Chow Down Midtown June 6 - 16

It's finally here!  I have been anxiously salivating over awaiting the arrival of Chow Down Midtown.  This is the Broad Ripple/SoBro/Meridian-Kessler area's version of Devour Downtown.  It is a wonderful showcasing of 34 of the areas great restaurants at super, awesome pricing!  30 is the magic number: some menus are $30 a person like Oh Yumm! Bistro and Midtown Grill whereas others are $30 for 2 (such as Usual Suspects), even $30 for 4 people at Bebop Pizza Kitchen.  Parcha Sweets has a pretty sweet deal, too: 9" Black & White Mousse Cake with New Belgium Fat Tire Beer Sauce that serves 16-20 people. YUMMO!  There is a prefixed menu for each place.  You can take a look on the website for all the specifics.  I've actually dined, or drank, at most of the featured restaurants before but as I mentioned previously, if I had enough money and a personal trainer, I would go to every single one.  I highly recommend Oh Yumm! Bistro, Usual Suspects and Sahm's Place.  I think I'm going to try out Petite Chou, Binkleys, and Recess for the first time over the next several days with D and my mother.  I'm also going to introduce a work buddy to Sahm's Place.  (I'm saving Mama Corolla's for an upcoming event!)   I am definitely going to need a major work out session after Chow Down Midtown is over!!



I'd love to hear about your experiences of Chow Down Midtown so feel free to leave a comment!!

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 Eating: Scratch Truck - Modern Comfort Food

The food truck revolution has FINALLY arrived in Indianapolis.  Last Indy 500, we were introduced to the flavor explosion that is West Coast Tacos.  The LA-inspired Korean/Mexican fusion proved that Hoosiers are eager and waiting for thoughtful and tasteful travelling street food.  So it was inevitable that others would follow.  A year later, more and more food trucks are popping up around the city and just in time for Summer. 

[I had actually looked into what it would take to start my own food truck; the costs, the overhead, the truck and maintenance.  I had a bare bones concept thought out.  So far, no one has come up with a similar idea so it is still something I'd love to explore in the future.]

Anyways, as I had mentioned before, I am hosting The Bride's joint bachelor/bachelorette party at the end of July.  Trying to think outside the box, a little, I contacted a few food trucks to see if anyone would be willing to cater my event.  To my luck, Matt Kornmeyer, owner and proprietor of Scratch Truck answered the call.  They are totally new to the scene and just had their launch yesterday (Friday, May 27th) in front of Flat 12 Bierwerks.  I had been wanting to check out Flat 12 for weeks now so this was an amazing opportunity to kill 2 birds with 1 stone.  I had to use my GPS to find the location which was surprisingly not far from my house.  It is located at 414 N Dorman St. between Vermont and Michigan nestled in a small residential and industrial area just a couple blocks east of College Ave.  I got there a little after 5 and already people were arriving.  The smells emanating from the truck instantly teased my nostrils.  I had seen the logo-ed Scratch Truck while out walking downtown the other week.  It looks amazing.  I love the bright red with graphics and text.  They did an amazing job.  We are a visual society so the crisp, clean, professionalism and attention to detail is important. 

The menu had me licking my chops from the jump.  I had previewed the website and menu prior to getting there so I already had an idea of what I wanted to try.  They had a nice, small variety to choose from and covered entrees, beverages and even dessert. 

I came starving, even a bit ravenous, so I ordered 2 meals: the Spicy Chicken Cone with french fries and the Hoity-Toity BLT with the Muffaletta Salad (for $1 more).  I looked like a little piggy since I ventured over by myself.  Matt greeted me and introduced himself from inside the truck when I gave them my name for the order and I would've liked to have taken a moment to talk to him more but he was pretty busy, DUH!  No worries! I didn't want to mess up their flow.  A couple people behind me in line ordered the Watermelon Jalapeno Lemonade and I decided I had to give it a try.  I'm so glad I did.  It was the perfect Summer (nonalcoholic) cocktail.  For $2, I sipped on a refreshingly light, not overly sweet, crazy pairing of flavors.  Don't worry, there is absolutely no heat, just an essence of the jalapeno which melds so well into the sweet flavor of the watermelon.  It reminded me of the jalapeno and pineapple infused tequila I often consumed in Atlanta.  Also, who doesn't love take-home cups?!

So refreshing!

