Indy Home Book » Cuisine & Restaurants

Grilling Saga

Richard — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 15:44:21 +0000

As a long-time user and current owner of a Weber grill, I was more than interested in it’s namesake restaurant when it opened here a few years ago. I bought my first Weber about 35 years ago, and finally, after years of faithful service, rolled it out to the street on trash day last year. Sadly it had been on it’s last legs for the last 2 years…but I couldn’t part with ‘Ol Blackie. It had helped me prepare thousands of meals over the years and was like part of the family. But it was finally time.

My neighbor had a Weber that was 7-8 years old that they literally never used. It was an exact clone of mine in design. They kept it stored inside the garage and it still looked like it had just come new out of the box. Having witnessed the final demise of Blackie, they gave theirs to me, knowing that it would be well-utilized and cared for. So…Blackie lives on, in spirit. The universe is still in alignment.

I’ve heard good reviews about the Weber Grill restaurant. But I smile every time I go by there. I’m thinking…it seems like it’s totally backwards to go inside to eat something grilled. Isn’t that the whole point of having a grill?…cooking outside…on your own. It’s the connection with our ancestors, our heritage, who for hundreds of years, while this country of ours was being shaped, cooked over an open campfire. Grilling outside…one of the last bastions of true Americana.

My favorite thing from the grill? I can’t decide between these two. Grilled Salmon fillets…and grilled Quesadillas.

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Barrel Roll

Bravo

Richard — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 18:29:20 +0000

If Italian food is something that moves you, then this is someplace you might try if you haven’t already. I wasn’t sure what this place would be like initially because it’s a franchise…and the first thing you notice is the decor, which is made to resemble an old authentic Italian villa with hints of distressed and missing pieces of trim and old exposed brick here and there with plaster pulling away in sections. It just looked peculiar at first because it looked like NEW distressed trim and NEW old brick with NEW old plaster. Maybe I’m being too critical, but I felt like they were trying to trick everyone with the new ‘old’ features. Possibly now the natural aging process is catching up with that a bit in the years it’s been there. Perhaps that’s aided from a little smoke occasionally from their open wood-fired pizza oven among other things? (I love that wood-fired oven by the way!) But somehow the interior looks better than it did at first. Maybe it’s just that I like the whole dining experience enough now to enjoy it all.

When you go to a restaurant, the whole experience is everything, but the food is undoubtedly the most important part. All I know is everyone I’ve ever been with there seems to have enjoyed anything they’ve ordered. All very good. The servers and wait staff have been friendly, courteous and professional, and have made me or my companions feel welcome. I like the fact too that the menu is diverse and varied so that anyone can find something that looks tantalizing to them. So I would have to give Bravo the official IHB thumbs-up. Nice destination when you are craving Italian.

Bravo is located on the north side of 86th Street, just behind or north of Castleton Square Mall at 8651 Castle Creek Parkway East Drive.

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John’s Famous Stew

Richard — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 01:29:47 +0000

A few days ago I got together with some old friends of mine for lunch and they had suggested going to John’s Famous Stew in the near SW side of town near downtown and Eli Lilly’s. We live in three different corners of the Indy area so a near downtown location is a happy medium for us. I honestly couldn’t remember the last time I had been there. Many years. As a matter of fact I think that it moved and is now in a different location since the last time I saw it?…and for some reason I remember it being called John’s Hot Stew? I’m not sure, but if so, obviously that was before they became more famous!

Now this place doesn’t look like much from the outside…which is kind of an understatement. But after the first peek inside the front door you know you have arrived at a real restaurant with real people and real food. Of course they serve stew, but they have a large menu with quite a variety. Since the stew is famous though, I figure you have to order that. The stew comes in three varieties…mild, medium or hot. Guess which one I chose? The place was was almost filled to capacity at 11:00 when we got there and was jam packed, overflowing soon. One way, maybe the best way, to tell if someplace is a good restaurant is if it is full of people.

Don’t come here if you want to schmooze with the in-crowd or have a power lunch surrounded by high-rollers in Armani suits. Blue collar is the correct fashion statement and just good ‘ol All-American cuisine. John’s Famous Stew is located at 1146 Kentucky Avenue.

