[INDY] Girl in Love A little Fall Gardening + What I'm Cooking: Chipotle Butternut Squash Soup

Where did our Fall go?  It seems like we jumped right into Winter here in Indiana.  How does it go from mid to upper 80s down to low 40s all in a span of a week?  Indiana weather is so finicky sometimes.

Over the weekend D's parents and a couple of his aunts made the drive down to Indy, bringing along plants, trees, and invaluable horticultural knowledge to help rescue our drab-looking back yard.  I gained a whole heap of information on how to properly spot and space each section and each particular plant.  Also, tips on watering and tools of the trade.  They even relocated existing plants that were on improper sides of the yard, moving some from the front to the back and vise verse.  It was such a fun experience and the work totally paid off.



There's a spot we left in the corner for a bench



Can't wait to add flowers to this mulch bed and maybe even some fish to the pond!



Loving the beautiful, bright red mums!

It turned out better than I would've imagined and was completed way faster, too.  I can't wait to see everything in bloom in the Spring.  It's going to look so lush in a couple years.

Later that evening, D and I hosted a BBQ with some of our good friends to fire up our new grill and fire pit.  Great times had by all!

What's a better way to embrace the drastic drops in temperature than to whip up a fantastic seasonal soup?  About a week and a half ago, I created an amazingly hearty and completely fitting Chipotle Butternut Squash Soup.  It is sure to warm you up on these dreadfully cold and misty days.

Preheat oven to 350°F.  I started with a standard, whole butternut squash that I halved and placed on a lightly oiled sheet pan and roasted in the oven for about an hour (until tender and scoopable). 

As the squash was coming to the end of roasting, I went ahead and prepped and diced my mirepoix (onion, celery and carrots).
 

I removed the squash from the oven to allow it to cool down enough to handle.  Once that was done, I scooped it out and collected the seeds (to be used later on in the recipe). 

Heat a large saucepan to medium heat and saute the mirepoix in about a half a tablespoon of canola oil until softened, covering and stirring often. 

Next, cube the cooled down squash and then combine it with the mirepoix. 

A key feature to this soup was the surprising combination of flavors produced, not only by the rich, buttery squash, but in the bold seasonings:

• 1 teaspoon of cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon of ground chipotle chile powder (a new favorite of mine!)
• 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon of all spice



Combine the seasonings into the pan and continue cooking all the ingredients for about 10 to 12 mins. 

Stir in approximately 3 cups of vegetable broth and 3 cups of chicken broth. Simmer for about 20 mins or until the vegetables are tender. 

I let it cool down for about 20 mins before taking an emulsion blender to it.  Although I was anxious to try a spoonful, the thought of hot liquid and veggies splashing up was too much to risk.  I put the blender on low and slow while adding a half cup of Greek plain yogurt and then pureed it down til all the chunks were smoothed out.

In the meantime, remember those seeds I saved after coring the squash?  I laid them on a cookie sheet, sprayed with canola oil, and then sprinkled with a little bit of salt and ground  chipotle.  Then I popped them in the oven for a bit to toast.

Horrible picture, but you get the point

Once everything was complete, I poured a bowl out for myself.  I am often quite generous when it comes to soup-topping.  I went with crumbled bleu cheese, chopped green onions, toasted & seasoned squash seeds, and just a dash of the chipotle chile powder! 

Mmm Mmm GOOOD!  I wish I still had some left but D and I (mostly me!) devoured it over the next few days.  This was one of those recipes that I really had to give myself a pat on the back because it was so unbelievably delicious! 

If you decide to give it a try, please let me know what you think!  Stay cozy these next few days.  It's not supposed to get back into the 60s until this weekend!!

What I'm Eating: Better late than never...Duos Food Truck (revisit), Fat Sammies Ciao Wagon, Binkleys (Chow Down Midtown) and Taste

Even though I went through a weeks-long blogging hiatus, that didn't mean I didn't still get my EAT on....

DUOS FOOD TRUCK (RETURN)

Take for instance, the Farmers' Market at Wishard held every (weather-permitting) Tuesday during the Summer and is located within walking distance of my work.  I think Wishard (or as it will soon be called [the new] Sydney and Lois Eskenazi Hospital) jumped the gun in calling it a Farmers' Market.  I think whomever is coordinating it needs to be researching a bit more vendors because it was looking a bit scarce (vendor-wise).  There were plenty of hungry and curious people venturing over.  I+ know they would have appreciated even more variety and options.  A little bit of produce, a local honey cultivator and some baked goods just wasn't cutting it.