On to the food!...Both meals were individually packaged in cardboard to-go boxes.  The interior was lined with some festive black and white checkered paper totally fitting for the race weekend.  I nibbled on a fry while trying to figure out where I was going to chow down.  Flat 12 agreed to let people come in a eat their food.  After showing some ID, I was handed 5 drink tickets to sample their beer.  I was super excited but definitely needed to eat first.  There were a couple tables inside and outside and small benches placed along the wall.  I found a spot on a bench and had to make do with that.  I really love the concept of bringing beer enthusiasts together with the likes of food trucks so hopefully as the interest increases, there will be better seating. 

Byrnes Pizza was also on site and if I hadn't already bought 2 meals from Scratch, I would've definitely grabbed a slice or bread stick.  Next time! 

I can't believe I've eaten 2 meals in a 7 day span with Hoity-Toity in the name (see my previous Creation Cafe post).  I swear I'm not a hoity-toity person but I guess I enjoy good food, cooked well and with love.  The Hoity Toity BLT was better than I could've expected.  I usually never order BLTs when dining out but this sandwich was made with pancetta (nuff said) and a pesto mayo (creamy, yummy, fresh goodness).  The bread was brushed with butter and perfectly toasted and crunchy.  The pancetta was the epitome of salty, porkiness sliced perfectly for the sandwich.  The arugula gave the sandwich some bitterness that was equaled out by the tomatoes.   This was one uppity BLT but I loved it!  The Muffaletta Salad is not your mama's average pasta salad.  This one was on steroids; a combination of shell pasta, mixed olives with chunks of ham, salami, Mortadella and provolone cheese in a light vinaigrette. 

Hello Race Fans!

Next, the Spicy Chicken Cones.  This came with 2 breaded and sauced chicken tender strips in flour tortillas and topped with a fantastic jalapeno-mango slaw.  The ancho chile aioli was dynamite; sweet with a hint of heat. 

Mouth-watering glaze on the chicken strips

They placed each in a dixie cup cone which really helped with the eatability.  I still managed to look like a sloppy eater.  The french fries were fresh and hand cut with a great amount of seasoning.  There were some that were a bit undercooked but I'm sure that's a kink that Matt will work out as time goes by.  No harm, no foul.  I ate half of both meals and brought the rest home to D who inhaled it quickly.

Once my belly was filled, I moved on to the beer samples.  I am not going to pretend that I'm a beer connoisseur, because I'm not.  I've tried several types of beer since I turned 21 (wink, wink!) and I know what I like and what I don't.  I am a fan of locally crafted beer but can easily sit on my back porch enjoying a Miller Lt. with no shame.  So I just randomly selected samples based on the laminated description on the tables.  Each shot-sized sample was 1 drink ticket.  I went with the F12 Amber, the Tangerine Porter, the Irish Amber, the American Wit and the Upside Down Blonde.  My faves were the Irish (hints of aged whiskey flavor)  and F12 (warm and rich) Amber.  I enjoyed the dark, bold notes of the Tangerine Porter but probably couldn't drink a full pint.  The Upside Down Blonde tasted the most mainstream and had nice body.  The American Wit was a bit sharp and bitter for my liking.  If I wasn't so stuffed from the food and samples, I would've bought a pint of something.  I can't wait to bring D back there and maybe take a growler home and to give Byrnes Pizza a try.  There was a spinach flat crust pizza calling my name.

Getting to experience Scratch Truck's food was very encouraging.  You can taste the passion in their flavors and the enthusiasm in their work.  I can't wait to see what Matt whips up for the B/B party.  I assume they will make rounds downtown and in Broad Ripple.  I hope they come near the IUPUI campus which is where I work.  I know that they are on the road to success and I wish them the best of luck.  Thanks for a great meal!

Since they are in their infantcy, they don't have established routes so...

Check Scratch Truck out on Twitter @scratchtruck or the Scratch Truck website for location and menu information.

Also, to learn more about Flat 12 Bierwerks, click here. 

Flat 12 Bierwerks
414 N Dorman
Indianapolis, IN 46202
(317) 635-2337

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: 3 Sisters' Cafe (Broad Ripple)

There is an overabundance of awesome city gems sprinkled, and sometimes hidden, around Indiana.  It's always a great thing when they get their due-acknowledgements from the locals but it's even more of an honor when the likes of Guy Fieri and Diners, Drive-ins and Dives shows up at your restaurant.  This was the case recently when he and his camera crew made their way to one of Broad Ripple's pretty well known favorites: 3 Sisters Cafe.  This restaurant serving breakfast (all day) and lunch is fashioned inside an old, historical Victorian house a little off the beaten path of the BR strip, just over the rainbow colored bridge.  The weather yesterday was so pleasant and screaming for outside dining.  I invited Fefe* along because I knew that their menu is very Vegan-friendly. 

