The Dish Edited by Beth A. Clayton

On Friday We Ate At...

Meridian (5694 N. Meridian St., 466-1111), where our only complaint was that there was no outdoor seating on such a glorious evening. We reveled in starters including the creamy shrimp and grits—a savory bed of stick-to-your-ribs grits topped with plump shrimp and tomato and tasso gravy—and the remarkable smoked-corn puree—whose rich, basil-laced flavors stayed on our minds all weekend. The halibut we'd planned to order is temporarily off the menu, but the chef's featured Ivory King salmon was a pleasant discovery. The rare, pale fish is no different species-wise than a regular salmon, though everyone at our table found the flavor to be much more delicate and "not too salmon-y." The table was also unanimous in its approval of the Cajun jambalaya pasta, though we learned that asking the chef to "kick it up a little" without first tasting the dish is probably unwise—most of our group found it a little too fiery. Though the server's description of the featured pineapple upside-down cake dessert elicited eager oohs and aahs, the dish failed to satisfy nearly as much as the simple housemade butterscotch pudding. We're looking forward to a return visit, hoping for halibut and a table outside.

Beer Me

Mention Fat Tire Amber Ale at a crowded bar, and the likelihood of finding a fan with fond memories of sipping the Fort Collins, Colo.-brewed beer while gazing at the Rockies is high. Fat Tire, brewed by New Belgium Brewery, was until recently available only west of the Mississippi River, but last week Monarch Beverage announced that Fat Tire, recognizable by its distinctive 22-ounce bottle, will be distributed to bars in the Hoosier state, along with Mothership Wit Organic Wheat, and 1554 Enlightened Black Ale.  

Did you know...

...that diners at Illinois Street Food Emporium (5550 N. Illinois St., 253-9513) whose order number ends in 56 receive a free slice of cake or a pastry? Neither did we. The nod to the eatery's location at 56th and Illinois was a pleasant surprise during a recent harried lunch stop when our turkey sandwich on a croissant with a side of cole slaw was order number 156. We took a slice of German chocolate cake. Delish.

Be Green and Save Green

Green Savings Indy, a coupon book for eco-friendly products and services is now available at area farmers' markets, or by clicking here. $15 will get you more than $800 in savings, including $5 off at Good Earth and Whole Foods, 15 percent off your purchase at Goose the Market, and 50 percent off your first Farm Fresh Delivery order, in addition to other deals on Earth-friendly goods and services.

Legalese

In case you were considering adopting your favorite snack food as a moniker, we advise against it. Click here for more.

In other 'suit news, while locally headquartered Steak N Shake saw an increase in both traffic and earnings the second quarter of 2009, Burger King Corp rained on their parade when the maker of the Whopper filed a lawsuit in March claiming that Steak N Shake's new Steakburger Shots infringes upon trademarked Burger King names like BK Burger Shots. Click here for the full story from the IBJ.

Ole!

As a nod to Cinco de Mayo, (not a Mexican Independence Day, as many believe, but rather a celebration of an important victory over the French army in 1862), Vine and Table Gourmet Market (313 E. Carmel Dr., 817-9473) will offer a complimentary tasting of Dos Banderos Sangritas, May 2nd from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. This version of sangrita, a popular Mexican thirst-quencher, was developed by Indy natives Ron Taisch and Jim Nagy. The tomato-juice—based beverage is meant to be sipped alternately with tequila, and will be paired with Casa Noble tequila for the tasting.

But there's more to traditional Cinco de Mayo fare than tequila. (Yes, we were shocked, too.) Adobo Grill (110 E. Washington St., 822-9990) will host a cooking class on May 2nd at 1 p.m., during which participants will learn how to make the requisite margaritas and guacamole, plus tilapia ceviche, chicken taquitos, and sopes de chorizo. Click here to make your reservation.

The Guiding Bite:

Mother May I...
...be among the first to check out offerings from Sodexo, the IMA's new food service provider? Yes, you may, if you attend Mother's Day Brunch at the Indianapolis Museum of Art in the Deer Zink Pavilion (4000 N Michigan Rd., 923-1331). Brunch is served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Adults, $32; children 4 to 12, $16; children younger than 4 are served free. Reservations strongly recommended.

Freebie!
Stop by Trader's Point Creamery (9101 Moore Rd., 733-1700) on May 30th between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. for a free ice cream cone to celebrate the launch of their Creamline Organic Ice Cream.

