Innholdsfortegnelse for May 2017 i Indianapolis Monthly

When the Food Network’s Ted Allen winces like he’s about to reveal that because of a hospital mix-up you’ve been raising someone else’s child for the last 15 years, look out—you’ve been Chopped. I also know Padma Lakshmi’s appearances on Top Chef make me, um, lose my train of thought. And don’t get me started on the so-called savants from MasterChef Junior— as a father, I assure you they are too precocious to be believed. Growing up in Southern Indiana, I obsessed over the ancestors to these shows. Back when our TV only got a handful of channels, my brothers and I watched PBS reruns of The French Chef, The Frugal Gourmet, and The Galloping Gourmet. Aside from the Schnitzelbank German restaurant, my hometown of Jasper wasn’t known for its…

“There aren’t enough affordable spaces for artists to work in Indianapolis. The Stutz, Harrison Center, and CCIC are all great, but getting into them is difficult. We need more options.” —ANNE EMISON WISHARD “Artists need to continue to seek out new locations and plant flags where they want, not where the market dictates.” —BEN TRAUB “Alternate headline: ‘Big Wheel Keeps on Turning.’ Obviously, this is going to happen. How about a piece on the inevitable condo bubble in Indy?” —DUNCAN G. KISSINGER “Good read. I didn’t realize artists had been a vital part of the neighborhood for such a brief period of time.” —TRISTAN SCHMID Brian D. Smith’s February piece on the artist exodus from Fountain Square drew a lot of commentary from readers online.…

HOW DOES ONE GET ASKED TO SING AT A PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURATION, ANYWAY? I was in New York at the time, and my manager just mentioned that he could get a meeting with Trump’s people. I thought, That’s cool. Let’s see what happens. I didn’t see it as a political thing. AND WHEN YOU WENT UP ON STAGE AND IT WAS YOUR TURN, DID EVERYONE JUST … GET QUIET? I’m not sure what it was like in the audience. But when I stepped up there, everything went silent in my head. Maybe everyone was holding their breath. I can say it was a very nerve-racking stage to sing on. YOU’VE SUNG FOR BARACK OBAMA IN THE PAST, AND NOW DONALD TRUMP WITH THREE FORMER PRESIDENTS IN ATTENDANCE (BILL CLINTON, JIMMY CARTER,…

THE TURF Midtown COVET A busy one-man operation, Chris Harrison of Alchemy Supply Co. (1) fabricates all of the shop’s exquisitely designed his-and-hers custom jewelry on site. He rounds out the inventory with leather goods, exclusive fragrances, and local art on consignment. 916 Broad Ripple Ave., 317-846-4653, alchemy supplyco.com SHOP In a nod to owner Anna Ragle’s heritage, the “fira” in fun and funky Fira Boutique (2) means “celebrate” in Swedish. Newly outfitt ed in BB Dakota dresses, Flying Monkey jeans, and cute Love Poppy beaded bracelets, don’t mind if we do. 918 Broad Ripple Ave., 317-377-4773, fira boutique.com CHEER It’s easy to chirp-chirp and hoohoo for Indiana college teams with sporty-retro T-shirts, caps, and posters at The Shop (3), which also sells the cool Drink Indiana series, recasting the…

SEATTLE, WA DISTANCE 2,200 miles FLIGHT TIME 5.5 hours STARTING THIS MONTH, nonstop flights to Seatt le depart from Indy for the first time in recent memory, thanks to Alaska Airlines. Check in at the Thompson Hotel (thompsonhotels.com), and you could be in a glass-walled suite gazing past the gray-blue waves of Puget Sound to the snow-frosted Olympic mountains. It’s a well-placed base for exploring sights like the famous Pike Place Market (pike placemarket.org) and the Seatt le Center campus (seatt lecenter.com), where visiting rockers sip espresso at revered music station KEXP’s new La Marzocco Café and Showroom (lamarzoccousa.com), an homage to the city’s bestloved beverage; music and pop-culture museum MoPOP (mopop.org) was designed by Frank Gehry, who dismantled guitars to build his model for the undulating steel structure. Starbucks…

