A Crepe stand downtown! I’ve seen their polka dot tent while walking the Wednesday morning Farmer’s Market but they now have a more permanent spot inside the City Market building. The line (at 12:30 pm) was a constant 15 people long but it was absolutely worth the wait.
Overview: The cutest bunch of "crepe artists" work non-stop with smile on their faces to create made-from-scratch crepes in more than 10 varieties right before your eyes.
Location: Inside the City market building, 222 Market St. two blocks east of the monument. Munch on your Parisian snack while you stroll around Monument Circle.
We decided to try the Weekly Special: Spring Chicken. It boasted chicken, goat cheese, spinach, red onions, mushrooms, asparagus and more. The batter is poured onto a round heated surface and expertly smoothed and shaped with a wooden tool to create a thin eggy almost-pancake at least a foot in diameter, then flipped (not an easy task) so the toppings can be added. Combinations range from the Classic French sweet style (Bananas and Nutella- a chocolate and hazelnut spread that I eat straight from its jar with a spoon…) to Breakfast styles (eggs cooked ON the crepe and mixed with breakfast toppings i.e. ham, bacon, cheeses) to the seemingly most popular Lunch styles such as the chicken cheese and veggies one we enjoyed. The final project is folded in half, then in threes to create a triangular cone of goodness. You can enjoy your crepe from a plate or from a large paper cone that had me comparing my huge lunch crepe with a waffle cone of ice cream.
The hubby and I shared one as we had meal plans later in the day, and that turned out to be a good idea. The ingredients blended together seamlessly with the crepe itself, good enough to pull pieces off and eat by itself, and on the whole it was very rich. The ingredients are nothing but the best and fresh- Bleu, Havarti, and Goat cheeses, cranberries, and plenty of fruits and vegetables along with sauces and vinaigrettes. I sincerely want to go back to try at least one each of the different styles I mentioned above-- these crepes blow away any mushy eggy wannabes I’ve had at restaurants in the past. And for only $6.50 and more fresh, made-to-order, in-front-of-you ingredients than you may be able to eat—this is DEFINITELY a great healthy and local option right in the heart of downtown. NOTE: They are SLAMMED at lunchtime. You may have to wait up to 10 minutes for your crepe, but if you are available before or after the rush, it will probably save you the wait time.
Hours:
Mon, Tue and Thurs, 7 am to 3 pm.
Wed and Friday, 7 am to 8 pm
Monday, June 27, 2011
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
On Time Seafood Restaurant- Lafayette Rd.
To be honest, the spouse and I deliberately dismissed this place at first glance because it looks a little run-down in its strip mall surroundings, and come on, seafood from a place called "On Time"? But wow were we wrong! After a gushing review from a friend (not to mention superior cook/caterer/foodie) we changed our thinking and visited the very next day. From the second you enter the lavish dining room tactfully decorated with red curtains, white linen covered tables, hanging lanterns and Buddha statues and then spot the wall of tanks containing LIVE fish and shellfish, you know you've begun a superb Asian dining experience. We've dined here twice and can only count the days until we grace them with our presence again.
Overview: Ok wow. Talk about sizzling and fresh family-style Asian food for a great price in a beautiful atmosphere.
Location: Right next door to Saraga International Grocery on Lafayette Road west of downtown Indy. 3623 Commercial Drive, Indianapolis 46222(317) 293-8888
We ordered a pot of green tea (served steaming hot with green-tea leaves still steeping) while we perused the enormous multilingual menu. I made two quick decisions: 1) I would definitely order seafood- considering the view of it was lazily swimming 20 feet in front of me and 2) I would start with a soup as my first of the agreed upon two dishes each. I soon after made two discoveries: 1) The vegetable options were too tempting so pass up and 2) Every dish is served family style (the prices were low enough for a healthy single portion per dish- thus the confusion. But my friend's review about the affordability was suddenly justified)... About a half-gallon of Beef and Egg White Soup later (approx. $8) we realized we still had three dishes on the way and still only two people at our table. Ahh leftovers. The soup was thick and creamy as egg-white soups tend to be (with a gravity-defying suspension of ingredients in the bowl) with ground beef and cilantro leaves. I ignored my instinct to add salt and enjoyed the simple flavors in perfect combination.
