» After months of speculation, Kimbal Musk’s Kitchen Restaurant Group confirmed it will open a casual restaurant in the former Double 8 Foods space at 4602 College Avenue. According to the Indianapolis Business Journal, the billionaire entrepreneur (and brother of Tesla cofounder Elon Musk) will open Next Door eatery in November, serving American dishes in the $16–$18 price range. Musk is set to open Hedge Row American Bistro inside the Marietta building (342 Massachusetts Ave.) in August.
» The board of Dig IN announced last week that A Taste of Indiana, the marquee August food festival the organization is known for, is off the table for 2017. The group will continue to host small, food-centered events, citing a need to focus more time and energy on a new strategic plan. Dig IN was founded in 2008, and the first festival was held in 2009 at White River State Park.
» The Beer Garden at the Indianapolis Museum of Art (4000 Michigan Rd., 317-923-1331), is sticking around a while longer. It first opened in March in conjunction with the Spring Blooms exhibit, and after a brief break for a summer revamp, will reopen on June 6 with an expanded menu and new hours. Hard ciders and red wine are new additions, along with local charcuterie from Turchetti’s Salumeria and bread from Amelia’s. The Beer Garden is open during regular museum hours Tuesday through Sunday, and Thursday evenings until 9 p.m. It will close for the season at the end of August.
» The New York Times heaped praise on the Circle City ahead of the Indy 500 this past weekend. “36 Hours in Indianapolis” outlined the best way to enjoy a quick visit, from restaurants, to shops, to cultural hot spots. On the food side, many of the usual suspects got a shout out, including Bluebeard, Milktooth, and Tinker Street, while thirsty visitors were pointed in the direction of Coat Check Coffee, New Day Craft Mead & Cider, Hotel Tango, and St. Elmo Steak House (for a nightcap).
» If you missed out on the Return of the Mac pastapalooza earlier this year, you can still snag some tickets to the Noblesville event this Saturday, June 3. More than 25 Hamilton County restaurants will gather at Federal Hill Commons (175 Logan St.) with their favorite takes on the cheesy classic, including The Local Eatery & Pub, Rail Epicurean Market, Upland Tap House, and LouVino. General admission tickets are $25; kids 6 and under are free.
» Sub Zero Ice Cream is now open inside Castleton Square Mall. This is the second Indianapolis location for the Utah-based company, which has operated a downtown outpost since 2013. Sub Zero uses liquid nitrogen to flash-freeze each individual customer order. The Castleton location will also have milkshakes, ice-cream pies, and smoothies.