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Acapulco Joe’s

Richard — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 03:09:22 +0000

Depending on who you talk to, they either love this place or feel the opposite. The funny thing is, the reasons given for why they feel that way are for the same things. The decor and the atmosphere is sort of rough around the edges but some will say that’s the charm of the place and the attraction. It’s not pretentious like other restaurants. You can go to there and just be yourself and not have to style-around like other places I know which shall go unnamed. Huge number of things to choose from on the menu so whatever your Southwest cravings are, they have you covered. And you might as well order a carry-home box with your entree because the portion size on anything I’ve ever had was over-the-top.

You can’t see the patio on the left side of the building in this shot, but in the warm months, it was fun to sit outside there under the canopy with the strings of cayene pepper lights. Probably if you put enough of the extra hot sauce on your burrito, you might be able to sit outside even in January? Acapulco Joe’s is located at 365 N. Illinois Street…on the southeast corner with Vermont.

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Summer Dream

St. Elmo mystique

Richard — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 04:21:08 +0000

Having grown up in Indianapolis, I had been to St. Elmo’s on a few occasions. But the first time that I really became aware of the clout that St. Elmo’s has, I was about 25 and on a plane flight coming from New York to Indy. There was a businessman seated next to me from the Denver area, and we began to talk. When I told him I was going back to Indianapolis, he replied “hmm…Indianapolis huh? Yeah…Indy, that’s where St. Elmo is. The best shrimp cocktail on the planet! We call them a couple times a year and have them ship us some of their cocktail sauce.” Well, that left an impression on me as you can see. And then a few years later, I had gone to a Rolling Stones concert in the Dome…and I read in the paper the next day that the Stones rented out the whole restaurant at St. Elmo for a private party after the show. I mean, if Mick, Keith, Bill and Charlie chose to book St. Elmo’s?? That was beyond impressive…to me anyway.

Of course, just about everyone has a story or two about the place. Almost impossible not to. It’s been there since 1902 at the same location downtown at 127 S. Illinois. They have a varied and exceptional menu, but are especially known for their steaks…and of course the shrimp cocktail. If you haven’t been there then you should go sometime. I guarantee you that you too will be telling stories later about the effect that the cocktail sauce had on you. One word…horseradish…that’s all I’m going to say about it.

The Bar there is really cool too. One of those big, old, traditional wood ones. So the bar area just oozes with atmosphere. A great place to meet with friends, clients…anyone, if you are downtown.

Time Machine

Richard — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 15:19:09 +0000

Anyone want to join me here for a Big Chief, french fries and a cherry Coke? If we only could. OK…I’m dating myself by posting this but I knew a few people will get a kick out of it. It’s the only photo on this site that I haven’t take myself…so far at least…but I thought it was worth it. A friend of mine gave it to me last year. Of course it’s the famous Tee Pee restaurant that operated from the 1940′s through the 1970′s at the NW corner of 38th Street and Fall Creek Boulevard. The building I’m told was finally demolished in 1988. From the look of the cars, I think this photo was taken around 1970…or close to then.

I’m unsure of the reason why the owners felt compelled to leave that location. I’m sure it was probably a good reason that made sense at the time. But I’m fairly confident that if the Tee Pee were still there now, it would be doing a brisk business still…like it always did. It’s such a strategic corner location with an incredible amount of drive-by traffic. Sometimes change brings needed improvements and a fresh perspective. But in this case, what was gained? More parking spots that no one will ever use in the far corner of the State Fairgrounds parking lot? Here’s a shot below of this same location as it appears today. Looks kind of lonely now don’t you think?

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Yesterday Today

Richard — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 03:54:16 +0000

Even if it’s not Sunday…there’s one place that serves a Sunday-style family dinner every day. Hollyhock Hill is one of those places that just never changes. The building, the decor, the menu…hasn’t essentially changed since they opened more than 75 years ago. They don’t have to. Their customers love it just the way it is. You can’t argue with the logic. If it isn’t broken, you don’t need to fix it.

If you are looking for fancy, upscale modern decor, then this is not the place. You feel much like you are entering someones home, and sitting down to eat in their dining room. If it’s exotic cuisine you are interested in, it’s not here either. They are famous especially for their traditional fried chicken dinners, including a big platters of chicken, bowls of mashed potatoes and vegetables and all the trimmings that everyone passes around the table just like you would at Grandmas house.

