The Feed: Neal Brown Closes Stella

Chef Neal Brown continues to surprise everybody. After closing his Massachusetts Avenue location of Pizzology in early 2017 and doing a quick turnaround into European-style Stella, Brown made another announcement this weekend that shocked the local food community. He shuttered Stella (final dinner service was February 24) and will focus on a new restaurant on 38th Street. Brown spilled the details in a press release posted on Facebook Sunday night, outlining his partnership in the venture with former Angie’s List CEO Bill Oesterle and business partner Ed Sherman. Midtown Brasserie (215 E. 38th St.) is expected to open in September in a former Chase bank location. The developers plan on keeping many of the architectural and decorative details of the 1947 Art Deco building.

Victory Rolls and Baked Goods (702 Main St., Beech Grove, 317-864-0600) is off to a stellar start. Owner Amy Norcross opened the 1940s-style scratch bakery earlier this month and regularly sells out of most items in the glass case, including cinnamon rolls, pop tarts, cookies, and bacon-and-cheese croissants. Though the decor and vibe is World War II–era, there’s plenty in the shop for the modern-day sweets fan, including options that are gluten-free, sugar-free, vegan, and keto-friendly.

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Tickets are now available for the annual Corks and Forks event at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on March 14 benefiting Second Helpings. Food and drinks will be provided by some of Indy’s most popular chefs, mixologists, and restaurants, including Salt on Mass, Pioneer, Northside Social, Tinker Street, Meridian Restaurant and Bar, Rook, and Hotel Tango. Tickets are $150.

https://www.secondhelpings.org/events/corks-forks/

The team behind Coat Check Coffee (401 E. Michigan St., 317-550-5008) is speeding toward the opening of Provider, their new spot inside The Tinker House. A recent Instagram update has us swooning over the gorgeous green tile behind the counter. Co-owner Neal Warner says to expect a bigger menu, extended hours, and a small list of beer, wine, and cocktails.

A post shared by Coat Check Coffee (@coatcheckcoffee) on Feb 19, 2018 at 7:25pm PST

The Prohibition-era law against Sunday alcohol sales in Indiana is a goner, thanks to the Indiana legislature. According to Indianapolis Business Journal, Governor Eric Holcomb will sign the bill passed by the Indiana House and Senate quickly, allowing Sunday sales to begin as soon as March 4 at local liquor stores, big-box chains, grocers, pharmacies, and convenience stores.

If you thought yoga had reached peak cuteness with cats, hold on to your whiskers. Bunny yoga is now a monthly experience at Metazoa Brewing Company (140 S. College Ave., 317-522-0211). On the first Saturday of each month, a $15 entry fee gets you 75 minutes of yoga, a pint of beer, and quality time with some adoptable bunnies. The next session is March 3.

A post shared by Metazoa Brewing Co. (@metazoabrewing) on Jan 10, 2018 at 8:35am PST

Bravo’s Top Chef flirted briefly with filming next season in Indianapolis, but producers opted to go to Kentucky instead, shooting in Louisville, Lexington, and Lake Cumberland. Why no Circle City? Film Indy commissioner Teresa Sabatine told Indianapolis Monthly there were multiple reasons for the decision, and much of it boiled down to money.

Dan Jarmin, owner of two Fat Dan’s Deli locations, is a busy guy. According to The Indianapolis Star, Jarmin bought Crust pizzeria in Carmel and will transition the decor and menu to Fat Dan’s in the next four to six weeks. Jarmin also plans to open Geraldine’s, a supper club and lounge named after his mother, in Fountain Square later this spring. It will be at 1101 English Avenue, in the former Ironworkers Corner Bar location.

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