The Dish

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.

The Dish Edited by Beth A. Clayton

On Friday We Ate At...

R Bistro (888 Massachusetts Ave., 423-0312). The sunny dining room at Regina Mehallick's Mass Ave restaurant was pleasantly bustling on Friday, and almost every seat was filled by young couples sharing the Bailey's pudding parfait with oatmeal-walnut crunch, friends telling stories over a bottle of wine, and families splurging on Irish-themed fare. In honor of St. Patty's Day, the ever-changing menu featured corned beef hash with poached eggs, roast leg of lamb with roasted potatoes and fresh mint sauce, and traditional Irish salad with cream dressing.

Sweet Deception

A children's birthday party brought us to Sugar Buzz (254 1st Ave., Carmel, 250-3452) last Saturday afternoon. Amongst the endless string of candies and ice cream sundae toppings were moist, puffy, delectable yellow and chocolate cupcakes, buried underneath pillows of thick icing. "Where did you get these delicious cupcakes?" we asked, expecting perhaps yet another shout-out to The Flying Cupcake or Sweet Lucinda's. "Kroger," the Sugar Buzz employee said cheerfully. Go figure.

Happy Birthday!

Peterson's (7690 E. 96th St., 598-8863) celebrates 10 years in the biz this month, and we are all invited to the party. Monday, March 30 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., all patrons will receive 20 percent off all food and a complimentary dessert. Keep your eyes peeled for guests of honor Governor and Mrs. Mitch Daniels.

Appetizer

Taste of Tango (36 E. Washington St., 636-1122), a new Argentine steakhouse downtown, may have an international menu, but their grass-fed beef comes from Southern Indiana, and we like it. For the full review, pick up the April issue of Indianapolis Monthly, on newsstands March 26th.

It's No In-N-Out Burger,
But We'll Take It

The IBJ's Property Lines reports that Jack In The Box has its sights set on the Hoosier state. Click here for more details.

Changes are afoot...

At Binkley's Kitchen and Bar (5209 N. College Ave., 722-8888). The Broad Ripple eatery has welcomed a new chef (Aaron Cook, formerly of Capital Grille), a new bar manager/wine director (Rob Diaz, fresh from BIN 36 in Chicago), and together they have overhauled the wine list and assembled a posh tasting menu for the last weekend in March, featuring pan-seared diver scallops over artichoke risotto and whole roasted Cornish game hen stuffed with chorizo and finished with a mustard glaze. No more Kendall Jackson for these two.

"Heavenly Confections"

The moon is not a peppermint.
It isn't made of cheese.
It tastes like dirt and dust and flint—
Like Earth without the trees or seas.

The Sun might taste like lemon drops.
It's just too hot to tell.
It cooks all day. It never stops
To cool enough to taste or smell. Oh well.

From Robert Weinstock's delightful book of food poetry, Food Hates You, Too, and Other Poems published by Hyperion Books, a division of Harper Collins Publishing. Click here to find the book on Amazon.com.

Puck's Last Stand

Puck's at The Indianapolis Museum of Art will serve its last dish April 25. The IMA announced earlier this month that Sodexo Inc., which already serves several clients in the Indianapolis area, including the Children's Museum, DePauw University, and several hospitals, will be the food service provider for its onsite restaurant, and preferred caterer (along with Kahn's Catering) for museum events. The future of dining at the museum is still hazy, but preliminary plans involve consolidating the museum's café and restaurant and offering lower-priced, on-the-go items with an emphasis on local and organic ingredients.

Patachou, You Tease

The doors to Petite Chou's new digs in Clay Terrace (14390 Clay Terrace Blvd., Carmel, 566-0765) were originally scheduled to open in mid-February, but it was March 12 before it finally opened for business. Now we've been lured in with the promise of dinner service, but we'll have to cool our heels until April 18 for the house of Patachou's take on the evening meal.

Don't Miss...

The premier of  "Beer Wars Live with Ben Stein" on April 16. Watch the insiders' look at the brewing industry at several Indy-area theatres including AMC Castleton Square 14 and the Indianapolis Showplace with IMAX. Click here for a complete list of participating theaters and to buy tickets.

The "Craft Beer" dinner at Zing! (543 Indiana Ave., 636-7775) on April 26 at 6 p.m., a seven-course, small-plate dinner accompanied by local, craft beers. $40 per person. Seating is limited; call for reservations.

