This past weekend, I had the privilege of dining at one of my favorite Italian restaurants, Mama Carollas Old Italian Restaurant.  I’ve lived in Broad Ripple for over a year, but never taken the time to eat there.  After eating there once … I won’t over look it again – that’s for sure!

I was promptly seated upon arrive in a nice, quiet area. Our waiter – Kevin was delightful!! He was very funny and he made our dining experience that much better.
I ordered a glass of Melot which went perfect with the atmosphere. After drinks were served, we received the bread and dipping sauce.  The bread was fresh and hot, and it appeared that it was never ending – we always had a fresh basket. 
We started with the bruschetta appetizer which was a nice starter - fresh tomatoes and smoky cheese gave it good flavor. For dinner, I decided on the pasta primavera. It had some good fresh veggies and a garlic oil dressing. Unfortunately, I was not able to try any of the dessert because my meal was so filling (I usually don’t make it to dessert thought).
Mama Carollas Old Italian Restaurant definitely gives a whole different take on Italian food. I was great food and it was reasonability priced.

What more could I ask for ….

This week, we put trust in Mikey to choose where the Marketing Team here at Compendium went to lunch. You can check out Compendium Blogware’s website by Clicking Here.


A small Cuban restaurant on Market Street, next to the Capital building is where we spent our lunchtime today. The place is called Tata’s Cuban Cafe. If you are in the mood for some authentic Cuban, this is the place to go. The menu isn’t too confusing, with 12 dishes (6 sandwiches and 6 entrees), you won’t feel overwhelmed while looking through it. Megan and I both got the Sandwich Cubano El Quaso, which has some pork, ham, Swiss cheese, mustard, and pickles all in a conglomeration, joined by being hot pressed on a Cuban bun. Megan and I both agree that is was very good, but could have used more condiments. She said it was “perfectly pressed” and she would defiantly go back to get the same sandwich, but would also like to try the Shrimp Varadero. The other Meghan ordered the Pan con Bistec Santa Palabra which is a thin grilled top sirloin that is marinated in citrus juice along with an abundance of grilled onions, all on pressed bread. She thought it was a lot of food for a great price. She also said it was very good and it “Satisfied my Cuban craving.” However, it was a messy sandwich, with lots of onions but be prepared to use lots of napkins. Meghan also mentioned that the service was great, very nice and accommodating. Also, the sandwiches are much larger than you expect so come hungry, or be prepared to take some home with you for left-overs. Mickey however decided to get an entrée. He ordered the Arroz Amarillo cienfuego. It consisted of yellow rice, with some herbs and corn along with grilled chicken and sweet plantains. He said that he really liked it and it “whisked me away to another place.” Mickey also mentioned that “the rice tasted really good... and so did the chicken.” So apparently he enjoyed it. He also mentioned something about wanting to go there for his next birthday party. So interpret that as you wish.

About the atmosphere, Megan felt it was a quaint place to grab lunch but defiantly allow yourself an hour if you can. If you can’t they also do carry-out, so that might be another option if you are limited on time. They have a patio outside with a few tables and chairs that is a great place to enjoy the day and eat some Cuban food. I must warn you that if you want to sit and eat, you better get there a little before noon because once 12:15 hits, it will fill up quick and you might find yourself without a table. Also, if you like the aroma of Cuban food, that is great because you will be sporting a new scent of Cuban cuisine for the rest of the day. So if you want to check out Tata’s Cuban Café it is located at 137 West Market Street here in Indianapolis. If you want to check out their website Click Here.

If you're looking for terrific fast food Indianapolis.  Look no further than Yat's on the north side.

I dropped in for lunch and I was eating my creole meal within minutes.

Einstein Bros. Bagels:  http://www.einsteinbros.com
Location: 47 S. Illinois St.

