My Restaurant Reviews

My Mini Restaurant Reviews
Thanks to my wife and to my dining buddy, David Fischer, for their contributions.
It bugs me that restaurants don't keep their websites updated. This means that I sometimes choose a menu item only to find out that it is not on the actual menu. Sloppy!

Most of you already know that, if you see 'Vegetarian' on Mexican restaurant's menus, that does not necessarily mean vegetarian. Rather, I think they mean 'Vegetable.' Many of these dishes are cooked using animal products like chicken stock and lard. Unless you can get a definitive 'no animal products' from the staff, then do not eat it. That is if you are a vegetarian.

Today's comment-06.11.17-I agree with the person quoted in the Star that some of these local chefs are going too far with their menu selections. There are only so many people who are truly foodies that will eat anything new.

New Reviews or Updates: (These are not links-just scroll down until you reach the alphabetical listings)

December 9, 2017-Three Carrots-Fountain Square
November 6, 2017-Update on B Spot
November 4, 2017-Newk's Eatery
October 13, 2017-Five Guys Burgers
September 28, 2017-Burger Study
September 9, 2017-HopCat
August 30, 207-Update on Red the Steakhouse
August 24, 2017-Sidekick Pizza + 22nd Street Diner + Ash and Elm Cider Company
July 27, 2017-Cannon Ball Brewing Company + Centerpoint Brewing
July 13, 2017-Wiseguy Lounge + Stella
July 8, 2017-Chicago-Volare + Grand Lux Cafe + California Pizza Kitchen + Mity Nice + Bandera
June 28, 2017-Festiva
June 23, 2017-Update on Olive Garden
June 22, 2017-Thaitanium + Red, the Steakhouse
June 18. 2017-Between the Bun
May 25, 2017-Livery
April 26, 2017-Goodfellas Pizzeria
April 14.2017-The Garden Table-Broad Ripple
March 3, 2017-Kountry Kitchen Soul Food Place
February 25,2017-Pico De Gallo
January 26, 2017-The Garden Table
January 21, 2017-FortyFive Degrees + Update on Hotel Tango
January 11, 2017-Tried and True Ale House
November 29. 2016-Metro Diner
November 4, 2016-Outback
October 28, 2016-Rooster's Kitchen + Primanti Bros.
October 10, 2016-The Mug
October 9, 2016-Update on BJ's
October 1, 2016-Update on Taxman
September 30, 2016-B Spot​
September 24, 2016-Fresco Italian Cafe
September 22, 2016-Giordano's​ + Rebar + Punch Bowl Social
September 7, 2016-Salt on Mass
July 28, 2016-Mr. Tequilas Cantina & Grill + Fat Dan's Deli Mass Ave + The Koelschip
June 30, 2016-El Cerrito
June14,2016-Rosita's
June 11, 2016-Big Woods-Speedway
June 7, 2016-Rook
June 4, 2016-Kumo
April 27, 2016-Abuelo's
April 25, 2016-Margarita's Grill
April 20, 2016-Roscoe's Tacos
March 30.2016-Wings Etc.
March 26, 2016-Vida
March 11, 2016-Taste Cafe and Marketplace
March 3. 2016-Nada
February 17, 2016-The Eagle
February 10, 2016-Table
February 6, 2016-O'Reilly's Irish Pub
February 1, 2016-Hops and Fire
December 30, 2015-Bar Louie
December 25, 2015-Buca di Peppo
December 23, 2015-Bazbeaux
December 5, 2015-Eataly-Chicago
December 4, 2015-Maggiano's-Chicago
November 19, 2015-Greek's Pizzeria and Tapp Room
October 22, 2015-The Libertine
October 14, 2015-The Tap
October 14, 2015-Pioneer
September 29, 2015-Rock Bottom Brewery
September 28, 2014-Scotty's Brew Club-Franklin
September 24, 2015-Kuma's Corner
September 11, 2015-City House-Nashville, TN
August 24, 2015-Harry and Izzy's
August 22, 2015-Public Greens
August 18, 2015-Sal's Famous Pizza
August 8, 2015-Update-Nine Irish Brothers
July 26, 2015-Rick's Cafe Boatyard
July 23, 2015-Hotel Tango Artisan Distillery + Repeal
July 15, 2015-Saint Joseph Brewery and Public House
July 9, 2015-First Impression-Foyt Wine Vault
July 6. 2015-Coast-Vancouver, B.C.
July 5, 2015-Reflect Lounge in the Hilton Burnaby, B.C.
July 4, 2015-Lola, Seattle
July 1-3, 2015-Three places in Burnaby B.C., just outside of Vancouver-Trattoria Italian Kitchen, Earl's and Cactus Club Cafe
June 11, 2015-South of Chicago Pizza and Beef
May 23, 2015-Tinker Street
May 20, 2015-Moe's Southwest Grill
May 13, 2015-The Tamale Place
May 6, 2015-Chipotle
April 15, 2015-Yard House
April 4. 2015-BarRev + Red Lion Grog House + Taxman
March 18, 2015-Noodles and Company
March 4, 2015-Olive Garden
February 14,2015-Spoke and Steele
February 6, 2015-Mimi Blue Meatballs
January 23, 2015-The Rathskeller
December 1, 2014-Update on Union 50
November 13, 2014-Burgerhaus
November 5, 2014-Jockamo Upper Crust Pizza + Update on Revery
October 20, 2014-Three Carrots
October 18, 2014-Champp's
October 17, 2014-Milktooth
October 15.2014-Yolk
October 12, 2004-Revery
September 20. 2014-Capital Grille
September 15, 2014-Bluebeard
September 14, 2014-Capri + Iaria's
September 9, 2014-Oceanaire
September 5, 2014-Tini
August 29, 2014-Tavern on South + DeeGusto's Southern Cooking
August 19, 2014-Update on Cheddar's
August 9, 2014-Nashville, TN-Pucketts + 417 Union + Merchants
July 27, 2014-Update on Union 50
July 25, 2014-Chilly Water Brewing Co.+ Union 50
July 12, 2014-Vino Villa
July 3, 2014-Big Woods Brewing
June 28, 2014-Nine Irish Brothers
June 7, 2014-Runcible Spoon
May 22, 2014-Cheddar's
May 21, 2014-BJ's Restaurant Brewhouse
May 17, 2014-City Cafe
May 10, 2014-Donatellos
May 9, 2014-Matt the Miller, Stone Creek Dining
April 27, 2014-Harry and Izzy's-Castleton, La Trattoria, Napolese + Update   on McCormick and Schmick's
April 17, 2014-Tow Yard Brewing
April 16, 2014-Thunderbird Restaurant +  Arnie's update

R.I.P.

22 St. Diner-Sad
​Adobo Grill-I liked it
B's Po Boy-Sad tohear
Bacon, Legs and Turntables-BL&T-Not surprised
Bagger Dave's-Near Greenwood-Surprised
Barcelona Tapas-Downtown Indy-Liked it the one time I went-Noisy!
Bravo Greenwood-Big loss
Cadillac Ranch-Never went
Cerulean-A little surprised-food was too adventurous and pricey
Champps North Side-Was a fun place
City Cafe-Sad to hear
Colts Grill-There was nothing special about it
Corner Cantina-No surprise
Cropichon et Bidibule​-Mass. Ave.-Sad to hear
Georgia Reese's-Surprise
Hal's Las Vegas-I liked this place
Istanbul Cafe-Sad to hear
Langton's-Mild surprise
Longbranch-Never made it there
Louie's of Center Grove-New owner (Mucky Duck)
Mama Irma-One of my favorirtes
Maria's Pizza-Fountain Square-Not surprised
Marrow-Fountain Square-Went early on-thought it had promise
Milano Inn-Sort of a surprise
Mucky Duck-Greenwood-No surprise
Penn and Palate-Not surprised
Pizzology-Very overrated pizza
Plow and Anchor
R Bistro-Mass. Ave.-Not soon enough
Recess-Never went
The Elbow Room-Sad loss
The Owner's Wife-No surprise
Tilted Kilt-No surprise
Wuzzlers-Center Grove Area-Not surprised
Zoe's Pizza-Too bad-good local pizza

22nd Street Diner-Near north-side Indianapolis-8.24.17-I like this place. My buddy and I sat at the bar, where we were served by Aimee, who was pleasant enough. It is a sleek decor, which seems popular these days. Has an outdoor space and what looked liked a coffee nook. We both had beers and I had the vegan Stuffed Peppers with Rice and Beans and Tomato Jam ($6). Really good, and a generous portion for the price. My buddy had the Potato Skin Hash Brown with Marinated Mushrooms ($5.) Also very good. There are more vegetarian items on the menu that I would like to try on a return visit.

417 Union-Downtown Nashville, TN-August 2014-We came upon this place just walking around and decided to try it twice for breakfast. Great service and great food! It is a converted store of some type, we think, and is cozy and cheerful.

Abuelo's-Trader's Point Area, Indianapolis-04.27.16-We have been here before and we stopped because my wife wanted the really cheesy nachos. Well, we did not see them on the current menu. Disappointed!. I had Black Beans and Lime Rice which were served in two small bowls, making it awkward to eat. The beans were in a tasty broth but the rice was a little bland. It was good once I spiced it up with some of my wife's guacamole and some salsa. If you are vegetarian, be sure not to order the Mexican rice. My wife had the Durango Burrito which had a spicy red sauce, but she still liked it. The salsa is served with three different flavors. They were all good. The Chips and Salsa are free and unlimited, although I prefer the more rigid chips. We were served by either Isaac or Cedric Is-??? He did a good job, however, the food was a little slow getting to us. One thing missing was an assortment of hot sauces that you find at almost any mexican restaurant, although I'm sure, if we asked, they would provide some. The decor is beautiful. This could be a 'fine dining' room, if it had white tablecloths and a few other changes. Great wall murals and a high domed ceiling in the main room. The menu was extensive with a lot of options. If we were in the neighborhood, we would return.

Applebee's-Center Grove Area-Greenwood, Indiana-We are frequent Applebee's diners, as it is close to home. We always sit at the bar and love the great service and feel at home there. Our food choices are often from the great list of appetizers, which sometimes are half-priced. You must try the pretzels with queso dip or the potato twisters. Leave your Weight Watchers guide at home, however. If you want a full dinner, there are plenty of choices.
The bar has a homey feel to it. Almost a 'Cheers' feel. The entire staff, from the greeters to the servers to the bartenders make you feel welcome.

Arni's-Center Grove Area-Greenwood, Indiana-The best thing I can say is that their pizza is good. Decor is utilitarian, service just okay. It's very close to us, so we hit it once and a while. Good for kids. Update-April 2014-The pizza this time was a little under cooked and doughy.

Ash and Elm Cider Company-Near east-side Indianapolis-08.24.17-Wow, what a surprise. It turns out I like really dry cider, and cider is their thing. Very refreshing. Made right there, 100% apple. Food is available and my buddy and I split a Grilled Cheese with chips. Very good! This is a great space with tons of original brick inside, including several arches. Through the arches is the Neidhammer Coffee Company, a separate operation but basically part of the same space. We sat at the bar and were served by a friendly staff. For a change in your drink repertoire, I recommend you try it.

B Spot-Northside Indianapolis-09.30.16-Located in the Ironworks complex. As expected, they have a lot of burger choices, as well as a 'build-your-own-burger.' We sat at the bar. The restaurant was not very crowded at around 2:30 pm. Our server was Shay? although the receipt showed Gino. She was engaging and attentive. Apparently there is a Pickle Bar, which we did not see on the menu and were not told about. Would have liked to have tried it. I had the Veggie Burger ($8.47) with cheese, and grilled onions. Very good! There were also several sauces on the counter from which you can choose. My wife had the Old School Bologna ($6.49) sandwich and really liked it. Large outdoor dining area and clean restrooms. Next time we will try the fries and onion rings and a shake. Update-11.06.17-Wow. You have to try the Impossible Burger, which has no animal products. It is great!

Bandera-Chicago-07.08.17-Oh My Gosh-You must go here. We sat at the bar because there was a 45 minute wait, so make reservations. We like sitting at the bar, however. Anyway, this place is too cool. All the help is dressed in classy outfits. The bartenders in suit and tie, servers in all black, with ties, etc. Live jazz playing every night. I had a Veggie Burger ($18) and coleslaw. Very good. My wife had a Cheeseburger ($19) with Parmesan mashed potatoes as her side and she loved it. We both had a 7oz. pour of Zinfandel. The ambiance was the best. Not the cheapest place in town, but worth it. Great service and delivered in a confident, unassuming manner.
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Bar Louie-Greenwood IN-12.30.15-The space, previously a Bravo, was totally gutted and rebuilt. The decor is nice and they have a huge horseshoe-shaped bar, the best kind. Only open for 10 days, there was not much of a lunchtime crowd, but we were there just after 11 am. Our server Megan did a great job. Attentive but not obtrusive. The menu does not have many vegetarian items, although there is a portobello sandwich, but I am over portobello. Not their fault. My wife had 10 naked Chicken Wings ($11.25?), which she found a little dry. Our third person had the California Chicken Sandwich with Tater Tots, lots of them. I had the Veggie Wrap and Broccoli, which I liked. All-in-all, we will return. We look forward to the outside seating when they also will open three garage doors leading outside. After 10 pm is 21 and over.

Bar Rev or BaRev-Greenwood IN-04.04.15-This is the kind of place I have been waiting for. A real bar. It is located at the rear of the Revery restaurant. Exposed brick walls and 19th century type lighting make this a fun place to enjoy a cocktail, beer or wine. There is a limited food menu, which is okay because, if you want dinner, make reservations for the restaurant. Anyway, this will be my go-to place, which really is a first for Greenwood.

