1. Shrimp nachos at El Puerto de San Blas (3564 Lafayette Rd., 317-291-2800): Huge pieces of shrimp, chunky cilantro-laced guacamole, and plenty of melted cheese on housemade chips.
2. The Chinese basil, eggplant, and garlic chicken at Naisa Pan-Asian Cafe (1025 Virginia Ave., 317-602-3708), a seasonal special.
3. Deep-fried breaded jalapeno rings at Broad Ripple Brewpub (842 E 65th St., 317-253-2739).
4. The crisp, single-serving cheese-and-roma pizzas at the IMA’s Nourish Cafe. Wash it down with a glass of fruit-infused ice water (strawberry, lemon, lime, or orange), displayed in fetching glass canisters behind the counter for $1.
5. The massive (no surprise) Ultimate Red Velvet Cake Cheesecake at The Cheesecake Factory (Greenwood Park Mall, 317-887-8440; Fashion Mall, 317-566-0100), layer after layer of cake as moist as a pitch-in pudding cake and cheesecake with the sugar index of frosting. White chocolate shavings are the crowning glory.
2. The Chinese basil, eggplant, and garlic chicken at Naisa Pan-Asian Cafe (1025 Virginia Ave., 317-602-3708), a seasonal special.
3. Deep-fried breaded jalapeno rings at Broad Ripple Brewpub (842 E 65th St., 317-253-2739).
4. The crisp, single-serving cheese-and-roma pizzas at the IMA’s Nourish Cafe. Wash it down with a glass of fruit-infused ice water (strawberry, lemon, lime, or orange), displayed in fetching glass canisters behind the counter for $1.
5. The massive (no surprise) Ultimate Red Velvet Cake Cheesecake at The Cheesecake Factory (Greenwood Park Mall, 317-887-8440; Fashion Mall, 317-566-0100), layer after layer of cake as moist as a pitch-in pudding cake and cheesecake with the sugar index of frosting. White chocolate shavings are the crowning glory.