DLG Rating: 7/10

Bagels anyone?  Everyone knows Einstein's, the famous morning bagel shop, but did you know that they serve lunch as well?  Apparently, no one does downtown as this place is usually pretty empty on a normal business day.  Fast service and decent food, make this place an adequate quick lunch in downtown Indy.  

The menu is pretty much what you'd expect (bagel sandwiches) with a few exceptions.  A new one to me was the bagel dog.  Stick a hot dog in a bagel and some people call that lunch!  I've yet to be brave enough to try one, but check back soon as I promise I'll give one a try.

All sandwiches are served with a side (potato salad, cole slaw or chips).  DLG recommendation = potato salad.

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!

The other day, my coworker Jennifer Buscher was telling me about a restaurant just north of Broad Ripple on Westfield Boulevard and 86th street. To read up on Jennifer’s business blog Click Here

 It is called Amalfi Ristorante Italiano. It is authentic Italian food made by an couple who moved to the United States from Italy. She said it was a high end restaurant with a romantic atmosphere. She also mentioned that would be good for a romantic night out for an anniversary or Valentine’s Day. Not some much of a place for a first date or a business meeting. The pasta dishes are phenomenal, but she highly recommended their lasagna, which is apparently the restaurants most popular dish. Also, she said there is a vast wine selection, which would probably be a good topper for that romantic evening you were looking for. As for price, she said it was “Not very expensive; but expensive.” From what I can guess, I think it means that it was cheaper than she was expecting. As for a rating from Jennifer, 5 out of 5. So go check it out.

Ah Barista Cafe - http://www.ahbarista.com
Location: 201 S. Capitol Ave.

DLG Rating: 8/10

Ah Barista Cafe is a little less-known place on the ground floor of the Pan Am Building.  It features a variety of sandwiches and salads, good for a quick lunch.  The sandwiches are a fairly good size, come with chips and usually fill the appetite with a solid light lunch.  If you are a big eater, this is not your place.
 

Some of the specials include: Taco Salad, Pizza Pretzel Paninis, Loaded Baked Potatoes and some other very unique choices.  The cafe serves all Boar's Head meats, so the sandwiches are quality.

Another plus to the cafe is a plethora of drink options - every type of coffee, Italian cream sodas and much, much more.

The most enjoyable part of grabbing lunch at Ah Barista is the staff.  Always very cordial and helpful with great recommendations.

Jillian's - http://www.jilliansbilliards.com
Location: 141 S. Meridian St #100

DLG Rating: 6.5/10

A forgotten about lunch spot, Jillian's features a diverse menu.  The wait staff is average and some desire to talk to the hostess more than wait on their tables.  Overall, the food is a B-/C+.



If you're looking to go out to a quiet place to have a discussion or hang out with a few friends that love sports, Jillian's could be a good fit.  The restaurant is almost never busy and sports are played on every one of the televisions. I imagine this would be a great place to catch a Colts game on Sundays.

Jillian's could really be summed up as serving up-scale bar food. Nothing is bad, but nothing is great.  

Patachou On The Park - http://www.cafepatachou.com
Location:  225 W Washington St (Simon Building First Floor)

DLG Rating:  8/10



I got my first taste of Patachou today, and in two words it was delicious and slow.  The menu contained what seemed like hundreds of choices, so the more indecisive folks among us might find it a little difficult to settle on one item.  It’s also one of the few places I’ve seen in the downtown area with breakfast for lunch.  An array of omelets, waffles and breakfast sandwiches take up an entire side of the menu.  The flipside of the menu contains your more typical café food with a twist.  Another bonus in my book was the outside seating right on Washington St.

Now for the ugly… it was slow.  Almost painfully slow to eat there.  Now I always take the fact that my situation could have been unique and not the norm, but if you don’t have an hour (hour plus in our case) to spend at lunch this isn’t your place.  

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!!

PF Chang’s - http://www.pfchangs.com/
Location: 49 W Maryland St.