The spouse's choice of Beef Lomein as an "appetizer" appeared in a family-sized portion of long noodles in a light brown sauce with vegetables and strips of sautéed beef. He quickly decided this was the best lomein he'd ever had- and he's lived in San Fran and Chicago. No stale pre-mixed food here. The warm ingredients had obviously just left the skillet. His second choice is a staple in his Chinese food diet: Chicken and Broccoli. Again, just-cooked meat and perfectly crisp vegetables made this a double-hitter in freshness. This dish was served with a traditional sticky brown sauce with hints of sesame, chicken stock, and soy. While the spouse tends to stick with the familiar items he knows he'll love, I like to try something new every time or at least definitive of the restaurant. I justified my veering away from the Seafood by ordering a vegetable dish I couldn't take my eyes off of: Buddha's Delight. It came with no description and I figured I may not be familiar with the ingredients even if the server listed them so I jumped in headfirst. A vegetable dish arrived to our table bursting with color and aroma. I saw shiitake and straw mushrooms, baby corn, snap peas, and unrecognizable veggie strips- some white and some black. After recalling other menu options and noting their chewy mushroom taste we deducted they must be some types of edible fungus. The sauce was lighter than those served with the meat dishes but still sticky and perfectly complimenting the blend of crisp lightly cooked vegetables. I loved every bite.
For our second visit we knew what to expect, so we started with a Sweet and Sour Seafood Soup with plans of taking some home, then ordered the Beef Lomein again and the Shrimp with Hot Chili Sauce for something new. The soup again had ingredients magically suspended in a brown egg white broth- this time with bits of fish, scallops, shrimp, and other unknown seafood. Salty and savory, this soup had much more character than the first. The Shrimp was an image of perfection-- a healthy portion of jumbo shrimp, dark red with chili sauce and served with (I think) strips of green onion stalks. The dish was definitely spicy (not helped by our sips of piping hot tea) but as long as we left the whole hot peppers on the plate and away from our lips it never bordered unbearable. Also, the spice alongside the spic-y gave the shrimp excellent salty flavor aside from the heat.
Also of note- a plate consisting of an entire fish, filet'd open and steaming passed our table and I'm pretty sure I had seen it swimming only minutes earlier. This is seriously the place to go for authentic fresh Asian seafood dishes. Don't be afraid to try something new (the menu descriptions are very brief ) or of communication differences. The best ethnic food I've ever tasted has come from the hands of people with whom I could not speak. Pointing and smiling go a long way. Oh, and the biggest lesson we learned for the next time we visit On Time-- BRING FRIENDS.
Overview: Ok wow. Talk about sizzling and fresh family-style Asian food for a great price in a beautiful atmosphere.
Location: Right next door to Saraga International Grocery on Lafayette Road west of downtown Indy. 3623 Commercial Drive, Indianapolis 46222
We ordered a pot of green tea (served steaming hot with green-tea leaves still steeping) while we perused the enormous multilingual menu. I made two quick decisions: 1) I would definitely order seafood- considering the view of it was lazily swimming 20 feet in front of me and 2) I would start with a soup as my first of the agreed upon two dishes each. I soon after made two discoveries: 1) The vegetable options were too tempting so pass up and 2) Every dish is served family style (the prices were low enough for a healthy single portion per dish- thus the confusion. But my friend's review about the affordability was suddenly justified)... About a half-gallon of Beef and Egg White Soup later (approx. $8) we realized we still had three dishes on the way and still only two people at our table. Ahh leftovers. The soup was thick and creamy as egg-white soups tend to be (with a gravity-defying suspension of ingredients in the bowl) with ground beef and cilantro leaves. I ignored my instinct to add salt and enjoyed the simple flavors in perfect combination.
