Yesterday marked the first day of Devour Downtown, and we have a lot of work to do. Among the restaurants participating in this summer’s $30/three-course eating frenzy (which runs through Aug. 21), we have our eyes on . . .
The Rathskeller Restaurant (401 E. Michigan St., 317-636-0396), which wins the award for Most Extensive Dessert Menu, a powerful draw on its own. German chocolate cheese cake, apple strudel, Snickers ice cream pie, Rathskeller Bread Pudding, homemade cheesecake, Black Forest cake, and a chocolate torte.
The seared fish offerings (California sea bass with bok choy and Sambal-soy sauce, and Holland sole with pine nuts, capers, and lemon) at The Oceanaire Seafood Room (30 S. Meridian St., 317-955-2277).
The entire lineup at Sensu (225 S. Meridian St., 317-536-0036), which is throwing in a fourth course for good measure.
The Columbia Club (121 Monument Circle, 317-761-7504), if only for the chance to get past those doormen (and the Pecan Ball on the desserts list).
The 14-ounce bone-in, dry-aged sirloin at The Capital Grille (40 W. Washington St., 317-423-8790).
And several things on the abbreviated menu at Tavern on South (423 W. South St., 317-602-3115). The second course alone could be a heartbreaker: grilled filet with lobster butter and artichoke-potato salad; broiled sea bass Oscar; pistachio-and-cheddar filet mignon meatloaf; chili-rubbed flatiron steak salad; or grilled chicken with pear-champagne cider and balsamic syrup.
The Fischer Farms pork shank with horseradish polenta, Maytag bleu cheese, and tomato jam at Mesh (725 Massachusetts Ave., 317-955-9600). Graeters Ice Cream Trio doesn’t sound that bad, either.