Bazbeaux-Mass. Ave. Area-Downtown Indianapolis-12.23.15-Known for their pizza, I have been several times. Went for lunch and had a slice and a side salad for $4. Good deal. The salad, however was basically some iceberg lettuce with a half slice of tomato. The cheese slice was really good. They had no servers until 1 pm so one had to stand in line and order. Not sure if this is normal or not. This is a go-to place for pizza lovers and they deserve their pizza reputation. The decor is pretty basic, but who cares? It's pizza!​

Between the Bun-Greenwood, IN-06.18.17-In the heart of Greenwood, this restaurant is located in what seems to be a converted house and shows some of its age. Not necessarily in a bad way.There is LP record memorabilia on some of the walls and they play music. Be prepared to wait to be seated and for your food if they are crowded. We were already prepared and were seated right away. Took a while to get our food. This was a Saturday about 2pm. Our server was Laura L. Very polite, friendly and accommodating. I had the Garden of Eden Veggie Burger, ($8.29), made in-house. Very good. Upgraded from fries to Tater Tots-Best Ever! 99 cents extra. My wife had the Grilled Chicken Wrap and liked it a lot. Upgraded from fries to Mac 'n Cheese, which was okay. $1.29 extra. She thought 75 cents for a small serving of blue cheese dressing was a little much.The restroom was not modern, but clean. Possible future plans include a bar upstairs. We definitely recommend you go there.
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​Big Woods Speedway, IN-We have been to their Nashville, IN location a few times and really like it, so, it was natural that we wanted to try this location, although it takes almost as long for us to get there as to Nashville. Anyway, it is a good looking place. Lots of wood, very high ceilings, with a huge outdoor area and another room that had its own bar and was labeled '21 or over.' Maybe a night time thing? I had the veggie nachos, which besides pizza, is the only thing I have ever ordered there. It was really good, as usual. My wife wanted the grilled cheese that she saw on the online menu but it was not on the hard copy menu. Our server, Mikayla, who did a great job, said it could be made. Unfortunately, it was very dry, due to a very small portion of cheese. The online menu said asiago, swiss and cheddar. Disappointing. She also had the Baked Potato Wedges, which were very good. On a hot day, I hate to complain about the air conditioning, but it was turned down a little low. I know it's hard to regulate, especially with giant ceilings, but.......We were able to park right behind, That's good. The pizza we have had in the past is also very good. It's worth a visit, although we will probably go back to Nashville next time because of its scenic beauty and shops.

Big Woods Brewing Company-Nashville IN-07.03.14-This is a cozy little place just off of the main drag. Good selection of appetizers, sandwiches, pizza and other stuff. I had the vegetarian nachos with corn, black beans, jalapenos, onions, cheese and barbecue sauce. It was great! Would definitely get it again. My wife had the potato/cheese/bacon soup and found it tasty. She also had a greens salad, which was pretty basic except for the house made blue cheese dressing. We both had a  beer from their craft beer selection. No wine is served. Our server, Lynda, was very sweet, friendly and attentive. Nice outdoor seating area. This is part of a larger set of Big Woods enterprises, including a place called the Big Woods Pizza Company. We will return the next time we are down there.

BJ's Restaurant Brewhouse-Greenwood, IN-May 2014-This was a lunch visit. They have great lunch specials. My wife had one that included a tomato and mozzarella salad and personal size pizza. She thought it was good, and at $6.75, it is a bargain.. I had the avocado egg rolls. Delicious!, just a little pricey at $10.25 for six.and too many for one person. They are meant to share. The space is very large and well decorated, with TV screens scattered around. Our server, Nicole C., was efficient and friendly. Will pay a return visit. Update-10.09.16-This restaurant continues to be first-class. They never say no. Service is always great and the food is really good. I also like the decor. One of the best places on the south side.

Bluebeard-Fountain Square Area (Fletcher Place), Indianapolis, September 15, 2014-I have been to this restaurant a few times and, generally speaking, I like it. The menu selections are a little unusual and, being vegetarian, there is not a wide selection for me, but I can get by. This time I had  the fingerling chips and dip plus Brussels sprouts. The sprouts have an agrodolce sauce that I found tasty at first but became overpowering after a few bites. The chips were tiny, dime size, and were really too small to eat as a finger food and also get some of the dip. My friend had the beet salad which he pronounced as excellent. We each had a $2.50 can of PBR. Nice! The service is always good and the ambiance is what I would call 'trendy hip.' I feel it is a little pricey, with the pork chop dinner being $32 and a glass of red wine starting at $9. There is seating in a nice courtyard under the trees. Next time I will see if I can get a vegetarian entree and write a more comprehensive review. I recommend you go there. It's good to have a locally owned place that is fit for foodies.

Bonefish Grill-Center Grove Area-Greenwood, Indiana-December-2013-We love Bonefish. Although we eat at many other restaurants, we can always count on Bonefish to provide consistently great food and service. The ambiance is great too, since we almost always sit in the bar. We also like that they are very accommodating when we ask for a modification in the way a dish is prepared. My wife loves the Ahi Tuna dish and asks to omit the Wasabi sauce. I like the Diablo Fettuccine and ask for the heat to be dialed down a little. The servers appear to have been very well trained and are friendly without being hovering.
Our Bonefish is close to home, so when we are deliberating too much about where to go in our area, we will opt for its familiar feel.

Bravo-Two North Indianapolis Locations-This is one of my favorites. Nice decor, good food. The Greenwood location just closed and we are sad. The eggplant is very good and they have a good happy hour bar menu.

Buca di Beppo-Downtown Indianapolis-12.25.15-I have not been here for years, and nothing has changed, except that you can now get single servings. This is not necessarily bad or good. We had a party of six and they were accommodating in getting us a round table, which makes it much easier to talk. Our server, Rico, was great! Very friendly and attentive. We ordered garlic bread for the table, which was just average. I had a side of spaghetti Marinara ($7.99), which was good. My wife had Linguini with olive oil and parmesan cheese ($14.99 for a small that serves two.) It was cold when served but tasted okay. Pay attention to the menu when it says that a small order is for two. Get a side order if you want a smaller portion. It will still be a lot. The rest of the party enjoyed their food.

Burgerhaus-Downtown Indianapolis-November 2014-You may have read that it is a little bit of an adventure finding this place. Well, it is worth the looking. No problem to find if you enter from the canal, however. Anyway, my dining buddy and I really enjoyed it. We sat at the bar and Chad gave us great service and was friendly and attentive. We shared the Haus Fries with spicy blue cheese. Very good. My friend had the Ahi Tuna and loved it. I had the Haus Burger with a bean burger substituted. It was good. We both had the Southwest Cole Slaw, which was very tasty. They have a good beer selection. I look forward to warm weather when being on the canal can be enjoyed. Parking in the garage, up to two hours, is complementary. Be sure to get a pass.

Burger Study-Downtown Indianapolis-09.28.17-Wow, I love it already, even though they only opened on September 25, partly because they have the best veggie burger I have ever had. It is named the Ivy League ($11) and I think it is the Beyond Meat brand. I also had the Onion Rings, which were great. My buddy had the Build-Your-Own Burger and the Fried Cauliflower, which was a substitute for the Mac 'n Cheese ($6), so I don't know that they will always have it. He said both were very good. They have a great long bar which we like. There was lots of energy, fueled by the diners and the music, however, it was acceptable, maybe because there was some sound absorbing materials in the decor, I think. The staff was friendly and efficient. A surprise, given that they had basically just opened. The restrooms are uni-sex-Yay!, or is it Yea!. Whatever. This is a definite new favorite place of mine. Not real cheap, but worth it.

Cactus Club Cafe-Burnaby, B.C. just outside of Vancouver-07.05.15-This is another place with pretty girls in tight dresses but, who's complaining? Lots of Roy Lichtenstein type of art on the walls with trendy music.Our server, Brittany R was attentive and helpful. I had the veggie burger, which was crispy and might have been char-broiled, with hot stuff condiments. Terrific! My wife had the chicken fingers and was disappointed. Not a bad place but not outstanding.

California Pizza Kitchen-Chicago-07.08.17-This concept was tried twice where I live, Indianapolis. When it was at the Fashion Mall it was the 'In' place. Not sure why is did not survive Maybe the location in the mall, sort of out-of-the-way. Then downtown. Didn't work there either. Too many other good places, I guess. Anyway, we had fantastic service and then realized it was a training center. That's okay. Good service is always good to have. Mary was our server and has been trained well. Great job.I had the Sedona Tortilla Soup, ($7.99) which was very tasty. My wife had the Avocado Club Roll ($11.69), 9 out of 10. Wow! Not in a prime spot and not a must-go-to-place but worth a visit if you are looking for a casual lunch place with good prices.

Cannon Ball Brewing Company-Indianapolis Near North Side-07.27.17-What a find! This is in a 100 year-old building with original brick walls. It is small, but that doesn't keep it from serving great beer and delicious food. The beer is described as small-batch craft beer, The food is close to gourmet and is prepared right behind the bar using a variety of cooking utensils. I had the Veggie Meatballs with polenta, raw tomato sauce and gremolata. Fantastic! My buddy had the Short Rib Taco snack with hoisin, kimchi and scallions and the Tomato Panini with sweet pea guacamole and pickled egg. He loved both. Give this place a try.

Capital Grille-Downtown Indianapolis-September 20, 2014-This is a great place for that special meal. It has that old world ambiance with lots of dark wood and also has seating for that romantic evening. I am vegetarian, and the menu was not kind to me, however, the chef was.He prepared a fantastic pasta dish with vegetables and a red sauce. I could have had Alfredo if I wished. In addition, I had a wonderful house chopped salad. My wife had the breast of chicken confit and loved it. The bread selection is varied, with enough butter (unlike some other places.) They advertise 30 bottles of wine under $30 and our $29 selection was very good. Of course, they have a wide selection of higher priced wines.The service was impeccable and you would not have known that Michael had other customers to serve. Price wise, you can spend a lot or a moderate amount. Our meal was $87 before tax and tip. Good price for a fine time. We will return.

Capri-North Side Indianapolis-September 11, 2014-This is an established Italian restaurant that has been around a long time and we have visited a few times over the years. The food and service are both excellent. The ambiance is that of a family owned restaurant with a vibrant atmosphere. We were with a group of seven and all loved their meals. I had a caprese salad and broccoli soup. The soup was vegetarian and had a great creamy taste. I need the recipe! My wife had the seafood salad with three different fish and loved it. A little pricey at $17. The dressing contained garlic, which we should have asked about since she cannot handle that very well. We had a bottle of the house Cabernet Sauvignon at $29. All-in-all a satisfying experience.

Carrabba's-South side of Indianapolis-March 2014-A little out of the way for us, but we had gift cards. We sat at the bar and had soup and pizza, both of which were good. A bottle of wine completed the meal. Bartender was friendly. We had been some time ago and were happy with the food and service.

Centerpoint Brewery-Near Mass. Ave. Area-Indianapolis-07.27.17-I like this place. It was crowed on a Thursday night. There was a trivia game going on and there were pinball machines. It is dog friendly. No food but sometimes there are food trucks. We were given a short tour of the brewing area and they have a lot of room to grow. I loved the authentic industrial look. It is located in a building that, at one time, must have been used for some industrial purpose. I am not a beer aficionado but the light beer I had was good. Worth your time for a visit.

Champps-Downtown Indianapolis-October 2014-I have been here many times and one of the things I like is that the service and food are consistently good. I go more often now, because they have veggie burgers, done the right way. That is, any burger can have a veggie burger substituted. My burger choice was the South of the Border. It had a great spicy taste. Also had the onion rings. Even thought they were not hot, they still had a wonderful taste. Might be even better at the proper temperature. My wife had the French Dip and a Wedge Salad. Both were to her liking. Our server, Joti, was attentive and efficient, even with a busy set of tables. We did not complain to her about the rings. This is a go-to place for me for sports bars. Great ambiance and floor layout with TVs where you can see them. Fairly affordable prices, too!

Cheddar's-Greenwood IN-May 2014-This is a short review. My friend and I went in, sat at the bar and suddenly became invisible. We were not looked at or spoken to. We left. Now, they had only been open four days, so I will cut them some slack. We will try it again and write another review. Update-08.19.14-Second visit, with my wife. Much better. Sat in the bar and had the Triple Appetizer. All the items were good, if not healthy. Our choice, however. There were mozzarella sticks, potato skins and nachos. Good service from Andre, who got all the 'on-the-side-items' correct. Pretty decent wine prices. We will return and try the main dining room in order to get the full experience.

Charleston's-Castleton Area in Indianapolis-03.21.16-This place has been here a while and I last visited years ago. It was very busy for lunch and we were served by a fantastic server, Alisha. I can't say enough about her cheerful and friendly attitude. We were a table of six and wanted separate checks. No problem! I had the Kale Salad, ($14) with the chicken to take home to my wife. It was huge and delicious. I want the dressing recipe. Others in my party seemed happy with their food and the large portions. Especially the french fries. As to the decor: It was dark, so it was difficult to see the details. Given that, it was pleasant and had what I think were real gas lamps on the walls. Restrooms were clean. Worth a visit.

Cheesecake Factory-North and South Indianapolis Locations-January 2014-This is a go-to place for my wife and I. They have a huge menu and lots of vegetarian options for me. Great decor! Usually terrific service, especially in the bar area. My wife likes their breakfast items. I love the stuffed mushrooms and the big salads.

Chilly Water Brewing Co.-Fountain Square Area (Fletcher Place) of Indianapolis-July 2014-Has a really nice layout, with a nice outdoor space. The only food my friend and I had was the Fire on the Mountain spicy dip blended with tomatoes, green onions and feta cheese, served with a toasty pita bread. Fantastic! They have an assortment of dips and paninis. We each had the beer flight, served in four glasses on a neat wooded board. Trendy but not pretentious. We will return.

Chipotle-Close to Greenwood IN Park Mall-05.06.15-I have been wanting to try Chipotle for years, but the opportunity never presented itself and there are none in the Greenwood/Center Grove area. I loved it and found the decor fresh and contemporary. I had a tofu based bowl -Yay! Tofu-with black beans and rice and salsa and some other good things they added. Delicious, and now one of my favorite meals. My wife had three chicken tacos which she found to be good, for tacos. She said "what can you do to tacos?" Our meals were $6.50 each. Good price for what we received. Liquor license, probably beer and wine, pending. There will be return trips.

