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







Dave & Buster's
8350 Castleton Corner Dr
Indianapolis, IN 46250
317.572.2706




One of the hottest places around the Indianapolis restaurant circuit this summer would be Dave & Buster's.  Of all the Indianapolis new restaurants opening up this summer this establishment definitely sets itself apart.  Although they market themselves as a restaurant/arcade, let me assure you that this is not just another Chuck E. Cheese with a few kids games and mediocre pizza... this place is legit.

Randomly enough, I ended up at two separate Dave & Buster's over the course of five days, one in Cincinnati and the newest location just next to Castleton Square Mall in Indianapolis.  The biggest surprise to me was the menu!  The menu came complete with options to fit anyone's food cravings.  They offer everything from burgers, to salads, to chicken dishes, and quite a tempting dessert menu.

The food was also very high quality and hearty portions.  Every member of the group I was with thought the food was solid, with good flavor and generous portions.  They also have a lengthy drink menu for those who prefer to just have a drink while trying to play "whack-a-mole" and "skee-ball."

The only issue we had with the Indianapolis restaurant was the crowd.  It was easy to see that this is the "hot spot" in Indianapolis right now.  It took about 45 minutes for us to get seated and about 30 minutes for our food to come out. 

My suggestion would be to go when they have their "Eat & Play Special" (which consists of a meal & $10 game card for $15.99)  Times vary, so be sure to check the website.  Also, make sure to leave plenty of time for the games.  They have games that would fit anyone's preferences and you will definitely want to check those out!

If you're looking for a fun place to show off your competitive skills with friends, I would highly recommend checking out this restaurant in Indianapolis soon!








Alcatraz Brewing Co.
49 W. Maryland St
Indianapolis, IN 46204






Question
: What does the Alcatraz penitentiary and Alcatraz Brewing Company have in common?
Answer: Big.
 

The penitentiary held over 450 prisoners at one point, and a meal at the downtown Indianapolis restaurant could probably feed about 45 people (ok, slight exaggeration, but the meals were huge!)

The most outstanding feature of Alcatraz would be the portion sizes.  The nachos were stacked a foot high and could easily be an appetizer for 5-6 people, and nearly all of us left with an entire take home box full of left-overs.

The food was great, the atmosphere was fun, and the service was very good.  The menu listed as many beers as many other Indianapolis pubs and drink specials made many of them very reasonably priced. 

If you ever go, plan on splitting a pizza and an appetizer and make sure to show up hungry!  Alcatraz is a solid choice for anyone looking for the best restaurant in Indianapolis!
 







Champps Americana
49 W Maryland St.
Indianapolis, IN 46204
317.951.0033





Recently my lovely girlfriend Melissa and I had a nice little date night.  After searching through the perfect selections of Indianapolis date restaurants, I landed on Champps, located in Circle Center Mall downtown.  We were both very happy with this downtown Indianapolis restaurant. 

Surprisingly, we were seated immediately at 7:30 on a Saturday evening and had very good service.  The wait staff was on top of things, and very friendly.

We were also surprised by the wide variety of selections on their menu.  This is definitely not just another restaurant in Indianapolis, Champps has pastas, burgers, wraps, ribs, pork chops and so much more!

I went with the Chicken Parmesan and could not believe how big the entree was!  I only finished less than half of it and took the rest home.  Melissa landed on the Fresca burger and was very happy with her selection as well. (Coincidentally, she asked the question "Do you put ketchup on this" which was the same question she asked on our last date night to Red Robin)

All in all, we had nothing bad to say about Champps... It was a very solid choice and definitely on the the best restaurants Indianapolis!





O'Reilly's Irish Bar and Restaurant
36 S. Pennsylvania St.
Indianapolis, IN 46204
317.974.0674





For our marketing team lunch last week, we make the quick trek down Pennsylvania Street to O'Reilly's Irish Bar and Restaurant.  This was Abby's first restaurant selection since joining  the Compendium team, and she definitely pulled through when the pressure was on!

