Best of Indy 2011

FOOD + DRINK

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 12:00:00 GMT

Bartenders to Watch

Mixing a fine pre-Prohibition cocktail takes work, sending the vested bartenders at The Libertine into a dance of controlled fury. Belly up and behold the routine: demolishing ice, scaling the wall of cubbies to reach a bottle of Fernet-Branca, whipping liqueur from jigger to glass, carving a wispy orange rind—all while keeping their ties clean. Finally, something to make us look up from our iPhones. 38 E. Washington St., 631-3333

Fried Mac ’n’ Cheese

It’s a given that this appetizer must be housemade and must be yummy. 1933 Lounge at St. Elmo has added a rule—must have bacon, like the new hangout’s smoky Fried Bacon Infused Mac & Cheese, three golden orbs served with a (sinus-friendly) remoulade. 127 S. Illinois St., 635-0636

Beer-Tasting Dinner

The hostess at Chef JJ’s Backyard hands you a pint of Sun King when you arrive at a quarterly Brewer’s Dinner, and the suds keep coming through five grilled courses. The focus is on pairings—like smoked pork loin, spaghetti squash, and kale served with the malty Wee Muckle. As guests of honor, the owners of Sun King pour forth with stories from the brewing biz. 1040 Broad Ripple Ave., 602-3828

Fruit-Filled Doughnuts

Beware morning commuters leaving Virginia Kay’s, a new doughnut shop on Meridian Street. Their attention is probably riveted on a soft, chewy sweet roll wearing a shimmering glaze and oozing just enough fresh-tasting raspberry filling to make fingers sticky. In the name of knowing thy enemy, better get your own. 2402 N. Meridian St., 925-5297
Note: After press time, this business closed.

Bread Pudding

Before pastry chefs started making it with Krispy Kremes, bread pudding was just a way to use up day-old bread in a creamy, straightforwardly sweet dessert—like the version served at Kelties, which adds little but cream, eggs, butter, and a caramel sauce that will have you licking the spoon. 110 S. Union St., Westfield, 867-3525

South American Sandwiches

Whether or not these savory stuffed buns are actually “sandwiches” is a matter of some dispute, but there’s no debating the lure of the namesake nosh at Caracas Arepas Grill. Warm and crisp with a sweet and creamy interior, the traditional Venezuelan arepas (above) enshroud such fillings as well-seasoned shredded beef, black beans, and plantains. 7490 N. Michigan Rd., 228-9550

Egg Roll

No mere munchie, the egg rolls at Foon Ying stretch to six inches and could easily fill you up at lunch. Light, crispy, and seasoned with plenty of five spice, these monsters are legendary among eastsiders. 3770 N. Shadeland Ave., 547-2285

Mini Desserts

The “mini indulgences” that end a meal at Seasons 52 achieve rich satisfaction in the space of a shot glass. Particularly luscious: a chocolate–peanut butter mousse with a well-roasted undertone, and a Key lime pie as tangy and creamy as it gets. At $2.50 each, you can have them both. 8650 Keystone Crossing, 846-5252

Taco Basket

Occupying the gap between taqueria originals and bistro-fusion fare, the tacos at Revolucion re-quire a double layer of corn tortillas mortared together with melted cheese to contain the carne asada, pork, shrimp, or veggie filling. Ask for the spicy-vinegary “Pink Death” sauce—because whatever doesn’t kill you only makes you swear undying love. 1132 Prospect St., 423-9490

Flatbread

Flatbread is not pizza. It’s a crisp, contemporary take on pizza. The Northside Social gets it oh-so-right with its Canyon flatbread appetizer, triangles of unleavened dough brushed lightly with pesto and topped with pulled chicken, roasted tomatoes, fresh basil, and a sprinkling of mozzarella. 6525 N. College Ave., 253-0111
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READER'S CHOICE

>> BEST FANCY SLIDERS: Harry & Izzy's, 153 S. Illinois St., 635-9594; 4050 E. 82nd St., 915-8045

"Sliders are on every menu these days, but H&I's filet sliders are top-notch, and the beef shines through."

—Eric Prime, Bargersville
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Tortas

The six-table setup is sweetly petite, but the sandwiches at Tortas Guicho Dominguez y El Cubanito are anything but. Airy buns about the size of a catcher’s mitt are stuffed with any combo of breaded steak, chorizo, chicken, ham, hotdogs, pineapple, avocado, peppers, onions, eggs, and mozzarella. 641 Virginia Ave., 658-0735

Flavored Popcorn

The new Dark Chocolate Osiris popcorn from Just Pop In! covers crunchy popcorn with a sticky coating that includes caramel, cocoa, dark chocolate, a white-chocolate drizzle, and—cheers!— Osiris Pale Ale from Sun King Brewing for a malty richness. 6302 N. Guilford Ave., 257-9338

Banh Mi

Don’t let the ham and roast beef classics fool you. K & T Deli serves 10 versions of banh mi, the French-influenced Vietnamese baguette sandwich piled with everything from pork belly to sardines. 3738 Lafayette Rd., 602-2416

Junk-Foodie Treat

Greg Hardesty wanted to play with the dessert menu at his new streamlined eatery, Room 4, so he planned to serve candy bars straight up. Ha! Get it? Well, customers didn’t, and Hardesty was stuck with crates of Twix and Butterfingers. But from the ashes of gastronomic irony rose the Candy Bar Cookie, all warm caramel, milk chocolate, and crispety, crunchety peanut butter. 4907 N. College Ave., 925-7529

Bone-in Steak

Yes, people will stare when a server at St. Elmo Steak House delivers a 32-ounce Tomahawk ribeye, a dry-aged, French-cut feat of gluttony with a protruding rib bone roughly the size of a billy club. After slicing away at the rich, chewy, generously marbled meat, you might be tempted to grab the entire cut by the bone and tear at it, paleo-style. 127 S. Illinois St., 635-0636

Housemade Chips

Served on a sheet tray, an appetizer of kettle-style spuds dressed with bits of local Lone Pine Farms bacon and creamy bleu-cheese sauce at Thr3e Wise Men Brewing Company can easily feed two people. You can be healthy tomorrow night. 1021 Broad Ripple Ave., 255-5151