City House-Nashville, TN-09.11.15-Saw a piece on this place on the 36 Hours TV show. It is in a nondescript building, with little signage, so look carefully. It has a vibrant atmosphere with a limited menu, which I suspect changes often. The server was attentive but not what I would call warm. I had the October Bean Soup. October beans, peppers, grits, garlic, chilies and pecorino. Fantastic! My wife had the Olives, Taralli, which she liked and there were enough to share. We also shared a Margherita Pizza which was good. A little noisy when there are lots of diners. There is a large bar area and an outside screened area. We recommend it.

Coast-Vancouver, B.C.-07.06.15-We chose this place because there was a street parking place directly in front. Turned out to be a good choice. It was happy hour and we had $5 glasses of wine. The food was 50% off. I had the parmesan flan with peas. Excellent. My wife had the halibut fish and chips and thought they were very good, however, the substitute for the cole slaw never arrived. The food delivery was slow, although our server, Paris, was friendly, attentive and was concerned to be sure that my wife's food did not contain any garlic. I guess the kitchen was the holdup. Great location right downtown with a nice patio area right on the street. It is worth a visit.

DeeGusto's Southern Cooking-Downtown Indianapolis-August 2104-I am vegetarian, so there was not much for me. My friend and I arrived very close to closing but were greeted warmly and ordered food to go, which I took home to my wife. Chicken wings, greens and macaroni and cheese. She pronounced it very flavorful with the chicken being very meaty, with a crisp and flavorful breading and the mac and cheese creamy. 9 out of 10. Wow! The greens were not for the faint of heart, as they had jalapenos.  This place is small, with seating for about 16 at tables and a counter where you can sit. It looked neat and clean. Outside seating, too. My wife wants to go for the biscuits and gravy. It's a little off the beaten path but worth seeking.

Donatellos-Carmel IN-May 2014-This restaurant is located in the Carmel Arts and Design District, affording the opportunity to walk around and enjoy the galleries and shops. Our foursome all liked their meals. I had a great spaghetti marinara dish, two others had chicken and one, salmon. We all shared a delicious tiramisu. All was not perfect, however. Two salads had onions, after a request to omit them. One salad had dressing on it instead of on the side. When I asked to add peas to my dish the server said something about that being a 'special order.' I did not pursue it. Our server was okay, sort of matter-of-fact. Other staff were more friendly. Strangely, no oil was served with the bread. We will return if we are in the area, based on the great food.

Dooley O'Toole's-Carmel, IN-January 2014-Good local pub with good food. The tenderloin is popular. Try the Reuben sandwich and cream of potato soup. The restaurant has a homey atmosphere which makes you feel very comfortable. Good service.

Earl's-Burnaby. B.C. just outside of Vancouver-07.05.15-This is another trendy place in Burnaby. Our server, Alyssa  took a little time to warm up to us but ended up being friendly and attentive. This place has lots of pretty servers in tight dresses, of which I am not complaining. They may be taking themselves just a little be too seriously, however. I had the Bibimpap with tofu, a rice based dish with other good stuff. It was very, very good. My wife had the clam chowder, which was a nice blend of seafood, potato and broth, with a salad, and rated the chowder a ten. All-in-all a good experience even though it was very noisy.

Eataly-Chicago Downtown-12.05.15-Double Wow!! If you have not been to an Eataly, you must go. It is a gigantic tribute to all things food. They have it all. Several restaurants, meat counters, cheese counters, bakery, specialty foods, etc. etc. The decor is ultra-contemporary with glass and light everywhere. We ate at a pop-up restaurant named Il Tartufo and enjoyed a wonderful mixed greens Italian salad with a light dressing. For the entree we chose the Risotto alla Parmigiana Acquarello rice with beppino occelli butter - for two. There are not enough 0s and 1s on the Internet to describe how delicious it was. A signature item of theirs is truffles, which were $28 for four grams, so we passed and now regret it. The service  was impeccable and the ambiance modern-chic, with our table overlooking Wabash Avenue. We understand that this restaurant will not return until next truffle season. Can't wait to make another visit.

El Cerrito-Plainfield IN-06.30.16-I don't always review neighborhood Mexican restaurants. They are pretty much the same. This time, however, I feel the need to describe what happened here. We saw the reviews and, even though there were some comments about the service, it had a good rating. We were seated right away, given chips and salsa, and we ordered and received our drinks. Now, I know we are a servers' nightmare. One of us is gluten intolerant, one a vegetarian and the third has an aversion to garlic and onions. Not a problem most places. This time, however, it became our nightmare. We asked our server how the chips were cooked and how the beans were cooked. He had trouble understanding us and started saying 'Chicken Fat' over and over again. We were sure that was not correct and, eventually, a manager(?) came over. We explained what we were asking and he immediately became agitated and rude, saying the server did not understand. That is understandable, however, he continued to act belligerently, saying vegetable oil was used. When I asked if that applied to both the chips and the beans, he got madder, saying 'Vegetable Oil Buddy'  over and over and even wrote it on the menu. We don't know exactly what set him off, but we decided to pay our bill and leave. Worst Mexican restaurant experience EVER!

Ember Urban Eatery-Fountain Square Area-Indianapolis-Went for a Devour Downtown event and a fixed menu. The food was great. Try the cream of potato soup. My wife had a cheeseburger and I a grilled cheese with fries. Both excellent. The space is cozy but comfortable.

Fat Dan's Deli Mass Ave-Mass Ave. Area-Indianapolis-07.28.16-Second Indy area location, across from the Rathskeller. Hot dogs, burgers, other sandwiches and lots of sides. Beer and Wine. Sort of a basic decor, with garage doors that can open to the outside seating. Not open tonight. Not sure if it is just 'their thing' but all the menus were wrinkled or folded, not dirty, and the knives and forks were pretty flimsy plastic. Chicago Cubs stuff on the walls. The menus had some funny comments such as 'Tell Fat Dan What He Should Do-$1.' I had the Veggie Burger w/chips, which was very good, although I thought a little pricey at $10. My buddy had the The Chicago Dog, which he said was good. I will return.

Festiva-Near North Side Indianapolis-06.28.17-This is complicated. I have followed Peter George through several of his restaurant ventures and have always been impressed, all the way back to the Keystone/86th Street location. Complicated because there were lots of different opinions about the food and the service. For the food, I ordered the Guacamole, $9, which was fantastic, followed by Frijoles Charros, $5, and Calabacitas, $5, both of which were a little bland, but were vegan. I could have ordered other vegan items, which may have had a better taste. The big problem was with my wife's order of the Wood-Grilled Half-Chicken, $16. She has a sensitive stomach, so we spent time asking the server if it was spicy and she checked with the kitchen and the verdict was it is not. Well, it was, according to everyone at the table. The server, Alicia, apologized and comped the meal without hesitation or being asked. Good move!. She did a great job. Another person had the Walleye, $20, which she enjoyed. Her partner had the Spit Roasted Adobo Pork, $18, which he found to be dry. We enjoyed the Festiva Margaritas, done with just the right amount of tart and sweet. We were served an amuse-bouche which was tasty garbanzos and other stuff with a great sauce.The location is in an area being gentrified and is a nice space with a patio area and some limited on-site parking. Street parking is not a problem. The restrooms were uni-sex and clean, as all restrooms should be. All-in-all, we give this a 3.5 and wish them success.

Fireside Brewhouse-Greenwood, IN-March 2014-Had not been here since they opened. Went for lunch this time. Very nice looking restaurant and bar. Good service. I had the egg salad and fries (where can you find an egg salad?). It was excellent. Fries were crisp and seasoned well. My wife had a turkey/bacon wrap. Very good but they forgot to put the guacamole on the side, so her stomach was not happy.We did not mention it, so it's partly on us.

Five Guys Burgers-North Indianapolis-10.13.17-Great reputation. Sort of a diner look. You order at a counter and they yell out your number and give it to you in a sack. I ordered the Veggie Sandwich, thinking it was a veggie burger. Well, no, it was just a bunch of veggies with cheese. There is no veggie burger. My wife had a cheeseburger and fries.Their fries are the best and she gave her burger a 10. Wish they had a veggie burger. The staff was friendly and the wait time acceptable.

FortyFive Degrees-Mass Ave. Area-Indianapolis-A trendy place in the heart of Mass. Ave. We went for lunch on a Saturday and not too many patrons at 2pm. I like the decor, shiny and bright contemporary with a bit of a galvanized look. I had the lunch Veggie Sushi Roll, which was very good, along with Creamed Vegetable Soup which was excellent. My wife had the American Burger with chips which she said was very good. The service by Jeremy was very good and the prices are okay-in line with that kind of a place. We will return.

Foyt Wine Vault-Speedway IN-07.09.15-First Impression. Stumbled across this place on a visit to Speedway. It had just opened and had a decent crowd. An event on Main Street may have contributed some customers. Anyway, we each had a beer and looked the place over. There is a limited food menu. The wine is from the Foyt Winery. It seems like the two servers could have used a hand.  Probably will be a popular place once they work out any bugs.

Fresco Italian Cafe-Downtown Indianapolis Canal-09.24.16-Perfect! Not only is this directly on the canal, with outside seating, it has great food and great service. There are some tables inside also. You walk inside and order at the counter and they bring the food to you. Very friendly staff. I had the Caprese Sandwich with their homemade spicy mustard. Very good. My wife had the Chicken Parmesan Sandwich and loved it. Both came with a bag of locally made potato chips. Wine at great prices, and beer, are available. A must place to which to return.

Giordano's-Downtown Indianapolis-09.22.16-My buddy and I were looking forwards to what is known as great pizza. We were seated outside with a great street view. Our server related that the deep dish pizza takes 45 minutes, so we decided to order the classic thin crust, and did not ask how long it would take. We waited and waited, 30-45 minutes? until, finally we were told that there was a 'mix up in the kitchen.' It took a long time for us to be told that, with no indication of how much longer it would be. So, we left and they comped our drinks. It would have been better if the server had checked with the kitchen and kept us informed. I will probably try it again but will ask a lot of questions.

Goodfellas Pizzeria-Downtown Indianapolis-Mass. Avenue Area-04.26.17-Well, my wife and I were disappointed. We had heard all of the hype about New York Pizza and thought that this would be pizza heaven. Not so. I had a slice of cheese and the cheese was way too hard. My wife had pepperoni and it was too greasy. The pasta salads we both had were good. The dipping sauces, however, were very bland. On the good side, a slice, side salad and drink were only $6 at lunch. They were out of nacho cheese dip. Strange, since they serve bread sticks.You order at the counter and get your own utensils, etc. I always like that. There is outside seating, distracted by heavy construction across the street. Not their fault. The music was a mixture and was too loud outside. There is a great looking bar area with comfortable looking sofas. I will try that next time with my dining buddy. All-in-all it gets a 3.5 out of 5. Try Jockamo's for better pizza.

Greek Islands-Near Downtown Indianapolis-This place is lots of fun and the food is great!

Greek's Pizzeria and Tapp Room-Franklin, IN-11.19.15-One of 18 franchised restaurants, it is located in downtown Franklin, is a relatively new place and was the old Don and Dona's restaurant. It is a large space, has an inviting ambiance and is family friendly. We sat at the bar and were served by Brett, who was friendly and attentive. My buddy and I shared the Pretzel Sticks with Mustard and Cheese dips. They were nice and soft and delicious. I then had the Nature's Delight sandwich, with chips. It was very good. Finally, a veggie sandwich that actually tasted great. My buddy had the Pasta with Meatballs, which required that he ask for extra marinara, for which they charged 69 cents (?). He said it was good. There is a great selection of beers (30) on tap, including my favorite, Sun King, (Tapp is the owner's' name), and they have a full bar.  Next trip we will definately try the pizza.

Grand Lux Cafe-Chicago-07.08.17-Good place to go for lunch. Has several dining areas. We sat in the bar area and ordered the Mini Classic Cheese Pizza ($7.50), which we liked, and drinks. Good Bloody Mary ($9.95). Service was good. Our server, Tommesha M, was pleasant and efficient. Good value. We recommend this for casual dining.

Granite City Food and Brewery-Downtown Indianapolis-January-2014-A good addition to the Circle Centre area. Big menu. Large portions, so be careful what you order. Ask first. Of course, the beer is the thing. My favorite appetizer is the pretzels and cheese sauce. Well appointed with a welcome entrance on Illinois Street. Great Happy Hour!

Harry and Izzy's-Downtown Indianapolis-08.25.15-This is a beautiful space and has the best looking bar in Indianapolis. It is, pardon the expression, chic and trendy. Lots of rich woodwork and a circular bar. The entire staff is cheerful and accommodating. We had early (4:30) reservations, so there were not many patrons, however, by the time we left, it was full of people. I had the Tomato and Mozzarella Salad. It was huge, with terrific tasting tomatoes. The best! My wife had the Cod, prepared unblackened and with no garlic, and the Fried Green Tomatoes. Both rated a 10! We ended with a delicious scoop of salted caramel ice cream. mmmmmmmmm! But for the pricey aspect, I would rate it a 5. so I gave it a 4.

HopCat-Broad Ripple Area-Indianapolis-09.09.17-100 Draft Beers. Need I say more to you beer lovers? Large space with a great bar and with booths, tables, and high-tops seating. (The bar stools really need a back on them.) They have lots of food, too. I had the Veggie Chili ($7-Bowl) and it was delicious. My wife had the Super Club Wrap, which she liked, with a side of Crack Fries. I ate most of the fries, and they were great. They are rated among the top 10 fries in the country by Food Network Magazine. Well deserved. Great location, with the ability to open up the east side of the space to be open-air. Our server, Trace, was very friendly and provided great service. Very clean restrooms, always a plus. When in the area and wanting beer and great food, this is where we will go.

