I had a great thai dinner at the best thai restaurant in indianapolis. it was also a great Buffet Restuarant in Indianapolis. they had a Great Sports Bar. They even offer Sushi.



Restaurant delivery in Indianapolis can be a challenge. Your choices are somewhat limited to the old standby selection: Pizza, chinese and sandwiches. What I was looking for is a Steak House in Indianapolis with a complete menu away from a delicatessen or sushi bar. Indianapolis nightlife can be great. What happens if you are in a hotel and become tired of the Buffet restaurants indianapolis stuff into the hotels. Mexican Restaurant due to open next week. Greek restuarant the following week.

Thunderbird Supply Demo



http://indycanal.org/


Creation Cafe
337 W. 11Th Street
Indianapolis, IN 46202



If you're looking for a downtown Indianapolis restaurant - check out this restaurant.  This great little restaurant is tucked at the north end of the canal.  After spending some time walking the length of the canal, my boyfriend and I stopped at the Creation Cafe for dinner.  The location of this restaurant is perfect.  Essentially, people reach a dead end at this part of the canal.  So what's next?!  Eat!  

For starters, the sign was appealing so we decided to give it a shot.  We walked into the restaurant and the atmosphere was great.  It had the feel of a small coffee shop, yet it served delicious food!  The outside balcony overlooked the canal.  There was a 30 minute wait to sit outside, so we were asked to sit and wait near the actually "cafe" part of the restaurant (where they really did serve coffee).  There were comfy couches and chairs with numerous books to read while we waited.  Needless to say, the wait went quickly and their service was caring and prompt.

The food was absolutely delicious.  The waiter recommended the Cuban sandwich - so I ordered it.  The portions were generous and I took enough home for another meal.  The french fries were also great - some of the best fries I've ever eaten! 

Overall, the portions were generous, the food was fresh, and the menu had many options.  Creation Cafe's menu was general, but all of the food had a special twist to it.  It's a restaurant in Indianapolis that still hasn't been discovered yet. 

Thank you Megan for your wickless candles





The Oceanaire Seafood Room
30 South Meridian St. #100
Indianapolis, IN 46204

If you're looking for the best seafood restaurant Indianapolis, then The Oceanaire Seafood Room is the place for you! This fine dining restaurant is located a block south of Monument Circle in downtown Indianapolis, and sets the standard for seafood restaurants from coast-to-coast.

http://www.theoceanaire.com/Being seafood lovers, my boyfriend, Justin, and I chose this restaurant for a date night on Thursday night.  From the moment we walked in the door, the service was wondering.  We were led up to our table on the second floor by a staircase that looked much like the one in Titanic leading us upstairs.  The atmosphere had a "seafood chic" feel.  People were there for all different occasions.  Mind you, this was the same night as the Indianapolis Colts preseason game.  So some people were there in their Colts jerseys, while others came from work in business suits.

Our waiter was great - friendly, professional, and a seafood connoisseur.  He suggested the Halibut Cheeks and King Salmon.  Justin went with the Salmon, I got the Halibut, and we shared a side order of mashed potatoes.  Everything was delicious!  The fish was very fresh and didn't have a "fishy" taste at all, and the mashed potatoes were great as well. 

The portion sizes were very generous - I ate leftovers for three days after we went!  Side orders are served "family style," so just make sure that everyone in your party can agree on something!  Definitely take a look at their extensive wine menu as well!

The Oceanaire is also known for its oyster bar, coining the phrase: 

http://www.theoceanaire.com/Location/OysterBar.aspx?id=5


"To eat an oyster is to kiss the sea on the lips"

- Leonard Beck



 
So if you're lookig for an AMAZING dinner in downtown Indianapolis, definitely try The Oceanaire!

I give it two thumbs up... and would go as far as calling it: "The Oceanaire Extraordinarie!"




 




When thinking of great food cities, how often do you think "Steakhouse Indianapolis Indiana" ?

The simple fact is that we are really fortunate to have amazing Downtown Indiana Steak from places that range from old time St. Elmo's to quality chains like Ruth's Chris, Mortons, Shula's as well as young upstarts like Mo's a place for steaks.

