Best Of Indy

The best weeknight scene, cheap thrill, local beer selection, holiday family fun, day in the park, wedding band, kids' class, happy hour twist, and more.

The year's best in physical and mental self-care.

The spicing is subtle in some dishes, striking in others, but always precise. Sometimes the combination of ingredients challenges our middle-American notions. When was the last time you had chilled, spiced mashed potatoes molded around chicken salad? But dishes assembled with such care and presented so lovingly can grow on you and become familiar. As Indy’s ethnic food scene expands and (hopefully) fills in all of our international cracks, Mama Irma gives us a place to call home.

Other gilded bistros were working their magpie charms long before Eggshell Bistro made its debut. Petite Chou (14390 Clay Terrace Blvd., Carmel, 566-0765; 823 Westfield Blvd., 259-0765; cafepatachou.com) sparks a craving for crepes and broken yolk sandwiches in a dining room that looks like Martha Hoover’s Pinterest board > The brunch crowd gravitates to Good Morning Mama’s (1001 E. 54th St., 255-3800, goodmorningmamas.com) for innovative breakfast-to-brunch fair in a brightly refurbished car repair shop. We love the Hoosierfied Hawaiian Loco Moco with cheesy grits and sausage gravy, and the blueberry pancakes.

Go wild.

The sheer number of worthy contenders in 2022 attests to the optimism and energy roaring back to our city. From The Status Plant to sublime biscuits, if it’s unrivaled, we’ve found it.

Games, pottery, and even burlesque are among our best for 2018.

The parking-lot Indie Arts & Vintage Marketplace moved indoors to the Fountains Conference Center for the season, meaning lovers of the retro look can keep clearing space for bargains like these, found in October. Next sale: January 26.