 

But the main attraction was a familiar one for me: the Duos food truck (@DuosIndy on Twitter).  I had seen their tweets throughout the morning while at work and was super thrilled to see them posting up close by.  That day, they opted for an Asian-styled theme.  I went with the Pork Bahn Mi (a Vietnamese street sandwich with thinly sliced pork, julienned cucumber, pickled carrots and daikons, and cilantro and a slightly spicy aeoli on a baguette.  It seemed like they had prepackaged the sandwiches for a quick sale which is fine to do except it kind of sucked some of the life out of the sandwich.  The whole thing was a bit squished, the bread was a bit mushy and surprisingly, I thought the portion was a little weak for the price ($5) [I know that last time I tried Duos I complained about that sandwich being too big].   But the flavors were phenomenal and they even had a bottle of my fave Srirachi Sauce for a little added kit.

I also ordered their "Korean-style" soup: mushrooms, snow peas and chopped green onions in a miso broth.  I thought overall it was pretty delightful but nothing that blew my socks off. 

I totally understand that Duos probably has many kinks it has to work out regarding the menu and operationally which is why I would still eat there and also recommend them to others.  I dig their adventurous attitude and culturally diverse menus.  Keep on keeping on :)

FAT SAMMIES CIAO WAGON

Another day, several weeks ago, I was reading through my daily Tweets and saw that Fat Sammies (@FatSammies) was parked somewhere East of downtown.  I had been meaning to try them (as well as several others that I am slowly marking off my bucket list).  Turns out, they were parked on the corner of Washington and Johnson near the historical Irving Theater.  It was a beautiful, warm day so the area was buzzing with foot traffic and people lounging on patios.  Once I parked and approached the truck, I was greeted but a very nice man and woman.  I quickly browsed their small, limited menu and engaged in some chit chat.  They didn't have very many options to choose from but the ones offered sounded pretty good.  I decided to try the Meatball Sammie which came with an order of pasta salad on the side.  And to satisfy my sweet tooth, I additionally ordered the Nutella and Marscapone "sandwich". 

While waiting in line, a gentleman suggested I come sit, eat (my Fat Sammies) and enjoy a Sun King Cream Ale at the Irving theater while also checking out their Underground Writers' Series.  The hospitality and the enticement of the beer sold me so I made my way over there and tried to inconspicuously sneak into a seat in the back, trying not to disrupt the current author on stage.  Because I was dining during a live performance in the back of a dark, old theater, I was unable to photograph my food which is sadly an injustice to Fat Sammies (hopefully I'll have another chance to redeem myself).  Here are some of the notes I jotted down about the food:

• Meatball Sammie (1 giant moist and compact, flavorful meatball, onion relish on bottom, chunky marinara sauce on top, crumbled feta cheese on a flat bread) w/ pasta salad (large shell pasta (perfectly al dente), red onions, olive oil) perfect portion allowing for dessert.
• Dessert : nutella & marscapone "sandwich" on white bread and grilled. Magnificently simple, hazelnut, rich, sweet, buttery, melted&blended nutella and marscapone. 

My mouth is just watering thinking about the Nutella & Marscapone "sandwich"...the only suggestion I would have is to use a buttery croissant rather than plain white bread.  I stayed long enough to hear all of the author of Volt, Alan Heathcock (a bit of a Fred Armisen [SNL] lookalike).  I'm not sure that it was much of my scene but I was thankful that they extended a kind hand and chair to me so that I could enjoy my meal. 
I was a bit concerned before trying Fat Sammies that they would be very kitsch-y.  I had the guy from America's Next Great Restaurant in my head; you know, Joey, the creator of Saucy Balls. Yikes!  But my preconceived notions were incorrect and the food was exuberant, fresh and satiable!

CHOW DOWN MIDTOWN: BINKLEYS in SoBro

My excitement was barely containable about Chow Down Midtown once all the participating restaurants started revealing their special menus.  But when the event came, we were in the middle of our moving craziness and only had time to get to 1.  I was so disappointed in myself and D.  I was sooooooooo looking forward to trying at least 3 of the restaurants.  Unfortunately, it just didn't work out that way.  Next year, it's on and we'll plan better! 

Luckily, the one restaurant we got to go to, Binkleys, didn't let us down!

Course 1: Appetizers

Roasted Red Pepper Hummus: The classic Purée of chickpeas and roasted red peppers. Served with naan.  THE BEST HUMMUS I'VE EVER HAD!

