cafe korea

1. Bakersfield Mass Ave’s (334 Massachusetts Ave., 317-635-6962) fiery Red Headed Stranger—Buffalo Trace bourbon, Domaine de Canton ginger liqueur, bitters, and fresh lemon set ablaze with cayenne pepper. It’s garnished with a slice of candied ginger that you can nibble en route to the emergency room.
2. Scallop sandwich from Panini-Panini (1720 Franklin St., Michigan City, 219-873-1720), stacked with plump grilled scallops, sliced pears, goat cheese, and prosciutto.
3. The bibimbap from Cafe Korea (7262 Fishers Crossing Dr., Fishers, 317-578-1987). The white rice dish is topped with seasoned carrots, cucumbers, beef, and an egg, served in a hot stoneware pot.
4. A warm, crisp oatmeal-raisin cookie topped with a jumbo scoop of chocolate-raspberry ice cream at The Legend (5614 E. Washington St., 317-536-2028).
5. Elotes in a cup—like spicy, cheesy creamed corn—from The Tamale Place (5226 Rockville Rd., 317-248-9771).

1.     Two fully saturated and crumble-topped hunks of buttermilk bread pudding at Bluebeard (653 Virginia Ave., 317-686-1580), scattered with ricotta and sweetened with prosecco cherries.

2.     The Polo Loco Real at El Meson (multiple locations)—chicken breast pounded thin, grilled, and topped with liquefied cheese, with mini flour tortillas for taco making and juice sopping.

3.     The Mega-Miller breakfast sandwich from Uptown Cafe (809 Conner St., Noblesville, 317-674-8668): a biscuit sandwich with egg, American cheese, ham, bacon, and hash browns, topped with jalapeno jelly, spinach, and tomatoes.

4.     Cafe Korea’s (7262 Fishers Crossing Dr., Fishers, 317-578-1987) seared pork dumplings. Inside a crispy fried crust, the filling is just hot enough to bring out the pork’s full flavor.

5.     The open-faced braised short rib sandwich at Palomino (49 W. Maryland St., 317-974-0400), in which tender meat holds its own against a starchy double whammy: mashed potatoes and a crusty roll. Beef Manhattan with an attitude.