96th Street Steakburgers
4715 E 96th St
Indianapolis IN 46240
(317) 844-6351

I guess I thought that Steak &  Shake would have a trademark on the name "Steakburger" but apparently this place is using it with impunity. Whatever you call it, this is one restaurant that is deserving of the rank "best burger in Indianapolis".   I know it's not democratic, but just the opinion of one blogger who happens to write restaurant reviews Indianapolis.

In spite of the name, this is no steak restaurant.   96th St. serves only great hamburgers, fries and cookies (and grilled cheese...I'm seriously going to start a blog just on the best grilled cheese in Indianapolis)  This is a fast food Indianapolis style:  Burger, Double Burger and for those of us on Atkins...a lettuce wrap hamburger.

I'll continue my quest for the best burger in Indianapolis for my Indianapolis Restaurant Reviews. If you have any ideas, please drop me a line  chris@compenidumblogware.com

(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...

Bosphorus Istanbul Cafe
935 S East St
Indianapolis, IN 46225
(317) 974-1770‎
bosphoruscafe.com


If you are looking for great Hummus or an awesome Falafel, look no further than Bosphorus Istanbul Cafe for what I think is Indianapolis only Turkish restaurant.  

If you are looking for  great Indianapolis fine dining is a funky purple house near Fletcher Place (just outside downtown Indianapolis) this might just be your restaurant.   Named for a 20 mile long strait that joins the Sea of Marmara with the Black Sea, the real Bosphorus separates Europe from Asia....ok enough about the geography of the near east...let's talk about the food!

No Indianapolis menu guide would be complete without including the Hummus and Feta Chees Plate appetizers.  Better yet, start your party with the Appetizer combo that also includes stuffed grape leaves, tabouli, babaganush, borek and and eggplant salsa.

As an Indianapolis Date Restaruant why not impress him (or her) with you vast cusine knowlage by ordering the Iskender or Ispankli Tavuk?   This is a great local Indianapolis Restaurant.   It's not quite an Asian Restaruant and is kind of like an Indianapolis Greek Restaurant but ...different.   I'm really happy to add Bosphorus to my Indianapolis Dining Guide.  

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!

Buggs Temple
337 W 11th Street
Indianapolis, Indiana 46202
317.955.2389

So how do I evaluate a downtown Indianapolis restaurant? Especially for Lunch?  Ambiance, convenience and food.   To me, to get a designation as one of the best lunch restaurants in Indianapolis you have to start with how it feels.   Most of the time you want a place you can have a conversation, a restaurant that’s attractive and friendly….a place that’s cool so you glow in how cool it is to your guest.

Buggs Temple at the north end of the Downtown Indy Canal meets that criteria.  I never even heard of Buggs Temple before 11am this morning, but Kyle Saylers of Clarian Health Ventures treated me today and it was fantastic.  It’s a great old church located right on the tip of the Canal.  It was a little bit of a hike from my office on the downtown Indianapolis Circle and I saw there was plenty of parking. Inside were huge windows looking over the canal…it was a little chilly for the outside deck, but it looked beautiful.  The waiters were fantastic, fun, knew the menu and were wearing June Cleaver aprons,  Our guy knew the menu, was friendly and attentive while giving us plenty of space to have our conversation.

I've not been to this Indianapolis downtown restaurant  at night, but imagine it's a great place for a date.   Supposedly there is an upstairs that has terrific views and is one of the top spots for Indianapolis fine dining.  The menu did include Steak and Seafood along with great grilled sandwiches.  I had a Cuban, which came with a fresh mixed salad.  I'm not sure about breakfast, and their website is one of the worst I've ever seen.

Mo'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.

When 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. 

So this week was my choice in where the Marketing Staff at Compendium would be going for lunch. You can check out Compendium Blogware by Clicking Here.