O'Reilly's fits in well with other Indianapolis pubs, but definitely has it's own feel.  It does a great job of combining the atmosphere of an old fashioned pub, with the modern day set-up that sports fanatics and business workers would be looking for. 

The menu at this downtown Indianapolis restaurant is also one of their great selling points.  They have many different variations of burgers, salads and wraps to choose from, as well as Irish specialties and a group of meals the offer as $5 lunch specials everyday. 

For the most part, the portions were generous.  Some of the salads were even overflowing off of the plates and I couldn't keep my BBQ sandwich intact because it was so big.

Most of us agreed that the biggest draw-back of the restaurant was the very smokey atmosphere.  Also, what seemed to be a refreshing, chilly environment upon first walking into the restaurant turned into an ice-box feeling as we could hardly use our utensils because our hands were shivering due to the frigid temperature.  

All in all, if you're looking for Indianapolis lunch restaurants, O'Reilly's possesses plenty favorable characteristics that make it the perfect location, be prepared to wait for a table if you want to eat outside, and bring a jacket if you're not a fan of the cold!






Front Page Sports Bar & Grill
310 Massachusetts Ave.
Indianapolis, IN 46204
317.631.6682






Apparently we loved the hike to Mass Ave enough last week to return there this week. Friday's destination: Front Page Sports Bar & Grill.  One of the better known sports bars Indianapolis, Front Page provided all of the necessary features to create a very enjoyable lunch atmosphere.

Front Page has seating both indoors and outdoors, which makes it perfect on a warm afternoon.  You better get there early on a nice day, or else the outdoor seating will quickly fill up.

The menu at this Indianapolis restaurant was fairly typical for a sports bar & grill.  A cheeseburger and fries was the popular choice, with Mikey & Meghan getting the Blue Bella Burger (which Mikey describes simply as "heavenly") while I went for the classic BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger.

Chandra thoroughly enjoyed the GIANT tenderloin, and Megan opted for a delicious seafood entree.  Abby, the newest addition to Compendium's marketing team, landed on the Buffalo Chicken Sandwich.  She thought the portion sizes were favorable and the sandwich had good flavor.

Like most of the places we've stumbled up in the past few weeks, the atmosphere makes this downtown Indianapolis restaurant an enjoyable place to eat.  The wait staff was very helpful, the outdoor seating was perfect for a sunny day, and the multiple big screen televisions inside make it a perfect place to watch a game with friends!






MacNiven's
339 Massachusetts Ave
Indianapolis, IN 46204
317.632.7268







For the Friday lunch, Meghan landed on MacNiven's Restaurant and Bar as the selection.  MacNiven's has the feel of a Scottish pub, with the menu and atmosphere to match.   It had a similar feel to other Indianapolis pubs, with quality food and fun service.

We all agreed that the atmosphere and wait staff gives MacNiven's a very "fun" feel, especially on a beautiful afternoon when they open up the windows.  We were able to sit at a table facing Mass Ave while enjoying the fine Scottish cuisine.

Chandra and Meghan both ordered the Angus burger, which is a cheeseburger prepared in a very unusual way.  They flatten out the patty until it is very thin and the size of the plate! Both of the ladies thought the burgers were top-notch.

Megan's grilled cheese was, quite possible, the "best grilled cheese ever," and Mikey claimed that his fish & chips was golden delicious. I went for the chicken curry with fried rice and was very pleased with the great flavor!

Although the menu was varied in its selections, it still seemed fairly limited.  If you're not willing to get outside of the "norm" with food selections, this might not be your perfect fit.  However, for a quick lunch break on a nice day, or an after work drink with friends (it is known to have an ample beer selection) MacNiven's should be the perfect downtown Indianapolis restaurant for you!

 



 







Red Robin
(multiple Indianapolis locations)
13215 Harrell Parkway
Noblesville, IN 46060
(317) 773-8150

After a few hours of trying to decide which Indianapolis restaurant my lovely girlfriend, Melissa, and I should have our date night at on Monday, I landed on Red Robin.  And I don't mean to brag, but it was a solid choice.