Gluten-Free Menu

Going against the grain in all the right ways, Mesh on Mass dishes up a delectable crabcake (no bread filler and more of the good stuff) as part of a well-rounded celiac-friendly menu. If you aren’t a gluten-free convert when you arrive, you will be when you leave. 725 Massachusetts Ave., 955-9600

Fried Pickles

Chef Nick Carter at Black Swan Brewpub gives this in-vogue appetizer a signature twist by slicing whole pickles every day and serving up spears, not chips. Each one yields several bites of tasty breading and crunchy pickle, even better with a dash of ranch. 2067 E. Hadley Rd., Plainfield, 838-7444

Fresh Mozzarella

The mozzarella at Locally Grown Gardens disappears fast in the summer once the tomato crop comes in, so buy it when you see it. As to the provenance of these little clusters—gooey, asymmetrical, rich, and milky, with just a hint of sour tang—proprietor Ron Harris will say only that an Italian family in Wisconsin makes them from pasteurized cows’ milk. He can keep his secrets; we just want that cheese. 1050 E. 54th St., 255-8555

Pancakes (Buttermilk)

At locally owned Hotcakes Emporium, the accent is on “cake.” Resist the menu’s countless fussed-up flapjacks and go for the short stack of buttermilks, consistently souffle-like in texture. Make like a regular and sit in Rae’s section. 8555 Ditch Rd., 254-5993

Pancakes (Gourmet)

Health-conscious Tulip Noir Cafe pulls off the too-good-to-be-true combo of wholesome and decadent, like organic-flour–based “pancakeys” drizzled with honey, sprinkled with cinnamon, and topped with sliced bananas and almonds—flat-out perfection. 1224 W. 86th St., 848-5252

Pies by the Slice: Eight made-from-scratch reasons to save room for dessert

TOP ROW: Peanut Butter at Ginger's Cafe (1804 E. Conner St., Noblesvilla, 773-0303); Pecan at MCL Cafeteria (Multiple locations); Strawberry at Indy's Upper Crust Artisan Pies (Available at Goose the Market, The Loft at Traders Point Creamery, and other area restaurants as updated on Facebook; 840-0833)
MIDDLE ROW: Cherry Crumb at Grand Traverse Pie Company (1155 E. Stop 11 Rd., Greenwood, 885-7437); Buttermilk at R Bistro (888 Massachusetts Ave., 423-0312); Banana Praline at Pipers Cafe (2130 W. Southport Rd., 888-7667)
BOTTOM ROW: Apple at Locally Grown Gardens (1050 E. 54th St., 255-8555); Pumpkin at Gray Brothers Cafeteria (555 S. Indiana St., Mooresville, 831-33450)

Sidecar

Just four ingredients, yet so many ways to go wrong—too sweet, too bitter, too warm. The classic cocktail is done just right at The Oceanaire Seafood Room, where Remy Martin VSOP and Grand Marnier are shaken up with lemon juice and simple syrup and served chilled in a sugar-rimmed martini glass. 30 S. Meridian St., 955-2277

Smoothies

With snappy names like “Monkey’s Uncle” and “James Dean” and loads of organic fruits, juices, and energy supplements on the menu, the frozen concoctions get the respect they deserve at Georgetown Market. And customers get free samples at the lunch counter. 4375 Georgetown Rd., 293-9525

Tea Parlor

Pinky fingers naturally rise into place upon crossing the threshold of The Ruby Pear, set in a Victorian house in Noblesville where luncheon-goers pass bon-bon plates, china teapots, and freshly baked scones. 1095 E. Conner St., Noblesville, 770-8322

Cake Pops

Starbucks may have popularized the cake pop’s comeback, but Sweeties Gourmet Treats bakes circles around the chain with oversized orbs in 14 flavors, including strawberry lemonade and Oreo. In between birthday parties, find them every day at the Broad Ripple dessert cafe, which has blessed us with the term “brownie pop,” as well. 1081 Broad Ripple Ave., 602-3999

Nouveau Fried Chicken

Every Wednesday night, Chef Tyler Herald at Broad Ripple’s Petite Chou seasons his fryer with duck fat, a secret ingredient that lends a subtle richness and depth to fried chicken served with a crunchy and never-greasy skin. 823 E. Westfield Blvd., 259-0765

International Grocery Aisle

Culture shock on Aisle 12! The middle-American foodscape at Meijer also holds a surprisingly large and diverse World Cuisines section: Polish fudge, German mustards, British ginger preserves, Scandinavian snacks, and a huge variety of Asian noodles, with an English translation for every item. Multiple locations.

Croissant

Looking for the kind of warm, buttery croissant that reminds you of Paris? Make it to Rene’s Bakery when it opens—usually, that’s 7 a.m.—and grab one straight out of the oven, when the delicate, flaky pastry will cause you to hallucinate poodles and street painters. 6524B N. Cornell Ave., 251-2253

Dry-Aged Beef

The heroic Joe’s Butcher Shop & Fish Market on Carmel’s main drag offers dry-aged beef—hard to find, and perhaps the best steaks we’ve ever grilled. Sourced from Indiana farms and dried at Dewig’s in Evansville, the New York strips and ribeyes here, having spent several weeks in the locker, achieve a concentrated, mineral beef flavor. Expensive—$17.99 per pound—and worth every penny. 111 W. Main St., Carmel, 846-8877

Beet Salad

The Ripple Inn inverts this salad by making beets—six types, yellow to crimson, cooked down to sweet perfection and tossed with a light Dijon-citrus vinaigrette—a base for oranges, nibs of full-bodied Maytag bleu cheese, and a tuft of baby watercress. 929 E. Westfield Blvd., 252-2600

Steak Toppers

Oscar-style is fine, and nobody is going to turn away sizzling butter, but the ribeyes and filets at Eddie Merlot’s wear more-elaborate crowns. The menu of “steak enhancements” offers such royal treatments as foie gras slices, coldwater lobster tail, Alaskan King crab legs, and a gooey crust of bacon and Gorgonzola. 3645 E. 96th St., 846-8303