Hops and Fire-Greenwood, IN-02.01.16-Yay! Another new place in Greenwood/Center Grove. Best of all they have vegetarian, vegan and gluten free menus. This is a fairly large space. We sat in the bar and were served by Brian J., who did a great job. I had the Tofu Melt with House Chips and a cup of Tomato Soup. All very good! My wife had the Three Cheese Pizza. It was loaded with cheese and served flatbread style. Really good. They have a good selection of craft beers from around the area. We will definitely return. This will be a go-to place for people in this area.

Hotel Tango-Fountain Square Area (Fletcher Place)-Indianapolis-07.23.15-Second visit I really like this place. The ambiance is, if you will let me use this term, funky, in a good way. No food, I think, just drinks, but using spirits they have distilled. I am usually not one for designer drinks but I had a great Mojito with mint, one of many herbs they use. Very good. Free popcorn too! The decor is eclectic and the space is pretty large, combining what looks like two buildings. Think picnic tables, old stone fireplace, winding staircase to somewhere, whiskey barrels, barrel tops and lots of interesting artifacts at which to look. Great place to socialize and I will return. Update-01.21.17-I continue to love this place. It just has a certain vibe that you don't find elsewhere. Great drinks with great bartenders. Somehow, it creates opportunities for conversation. Maybe because there is no food. Anyway, try it!

Iaria's-Downtown Indianapolis-September 13, 2014- An Indianapolis institution. A great Italian restaurant with an ambiance that makes it fun. There is a dinning room and a separate bar area. We ate in the bar. Our server was efficient and very knowledgeable about the menu but she did not have time for any chitchat, although friendly enough. One thing I love here is the marinara sauce. It is very flavorful, with a slightly sweet taste. We had the Margherita pizza and really liked it. A real pizza! Also a carafe of the house Cabernet Sauvignon at $24. A good price and decent taste. One funny thing. When we asked about the side salad we were told "lettuce, two cherry tomatoes and two cucumber slices", no croutons, no cheese. Only $3 but pretty basic. It's pretty noisy, with the bar area being less so. It's that type of restaurant. Family owned with lots of history and lots of regulars. We love it!. Don't go there for a romantic evening, however.

Iozzo's Garden of Italy-Near Downtown Indianapolis-February 2014-Family owned, with great food and service. Smallish in size, however, they accommodate groups well.

Jockamo Pizza-Greenwood, IN-November 2014-I have been here several times in the past couple of years and have always enjoyed it. The pizza is terrific and they recently were named the best pizza in Indiana by thrillist.com. The restaurant ambiance is pretty basic but the food and service are great. They serve beer and wine and have a bar area. The lunch special is great, $5 for a big slice of pizza, a salad and a drink. Wow! Tuesday is 1/2 price bottles of wine day. They also have a bunch of different beers. This is our go-to place for pizza.

Kountry Kitchen Soul Food Place-Near north side Indianapolis-03.03.17-The name says it all. Fried chicken, okra, fried green tomatoes, black-eyed peas, corn bread, pork chops, fried biscuits, greens, etc. It's in a non-descript building and bigger inside than it looks outside. Parking in rear. It was packed at 1pm on a Friday. Lots of to-go people in line as well as full tables. I had the three-vegetable plate: corn, black-eyed peas, fried okra and fried cornbread. All was good. My wife had the fried chicken with fried green tomatoes, mac and cheese, green beans and fried corn bread. She thought the chicken was not crispy and was bland. The mac and cheese needed more cheese. It took a while for our food to arrive, but, as I said, it was busy. The staff was very friendly and accommodating. Reasonable prices. If you you like soul food-go here.

Kumo-Greenwood, IN-06.05.16-Fairly new sushi and hibachi restaurant in Greenwood Park Mall. This is a large space with a number of hibachi stations. There is also a lot of regular table seating, where you can order from the menu. Some elements of the old Stir Crazy remain, such as the bar and the former food line, that is now a sushi bar. We were seated immediately and on schedule with our reservation. Good start. The service was very good with a couple of the staff checking to be sure everything was satisfactory. The chef did a good job of entertaining us. Being a vegetarian, I had the Vegetable Hibachi, with noodles instead of fried rice, a salad and no soup. My wife had the Steak and Chicken Hibachi with the soup and fried rice. We both liked our food and there was plenty of it. I really liked the noodles. We will return and probably sit at a table or the sushi bar.

Kuma's Corner-09.24.15-Fountain Square Area, Indianapolis-This is the first of these restaurants outside of Chicago and advertises itself as a supporter of the heavy metal community. Its burgers all have heavy metal band names. I had the ABSU burger, with a veggie burger ($15), which is named after a band that is considered extreme even for metal. It was good and the fries were great! You can also choose chicken instead of a burger. They play metal inside but is seemed to be pretty tame, as far as the volume. Great bar area. One TV, to appease the TVers, i guess. We sat outside in a great area that actually is on the east side so that the evening sun is blocked by the building. How many restaurants have their alfresco dining in the blazing sun? Answer: Too many! The diners were a mix of people, which always makes it interesting. Everything looked new and shiny, including the restroom. I will definitely return.

La Margarita Restaurant and Tequila Bar-Fountain Square Area-Indianapolis-Have been there, but not lately. Will definitely be going back. A couple of cuts above most Mexican restaurants.

La Revolucion-Fountain Square Area-Have been there, but not lately. Will go back. Great outdoor area.

La Trattoria-April 2014- Been here a few times in the past. It has a reputation for the south side's best steaks. Being a vegetarian, I can't confirm. Anyway, lots of good pasta. I had spaghetti with a terrific garlic sauce. My wife had a filet, cooked to perfection and very tasty. Our dining companions had spaghetti, one with meatballs and the other carbonara. Very tasty. Service was good and the ambiance is just okay. Outside dining available.

Livery-Mass. Ave. Area-Indianapolis-05.25.17-Another Cunningham Group restaurant and it lives up to the hype and the general success of all of their restaurants. I would describe the decor as 'cool and sleek.' It is a large space with a bar area and large rooftop patio upstairs and a bar and eating area downstairs. We sat at the downstairs bar and I had the Gazpacho and a beer. The soup was excellent. My friend had the Ribs and Jicama which he said was very good. This was scouting trip and we will return with others at another time. Well worth a visit.

Lola-Seattle-07.04.15-I can't say enough nice things about this restaurant. Let's begin with our server Voleak. My wife and I are a server's worst nightmare, as I am a vegetarian and she cannot deal with garlic and spicy food. Voleak worked with us until she found menu items that would be compatible, while checking with the kitchen. We started with the pita bread, of which there are six different flavors and we had the basil flavored. Very fresh. I had Grandma Dot's Greek spaghetti. Very light and tasty and abundant. Also the Greek lentil soup, very delicious. My wife had the chicken kabobs and smashed garlic fried potatoes, sans garlic. She loved it all and gives it a ten! Having a helpful server really enhanced our dining experience. If we ever go to Seattle again, it will be first on our list.

Margarita's Grill-Greenwood IN-04.25.16-This has to be the most colorful mexican restaurant around. It seems that every surface is covered with brightly painted mexican scenes. We are always happy here. The service is good and the prices are good. My wife gets the soft chicken tacos and the chicken soup and likes them a lot. I get beans and rice with a side of pico de gallo. We have tried other place but always gravitate back here.

McCormick and Schmick's-Hilton Hotel-Downtown Indianapolis-Update-03.14.14-Have been many times, but not recently, until yesterday. It was packed. Big Ten Tournament in town, so we decided to be patient. All was okay until we had to wait 20 minutes between first and second course. Then, it was not as we ordered and was sent back. That extended our wait, for one of us. The restaurant made it good by comping that meal. We will return, probably sometime in the next six months. They have a great Happy Hour menu and prices.
Update-04.27.14-Another visit. Great experience. They gave us a commemorative menu recognizing our granddaughter's graduation. She and I both had the linguine with Cajun sauce. Tasted great!. My wife had clam chowder, which she liked and a chopped salad, not so much. I also had the asparagus salad. It was the best I ever had. The highlight was our server, Nam. Excellent job! Kept cool in the face of being very busy. Our meals were all presented exactly as ordered.

​Maggiano's-Downtown Chicago-12.04.15-This was our second visit here and it was exactly like the first. Great service and great food. We like this one better than the one in Indianapolis, where we live, because it just seems more authentic. It was packed, but we were seated right at our reservation time. Michael was our server and he was very friendly and attentive. The entire staff behaves like the result of great training and experience. We shared the Caprese Salad, which was good and then shared an entree of Fettuccine with parmesan and olive oil. Tasty! It was my wife's birthday and they gave her a complimentary plate of cookies and whipped cream. I had the mini Creme Brulee. Both were good. The prices are very reasonable. With a bottle of wine, our bill, with tax, was $64. If you want Italian in an informal, old world atmosphere, then make a reservation. Walk-ins had a long wait.

MacNiven's-Mass. Ave. Area-Indianapolis-Great vegetarian options as well as traditional Scottish fare. Casual and comfortable. The service is always excellent.

​Matt the Miller-Carmel, IN-May 2014-Very nice place. Great decor. Our server, Anna, was one of the most pleasant and attentive that I have encountered. I had the Margaherita Flat-bread. It was great. My wife had  a half turkey club and beer cheese soup combo. She thought is was very good. I recommend this place for lunch, not having been there for dinner. Great outdoor seating area.

Merchants-Downtown Nashville, TN-August 2014-As much as we enjoy the chaos of Broadway and its bars, it was great to find a place where you could wind down and enjoy good food and service. This appears to be a trendy place but not necessarily pretentious. We sat at the bar downstairs in the Bistro and were given a cup of really great popcorn. My wife had the cheeseburger and fries and loved it. I had the veggie burger and slaw, which was good. Our server 'Rocky' was very friendly and attentive, as well as being a lot of fun. We were able to get a second wind before venturing back out into the country bar scene. There is also an upstairs, with menu prices to equal the higher level, to which the staff tried to steer us, so be careful.

Mesh On Mass-Mass. Ave. Area-Indianapolis-March 2014-Great ambiance and food. Definitely ask for the bar area. We had a party of ten and were well served.. Most were harpy with their food and drinks. I had their tofu dish, which was not quite like the last time I had it and not as good. Different presentation and combination of foods than at their sister restaurant, Stone Creek, which I like better. The chef made it special for me. It was not on the menu. Can get loud if full. Still one of our favorites.

​Metro Diner-South Indianapolis-11.29.16-Outside, this looks like a restaurant in a strip mall. Inside, it looks a little bit like a diner. Stools at a counter, utilitarian tables and chairs and some booths. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are all available all day. Friendly and helpful staff, including our server, Sara M. I ordered the Veggie Roasted Baguette with a side of Black Beans and Rice. First, it is listed under a heading called Veggies, along with a black bean burger, making me t

​Metro Diner-South Indianapolis-11.29.16-Outside, this looks like a restaurant in a strip mall. Inside, it looks a little bit like a diner. Stools at a counter, utilitarian tables and chairs and some booths. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are all available all day. Friendly and helpful staff, including our server, Sara M. I ordered the Veggie Roasted Baguette with a side of Black Beans and Rice. First, it is listed under a heading called Veggies, along with a black bean burger, making me think it was vegetarian. It was not. It had tomato bisque on top which contained a meat stock. Luckily, our server caught that I am a vegetarian and made sure it was omitted. The baguette was not that good. Too mush squash and very little of the other ingredients such as mushrooms and asparagus. It was also very oily. After mentioning this to our server, a manager agreed and said this was a learning experience for her cooks. They comped the sandwich. Good move. My wife had Eggs, Hash-browns and a Biscuit and liked it fine. It's a little out of the way for us so not sure when we might return. Nothing compelling to get us back.

Milktooth-Fountain Square Area (Fletcher Place)-Indianapolis-October 2014-This place is great. Situated in a converted service garage, it is open for breakfast and brunch. The ambiance definitely gives off a cool vibe. All the way from the great staff to the herb garden in the front. I resisted the urge to call it the good funky.The food is a little different, but not in a bad way. I had the White Bloody Mary and the Uova Al Forno, $12, which is eggs baked in a spicy tomato sauce with amelia’s semolina. Fantastic! Just the right amount of spicy. The bloody mary had a couple of unusual ingredients but was refreshing. My wife had the a mimosa with tangerine, which she was not fond of and the Little Bear Plate, $8, which is scrambled eggs, toast & jam with bacon and she liked it, except for the fact that there was just, what I would call a dab, of eggs. We think it is a little pricey, $48 with tax and tip, but that must be what they need. Our server, Brady, did a great job. We will return.

Mimi Blue Meatballs-02.06.15-This looks like a winner. We arrived at  about 5:45 and it was packed. As we ate, people just kept coming. I had the vegetarian meatballs with spicy cilantro sauce and the Brussels sprouts. The meatballs were great but the sprouts, with some carrots added, were a little bland and had a slightly sweet sauce. I would not order those again and like mine sauteed with a little browning. My wife had the beef meatballs with mushroom gravy over linguine. They were tasty but could have used some more gravy. The only problem is that she doesn't deal well with garlic, which, as we understand it, is in all the meatballs. Fine for me, though. Anyway, our server, Meredith, who did a great job, told us that we could order non-garlic meatballs ahead and they would have them available for her. I really like just checking off what I want à la carte on the menu. Nice decor with a visible kitchen. It is noisy, but sort of expected in this kind of restaurant and, don't sit too near the door, as it was drafty. There is a bar area, which was packed. All-in-all, we liked it and will return soon.

Mity Nice-Chicago-Water Tower-07.08.17-Sat down. Water served. Nobody ever came to the table. Lots of staff just standing around. We left. Big fail. Did you ever walk into a restaurant and think-this is not going to work-? This is one of those.