The parking situation was a bit sticky, as is most areas in BR.  Signs made it very clear where there was designated parking or not.  The lot directly next door is only for those businesses and I got the idea that they are very tow-happy.  After all of the press revolving around the snaky tow companies, we didn't want to press our luck.  We ended up finding street parking close by; this after Fefe had an unsuccessful, yet quite hilarious, attempt at parallel parking ;) (She's probably going to kill me for that). 

Parking disaster averted, we snagged the last outside table right as the previous diners were leaving.  I took a second to sneak inside and take a peek at the decor.  The inside decor is retro fitted to match the essence of the Victorian house and was cozy; like Grandma's house!  Our table was wiped down and we were quickly sat with waters to start with. Always love that because I was thirsty.  We both ordered the Ginger Peach Tea which was super yummy, kept me hydrated and provided a punch of flavor; perfect for the Summer time. 

Fefe mentioned that although they are very Vegan friendly, they do not prepare their Vegan entrees on separate grills or areas.  This, apparently, is not true Vegan preparation and there is a high probability that the food would be contaminated with meats, oils or dairy.  Luckily she has not embraced that strict of a Vegan lifestyle.  She opted to go with the Grilled Veggie Sandwich with mixed fruit.  There was a sticky situation where the menu read "No changes or substitutions" at the bottom which was initially very disappointing for Fefe who hates mushrooms and red onions.  Luckily after some clarification from our server, we learned it only applied to certain dishes which were starred on the menu. Menu crisis averted, I went non-Vegan.  I went back and forth between Kyle's Grilled Cheese, BBQ Grains and the D'Nai (one of the sandwiches featured on DDD) but at the last minute I went with the Fish Tacos with homemade applesauce.

They were pretty crowded, even at 1pm on a weekday when the lunch crowd is usually dying down.  Our server was very attentive though and kept our drinks filled.  The food took a little longer than I would expect for lunchtime service, especially if I was on a lunch break but Fefe and I had nowhere to be so I don't think it was much of a problem.  Also, the national exposure associated with DDD probably has, and will for a while, overwhelmed the staff.  I could tell they were in the weeds so no harm, no foul.

When our food arrived, I was blown away by my meal.  I mean, check it out:


Guac + green chili sauce + chipotle mayo = the most delightful sauce menage trois

Love CORN tortillas!

I love that it was assemble-yourself because I (being a control freak) like managing the ratio of sauce to fish to veg toppings.  I'm not sure what type of fish is used but it was a large, white flaky fish that was grilled, slightly over cooked but not a deal breaker.  I'm a saucy girl so I ended up using all 3 sauces on each of my tacos: the guacamole was fresh; the chile sauce had a hint of heat; and the chipotle mayo had a smoky heat.  I was only able to eat 2 before I was pretty stuffed. 

Fefe's Grilled Veggie Sandwich looked a little bland.  All the veggies were mounded on the bread and were overcooked with very muted coloring.  There was too much minced garlic for her liking and she only ate about 1/3 of the sandwich.  The fruit cup helped to curb her appetite.

Not the prettiest plating

All in all the experience went well.  I can see why it drew the attention of Guy and look forward to trying some more dishes in the future.  Maybe next time I will take a stab at the D'Nai sandwich that made my mouth water when I watched the DDD episode.

 

 

The Verdict: Out of 5 stars

Location/Atmosphere: ****  Nestled a few blocks from the main strip in Broad Ripple.  Limited parking. 

Service: ***1/2 Our server was nice and helpful but kept referring to us as "loves" or "sweeties" which seemed a bit weird

Food: ***1/2 My meal was a featured dish and delivered! Fefe was not as satisfied

Will I eat there again: Yes

6360 Guilford Ave
Indianapolis, Indiana 46220
(317) 257-5556

Operation: My Best Friend's Bachelor/Bachelorette Party

As I've mentioned before, my best friend is getting married in August.  We're approaching the middle of May so the stress and anxiety is creeping up.  I am starting to buckle down and plan the joint bachelor/bachelorette party which is going to be the end of July. 

Sadly, can't make it there

Next best thing

We are going to have a bit of a Vegas-style adventure by taking a luxury party bus down to Indiana Live Casino in Shelbyville.  I'm hoping for Sex and the City class rather than The Hangover.  An acquaintance of mine owns the over-the-top rock star liner which will be transporting us to and from the casino.  My friends and I have used his services before and always have a blast. 

A little more of this...