Green Grocer

The mural of veggies painted by neighborhood folks at Pogue’s Run Grocer tells you everything you need to know about this eastside food co-op. Green, organic, local, slow, fair trade—all things wholesome are here, among brown-rice flours, some 20 kinds of beans, and a section devoted to Hoosier foods. Bring a quarter for the seed-bomb dispenser. 2828 E. 10th St., 426-4963

Exotic Cocktail

If you like pina coladas and getting caught in the rain, you probably will not be a fan of the Lychee Martini at Miyagi's. But give the whole fruity-cocktail genre one more chance with this fragrant but potent mix of vodka and berry-like lychee liqueur. It's a bracing refresher, whatever the weather. 3625 E. 96th St., 846-7077

Shepherd’s Pie

Proving that authenticity is overrated, Oaken Barrel Hoosier-fies the British mutton casserole by combining tender chunks of braised tenderloin in a thick mushroom gravy with whopping chunks of carrots, potatoes, and onions, all topped with a scoop of mashed potatoes and melted cheddar. Long live the revolution. 50 N. Airport Pkwy., Greenwood, 887-2287

Trout

Only on rare occasions does the light, nutty flavor of rainbow trout need further adornment. But at Bonefish Grill, the slight crunch of a pecan-Parmesan crust deftly plays up the mild, smoky flesh of this plate-spanning filet. A scattering of artichoke hearts and rich lemon-butter sauce further the argument that sometimes good can get even better. 4501 E. 82nd St., 863-3474; 1001 N. State Rd. 135, Greenwood, 884-3992

Retro Soda Pop

More than 50 varieties of longneck soft drinks greet shoppers at Sullivan Hardware & Garden on Keystone Avenue, and the exotic and throwback flavors (banana, birch beer, rock and rye) and groovy labels with kitschy slogans (Leninade: “Get hammered & sickled!”) make for tough work filling a $9.99 mix-and-match six-pack—never mind picking just one to swig cold. 6955 N. Keystone Ave., 255-9230.

Photography by Tony Valainis.

This article originally appeared in the December 2011 issue.

FUN

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 12:00:00 GMT

Cheap Seats

Fancy box seats at the Hilbert Circle Theatre can cost up to $75, and they usually sell out. But during Happy Hour at the Symphony shows (next one: January 19), all seats are general admission, and you can sit there for just $25—if you arrive when the doors open and beeline for a box. 45 Monument Circle, 639-4300

Paddling Adventure

Canoes might be called “divorce boats,” but on moonlit silvered waters, things can change. Eagle Creek Marina offers a guided Full Moon Paddle from May through September, on weekend nights closest to the lunar event. 7840 W. 56th St., 327-7130

Boho Hangout

Equal parts coffee shop, vegetarian cafe, concert venue, and community center, the Earth House Collective in Lockerbie is the kind of place where you can try laughter yoga and attend your first food swap. Evidently, “collective” is code for “lots of free events,” too. 237 N. East St., 636-4060

New Club

Remember the days when you had to buy a new dress before going out? They’re back, thanks to Sensu. The menu of Pan-Asian fusion dishes impresses, adding depth to a stylish scene of underlit booths, a 52-foot-wide set of video screens two stories off the ground, and a sexy clientele. 225 S. Meridian St., 536-0036

New Theater

The Palladium gets all the attention, but its neighbor, The Tarkington, is making a big impact on at least one arts group. When the 96-year-old Indianapolis Civic Theatre opened its first season there in September, the house was packed. If the posh 500-velvet-seat venue can elevate the profile of Civic, that alone would justify all the high-ceilinged grandeur. Thanks for the free garage parking, too. 355 City Center Dr., Carmel, 843-3800

Private Party Room

Catch the game at home, or go out? Privacy versus camaraderie? There’s a third option: the Skybox at the JW Marriott’s High Velocity sports bar. The plush suite for 20 has a trio of TVs: two 42-inchers and an 82-inch monster with full 3-D. Rental starts around $350. 10 S. West St., 860-6500

Obscure Museum

The New York Times took note when the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel acquired the Great American Songbook Archive and Gallery, amassed from artistic director Michael Feinstein’s personal memorabilia. Displays in the Palladium have already spotlighted Fred Astaire’s tap-dancing shoes. 1 Center Green, Carmel, 843-3800

Racetrack

Drivers from the Indianapolis Speedrome and other area tracks get their off-season speed fix racing remote-control cars indoors at Indy RC Raceway & Hobbies. (Spottings of NASCAR and IndyCar drivers have been reported, as well.) “Novice class” races cost a few bucks to enter (though a starter car, available in the shop, runs at least $80). Small price to pay for the bragging rights of beating a pro. 5135 S. Emerson Ave., Ste. K, 787-7568

Spray Park

With a colorful castle, a squirting rainbow, and buckets producing cascades in short intervals, The Splash Pad at Billericay Park blows all other spray zones out of the water. 12690 Promise Rd., Fishers, 595-3150
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READER'S CHOICE

>> BEST SLEDDING HILL: Mulberry Fields Park, 9645 Whitestown Rd., Zionsville, 733-2273

"It was built specifically for sledding. Top that."

—Jay Kenworthy, Zionsville
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Cruise-in

Follow the classic cars on a Saturday afternoon to Greenwood’s The Suds drive-in, a motorhead hangout since 1957. Here, the Ford people and the Chevy people find common ground, and Corvettes preen in the sun. No wonder Car Craft magazine recognized it as the sixth-best cruising spot in the country. 350 Market Plaza, Greenwood, no phone

Day Camp

Young Chrissie Hyndes (and a few Rachel Berrys) between the ages of 9 and 16 get a taste of the superstar lifestyle during the Girls Rock! summer camp at Park Tudor. Bands are formed, songs are written, and faces melt during a jam session at the end of the week. girlsrockindy.org

Drinking Buddies

Who are you calling domestic? Indy’s chapter of Girls’ Pint Out—the first of five across the country—proves that Beer Club isn’t just a guy thing. GPO events have ranged from a yoga session in the Flat 12 taproom to a sit-down with the pitmaster at Squealers Barbecue. girlspintout.com

Rock Band

After the chamber-rock outfit Slothpop released its self-titled first album of catchy, Feist-like melodies in January, My Old Kentucky Blog—Indy’s expert on such matters—predicted the album would be the best released here all year. Which turned out to be absolutely correct. slothpop.bandcamp.com

Photography by Tony Valainis.