This week I decided to go back to the cornucopia that is the City Market and try out this place called Philadelphia Steak&Cheese. Joined by Monica this time, we agreed that it was a good place to eat, but some felt like the food needed something else. We all ordered Philly Cheese Steaks, but there were also burgers on the menu along with breakfast foods that I believe are only served in the morning. Mikey and Monica felt that the sandwiches could have used more cheese. Monica also thought that the meat tasted like it was re-heated beef, which I guess has a different taste. She also said that the “seasoned fries” would be better if they had the peel on and they need to have lots more seasoning. Mikey mentioned, “The next time I go, I might opt for one for the burgers that I didn’t see until I got up to the counter.”  Meghan said that her sandwich and food was delicious. She had never had a Philly Cheese Steak before and doesn’t have anything to compare it to, but “for the first time it was really, really good and I want to go back.” As for the boss lady, Megan, she really enjoyed her Philly experience. She said that her food was fresh and hot, but could have used more seasoning and cheese. Megan mentioned that it was not as greasy as expected and she really liked the wheat bun (isn’t all wheat bread just wheat bread?). And since it was Boss’s day, we all pitched in for her meal and she loved “that my wonderful team paid for my lunch.” As for my meal, I felt like it was great. I had gone once before last spring, and it was just as good as I remembered. And just like everyone else, I wish there was a little bit more cheese on the sandwich, but overall I thought it was great.

Now the atmosphere of the whole lunch is something we all agree on. Meghan said, “As always, the atmosphere was excellent.” She also felt that the guys behind the counter brought Philadelphia to Indianapolis. Mikey thought the staff was awesome and if you speak even a little Spanish, there is a free lesson at the end of the line. The man there speaks Spanglish and as Mikey found out, if you speak even a little Spanish to him, he will talk in only Spanish. So who-ever said you can’t learn at a fast food restaurant, you can tell them they are wrong. Monica thought the service was very efficient and well organized. The owner really knows how to make a quick, good Philly Cheese Steak sandwich. However, don’t be polite to the cashier (who I think is a real Philadelphian) because he gets thrown off and doesn’t know how to respond. When I gave him my money, I said thank you (just like my mom taught me to do) and the cashier said, “Why are you all being some polite to me, I work in the fast food business, you’re supposed to abuse me.” But I think he was kidding…. a little.

So if you are in the mood for a quick taste of Philadelphia, you don’t have to worry about driving out there and the price of gas. Just cruise over to the City Market located at 222 East Market Street, right in downtown Indianapolis and get your free Spanish lesson along with a good sandwich.  If you want to check out was else the City Market as to offer you can Click Here.

Today we decided that the Marketing team here at Compendium Blogware needed to check out the City Market a few blocks down from us for lunch. If you want to check out Compendium’s website Click Here.

We originally went for some Greek food, but upon arrival we realized the cornucopia of merchants there. Meghan, Mikey, and I decided to check out this place called Las Senoritas instead of going with Greek (the other Megan stuck with her gut and got the Greek food). We each ordered something different to get a real feel for the place. Mikey went with the ‘Burrito Gigante’ which is a burrito with chicken, refried beans, some rice, and chips and salsa. He told me that it was great and, “It wasn’t life changing, but it made me briefly reflect on my life, ‘Wow I have this burrito in my life and only two blocks away.’” Meghan bought the ‘Lunch Special #1’ which was two tacos beans and rice (just a hint, don’t ask for steak in your taco because they only do that for burritos). I got the ‘Wild Burrito’ which is literally half chicken and half beef, kind of crazy… I know. It is one of those burritos that will fall apart when you try to pick it up and eat it, so defiantly grab a fork and napkins while you are waiting. The first few bites were beef, and then all of a sudden it was chicken on my fork. Very delicious and everything I dreamed it could be and more! As for the atmosphere of the City Market, in a word I would say, busy. There were several people there grabbing a quick bite to eat on their lunch break from work. Meghan actually said it was really cool and it was the kind of place you would see in like Seattle. As for price, it was pretty inexpensive for the food you get. However, make sure you bring your cash because it is only a cash only location.

As Megan who went with the Greek food, she came back with a Chicken Gryo. She said that it was a perfect proportion and they always seem to have fresh food. Also, the owner is always very friendly. She told me that the Tzatziki sauce is a little spicier than she remembered the chicken was a little dryer than she likes, but the pita was fresh and delicious and overall… she would go back again. As for the price, it is pretty reasonable for the proportions and would recommend it to anyone. There are several other places to check out at the City Market, so there might be more posts about this great place in Indianapolis!