A little less The Hangover

The next big item on my planning list is dinner.  I am trying to look at all my options.  I'm looking for delicious food that is economically friendly.  I hosted the engagement party at Buca di Beppo over a year ago and it turned out to be a complete disaster.  The food was mediocre bordering on bad and the service was terrible. 
For this event, I'd like to avoid a banquet style menu and go with something that is fun, easy and accommodating where everyone can pay individually and save the big bucks for the casino.  This gave me an idea to explore the many wonderful food trucks that are sporadically popping up in the Indianapolis area....I love thoughtful, delicious food, small business and Indiana so what's a better way to embrace all three?!

I am taking suggestions so please leave me a comment if you have tried any of their food or worked with any in the past.  Also, if you own a food truck, please leave a comment with contact info!

What I'm Cooking: Simple Pasta Dish!

Sometimes simplicity is all you need to whip up the perfect meal.  I work long hours so when I get home late, I'm exhausted and tend to grab at whatever is lingering in the fridge.  I don't want laziness to overcome healthy living so I had to muster up the strength to make dinner.  I had a package of boneless, skinless chicken that I'd been contemplating what to do with for days.  In the fridge, I had some zuccini, yellow squash, fresh garlic, cherry tomatoes and mushrooms.  Perfect! The meal was finally starting to come together in my head.

• I started by boiling a pot of water for whole wheat penne pasta.  I added just a sprinkle of salt which will inturn season the noodles (this is to mimic the salty sea water that true Italians have been using for centuries). 

• In a skillet, I lightly glaze the bottom with EVOO and bring to a medium-high heat.  The chicken was cut into bite size slices and tossed with Montreal Steak Seasoning.  I cooked the chicken just perfectly and then set it aside on a plate. 
• I returned the same skillet to the stove top and poured a generous splash of sherry (approximately 1/4 cup) which sizzled and coated the bottom and helped to scrape up the browned bits.  I then threw in my veggies and seasoned with crushed red pepper, reduced the heat to medium and covered to let all the ingredients steam while cooking.  At this time, I also reduced the temp of the pasta cooking on the other burner.  It only took about 5 mins for the veggies to turn tender. 

• I had a little bit of store-bought spaghetti sauce that I poured in just to enhance flavor and thicken.  I returned the chicken to the skillet with mixed with it with all the other ingredients.  

• Finally, I drained the pasta and mixed it with the chicken and veggies and then sprinkled with a pinch of finely shredded italian cheese.  Magnifico!! Ciao!! 

Random 2-day getaway to Cincinnati for the Flying Pig Expo

P&G FLYING PIG EXPO AND MARATHON

A friend, Fefe* (*not really, but that was her name in high school French class and I love it) asked me a while back if I'd like to do a couple marketing gigs with her for some extra income.  I am always down for an opportunity to travel and my bank account is always in need of additional funding so I agreed.  The first job came this weekend in Cincinnati at the Flying Pig Expo, one of many annual marathons happening all across the country.  I worked for a company that produces several marathons a year.  My particular booth was "the Chicago Half Marathon and 5K which is held in Chicago on September 11th.  This is the 15th running of the race which starts and ends in historic Jackson Park and goes along beautiful Lakeshore Dr.  It is a bit South of downtown with a flat course offering both lake and city views.  There will be live music and an amazing post-race party with food (Chicago deep-dish pizza) and plenty of refreshments"  (You like those marketing skills?)  Our goal was to pass out our Chicago Half Marathon fliers and inform the crowds of what our race had to offer. 

Fefe before we opened for the public

Game face!

Now, I was aware that marathons, half marathons, 5Ks, etc existed.  I participated in Race for the Cure 2 years ago and I have friends who had run in a couple local events.  But not until actually working an all-things-running event did I discover the complexity and seriousness of marathoners.  They come in all ages, shapes, sizes, and social backgrounds.  There were participants who were just locals, first timers, organized groups but then there were those who travel from city to city and do multiple marathons a year.  There were men and women in their 60s and 70s who had been running for years, even a guy whose goal was to run a race in every state which he was close to accomplishing.  There were also the marathon snobs that looked down on half marathons and scoffed at our race as they walked by.   Also, I had no idea that the medals that are handed out for completion of a race are also under heavy scrutiny and could be the deciding factor in which race a person might choose to run.  But overall it was this amazing organization of people who shared a common love of running or running for a particular cause which made it a very neat experience.  Many were running for pure enjoyment, others for weight loss, cancer or to just cross it off a bucket list.  Another thing that amazed me was that people pay a significant amount to attend these events.  The Flying Pig Marathon had an entry fee of close to $100.  Add the travel costs of gas, hotel and food.  For those who are traveling from city to city, that would add up into the thousands a year.  But I guess that it is a hobby for many people and instead of spending their money frivolously out at bars or on junk they don't need, they're using it constructively and seeing new sites and meeting new people. 