Moe's Southwest Grill-05.20.15-Close to Greenwood IN-Wow, this is the third place serving southwestern/Mexican food I have been to in the last three weeks and I like all of them. When you enter, they all shout "Welcome to Moe's." Along the lines of Noodles and Company, they stress their use of natural ingredients and in-house made items. I had the Earmuffs(?) Tofu burrito bowl with black beans, rice, onion, tomatoes, etc. $8.29. Excellent. My wife had the Joey Jr.(?) chicken burrito $6.49 and rated it a 10. Both had chips included. There is a salsa bar, which has different levels of heat, than you can serve to yourself. Nice touch. I like the decor, which included pictures of celebrities on the wall. Comfortable booths also. You order at the beginning of a line bar where you chose your items and pay at the end. The only negative is that we did not see any of the employees smiling. They were efficient, however.

Mr. Tequilas Cantina and Bar-Fletcher Place/Fountain Square Area-Indianapolis-07.28.16-Fairly new place in the old Nourish location with pretty much the same decor. We sat at the bar. The bartender was friendly enough but had too much else to do to which meant we had to wait a couple of times to be taken care of. Not a big deal, but maybe he could have just checked in with us. Anyway, we had chips and salsa, which were good. I had the Black Bean Soup, which was fantastic. My buddy had a Burrito, which he really liked. We also each had the House Margarita which was good, and not overly sweet like other places. I will definitely return.

Muldoon's-Carmel, IN-December 2013-Nothing stood out. Service was good. Food good. Would not choose, but would not object if my dining companions want to go there.

Nada-Downtown Indianapolis-03.03.16-Open for a week, we impressed by the decor and the service. It a beautiful restaurant with several different configurations of seating, from intimate booths to large booths seating at least eight. There also were tables scattered about. Chandeliers and ornate decorations are in a mixed color scheme. There is a bar with the same options for seating, as well as at-the-bar seating. The music was vibrant but not intrusive. We arrived shortly after 5pm and by the time we left it was 3/4s full. It is trendy and will be THE place to go. I had the Butternut Squash Soup ($6) and the Black beans and Rice ($4). Both were terrific. My wife had the Chicken Salad ("El Jefe" con Pollo $14) and liked it. Definitely worth a visit.

Napolese-Downtown-April 2014-Great downtown spot. My friend and I were there early and there were not many people. By the time we left, it was packed. We sat at the bar and were served by a delightful Ashley, who made sure we knew what was what. We shared the marinated cannellini bean appetizer. It was good.  I had the tomato/artichoke soup, delicious, and the arugula/pesto/artichoke, etc. sandwich. Too much bread. All-in-all, a pleasant experience. Worth a return trip. The one at the Fashion Mall is similarly good.

Newk's Eatery-South Side of Indianapolis-11.04.17-I like this place. It is along the lines of a McAlister's in that you order at a counter and the order is brought to your table. Seems like more menu variety than McAlister's. All the food is prepared in an open kitchen within sight. It was busy at 1 pm on a Saturday and I predict that it will always be so. Great location. I had the half Pimiento Cheese sandwich and a cup of Tomato Basil Soup ($8.99.) Both were delicious. My wife had the Ultimate Salad with Chicken ($9.79.) Good as far as salads can be. No alcohol yet. One suggestion is that they better organize the ordering area. I can see confusion when people jockey for position. Why not use ropes or a defined line or something. So easy, but many restaurants refuse for some reason. Pretty noisy and tables close together, but we will definitely return.

Nine Irish Brothers-June 2014-Downtown Indianapolis- This seemed like a real Irish bar, to me. A group singing Irish songs, with some sing-along by the patrons. It was packed, being open only a week, and it is a huge space.  I can tell that this is going to be a go-to place. My friend and I only had drinks, so, a later review will comment on the food. Update-08.08.15-Second visit. Went early on a Saturday, around 5:30, and it was already busy. Matthew was our server and did a good job. I had the Veggie Burger, which was good, and the Corn Chowder, which was excellent. My wife had the Full Irish Breakfast with eggs, bacon, sausage, pub chips and a bread choice. She gave it a 10. I had some of her pub chips and loved them, especially with the spicey shamrock sauce. Will return some day.

Noodles and Company-03.18.15-US 31 South/Stop 11 Road-I love this place! Choose you .r pasta, choose your protein (I always choose organic tofu), etc. Great soups, salads, sandwiches and now, flat breads. The service is always great and they are very accommodating. Wine and beer, too. Real china, cage-free eggs. antibiotic-free grilled chicken and environmentally conscious practices. No, I do not own their stock or know anybody who works for them.
I just think they are the best and you must eat there! I always order more pasta than I can eat and take the rest home, throw it in a skillet and enjoy.

Oceanaire-Downtown Indianapolis-September 2014-One of the most beautiful restaurants in town. Pricey. Very popular. We were part of a group of seven for a birthday celebration. The service was great and the food was good. Everyone enjoyed their meal. I had the tomato and mozzarella salad and the hash browns. You have to try the hash browns. They are the best! A plate full, with crispy edges and top. My wife had the wedge salad and clam chowder. The wedge was just okay. The soup was very peppery and very filling. Get a cup instead of a bowl. My wife also had a Bailey's on-the-rocks with a shot of vodka. $18.50. Wow!. There was at least one reasonably priced bottle of wine, which you don't always find in a pricey restaurant. We will return after I hit the lottery.

Olive Garden-03.04.15-I never thought I would be reviewing this restaurant, because it was not one I frequented. Well, I heard about their new menu, their new decor and decided to go for lunch. In the immediate vicinity of where I live, Bravo, one of out favorite Italian restaurants, closed, and Johnny Carino's is not a place I frequent, so maybe this place will do. I was impressed with the new decor. Much more contemporary, with a great layout. We ate in the bar, which was equally different from before. The sunken and raised portions were all changed to be level with the rest of the seating area. Good. The menu has changed; however, for this visit, we had a coupon for a '$5 All You Can Eat Soup, Salad and Breadsticks.' I have always liked their minestrone soup, so I had two bowls. Still good, although two bowls was close to the recommended RDA for sodium. Salad was the same, with maybe a couple of more tomato slices. Breadsticks were the same.The staff was extraordinarily cheerful and friendly and made us feel welcome. Our server, Steven V was excellent. Just this makes me want to return. As for regular food, we did not order any but plan to try some of their lighter fare and small plates. All of this will not prevent the late night talk shows from poking fun or the CSPI from complaining about some of their dish's saturated fat and calories or other criticism about it not being 'authentic Italian', but at least, we now have a choice. I'll update this when I try other menu items, which will be soon. Update-Not as soon as I promised-06.23.17-Not much changed, but the service was fantastic, from the server to the manager. I don't go here often and don't know why. In Greenwood, it is second for Italian only after La Trattoria. Great prices. Still just had the soup and salad. Love that salty minestrone.

O'Reilly's Irish Pub-02.06.16-Greenwood/Center Grove Area-We stopped for a late Saturday lunch. At last, a place that seems like a neighborhood bar. I can't put my finger on why, but maybe it was the layout, or the decor, the bar itself or the people. Anyway, there was a decent size crowd for Saturday at 2pm. There is also a family area, completely separated from the bar with one pool table, some games and individual TVs in each booth. Yay! Not that I don't like families but one should be able to enjoy a bar atmosphere without distractions. Lots of TVs. All at least 50 inches and in both areas. We sat at the bar and were served by a friendly David. My only complaint is that the bar had a bar top rail, which makes it hard to get to your food. Many bars have this and I wish they didn't. It's awkward. Of course, we could have sat at a table, but we prefer the bar. I had a Guinness and the Veggie Burger with Slaw. The burger was great and I spiced up the slaw with a little hot sauce. My wife had a huge Tenderloin with Fries, which she liked. The prices were reasonable. They were building a patio while we were there. We will definitely return.

Osteria Pronto-JW Marriott Hotel-Downtown Indianapolis-January 2014-This is a review of the Sunday brunch. It is a feast! Everything you would expect, and more. I go crazy here. Eggs cooked to order, potatoes, pastries, juice, coffee, fruits, etc., all included at a very reasonable price. For the meat lover, there is plenty. Great, modern decor. Good service. Vibrant bar scene. We also like dinner and I will do a review once we have dined there again.
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Outback-South Indianapolis-11.04.16-I had not been here for years and my wife wanted to go and have a steak. I though there might have been some inside updates but it just looked old and tired. The service was okay. I had the Fettuccine Alfredo which was average. I know, why did I go to a steak place and have pasta? My wife had a Rib-eye Steak, which she said was excellent, with a baked potato and broccoli. The disappointing part revolved around a martini. I ordered one and knocked it over, spilling it on the table and the floor. Totally my fault. Now, most places would have comped a replacement. They did not. I had to pay for it. The server did ask if I wanted another, but I could sense that I was going to end up paying for two, so I declined. Okay, they had no obligation to comp it but I'm just sayin'. Last, The men's restroom was not pleasant.

Palomino-Downtown Indianapolis-Palomino is always on our short list when we opt to dine in downtown Indianapolis. It is in the heart of the restaurant district and close to shopping, sports venues and entertainment choices.
The service is first class and reflects a solid training experience. The menu is full of good things, is always served in an appealing way and is the correct temperature. The staff is very accommodating when we ask for a modification in how a dish is prepared.
If you want a vibrant bar scene, this is the place to be. The bar is large and comfortable.
All-in-all, this is a restaurant that earns the 'upscale dining' moniker.

Pearl Street Pizzeria and Pub-Downtown Indianapolis-April 2014-This was my second visit. We had the appetizer Caprese Skewers. Tasty, but a bit overpriced. The accompanying Crostini was fantastic Our entree was a cheese/mushroom pizza. Their pizzas are now my favorite! The wine pour was also more generous than most places. Our server, Samantha, was courteous and attentive. We will definitely return.

P.F. Chang's-Downtown Indianapolis-April 2014-Being a vegetarian, I love this place. I always get the Ma Po Tofu, which is plentiful and tasty. Brown rice also. My wife likes the tuna and the presentation is awesome.. When we visited they were slammed, however, our reservations got us seated quickly. Don was our server and he was very good. Calm in the face of lots of diners. We enjoyed his service and attention.

 Pico De Gallo-02.15.17-Another Mexican restaurant, in the old Bistro 226 spot (miss it.) The menu here is a pretty standard, large selection one. I had the Vegetarian Taco Salad. Lots of veggies and delicious. My wife had the Burrito Supreme but said the tortilla was way too doughy, and a Margarita which she liked. The restaurant is larger that it looks from outside and I like that it had four distinct dining areas, included the bar where we sat. The service was good. Not sure if they will utilize the patio area in warmer weather but hope so. Probably will not replace our favorite Mexican restaurant, the Margarita Grill, but I would certainly return when in the area.

Pine Room Tavern-Nashville, IN-March 2014-This is the best restaurant in Nashville, Indiana. Even though it is in a rustic setting, the service and the food are presented in an fine dining manner. Much attention to detail and the willingness to somewhat modify menu items. Don't be mislead by it being in a strip center. You must try the french fries. They are wide cut but very crispy. Don't know how they do it. Sadly, they discontinued the veggie burger in favor of one made with squash, which I did not try. Good wine and beer selection. I had soup and salad, both of which were tasty. My wife had a tenderloin, (huge-took some home) and asparagus. Delicious!

​Pioneer-Fountain Square Area-Indianapolis-10.14.15-A long wait for this place to open. Mixologist on duty. Very limited and eclectic menu right now, ala Bluebeard. We sat at the bar and were served by friendly and knowledgeable staff. I had a Cavatini pasta dish that was fantastic!  The restaurant is nicely appointed and has an entertainment stage in the main dining room. I will return with my wife, soon, for a more thorough review.

Primanti Bros.-Downtown Indianapolis-10.28.16-In the old California Pizza Kitchen site. Totally redone. It has a really good bar atmosphere with a great horseshoe shaped bar. Lots of TVs, music playing, etc. We were there on a scouting mission so we just had a beer. The menu was pretty extensive and I look forward to eating there the next time we visit. The bartenders and hostesses were friendly. Definitely will return.

Public Greens-Broad Ripple Area-Indianapolis-08.22.15-Another Martha Hoover establishment and it is great. One reason is that that there are many vegan/vegetarian options. It is a walk-up-and-order-and-then-pick-up-your-food concept. The menu is a giant blackboard. The ambiance is definitely cool, with employee selected music playing and it is located right along side the Monon Trail, giving one an opportunity to people and dog watch.. You might know that they give 100% of their profits to the Patachou Foundation to help feed children. There is also a micro farm just on the other side of the Monon Trail, from which they get some of their ingredients. I had the Vegan Chili and the Vegan Greek Kale Salad, both fantastic. My wife had the Indiana Salmon Nicoise and she gave it a 10. This is not a pretentious place and the employees were all friendly and helpful. Now my go-to place in Broad Ripple.

Puckett's-Downtown Nashville, TN-August 2014-We ate breakfast here on a Saturday and it was packed with tourists. The reason is good service and great food. We had a wait, but it was worth it. Our server was attentive and kept us informed as to the progress of our order, which took a while. Great location downtown. They also have various items for sale. Worth a visit.

Punch Bowl Social-Downtown Indianapolis-09.22.16-This is a huge place with all sorts of games, including bowling. Basically my buddy were just on a scouting mission so we just had a beer. Very noisy, but with several dining areas, some of which may have been quieter. Looks like fun and a great place to party. Can't rate the food.

Punch Burger-Downtown Indianapolis-March 2014-Diner-like atmosphere with great burgers. They have vegetarian and vegan and build your own versions . Beer and wine also! We will return.

Prime 47-Downtown Indianapolis-January 2013-Elegant decor, however, very noisy. Great service. Good food. We split a wedge salad and vegetable sides. The bread pudding was tasty. Since we ordered only vegetables, we can't comment on the other menu items.

Rathskeller-Downtown Indianapolis-01.23.15-This was a good experience. This night there were probably 400-500 restaurant patrons during the course of the evening, all served from one kitchen. Not a problem. We were served promptly and received our food in a reasonable amount of time. First, we were given a basket of bread with a large pretzel. Good, but watch out for the mustard. It will take your breath away. They warned us. I had a large salad and my wife's baked potato. Very good. My wife had chicken over a bed of rice. It was a chicken breast sliced very thin. Tasty, but a little dry. Prices are reasonable. It's noisy and crowded downstairs but quieter upstairs. I like either. Soak up the history of the Athenaeum.