This article originally appeared in the December 2011 issue.

SHOPPING

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 12:00:00 GMT

New Boutique

Same name, same brands, yet somehow an exciting, fresh vibe—just one more reason to love Uber, an independent decor-and-clothing shop that opened a Carmel location this fall. The polished, gallery-like arrangement of Danish furniture, Jonathan Adler objects, and cool-again leather fanny packs is pioneering the emerging shopping scene at City Center and setting the bar stylishly high. 31 W. City Center Dr., Carmel, 564-5638

Last-Minute Gifts

The jumble of obscure oddities at Panda(ology) covers everyone on your gift list. Pet tags from Tell Tales ($12.99) engraved with cheeky phrases, frilly polka-dot umbrellas ($32.99), and high-end bubble bath from Sympatico ($20) are just a few of the finds tucked among scented candles, embroidered satin slippers, and pretty Asian noodle bowls. 823½ E. Westfield Blvd., 722-0555

Leggings

Thick, stretchy, and slightly silky, Niki Biki leggings are treated with all the respect of premium denim at Lesley Jane, which devotes an entire rack to the wardrobe staple. Each pair is clipped on a hanger—making it easy to browse the spectrum of neutrals, from ivory to light charcoal to lots of blacks, and our favorite winter hues like olive, eggplant, and mocha. 150 S. Main St., Zionsville, 873-9999

In-Store Play Area

Get past the bricks and mortar of the new Lego Store in Castleton Square Mall—way past, to the back wall (above)—and you’ll find a 15-foot-high grid of globes, each filled with blocks of the same color. Kids can grab little fistfuls and stack away, trying them before their parents buy. 6020 E. 82nd St., 845-9325

Shoe Bargains

The nook itself is clearly marked “Clearance Shoe Room,” but because it is obstructed from the view of most foot traffic, it feels like a secret chamber in the footwear department of Carson Pirie Scott. Usually, more than 100 pairs are untidily stacked along every wall, and even though many are outdated or simply ill-conceived, sometimes a gem will surface—and cost you perhaps 75 percent less than you expected to pay. Circle Centre, 971-6200

Rosaries

Looking for a fine keepsake? Robert Goodman Jewelers answers those prayers with delicate strands of handmade garnets, freshwater pearls, or onyx that the store commissions an artist in Bali to make. The cross at the end, an open shape formed by a continuous piece of sterling silver, bears witness to the artistic pedigree. 106 N. Main St., Zionsville, 733-9170

Cruiser Bikes

The kind of bikes that cause double-takes on the Monon are lined up in brightly colored rows just inside Matthew’s Bicycles, which stocks a big fleet of dreamy balloon-tire cruisers from Electra, Trek, and Raleigh. The shop can dress it up with a basket, bell, and other retro-cool accessories, too. 7272 Pendleton Pike, 547-3456

Free Samples

Do we smell a steal? Stop at the Bond No. 9 counter at Saks Fifth Avenue and walk away with samples of the New York–themed fragrances, contained in sleek glass vials and hand-wrapped in colorful foils. Some people just have a nose for these things. Fashion Mall, 816-0171
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READER'S CHOICE

>> BEST HOLIDAY DECOR: A Corner Cottage, 895 Conner St., Noblesville, 770-7577

"Beautiful glittery replica houses and trees. It looks like a dream."

—Nicki Baltz, Zionsville
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Slumber-Party Sleeping Bags

Bedtime can’t come soon enough for kids packing a sleeping bag from 4 Kids Books & Toys. These cuties, all of which have a built-in pillow and a fantasy design (sports, princess, a favorite animal), make that old nylon camping-trip survivor look like a sad sack. 4450 Weston Pointe Dr., Zionsville, 733-8710

Pop-up Shop

Going by the name Committee of Vigilance, artist Kipp Normand, photographer DeAnne Roth, and Silver in the City manager Kristofer Bowman compulsively collect “toothsome items”—things with a past—to display in their booth at Midland Arts and Antiques. When space gets scarce, the trio sets up an artfully arranged shop for a day or two, often in Roth’s photo studio or an art gallery. These are word-on-the-street events, so check out their website or get connected on Facebook to stay in the know. theinventorialist.com

Dog Sweaters

The brightly knit turtlenecks at The Choosy Pet Bakery & Boutique are handmade of purely organic wool in the northern highlands of South America by descendants of the Incas, employed per fair-trade guidelines. 25 E. Cedar St., Zionsville, 733-9911

Fur Vests

The long limbs of the fur-vest trend have reached every corner of the mall, making it easy to forget that the biggest selection might be at a full-line furrier. And indeed, it is. At glamorous Day Furs, the selection of fox vests is particularly noteworthy. Check out the colorful crop of boleros, as well as the Golden Isle and silver fox vests that would make Rachel Zoe proud. 1361 S. Range Line Rd., Carmel, 844-8733

New Consignment Shop

Wind your way through this old Carmel home hung with a shingle for The District Exchange, where we’ve seen Anthropologie tanks, pristine Nike high-tops, and Coach rain boots among the trendy kit for pre-teens and teens. 210 E. Main St., Carmel, 573-0012

Pepper Mills

The full line of handsome and easily adjustable pepper mills by Peugeot (yes, the French car-maker) at Williams-Sonoma might make the choice seem easy—brushed stainless steel, acrylic, or lacquered beechwood? But not so fast—those curvaceous designs sit next to exclusive Vic Firth mills crafted of American cherry wood and the Graviti electric models that automatically grind when inverted. Fashion Mall, 848-1431

Map of Indy

Finding $35 for Naplab's “Neighborhoods of Indianapolis 2011” map is easy. Wall space, not so much. If you have room for the 16-square-foot poster, you’re in for a cartographical treat. Local designers Matthew Hale and Josh Anderson composed the map with the name of every area in the city (ever heard of Julietta? Maywood?) sized to represent its geographic footprint. naplab.net