If you are looking for a hobby, a cause or a kick-in-the-butt reason to jump start working out, work at, or at least attend, one of these expos.  It is eye opening to see so many people in excellent shape despite age, lifestyle or disability.  There were moms with multiple children who had to-die-for bods better than any 20-something I know.  There were hunky men in their 50s with perfectly chiseled legs and calves.  There were people who had lost a significant amount of weight or were still in the process of doing so.  There were individuals with artificial limbs and cancer survivors.  There were groups of women in their 80s with a accomplishment list that put me to shame.

My friend said that after her first expo she went home and started her Insanity workout videos.  Now after working the Flying Pig Expo, I am determined to start working out, running with my dog and D, and hopefully being in good enough shape to run a half by early next Spring.  If I'm really on top of things, maybe even the Indianapolis Half Marathon October 15th.  The other local race sponsored by our company is the Geist Half Marathon which is in May and the very awesome Mudathalon Indianapolis on June 25th.  It is a muddy obstacle course over 3 miles long.  Their slogan:

MUD :) OBSTACLES :) BEER :)   

Enough said!  It doesn't require as much preparation as the typical races so I think that in a little less than 2 months, I can, at least, build up enough stamina to power through it.  I know a couple of my friends are doing it so it should be a "mucking" good time.  This was an interesting experience that gave me a unique look into the lives of runners and marathon enthusiasts.  I am working another event in OH the beginning of June which I am pretty excited about.

MT. ADAMS in CINCINNATI

On a side note, we only had a few hours on Friday after Day 1 wrapped up to explore the city.  On a recommendation, we made our way to the Mt. Adams area.  It is a hilly, historical residential part of Cincinnati with cobblestone roads and unique townhouses.  The winding hill top homes and businesses kind of reminded me of a scaled down version of San Fran.  The close-knit, eclectic vibe was reminiscent of Broad Ripple-ishnnati with cobblestone roads and unique townhouses.  The winding hill top homes and businesses kind of reminded me of a scaled down version of San Fran.  The close-knit, eclectic vibe was reminiscent of Broad Ripple-ish neighborhood.  Restaurants and bars lined the streets and we made our way, after a few trial and errors, to the Teak Thai Cuisine and Sake House.  The old, 2-story structure and the interior decor plus the amazing smells of curry were enough to convince us that we made the right decision.  They offered several authentic Thai dishes: curries and stirfry.  There was also a separate sushi list.  Both Fefe and I chose the Red Curry with Chicken at a Level 6 out of 10.  Teak did not let us down. 

Red Curry with Chicken (I am drooling just thinking about it)

This was hands down one of the best red curry dishes I've ever had and I've tried it in many different cities.  The sweet and spicy sauce fused with the flavors of the veggies and chicken to create the most harmonious dish. There was an abundance of rich coconut milk flavor and the perfect amount of Thai chili heat.  They served a large bowl of sticky white rice, family style to accompany the entrees.  I could've eaten my entire large portion but used self restraint so that I would have left overs the next day.  I had those boxed up and basically liked my plate clean.  Heaven in the form of Thai cuisine!  If you are planning to be in the Cincinnati area, be sure to check them out: TEAK Thai Cuisine.

2 stuffed and satisfied girls!

I am definitely looking forward to taking a weekend (maybe a Girls Getaway) to come back to Cincinnati and really explore what the city has to offer.  It took less than one tank of gas round trip and I was really impressed by the little bit I saw.

What I'm Cooking: Thai Inspired Turkey Soup

The girl is BACK!! After a long hiatus from using my noodle (haha, get it?) to create something healthy and flavorful, I whipped up an amazing dinner tonight!!  A new job, a house hunt and just life sidetracked me from getting creative in the kitchen and watching what I eat but I am ready to get back in line.  Luckily, I think my new coworkers are very likeminded so it helps to push me in the right direction.  After a LOOOOONG, 12-hour shift, I came home determined to make something exciting enough to write about.  I came up with my version of a Thai-Inspired Turkey Soup.  To be honest, I was influenced by a similar recipe I came across.  I did tweak it to my own liking and I think the results are better than I could have imagined.