Course 2: Entrees

(D) - Bleu Cheese crusted Filet Medallions: Two four ounce filet medallions with a seven spice rub and a blue cheese crust.  He chose onion rings and roasted potatoes.  D gave 2 thumbs up and ate almost everything on his plate.

(Me) - Tilapia: Pan seared tilapia topped with sautéed spinach, mushrooms, bacon, and red onions in a white wine butter sauce with roasted potatoes and green beans on the side.  Best complete meal I've had in months.  I could eat the roasted potatoes for breakfast, lunch and dinner.  I could only eat half so I boxed up the remaining.

Course 3: Dessert

Cannolis: We originally ordered the Triple Berry Cobbler but then our server thought they were out of so we ordered the cannolis.  But luckily, they found a couple more cobblers so we cancelled the cannoli order.  But to our delight, both were brought to the table.  Were were told to just keep them!  We took the cobbler home for later. 

D and I shared a wonderful date night adventure to a new place, and all for $30 + the cost of a couple rounds of drinks + tip.  You can't beat that.  Kudos to the Chow Down Midtown organizers!

TASTE (in Broad Ripple)

Recently, I met up with my friend, Tim, for a week day lunch-sesh.  I suggested we go to Taste in SoBro which was somewhat a middle meeting point.  I had been to Taste one other time but it had been a while and I wanted to go somewhere with an outdoor patio.  We went right at noon which was probably not the best idea because it was pretty crowded.  The line moved fairly quickly with just enough time to read through their options.  They have an extremely large (slightly overwhelming) menu that is both typed and written (in chalk) behind the counter.  They also display several items that can be purchased for take home that both tease and tantalize your taste buds. 

I decided on the Grilled Salmon Salad which was displayed as a daily special.  All the specials are listed without prices and to my dismay when I got up to the counter to pay, they were charging $15 for my salad!! That was very disappointing considering none of their other salads were over $8.  I decided to go with the Fish Tacos, instead.  Tim went with an egg, turkey, and spinach wrap. 

Once you order, you take a seat (anywhere that is available) and they will bring the food to your table.  We poured our own waters which are stationed near the cash register and are self-serve.  Then, we grabbed a two-top out on the patio.  The water glasses were so small that by the time I sat down, I was already ready for a refill (which the staff does not provide so I had to make my way back inside again).  The restaurant was noticeably busy.  It took over 25 minutes for our meals to come out and I remember thinking that if I was on a lunch break from work, this would be unacceptable.  My fish tacos came out first but I kindly waited another 5 minutes for Tim's food to arrive.

Tim was a little mixed on whether he liked his wrap.  If I remember correctly, he was a little thrown back by the intense (and weird) flavor of the horseradish cream sauce that dominated his palette.  Besides that, it was pretty pleasant.  Despite the horsey-blip, he ended up eating most of it; he's a growing boy! 

I really enjoyed my fish tacos.  Like always, I would have preferred the healthier alternative of corn tortillas but other than that I found very little fault overall.  I liked the light, spiciness of the accompanying salsa, all of the diced cilantro and finely shredded veg.  I was only able to eat 2 out of 3 before realizing I was stuffed. 

I've seen/read all of the accolades that Taste has received over the years recently and I felt a bit jipped. I think they need to retweek their customer service/process and maybe scale down their menu to focus on great food, made efficiently and served within a reasonable time.  I don't see myself jumping to get back there any time soon.



Needless to say, I've packed on a couple pounds over the past several weeks.  Nothing a little walking and cooking at home can't take care of.  Now I have to start trying out the south side joints!

What I'm Eating: Duos (Indy) - Slow Food Fast

I think I've already talked up my excitement for the emergence of food trucks in the Indianapolis area enough but there's just so much to choose from now.  Living downtown makes it all the more convenient for me to give them a try out so yesterday I logged onto Twitter to see where Duos (@duosindy) would be serving lunch: Alabama and Vermont from 12-2pm...BINGO!  Now, I contemplated walking there with Little Miss B but it was hot and I was afraid she would be a nightmare while I ordered and attempted to eat my food so we piled in my car and made the very short drive down. 

I'd seen the truck parked at various locations around town.  I swear, once you learn about something new, you see it everywhere; Law of Attraction at its finest. 

I made sure to bring a hearty appetite so that I could experience more of their food.  They had their selections listed on a chalkboard sign.  I was happy to see a nice variety of items to choose from: pasta, sandwich, salad, soup, dessert and a more obscure beverage lineup. 