FORGET ALL of your preconceived concerns about the lowly pink meat that curls into a rubbery cup when cooked. Fried bologna is gett ing the respect it deserves, as chefs learn to work wonders with the tender processed meat, crisped on the grill and lavished with toppings that play off the dense texture and salty flavor. Done right, it’s one of the most delicious guilty pleasures you’ll ever taste. GRIGGSBY’S STATION 101 W. Main St., Greenfield, 317-477-7217, griggsbysstation.com Two thick discs of locally made Tyner Pond Farm bologna and two slices of bright yellow American form a meatand- cheese parfait in this beauty of a sandwich. Hearty farm-style bread is swiped with adobo mayonnaise for the perfect creamy glop. You can add an egg for $1, but a handful of…

WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO NOW? Much of my listening revolves around what it is I’m working on that week for Cultural Manifesto. I recently had a show that featured musicians from the SXSW showcase ContraBanned, which was created in reaction to the executive-order travel ban barring entry into the United States. One of the bands affected by the ban is a British jazz group called Yussef Kamaal. I’m also listening to a lot of Dena El Saffar, an Iraqi-American multiinstrumental musician out of Bloomington who leads the group Salaam. HOW DO YOU DETERMINE THE STRUCTURE AND TOPICS OF THE SHOW? The show is based on current events that are happening and are important to me. It might be influenced by a national event or could coincide with a local…

When Cunningham Restaurant Group raised the curtain on its Latin-flavored hideaway, the place had a ready-made fan club of folks who had been following its progress since the Indianapolis company first mentioned the concept. Built in typical CRG fashion (see also: Union 50, Vida) from the bones of an unassuming downtown building with history—in this case, a former horse stable—the two-story mishmash of mood-lit dining rooms and standingroom bar areas gives off a sexy buzz that does not disappoint. But chef Casey Frank, who came up through the Cunningham ranks, adds substance to all of that style with dreamy dishes like shrimp ceviche plated with fried plantain chips and popcorn, and a selection of flaky, hot empanadas that show off the kitchen’s flair for sauces. Tequila-soaked cocktails and an impressive…

Joella’s Hot Chicken THE DISH Indy now has its own shack—a nice one, in the old 96th Street Steakburgers spot—for Nashville-style hot chicken. HOMETOWN Louisville STARTED 2015 LOCATIONS Five WHAT WE ORDER Not the incendiary Fire-in-da-Hole sauce, the spiciest of the six levels on offer here—we couldn’t make it past the first bite. Call us chicken, but the Tweener is more our speed. 4715 E. 96th St., 317-663-8880, joellashotchicken.com Nada THE DISH Mexi-merican delights (think guac topped with goat cheese and pomegranate seeds). HOMETOWN Cincinnati STARTED 2007 LOCATIONS Three WHAT WE ORDER For lunch, it’s the twotaco lunchbox for flour tortillas stuffed with the likes of fried avocado and mu shu pork. Come sunset, we can’t wait to get our paws on a Pink Grapefruit, a blend of El Jimador…

It’s de rigueur to Instagram your food, but at Rook—the Fletcher Place purveyor of Asian street food–inspired cuisine—everyone must snap a photo with Tupac Shakur. More specifically, everyone must head to the women’s bathroom to get a #tupacselfie with a poster of the hiphop icon. No, really. It’s a thing. Search the hashtag, and you will find dozens of pictures of not only women, but kids and groups posing in front of the rapper who died after a 1996 drive-by shooting. Rook co-owner Ed Rudisell says the owners decided to tone down the high-end vibe of the restaurant’s second location by hanging framed posters from some of their favorite artists of hip-hop’s golden era, including Biggie Smalls, Wu-Tang Clan, and NWA. Rudisell’s wife, Sasatorn Rudisell, suggested Tupac for the ladies’…

The Garden Table ORIGINAL Broad Ripple lightdining spot catering to post- Pilates grazers. UPGRADE Mass Ave’s funky boho bistro of exposed brick, salvaged barnwood, and glossy ceramic tile. 342 Massachusetts Ave., 317- 638-0321, thegardentable.com Fat Dan’s ORIGINAL SoBro’s scrappy, frat-house sandwich dive. UPGRADE A sharp-dressed sports bar in a tastefully subdued shade of blue, with a proper bar. 410 E. Michigan St., 317-600-3008, fatdansdeli.com Caplinger’s Fresh Catch ORIGINAL Fish counter with limited seating. UPGRADE Caplinger’s Fresh Catch & Cuts inside the rusticated Broccoli Bill’s gourmet produce market. 15009 Gray Rd., Noblesville, 317- 218-3221, caplingersfreshcatch .com FoxGardin Kitchen & Ale ORIGINAL A not-so-hidden gem in Fortville. UPGRADE A sibling eatery, FoxGardin Family, that brought the same menu (plus some children’s options) to Geist. 10410 Olio Rd., Fishers, 317-336- 2036, foxgardin.com The…