Red Robin is known for their gourmet burgers, and they do not disappoint.  Their menu is almost overwhelming at first glance and you have to ask yourself, "How can they actually make this many variations of the cheeseburger!?" 

The atmosphere is fun and very family oriented (for example, at 9:00pm on a Monday night, Nickelodeon was on half of the TV's, ESPN on the others).  If you want to bring the whole family, they have plenty of seating for you, as well as a bar area if you're trying to avoid the occasional screaming 2-year-old.

The food itself would easily compare with some of the best restaurants Indianapolis.  For myself, I went with the Whiskey River BBQ Burger, a massive burger topped with BBQ sauce and onion fries (and if you need your bacon fix like me, you add that too). It was a very... very good burger.

Melissa had the Banzai Burger, marinated in teriyaki and topped with grilled pineapple and cheese.  She thoroughly enjoyed it and was very happy with her choice.  The Banzai Burger did leave us both stumped at the question: "Do you put ketchup on a burger with pineapple on it?" (she decided not to...)

All in all, Red Robin was great.  There's no denying that it is a little pricey as far as burger's go, but when you're paying for a gourmet burger, they provide gourmet quality.  (Also, the waitress told me that adding bacon was an additional $.99 and threw a curve ball at me when it was actually $1.29!) But besides the bacon incident, I have no problem claiming that Red Robin will provide some of the best hamburgers Indianapolis. 





Bourbon Street Distillery
361 Indiana Ave
Indianapolis, IN 46204
(317) 636-3316




The Bourbon Street Distillery put up quite a fight today to be considered one of the best Indianapolis restaurants.

With quick service, a fun atmosphere, and a wide selection on the menu, this Indianapolis restaurant left myself and all of the members of the Compendium marketing team very satisfied. 

The menu had a wide range of selections, with everything from spicy Cajun seafood dishes to club sandwiches eight inches tall and then finish it all off with cheesecake for dessert.

Overall, we agreed the atmosphere and service were both very favorable qualities.  The wait staff was fun and there was plenty of seating, both indoor and outside.  The restaurant is prime for a quick lunch break or an after work drink.

All five of us were in shock as our food came out not even ten minutes after we put our orders in!  I, personally, have never seen service so fast. And, in the words of Megan, the quick service makes it perfect for a speedy business lunch.

Mikey and Megan went the seafood route and were both very satisfied with their spicy dishes, Mikey had the craw fish etoufee and Megan tried the tilapia salad.

Meghan, Chandra, and I went the route of American cuisine... with Chandra ordering a HUGE club sandwich, Meghan having the Bourbon Burger (we're talking massive here folks) and I went with the old fashioned country fried steak with gravy.  We were all very happy with our selections.

Megan pointed out one of the only flaws we could find in this fine Indianapolis restaurant: The lack of a website or menu online.  I don't believe this was a breaking point for any of us, but with so many "blog-minded" individuals, we could easily see how the world of blogging could really help this restaurant.  

This being my first Indianapolis restaurant review, I'm feeling pretty generous in giving this restaurant such a high score, but I must say... I'd give Bourbon Street Distillery a 9/10.

And Bourbon Street (yes I'm talking to you)... if you want that last point to get a perfect score, contact Compendium today and we'll help you get better connected to the Indianapolis community.









A few weeks ago before I left for my spring break, we decided to grab lunch at this little place just north of the circle on Pennsylvania. Elbow room is a great Indianapolis restaurant that everyone needs to stop by at some point.

When the marketing team here at Compendium went, we all happen to order something different, which was good to give us some insight on their expansive menu.

Mikey ordered a veggie burger. When I asked him what he thought about it he did the "Raise the Roof" motion. He said that it was good and his burger had a lot of flavor. Also he really liked the bar and thought it might be a good place to check out. Maybe for a game? or just to have a couple drinks with friends?