Rebar-Downtown Indianapolis-09.22.16-This is a small place but has an upstairs section. Interesting beer concept. You get a card, which you place above the beer you want and then pour however much you want and it is recorded. Not unlike Tastings for wine. My buddy and I shared the Wisconsin Cheese Curds, which were very good, and I had the Black Bean Burger with Fries. It was a little mushy but really good mushy. Most places that have mushy veggie burgers can't do it right. The fries were great. An interesting shape served with three dipping sauces. My buddy had the BLT with Chips. I think he liked the sandwich and the chips were great. There was recorded music which, surprisingly, did not really interfere with the rest of the ambiance or our ability to talk. The customers were an eclectic group, as was the staff, which adds to the experience. This rates a return trip.

Red Lion Grog House-Fountain Square Area-Indianapolis-04.04.15-This was my third visit and I am not crazy about the atmosphere. It is a little too dark and shopworn for my tastes. They get good reviews, so maybe this is just not a good match for me. Anyway, our server, Wynnie, was attentive, polite and friendly. I had the veggie burger and slaw. The burger was just okay I thought it might be the same as Wuzzlers which I understand has some mutual ownership.) My wife had the fish sandwich with tater tots. She gave the fish a 6 out of 10. "Too much breading." The tater tots were very good, as they are at Wuzzler's. Something that is perhaps not under their control are the restroom facilities. They are shared with a couple of other establishments and are located in a back connecting hallway, which is pretty funky-nice. Anyway, there was no toilet paper to be seen, no paper towel or even a dispenser. Maybe this is a locals favorite and provides a nearby location for them. I don't hate it but I don't love it.

Red, the Steakhouse-Downtown Indianapolis-06.22.17-My buddy and I were on a scouting mission and had drinks at the bar. This is a beautiful space, what I would call 'sleek and contemporary.' The manager took us on a tour. There are three levels, including the mezzanine, which is a fantastic space that almost looks suspended between the other two levels. This is where we hope to bring our foodie group. There is private dining available. All-in-all, I believe this will quickly rise to the top of Indianapolis steakhouses, but bring a fat wallet. I will update this after we have had dinner here. You might wonder why I gave this 5 stars, but I'm optimistic that the food will be as good as the decor. Update-08.30.17-A group of ten of us had dinner and were seated in the mezzanine. It turns out that this space is really LOUD, perhaps due to where it is situated. The noise and the music just seemed to envelop us. When asked, they did turn down the music. Loud seems to be the current theme in a lot of new restaurants. One little hitch is that we ordered wine before asking for the Devour Indy menus and it turns out that there were some reasonably priced wines that could have saved us $10-15. Wine was not shown on the on-line menu. We were told, after ordering the wine, that two of them were not available but later it turned out that one of them was. Would not expect that in this kind of a restaurant.I wish the Devour menu had been given to us right away, without having to ask. The food was generally very good except that the Mussels were not and the Chicken was dry. What I loved is that they have vegetarian and vegan selections. I had two, really delicious dishes, Pasta and a Stuffed Tomato, each $34 (Gulp!.) I messed up, thinking the tomato was a side dish. An order of the Four-Cheese Mac 'n Cheese was passed around and was very good. The Fresh-N-Hot Doughnut Holes were not a favorite of some of us but I liked them, so I gladly ate some of the other's. We felt for the servers, as the restaurant is actually on three levels and they had to walk up and down. There is an elevator for diners. Also, from what I could tell, the restroom was on the third floor, so, if you were downstairs, you had to go up. Seems like a fail there. They were busy, probably due to Devour Indy. Our server, Lisa, did a good job of dealing with a group that eats out a lot and has strong opinions about food and service. For us, this is an expensive place but, overall, I give it a four out of five.

Reflect Social Dining-Hilton Metrotown, Burnaby, B.C.-just outside of Vancouver-07.05.15-Best brunch ever! It was actually a combination of breakfast, lunch and dinner and had everything. All the expected breakfast items plus fruit, cheeses, eggs benedict, carved prime rib, pasta, crab legs, shrimp, mussels, sushi, dim sum, etc. Unlimited mimosas and coffee. Large selection of desserts. A bit pricey at $34 Canadian? Maybe. The only slip up was that they were not ready at the time they were to open, so there was a bit of a rush around by the staff. The service was excellent. If you like brunch, go there!

Repeal-Fountain Square Area (Fletcher Place)-Indianapolis-07.23.15-This is located in the former Virginia Avenue State Bank and has the original terra cotta exterior. Built in 1924, it is on the National Register of Historic Places. It is next to the 12.05 Distillery, where their spirits are made. Inside are some distinct dining areas, booths and tables, plus a great bar (that needs more stools.) Chandeliers adorn the ceiling in one area and you can see the distillery through large windows. Our server, Marlena, was eager to serve us and made sure that all of our questions were answered. I had the Cream of Mongole soup, which was excellent and the Summer Vegetable Hash, which was not to my liking and a little bland. Probably just me. My dining buddy had the Mock Turtle Soup and said it was delicious and very beefy, and the Pimento Cheese Sandwich with bacon, which had a little too much bread and not enough pimiento cheese.Mostly we enjoyed it and will return. Update-08.01.15-Returned with my wife for lunch and we both had the egg salad sandwiches and I had the Mongole soup, still excellent, again. The sandwich was okay, but I should remember that egg salad outside of the home never tastes as good. The menus are a little limited but seem to change often. That's okay, unless you have favorites that disappear. I want to try more vegetarian dishes when they have them.

Revery-Greenwood IN-October 12, 2014-Normally, I would not review a restaurant open less than a week, but this is an exception. We had 6:30 reservations and it was already packed. They were turning away walk-ins. The restaurant is in the heart of downtown Greenwood and had been eagerly awaited. There are not many restaurants of this caliber in the area. First, a look at the facility. It is larger than we expected. There is a front dining room with large windows, a middle room, which is more intimate and quieter and a back room where there were groups set up. Also, in the front, a good looking bar area. Our server, Jacqui, was very friendly, knowledgeable and attentive. We both had the sink salad, with iceberg, cheddar, buttermilk ranch, sunflower seeds and egg. Delicious! I had the pappardelle with roasted  mushroom, Parmesan and double cream. Wow. It was great! My wife had the veal & mushroom meatloaf with pomme puree, dill butter, carrots and pan gravy. She gave it a 10 out of 10. All the food was delivered at the proper temperature. Portions were mid-sized and the cost was reasonable. You would not know that they just opened. We can't wait to return. Update: 11.05.14-We have been there two more times. Same great food and service. Things they need to address include the cold draft from the front door when it is opened, the sun glaring through the west windows, the bench seats which move every time someone else sits down or gets up and informing diners that the nitro popcorn costs $3. To my recollection, we were not told.

Rick's Boatyard-Eagle Creek Area-Indianapolis-Go in warm weather for the deck view. We had a great sunday afternoon at Rick's, sat inside but still enjoyed the view of Eagle Creek. Too hot outside. Our server, Savannah, did a great job. It did not seem crowded, however, if you were to put all of the people inside and outside in one room, it would probably be full. The restaurant is large. I had the Linguine Roma, which was very good. My wife had a Lobster Tail with rice and slaw, The lobster was just okay, the slaw was very bland but the rice was excellent. We like this place and will return.

Rock Bottom Brewery-Downtown Indianapolis-09.29.15-I'll start with the food. Everything we had was very good. I had the Battered Onion Rings-best I have had in a while, and the Smoked Tomato & Kale Caesar Salad, which had a vegetarian dressing. My wife had the Chicken Avocado Sandwich with Mac 'n Cheese. Next, the service. Julie did a great job, being attentive without being overbearing. Last, the decor definitely needs an update. It looks old and tired. It was crowded, so it must still be popular. It's a beer lover's paradise. We will return for the food, hoping for a brighter look.

Rook-Fletcher Place/Fountain Square Area-Indianapolis-Relocated from a smaller space in Fletcher Place, this, to me, has no similarity to the old place. Certainly bigger, different menu, better service with a contemporary decor. Sort of a limited menu and, I being a vegetarian, did not see much I could order. I suppose I could have made some special request. Anyway, I had the Beet Home Fries without the bonito. So good that I asked for a second order. Very spicy. Yum!  My friend had the Sour Sausage Dumplings and Pig Face Hash, so now you get an idea of the menu. This is not a place to which I which I will return. Not their fault. I just need a different menu.

Rooster's Kitchen-Mass. Ave. Area-Downtown Indianapolis-10.27.16-This is in the old R Bistro site (good riddance- they were arrogance personified.) It is not a chicken place! The decor looked the same and they have a fairly limited menu. The servers were all very, very friendly and smiled all the time. How refreshing!. I had the grilled cheese with pan roasted new potatoes. Both were very good, although my favorite grilled cheese is still from The Yard. My buddy had some kind of pulled pork sandwich with carrots. He found the pork way too dry and asked for some au jus. Not sure it helped. The carrots, however, were fantastic. They had a good Thursday night crowd, however, it does not take too many customers to fill it up. Probably will not return anytime soon, only because nothing there grabbed us.
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Roscoe's Taco's-Greenwood, IN-04.20.16-This place has been around for awhile and I have been a a couple of times recently. Great selection of food, very clean, including the restrooms. I had two soft Beans and Rice Tacos. Outstanding. My wife had two soft Chicken Tacos. Also outstanding. You order at a counter and they call your name. Very friendly staff. Definitely a go-to-place for tacos, burritos, nachos and such.

Rosita's-Greenwood, IN-06.14.16-Nestled in a strip center off of County Line Road, across from Greenwood Park Mall, this is a nice mom and pop type of Mexican restaurant. As one would expect. the menu items are many. I had the Vegetarian Platter (7.25), with a large burrito, rice and beans. Very good!. My wife had three soft Chicken Tacos (Special Price of $3) and liked them a lot. Our dining partners shared the Steak Fajitas served with refried beans, Mexican rice, lettuce, guacamole, pico de gallo and sour cream and loved it. The service was really good and the staff took time to stop by our table and chat. There are actually two rooms, which makes the restaurant bigger than it first looks. Colorful tables and chairs were done by a staff member. Well worth a visit.

Runcible Spoon-Bloomington, IN-June 2014-We had not been here for two to three years, so we were excited to go, as it was one of our favorite places in Bloomington to eat. It's decor is cozy and well-worn, so be prepared. My wine bottle slid off the table. Great food and service. I had the black bean, vegetable and rice soup and a grilled cheese. Both excellent. My wife had the eggs Benedict (breakfast served all day-Yea!) and loved it. Add to this a reasonably priced bottle of wine and we were set. Outdoor dining, too. Coffee is one of their big things.
On the negative side, the bathroom was filthy, which makes one wonder about the rest of the place. I know this is a 'free spirit' kind of place, but come on!  Probably will not return because of that. This is so disappointing. I would have rated it much higher if not for that.

Ruth's Chris-Downtown Indianapolis-December 2013-What can I say. One of the best restaurants around. Can't wait until they open their new north-side location at 86th and Keystone. They even have a vegetarian plate for people like me. The bar scene is one of the liveliest. Pricey, though. Update-12.02.17-No change. Still good.

Stacked Pickle-Various locations-Great bar scene. Nice menu. The French fries are great and I love the bean burger. Even though we like it, it does not have anything special to bring us back on a regular basis.

Saint Joseph Brewery and Public House-Mass. Ave. Area-Downtown Indianapolis-07.15.15-My first comment is that this is a great space, located in a former church. Much of the original architecture seems to have been retained, including very high ceilings. I would not want the heating bill. I also like the way the seating was arranged, with a nice bar area and a seating area sort of separated from the main dining area. There are private rooms upstairs. You can also see the beer vats that are perched on what might have been a stage or altar. Our server, Tucker, was very friendly and helpful. Ask for him. I had the Grilled Vegetable Wrap with Pickled Vegetables. It was all good and Tucker brought me some Ranch/Sriracha sauce for dipping. My wife had the Classic Cobb Salad with chicken. She loved it. We both had wine, and Tucker made sure that my Chardonnay was cold. The prices were okay but not what one would call a great deal. The restrooms were clean. That is big for us. We will return.
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Sal's Famous Pizza-Moorseville, IN-08.18.15-It says Famous Pizza on the sign, but the menu is full of other Italian dishes. This is a rather small space but would seat about 50 in booths and some tables. It has the ambiance of a mom-and-pop store, even though there are other locations. Our server, Morgan, was attentive and, if he didn't have an answer, he checked. I had the Spaghetti Marinara, although I had asked for linguini. It was tasty and is made in-house each day. Also had Minestrone which was good, however it was not the traditional mix of vegetables, meaning no beans and was brothy. Good also. My wife had the Fettuccini Alfredo which she thought was very good and they were able to prepare it without garlic, which almost no other restaurant can do. She also had a house salad, which was pretty basic. We asked for butter but were delivered an other-than-butter whipped something in a little carton. Not good. The oil and bread, however, were very good. The first two types of wine we asked for were not available, so we had to make a third choice. Good wine bottle prices at $20.95. We wanted to cork the bottle and take it with us but were told they don't have the proper license for that. All-in-all, it was just okay.

Salt on Mass-Mass. Ave. Area-Indianapolis-09.07.16-This is a very contemporary-looking restaurant with a great looking bar. We were a party of seven and were seated in a nice circular booth. Being a vegetarian, there is not a lot on the menu for me so I had a side of Cauliflower and one of Crispy New Potatoes. Both were excellent. My wife had the Burger with Fries. She really liked the burger but thought the fries were a little limp, although great tasting. The problem was that the fries had pieces of garlic, not shown on the menu, and she is allergic to garlic. Big mistake by the restaurant. The big disappointment was our server, with our entire party thinking he was just too flippant and cavalier. It's okay to be friendly but please do not talk down to us. The prices were maybe a little high but not outrageous. My wife and I will return, but to sit at the bar, not have dinner.