Beholder Jonathan Brooks of Milktooth fame and Josh Mazanowski from the dearly departed Recess team up for a wine-centric fine-dining establishment offering a tasting menu and à la carte items, hopefully by fall. Blue Sushi Sake Grill The five-story Ironworks at Keystone development has already established itself as a magnet for buzzy, crowd-pleasing chains. The party animal in all of us eagerly awaits the newest member of the In Crowd. Lit up like a Vegas nightclub, it promises a deep study of salmon and tuna nigiri for the purists, as well as plenty of cold sake and specialty rolls to keep the girls/guys-night-out festivities going. 2721 E. 86th St., bluesushisakegrill.com Bonna Tavern The food menu is yet to be determined for the neighborhood bar expected to open in early summer,…

THE 2017 DECORATORS’ SHOW HOUSE, KURT VONNEGUT’S BOYHOOD HOME, FINALLY GETS THE STAR TREATMENT IT DESERVES. Welcome to the Monkey House BY LORI D. ROBERTS BIGGER ISN’T ALWAYS BETTER. This year’s Decorators’ Show House and Gardens is a little smaller than its predecessors, but with its rich history and celebrity tie, it may be exactly what participants want. The annual house tour, a fundraiser for the St. Margaret’s Hospital Guild, will showcase the boyhood home of Kurt Vonnegut Jr., Indianapolis’ native son and celebrated author. Vonnegut lived in the home at 4401 N. Illinois St. from the time he was a few months old until he was 15. Vonnegut’s architect father built the home for his family in 1923. It has been through a few other homeowners since then, and…

AS A YOUNG CHILD, I awoke one morning with a painful lump under my left ear and a splotchy red rash that spread ominously across my chest. My selfdiagnosis was instant. “I have the measles and the mumps,” I announced to my parents. Even at a tender age, I was known for what in Yiddish is called sechel, or common sense. My warning was believed and, later, confirmed. Sechel has since defined my personality. What I lack in math skills, geographical references, and knowledge of European history, I make up in common sense. Such a gift comes in handy, especially when judging the actions of others. Let’s start with a can of prune-plum filling. This may not sound important to you, but it is to me. My father was born…

This sprawling, 7,000-square-foot Frank Lloyd Wright–style house, built in 1980, needed a complete rehaul and a 5,000-square-foot addition to accommodate the lifestyle of the new homeowners. The design took a year-and-a-half to finalize, but the results were worth the wait. The result is a modern, sleek, and fully functional home. “There were lots of moving parts to this remodel, and blending the old with the new was one of the biggest challenges,” says Jon Guy, president of Guy Co. Homes and Remodeling. “The biggest key to a successful remodel is not being able to tell what’s new from what’s old.” Ultimately, the homeowners’ wanted to showcase the incredible views of Williams Creek and the gorgeous, wooded 10-acre lot on which the home sits. That’s the backdrop for the entire entry…

“When my younger sister was a flower girl for a wedding, I insisted on having my hair and makeup done, too—even though I’d been a flower girl before and played no part whatsoever in the ceremony. I also pushed her down a lot at the reception.” —MEGAN MAGUIRE, ADVERTISING ART COORDINATOR “I once locked myself in the closet for a few hours—to play hideand- go-seek. I was an only child.” —JENNA KIENLE, DIGITAL STRATEGY DIRECTOR “My six older siblings were merciless. Once, they dressed me up for Halloween as a KKK member, with a white sheet and a pointy hat, and told me I was a princess. But now, I can beat every one of them in tennis.” —MEGAN FERNANDEZ, DIRECTOR OF EDITORIAL OPERATIONS “My brother once threw a coconut…