THAI INSPIRED TURKEY SOUP

-1.25lb 97% Lean Turkey (ground)
-3 tsp Crushed Red Pepper
-0.5 tbsp Ginger Root (very finely sliced and chopped)
- 4 cloves Garlic (minced)
-0.25 cup Green Onion/Scallions (chopped)
-4 tbsp Soy Sauce (I didn't have low sodium in stock so just  went with regular)
-3 Medium, fresh Mushrooms (sliced thin)
-0.50 cup Bean Sprouts
-0.25 cup Bell Pepper, Red, Raw, (diced)
-3 cup Chicken Stock (low fat, low sodium)  
-3 cup Water
-4 oz Whole Grain, Whole Wheat Egg Noodle Style
-2 cup Spinach, fresh

(Makes 6, 1.25 cup servings)

• In a skillet, brown the ground turkey with the crushed red pepper.  Afterwards, drain turkey and move to a large pot. 
•  Add the ginger, garlic, scallions, soy sauce, mushrooms, bean sprouts, bell pepper, chicken stock, water, and egg noodles. 

• Bring to a boil and then let simmer for 15 to 20 minutes

• Before taking off the heat, toss in the fresh spinach and let it wilt completely (about a minute).    
• It has a spicy kick to it so beware.... :)   

CAL: 208 FAT: 3.4g CARBS: 17.3g PROTEIN: 28.6g

Let me know if you give this recipe a try and let me know what you think!!

What I'm Eating: MEXICAN!!

This is an argument that really has no right or wrong.  Just like the heated   Where can you find the best [Americanized, tex-mex version of] "authentic" Mexican?  El Rodeo? La Hacienda? Cancun? To me the line is so minuscule that it, depending on the visit, could be any of the 3, on any given day.  Some keys factors that I usually look for are the salsa, the margaritas and the fajitas. 

I've been going to Mexican restaurants with my friends since high school days and every time I go, I feel a bit of nostalgia.  Back then, we would go to La Hacienda in the Marsh shopping center at 116th and Allisonville Rd (no longer there but has recently been replaced with a new Mexican joint).  The Bride and I, at one time, would go there at least once a week.  We would order and split the exact same thing every time: chicken and steak fajitas with an extra order of tortillas and toppings (lettuce, pico, sour cream, guac) plus an order of white queso dip.  It also came with refried beans.  It was always the perfect amount for 2 and left us almost comatose and lethargic.

Over the weekend, D and I spent our Easter Sunday at La Hacienda off Binford and Graham Rd.  I decided to skip the margarita on such a holy day.  Instead I stuck with my oh-so-familiar order of chicken fajitas and, of course, filled up on chips and salsa.  Their salsa is sometimes different in taste, texture and heat level.  It was chunkier than usual and a bit milder than I was hoping for.  D selected his go-to chicken chimichanga.  Our food came out freaky fast, as always.  I could hear the sizzling fajita skillet even as it was coming out of the kitchen.  I am always fearful that I'm going to get burnt.  I spread out all of my plate and used the same fajita preparation that I did ten years ago. 

1. Grab a warm, soft flour tortilla and lay out flat
2. Spread a small dollop of sour cream in the middle of the tortilla 
3. Do the same with the guacamole
4. Spread some refried beans next to the sour cream and guac
5. Top with a generous amount of chicken/pepper/onion/tomato mix
6. Sprinkle with shredded lettuce and a spoonful of pico de gallo
7. Drizzle with a bit of queso
8. Roll up and devour!  Repeat steps 1-7, if necessary.

I ate 2 assembled tacos without feeling the debilitating food crash I usually experience after eating Mexican food.  I also had a lot of leftovers that I could just reheat at a later time.  D ended up heating up his doggie bag a couple hours later.  Sunday's visit was exactly what I expected: no-frills service, fast food prep, flavorful food and a full stomach.  It was my major splurge of the week and I didn't feel the least bit guilty.

The Verdict: Out of 5 stars
Location/Atmosphere: ***1/2 (Binford Blvd & Graham Rd. Festive decor and plenty of seating)
Service: ***1/2 (fast service)
Food: ***1/2 (nothing that wowed but nothing that disappointed)
Will I eat there again: Yup. Here's to another 10 years

LA HACIENDA

6825 Graham Rd.

Indianapolis, IN

ph: 317-577-2689

What I'm Eating: Thr3e Wise Men

The weather was supposed to be crummy so I was hoping that it would discourage the massive crowds but Thr3e Wise Men Brewery was jam packed.  D and I tried to go check out Broad Ripple's latest hot spot last weekend but were met with a wait that we weren't willing to do.  I knew eventually I'd get back in there and luckily I was right.  A few past coworkers wanted to meet up and catch up over dinner and drinks and coincidentally chose 3WM.