DLG Rating:  9/10

Downtown, need Chinese… well, maybe not need, but want Chinese??  P.F. Chang’s is the place to go.  This classic chain restaurant is the best Chinese in the downtown area according to this guru.  Located right on the first floor of the mall, PF Chang’s has delicious food for your average downtown prices.  Look to spend about $10-15 per person, but be completely full and probably take home some for the loving dog at home when you get off of work. 

If you’ve been to a PF Chang’s before, you know the drill with the atmosphere.  Tables can at times be too close together, but if you get lucky enough for a booth you’ll have all the space you’d ever want.  The one downfall is reservations are recommended.  Since it’s right in the mall they get a lot of foot traffic and it causes long waits around lunchtime. 

Staff is usually solid and at times seems like you have multiple waiters/waitresses with the way the bring food out in waves.  It’s a great idea though as it gets your food to you faster.

Bazbeaux - http://www.bazbeaux.com/
Location:  334 Massachusetts Ave

DLG Rating:  9/10

Okay, I promise every restaurant doesn’t get an eight or nine rating, I just like to review what I like first.  And, like is an understatement about Bazbeaux.  The lunch menu is perfect for a quick and delicious lunch… four different by-the-slice options, side salads or, for the pickier, the full menu is available.  Service is quick. Lines are sometimes long, but you never wait for more than 10 minutes to get your food.

By far the cheapest place I’ve reviewed so far as the standard lunch (two slices, side salad and drink) totals about $8.  Obviously, if you go off the menu it can get much pricier.

You’ve got to try some of their specialty slices if you go… The quattro, veggie and BBQ chicken are all scrumptious!!

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!

Goodfella's Old World Brick Oven Pizza
Location:
9641 Olio Road
McCordsville, Indiana
317-336-6666
http://goodfellas.com/

My husband and I are from a small town Northeast of Indianapolis.  Our town has very few good restaurants. What our town does have are 1,000 pizza restaurants to choose from and they just keep on coming. (Seriously we can get any kind of pizza within a 15 mile radius. Ok, maybe not 1,000, but at least 15.)
One of the best restaurants of Indianapolis is Goodfella’s Restaurant Old World Brick Oven Pizza.  It has become our favorite Italian restaurant. It just opened last year and it is absolutely wonderful! I just crave the wonderful Italian cuisine.
It was voted World’s Best Pizza Restaurant in 2007. Goodfella's is real NEW YORK ITALIAN!!

My husband and I start off with their chopped salad and house balsamic vinaigrette dressing, which we split. Then on to the main course, the pizza. We order the Old World Brick Oven Pizza, which is a thin crust type of pizza.   We order the works with pepperoni, sausage, extra cheese, meatballs and prosciutto. YUMMO!
Check out the menu guide to see all the wonderful choices they have to offer.
Oh, I almost forgot to mention the hot Italian bread with dipping sauce is scrumptious, but be careful not to fill-up on the bread. Side note: they do not serve bread before 5:00.
They also have wonderful pasta. My kids love their spaghetti and meatballs. The sauce on the pizza and spaghetti is so fresh. It is like eating fresh squeezed tomatoes.
The service is wonderful. The waitresses and waiters are always friendly and helpful in ordering. They also have full bar and their Cosmos are my fave!  I would highly recommend this wonderful Northeast Indianapolis Italian restaurant!

We have an exciting new announcement from Carrabba's Italian Grill.  Do you know your wines?  Would you consider your self to be a wine connoisseur?  This is a fantastic opportunity for you to win big with Ruffino and Carrabba's. 

Carrabba’s Italian Grill invites consumers to help name a new, Carrabba’s-exclusive, limited-edition baby Super Tuscan wine debuting this fall from Ruffino.  This is a fun opportunity for one winner to receive a $1,500 epicurean prize package including:

A case of the exclusive Ruffino wine
A catered 2008 holiday celebration for 12
A year’s worth of Carrabba’s dinners in 2009

Entries can be submitted online at www.Carrabbas.com until July 31, 2008.

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