Belated Post >> What I'm Eating: Pizzology in Carmel

My birthday is January 21st and my younger brother's is February 3rd so we typically go out to dinner annually with my mother to jointly celebrate.  He's 2 years younger than me, married, and the proud father of 2 adorable kiddos.  They live in Noblesville so I don't get to see him and his family quite as often as I'd like. 

Aw, wasn't he such a stinkin' cute kid

 

When my mother suggested just ordering pizza and eating at her house, I quickly chimed in to proclaim that Pizzology was on my restaurant bucket list and wasn't too far from her place in Fishers.  

Pizzology is another brainchild of Indy restaurateur, Neal Brown, located at 131st and Hazel Dell Rd in Carmel.  It is described as "Neapolitan Craft Pizza. Local, artisanal ingredients"  Sounds intriguing enough to me.  It also boasts a nice local craft beer list, too.  But most importantly, for this occasion, the key was to find a place that was kid-friendly.  My niece is 1 and a half and my nephew just celebrated his 6th birthday.  As much as I'd love to enjoy an upscale birthday dinner, convenience was necessity.  

It is located in a small shopping center on the west side of Hazel Dell Rd and is located a little ways back from the road so we accidentally drove past it the first time (just be on the look out).  The interior space is artfully designed.  To the right is a bar area that, on a Tuesday night, was completely empty and then to the left was the main dining area.  This is not a humongous space but I think that it works since it's supposed to be a neighborhood joint.   The focal point of the restaurant is the open kitchen with eat-up bar so that you can sit and watch your pizza being assembled and then tossed in the wood-burning, brick pizza oven.  

My nephew with "Oma"

Couldn't put his Nintendo DS down

We were quickly greeted by our delightfully wonderful and knowledgeable server, I want to say her name was Maria but I'm having a bit of a brain-fart.  None of us had dined there before so we all intently listened as she named off the specials and added some personal recommendations including Sun King Brewery's Malus Pi.  Excellent choice.  I call it cider beer on steroids with wintry, spice notes.   

I had done a little research prior to going and was told by a few people to ask for the bread sticks that are not on the menu.  We got a couple orders of those while we perused the rest of the menu.  I don't know why they aren't on there because they are insanely delectable: doughy yet not too much raw flour flavor; crispy on the outside, soft and chewy on the inside; and finally, sprinkled with sea salt and Parmesan.  I can't forget to mention that they're served with house-made Parmesan cheese sauce and fresh marinara.  Both orders were eaten quickly and enjoyed by all!

 

The Tony's Fritters immediately caught my attention so we also put in a order of those, as well. 

You betcha I added a poached farm-fresh egg to that thing!  I first must say that I am salivating reminiscing about this unique appetizer that I ate almost a month ago. 

 

When it came out, I immediately smelled the earthy, warm aroma of the truffle.  I quickly broke open the poached egg so that the warm, creamy yolk served as an additional dipping sauce.  They utilized the truffle as a oil drizzle and as a lightly whipped truffle butter (heavenly).  This small plate was so decadent, boastful and completely unexpected.  Lucky for me, the kids and a few others weren't interested so I got to eat most of it.  BRAVO!

For our entrees, we ordered 2 pies: 1 for the adventurous eaters (CARNI) and 1 for the tame eaters (PEPPERONI)

When I think of my perfect pizza here's how I construct it in my mind:

1. Hand-kneaded dough that is thin and crispy
2. House-made tomato sauce was is slightly chunky, sweet and lightly seasoned
3. Layer of rich, salty white cheese, not too much, and not so rubbery that it all comes off in one bite
4. Local, fresh, seasonal ingredients
5. Baked in a brick wood-burning oven

This is how I ultimately describe the Carni pizza.  I call this the "Perfect Date" pizza: Porchetta, Mortadella and Pepperoni for the man and arugula, thinly sliced rings of white Spring onions and salty, briny capers for the lady.  This is a knife and fork kind of pizza that encapsulates all the flavor basics: crunchy/melty, salty/sweet, fresh/baked.

 

The Pepperoni pizza was equally crafted.  Even my picky-eater nephew ate some.

I think my brother polished off most of it, though.  That guy can eat anything, at any quantity and gain 0 pounds.

Although I was completely stuffed and slipping into a bit of a gluttonous food coma, I riskily ordered some Pistachio gelato.  I knew everyone else would take a little bite and that in the end, a sweet cap is always a good call.  Of course, I was right again.