Meghan ordered the strawberry chicken salad and was very impressed with the fact that they had Fat Free dressings for a healthier alternative. She said that her food was very flavorful, even with it being a more health conscious meal.

Megan had the Turkey Bourbon sandwich and found it to be very good. She mentioned that it was a bit crowded, but if you are going to grab lunch with co-workers, you have to commit and make sure that you have enough time.

Chandra at the cob salad with chicken and found it to be tasty as well. She said the staff were very friendly and very efficient. However, she said that the place was small, "hense the name 'Elbow Room'" Also she mentioned something about her dressing being soupy... so watch out and be prepared!

As for me, I ordered the American Burger. It was a harty meal consisting of a burger, with American cheese, red onions, lettuce, and bacon. And to go along with it, I ordered the fries... oh how i love fries.

I think we all would agree that it was a great downtown Indianapolis restaurant. However, the rush comes around noon, so if you are going there for lunch, just get there a little early.

So if you are looking for a good downtown Indianapolis restaurant, you should think about going to Elbow room, located at 605 N. Pennsylvania. You can check out their website and their menu online!




Scotty's Brewhouse in Downtown Indianapolis boasts the largest restaurant menu in Indianapolis.  If you are looking at Indianapolis New Restaurants take a trip to Scotties.

Scotties Brewhouse

As an aside, I used to wait tables at the Original Scotties in Muncie, IN and if I can vouch for nothing less it is easily the cleanest restaurant in the entire universe. 

As for the management, Scott Wise is the caliber of restaurant owner that I wish I could be!  He's a risk taking, innovative, marketing machine.  If that weren't enough, his restaurant delivers on all his promises. 




The experience is incredibly consistent for the volume of customers that Scotty's serves everyday.  Scotty's will compete and win business away from other Downtown Indianapolis Restaurants because he is willing to earn you away.  That cannot be underestimated for a restaurantuer. (Did I spell that right?)

Another homerun from a marketer that all Indianpolis restaurant owner's should take notes from. 






Today I would like to discuss Weber Grill in my Indianapolis Restaurant Review.  Weber Grill, a great restaurant in Downtown Indianapolis Restaurant features some of my favorite foods including burgers and ribs.  The video below shows some of the Weber Grill creations and how you can use their seasonings and cooking styles to create delicious meals.  If you are looking for a great dining option and steakhouse in Indianapolis I highly recommend Weber Grill!



Best Burger In Indy, Indianpolis, HamburgerWorkingman's Friend
234 N Belmont Ave
Indianapolis IN 46222
(317) 636-2067

DO NOT FEAR Workingman's Friend.   This is a classic Indianapolis Lunch Restaurant that in spite of it's appearance serves one of the best burgers in Indy.  Close to Downtown Indianapolis Workingman's friend is full of the white collar types as well and a lot of physicians for some reason...probably because it's close to IUPUI and the Med Center.

Workingman's Friend is an old fashioned Indianapolis Pub and nothing more.  The kind of place your dad would go after the 3 to 11 shift at the plant.   Take my advice, great burger, great bar and great people is why this makes the cut in my Indianapolis Menu Guide.



Irish Pub Indianapolis, eastside indy bar, musicMcGinley's
Golden Ace Irish Bar
2533 E Washington St
Indianapolis IN 46201
(317) 632-0696

Still owned by the McGinley family makes this the oldest family owned bars Indianapolis.  Just outside of downtown Indianapolis on the East Side, you'll find this Pub just two blocks west of Rural St.

The Golden Ace is tops in Indianapolis Nightlife if you like cool pints and lots of great Irish music.  In my quest for the Best Burger in Indianapolis I was really impressed with the "Ace" burger.   A traditional hamburger that puts the FOOD in the idea of barfood.

My father-in-law loves the Braunschweiger...and like good Irish everywhere, this is a seafood restaurant on Friday's.  Finally, I recommend the bean soup.  Nothing like a pint of Smithwick's and some bean soup on a cold winter night.   This is one Indianapolis Restaurant that I'm thrilled to and to my Indianapolis restaruant reviews.