Mo's is the only restaurant in Indy I know of that has Kobe steaks...a little pricey but I'm sure for a speical occasion they would be well worth the money.  For the happy hour crowd in Downtown Indy, Mortons the Steakhouse offers complimentary Petite Steak Sandwiches to the after-work crowd from 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. Monday - Friday in its bar area....I've never been to Mortons but this seems like a great idea for a light dinner.

Buffalo may have wings, Memphis may have barbeque....but Indianapolis has great Steakhouses.







This past weekend on Valentine's Day, I had the pleasure of enjoying a wonderful dinner at an amazing locally owned restaurant on the north side of Indianapolis, Peterson's.Click here to check out Peterson's website
Locally owned and operated, Peterson's restaurant is a dream come true for successful business owner Joe Peterson and his family. Joe's desire is to provide an unmatchable ambiance serving only the best to patrons.

While on the pricey side, it was an amazing dinner and worth every penny.  As an appetizer, we had stuffed shrimp, had a lobster bisque soup and then for our meals, we enjoyed a New York Strip and Lamb.  Everything was to die for.  Our server was very knowledgeable and attentive, which only added to the experience!

Without a doubt, I would recommend Peterson's both for special evening or just a great dinner!





Deano's Wine Bar&RestaurantIndianapolis Downtown Restaurant, Deano's Wine Bar
1112 Shelby St

Indianapolis, IN 46203
(317) 423-3154

Indianapolis Nightlife, Wine, fine dining?   OMG thank you for Deano's Wine Bar & Restaurant!

Located just off Fountain Square this is sincerely one of the best restaurants in Indianapolis.   Just about a mile from downtown, owners Dean Wilson and Jody Bryant have created something that is truly unique.   With a motto of "Good food, good wine and good friends"  these guys have really come through in creating a great Indianapolis date restaurant.

Oh...did I mention they have music on weekends?  How's that for those of you looking for some Indianapolis Nightlife that's for adults?

The dinner menu has lots of seafood like a smoked salmon platter appetizer or a "more crab than cake" Crab Cake.  What Indianapolis fine dining restaurant review would be complete without a shrimp cocktail?  (Shrimp Cocktail is to Indianapolis Restaurants like wings are in Buffalo...available everywhere)

The appetizer menu even includes an Italian restaurant touch with four different Pizza's and a portabella & pistachio salad.    Entrees cover seafood to chicken to beef.  As an Atkins eater who is trying to eat more locally produced food, I was thrilled to see Indiana Bison Steaks on the menu...pared with a suggested Petite Sirah......perfect.

Writing this Indiana Dining Guide is makeing me hungry...







Once again my good friend Nicki Laycoax of Squish Designs has come up with a fantastic review of another place to go under the category: best restaurant Indianapolis.

14 West Restaurant at 14 West Maryland

www.14westindy.com

14 West Maryland Street
Indianapolis, Indiana, 46204
Telephone: (317) 636-1414
Email:     customerservice@14westindy.com

A colleague of mine that I met as a result of blogging, treated me to a nice lunch at 14 West Restaurant. It was my first visit, but had heard great things about the restaurant and the suites that are  above this downtown Indianapolis restaurant, from multiple people.

The restaurant has a great wine list, exciting menu, and very able catering
staff. (I thought I saw a full bar, but I can't confirm from the website)
Ashley Sorenson, the very sweet and professional Hotel and
Banquet Manager made certain that our dining experience was great!

In the picture, you are looking at the Caesar Salad topped with
Seared Tuna as well as the Crab Cakes. We also had the Red Garnet
Yam Soup and the Lobster Brie Macaroni&Cheese.

This restaurant is recommended for those on a professional lunch or
dinner meeting and would also be a nice spot for a romantic Indianapolis date restaurant. At lunch, the music playing in the background was modern adult contemporary.  It was a nice change from what I normally hear in restaurants.

Summary: Food was absolutely excellent. Prices were moderate. Service was perfect.

Reserve your table now!





Indianapolis Restaurant Reviews, Italian Restaurant Indianapolis
Romano's Macaroni Grill
Carmel Indiana
2375 116th East
Carmel, IN 46032
317-582-1637



Today I had a great lunch up in Carmel Indiana with Patty Bender of Compendium Blogware client Sheetz Century 21.  

