Foraging Field Work

Before agriculture emerged, hunter-gatherers ruled the world. That foraging instinct is kicking in again with the modern-day push toward sustainability inviting us back to nature to love our yard enemies.“Weeds are just a term for plants that people don’t want where they are,” says Constance Ferry, a teacher and master gardener of organic herbs. “Foraging is seeing that all plants are useful.” Instead of cursing the curly dock in your sidewalk cracks, pull it u

KEEP ON FOOD TRUCKIN: Edward’s Drive-In

Another food truck is about to hit the streets of Indianapolis. Edward’s Drive-In (2126 S. Sherman Dr., 786-1638) is preparing to take itstenderloins, onion rings, and root beer (which have been featured on Adam Richman’s Man v. Food), on the road at the be

SUCCOTASH: Dining News

Lead server Chad Hosier is leaving R Bistro (888 Massachusetts Ave., 423-0312) for Chicago and a job at The Girl & the Goat ... Zing at the Canal has closed ...The old-school New Orleans cocktails such as the St. Charles, the Vieux Carre, and the Rossignac have disappeared from t

Weekend in Review: Granite City

On Saturday, we snacked on Idaho Nachos—seasoned waffle fries loaded with bacon, tomatoes, and Colby Jack—at Granite City Food & Brewery (150 W. 96th St., 218-7185). Of course, we didn’t stop there. We dipped ciabatta into onion-spiked spinach-artichoke dip and indulged in one of the signature items, grilled salmon presented Oscar(esque)-style with crabmeat, asparagus, hollandaise sauce, and broccoli. Bla

THE SWOON LIST: Five Things We Adore Right Now

The Wild Hibiscus Mimosa at Zest! Exciting Food Creations (1134 E. 54th St., 466-1853), with a whole edible hibiscus flower waiting sweetly at the bottom of the glass. The Paul Bunyan taco: addictive ground beef chili scooped into a shell, topped with the works, and given a sassy kick of Texas Brushfire hot sauce at

To Market, To Market

Millersville Cafe Market (5490 N. Emerson Ave.) kicks off its summer season on June 2. Every Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. through August 25, tables and chairs will be set out for folks to enjoy their hot tamales from 3 in 1 Restaurant, crepes from 3 Days in Paris, Confectioneiress cupcakes, and food from a dozen other local vendors. But this unconventional take on a summer market—set up in a parking lot at the corner of Emerson Way and Fall Creek Parkway to attract folks on their drive home—is less a farmer’s market and more an outdoor food court. “We’d never seen a farmer’s market where you could sit down,” says market master Tom Eggers. So he started one.

SPOTTED: Brad Stevens at Cafe Patachou

Brad Stevens getting carryout at Cafe Patachou at 49th and Penn on Friday, unhassled by the busy lunch crowd but grinning to fans who made eye contact. The Butler basketball coach was talking on his phone as he left with his chicken salad Patachou, presumably seconds after reading the hilarious message to cell-phone addicts at the counter (pictured).

THE SWOON LIST: Five Things We Adore Right Now

The spicy chicken chipotle taco at The Tamale Place (5242 Rockville Rd., 248-9771). Chocolate cheesecake at Long’s Bakery (1453 N. Tremont St., 632-3741; 2301 E. Southport Rd., 783-1442): Eclair-dough crust with a custardy filling, topped with the same chocolate frosting that encases the bakery’s chocolate doughnuts.   T

WEEKEND IN REVIEW: Fire by the Monon

On Friday—within weeks of the grand opening—scores of casual diners packed the tables of Fire by the Monon (6523 Ferguson St., 602-8590), in the former L’Explorateur spot. Servers at the tucked-away Broad Ripple restaurant seemed a bit overwhelmed by the crowd, their style resembling a sort of hospitality triage as they rushed glasses and plates around the noisy dining rooms. We made quick wo

NEW IN TOWN: Pei Wei

Pei Wei Asian Diner (6159 N. Keystone Ave., 205-9380) opened on Monday in the Glendale Shopping Center, offering a menu of eastern dishes inspired by food from China, Korea, Japan, Thailand, and Vietnam. The casual-restaurant chain was developed by P.F. Chang’s China Bistro in 2000 as a smaller version of their already popular restaurant. Edamame and Vietnamese Chicken Salad Rolls are listed among the starters. Mains include Japanese Teriyaki and Korean BBQ, with plenty of gluten-free options and a kid’s menu. And just to avoid any embarrassment, the correct pronunciation is “pay way.”