Pajamas

Start planning your next slumber party. A new boutique called Amy’s PJs has snuggled up in Clearwater with classic cotton shirt-and-pant combos printed with roller skates, sushi, or mod swirls; dainty ensembles like a butterfly-print tank-and-capri set; and, for little ones, impossibly cute Vintage Lucy’s bloomers with Dick and Jane–style illustrations. 3961 E. 82nd St., 284-1729

Edgy Jewelry

While 8 Fifteen gets plenty of attention for its cutting-edge clothes, the chic boutique’s selection of fine jewelry flies under the radar. Yet it’s the only place in town to find tough-but-pretty lines like Samira 13, ila&i, A Peace Treaty, and Chan Luu (seen around Julianne Hough’s wrist in Footloose). The shop also nurtures local designers; dreamcatcher–style bracelets from Carmel-based artist Michelle Marocco’s line, Niyama, are about $100. 815 E. 65th St., 253-1234

Sale

No need to sharpen your claws—just your pencils—for the Auction Sale at The Secret Ingredient. Seasonal lines are marked down every January and July (the next one starts Jan. 3, for fall and holiday items), with progressively deeper discounts. The second week of the sale, shoppers write bids on price tags. Willing to buy that long vest at 50 percent off? If no one else buys it before the store marks it down to that price, it’s yours. 5361 N. Illinois St., 253-6632
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READER'S CHOICE

>> BEST RESALE SHOP: Glam Designer Resale Boutique, 1001 N. State Road 135, Greenwood, 881-0200

"They give cash up front, or double if you take store credit."

—Sheri Kennerk, Broad Ripple
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Used Books

Located at the library’s midtown Services Center, the Indy Library Store opens for a few days every other month (starting Jan. 13) with thousands of used books arranged neatly by section—that is, until the Kindle resistance ravishes them for kids’ paperbacks that cost a quarter, $2 hardbacks, and dime-on-the-dollar computer manuals. Regulars take refuge from the crowds in “Miriam’s Corner” where they know they can find the best stuff, like reference tomes, heirloom cookbooks, vintage Look magazines, and rare historical texts. Don’t miss $7 bag day. 2450 N. Meridian St., 275-4043

T-shirts

Hayes & Taylor, a T-shirt company started by graphic designer Brian Kelly and his friend Joe Schneiders, specializes in designs that pay homage to Hoosier culture and sports teams. IndySwank and Homespun carry a few styles, but go online for the motherlode, including a tee emblazoned with “R-r-r-r-r-r-Razor” (as in Shines), a style honoring Purdue’s Big Drum (Boiler up!), and a local riff on NYC’s popular subway gear. hayesandtaylor.com

Passport Covers

You can’t do anything about the indignities of airport security, but you can still pass through—especially in international terminals—in style. Flash a Tiffany & Co. leather accessory (available in iconic eggshell blue as well as less-conspicuous shades like cognac and burgundy with Tiffany-blue stitching, monogramming optional), and you’re guaranteed a stamp of approval. Fashion Mall, 566-8400

Menorahs

A Hanukkah candelabra needs to have nine branches. Other than that, anything goes for the design of the ceremonial accessory. And the Gallery of Judaica, located at Congregation Beth-El Zedeck, stocks every look you can imagine, including cats, Jerusalem skylines, and abstract forms. Most decorative: the colorful, contemporary slab of glass from a Quebec art studio, a limited-edition piece. 600 W. 70th St., 475-1705

Vintage Store

The racks of Carol Brady pantsuits just inside the entrance might momentarily put you off the scent, but anyone on the hunt for secondhand treasure will hit the jackpot at Harloh’s Vintage, a carefully curated boutique between downtown and Fountain Square. The store is laid out in a series of IKEA-like biomes, including a menswear annex with bowties and straw hats, a little den of structured lingerie from the Doris Day era fortified with powdery boudoir collectibles, and a section of well-kept furs that would rival any heiress’s closet. Most importantly, an onsite seamstress takes care of all of the necessary nips and tucks. 630 Virginia Ave., 635-5397

Mall Boutique

Fashion Mall shoppers are just the type to go gaga for the adorably miniature vehicles at the Northside Fiat of Indianapolis showroom, located inside the mall steps from Nordstrom’s shoe department. Models for test drives are parked outside. Who’s the smart car now? Fashion Mall, 844-3428

Bargain Denim

Messy stacks of folded jeans have no place in a store where cashiers politely wave a flag to signal an open register. As such, Nordstrom Rack hangs its jeans on neatly kept floor spinners, each (mostly) dedicated to one premium brand, including Hudson, Joe’s Jeans, MEK, Paige, J Brand, Vigoss, and Kut from the Kloth, with prices dipping below $50. 4036 E. 82nd St., 572-2955

Day Scarves

Head and shoulders above the competition in the scarves-you-can-wear-indoors department, Marigold knots ’em deep. Find tie-dyed silk numbers by Naptowner Amy Gunderson, Tolani lightweight wool styles favored by celebs, ruffled and ruched lovelies by K. Gereau Textiles, and Nuno’s artful felt-and-silk combos. 6512 N. Cornell Ave., 254-9939

Trays

Among the luxe home gifts at Addendum Gallery, the ones you’ll most want to pass on to friends are the trays almost too pretty for a smoked-salmon pinwheel. Julia Knight makes dazzling use of mother-of-pearl, inlaid in both sides of a chip-and-dip bowl divided like a yin-yang symbol. Michael Aram pieces marry nature with craftsmanship, like a pebbled silver bowl in the shape of a manta ray. For your modern friends, go with John Derian’s quirky-cool images under glass—often seen in magazines. 908 E. Westfield Blvd., 253-3400

Folk-Art Studio

While there’s nothing cosmopolitan about the Bundy Ducks showroom, the wooden decoys made there are museum-quality. And the flock—from traditionally painted mallards to shoe-polish-black swans to psychedelically stained loons—would impress the Audubon Society. John and Valarie Bundy and their son, Jason, carve each piece to highlight the wood’s natural beauty. 16506 Strawtown Ave., Noblesville, 800-387-3831

Photography by Tony Valainis.