I've never been to a Macaroni Grill before and usually try and avoid the big box eateries on Indy's north side.  If I'm looking for the best Italian food in Indianapolis, I'm not sure this would be my first choice.  

Until now that is.   Every time I have this experience, I have to just say:  "Chris Baggott: Get over yourself"   Romano's Macaroni Grill  is awesome.  I can't say for dinner, but for a lunch restaurant it was fantastic.  The environment is high end Italian cusine. I love an Italian Restaurant that has bread and olive oil on the table....just sets the quality meter up right from the start.

I had the Grilled Halibut Seasoned halibut topped with a tomato basil relish and served with pesto Parmesan risotto for $16.99.  Clever marketers that they are, each item on the menu was accompanied by the Chef's Recommended Wine.  In this case a Chardonnay by Mezzacorona (Italy).  

I'm guessing that this place packs them in at night, but the bar is huge and looks like a lot of fun.   Patty and I kept it to business and didn't indulge in any wine or cocktails, but for a lunch meeting is was one of the best restaurant experiences I've had in Indianapolis.

One last great thing about Romano’s Macaroni Grill is their Curbside to Go program.  Call or order Indianapolis Best Italian food online and pick it up at the curb.   They have great to-go family style food too!

oh..and they teach you Italian in the bathroom and on the site:

Impress Mom and Pop with anniversary wishes spoken in Italian. Or learn how to celebrate the evening - Italian style.
Sample:
English - "Happy Anniversary!"
Italian
- "Felice anniversario!
Listen to It in Italian here....



Usual Suspects, located above well known basement bar in Broad Ripple, The Casba, is an upscale, yet casual Indianapolis restaurant/bar featuring great food and drinks.  Enjoy a great dinner in a quiet atmosphere in the evening and then hang around as things get a bit louder into the night as this place is a favorite of the "late 20's and up" crowd in the neighborhood.

As a former ethnic Indianapolis restaurant, Greek to be exact, the menu features great hummus and pita appetizers and Gyro entrees.  Stuffed quesadillas, unique salads, mini burgers, and traditional entrees round out the menu.  I reccomend the shrimp or caprese quesadilla and the hummus and pita appetizer. 

Usual Suspects also features a great bar.  Fresh sqeezed juice cocktails are a house specialty, the martini list has all the traditional faves, and the bartenders are always ready to make a good drink suggestion.  Although not a true sports bar, the are several flat screen tv's around and it is a good place to watch a game if you're not in the mood for the traditional sports bar Indianapolis atmosphere.

Usual Suspects is located at
6319 Guilford Ave., Indianapolis, IN, 46220
(317) 251-3138

Open:  5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday, closed Monday. Bar open late.




I enjoyed brunch for the first time at Indianapolis restaurant Zest! last weekend and my experience and my meal were fantastic!  This neighborhood cafe is located in "SoBro" and features brunch and lunch fare as well as the occasional special dinner event.  We were promptly greeted and offered coffee while we waited for a table.  Although it looked crowded the restaurant was much bigger than it appeared and we were seated within a few minutes.

Zest! touts a menu of homestyle foods with an urban fare and is open 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, closed Sunday and Monday. Shop open until 4 p.m. through the week.
 

I enjoyed the breakfast burrito which was filled with deliciousness!  Of course it had eggs and sausage and cheeses but the kicker was the fresh avocado, black beans, and yummy salsa.  It was great!  My fellow diners enjoyed the panini and homestyle breakfast offers.  These offerings also had the traditional breakfast ingredients with some extra special ingredients that were great.

This lovely establishment with its inviting decor, courteous staff will definitely remain on my list as a fave for Indianapolis breakfast restaurants and among the top for restaurants in Broad Ripple.  I also look forward to trying lunch and their takeout delicatessan offerings soon... stay tuned!



Mo's Steak, One of the best steak houses Indianapolis, downtown IndyMo's A Place for Steaks
47 South Pennsylvania Street
Indianapolis, IN
Phone: 317-624-0720
Fax: 317-624-0721


What I love about this Downtown Indianapolis Steak Restaurant is the setting itself.  (I'll get to the food)  I like windows and because of Mo's location on the Corner of Pennsylvania and E. Maryland you have great windows not only in the front, but also all along the wall on the Maryland side.   I love reviewing Indianapolis restaurants, but don't often get to talk about windows...but once you have them you hate to give them up.   We are blessed with some great Steak Restaurants in Downtown Indy including Morton's, St. Elmo's, Shula's and Ruth Chris' but none has nearly the great interior of Mo's.