I got there before everyone else which gave me the opportunity to inconspicuously check out the surroundings.  The building is interesting: light wood, "rustic" interior, antlers on the wall, wood bar-height tables and picnic tables (used for shared seating), industrial loft-like piping, and an open view of their in house brewing vats. I bellied up to the bar and since it is a brewery, I had to have ONE.  I chose their seasonal Sanctaneous Hefeweizen.  It is a light to medium bodied German wheat brew.  There are hints of citrus and spice.  Me Likey!  The bartender also brought me a water served in a giant mason jar (I don't know what it is about mason jars that makes me smile).  My girlfriend ordered the Snow Bunny Blonde (the lightest beer on the menu).  There are plenty of other options to choose from as well as a wide selection of bottled beers, many local.

When the rest of the gang arrived, we were sat on the right side of one of the picnic tables.  The other half would eventually be sat with strangers which made for a bit of awkwardness.  I noticed iPads were at every table.  I was kind of confused as to what their purpose was other than to check your Facebook or post a new Tweet.  [Has the world really come to this where we can't go anywhere without feeling social media's presence?  I had already "checked in" on my phone.  Now there are table top distractions to pull us away from conversing with each other.]  I didn't see any other tables using theirs, either.

The sign outside does not indicate that 3WM is simply a pizza place.  I assumed it was going to have a variety of bar fare.  The menu does not have much selection.  There are apps, a pizza section and desserts.  They don't offer signature pizzas, instead just have it set up as a build-your-own.  Honestly, I was a bit disappointed.  Especially being familiar with Scotty's Brewhouse (their mothership restaurant) and their extensive menu.  Our server brought us a bucket of machine-popped popcorn that I had eyed from the bar.  Yummy and perfect for quieting my rumbling tummy.  She was very friendly and gave us our space to chitchat and order at our leisure.  She had a handheld device for order taking which was nice and probably helps to reduce errors.  The girls ordered the Goat Cheese and 3WM Marinara appetizer which is served with toasted bread pieces.  I wish that I could have tried it but I have a unshakable dislike for the flavor of goat cheese.  The girls seemed to enjoy it but one had tried to order some soft bread for the dip but they didn't offer any. 

On to the pizza.  My friend CW and I split a medium pizza with roasted red peppers, spinach leaves and Italian sausage (which is locally sourced).  You gotta appreciate places that do their best to find local and fresh produce and meats.  When it finally hit the table, I was a bit stuffed from the popcorn but began to salivate when the aromas filled my nostrils.  A medium came with 8 fairly large slices.   3WM pizzas are flat bread style.  The crust was okay.  I would have liked a hint of flavor like garlic, Parmesan or butter.  They used the perfect amount of sauce that burst with fresh tomato flavor.  The 3 toppings were also fresh and went well together.  The cheese was melted well so that it didn't pull and detach the toppings from the base.  CW and I would've been fine with just a small pizza but she had left overs to take home which is always a plus.

Plenty of pizza for 2

The server brought us each our checks and boxes of Boston Baked Beans.  Strange but a nice touch.  I enjoyed a nice brew, stuffed my face with popcorn, pizza, and Boston baked beans; all for about $17, including tip.  I must say, not a bad night out, at all. 

The Verdict: Out of 5 stars
Location/Atmosphere: ***** (Broad Ripple)
Service: **** (bartenders, servers and support staff were all friendly and attentive)
Food:***1/2 (in house brewed beers and locally sourced ingredients a plus but small, limited menu)
Will I eat there again: Yes

THR3E WISE MEN BREWERY
1021 Broad Ripple Ave
Indianapolis, IN, 46220
317-255-5151

2 Weeks M.I.A. means lots to catch up on

The past 2 weeks have been insanely jam-packed with work related stuff.  With my new position came new education and responsibility.  Luckily, I passed my classes and got certification.  I'll still be orienting for the next 3 weeks but there's a lot of weight off of my shoulders. 

Also in that 2 week time period, I continued to fall off the many wagons I had been riding lately: a couple puffs of a cigarette (bad! bad! bad!); uninspired and unhealthy meals; frivalous spending.  But this is what I do when my stress levels reach the brim.  I already feel a sense of lightness and an eagerness to get back on. 

Tis the season for rain, rain and more rain.  Thunderstorms, tornadoes and flooding.  Earlier this week, Indiana had, a confirmed, 14 tornadoes touch down throughout the state.  D and I stood in our doorway as the storm eerily rolled in from the West.  A storm is currently making its way in from Illinois, anticipated to hit around 2 pm and the rain will continue through the next 7 days.  Miss B is growing restless.

My mother and I made our first attempt to paint wine glasses over the weekend.  That was an epic fail, as we were derailed by our desire to go purse shopping first and then buying the wrong paint.  By the time we got home and realized our mistake, it was too late to try again.  Since then, my mom has gone back and bought more and I look forward to us continuing where we left off. 