Santorini's Greek Kitchen-Fountain Square Area-Indianapolis-Review coming soon. Have been several times but not lately.
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Scotty's Brew Club-Hillview Country Club-Franklin, IN-09.28.15-This place is a gem, situated in the clubhouse. The space was totally remodeled, has a great horseshoe-shaped bar (the only kind there should be), a dining area in the bar, another dining area off the bar and three outdoor seating areas. We sat at the bar and were served by Jessica, a perfect host. I had the grilled cheese with sauteed onions, tomato and a great sauce (bacon on the side taken home for my wife.) Also the Super Food Slaw. Both were great!! Good menu selection as well as beer, wine and liquor. What I liked was that Jessica said we could have our food prepared anyway we like, so I added stuff to my grilled cheese that I saw elsewhere on the menu, If this was closer to me I would be there a lot. Even so, I will return. Memo to Scott Wise: Please open a place in Center Grove-it would be packed all the time just like The Stacked Pickle.

Shapiro's Delicatessen-Near Downtown Indianapolis-September-2013-Huge sandwiches. Great desserts. Pretty pricey, but it is an institution and has a great cafeteria food selection. As close as we have to a real deli.

​Sidekick Pizza-Fountain Square Area-Indianapolis-08.24.17-This is in the Fountain Square Theater Building, and this particular space has been several different eating places over the years. We sat at the bar and were served by Tyler who took good care of us. Of course, we ordered individual 9" small pizzas. Mine was $8.74 including one extra topping. It was really good. This area needed a good pizza place and this is it.

SoBro Cafe-Broadripple Area-April 2014-This place gets great reviews so, since we were in the area, we decided to give it a try. I had the Veggie Grill with tempeh. Very good. My wife had a Breakfast Crepe with potatoes. Sadly, the potatoes were cold and she thought it was a bit pricey. The crepe filling was sparse and not too flavorful. We did not complain, so they may have fixed it if we had. The space is small, so be prepared for a little wait, although we were luckily seated right away. The door opens right into the dining area, so weather could be a problem.

South of Chicago Pizza and Beef-Fountain Square Area (Fletcher Place)-Indianapolis-06.11.15-Great evening sitting outside and people watching. I had the thin crust cheese mini pizza with mushrooms and tomatoes. Delicious! Sun King Cream Ale, too. Our server Kristen was friendly and attentive. Not much more to say except to suggest you go there for the pizza. 

Spoke and Steele-Downtown Indianapolis-02.14.15-This was a Valentine's Day dinner and, as such, the restaurant was busy. We were seated right away and served by Dante, who did a good job. This is another noisy place, which was not unexpected. Not real suited for a 'romantic' dinner, but we did not mind. We understand that you can dine in the lounge area of the hotel, which is first come first served. That might better lend itself to a quiet repast. I had the Morman Funeral Potatoes which is hash browns, mushroom creme, pickled scallions and corn flakes, in a skillet. Fantastic! Also the Tomato Bisque. Good, but not the best I have ever had, and not quite hot enough. My wife had the 'Shredder' burger, with fries. She rated the burger an 8/10, although a little thin, considering it was $14. The fries, thick cut, were very good. The decor is contemporary and 'New Yorky', which we liked. The bar is right in the dining area and has quite a few seats. Good for a casual stop. We like that they strive to use Indiana ingredients. This is not a place for the faint-of-wallet, but worth a visit. We will return.

Stella-Indianapolis Mass. Ave. Area-07.13.17-Previously Pizzology-Enter on East Street. Looks pretty much the same but has a full bar. We sat at the bar and had drinks and a small plate. The bartender was friendly and knowledgeable. I had the Wood Charred Broccoli with Farro and Black Garlic Rouille ($7). It was very good. My buddy had the Roasted Cauliflower with Pine  Nuts, Pickled Chilis and Breadcrumbs ($7). It was even better and what I would order next time. We did not try any of the large plates, but one of them was vegetarian. I plan to return and try more items from the menu.

Stone Creek Dining-Greenwood IN-May 2014-This restaurant does a great job with large groups, which I have been a part of the last two visits. I love the Marinated Grilled Tofu with baby Carrots, broccolini, butternut squash, wild mushroom wellington, baby zucchini with beurre blanc. It is actually a feast of tastes. I have had pasta, which I also like. The service has been impeccable, they have great early bird specials and, on Monday, 1/2 price wine bottles. It is owned locally and is part of a several-chain business, all of which do a great job. They get it!

Table-Carmel IN-02.10.16-I know potato chips are not what they want to be known for, but you must try them. This is located within the giant Market District store. It is a very tastefully decorated space, with a separate full bar that has some comfortable couch seating. There is also a patio area. We had lunch in the dining room. The service was okay. I had the veggie burger with a side of vegetables and THE BEST POTATO CHIPS ever, waffle style, made in house. It was all good. My wife had the Cobb Salad with all of the ingredients being plentiful. She liked it a lot. The market itself is huge with just about every grocery item one would want. Lots of specialty areas such as the bakery, fish market, meat, etc. There was also a small cafe in the market proper. If you are in the area, it is definitely worth a visit.

Taste Cafe and Marketplace-SOBRO Area-Indianapolis-03.12.16-Okay, I know this is in SOBRO, so I guess a certain amount of funkiness is expected. Can you still say funky? The decor and furniture was what I would call 'Early Chip and Dent.' The staff was friendly and accommodating. We sat at a communal table which allowed us to look over the entire place and to stare at the other patrons. You order at a counter and they bring it to you. The food: I had the V8 Salad, so named due to having eight ingredients. Best salad I have had out in a long time. Great dressing and no piling on of lettuce. It was enough for me take some home. My wife had the Ham and Egg Wrap which came with a small Beet Salad, which was excellent. The taste of the wrap filling was very good, however, the vinaigrette dressing soaked the wrap and made it fall apart. A little more attention should be given to keeping the coffee in the carafes hot. Two were lukewarm, although they gladly nuked my wifes cup. Total bill-$22 including one coffee.The thing we did not like is that the unisex bathroom was in need of some cleaning and updating. This always makes me wonder about the kitchen. Even so, we would return, because of the food.

Tastings-Conrad Hotel-Downtown Indianapolis-We enjoy this place but usually do not bother with tasting the wines and just order a bottle from their list. If you want to try a bunch of different wines, then do the tastings. The food is really good. Try the great spinach and artichoke dip and blue cheese kettle chips.

Tavern on South-Downtown Indianapolis-August 2014-Always have liked this place. On this visit I had the creamy roasted tomato soup with mushrooms and artichokes. It was fantastic, so good I took some home. Also had the black bean wrap which was excellent, accompanied by home made potato chips, which were great. I know, lots of superlatives, but well earned. My friend had a steak dish which he said was good, as well as the soup. There is an outside upper level which from which you can enjoy downtown. I have not been up there. We sat at the bar and received excellent service from the server. Great atmosphere, casual but comfortable. Free parking right outside.Close to Lucas Oil Stadium and Victory Field. No, I don't have a financial interest. lol.

Taxman-Bargersville, IN-04.04.15-This is a really nice place, right in the heart of Bargersville, in a great building. They brew their own beer and it is distributed around the area. Lots of at-the-bar seating as well as lots of seating in general. We went for lunch and I had the veggie burger w/fries. It was very good. Crispy on the edges, which almost no other place does. My wife had the tenderloin, also w/fries and gave it an 8 out of 10. Would have been higher if a little less greasy. For drinks, I had the Winter Wheat which I liked. My wife had a glass of Pinot Noir which she liked. Update-10.01.16-Still great, except that they no longer have the veggie burger. I had the Kale Salad ($10) (I hear all the jokes about kale, but I love it and have it at home a lot, sometimes sauteed.) It was very good. My wife had the House Salad with Salmon ($14) and said it was also very good. Great food and beer in an unlikely place. Try it.

Thaitanium-Mass. Ave. Area-Indianapolis-06.22.17-Located in the old Cropichon et Bidibule space, this is welcome addition to the area. Completely re-done inside, it has a warm, sort-of-Asian feeling and a great menu. I had the Thai Fried Rice, $11.99, minus the egg with tofu as my protein. It was excellent and a generous serving. I like that there are several options that include tofu. My friend had the Crab Rangoon $6.99, and the Basil Duck, $15.99, and liked them both. We sat at the bar and had good service. Not surprisingly, there was a steady flow of take-out orders. This has now became my favorite Asian restaurant in town.

The Eagle-Mass. Ave. Area-Indianapolis-02.17.16-This is the site of the now gone Front Page Tavern. Went for lunch. The menu is a little limited but has their signature comfort foods. I had a small order of Country Greens and the Mac & Cheese with Garlic Bread Crumbs. The salad was good and the M&C was very good. My wife had the M&C without the breadcrumbs and a 1/4 Chicken. She loved the moist chicken even though it was a little spicy for her, as was the M&C. The service was excellent and the portions were large. We were approached by several of the staff to see how we were doing. Lindsay, our server, was very polite and helpful. The decor is, ummm, backwoods country? Good beer selection but the wines were a little pricy. Food prices were good. There is a large patio area outside which will be popular. On the downside, it was noisy and the soul/folk/rock music being played was also too loud. The seating is mostly communal style. The bar stools did not have backs and no bar rail along one side, Anytime the door opened there was a blast of cold air that went through the whole place. We would recommend it, but, due to my wife's diet problems with spicy foods, would return only if asked by other people who wanted to try it.

The Eagle's Nest-Hyatt Hotel-Downtown Indianapolis-August-2013-We ate at the Eagles's Nest as a treat for our 13 year old granddaughter's birthday and her friend. The problem is that there are really no menu items for a 13 year old, let alone any price break for children. The best they can do is allow one entree to be split. The prices are generally just too high. Our bill was $200 for the four of us. This included a $34 bottle of wine, one appetizer, no salads, no dessert and the tip. Basically four entrees.
Now, we realized what we were getting into but feel that we should pass this along so that others will also.
If you want a romantic setting, a fantastic revolving view of the city and are willing to put up with high prices, then this is for you. In fact, there was an engagement and a marriage the night we were there. Service from our server was acceptable. Service from the helper staff was spotty; We waited forever to get some regular butter for the girls. Had to ask twice.The wait for the elevators was extraordinarily long. Valet parking is good and was only $10.
In summary, for the price we paid, we think the service should have been impeccable; however, there seems to be a trend in the higher priced restaurants to allow the service to be just okay.

The Garden Table-04.14.17-Broad Ripple Area-Indianapolis-This is distinctly different from the downtown Indianapolis site. It is Broad Ripple 'off-beat.'  Not bad, just different. It was a Friday at 2pm and was about half full. You order at the counter and pay then also. I always like that. Get your own stuff: silverware, napkins, condiments, etc. I had the Vegan Bahn-Mi sandwich ($12.) It had avocado, hummus, tomato, veggies and salsa verde on a baguette, with greens on the side. Delicious. Probably the best vegan sandwich ever. My wife had the BASIC B breakfast ($10) and she loved it. Plenty of bacon, two eggs, hash browns (the best kind-shredded and crispy) with toast. Restroom was clean. Yay! Don't be in a hurry, however, but do go there. Mass Ave. Area-Downtown Indianapolis-01.26.17-So happy to see this place open. Three of us went went on an early afternoon week day and ordered from the brunch menu. The decor is what I would describe as light industrial/contemporary with an original west brick wall and some interesting lights and such. Nice large windows on the street side, with a patio area where you would expect street parking. Not sure how that gets done, but it will be literally street-side. Techno-beat music playing on the sound system. Nice horseshoe-shaped bar, where I would like to sit next time. Our server Blake L was friendly and attentive. I had the Butternut Squash Soup, which was good, and Hash Browns which were excellent, balls of potato, crisp on the outside, soft inside. My wife had the Nancy the Ham Lady, ham, cheese, avocado, greens, hash browns and an egg on a brioche bun. She liked it a lot. Her daughter had the Little Chix Pot Pie, which we don't see in the on-line menu. It was billed as a Veggie Pot Pie, but it did have chicken, which the server did point out. She said it was delicious. Biggest draw-back is that the lukewarm tap water tasted awful. Not enough to keep us away. We will definitely return.

The Koelschip-Near Northside-Indianapolis-07.28.16-Now, this is a beer place! Just beer, as far as I could tell. It is a smallish space with a bar and a few tables. Sort of an industrial look. Friendly and knowledgeable bar people. For a touch of whimsy, they have frames on the wall, but instead of pictures, they have written a description of popular paintings, such as 'Dogs Playing Poker' and 'Couple With Pitchforks.' Go there if you like beer.

The Libertine-Mass. Ave. Area-Downtown indianapolis-10.22.15-This place is in a basement area under Pizzology. It has sort of a dungeon atmosphere. Not very big, with low ceilings. Not unpleasant, just different. Mixologist on duty. The cocktail menu has lots of strange sounding concoctions, so i tried one. Don't usually. It was the Tuxedo, a vodka based drink with lots of other stuff in it. Pretty tasty and strong. To eat, I had the deviled eggs which they graciously fixed as a vegetarian item with a good horseradish taste. Excellent. My dining buddy had the grilled cheese with oxtail, which he liked. Not a place we will take our wives to. A little noisy for them. It is worth a visit and I think will draw a good area crowd.

The Mug-10.10.16-Irvington Area in East Indianapolis-Nice place, tucked away in a corner with a few other shops and close to residential areas. They are proponents of the 'slow-food' movement. You order at the counter and they bring it to you. My buddy and I sat outside on a perfect October evening. Lots of sandwiches and sides as well as beer and wine. We were there basically on a scouting mission, so all we had was a beer and we split some onion rings, which were terrific! I envy people in the near neighborhoods who can just walk to the shop. It was Monday and there was a steady stream of customers.When I am in the area, I will definitely return. There is also a 'slow-food' grocery store next door.