There really isn’t another restaurant like this one in the Indy area that I know of. One of few places left where you can have yesterday today. Located at 8110 N. College Ave.

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Our Illinois Neighbor

Richard — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 21:29:41 +0000

The first time I ever went to the Illinois Food Emporium, some clients took me out to breakfast one morning. We had exchanged emails for many weeks but it was the first time I had actually met them in person. It was a beautiful morning much like the day here in this photo. It turned out to be a perfect place to get know each other. Although there is a dining area inside, the day was so nice that we sat outside at one of the tables, ate toast and omelets, and sipped a few cups of coffee while talking about the kind of home that they were envisioning and the list of homes that we were going to be looking at later on. I really enjoyed that and never forgot the impression it made on me.

Since that first time, I have suggested to other clients on other occasions that we meet there before or after an appointment if we are going to be in or near the Meridian-Kessler area. It has exactly what I want…a casual atmosphere, good food, large variety, and a friendly energy to it. And sometimes I just stop when all by myself. I like it because it’s not in one of the megatropolis malls or on a really busy street. Just a neighborhood location and village-like setting. It serves just about anything you can think of for breakfast and lunch…and they have a dinner menu, staying open a little later Tuesday through Friday. By experience I can tell you it has a great bakery…and deli too. I’ve heard they also do a fabulous job catering parties and large gatherings.

Stop by if you are in the area. Located just south of 56th Street on Illinois Street… just west of Meridian Street and south of Westfield Boulevard.

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Sign Me Up

Richard — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 19:08:56 +0000

I’m wondering…”What will happen to me if I am ‘Porked’ ? …and, Do I really want to be a member of this club?” I don’t know. Perhaps. Do I get an official wallet card and T-shirt that says Member – Bacon of the Month Club, with a picture of this fellow on it? I was curious as to why he was smiling as it appears that they are getting ready to carve him into designated smaller sections. Do members have a secret handshake? …and Club Meetings? They probably call the meetings to order by yelling “SuuuuuuEeeeee” ? I could keep coming up with material for hours with this Bacon Club thing!

I guess I just liked the sign a lot. They had it resting in a prominant place out on the sidewalk today in front of Goose-The Market which is located at 25th and Delaware St. on the near north side of Indy.

Seriously, this a wonderful place to shop for something special. It’s a market as well as a restaurant. Fun atmosphere and really interesting stuff. They have a deli and sell local meats, produce, cheeses, breads, wines, beers…even flowers, and a lot more. May I recommend trying one of their frozen Gelatos from their Scoop Shop, or some of the fresh roasted coffees? Really good.

I’m still thinking about the idea of having a Bacon of the Month Club T-shirt. I could wear it when visiting some of my vegetarian friends.

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That and Everything Else Too

Richard — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 01:36:54 +0000

The first time I went here, I was wondering what I would find inside. Maybe a lot of noisy machinery clanging and multiple conveyor belts with hundreds of freshly made cheesecakes whizzing by, and mechanized equiptment sliding cheesecakes into packing boxes 10 at a time? OK…my imagination is sometimes ridiculous. The atmosphere turned out to be nothing like a factory. It doesn’t even feel like a franchise-type operation, although it is one.

It’s a good example of a restaurant that does a great job of giving customers what I believe is THE essential ingredient when one dines away from home…a real departure from home. People need to feel like they are out someplace special and different. They want to be taken care of and treated well. And they want to be able to have menu items that you cannot begin to make at home. The Cheesecake Factory succeeds at all of those. The decor is interesting, tasteful and fun. The wait staff are positive, friendly and helpful. And it has a grand, diverse menu so anyone can find something that they’d like. Fun for the senses and good food. An enjoyable experience.

It does have an assortment of luscious cheesecakes, but to me that’s just a noteworthy sideline, not the main event. The Cheesecake Factory? Well, to me it’s the “That and Everything Else Too Factory”. Easy to find, located at The Fashion Mall, Keystone at the Crossing near Saks Fifth Avenue at the south east corner of the mall.

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Bravo