sweetened meat piled onto a soft corn cake with cilantro, cabbage, onion, slivered peppers, microgreens, and lime crema.

Livery’s pork pastor

The full-bodied Bloody Mary at Revery (299 W. Main St., Greenwood, 317-215-4164), which arrives with a skewer of snacks (including a wedge of brie and hunk of mortadella) and a wee bottle of tabasco.

Revery’s Bloody Mary