The Tap-Downtown Indianapolis-10.14.15-This is one cool place. Large, with a big outdoor area which has a great gas fixture down the middle of a long table, where you can sit on either side. Fun to sit there if you don't mind a little city grit and close-by traffic. Another gas fixture around which people were sitting. Anyway, it has a great looking bar, separate room upstairs, place for a band, etc. Not surprisingly, it has a huge selection of beers. Really among the top bars I have been to. We didn't eat, except for some blue cheese chips, which were good. Looking forward to a return trip.

The Tamale Place-Greenwood, IN-05.13.15-Another great lunch! The shop is bigger than we expected and the decor is sort of 'cantina', with wooden picnic benches and some contemporary lighting along with some industrial touches. The menu for tamales is displayed on a digital screen and does not necessarily include all of the tamales on the main menu. The tamales are prepared over a 24 hour period so the day's list reflects what they have available. I had a veggie tamale ($3.59) in green sauce, which was a little bland until I added some hot sauce (27 cents extra.) It, then, was really good and tasted authentic. My taste buds require a little heat, so maybe others would not need the sauce. My wife had two steak and egg tacos ($5.98), which she said were great. Clean restrooms, too. We will definitely return and try the nachos, black beans and rice, etc.

​Three Carrots-Fountain Square-Indianapolis-12.09.17-YAY-VEGAN HEAVEN!-My wife and I had brunch and my Country Breakfast ($12) was delicious. It was vegan egg, deep fried seitan, roasted potatoes and kale smothered with vegan gravy. My wife had the B&G ($8)-rosemary biscuits with white gravy and roasted potatoes. The biscuits were sweet tasting, which might be by design. Both of our potato dishes were cold and my 'egg' was also. Given that they opened very recently, I will give them a pass on the temperature and the slow food delivery. The portion sizes were generous. Gender neutral bathrooms-another yay! The stools could use backs. There is a bar area and wine and beer is served. Open kitchen, right up front. Our server, Rose, was friendly and attentive. I will be back anytime I possibly can.

Three Carrots-City Market-Downtown Indianapolis-October 20, 2014-Yea! A totally vegetarian place. It is in a tiny little space but who cares? Being a vegetarian, they have what I need, I went for lunch and had the Seitan Banh Mi. It was really tasty. Blue chips and salsa were included. $7.50 might be just a little pricey, but, where else can I get this? The operation the day I was there was a two person effort. One mostly taking orders and the other making the food. The order taker was polite and efficient. While I was waiting, there was a steady flow of customers. I really hope they make it and plan to try just about everything on their menu.

Tinker Street-Near North Side-Indianapolis-May 23, 2015-This is Peter George's new restaurant at 16th and New Jersey and it is a hit with me! It has an attentive and enthusiastic staff which made you feel welcome, without being overbearing. Our server, Martin, is the best! I could so on and on about the service. Suffice it say, it was impecable. Next, the menu. Limited, but with something for everyone, including me, a vegetarian. Nothing over $19. Next, the food. The meal was started with a complimentary glass of Prosecco, a nice touch. I had the Tinker Soup, which was, last night, 'dueling beets' with red and golden beet puree and other good things. My entree was the Campanelle with English peas, morels, spring onion and parmesan. Delicious. My wife had the Romaine salad and the pan roasted chicken breast with snap peas and mushroom broth. She gave it a 10. Last, we had the berry shortcake. Just perfect. The decor is a trendy mix of exposed ceiling in a bistro-like setting plus a great covered outdoor area. This is must-return-to restaurant.

Thunderbird-Fountain Square Area-Indianapolis-April, 2014-It has been open about two months and seems to be going through some re-invention. The menu on their web site, and the one handed to us, had several items which were not available. They brought out a hand printed spring menu, later printed, with different items. The ambiance is 'cool industrial' with a great bar surface. We both had the grilled cheese, which was delicious. No chips or fries available, however. Good beer selection and plenty of alcoholic drink options. All-in-all, we liked it. We were a bit early, so there were not many people. Go at dinner time, or even later.

Tini-Mass. Ave. Area-Downtown Indianapolis-September 2014-'Tini' from 'Martini' bills themselves as a Vodka and Video Bar. They do have Vodka and show music videos on several screens. It is a cozy place with two separate but adjoining sides, each long and narrow. We sat at the bar. The other side was not being used but "will be later in the night" according to the bartender. I had the day's drink special which was a bargain at $5, even though the web site showed $4. The food options were a little confusing. Even though the web site has nine items, the bartender said there were only three snacks available. Maybe, later, the full menu is available. We had the hummus and pita bread. Very good. Will probably return, only a little later in the evening. Worth a stop, but if you need food, call ahead.

Tow Yard Brewing-Downtown Indianapolis-April 2014-Open about a month, this looks like a hit. My friend and I went on a Thursday, early, and it was already packed. It's a large space with two bars, a deli and a cafe, in addition to lots of regular seating. Looks like they will also have some outdoor seating. My friend had the Pig Vicious sandwich, which he really liked. I had the Deli Lama vegetarian sandwich. It was a little bland for my taste and too large, with a bagel, to eat gracefully. Both sandwiches needed a knife and fork, which were plastic and did not hold up very well. Maybe they had regular silverware. We didn't ask. Music in the background was trendy and not too loud. We sat at a bar and had good service. Great beer selection and another industrial-chic ambiance. Worth a return visit.

Trattoria Italian Kitchen-Burnaby, B.C. just outside of Vancouver-07.05.15-This is out favorite British Columbia restaurant. It is fairly new but has come along fast. We went twice during our vacation. It has a great vibe and ambiance with terrific servers. Our server, Jennifer was friendly and professional. Our pizza maker, Giuseppe Cortinovis was the best. Watching him put together pizza after pizza was a treat, and no cover charge! The pizza was great. On the other visit I had the chopped salad with many ingredients. It was terrific.  My wife had Linguini with olive all and parmesan. She rated it a nine. If you are in the Vancouver area you must go there.

Tried and True Ale House-Center Grove Area-Greenwood IN-More details coming later. This is the third iteration of a restaurant in a short period of time. The first was Louie's Bar, which we liked, the second was Mucky Duck which we did not like and now this one. Our initial visit was good. The decor has changed again and has a much more open feel and additional TVs. Our favorite bartender from another place is now here, so we look forward to seeing her. This visit was for lunch. Our server, Rick G was pleasant and helpful. I had the Black Bean Burger, which was great and Cole Slaw, which was okay, but average. My wife had the Taco Salad which was very flavorful and a nice portion size. Our daughter had the Fried Pork Tenderloin, her first ever, and declared it great. It was crisp without being greasy. She also had the Brussels Sprouts, which others had raved about. We did not really like them. They were mushy, by design I think, but we did not like that. We hope to make this our 'neighborhood bar' and come often. The only negative is that there is probably not enough at-the-bar seating.

Union 50-Downtown Indianapolis-July 2014-Wow! What a place. Am I in Indianapolis?. Beautiful decor, lots of space, with a fantastic looking, to-the-ceiling bar, also a lounge area with comfy furniture and what looks like a private room for groups. There is a great outdoor area with, I think, fire pits. My friend and I sat at the outside bar table that abuts the sidewalk. A great place to people watch. I had the baby kale salad and hand cut fries. Both were great. You can choose how the fries are prepared and also choose two sauces. My friend had the wood fired wild mushrooms and the seared duck shortrib and pronounced them terrific. This will be the go-to place. The Cunningham Group does it again. Update-07.27.14-Went again two days after first visit and sat at a high top in the bar area of the main room. The service was impeccable Our server, Jane,  was the 'server from heaven.' My wife and I had a cheese board. Plenty of cheese, for a reasonable price at $12. My wife had the special, a grilled salmon dish, $32, which she rated a 10!   I had the vegetarian version of the roasted half chicken, sans chicken, replaced with wild mushrooms. Very rich and tasty except I don't like the rubbery texture of the shitakes. One complaint is that there are some games at the east end of the main room, I'm sure to attract young men. The problem is that they generate whoops and hollers that sort of disturb the dining atmosphere. Strange they were not placed in a separate room. They also cut down on available dining space and just don't fit the ambiance of the main room. There is a parking lot too, and they take dining reservations. Love it! Update-12.01.14-Well, this time we had a party of five and were seated in what I would call the back room. The table configuration is horrible and uncomfortable. The whole room just seems like an afterthought. As usual, the food was good, as was the service. My hope is to never have to sit back there again. Ask for the main room.

Vida-Downtown Indianapolis-03.27.16-Partly using the old Amici's space, this is a great addition to fine dining in a casual atmosphere. There are two main sections, as well as a banquet space upstairs and with what looks like will be a patio area in the front.. We sat in the bar side, which was a little noisy but okay for just four people. If you have a larger party I recommend you use the more formal side.The decor is contemporary with an open kitchen and the herbs they use are on display on a kitchen wall. Our server, Amanda, gave us the best service we have had in a long time. Just outstanding! My wife and I are a server's nightmare, as I am vegetarian plus do not eat eggs, and she is allergic to garlic and spicy stuff. Dinner started with an amuse-bouche which I could not eat, but Amanda persevered and brought me a vegetarian version. I had the entrée size Mixed Grain Salad ($20), which I liked a lot. My wife had the Tagliatelle Pasta ($25) which was very flavorful and Amada brought the egg on the side so that I could try the pasta. The chef also provided a fava bean puree without garlic for the sauce. For dessert, we shared the Coffee Bavarian. It was delicious.Good wine list, also. They also provide wine pairings and a chef's tasting, five course dinner. I predict that this will be another go-to restaurant, as are Cunningham Group's Union 50 and Mesh. Another thing I liked is that they had two uni-sex bathrooms, a feature I would like to see in other restaurants.

Vino Villa-Greenwood IN-July 2014-We have been here a few times over the past two-three years and have always enjoyed it. This trip, we were able to enjoy great weather and dine outside. They have a large area in which to do so. Our meal was just a Quattro Formaggi Pizza, but what a great one! The cheeses were a delicious combination and it was inexpensive. The rest of the operation is housed in a converted house, with comfy seating, porch seating and a second floor bistro. One quirky thing is that they do not list wine bottle prices on the menu. When we ordered two glasses, the server did tell us that a bottle would be cheaper, if we were getting another two. Okay, but the explanation was convoluted in the sense that there was a bottle price, added to which was a corkage fee, I guess because the bottle comes from their retail wine and cheese operation. Why not just list the bottle price? Our server was polite, chatty and attentive, except for the fact that he never brought the salt and red pepper flakes we asked for. This, even though he later came to the table and asked if we needed anything. Guess his mind was elsewhere. Not a big deal. We will definitely return.

Volare-Chicago-07.08.17-Recommended by a relative. You can guess that it is Italian. Good place. I had a custom Pasta Dish ($18) with linguine, mushrooms, peas and tomato sauce. Delicious, but I must say it tastes just like my homemade sauce, which is also delicious. My wife had a similar 1/2 order custom Pasta Dish ($6) with linguine, olive oil and cheese. Also delicious. I ordered wine and there was a mistake. Not sure if it was me of the sommelier, probably me. The great thing is that they went with what I thought I ordered and charged me accordingly. This place is worth a visit.

Wings Etc.-Indianapolis-03.30.16-This is a little out of the way for us but we had a $20 gift card so, why not? It's a fairly large space and we went for lunch. Our server, Salena was friendly and accommodating. She probably wondered why, in a wings place, we ordered a Veggie Burger and a side ($9.99) and a Quesadilla ($8.49)-FREE gift card. My burger was really good as was my wife's quesadilla. Lots of TVs and a separate bar area, where we sat. The decor looked a little tired but clean. The men's bathroom was fairly clean but sorely in need of some repairs. If we are ever near one we would probably go again.

Wiseguy Lounge-Indianapolis Mass. Ave. Area-07.13.17-This bar is actually part of Goodfellas Pizzeria but is completely separated and it is not obvious that it is there. I had a glass of wine ($9) and my buddy had a beer ($9). They have several craft beers available. I like the ambiance. One would not know it had anything to do with the pizzeria. It's like a hideaway gem.with a real comfy bar feel. The bartender was friendly and professional. You can order food from the pizzeria. Worth a try.

Yard House-Downtown Indianapolis at Circle Centre-04.15.15-This place is huge, seating 692 with a very large bar that has 45 stools.There is a series of large ceiling pipes snaking through the seating area which transports the beer, 100 different ones on tap, from the vats to the bar. Sort of neat. By the time we left, around 1:00 pm, the restaurant was full. I love the menu. Lots of vegetarian items. Lunch specials too. The regular items seemed a little pricey. Burger and fries is $12.95. I chose the grilled cheese, with four different cheeses, and tomato bisque at $11.35. Both were terrific, My wife had the half roast beef dip at $9.95, which she rated a ten. She also had a classic ranch salad, which we shared. It was great. The restrooms were clean and modern-Yea! We will definitely return.

Yolk-Downtown Indianapolis-October, 2014-This restaurant is in the City Way complex and is open for breakfast and lunch. We were downtown and decided to give it a try. This is their only location outside of the Chicago area. The menu selections are many and has lots of vegetarian options for me. The service, provided by Ian, was very good. The first serving of coffee was lukewarm so Ian cheerfully replaced it. I ordered the Cheesy Egg Sandwich with potatoes. The sandwich was excellent but the potatoes were not hot and seemed to have been sitting around for a while. To spice up the potatoes, ask for a side of salsa and mix it in. My wife had the Breakfast Wrap with fruit and rates it an 8 out of 10. This is in a large space and looks like it can accommodate large groups. The decor is bright and the large windows help with the overall ambiance. Also, the restrooms were clean! We will return.

Zydeco's Cajun Restaurant-Mooresville, IN-This place is a lot of fun. Being vegetarian, I usually stick with the rice and beans, which are excellent. Our dining companions always love the shellfish and other traditional fare. Wear your New Orleans beads and be ready to party!
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