I just love the rich, creamy, slow-churned quality of gelato.  Then mix it with the saltiness of the pistachio and  it's just divine.  We easily polished it off and took a moment to let the digestion process begin.

The Birthday Boy with a variety pack of K-cups

Amateur photographer

My Mama and I

Smile, D!

I must give another huge congrats to Neal Brown in creating an experience quite different to that of The Libertine downtown.  Both equally share an obvious love of cooking, thoughtfulness in crafting a full bar and food menu, and ingenuity of doing so by utilizing local resources.  Pizzology caters to a more suburban and family-oriented crowd at very family-friendly prices while not sacrificing quality.  

I sure hope that it won't be long until  talented, Indy restaurateurs venture down to the south side of Indianapolis which I think is just dying to be tapped! (wink, wink! hint, hint!)

PIZZOLOGY (on Twitter @pizzology)

www.pizzologyindy.com

13190 Hazel Dell Parkway  Carmel, IN 46033
(317) 844-2550

Happy Birthday to ME! What I'm Eating & Drinking: Devour Downtown - The Libertine & Tavern on South

For my birthday, all I wanted to do was spend a wonderful evening with D enjoying a delicious meal accompanied with some fine, adult beverages.  I was whining saying all week that Devour Downtown was going on and that wonderful opportunities to try some of Indianapolis' finest restaurants were slipping away.  I had Oceanaire and St. Elmo's on my radar but they didn't have any reservations available.  Fogo de Chao for $30 a person was a steal but I'd been there before and besides, I wanted to go LOCAL!  Luckily, D made a reservation in the nick of time for me to at least enjoy one DD restaurant I haven't been to before, Tavern on South.

To make the most out of my birthday night-out, I suggested we kill two birds with one stone and go for pre-dinner cocktails at another local place that had been on my Indy Bucket List, The Libertine Liquor Bar, which was also participating in Devour Downtown.

THE LIBERTINE (click here for more info)

Nestled in a rather narrow, location wedged in between 2 other businesses off of Washington St, from the outside I really had no idea what to expect.  I've read the reviews on the place and was fully aware the the owner, Neal Brown, and his reputation among Indy as a top chef, but I had to check it out for myself.  Every once in a while I like to dress up and sip on something other than a Miller Lite.  And besides, it was my birthday, after all.

Upon entering, I immediately notice the dark, swanky atmosphere projected by the dark walls and ominous lighting.  The place is packed, presumably because it's 7pm on a Friday and one of the last days of DD.  One of the hostesses explains that there are 2 communal, bar-height tables that are first-come, first-serve so we grab the one near the window.  The bartenders were outfitted in such appropriate 1920s attire but with a modern twist which was also the case for the decor: industrial but inconspicuous.  D and I are a huge fan of the HBO series, Boardwalk Empire, so I really tried to soak up the ambiance of the Prohibition Era that The Libertine tries to portray.

I have to be honest, I think we were both a bit intimidated by the drink menu.  This was far from our comfort zone.  Not to say we haven't experienced a mature cocktail before; this was just a little out of the norm.  We only had time for 1 cocktail before we had to head to Tavern so I went with the Pimm's Cup, a cocktail that I had heard in an episode of Boardwalk Empire.

D went with the Seelbach Cocktail Redux.

D accidentally handed me his drink, seeing that it was served in a "martini" glass.  I quickly told him that it was his and pointed out the prosecco on the menu that was in his cocktail.  Although he might have thought the drink looked girly, there was nothing girly about it.  The Kentucky bourbon was the dominate flavor and quite frankly took me by surprise (not in a bad way).  The bit of orange peel and the subtle acid of the prosecco helped to mellow it out.

The Pimm's Cup was exactly what I was looking for; something crisp, light but full of bright notes.  Really the cocktail had me at ginger brew which is something I really enjoy.  I am also a huge fan of gin but have to really be careful.  Too much gin makes me angry :)  The cucumber and the citrus helped intensify the flavors of the sharp gin and the sweet ginger beer.  This will be a summer time go-to beverage of mine, for sure!

Our tab was about $20 for just 2 drinks which means we probably won't be going there on the regular but I look forward to trying out the food which I heard is equally intriguing as the beverage menu.  We settled our tab and headed to our main attraction.