Mo's Steak indianapolis restaurant reviews IndyWhen you think of Indianapolis Nightlife, Mo's is well located next to Conceo Fieldhouse so it's perfect for before or after an event.   The bar is great for Pub beers and terrific Martini's or anything else you would want in a cocktail.  They do serve lunch but are much better suited as an Indianapolis Dinner Restaruant.  No entertainment so it's not a nightlife place except for the other people who keep it buzzing.

Oh the food....delicious.  Excellent Steaks including a huge Porterhouse and awesome filets.  Some seafood and of course a hamburger.   What more can I say?

I would put Mo's clearly in among the best restaurant in Indianapolis and one of my favorite Date places..... Fine Dining for sure. 






I was talking to one of my friends this weekend about our favorite places to eat in the Broad Ripple Area. He mentioned one that I haven’t been to in a while so we just decided to go for dinner. The place is called Yats and is located on the corner of 56th and college.

Yats is one of those places you can go anytime you want something out of the ordinary of ‘normal’ restaurants in Indy. The kind of food there is Cajun Creole. I know what you’re thinking… oh that means it is spicy… so it’s out of the question. I typically am not one for spicy, unless I am in the mood to consume a LOT of water with it. However, there are some less spicy options there. Plus if you don’t know what you want or get really anxious and uncomfortable with commitment, you can ask for samples of anything that is on the menu. But be warned… the menu does change a little from day to day. One day you might go in there and find something you really like and the next time you are in, they might not even be serving it. One of my favorite dishes there is the White Chili with Chicken, which is their own secret recipe. The other dish that I get when I go is the Chili Cheese Etouffee with Crawfish which is a little spicy, but if you like it spicier there are different kinds of sauce to put on it depending on your taste. The foods are delicious, but make sure you get extra bread because it complements the flavor of all the food very well (it costs a little extra, but it is worth it). After you order, you can go get your drink (free refills) and they will bring your food to you. However, make sure you grab a spoon and plenty of napkins because it can get messy if you sometimes suffer from poor hand-eye coordination like me.

The atmosphere is great. They have outdoor seating at all the locations that I know of, and is a great place for people watching. The people there are always friendly and are willing to answer any questions you have about the food. The price isn’t bad at all. You will get a lot of food and a drink with free refills for a very reasonable price. I wouldn’t recommend that you go there for a business meeting, but it is definitely a place to go if you just want to hang out. But remember it can get busy around 6 o’ clock each night so get in there a little early to beat the rush. There are several locations around Indianapolis, one on 56th and College, one on Mass Ave, one in Greenwood, one on 96th street. There are two more, but not in Indianapolis. They are in Chicago and in West Lafayette. So go ahead and check out their website and try out Yats at any of their locations.




Au Bon Pain Downtown Indianapolis Lunch Restaurant SoupAu Bon Pain
26 Monument Circle
Indianapolis, IN 46202
Phone: 317-226-9300
Fax: 317-636-9128



So in the beginning I was resistant to Au Bon Pain when they first opened on the Circle in Downtown Indianapolis.   I liked the South Bend Chocolate Factory and felt bad supporting a evil national competitor opening right next door.  I also hate names that I can't pronounce very well...

So I was wrong.  I probably frequent Au Bon Pain more that any other restaurant on the circle.  An they are not evil.   If you look at the Au Bon Pain website, you will find that they are front and center with all of their nutrition information for every menu item.  Health Magazine has named them one of the healthiest restaurants.   The food is really good and has a wide variety.  Every day they have an assortment of soups, and as you can see from the video, they encourage sampleing.   (I'm sure you could sneak in a lunch just on the samples)  The also have lots of portion appropriate salds already made up, along with fresh wraps and half sandwiches.   I wouldn't call this a dinner restaurant,  it's more like a delicatessen with great lunch food that's fast.  They also have really good breakfast foods and for cookies&muffins it's one of the best bakeries in Indianapolis.

