April 2016

No. 1 – It wasn’t until Jonathan and Ashley Brooks opened their modern diner in Fletcher Place that we realized that, yes, we really were missing a restaurant that surprises us every day with dishes we’ve either never heard of or had completely forgotten about.

No. 2 – Everything about Marrow radiates years of forethought, from its russet-toned color palette to the dining room’s faint campfire aroma emanating from a smoker that John Adams installed before the restaurant’s November opening.

No. 4 – The Lockerbie neighborhood scored a major victory when Cunningham Restaurant Group opened this cutting-edge stunner in the former Amici’s Italian Restaurant over the winter.

No. 5 – The Delicia vibe practically whisks you away to a poolside cabana at a South American resort, while the menu provides a sample of the region’s cultures.

Every other Sunday, Bea’s Soda Bar parks at Bloomington’s Hopscotch Coffee to whip up themed waffles, like this cartoon-inspired creation. Let’s hope it gets a rerun.

No. 6 – Since Rook reopened in February, the fully open kitchen in the airy yet cozy new spot has been putting out some truly impressive bites.

No 7 – The pasture-to-plate mantra drives every ingredient on your plate, from the grass-fed livestock to the freshly plucked ground cherries.

No. 8 – No one tells us what to eat—except Greg Hardesty, the Recess chef-owner who has been crafting a prix-fixe menu at his SoBro mainstay since 2010.

No. 9 – Escaping the northside shopping grind in Ryan Nelson’s sleek yet woodsy strip-mall supper club never gets old. Despite its placement in a former Smith & Hawken store in the middle of a shopping district, Late Harvest’s patio is one of the city’s most charming outdoor spots.

No. 10 – Black Market is far more than a special-occasions spot. A chalkboard of daily creations means you can refuel after browsing nearby shops with an impromptu plate of rabbit and dumplings or kraut pierogi.

Could my granddaughter’s heart possibly be as full as mine? Does she appreciate the meaning of these moments, that they will endure long after the cooking aromas subside?

No. 11 – The only thing more surprising than Indy’s newfound craving for chopped pork-tongue sandwiches and trout-skin chips is where we discovered this implausible love: in a tiny East 10th Street storefront.

No. 12 – Grab a seat at the restaurant’s raw bar for super-fresh oysters or an ever-changing tuna poke.

No. 13 – Since it opened in 2012 Cerulean quickly became known for its sense of adventure, earning its third Best Restaurant selection.

No. 14 – Amid all the Midwest-is-best chest-thumping going on right now, this is still the place we want to be.