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



Best Burger Indianapolis, Hamburger, Indy, Indiana Restaurant ReviewBub's
210 W Main St
Carmel IN 46032
(317) 706-2827
website    

Located in the Art's&Design District of Carmel Indiana (about 8 miles from downtown Indianapolis) and just of the Monon Trail might just be a restaurant with the Best Hamburger in Indy.

Handpattied from fresh ground beef, these hamburgers are so special that the owners Matt & Rachel Frey need to have special buns supplied locally from one of our great Indianapolis Bakeries.   Although Bub's (Big Ugly Burger) is most famous for it's hamburgers, several people tell me that they compete well as a seafood restaurant Indianapolis with a Mahi Mahi filet.  Bub's is also a popular stop of Ice Cream in the summer for those traveling the Monon Trail.  

In my quest for the Best Burger in Indy I've had the chance to write a lot for this Indianapolis Menu Guide.  Mostly I focus on Downtown Indianapolis Restaurants, but Bub's Burgers now gives me a new reason to visit Carmel.



Best Burger, Hamburger, Indy, Indianapolis, Restaurant ReviewFive Guys
2902 W 86th St
Indianapolis IN 46268
(317) 876-0811

Any credible blog seeking the best restaurant Indianapolis has to have a special place for the best hamburger in Indy right?   I love burgers and am constantly soliciting recommendations.   Well this one: Five Guys is a great new addition to my Indianapolis menu guide.

Now keep in mind, Five Guys is a chain but it's also a really good burger, not your usual fast food Indianapolis joint.  The menu has only three things Hamburgers, Hot Dogs and Fries.   In those catagories Five Guys streaches a little including Kosher Style, Bacon, Cheese for the Dogs,  Five Guys Style or Cajun for the fries (cooked in pure peanut oil)  The claim to fame on the hamburgers is the choice of any or all 15 toppings...all no extra charge.

If your date is a vegitarian, they do have an option of a veggie sandwich using any of the burger toppings and a grilled cheese sandwich...hmmm  Maybe I'll start a quest fo the best Grilled Cheese in Indianpolis next....

If you want to put in a restaurant review indianpolis post, just hit me with an email.  chris@compendiumblogware.com




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...







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.  



Another great Nicki Laycoax's Indianapolis Restaurant Reviews.   I'm sure Nicki is working on client business with Squish Designs while she's eating all these meals...or maybe she is talking to the owners about using Squish to help them grow their business.  Who am I to not take advantage of a great reviewer...thank you Nicki!

___________________________________________________________________

Dick's Bodacious BBQ
http://www.dicksbbq.com
50 N. Pennsylvania St.
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Phone:(317)916-9600
Fax:  (317)916-9605


What a fun title. On Monday, November 3, 2008 my partner and
I ate at Dick's Bodacious BBQ. I was really excited to eat
at the Downtown Indianapolis restaurant  location because I had eaten it before at
the Verizon Wireless Center in Noblesville, and it was SOOOO
delicious.

I didn't realize, until I started writing this blog post, that
Dicks' is not a nationwide chain, but rather a local restaurant!
They used to have locations open in Avon and at the Verizon
Wireless Center in Noblesville, but the only location that remains open is the one
at the corner of Market and Pennsylvania Streets in Downtown Indy.

The staff was so amazingly helpful, and made the decision making process almost like fast food for new patrons of the restaurant. Of course everything
sounded good, but I was encouraged to try the special of the day-Smoked
Salmon. It was the best salmon that I have had! We also had wings,
a Pulled Pork BBQ sandwich, green beans, sweet potatoes, and a
large drink. All of it was delicious!

Price for 2 meals with sides was approximately $23.

Do I recommend as part of my Indianapolis dining guide? You betcha!

Unique thing at the restaurant? BBQ sauce served in motor oil looking
bottles to top your BBQ that is served sans sauce, for your saucing
preference!


 

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