IMS We recently got a rare glimpse at these 12 items, most of which emerged from the vault for the first time. You can see these for yourself at the IMS Museum in a temporary new exhibit—look for the display case that includes this issue of Indianapolis Monthly. (1) INDY 500 PENNANT This is likely a 106-year-old unauthorized track souvenir. The giveaway is the “Indianapolis 500 Mile Auto-Race” label—the race wasn’t called that in its maiden years. (2) MICHAEL SCHUMACHER’S HELMET Nineteen days aft er 9/11, Formula One’s United States Grand Prix went on as scheduled at the IMS. Drivers’ patriotic flourishes included a flag on pole-winner Schumacher’s helmet. (3) F.M. KIRKPATRICK’S CAMERA The IMS’s official photographer from the 1920s and ’30s took most of his pictures with this. (4)…

EST. 2012 Victorian aesthetic meets alternative history in this Indy steampunk club. FOR ONE NIGHT a year, alternativehistory aficionados frolic in their intricate Victorian garb and dust off their tricked-out toy guns—all while glitter puddles on the dance floor like oil. It doesn’t get much more steampunk than that. Nebulous and imaginative, steampunk is a geek culture that allows people to create a version of themselves in the mid-1800s, right as the Industrial Revolution was taking over. Aside from planning the city’s biggest steampunk ball, which has been held in various months over the last few years, Circle City Aerodrome cultivates that kind of mood all year long. Mary Karty and Matthew Mayer head up Indy’s group, which fosters a community that embraces the sometimes fancy, sometimes grungy aesthetic. Steampunk…

THE THREAD POP-UP House of 7 Collection brings home decor to The Shoppes at 56th and Illinois (5609 N. Illinois St.) May 19–26. TRENDING Macramé DIY classes spott ed at Altum’s Horticultural Center & Gardens (11335 N. Michigan Rd., Zionsville) and Homespun: Modern Handmade (869 Massachusett s Ave.). NEW VENDOR Bon Bon Creative, now selling tea, clothing, and handmade jewelry at Vintage 54 Collective (5335 Winthrop Ave.). Get the Hot List of great buys on Wednesday mornings at Indianapolis Monthly.com…

A FORMER decorated south Florida cop and head of a nightclub-security firm, Ted Hanulak, 52, has taught jujutsu, the authentic form of combat arts that predates the post-WWII Americanized version, from his home dojo on North Meridian Street for 17 years. “It’s not about kicking people in the face and doing backflips,” he says. “It’s about learning to use your opponent’s strength against him, something you can use when you’re 80. We call it the art of the old man.” Two things about his art: It’s full-contact from day one, which weeds out the alpha bros and guys with a grudge first. “We make it realistic,” he says, “but I’d never allow anybody in here who would hurt anybody. If somebody’s overly gung ho, they never last.” It’s also deeply…

“There’ll be an uproar if you take certain things off the menu.” IF THE HERB-CRUSTED pork chop or duck liver pâté at Peterson’s taste familiar, it might be because a longstanding champion of local gastronomy is in charge of the kitchen. Dave Foegley, the former executive chef at legendary Peter’s Restaurant & Bar, arrived at the popular Fishers dinner spot last July, bringing a few seasonal favorites from the old Peter’s menu with him. Having also worked for more than a decade as the executive chef of St. Elmo Steak House, only cooking for the occasional wine dinner, Foegley got a full schooling on producing food in volume and working with lots of staff support. But being at Peterson’s lets him do what he enjoys most. “Being back in a…

I WAS LYING IN BED one night recently, unable to sleep, a frequent occurrence these days. Whenever I can’t sleep, I think about sleep and what a strange evolutionary artifact it is, this suspension of consciousness so vital to our well-being. It’s odd how litt le thought we give to something we spend a third of our lives doing. According to the Bett er Sleep Council, a big reason people can’t sleep is because they need a new matt ress. The council’s website says the group is comprised of “bedding leaders and sleep experts who represent a cross section of the matt ress industry.” They also claim to speak with an “unbiased voice,” which I’m certain is true, bedding leaders having no desire to sell more of their products. They recommend…