I went with the Organic Arugula , Egg, Garlic Crouton Salad with a Smokey Vinaigrette AND the Sausage & Fontina Biscuit Sandwich with coleslaw.  I also ordered a Red Zinger Herbal Iced Tea (lightly sweetened) which was perfect for a Summer day!

Tart + Berry + a little sweetener <3 = Oooh la la!

I decided to wait and eat my food at home rather than in my car with B jumping around wildly but not before taking a nibble of the Garlic Croutons...yummo!  I made a makeshift bistro on my back deck and enjoyed the warm, sunny rays as I noshed on the salad. 

This picture doesn't do the salad justice!

I can't explain in words the joy with which fresh, crisp, slightly bitter arugula brings me.  I'm sure most people just say eh, it's just a leafy green but to me it is the nucleus of a kick-butt salad and that's exactly what Duos' salad did for me.  Their salad is very simple in ingredients and preparation but the flavors and textures combine to create complexity.  Starting from the base with the arugula and its sharp, bitter bites tossed in a smokey, sweet and sour vinaigrette.  Move to the sweet, ripe tomato slices.  Then the perfectly hard-boiled egg wedges and its earthy, funky yolks.  And finally the baked, toasted, buttery, garlicy croutons that add the necessary crunch.  I could've called it a day with that salad but remembered that I had purchased an entire other meal. 

Now I want to preface that I was quite full before trying to tackle the Sausage & Fontina Biscuit Sandwich so I think this might have obstructed my opinion so bare with me.  I liked every aspect of the sandwich as individual components but together, they didn't work for me.  The Fontina (cheese) biscuit was great but felt like it showed up for the wrong meal.  I would eat that for breakfast any day or as part of an egg sandwich of some sort.  The hearty, spicy, thick-cut sausage really dominated my pallette.  So did the roasted red pepper/sun-dried tomato/olive "chutney-like" spread which I highly enjoyed.  It was very difficult to eat as much of it fell out and the biscuit crumbled to pieces as I tried to eat it. 

My room mate ended up eating most of it with no complaint :)  Looking back, I should have tried the Bow tie Pasta with Chickpeas, Organic Spinach, Tomato and Herbs which would have been more complimentary with the salad. 

I believe Becky Hostetter, the owner (I grabbed one of their business cards before I left), is who greeted and took my order.  She was delightful, knowledgeable and energetic.  I definitely look forward to trying Duos again!!

If you own or know of a food truck in the Indianapolis area, please let me know.  I am always up to try new things and am so excited to showcase all the wonderful mobile dining experiences around town.


For more information on the Duos food truck, contact:

Becky Hostetter
720 N. Dorman St.
Indianapolis, IN 46202
317-508-8614
www.duosindy.com
Twitter @duosindy

What I'm Cooking: Fish Tacos! (Mi Gusta!!)

With the warm weather ramping up quickly, my taste buds...bloom!  I'm more in the mood for fresh, zesty, cool, bold flavors rather than the heavy, creamy, dense, rich flavors of Winter.  My fridge is currently stocked with produce and I had cod in the freezer.  This is what I came up with on Sunday night....
 

Fish Tacos with black beans and a slice of corn bread

There are several elements of my fish tacos that all come together to make the most delicious, guilt-free meal.  D was in charge of the corn bread and I took care of the tacos and black beans.  I rinsed the black beans thoroughly in water to get rid of the excess sodium and then heated them in a sauce pan on a medium heat.  The fish tacos were the main event.

1)  I started by chopping and mixing up all the elements for the fresh salsa which included avocado, red onion, and cilantro.  I decided to use RO*TEL's canned diced tomatoes with green chilies for the added flavor.  I squeezed the juice out of about a half of a lime to intensify the freshness and to keep the avocado from browning.  I seasoned with a little bit of salt and pepper and then covered with some cling wrap and set aside.

2)  I seasoned the fillets of cod with salt, pepper, garlic powder and chili powder and then baked them on a cookie sheet in the oven.  I put a dab of EVOO in before so that the fish doesn't stick.  It only took about 15-18 minutes to cook the cod through.

Baked cod

3)  While the fish was cooking, I improvised a chipotle aioli with mayo, Greek yogurt (plain), chipotles in adobo, chopped cilantro, dried dill, S/P, and a squirt of lime juice.  I deseeded the chipotle chilies and it was still very spicy so be careful and use your own personal heat preference.