The Price Fixe menu at Eddie Merlot's (3645 E. 96th St., 846-8303), through April 30. Some menu highlights include coconut shrimp appetizer, mini crabcake sliders, braised beef short ribs, cedar plank salmon, and key lime creme brulee. $32.95 per person.

Succotash

Pita Pit opened downtown at 1 N. Pennsylvania St....The Greenwood coffee shop Beanzies closed Feb. 28...Olive Garden in Noblesville (13285 Tegler Dr.,) 770-6091 opened for business at dinner yesterday; lunch service begins today...Jim Henderson opened Fireside Grill (11705 Fox Rd., 823-1000) in Geist at Fox and Oaklandon Roads with the help of former Binkley's chef Jeff Kleindorffer...Famous Jack's Burgers in the Precedent office complex on 96th street closed...The Oceanaire Seafood Room (30 Meridian St., 955-2277) has hired a new sous chef. The downtown seafood favorite is keeping the identity on ice while this individual undergoes training.

Table for Two

Really? You still don't have Valentine's Day plans? Down economy be damned, an open table will be tough to find this weekend. But a few area restaurants have planned special menus to celebrate this most romantic of days.

14 West (14 W. Maryland St., 636-1414): Call it classic or call it cliché. Diners at 14 West will receive a complimentary Champagne toast and a single long-stem red rose while being serenaded by live music.

Adobo Grill (110 E. Washington St., 822-9990): Have dinner and a movie in one fell swoop. Catch a screening of Like Water for Chocolate, a Mexican romance, with themed menu items like Adobo-rubbed flavored popcorn, and red velvet "wedding" cake inspired by a scene in the movie. $22.99 per person. Movie starts at 4:30, and dinner will be served concurrently. 

Binkley's (5902 N. College Ave, 722-8888): Score a four-course meal for $35 a person, and $5 off all bottles of wine or Champagne.

Chancellor's (850 W. Michigan St., 231-5221): Enjoy a three-course meal with a special "lovers' dessert" for $60 per couple.

Cobblestone Grill (160 S. Main St., Zionsville, 873-4745): On both Friday and Saturday night, take advantage of the three-course, surf-and-turf meal for $59.95 per couple, as well as special pricing on select bottles of wine.

Euphoria (337 W. 11th St., 955-2389): Order from a special $50 menu, including chocolate fondue built for two, and "Love Letters," a new Brad Gates creation featuring two kinds of mushrooms, sauteed and slipped inside housemade pasta envelopes.

Kona Grill (14395 Clay Terrace Blvd., 566-1400): Snag a free dessert with the purchase of any entrée.

Morton's The Steakhouse (41 E. Washington St., 229-4700): At this downtown steakhouse, $99.99 will get couples a choice of Caesar or Morton's salad, two single-cut filets, their choice of three seafood dishes, a vegetable side dish, and either the signature Hot Chocolate Cake or a slice of key lime pie.

Scholar's Inn (725 Massachusetts Ave., 536-0707): Chef Jake Brenchley has created a $65 menu which includes four appetizer options, five soups and salads, eight entrees, and four desserts; many of these items are not on the regular menu. Call for details.

Sullivan's (3316 E. 86th St., 580-1280): A special Valentine's Day menu, with the steakhouse regulars, and a few new items like roasted chicken breast, asparagus bisque, and chocolate-covered strawberries (ooh la la)—thrown in.

Weber Grill (10 N. Illinois St., 636-7600): Nothing says romance like, umm, barbeque. Check out a specially selected menu with choices like smoked tomato basil soup, a grilled Black Angus filet, and mixed-berry cobbler for $29.95 per person.

Frosty Belgians, the best $20 lunch in town, and an edible inauguration momento...

Quick Bites

Brugge Brasserie (1011 E. Westfield Blvd., 255-0978) has more tables on which to set their pommes frites and famous Tripel de Ripel brew. The upstairs, formerly occupied by Netheads, is now open. The menu offerings are the same upstairs, but the addition of a tabletop shuffle board game and brighter lighting contrast with the gastropub's cozy lower level. Be forewarned; a pair of revelers enjoying an after-dinner drink upstairs were booted from their table to the bar seating in favor of a group of diners who ordered off the food menu.

Signs of the Times
Everybody's feeling the financial squeeze. Here, in descending order of glamour, Indy eateries helping you stretch your downtrodden dollar a little further.