LESS THAN THREE YEARS after Craig and Kait Mariutto opened Shoefly Public House on 22nd Street, they joined with former Bluebeard bartender Scott Lowe on this spacious Asian-themed hangout inside The Delaware. Chef Adam Ditter creates spice-forward twists on Chinese takeout food, and there’s even an extra side entrance for diners who want to grab and go. If you would rather sit and linger over this stunner of a menu, start with koji-marinated chicken wings before working your way up to the egg rolls stuffed with monkfish, and then maybe the aromatic, broth-filled pork dumplings. Larger plates range from Thai fried rice with pork belly and bright pickled red onions to supple yet fiery General Tso’s sweetbreads, one of Ditter’s more daring dishes. Beef and broccoli served on a wooden…

It’s not completely gluttonous. You do have to peel yourself off the couch to meet your driver at the curb. Still, in about 21 minutes, ClusterTruck delivers hot, restaurant-quality food via a streamlined operation that broke the 100,000-meals mark in late February. Everything is prepared in a 2,500-square-foot Pennsylvania Street kitchen—with a fully staffed command center on the second level, tracking (among many other things, apparently) customer orders. With ExactTarget co-founder Chris Baggott at the helm, ClusterTruck’s sheer genius earns it a spot among the year’s best dining concepts. clustertruck.com Pho: THE MOST POLARIZING ITEM According to Yelp reviews, ClusterTruck’s version of the Vietnamese soup is either the best or the worst that the city has ever ladled up. For the record, it’s pretty darned good. Hello, Boston, Charlotte, Columbus,…

WHAT FORMER INDY RESTAURANT WOULD YOU REBRAND AND BRING BACK? Hollyhock Hill. We have all of these new Southern cooking places, and it’s a lost opportunity. I’d keep its heart—and the fried chicken. WHERE WOULD PEOPLE BE SURPRISED TO SEE YOU? I have such little shame when it comes to guilty pleasures—but if not the Speedway gas-station hot-dog rollers, probably treating myself to red velvet waffles with chicken at His Place. WHAT FOOD TREND DO YOU WANT INDY TO HURRY UP AND DISCOVER? Ethnic food— particularly Asian food—has occupied a lower space, and I would love for people to accept it as part of finedining culture. FAVORITE NEW RESTAURANT IN INDY? Vida…

IT’S ONE THING to open a restaurant from scratch. To transform a popular haunt known more for its drinking scene into a bona fide supper club with serious comfort-food cred is another feat altogether. In late 2016, that’s exactly what Usual Suspects owner Bill Ficca did when he oversaw a complete renovation and overhaul of his Broad Ripple standard (which he owns in a partnership with the owners of Delicia and Northside Social) into a sleek, subway-tiled space with one of the neighborhood’s best menus. He got a little help in the form of Castleton’s Turf Catering, which smokes most of The Vanguard’s meats and assists with some dinner prep, difficult in The Vanguard’s decidedly modest kitchen. This means that plenty of talented cooks have a hand in knockout appetizers…

THE PERKS OF 6 NEW COFFEE SPOTS. A lot has been brewing on the Indianapolis coffee scene over the past year. From hardcore roasters to quaint neighborhood cafes, the city offers a spot for every kind of coffee drinker. Neidhammer Coffee Co. THE BUZZ Located in a renovated building with event and coworking spaces, this near-downtown spot offers outlets at every table. Quite possibly, everyone in here is working on the great American novel. “We facilitate business and study,” says owner Joel Walsman. To reward yourself for a hard day’s work, walk to the flip side of the building for an adult beverage at Ash & Elm Cider Co. DON’T MISS The Hammer, a decadent drink that combines butt er-pecan ice cream and cold-brew concentrate. 2102 E. Washington St., 317-602-5642,…

THE GREATEST RACING DYNASTY IN HISTORY BEGAN WITH A COIN FLIP. When Mario and Aldo Andretti rolled their red Hudson Hornet into Pennsylvania’s Nazareth Speedway for the first time in the spring of 1959, the twins arrived with professional racing uniforms and ambitions to match. But they had just one car. Only 19 years old and a few birthdays removed from their childhood in an Italian refugee camp, the immigrants had scoured junkyards for a frame, learned to weld, and dropped in an engine. Now that race day had arrived, a single question remained: Which one of the brothers was going to drive first? Mario pulled a nickel from his pocket and tossed it in the air. Aldo won. Even the fans at the top of the packed bleachers that…