The people are friendly and I'm happy to write a positive review of this great downtown Indianapolis restaurant. 





Actually, Giorgio's is not only the best pizza in Indianapolis for lunch, it's also the perfect Pizza for meetings and in office events.  If I were writing and Indianapolis dining guide, this would be at the top of my list as among the best fast food Indianapolis. 

Located just off the circle on East Market street, what you will love about Giorgio's (other than Giorgio himself who always makes you feel special) is the urban feel...unusual for and Indianapolis Restaurant.   I've tried to capture the essence in the video here, but there is a great process for ordering with all the pizza, pastas, salads&sandwiches on display.   The place is always full but never so crowded that you want to turn away.  Even if you see a line out the door, it moves fast.   Inside there is plenty of seating and a really nice din that you won't feel at any of the other Indianapolis Lunch Restaurants I frequent.  I wouldn't call this a date restaurant and not a dinner type Italian Restaurant but of restaurant's I review in Indianapolis, this is one of my favorites.








For my Indianapolis dining guide review today, I have decided to describe a restaurant that nearly every single person has seen here in Indianapolis if they have gone to any of the local malls--Asian Chao.  While it is not the typical type of restaurant that I describe in my blog and restaurant guide, as I usually do some type of fine dining establishment, I felt obligated to write about it since it is one of my favorite fast food restaurants for many important reasons.  Asian Chao is a fast food chain dedicated to serving some of the best Asian style cuisine to the American public through establishments in the mall and other busy tourist areas.  You have probably seen them passing out their famous Bourbon Chicken dish inCheck out Asian Chao's delicious menu here! little paper cups as samples, which I love because no restaurants really do that anymore.  The interesting part of this, however, is the fact that I would recommend their Bourbon Chicken because it is my favorite dish there.  While their food is delicious and their service is quite excellent, I think it is my favorite restaurant for more personal reasons.  I had my first date with the girl of my dreams there (and it was the first time I had even eaten there) right here in downtown Indianapolis during a wonderful night at Christmas at the zoo and the other festivities.  She had me try the Bourbon Chicken, and ever since then it has been one of my favorite fast food chains because it has given me some of the best memories of my whole life.  So, don't just take my word for it, go out and make your own memories at the best Asian style fast food restaurant chain around, Asian Chao!  Take a date out to dinner and make a wonderful memory out of it!  Trust me, you won't regret it.  I know I don't!

Asian Chao
Visit:  Asian Chao



Tucked away in the northeast side of Indianapolis on the Geist Reservoir lays one of my favorite sports bars and restaurants that I have ever been to.  One of the reasons for my preference of this excellent Indianapolis restaurant is the fact that lots of my friends work there, and I love getting to see people I know when I go out to eat, but the main reason is the fact that it serves delicious food in a restaurant known for its night life and family restaurant style during the day.  While I am not old enough to have much of an opinion when it comes to Indianapolis bars, or any bars Visit Casler's Kitchen and Bar's menu and dining guidefor that matter, I would have to say that it seems to be quite an enjoyable place at night when I pass by it at night while driving to friends' houses.  However, I can comment on the delicious food that Casler's serves to me each and every time that I have been there!   If you are looking for a great burger, steak, pizza, or french fries (which I would assume just about everyone eats) then Casler's is the place for you.  My personal favorite at this restaurant would have to be either its cheese fries appetizer or its meaty pizza, as I usually end up eating the entire thing to myself when I go there for lunch or dinner with my family!  They also have a very nice atmosphere that mixes the sports bar and pub with the outside edges being booths for family enjoyment (not saying that the sports theme doesn't come across in the family section however!).  Casler's is a great place to visit, and I would suggest to anyone who is tired of the downtown traffic to head up to Geist Reservoir at Olio Road and 116th Street and check it out!