TAVERN ON SOUTH (click here for more info) 

In business, they say LOCATION! LOCATION! LOCATION! And with the Super Bowl festivities kicking off this weekend, very few places are more closely in proximity to Lucas Oil Stadium than Tavern on South (basically South St & Missouri).  It's located in a double-decker, renovated building in the Wholesale District on the south side of the city.  They've done a superb job rejuvenating the building itself without losing the essence and history.  D and I really enjoyed the blown up, black and white historical Indianapolis photographs.

They, too, were quite busy but we were sat immediately in a two-seater next to the impressive, full service bar.  Our server, Chris (I think) was very friendly and quickly pointed out the Devour Downtown menu.  It took me a little bit to decide what wine to order because I couldn't decide what I was having for dinner: the red meat or seafood...decisions, decisions....Finally, I went with the Lump Crab Cakes (I saw them being delivered to another table and just couldn't resist) and a glass of their recommended Brassfield Sauvignon Blanc.

For my First Course, I went with the Tavern Salad.  All the accouterments listed (sweet and spicy walnuts, dried cherries, Granny Smith Apple vinaigrette) really pulled me in minus the goat cheese which is the one cheese in the world that I can't wrap my taste buds around.  

Despite the goat cheese, this salad was amazing and vibrant.  I didn't really understand the "candied asparagus" that was described on the menu.  The granny smith apple vinaigrette was ingenious because the tartness really balanced out the sweetness of the candied walnuts which were also a highlight.  All in all, a perfect start to a 3-course meal.  D went with the Caesar Salad.  I didn't hear much about it other than he ate it all.

Chris did a pretty good job timing our entrees because shortly after we finished up our salads, they arrived.  Again, I went with the Lump Crab Cakes which I don't think are featured on their main menu, but should be!

I could barely hold out long enough to take a few glamour shots of my plate.  The aroma of the crab meat and the vibrancy of the tomato and onion relish was so overwhelming.  I've been to the East Coast, South Florida and Southern California so I know what fresh seafood is supposed to take like.  These crab cakes didn't disappoint: Jam-packed with real, lump crab meat with a perfect sear on each side which were not overly greasy or filled with too much breading; lemon aeoli drizzle was creamy but not saturating the cakes; and the tomato, red onion and white bean relish was the cherry on the crab-Cake!  Bravo, Tavern!

Now on the other spectrum was D's Chargrilled Filet Mignon.  This was probably the low point of our entire meal and unfortunately, I didn't get a picture of his plate.  The cut of meat itself didn't appear to D or I to be a filet unless, perhaps, they butterflied it.  Why would you do that without informing the guest?  It just didn't have that plump, scallop-like presence that a filet typically has and it was cooked a bit over the medium-rare that he ordered.  Also, the Blue Cheese Fritters that were served with the filet were very dry and left a funky after-taste.  Nonetheless, he ate the rest of my crab cakes I didn't eat in order to save room for dessert.

Thankfully, Tavern's third and final courses went out on a very high note with their desserts.  I went with the Crème Brulee.

The vanilla custard was prepared perfectly smooth and refined, precisely bruleed on top.  Then, to go over-the-top, they added a miniature, strawberry fruit bar, just because.

D went with the Viennese Apple Strudel; another sweet home run.

Tart, yet ripe apples sliced and sauteed in their house-made caramel sauce and cinnamon then rolled into a thin, flaky pastry and served with cinnamon ice cream.  Not to be shy, they ladled in more of the caramel sauce in the bottom of the bowl.

Both desserts provided the perfect sweet-cap without being rich and overfilling.  D and I licked our bowls clean finished our desserts and settled up with our server.  While we were dining, the entire city of Indianapolis had been blanketed by sleet and freezing rain.  We decided to call it a night and let our full bellies digest.

So to recap, I had a wonderful 28th birthday thanks to The Libertine and Tavern on South!  Lately, I haven't been able to go out as much as I want but I had a great night exploring two culinary gems that downtown Indianapolis has to offer.  I really wish I could have made it to more of the Devour Downtown restaurants but I know that the Summer edition will be here before we know it.  For more information, visit their website: www.devourdowntown.org.

Blogger Meet-up, Date Night & What I'm Eating : Seasons 52

The seasons are changing.  I love it.  The leaves. The smells of wood-burning fires.  The stylish wardrobe with layers, jeans, sweaters, boots.  But my favorite is the change in menus of many restaurants in the area; especially those who focus their menus greatly into what is ripe and in season.  One of those restaurants that prides themselves on wisely seeking fresh, regionally sourced meat, poultry, seafood and produce is Seasons 52 (at Keystone at the Crossing).  The head and sous chefs boldly experiment with flavors and ingredients while also focusing on healthy portions that create "seasonally-inspired" dishes with 475 calories or less. 