INDIANA SUMMERS ARE NOTORIOUSLY HOT. Your kids are home all day, and it can be tempting to park them in front of the TV with the air conditioning blasting or toss them in the pool while you relax in the shade. But there are ways to cool off that also help you stop summertime brain drain. They might not have the word “school” in the name, but these educational opportunities throughout the city will have your kids dropping knowledge all summer long—and you might even learn something, too. GO WILD Of course, the Indianapolis Zoo is one of the first places that comes to mind when planning a day trip, but did you know they also offer three-day and five-day camps? Kids ages 5 to 14 get a behind-the-scenes look…

Sitting at the entrance of a 10-acre parcel of Indiana hardwoods and intersected by scenic Williams Creek, this year’s Dream Home is loaded with outdoor assets. Start with a view like this, and landscape and outdoor living decisions come easily. The full rear elevation of the house overlooks the pastoral creek and surrounding forest, so the outdoor living spaces naturally pay homage to that scene. Andrew Livingston, landscape designer with Sitecollective Studio, explains, “The overall approach we took in creating the outdoor living areas involved merging the contemporary angular design of the house with the more organic, flowing feel of the natural landscape. The intent is that as one walks away from the house, the landscape opens up into nature.” The homeowners wanted a little private outdoor escape of their…

Jessica Voelker Freelance writer Jessica Voelker didn’t have to travel far to find Seattle’s must-visit shops, hotels, and dining spots (p. 38). She lives there. Voelker was Seattle Met magazine’s lifestyle editor before becoming a staff writer at a tech startup. “My enthusiasm for this place matches that of a first-time tourist’s,” she says. “My friends tell me I should have been a concierge.” Daniel S. Comiskey Deputy editor Daniel S. Comiskey interviewed Mario Andretti years ago, but was surprised to learn the famous racecar driver had an identical twin quietly living in Indy (p. 72). “The racing community has known Aldo for decades, but he’s not a household name like his brother,” Comiskey says. “And he should be. His story is incredible.” Emily Udell Freelance writer Emily Udell wondered…

Autograph hounds and selfie-collectors, park it at the bottom of the Pagoda. A-list actors and musicians trickle in and out on Race Day. The big names at the Snakepit Ball don’t stick around very long. Arrive early. Most post-race celebrations in South Meridian Street nightclubs are open to the public, and you’ll see drivers partying the night away with highprofile friends. To find more exclusive bashes, follow local DJs, party promoters, drivers, and visiting celebs on social media. If you see John Green, tell him to get back to work writing his next novel.…

CLASS ACT. This month, Mike Pence makes his first official trip back to Indiana since taking the oath of office in January. On May 21, he will deliver the commencement address at the University of Notre Dame—a role typically assumed by POTUS during the first year in office. Apparently att empting to sidestep the Trump circus, the school selected Pence instead. But as with any Pence duty in the era of Trump, the trip likely won’t be without its indignities; student groups have complained about the selection, and the last time Pence and Notre Dame were mentioned in the same headline was when the school put out an official video rebutt ing the tenets of Pence’s RFRA. Given his boss’s track record, days before the ceremony, Trump might tweet that…

THE FIRST LESSON riders learn aft er buying a $6,000 custom Shamrock Cycle is that they’ll never again have a moment’s peace on the road or trail. Strangers and bike afi- cionados are constantly stopping Shamrock owners, eager to talk about head tube angles or the expert craft smanship. Those gawkers learn that Shamrock’s steel bikes are a bit of an anomaly in a cycling world obsessed with lightweight carbon-fiber rockets. But legions of fans still find themselves drawn to their gorgeous styling and impeccable details (Shamrock’s waitlist is seven months). It’s all about the bespoke designs. “You could ask why anyone would need a Rolex if a Timex does the exact same thing,” says Tim O’Donnell, who hand-builds every Shamrock bicycle in his 600-square-foot Broad Ripple garage. “My clients…

Road Trip Sometimes, customers show up unannounced at The Pavilion in downtown Franklin and say, “We have 20 people today.” And on most days, it’s not a problem. “What we finally decided is that we can seat 175 people properly,” says Fred Paris, one of the owners of the 4,000-square-foot dining space with a 30-foot retractable glass roof spanning a central courtyard. The setup is as charming as a Disney back lot, with its umbrella tables, stage for live music, and vinecovered, outdoors-in brick walls. But the two tenants, Shale Creek Brewing and Triple Play Barbecue, do not get by on cuteness alone. Shale Creek brews 10 craft beers in-house, including the favorite Don’t Rye for Me amber ale. Pitmaster Jimmy Tindell mans the smoker at Triple Play, delivering awardwinning…