Harry and Izzy’s - http://www.harryandizzys.com
Location: 153 S. Illinois St

DLG Rating:  9.9/10

St. Elmo’s got it right when it branched off the sister restaurant Harry and Izzy’s.  A place to get a great steak and shrimp cocktail that also does light lunch fare is heaven in my book.  This is the number one spot for business lunches in the city.  The cost is similar to the RAM Brewery across the street, but the food is where it really blows away the competition.  Peppercorn steak salad, prime rib sandwich and hot pastrami sandwich are just a few of the items that all cost between $10-13 and will fill up the biggest appetites.  Okay, I’ve got to stop drooling now so I can write the rest of this…
The atmosphere is also second to none in the city.  Every table has a very secluded feel that allows for great conversation.  Although I haven’t experience it first hand, the bar looks to be top notch.  

Along the lines of St. Elmo’s, the service at Harry and Izzy’s is always great.  The wait staff is knowledgeable about the food and can really give you some good advice if you can’t choose the right meal.

If you couldn’t tell, I’m thinking about going back for that great hot pastrami sandwich tomorrow!!

While I was talking with colleague, Jenni Edwards, she started telling me about a place she had eaten at recently, and I felt I needed to share it with you. To check out Jenni Edwards' business blog Click Here.

Up on 82nd street there is a steak and sushi place called Sapporo.  It is a hibachi grill, where the cooks make your food right in front of you, which is always entertaining. Jenni told me the food was very good…the Miso soup is good because of the small portions that don’t overwhelm your meal. Their sushi is delicious as well, but what is phenomenal there is the Tempura Ice Cream! It’s a deep fried ice cream that is both hot and cold. If you do go there, I would highly recommend saving room for that dessert! As for the price, it is a little more than she expected. The atmosphere is great for almost any occasion, whether you are going with your family or just out to get a bit to eat and might even be a great place for a date. It was highly recommended overall and I am sure that anyone that goes would feel the same way. So if you’re in the mood for some Japanese cuisine here in Indianapolis…check out Sapporo!

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 in 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 for 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 dinner 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 special 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 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

    Although it has been quite a few years since I have visited Shula's Steakhouse in downtown Indianapolis, I will never forget the experiences, nor the food, that I enjoyed there.  The first time I walked into Shula's, probably around the age of eight years old, I clearly remember trying to decide in my head whether it was some type of sports bar or fine dining restaurant, but never really figuring out which.  It isn't until right now that I have realized that it cannot be placed into some type of category as I had been trying to do, because it is a very interesting mixture of restaurants.  Not only is it a fine dining restaurant that serves probably the best steaks in Indianapolis, but it is also an elegant sports bar (the menus are actually footballs!), as one would expect coming from the coach of the Miami Dolphins' perfect season Don Shula.  In fact, Shula's Steakhouse could be included in many other categories in my opinion, because it is not so fine that children aren't completely welcome, making it an incredible family restaurant, but it is elegant enough to take a date on a special occasion or to hold a very professional meeting.  Shula's is an all-in-one dining experience, bringing together sports, fine dining, families, romance, elegance, and great steaks!  So, visit Shula's Steakhouse for any occasion and see why I consider it the best restaurant in downtown Indianapolis, by far.

Shula's Steakhouse
Westin Indianapolis Hotel
50 South Capitol Ave.
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Phone:  317-231-3900
Visit:  Shula's Steakhouse

This past Monday, my fiance and I had the privelege of dining at one of my favorite italian restaurants, Carrabba's Italian Grill.  I have not been here in years and this delightful visit made me realize what I was missing.

We were promptly seated upon arrive in a nice, quiet booth.  Although the food was amazing, one of the best parts about dinner was the service.  Our waitress, Kristen, was sweet, knowledgeable, and gave us wonderful suggestions.  It was Brian's first time to Carrabba's and Kristen was able to guide us through the menu to decide what we would enjoy the most. 

Brian started off with a Sam Adams Summer lager. Kristen brought him a sample of Italian beer, since he had never had it, to see if it suited him better.  I ordered a Sauvignon Blanc which was light, crisp, and went perfect with the dinner.

After drinks were served, we received the bread and dipping sauce.  This is truly unique to Carrabba's.  The bread is always fresh and hot, and the wait staff ensures that you have plenty to eat.  Kristen went over the day's specials and informed Brian of popular dishes he might want to try as a first timer.