Mmm...donuts
Feed a stereotype and get a coupon for a free donut from Dunkin' Donuts. On May 1st, police officers will stake out the roofs of participating locations and collect donations for Special Olympics Indiana. Everyone who makes donation at a "Cop On A Rooftop" location will receive a coupon for a free donut, and donations of $10 or more will also get a coupon for a free medium coffee.

Master of Their Domaine
The folks at 21st Amendment and Oh Yumm! Bistro (5615 N. Illinois St., 251-5656) will host an evening of food and wine May 2nd, with Jean-Claude Bouche of Domaine du Vieux Chene. The six-course meal will include edamame cake with Ahi tuna carpaccio and wasabi aioli, crostini of sautéed black trumpets and oysters with crimini mushrooms and brie, and lamb kebab with peppers and Vidalia onions. Each course will be paired with wine selected by Bouche. Dinner begins at 7:30, and tickets are $50.

Signs of the Times
Every Monday through Thursday through July 30th, couples dine for just $69 at Peterson's (7690 E. 96th St., 598-8863) with their Recession Busters menu. Choose from a limited selection of salads, sides, desserts, and entrees including a 6-ounce filet, 8-ounce chicken breast, or the Chef's catch of the day.

West Side Glory
Hey Westsiders! A new farmers' market, headed by Erin Jones-Edds of Country Mouse City Mouse will take place every Thursday evening from 4 p.m.—8 p.m. beginning May 7th at Chateau Thomas Winery (6291 Cambridge Way, Plainfield, 837-9463). Look for local/organic vendors like Zen Sheep Farm, Trader's Point Creamery, Willowfield Lavender, and Rene's Bakery; ready-to-serve eats from Feast in Bloomington; and gourmet pizza and wines from Chateau Thomas. Jones-Edds said she is working to arrange a monthly guest chef dinner featuring local chefs involved in the slow food movement. First up will be Chef Thom England of Ivy Tech's culinary program, date TDB.
 

Good News/Bad News

Indy foodies lost another haven—though perhaps only temporarily—for fine dining last week when Elements (415 N. Alabama St., ) suspended operations. Calls to the restaurant have gone unanswered, but owner Dennis Dunn told the Indianapolis Star that he will try to come up with ways to reopen his doors in the coming months. Other restaurants that have served their last diner include Artists Vineyard (68 N. 9th St., Noblesville, 219-3481), Bistro de Paris (9 W. Main St., Carmel, 844-7270), Salvatore's Ristorante (1268 W. 86th St., 844-9144), and Brick Street Inn/Lobby Lounge (175 S. Main St., Zionsville, 873-9177). And while you can still get a mean Cuban sandwich at Northside News (5406 N. College Ave., 254-8110) no longer can you snag an obscure indie mag to flip through while you eat. The café's magazine distributor went out of business.

But it isn't all bleak. Michigan-based Grand Traverse Pie Company has barely opened the doors to it's first Indy location (1155 E. Stop 11 Rd., Greenwood), and is already planning a second location to open later this summer on 9310 Michigan Rd. Cobb's Cajun Cookin' (7750 S. Meridian St., 859-0669) is now open for business, and we're willing to bet it is the only place in town to eat alligator. Swing by their booth at the Broad Ripple Art Fair May 16th and 17th for a bite.

Spotted: Neal Brown

The elusive chef of the late L'Explorateur has kept a low profile since his restaurant closed in January, but he has popped up around town looking for a location for his next restaurant (rumor has it he is going to give Broad Ripple another go),  and spent some time in the kitchen at Alice Waters's famed Chez Panisse. He has most recently left his mark at Midtown Grill (815 E. Westfield Blvd., 253-1141) which launched a new menu last Friday night with consultation from Brown.

Appetizers

Louisville-based Z's Oyster Bar & Steakhouse (6220 Castleway Dr., 644-8000) stocks 26 different kinds of bourbon, but rarely makes a mint julep, due to its sweet, cloying flavor. Find out who makes a milder version of the classic Kentucky Derby drink, plus get a look inside the northside's trendy new brunch and lunch spot, and rediscover a Broad Ripple gem in the May issue of Indianapolis Monthly, on newsstands April 30th.

Succotash:

Nia's Deli (38 E. Washington St.), a convenience store with bottled drinks, snacks, and toiletries opened...HotShotz (4705 E. 96th St., 818-9510) is now called 97th Landing. Same owner/chef (Robert Winckler), different menu (hand-cut steaks and seafood)...St. Elmo Steakhouse (127 S. Illinois St., 635-0636) chef Dave Foegely unveiled a new bar menu, including house-cured smoked salmon and grilled barbeque shrimp wrapped in bacon. The new nibbles are only $4.95 and $5.95 each.