Beware! A little goes a long way.

Stirred together in a small bowl

4)  Again, we used flour tortillas (not my preference) because Walmart didn't have corn tortillas.  I just put them on a small plate and then covered them with a damp paper towel.  I microwaved them for just 30 seconds which produced warm, moist tortillas.  I added chopped green onions, S/P and a bit of hot sauce to the black beans.  Once the corn bread and cod were done, it was time to assemble our tacos and enjoy!  I spread some of the chipotle aioli on the tortilla, added the diced-up cod, and then topped with a large spoonful of the salsa.   I garnished with more fresh, chopped cilantro and placed a lime wedge on the side.

Lime goes in and on everything

Voila!!

I could eat this meal every week!  I am on the look out for avocados that aren't $1.59 or more.  I can't wait to get into my new kitchen and see what other great things D and I come up with.

Weekend Recap + What I'm Eating: Creation Cafe

The past weekend was pretty busy.  It began Saturday afternoon with the Broad Ripple Arts Fair and a Hog Roast at a friend's house in Broad Ripple.  Being the bad blogger that I am, I didn't take any pictures at the BRAF.  Kelly and I made our way there around 2pm on Saturday.  Parking was a bit scarce and we decided to pay $10 to park nearby for the convenience and because of the looming storm clouds ahead.  Admission was a bit steep at $15 a person but I'm sure it costs a lot to organize such a massive event.  The smells of greasy, goodness smacked us in the face upon entering.  The aroma of roasted nuts was mesmerizing but I decided to skip them.  Instead, we made a beeline to the beer tent.  I started out with a Honey Moon.  The event was set up with various, winding fingers of vendor booths that zig-zagged around the property.  There were some really talented artists, vendors and performers scattered throughout the venue.  I saw a lot of pottery, paintings, jewelry.  I loved the student section which reminded me of SCAD (down in Atlanta).  Kelly purchased a beautiful ring from a lady who was studying jewelry-making.   We continued our journey past more booths and stood to watch a glass-blowing demonstration.  We grabbed another beer (an IPA) from the Broad Ripple Brew Pub before finishing up.  I was sad that I didn't leave with anything.  I am constantly on the lookout for items to decorate the new house.  I did get a lot of ideas for future projects, though.  All in all, it was a great experience.  We rushed through most of it for fear of the skies opening up.  It started to rain right as we were leaving.

Immediately afterwards, we made our way to our friend Cam's (and Creed's) 2nd Annual Hog Roast.  They live in a great 1 story bungalow-style home in Broad Ripple that reminds me of a place on HGTV.  It's a definite bachelor pad with an amazing backyard, perfect for entertaining.  They began roasting the pig earlier in the day so by the time I got over there, it was almost ready for mass consumption.  There was plenty of space for people to congregate around.  The garage served as the main area that housed the kegs and margarita machine.  Flip-cup tables, beer bong and corn hole was also out for people to take part in.  This was the first big event this year that really brought to light SUMMER! 

Luckily Mel took a pic (Me*Fefe*Alicia)

It was a definite high school reunion.  I went to HSE and saw several people I hadn't seen in years; however, there were also plenty of other non-HSE people on hand.  I ended up only staying for about 3 hours.  D suggested we call it an early night so we could get up early without a massive hangover.  Although I initially protested, it ended up being a great call.  We went home and sat out on the back deck for a while, enjoyed a few more brews and just enjoyed eachothers' company.  Good Night!

The following morning (Sunday), we rose to a beautiful, sunny day.  D, myself and Little Miss B didn't waste much time before getting dressed and scurrying out the door.  We decided to finally walk to the canal and grab lunch at Creation Cafe.  From our place to Creation Cafe, it's a little over 2 miles.  We decided to then walk the entire canal (a 3-mile loop) before grabbing lunch.  I had no idea how beautiful the canal really is.  We saw the Indiana Museum of Contemporary Art, the Eiteljorg Museum, the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center.  We also walked past the enormous JW Marriott and Victory Field that stood nearby.  Next big walk, I want to keep going past the Indianapolis Zoo. The new Cosmopolitan complex really intensifies the landscape and the views along with the other various apartments, condos and businesses.  

