» Tomorrow’s Best Restaurant Event at the Ivy Tech Culinary and Hospitality School celebrates all of the local new spots called out in the annual Best Restaurants issue of Indianapolis Monthly. Get a first look at our May issue, including the full list of Indy’s best new eateries for 2017. The sit-down dinner is sold out, but you can get in on the walkaround tastings with food and beverage samples from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
» The Patachou, Inc. expansion rolls on. Bar One Fourteen (114 E. 49th St., 317-946-0110) opened earlier this month in a dark, intimate space for people who like their snacks, drinks, and surroundings done très chic. And, rejoice! We have an opening date for Crispy Bird (115 E. 49th St.), the fried chicken restaurant that will be overseen by chef David Hoover, son of Patachou founder Martha Hoover. Mark your calendars and plan to get in line on July 6, which just happens to be National Fried Chicken Day.
» Zagat announced semifinalists for its first national 30 Under 30 list, a recognition previously reserved for hospitality pros in a handful of major markets. Two Indy favorites are in contention this year, including Matthew Feltrop, executive director at The Patachou Foundation, and Hattie McDaniel, pastry chef at Vida. Sixty semifinalists were selected from an open call for nominations by readers, editors, industry insiders, and previous honorees. Zagat will narrow the list to 45 in June, and announce the final 30 Under 30 in September.
» Two Irvington spots shuttered their brick and mortar locations, but will stay in business. According to the Indianapolis Star, Chef Dan’s Southern Comfort Restaurant (5539 E. Washington St., 317-995-2426) and Bitter Sweet (5543 E. Washington St., 317-602-7335) recently closed their doors, just steps away from each other on Washington Street. Chef Dan’s will still operate its busy food truck and catering company, and Bitter Sweet will continue with private baking and catering.
» Indiana governor Eric Holcomb made a video appearance on the social media feeds of the Indiana State Fair last week to announce this year’s theme: The Wonderful World of Food. (Whereupon food writers everywhere asked, “wait, isn’t that always the theme of the fair?”) We’re doing extra sit-ups already to prepare for the big event Aug. 4–20 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds (1202 E. 38th St.).
» Thunderbird (1127 Shelby St., 317-974-9580) is bringing back its Culinary Cult Classics series with a screening of This is Spinal Tap on April 30. A $55 ticket covers the movie screening, plus a 5-course meal from chefs Kristen York and Josh Herndon. Doors open at 6 p.m. Email Thunderbirdindy@gmail.com for reservations.
» A Taste of Broad Ripple is back. WRTV-6 reports the event is ending its 12-year hiatus on June 17, with a mega-party at the 6300 block of Guilford Ave. Expect the street to be packed with food vendors, breweries, live music, and a Chef’s Night Off celebrity tent. Tickets to the family-friendly affair are $7 at the gate; ages 10 and under are free.
» More than 3,000 people have registered for Indy Veg Fest, happening April 29 at the Pan Am Pavilion (201 S. Capitol Ave.). The free family event will have guest speakers, giveaways, food samples, local food vendors, and cooking and fitness demonstrations.
» This warm weather has us craving coffee over ice, especially after Coat Check Coffee‘s Coat Check Cola caught our eye. The new coffee shop inside the Athenaeum (401 E. Michigan St., 317-550-5008) combines Tinker Coffee Co. espresso, orgeat sweet syrup, luxardo cherry, and orange in a drink tailor-made for sunny days downtown.