For more on THE GARDEN TABLE (342 Massachusett s Ave.), see page 154. Your dining bucket list begins on page 152, with IM’s exclusive Restaurant Guide…

N EARLY 300 CONGREGANTS packed into the Central Library’s Clowes Auditorium on a Sunday morning in January to listen to a church service broadcast from nearly 20 miles away. The audience swayed to worship songs performed by a guy playing piano, then clapped for the Traders Point Christian Church campus pastor, Petie Kinder, who bounded onstage to make some brief announcements. Then the real show began. Electro-pop music filled the room. Motivational messages flashed across monitors on stage, digital blurs of inspiration that materialized and vanished before finally ceding the screen to the man who wants to change the way downtown Indianapolis worships. At that moment, Aaron Brockett , head of the Indy area’s largest megachurch, was broadcasting from Whitestown to three locations in Central Indiana with a combined 7,000 worshippers.…

WHAT FORMER INDY RESTAURANT WOULD YOU REBRAND AND BRING BACK? I miss H2O Sushi in a major way. I’d love to see anyone do a restaurant similar to State Bird Provisions in San Francisco—dim sum cart service, but with small plates from many cuisines. WHERE WOULD PEOPLE BE SURPRISED TO SEE YOU? You’re unlikely to find me at a chain restaurant. But sometimes I like to eat in the bar at Charleston’s while wearing workout gear. The food is quite tasty, although the wine list needs work. WHAT FOOD TREND DO YOU WANT INDY TO HURRY UP AND DISCOVER? Middle Eastern food. We dined at Shaya in New Orleans for my 40th birthday, and the range of flavors really hit home for me. I have never seen pita and hummus…

Pop-up dinners have a built-in air of impermanence, but the monthly gatherings that chef Alan Sternberg started hosting in January as part of his Common House “candid collection of experiences” are even more ephemeral. The $65 gatherings of a dozen or so diners feature a simple theme and introductions before each course by Sternberg, who heads Cerulean’s kitchen by day. Be warned: The March date sold out in 45 minutes. Blink and you might miss meals like January’s “Market”-themed 12-course experience inside Wildwood Market that began with farm-egg custard, ended with kitchen bourbon, and included one of the featured farmers seated right at the communal table. Audra Sternberg, the chef’s wife, oversees the front-of-thehouse duties and helps design the menus, including February’s bound book of each course illustrated by the…

Matt Stum Libertine Liquor Bar, Stella Having ascended the ranks of The Local Eatery & Pub and Plow & Anchor, the Indy native went underground as chef de cuisine at Neal Brown’s basement speakeasy, Libertine Liquor Bar. Stum quietly resuscitated the menu of cultured bar bites, adding winners like shrimp and grits with fried chicken skin, and teasing what might happen when he takes the reins at Stella, Brown’s downtown Pizzology replacement. Dean Sample Northside Social, Nook After stints at the innovative Oakleys Bistro and rustic-luxe Meridian, Sample moved into the top spot at Northside Social last year, where the casual Broad Ripple–for-grownups vibe prepared him for an even more laid-back post in the same restaurant family, at the American-style pizza concept Nook. There, a roster of unconventional pies (extra…

Don’t mistake the unassuming prepared-foods case at Joe’s Next Door as ordinary; there’s serious culinary muscle behind the counter. Chef Jon Radford owned The Gathering in Geist before taking over the kitchen operation at Joe’s, where he works alongside Jason Cornelius, former executive chef at the Milano Inn, and pastry chef Danielle McQuoid, who logged time as the head baker at The Flying Cupcake. Between the team’s fresh daily offerings and the locally made products on the shelves, you can grab the right meal for any to-go occasion. 111 W. Main St., Carmel, 317-846- 8877, joesnextdoor.com The French Orchard This is what we call a thoughtfully designed vegetarian sandwich. Tulip Tree Trillium cheese and Granny Smith apple slices combine with a bourbonfig jam so thick and flavorful, you won’t even…