By the time we made it back to Creation Cafe, I was weak, thirsty and starving.  We grabbed a table outside despite ominous storm clouds off in the distance.  They sat us against the wall, wedged between a couple with a frou-frou lap dog and another couple with a large hound-mix.  That could've been interesting but luckily all 3 were so well behaved.  A table that was seated a few minutes after us was greeted and had drinks before someone approached our table.  They were pretty busy and it usually wouldn't be a problem but we were all parched.  We quickly ordered 2 iced-teas and a bowl of water for B.  She pretty much took the whole thing down immediately.  I went back and forth with the menu.  This was my 4th visit to Creation Cafe and the experience has been mixed.  Some of the food has been great, other times, not so good.  I also think their food is a bit pricey for what they have.  They charge $10-$12 for their salads which are medium-sized.  The sandwiches and wraps are around $9 and come with one side.  Ultimately, I couldn't decide if I wanted lunch or to try something off of the brunch menu.  The Monkey Nut Martha (either pancakes or waffles with banana, chocolate chips and peanut butter) was so tempting but I resisted.  I finally went with the Hoity Toity Sandwich (grilled chicken breast with sage aoili, Granny smith apples, toasted walnuts, and brie).  D chose the Italiano Panini (salami, pepperoni, ham, Swiss cheese, lettuce, tomato, hot peppers and mayo on pressed sourdough bread).  I could've bet $100 that's what he was going to choose. 

As we waited for our food, our server brought us the Doggie Menu provided by Three Dogs Bakery. OMG. So cute and thoughtful.  There were items such as whole wheat "ribs" slathered in BBQ sauce or entrees with chicken, carrots, green beans, and rice.  They even had "desserts".  Everything was decently priced but I knew that there was too much going on around B for her to eat so we passed on that.  She would eventually enjoy some scraps from our food.  Speaking of the food, it arrived very promptly.  I was very much relieved because I thought I was going to faint.  (D and I were stupid and didn't eat breakfast before embarking on our journey downtown.)  D quickly scooped his panini up and took 2 bites before I got a chance to take a picture.  I love when restuarants use panini presses and the bread is perfectly charred.  He would later tell me it is in his Top 3 favorite Italian sandwiches ever.  I'm always happy to hear that when introducing someone to a new-to-them restaurant.  The french fries were kind of an after thought. 

He seriously couldn't wait

My sandwich was equally delicious.  It had tartness from the apples; buttery sharpness from the brie and sweet from the toasted walnuts.  The chicken was cooked perfectly and the cheese was very "melty."  Although my sweet potato fries looked lifeless, I really enjoyed them.  They were naturally sweet with a hint of salty.  They really complimented my sandwich.

Love the mismatched plates and colorful placemats!

About midway through our meal, the storm shelf finally made its way to us and it began pouring.  People who were seated near the railing tried to wait it out under the tables' umbrellas but quickly realized that was impossible to do. 

Major downpour!

Many tables were resat inside.  We were in the perfect spot and didn't get wet.  One downside was that there was a sewer grate right next to us that began stinking once the rain came.  That was pretty unappetizing. 


Thumbs up: dog bowls for water and food Thumbs down: yucky sewer

We called our room mate to make sure he could pick us up if the storm didn't let up but just as quickly as it came, it left and the sun came out again.  This time around, my time at Creation Cafe was very pleasant  so I think it's 3:1 with me so far.  The location on the Canal and eclectic, dog-encouraging atmosphere is what really sells it.  I hope we can get a few more walks and dining experiences before we move to the 'burbs in 3 weeks.  The bill was about $30 including tip.  We walked the final 2+ miles back home where D and B crashed immediately.  I was exhausted but had to go meet up with The Bride and her mom to look for shoes to wear with my dress.  The Bride: Not having luck finding a size 5 in the style/color/design she's looking for.  Me: Success. Check that off my massive to-do list.  When I got home, I mustered up enough strength to cook dinner before my body finally said ENOUGH!  Stay tuned for the amazing Fish Tacos recipe....

The Verdict: Out of 5 stars

Location/Atmosphere: ****  The beginning point of the North end of the Canal downtown.  Lots of indoor (quirky, fun decor) and outdoor seating (beautiful city views) plus extremely dog friendly

Service: ***1/2 We sat a little while before being greeted but the rest of the time was smooth


Food: **** D and I both enjoyed our sandwiches; the sweet potato fries were delish! Doggie Menu is another PLUS

Will I eat there again: Yes

Creation Cafe and Euphoria

337 West 11th Street 

Indianapolis, IN 46202-3001 

(317) 955-2389

What I'm Eating: Revisit Alert! Napolese

I know that it's only been about a month since I gushed and praised my first experience at Napolese but I already made my way back over the past weekend.  I knew that I wanted to take D there so when date night came up, I instantly threw out the suggestion.  We decided to go there later in the evening since it was a Friday night.  Once again, it seemed like we snatched up the last available table because even past 9pm, they were packed.  We were nestled in an intimate 2-top table in between a group of 4 on my left and another couple on my right.  The interior space is very cozy with romantic, dim lighting and soft music.  I got a chance to soak in more of the inside details: a great corner wine bar, eat-up seating near the open kitchen and the intricate, decorative tiling around the wood-burning, brick oven.

