The Oceanaire

That third course and others over the course of the night, as well as the prior tasting time, saw delectable plates of food paired with choice wines, beers, and cocktails.

Chef Mark Marlar says the restaurant has been serving the Blue Island Oyster Company’s shellfish for about two years. They are harvested off the coast of the Great South Bay in New York state.

From The Libertine to Recess and Oakleys to Bluebeard, Korean to Latin and sushi to steak, our critics chose the cream of Indy’s dining crop,. Who’s at the head of the table? Read on to find out.

The Mile-High Club at Rock-Cola ’50s Cafe (5730 Brookville Rd., 317-357-2233), held together with a steak knife instead of a toothpick. The Russian Mule at

The cheesy bacon au gratin potatoes from The Oceanaire Seafood Room (30 S. Meridian St., 317-955-2277). A pear almond tarte that showed up on the prix fixe menu at Recess (4907 N. College Ave., 317-925-7529

If you’re a salmon fan, you’ve probably recently seen the name Skuna Bay Salmon on a number of menus. We’ve seen it at The Oceanaire (30 S. Meridian St., 317-955-2277), The Local Eatery and Pub (14655 N. Gray Rd, Westfield, 317-218-3786), Kona Jack’s (9419 N. Meridian St., 317-843-1609), Harry & Izzy’s (153 S. Illinois St. 317-635-9594), and Goose the Market (2503 N. Delaware St., 317-924-4944).

1.    Fin & Shellfish Stew in a spicy Pernod broth at The Oceanaire Seafood Room (30 S. Meridian St., 317-955-2277).

2.    The banana-and-Nutella crepe at Petite Chou (823 W. Westfield Blvd., 317-259-0765).

3.    Eddie Merlot’s (3645 E. 96th St., 317-846-8303) Trio of Medallions—a mini steak flight of four-ounce filets. One has a bubbled crown of bacon and Gorgonzola, the second an elaborate Oscar treatment, and the third a mild peppercorn sauce.

4.    The Vietnamese beef bun at the recently expanded Egg Roll #1 (4576 S. Emerson Ave., 317-787-2225). A deep bowl of cold vermicelli noodles is layered with fresh greens, veggies, sprouts, and strips of caramelized meat topped with crushed peanuts and the most delicate fried egg roll hacked into bite-sized pieces. Addictive.

5.    Extra chunky potato soup at Kitley Inn (825 S. Kitley Ave., 317-357-3160).