Like I said earlier, I've been uninspired in the kitchen.  Not having much in the fridge also contributed to that.  I plan on going grocery shopping on Sunday to restock and get inspiration.  Not sure what I want to make yet so suggestions are always welcomed.  Tonight I am trying my hand in making chicken and noodles atop mashed potatoes. 

What I'm Eating: Napolese on 49th and Penn

Boy, I haven't been so excited to write a blog post since I'm turned this little thing public!  But that's exactly how I've felt since I've been stuck in orientation all day.  If I wasn't so tired by the time we got home from dinner last night, I would have already had it posted....

....Anyways....On to what I'm gushing about!! Napolese located at 49th and Penn.  (Let me preface with why I was going out to eat in the first place: Yesterday was my friend/roommate's birthday so, of course, he had dibs on choosing a place and, being the Italian he is, he chose pizza.  We looked online for places in and around downtown with nothing screaming "Pick me!" so we sent out a couple texts asking for suggestions.  Our buddy Ben came through, big time!  I believe he said: "If you haven't been to Napolese, you're missing out." I totally trust his taste in pizza; he's a bit of a connoisseur.)

So with a recommendation and growling, empty stomach, we (Me, Britt and VI) travelled less than 5 miles from downtown.  I love where it is situated: the neighborhood, the houses, the people out walking their dogs, the hip, vibe aura.  To our surprise, we discovered their connection to the Patachou, Inc restaurant group which also includes the Petit Chous and Cafe Patachou (another fave of mine).  There was still a pretty strong dinner crowd (the restaurant itself is not very big) but does have a few tables out on the patio.  Because they had gas heaters out, we chose to sit outside to enjoy the weather and people watch.  I noticed the wood-burning, brick oven immediately and you could smell all the amazing aromas throughout the whole place. 

We were quickly greeted by our server, a think her name was Keri, who took our drink orders (I had a Peroni) and helped us navigate the menu.  She was so wonderfully helpful, pointing out the portion size of the pizzas and suggesting a few items from each category.  We decided to start with her recommendation, a cheesy, spinach and artichoke dip served with warm, toasted bread (unfortunately it's not listed on the website so I can't remember what all was in it) 

Cheesy insanity! Bread was a teeny over burnt (no biggie)

We also split a salad of spinach, large slices of portabella mushrooms and peas, tossed in a very light vinaigrette.  It was nice, nothing spectacular but worth a try.

so-so salad



Added extra: selection of specialty salts (awesome!!)

 We had our eyes on several different pizzas including one with Tellagio cheese.  None of us were familiar with that kind so Keri described it in detail including the fact that it was a creamy, strong-flavored cheese with a very acquired taste.  I was grateful for that because I am very picky about certain cheese flavors and I'm almost positive we would have not liked it.  Instead, we decided to build our own with pepperoni, buffalo mozzarella, bacon and mushrooms.  It comes with 6 large slice so the three of us split one. 

Can't think of the best word to describe our pizza

What can I say? I mean, this pizza was everything I was hoping for plus so much more.  Mind-blowing! Napolese totally lives up to the "artisanal" label they've given themselves: the crust is thin, light and crispy; just the right amount of tomato sauce; fresh, craftsman meats and ooey-gooey, stretchy cheese.  It is achieved by the brick oven that truly takes their pizzas over the top.  All 3 of us ate our share of the pizza and by the end, we were still licking our chops yet completely stuffed to the brim. 

And to cap off the perfect meal, we couldn't skip over dessert.  Since they don't sing or serve birthday cake we looked to Keri for her guidance.  Her idea: cherry and rhubarb cobbler topped with vanilla bean gelato (hooray gelato!!).  This was the [literal] cherry on top of the best sundae imaginable. Perfectly ripe fruit, packed with sweetness and richness.  The crust added just enough crispy, texture.  The most vanilla-y, vanilla bean scoop of gelato deliciously infused with the bubbling hot cobbler!  If we weren't stuffed before, now we were comatose. 

1 happy birthday boy

 I know VI had a wonderful birthday meal!  Bottom line, this might be a contender for my favorite pizzeria in Indianapolis.  Such a perfect date-night spot so I can't wait to drag D there :)

Britt + VI (the bday boy) + Me = 3 super, satisfied people

The Verdict: Out of 5 stars
Location/Atmosphere: **** (nestled in one of my favorite areas of Indianapolis but get there early because it is a small space)
Service: ***** (loved our server Keri, so helpful and informative)
Food:***** (high quality meats, cheeses and produce)
Will I eat there again: I want to go there again this weekend!!!

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