We had the same server, Keri, who was just as warm and inviting as before.  She dropped off a variety of olives for us to nibble on. Yummy!  I ordered a glass of pinot grigio while D stuck with a beer. 

Cheers

We debated on an appetizer but I decided I'd rather go with a dessert later on.  Their pizza comes with 6 exceptionally large slices so I knew that splitting one would be plenty of food for the 2 of us. We went with the Butler Tarkington Pizza (Italian sausage, red peppers and a basil-pesto sauce) although the Kessler Meridian was calling my name, too.  While we waited for the food, I asked D to do some stealthy undercover espionage by taking some pictures on his way to the little boy's room.  He reluctantly obliged. 


This was the only non-blurry pic D took

When our pizza came, our eyes bulged and we licked our chops like 2 rabid dogs about to pounce!  Just look at this amazing pie....

Seriously?!

A close up on the toppings

This pizza was so complex in flavors.  There was spicy in the Italian sausage, sweet and roasted in the red peppers and fresh, earthy notes in the zesty pesto sauce.  To quote D: "This is the BEST pizza I've ever had."  I would have to agree with him.  Napolese's pizzas are genius.  Their robust flavors even hid the fact that the center of the pizza crust wasn't fully cooked through.  I ended up only eating 1 slice and D ate 3, leaving us with 2 slices for the road.

Leftovers!!

Their cobbler flavor of the night was the rhubarb and wild cherry again which was so tempting but I went with the chocolate gelato instead.  D was completely stuffed and I was too but I was craving a sweet night cap. 

I think I closed my eyes to soak it in for a moment

This densely, rich cup of divine sweetness almost made me call it a night.  Anything else we would do would have been lacking in comparison.  I forced D to take a bite.  He had no regrets although did think it was a bit too rich.  I practically licked the bowl clean. 

This was a celebratory dinner that went just perfectly.  I cherish these special times together and was so excited that he shared my love for this wonderful restaurant!  We had a round of drinks, a pizza and a dessert for about $40 (including tip)  Next on my list, Petit Chou!


The Verdict: Out of 5 stars

Location/Atmosphere: **** Perfect for date night or time with the family

Service: ***** Keri kicked butt, again!

Food:***** Best pizzas in town plus seriously sexy desserts

Will I eat there again:  OMG, YES! If Napolese made a no-fat/no-carb/no calorie pizza, I'd eat there every single day!



Napolese
4901 Pennsylvania Street Indianapolis, IN 46205
317-925-2823

Happy Mother's Day!!!

Dear Mom:

You are the best mother a girl could ask for.  I admire everything about you: your class, your professionalism, your unwavering love for your family.  You are such a blessing in my life and the best part is that you chose me or maybe it was divine intervention.

Love,

Your daughter

My beautiful mother circa 1974

What I’m Eating: Adobo Grill (downtown)

Not many places that I eat at create a special, nostalgic moment from the minute I step inside but Adobo Grill did just that.  Yesterday was one of my favorite days of the year: CINCO DE MAYO!  I’m not going to pretend I know the history of the Mexican holiday.  To me, it’s just a great reason to meet up with friends to enjoy Mexican food and of course, margaritas!

From August 2005 to May 2007, I lived in Atlanta, Georgia and had the privilege of working at Sala: Sabor de Mexico (sadly, no longer open); an upscale, regional Mexican eatery nestled in the wonderful Virginia-Highland area.  I shared some of the best memories of my life with my coworkers and I learned so much about Mexican food and drinks.  I observed attention to detail and the importance of sourcing the freshest, most in-season, regional ingredients.  It truly was an enriching experience.
But in Indiana, I very rarely come across equal craftsmanship of Mexican food.  I dined at El Torito which is no longer in business, a few years back, but was not impressed.  I had always known Adobo Grill existed, I just had not made my way there; always electing to go for the cheaper, greasier Americanized, Mexican fare at Cancun or La Hacienda.  But my buddy Kelly (a fellow downtowner) suggested it and I jumped at the opportunity. 