•Ruth's Chris Steakhouse (9445 Threel Rd., 844-1155; 45 S. Illinois St., 633-1313) will throw in a complimentary bottle of J Champagne with the order of a whole Maine lobster through the month of February.
•SI/Scholar's Inn (725 Massachusetts Ave., 536-0707) debuts its "Recession Menu" this month, with appetizers priced at $5 and entrees no more than $12.
•At Dunkin Donuts, $5.99 will get you a dozen donuts or a pound of coffee through February 8.

HURRY!
Only four more days to take advantage of Devour Downtown Winterfest's $30-a-person menus. Click here for a complete list of participating restaurants.

Have your pres and eat him, too
In honor of this month's historic inauguration, Whimsical Whisk (730-6802) will be whipping up Barack Obama cookies with an edible gilded frame through the end of February.

On Friday We Ate At...

Palomino (49 W. Maryland St., 974-0400), and took advantage of the Devour Downtown $20 lunch menu. Patrons choose one of three appetizers (Caesar salad, white bean hummus, or portabella mushroom soup), one of three entrees (grilled maple chicken salad, red king crab sandwich, or rigatoni Bolognese) and either chocolate tiramisu or crème brulee for dessert. After eating enough to feed a small army, we waddled back to the office with two wishes: that the chop-chop salad had been on the list instead of the Caesar, and that the white bean hummus—a smooth mixture with a Southwestern tang—finds its way to the permanent menu.

Appetizer

While we were working on the February cover story of IM—The Food Network—Chris Eley of Goose the Market (2503 N. Delaware St., 924-4944) let us in on a secret: he is in the process of acquiring Camelbert, an Arabian camembert made from camel's milk for his Fall Creek Place market. "We don't have clearance yet [to carry it in the United States] but hopefully soon!" said Eley.  The issue, a complete guide to the best groceries and markets Indy has to offer, hits newsstands January 29th.

Succotash

Scotty's Brewhouse Downtown (1 Virginia Ave., 571-0808) opened for business, as did Arni's in Greenwood (1691 W. Curry Rd., 881-0500) and Taste of Tango (36 E. Washington St., 636-1122), an old-school Argentine steak house complete with fedora-topped waitstaff...Martha Hoover's latest progeny, Petite Chou at Clay Terrace is scheduled to open mid- to late-February, and Bu Da Bar (429 Massachusetts Ave.,) an Asian-inspired cigar and martini bar will serve it's first cocktail President's Day weekend...Scholar's Inn Bakehouse, which has been serving coffee and baked goods on the corner of College and Broad Ripple avenues since 2004 closed this month after not renewing its lease. Its products will still be available at Whole Foods, O'Malia's markets, and others...Swing by IHOP on February 24—Pancake Day, also known as Fat Tuesday—for a free short stack; all that's asked in return is a donation to the Children's Miracle Network...California-based fro-yo chain Red Mango has filed to open up shop along the Broad Ripple strip between Union Jack's Pub and Brother's Bar and Grill...Chef Ron Harris of Locally Grown Gardens (1050 E. 54th St., 255-8555) launched Pink Pie Bakery, a line of, well, pies, at the greengrocer's SoBro location. Homemade ice cream, made with free-range brown eggs, fresh milk, and Indiana strawberries, among other ingredients, is also in the works.

The Guiding Bite

A select calendar of food-and-drink events you should know about.

Monday, February 2
Urban gardeners and local foodies should stop by the Groundhog Day Urban Farming Forum at the Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Inc. headquarters for gardening tips and secrets for more sustainable living and eating. 5:30 p.m. Free.1031 Fletcher Ave., slowfoodindy.com    

Tuesday, February 17
Patrick’s Kitchen and Drinks will serve up three appetizers, two entrees, and a dessert, each paired with one of six beers from Indiana microbreweries. 6:30 p.m., $35 in advance, $45 at the door. 47 Boone Village, Zionsville, 733-8755.

Friday, February 13, and Saturday, February 14
A2Z Cafe has created a special three-course menu for Valentine’s Day, featuring appetizers to share and tasty entrees like roasted prime rib or Malaysian shrimp, for $65 per couple. 4705 E. 96th St., 569-9349. For those who haven't finalized their Valentine's Day plans (tick tock!), watch for a complete list dining events and special menus in a special edition of The Dish.