For dinner, Brian decided on the Pollo Rosa Maria which is a grilled chicken breast stuffed with fontina cheese and prosciutto.  It is topped with mushrooms and complimented with a delicious basil lemon butter sauce.  The chicken was grilled to perfection and the combination of flavors was brilliant.  I opted for the Lobster Ravioli.  Stuffed with tender Maine lobster in a white wine cream sauce with diced tomatoes, this dish was to die for. 

Unfortunately, we were not able to try any of the dessert because our meals were so filling.  In the past, I have tried the Tiramisu.  This dessert encorporates lady fingers dipped in liqueur laced espresso, layered with sweetened mascarpone, Myers’s Rum, and chocolate shavings.  There were a few others that we wished we could try as well but our stomachs would not allow.

Broad Ripple Steakhouse
929 Westfield Blvd.
Indianapolis, IN 46220

Genre: Steakhouse
Rating: 5 out of 5
Location: Broad Ripple

Broad Ripple Steakhouse may be a small white building on a corner in Broad Ripple, but it packs in a great amount of taste and atmosphere; I would give this restaurant a 5 on presentation alone.

The menu is a great compilation of every type of meat and seafood that can be grilled, seared, or marinated.  In my first dinner at Broad Ripple Steakhouse, I chose the Tenderloin Medallions with Cognac-Peppercorn Sauce.  This dish was absolutely amazing!  The sauce was especially delicious and a great combination with the tenderloin. 

The drink menu displays some of the finest Napa Valley and Italian wines.  I would highly recommend the Chateau Thomas, Cabernet Franc red wine.

If you are in the area, stop by Broad Ripple Steakhouse for a nice steak and fabulous glass of wine!

Bonefish Grill
4501 East 82nd. Street,
Indianapolis IN 46250
(317) 863-3474

Genre: Seafood
Rating: 4 out of 5
Location: North Indianapolis

Two summers ago I lived on the north-side of Indianapolis and I would always pass this restaurant on my way to work.  It looked like a pricey, extravagant, and overachieving anniversary type restaurant.  It wasn't until this past summer that I realized the true nature of the Bonefish Grill.

My girlfriend and I decided to make the most of the summer off and enjoy a relaxing night at Bonefish Grill.  To be honest, I was dreading the dinner because I had premonitions that I was going to spend an 'arm and a leg' for the meal.  Once inside, I didn't feel any better.  The interior was elegant and trendy with table displays of an expensive steak restaurant.  We sat down and I reluctantly opened the menu, fearing the numbers on the page.  My jaw almost hit the floor! The prices were well within my range and the dishes were promising.  I was so happy with the prices that I splurged and ordered an appetizer.  The one appetizer in particular that caught my eye was the Crab Cakes.   These large, delicious cakes hit the pallet just right!  I would highly recommend eating these “gifts from the sea” if you have the opportunity.  For the main course, I decided to try the Atlantic Salmon because I haven’t had this dish in a very long time.  I was very impressed with the dish.  It was what I remember Atlantic Salmon tasting like.  My compliments to the chef!

If I were in your shoes and have never tried this restaurant, I would immediately call my closest Bonefish Grill and reserve a table.  Not only do they offer spectacular ‘surf’ but also a wide variety of ‘turf’ dishes.  You can check out the menu here!

14 West Restaurant
14 West Maryland Street
Indianapolis, IN 46205
(317) 636 - 1414

Genre: Mixed (French, Asian, Italian)
Rating: 4 out of 5
Location: Downtown Indianapolis

I was fortunate enough to muster up enough cash to enjoy this restaurant last summer.  I chose this restaurant with the mind-set that I wanted a urbanite feel while also maintaining the integrity of my wallet.

I was impressed from the get-go.  I ordered the 14 West Crab Cake and found myself in a complete trance.  The crab cakes were phenomenal!  Just the perfect size for two people.  The butter sauce was a great compliment to the cakes.

For the main dish, I ordered the Lobster Ravioli.  I was impressed by the presentation of the dish and the timeliness of the service.  The ravioli was a pleasant compliment to the Jack Daniels and Coke I was enjoying.  The lobster filling was the perfect consistency and the confit sauce was delicious.  

The reason for my rating is that I thought that it was a little pricey for the food and drinks.  One of my biggest peeves is ordering a drink and getting a splash of liquor.  Other than that, I would recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for an intimate feel and amazing crab cakes in Indianapolis!