Casler's Kitchen and Bar
11501 Geist Pavillion Drive
Fishers, IN 46038
Phone:  (317) 596-9810
Visit:  Casler's Kitchen and Bar



In early May of 2008, myself and around eleven or thirteen other teenagers were trying to decide what type of restaurant downtown we were going to eat at right before we went over to the Children's Museum for prom.  We thought of plenty of places that we considered fine dining, but most of them were far out of our price range as seniors in high school.  Then, we tried to decide what type of food we wanted, and most of the girls in the group decided they either wanted Italian cuisine or a steak restaurant that had ample room for such a large group and that had a pleasant atmosphere.  So, we looked and looked, and finally we found the place:  Palomino Restaurant and Bar.  Not only is Palomino a great lunch and dinnerFor a menu guide to Palomino, follow this link! restaurant, but on top of that, it was decently priced, has a pleasant atmosphere and bar area, and is an excellent place to take a date, just as we did before prom that night.  Every single one of us there absolutely loved the food, with myself and my date splitting the Fettuccine Alfredo, and some other people in our group got excellent looking seafood dishes like their calamari or some very delicious steaks.  In my opinion, the second most important part of a restaurant besides the taste and presentation of its food is certainly its atmosphere, and Palomino seems to have mastered blending fine dining with an upscale bar perfectly!  Afterward, we all enjoyed the dance, but the restaurant certainly brought our night up considerably, and I would suggest visiting Palomino to everyone I know:  friends, family, business colleagues, and everyone!  By the way, while our prom group is too young to experience it, the night life of the restaurant is said to be quite outstanding as well!


Palomino
49 W Maryland Street, #189
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Phone:  317-974-0400
Visit:  Palomino



Despite the fact that I have only visited Journey's seafood and buffet twice, and on special occasions, I have already found it to be one of the best buffet-style restaurants I have ever been to!  Simply put, Journey is an Asian seafood, steak, pizza, and dessert buffet, along with just about 100 other types of food from all across the globe.  For example, I recently visited Journey for my girlfriend's birthday, and ended up with pizza, green beans, steak, crab legs, and dessert all on one plate!  While it is somewhat of an unusual combination, it makes for a restaurant where a whole family can visit on a special occasion or just about any time and every person can eat (even if they are very picky).  Although I have only mentioned visiting Journey on specialClick here to see the menu of a great seafood buffet, including everything from steak to sushi occasions, I would have to say that it would make a good location for a business lunch, a date with that special someone, or just a nice dinner with the family or friends.  Journey is a great place for everyone because it has all types of food and a very modern atmosphere, making for an amazing and memorable experience.  I tend to stay away from buffet-style restaurants, but after visiting Journey, I had to include it in my dining guide as one of the best buffet restaurants in Indianapolis by far!  By the way, don't miss the chocolate fountains near the buffet, as they are very good!  Enjoy!




The Journey
7155 E. 96th Street
Indianapolis, IN 46250
Phone:  317-578-9933
Visit:  The Journey




While most of the restaurants I will include in my Indianapolis dining guide actually are located in downtown Indianapolis, sometimes a restaurant just grabs my attention enough that I feel the need to include it in my guide, even if it is located all the way out on Geist Reservoir.  Most people have heard of Geist if they are from Indianapolis, as it is a mere half-hour drive east on I-70 and north on Olio Road, but most probably haven't heard of a pretty good restaurant located on its shores, known as Eddy's Bar and Eatery.  I first heard about Eddy's through one of my friends that I went to high school with, and after the couple of times I have gone there for dinner, I sure am glad she told me about it.  Eddy's Neighborhood Bar and Visit Eddy's online menu that includes everything: great steaks, great hamburgers, and great seafood!Grill is an indoor-outdoor sports bar, and delicious eatery that serves everything from great steaks to Italian cuisine, to local seafood, all at a very reasonable price for its prime location with a view of Geist Reservoir.  In my opinion, Eddy's is an anytime restaurant, in that one could have lunch or dinner there with colleagues, friends, relatives, business partners, families, or just about anyone else, because it has an atmosphere of what I would consider a seafood restaurant with an upscale twist.  The combination, however, makes for a delicious lunch and dinner restaurant, with a great view, and anyone who goes there is bound to have a great and memorable experience.  So, take the drive out to Eddy's Neighborhood Bar and Eatery--it is certainly worth it!

Eddy's Neighborhood Bar and Eatery
11693 Fall Creek Road
Indianapolis, IN 46256
Phone:  317-849-0925
Visit:  Eddy's Neighborhood Bar and Eatery


 

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