We got there about 40 minutes before our 8:15pm reservation hoping to grab a drink at the bar and perhaps get seated early but were weren’t thinking very clearly because it was jam packed (duh!).  No big deal, we ran across the street to Fogo de Chao for a cocktail.  I ordered a Caipirinha on the bartender’s recommendation.  He sold it as being a Mexican cocktail, in lieu of Cinco de Mayo, but I knew better.  It’s actually a traditional Brazilian drink made with Cachaça run, muddled limes and cane sugar.  Very tart and zesty!  D and Kelly went with a margarita on the rocks.  We had to basically chug them once we got them because before we knew it, it was 8:15.
Adobo Grill is a fairly large, two-story restaurant with a long main dining area and several other dining rooms that splintered off from the center.  The decor is festive, bright and traditional.  The environment just screams fiesta!  In honor of Cinco de Mayo, a mariachi band was rounding the restaurant.  It was pretty loud when they were nearby but I enjoyed the entertainment.

Very animated Mariachi ban

We were instantly greeted with a basket of warm tortilla chips and salsa.  The salsa was fantastic.  It is not the typical fresh salsa that most people’s palettes are used to.  Theirs has smoky, roasted chipotle flavors.  Its heat comes on more slowly and kinda creeps up on you.  We quickly ordered a round of house margaritas and guacamole.  The server placed our margarita glasses on the table (I prefer my margs up/D and Kelly went on-the-rocks) and aggressively mixed the ingredients in a large shaker then poured.  Kudos on the service detail.  This is something that Sala did and really enhances the diners’ food adventure.  The menu and website said that it is made tableside but unfortunately they prepared it around the corner and out of sight.  I attributed this to how crowded the place was and the staff seemed a bit overwhelmed.  No worries though because the guacamole was out of this world.  A tad bit salty but the avocado was perfectly ripe and hand muddled with garlic, jalapeno peppers, onion, tomato, cilantro and a squirt from a lime wedge.  We basically licked the lava rock bowl it was served in clean.

Maybe the best guacamole in Indy

Found the tableside cart around the corner

The menu offers lots of wonderful choices that are prepared very traditionally like Oaxacan black mole and ceviches.  They use lots of regionally specific ingredients like huitlacoche and pasilla chilis.  I went with the Enchiladas de Marsicos (Seafood).  D went with the chicken enchiladas in a salsa verde.  Kelly chose the Tilapia a la Talla.  Our entrees came out in a timely fashion which was good because even after chips, salsa and guac, I was starving.  My (4) enchiladas were everything I was hoping for: cheesy, creamy, smoky.  The shrimp and tilapia was smothered in a corn and chipotle cream sauce and slices of grilled green peppers and onions then rolled in corn tortillas.  Melted cheese, guac, crema and pico de gallo were also sprinkled on top.  The corn in the sauce sweetened it but was balanced by the earthy roasted heat of the chipotle.  It reminded me of the seafood enchiladas that Sala served.  It also came with Mexican rice and black beans.  I was too focused on the entree to really analyze the sides. 

Mariscos Enchiladas = delicioso!

Kelly enjoyed her dish.  It was a filet of tilapia marinated in adobo chili and simmered in a guajillo broth and served with escabeche (pickled veggies).  As I sort of suspected, D’s chicken enchiladas were a bit mediocre which I think is pretty typical of dishes in a salsa verde.  He said it was good but no fireworks.  The shredded chicken was in a tomato and chili sauce that was very mild and lacked seasoning.  I ended up asking for a to-go box and took my 2 leftover enchiladas with me. 

I was sad that I didn’t leave any room for dessert but this just gives me a reason to return.  I am glad I got to dine here before we move away from Downtown later this summer.  I am definitely going to miss the urban environment.  Adobo Grill es muy beuno!

Mi amor & mi amiga!

The Verdict: Out of 5 stars
Location/Atmosphere: ***1/2 The decor and building is unique and beautiful but the lack of parking is a challenge.
Service: ***1/2 (our server was really just an order taker but it was the busiest day of the year so I won’t hold that against them.  Loved the margaritas shaken tableside and the Mariachi band)
Food: ****1/2 (2 out 3 people loved their entrees, guac was a star)
Will I eat there again: Si!


ADOBO GRILL
110 E Washington St.
Indianapolis, IN
ph: 317-822-9990