This article originally appeared in the December 2011 issue.

HOLIDAY

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 00:58:00 GMT

1 >> What draws 2,000 people each weekend to Reynolds Farm Equipment (12501 Reynolds Dr., Fishers, 849-0810), home of the area’s most elaborate holiday lights display? Chugging among the angels, the manger, and the ark are John Deeres, in all their yellow-and-green splendor, their tires festooned with flashing lights that make them appear to spin.

2 >> With ice sculptures and candlelit pathways, the grounds of the Indianapolis Museum of Art (4000 Michigan Rd., 923-1331) become a winter wonderland during the evening Winter Solstice festival, Dec. 22 this year.

3 >> Tom Santelli of Zionsville (santelt@msn.com, 630-258-7122) is known to honor requests for a horse-drawn sleigh ride—once there’s a snowfall, of course, and the Zionsville resident brings out his handsomely restored 1890 Albany Cutter with brass bells.

4 >> The holiday traditions of the L.S. Ayres department store live on at the Indiana State Museum (650 W. Washington St., 232-1637), where elaborate window displays continue to charm generations of Indy kids.

5 >> Seasonal beer at Rock Bottom Brewery (2801 Lake Circle Dr., 471-8840; 10 W. Washington St., 681-8180). Now on tap: Winter Wheat, spiced with cinnamon, mace, coriander, and orange peel.

6 >> Tuba and euphonium players gather at the Indianapolis Artsgarden (110 W. Washington St., 624-2563) for a free concert of carols specifically arranged for the deep, rich tones of the tuba. Merry TubaChristmas takes place on December 4, and it’s free.

7 >> Juergen Jungbauer of Heidelberg Haus (7625 Pendleton Pike, 547-1230) pulls his antique molds off the shelf for just a few weeks each year to bake springerle, German Christmas cookies flavored with anise oil and rolled into fanciful shapes, such as ducks and fruit.

8 >> Come for the tap-dancing Santas, and arrive a little early to pet one of the live reindeer that greet visitors outside of Hilbert Circle Theatre (45 Monument Circle, 639-4300) on days of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra’s Yuletide Celebration show.

9 >> You might think The South Bend Chocolate Company (20 N. Meridian St., 951-4816) is a go-to spot because the cafe looks upon the Circle’s holiday lights, or because the hot chocolate menu runs deep with a cinnamony Mexican version. But it’s really just because South Bend uses real-deal chocolate.

10 >> You’ll have your sights set on the wrapping-paper section at The Container Store (4120 E. 82nd St., 348-2225), but look around and you’ll notice that the new megamart is packed with fun stocking stuffers, like erasers in the shape of diamond rings, see-through piggy banks, Lego-head water bottles, ninja flash drives, stick-on neckties for kids, and labels that make CDs look like little LPs.

Museum photograph by Tony Valainis. Sleigh ride photograph courtesy of Tom Santelli.

This article originally appeared in the December 2011 issue.

HOME

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 12:00:00 GMT

Design Blogger

Love a canary-yellow lacquered side table? Then you’ll love Matt Heincker, an up-and-coming interior designer who blogs several times a week on trends like urban craft decor and the modern-classic mix, always with photographic aids. The 29-year-old also has been known to play the role of local shopping scout, alerting readers when he runs across something in a store here that’s a budget version of a high-end trend, a principle and frequent blog topic that he calls “Copy Cat Chic.” heinckerdesign.wordpress.com

Custom Mattresses

In the new Holder Mattress showroom at the Indiana Design Center, tasteful room vignettes display 30 models that range in price from $550 to $3,300 for a queen set. Options such as surface feel, handles for flipping the mattress, and even hinges for folding it expand the options exponentially. Got an antique bed or RV? Holder happily fulfills requests for special sizes, too, and every standard-size mattress is made in Kokomo in three or four days. Indiana Design Center, 848-2939

Landscaping Stones

Most people come for the 300-foot-long “Great Wall” of building-stone samples, but the Stone Center of Indiana also sells boulders ranging from weathered limestone to Indiana granite. Staffers will load them into your truck or deliver them to your home. Rolling those 500-pound monsters into place is up to you. 5272 E. 65th St., 849-9100

Nightlights

The blue glow of your cell-phone screen is no substitute for Elvie Zell lights at The Bungalow. Plug into something more special with one of these miniature lampshades, covered with dachshunds, French poodles frolicking against an Eiffel Tower print, a Warhol-style corgi portrait, or lazy tuxedo kitties stretched out for a cat nap. 924 E. Westfield Blvd., 253-5028

Contractor

Whom do you call when you have a renovation plan in hand but need someone to bring to life what’s on paper? Chris Wright, owner of the award-winning remodeling company WrightWorks, has built a business executing the visions of the city’s best designers and residential architects. Whether carving out storage space in a period home or bringing a bathroom into the 21st century, Wright’s signature is impeccable workmanship, down to the last glass tile. 925-7106, wrightworks.net

Bed Pillows

Choosy snoozers have so many options at Scandia Down—starting with six quality levels of down and three fill powers—that selecting a pillow might mean sleeping on the decision for a while. Prices range from $115 for standard sizes to $4,675 for a custom model filled with down from the nests of Siberian Eider ducks. A 30-day adjustment policy means you won’t lose sleep over your purchase, and plumping services are available, too. 487 Union Chapel Rd., 205-9620

New Home Store

Indonesian teak beds, stylish iPod docks, and exotic-patterned floor poufs keep you fascinated through both levels of Chatham Home, set just off Mass Ave in an old building with exposed industrial bones. An East Coast furniture dealer in the owners’ family sends along soulful cabinets made of reclaimed wood, and the low-priced impulse buys are just as inspired. Take home a cast-iron hand that could hold jewelry or change in its palm for $31.99, or a paper fan printed with “yay” on one side and “nay” on the other for just $5.99. 517 E. Walnut St., 917-8550