A couple weeks ago, I had the honor and privilege of getting to try Seasons 52's new Fall menu before they launched it to the public.  Talk about royal treatment.  Myself and 4 other local bloggers were treated to an amazing 12-course "tasting" along with carefully paired wines (picked out by our wonderful server, Jason).  This experience was so entertaining.  Not only did I enjoy the conversations with new acquaintances but the education we received from the head chef, Bill, was equally intriguing. 

Here were some of my favorites:

Grade A/Level 1 Seared Ahi Tuna

Organic Arugala Salad with portobello mushrooms, shaved Parmesan cheese and tossed in a truffle dressing.  (Who doesn't love the earthy flavors of truffles?)

NOT PICTURED: one of my absolute favorites was the Maple Leaf Farms Sesame Duck Chop Salad tossed with apples, butternut squash, dried cranberries and the surprise flavor of mint!  Yum!

Squash Trio: I was hoping there would be squash featured.  I was having a hankering so Autumn squash!

Brussels sprouts?  Seriously? Yes, they were great!  No offense, Mom, but yours have never tasted like these. 

(LEFT to RIGHT) Grilled Quail over broccoli; mashed sweet potatoes (not doused in butter or brown sugar, yet sweet and scrumptious); Cajun-style blackened Mahi 

We barely had enough room in our stomachs but we all found a spot for this amazing Mini Indulgence: layered Pumpkin Pie and gingersnap crust topped with sweet crème fraiche :)

Myself and the lovely ladies

Please check out these other amazing blogs:

• citynomnoms.wordpress.com
• basilmomma.com
• citynomnom.wordpress.com & entertaining-life-daily.blogspot.com
• foodplusfizz.blogspot.com

When I got home that night, I shared some of my leftovers with D.  A week later, when I was pushing for a DATE NIGHT, D suggested we go to Seasons 52; he wanted to check it out for himself. 

We went on a Saturday night with a reservation for 8:15, and when we arrived, it was a full house.  We actually elected to sit in a booth in the bar area rather than the large main dining room.  This turned out to be a great move because it was much quieter and made for easier conversation.  We also got to enjoy the live pianist who softly performed right in the bar (side by side with the bartenders).  Such a unique and classy touch.  I took more notice of the ambiance and decor.  Dark, intimate lighting.  Rich, deep wood paneling.  Natural stone. Open, airy kitchen.

I knew I was going to go for a seafood dish so I ordered a glass of vino, a South African Sauvignon Blanc, while D enjoyed a Sam Adams seasonal ale.  I loved the elegant table side wine pour (even just wine by the glass). We also went ahead and immediately ordered the Steak and Cremini Mushroom Flatbread - grilled, shaved steak, cremini mushrooms, gorgonzola cheese, sauteed onions and fresh basil. 


Absolutely amazing!

After a bit of back-and-forth, I decided to go with the Cedar-Planked Grilled Salmon which was accompanied with roasted red potatoes and grilled asparagus and carrots. 

It was an excellent choice.  The salmon was cooked perfectly, moist and seasoned just with a bit of salt and pepper and I loved the fresh veggies that came with it.  I also ordered the Squash Trio that I had enjoyed so much previously.

D went for the Grilled Lamb T-bone Chops; no surprise there!  3 medallions of perfectly grilled lamb served with Yukon Gold mashed potatoes and veggies.  D quickly devoured his meal; a sure sign that he thoroughly enjoyed it.  His only complaint was the amount of meat he received.  He thought it was a little sparse considering the higher prices than other restaurants in the area.  I tried to reassure him that the price goes into the quality and the careful sourcing. 

When the Mini Indulgence dessert tray came by I knew I had to try one.  Heck, for $2.50 each, I'd be surprised if there was ever a table that completely passed it up.  D swore he was stuffed but I forced a bite on him.  He's doesn't have the biggest sweet tooth.  I went with the Mocha Macciato. 

Light and fluffy. Sweet without being overindulgent. The perfect sweet cap for an amazing night out with D.

<3

Seasons 52
8650 Keystone Crossing
Indianapolis, IN 46240
(317) 846-5252
www.seasons52.com

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: 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

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

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