The name is an acronym for Some of This, Some of That, which sums up what owner JR Roseman set out to serve at the 34-seat brick-and-mortar version of his Cajun food truck. The Panama native perfected many of his recipes while putting food on the table for his kids, including a soul-warming version of red beans and rice (he inherited the starter recipe from his grandfather). The location is rough and chic all at once, mixing elements like corrugated metal with an enormous antiqued mirror—a wink at elegance. The food is deliciously gloppy and saturated with flavor. Sweet and meaty crawfish étouffée joins jambalaya and gumbo on a menu that goes deep into the Bayou with po’ boys of the shrimp, sausage, catfish, and crab variety, and even an…

SONJA OVERHISER Food blogger and podcaster at ACoupleCooks.com WHAT FORMER INDY RESTAURANT WOULD YOU REBRAND AND BRING BACK? R Bistro. It was my first true “farm to table” experience in Indy, and the food was always top-notch. Regina [Mehallick] is a rock star. WHERE WOULD PEOPLE BE SURPRISED TO SEE YOU? Fat Dan’s Deli. We’re known for advocating healthy whole foods, but those fries! It’s our go-to for a greasy splurge. WHAT FOOD TREND DO YOU WANT INDY TO HURRY UP AND DISCOVER? My pet idea is a healthy “bowl” restaurant. I’d also like to see more high-quality Israeli or Eastern Mediterranean food. FAVORITE NEW RESTAURANT IN INDY? Open Society…

CHEF RICKY Hatfield’s sense of adventure puts steak-centric CharBlue (located in the former home of Georgia Reese’s Southern Table) in a whole different class from its downtown red-meat brethren. The Martinsville native grew up hunting in the Hoosier backwoods—developing an appreciation for the rustic flavor of game meat—and finessed his cooking skills at Sullivan’s Steakhouse, Weber Grill, McCormick & Schmick’s, and Peterson’s. That’s why you might see an exotic hunk of confit duck over cauliflower couscous with coconut milk and curry crème fraîche presented alongside a fat $46 ribeye. It’s also how a lovely medium-rare Cervena venison chop is coldsmoked for 20 minutes in the same kitchen that turns out crowd-pleasing lobster bisque and Angus sliders. Burgundy-braised short rib and mushrooms soak into the ruffles of locally made radiatori. Viking…

DOWNTOWN INCLUDES Fletcher Place, Fountain Square, Mass Ave, Mile Square B’s Po Boy CAJUN Known for its po’ boys in crusty, airy bread from New Orleans, B’s brings laid-back bayou cooking to Fountain Square. The chicken- and-sausage gumbo comes laden with meat and green peppers in a rich stock filled with just the right amount of delayed heat. Loyalists take it easy on the savories to leave room for housemade beignets. Lunch and dinner daily. 1261 Shelby St., 317-916-5555, bpoboy.com Bazbeaux PIZZA As we watch some of Indy’s most celebrated restaurateurs open pie places all over town, we haven’t forgotten where we first found artichoke hearts and goat cheese on our ’za. Bazbeaux has changed little since 1986, when it opened in Broad Ripple, and it hasn’t really needed to.…

They say the family who plays together stays together, and if there is one aspect of the 2017 Dream Home that sets it apart from other homes, it is the rest and relaxation wing. Adjacent to the kitchen and garage, this two-story, multi-functional recreation space is perfect for a bustling family with lots of energy. Kristin Okeley, owner of Kitchens By Design and KBD Home, says like most families, the homeowners and their children always have places to go, things to do, and people to see. However, with diverse ages and interests, it’s not always practical to accommodate everyone and get them where they want to go. Their solution to this issue was the R&R wing. “The homeowners lead very busy and active lives, but when they are home, they…

The Dream Home inspires visitors with its innovative architecture, creative design, and groundbreaking technology. Behind that beautiful facade is another compelling reason to visit: all proceeds from the event’s ticket sales benefit Dyslexia Institute of Indiana. Kaitlin Ferries, director of operations at DII, says the donation from Dream Home goes specifically toward their student scholarships and make up about 40 percent of that fund, which helps students who otherwise can’t afford DII’s services. Over 30 percent of pupils who use their services receive scholarships of some sort, and according to a report from The Yale Center for Dyslexia and Creativity, one of the main challenges for parents of dyslexic children is paying for tutoring and special education. These services can be life changing for children, but only if they have…

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