Remodeler’s Website

Don’t let the animated bobble-head on Steve Gray Renovations’ website fool you. The site is packed with serious tools to help navigate a remodel, and the before-and-after videos have top-notch production value. It’s no wonder, considering Gray’s side job: blogging for Remodeling magazine. stevegrayrenovations.com, 596-0948

Kitchen Decor

Statuesque cake stands, glamorous pendant lights, black earthenware pots, and gourmet cookbooks aren’t merely props at the Kitchens by Design showroom, where the vignettes serve as examples of the work produced by some of the city’s most in-demand custom-kitchen designers. You can take home those furnishings and accessories that capture their style, like an apple-green sideboard studded with nail heads. 1530 E. 86th St., 815-8880

Whimsies

Those who go to the Accent Shop for staples like placemats, table settings, and party supplies inevitably stumble upon dozens of little delights strewn about the store. The best are back in the kitchenware section, where you might find cupcake-shaped rubber spatulas, a funny piranha pizza-cutter, fancifully engraved measuring spoons, and Chemex coffeemakers designed like a chemistry beaker. The handful of unexplained oddities—yes, that is a small gong—make it impossible to stop browsing and buying. 4527 E. 82nd St., 570-6007

Upholstery Class

At SoBro's ModHomeEc, pro upholsterer Shelly Leer guides your hand while you turn a grungy garage-sale chair into your new pride and joy. After six sessions, take home a newly reupholstered perch and perhaps enough know-how to make your next project DIY. 1101 E. 54th ST., Studio D, modhomeec.com

Photography by Tony Valainis.

This article originally appeared in the December 2011 issue.

BODY

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 12:00:00 GMT

New Spa

Book a treatment at the Evan Todd Spa & Salon at the Conrad, and you’re in for a VIP experience, starting with free valet parking. Even those who book just a chair massage at $2 per minute are welcome to stay and pamper themselves for hours. The posh sixth-floor retreat has an indoor pool and a Jacuzzi—bring a book and camp out on a thickly cushioned chaise—and a sun-drenched fitness room where the machines are always prepped with a bottle of water rolled up in a towel. 50 W. Washington St., 524-2575

Blow Outs

Beauty-school dropouts get a second chance with lessons on blow-out technique from The Spa at French Pharmacie. Choose from a $50 private clinic using your own tools (the fee applies to a purchase), or invite up to 15 friends—wine and cheese provided. 823 E. Westfield Blvd., 251-9182

Bargain Gel Manicure

Friendly service and a big selection of lacquer colors make Allure Nail Salon the best provider for the gel manicure, a trendy no-chip treatment that lasts two weeks. And it’s only $35 for the standard shellacking. 1560 E. 86th St., 575-9248
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READER'S CHOICE

>> BEST BIKINI WAX: Absolu Spa, 5252 E. 82nd St., 578-8607

"Mariam is hands down the best waxer in town."

—Megan Saur, Fishers
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Beginner Yoga Class

Instructor Keema Walden doesn’t breathe a word about a traditional yoga pose in the Integrative/Restorative Yoga session at Peace Through Yoga (right), located right on the water in Eagle Creek Park. Instead, she leads the small Friday-evening class through extended basic stretches and breathing instructions, just enough for first-timers to do and think about without getting confused. 6040 DeLong Rd., 679-1168

Foot Massage

The name captures only half the indulgence. Every 60-minute session at Foot Euphoria actually includes a full-body massage in a deep-cushioned recliner that lays flat, and for just $30. Nothing in the name foreshadows the curious little techniques involved, either. We won’t spoil the surprises, but make sure your masseuse is light enough to kneel on your back. 6348 E. 82nd St., 570-7055; 9655 E. U.S. Hwy. 36, Ste. A, 271-6800

Men’s Grooming Goop

Confidently ensconced in the Fashion Mall, Indiana’s first location of The Art of Shaving stocks moisturizers, gels, and pre- and post-shave products packed with lots of good-sounding stuff—none of which you’ll appreciate until you look in the mirror and see someone who resembles Anderson Cooper. Geek out on the gadgets, like silver-tipped badger brushes, but don’t leave without facing your fears in the skincare section, too. 8702 Keystone Crossing, 819-0233

Gym

You can work up a sweat simply assessing the options at Life Time Fitness, which goes beyond the familiar cardioscape with a rock-climbing wall and a pool area complete with an indoor mushroom fountain and water slides. 8705 Castle Creek Pkwy., 595-9700

Fitness Studio

You can’t imagine all the ways to use an exercise ball to your benefit—and that’s where Studio 49 Fitness comes in. Owners Mark Morgan and Christie Thrasher-Rudd, local pioneers of the fitness-studio trend, come up with imaginative workouts for personalized, focused training. “Functional fitness” is their motto—and here that could mean TRX suspension, Power Plate Pro 6, or cardio ballet. 4913 N. Pennsylvania St., 847-7624

Photography by Tony Valainis.

This article originally appeared in the December 2011 issue.

HELP

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 12:00:00 GMT

Party Brander

Beyond lining up the logistics, Kate Berglund of KB Design has made a name for herself by branding social and corporate events with an identity- (even a logo) that carries through from invitations to goodie bags. For one client’s birthday, a girls’ getaway, guests received a beach bag and flip-flops printed with the party’s emblem. Berglund has been tapped for several Super Bowl events, including the Owners’ Party. 523-6362, kbdesignllc.com

Bike Service

Indy set a new pace for cities racing to become bicycle-friendly when the Indy Bike Hub YMCA opened at City Market in September. The commuter center offers 148 secure parking spots inside, vented lockers big enough for several suits, a repair desk, and a workout area with tons of natural light. City Market, 612-3083

Open Sew

If only you had access to a sewing room as bright and cheerful as Crimson Tate, the Mass Ave base of stitching queen Heather Givans—why, you’d whip up quilts and pillow covers every season. So what are you waiting for? On select Saturdays, Givans plays perky hostess during open-sew times in her studio and shop. Bring a project, use her cutting tables, watch the Cultural Trail traffic cruise by, and gab away the afternoon. It’s free—as is Givans’s expert advice. 845 Massachusetts Ave., 426-3300

Secret Art Source

The local arts scene wept when one of its pioneers, art dealer Mark Ruschman, closed his 25-year-old gallery in 2009. But Ruschman continues to work with a large catalog of top regional artists from his home and a quiet office in the downtown architectural firm Artekna. As the guy tapped to organize an art pavilion associated with the Super Bowl, he remains one of the most connected dealers in the city. 321 E. New York St., 626-3458
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READER'S CHOICE

>> BEST LAWNMOWERS: Monaco Mowing, serves north side and north suburbs, 408-2180

"Chris Blair rocks, and he leaves your lawn like velvet."

—Maureen Estes, Carmel
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Food-Prep Space

If the lack of a bakery-depth convection oven is standing between you and your cupcake-food-truck dream, pack up your hotel pans and head to Indy’s Kitchen. Already, dozens of caterers, bakers, food-truck operators, and farmers-market vendors have used the 24/7 facility (where rates start at $14 per hour) to launch a culinary business. With 2,360 square feet of fully equipped commercial space and separate catering and pastry kitchens, all that’s missing is the Top Chef film crew. 2442 N. Central Ave., 690-9089

Party Photographer

Your inhibitions may survive a few drinks, but they are no match for Greg Perez, the prop-loving, infectiously fun photographer behind Flash Scene. Just ask those who cut loose with stethoscopes and syringes at a recent party for a local hospital, or the elder lady who did the splits in the heat of the moment. 508-8393

Self-Serve Dog Wash

Leave it to a Geist-area business to turn dog-washing into a treat. The bathing stations at Healthy Hounds are canine luxe, with roomy tubs, air dryers, brushes, spray-on deodorizer, ear wipes—and, the ultimate tail-wagger, “Hydrosurge” sprayers that combine water with suds such as “Lemongrass-Scented,” “Organic Herbal,” and “Oatmeal Apple.” Your best buddy never smelled so good. 9809 Fall Creek Rd., 585-9663

Cell-Phone Repair

You won’t have to explain to the folks at Indy Cellular Repair how your phone ended up in a bowl of granola. They’ve seen worse. Mostly, though, they see broken screens, which they can usually fix while you wait for around $80. And unlike most shops, this one can handle other repairs just as readily—a speaker fix cost us $35 and was done in about as many minutes. 6251 Winthrop Ave., Ste. 2, 253-1404

Pet Rescue

Who could ignore the adorable dogs and cats in this unassuming adoption center located, unusually, in a mall? Turns out, not many. The state’s first such facility, reTails in Washington Square, proved that the storefront concept works by placing more than 900 pets in new homes in its first year. The volunteer-run shop, open on weekends, also offers low-cost services like vaccine clinics. 10202 E. Washington St., 536-3227

CSA

The super-fresh fruits and veggies from Green B.E.A.N. Delivery have, for the most part, been handled only by the hardworking farmers (many of them Hoosiers) who raise them and the folks who load up the neatly packed plastic bin that arrives on your porch. No comical surplus of arugula here—subscribers can customize their weekly orders and tack on such Indiana foodstuffs as Capriole goat cheese, Chef Tony’s Homemade Pasta, Joseph Decuis American Wagyu Beef, and other choices far too numerous to list. 7503 Crews Dr., 377-0470

Pillow Cleaners

The city’s top boutique for fine linens sends its customers to Weston Cleaners for expert care of down pillows—and it did so even before the business added state-of-the-art equipment and environmentally friendly cleaners to its operation after a recent fire. Pillows are freshly fluffed (or re-stuffed by an out-of-town service, if requested) and returned in a comforter bag, and nearly everything shy of a mattress fits in the 24-hour drop box. 4000 W. 106th St., Carmel, 733-8121

Wedding-Dress Cleaner

As any bride can attest, those pristine dresses don’t always hold up to a few Funky Chickens. Using a patented process known as MuseumCare, Classic Cleaners restores gowns by removing dirt and stains, tightening loose buttons and beading, wrapping dresses in acid-free tissue paper, and returning them in an archival box. Multiple locations

Photography by Tony Valainis.

This article originally appeared in the December 2011 issue.

Best of Indy 2011

FOOD + DRINK

Bartenders to Watch

Fried Mac ’n’ Cheese

Beer-Tasting Dinner

Fruit-Filled Doughnuts

Bread Pudding

South American Sandwiches

Egg Roll

Mini Desserts

Taco Basket

Flatbread

*READER'S CHOICE*

"Sliders are on every menu these days, but H&I's filet sliders are top-notch, and the beef shines through."

Tortas

Flavored Popcorn

Banh Mi

Junk-Foodie Treat

Bone-in Steak

Housemade Chips

Gluten-Free Menu

Fried Pickles

Fresh Mozzarella

Pancakes (Buttermilk)

Pancakes (Gourmet)

Pies by the Slice: Eight made-from-scratch reasons to save room for dessert

Sidecar

Smoothies

Tea Parlor

Cake Pops

Nouveau Fried Chicken

International Grocery Aisle

Croissant

Dry-Aged Beef

Beet Salad

Steak Toppers

Green Grocer

Exotic Cocktail

Shepherd’s Pie

Trout

Retro Soda Pop

FUN

Cheap Seats

Paddling Adventure

Boho Hangout

New Club

New Theater

Private Party Room

Obscure Museum

Racetrack

Spray Park

*READER'S CHOICE*

"It was built specifically for sledding. Top that."

Cruise-in

Day Camp

Drinking Buddies

Rock Band

SHOPPING

New Boutique

Last-Minute Gifts

Leggings

In-Store Play Area

Shoe Bargains

Rosaries

Cruiser Bikes

Free Samples

*READER'S CHOICE*

"Beautiful glittery replica houses and trees. It looks like a dream."

Slumber-Party Sleeping Bags

Pop-up Shop

Dog Sweaters

Fur Vests

New Consignment Shop

Pepper Mills

Map of Indy

Pajamas

Edgy Jewelry

Sale

*READER'S CHOICE*

"They give cash up front, or double if you take store credit."

READER'S CHOICE

READER'S CHOICE

READER'S CHOICE

READER'S CHOICE

READER'S CHOICE

READER'S CHOICE