The spouse's choice of Beef Lomein as an "appetizer" appeared in a family-sized portion of long noodles in a light brown sauce with vegetables and strips of sautéed beef. He quickly decided this was the best lomein he'd ever had- and he's lived in San Fran and Chicago. No stale pre-mixed food here. The warm ingredients had obviously just left the skillet. His second choice is a staple in his Chinese food diet: Chicken and Broccoli. Again, just-cooked meat and perfectly crisp vegetables made this a double-hitter in freshness. This dish was served with a traditional sticky brown sauce with hints of sesame, chicken stock, and soy. While the spouse tends to stick with the familiar items he knows he'll love, I like to try something new every time or at least definitive of the restaurant. I justified my veering away from the Seafood by ordering a vegetable dish I couldn't take my eyes off of: Buddha's Delight. It came with no description and I figured I may not be familiar with the ingredients even if the server listed them so I jumped in headfirst. A vegetable dish arrived to our table bursting with color and aroma. I saw shiitake and straw mushrooms, baby corn, snap peas, and unrecognizable veggie strips- some white and some black. After recalling other menu options and noting their chewy mushroom taste we deducted they must be some types of edible fungus. The sauce was lighter than those served with the meat dishes but still sticky and perfectly complimenting the blend of crisp lightly cooked vegetables. I loved every bite.
For our second visit we knew what to expect, so we started with a Sweet and Sour Seafood Soup with plans of taking some home, then ordered the Beef Lomein again and the Shrimp with Hot Chili Sauce for something new. The soup again had ingredients magically suspended in a brown egg white broth- this time with bits of fish, scallops, shrimp, and other unknown seafood. Salty and savory, this soup had much more character than the first. The Shrimp was an image of perfection-- a healthy portion of jumbo shrimp, dark red with chili sauce and served with (I think) strips of green onion stalks. The dish was definitely spicy (not helped by our sips of piping hot tea) but as long as we left the whole hot peppers on the plate and away from our lips it never bordered unbearable. Also, the spice alongside the spic-y gave the shrimp excellent salty flavor aside from the heat.
Also of note- a plate consisting of an entire fish, filet'd open and steaming passed our table and I'm pretty sure I had seen it swimming only minutes earlier. This is seriously the place to go for authentic fresh Asian seafood dishes. Don't be afraid to try something new (the menu descriptions are very brief ) or of communication differences. The best ethnic food I've ever tasted has come from the hands of people with whom I could not speak. Pointing and smiling go a long way. Oh, and the biggest lesson we learned for the next time we visit On Time-- BRING FRIENDS.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Al Basha- casual Mediterranean Cuisine in Fishers, IN
Soooo I've already visited quite a few of the places I'd like to share with you, so until my funds are renewed mid-June, I'll start with recapping some of my new (and loyal) favorites. One of the latest additions to my husband and I's Favorites List is Al Basha Mediterranean Cuisine and Grocery. Disclaimer: We've been twice (and that's quite a hike from our downtown residence) but both times for Lunch. We have yet to experience an Al Basha dinner.
Overview: Sandwich and full dinner options from $5 to $15 exploding with spice, flavor, and fresh ingredients. Homemade soups, salads, appetizers, and desserts also available.
Location: Hiding in a strip mall on Allisonville just south of 116th St.
At our first visit the hubby and I decided to stick with lunch sandwiches, but were too hungry to wait long and ordered the Falafel Appetizer ($3.99) and a cup of Lentil Soup ($1.99). Falafel is a seasoned mix of chick peas and spices rolled into balls and deep fried-- for those of you unfamiliar with Mediterranean food. The garlic, onion, and parsley mixed falafel was crisp on the outside, warm and soft like a muffin inside and served with tahini sauce (sesame paste used in hummus) to help mellow the seasonings, and a few kalamata olives (my favorite!). Ryan describes falafel as "hush puppies from heaven" and especially loved this dish. My lentil soup was hearty and obviously homemade, and served with pita that I know for a fact they make from scratch every morning. Most lentil soups I've had are pasty and dry, but this broth was thick with what tasted like well-cooked potatoes? Definitely homey and the best lentil soup I've had.
I chose a relatively simple sandwich (according to the menu) because I wanted to branch out from the obvious choice of gyro, and many of the other options had bell peppers (unfortunately I am not a fan of those wonderful veggies). All sandwiches are between 5 and 7 dollars. I ordered the Chicken Souvlaki Sandwich which was described as "Marinated chicken pieces with garlic, black pepper and olive oil." Start with the basics. The sandwich that appeared before me was everything but simple, and subsequently turned out to be miraculous. The white meat chicken pieces were bright red with the marinade and called to mind spicy Indian flavors I adore. Some concoction of, I believe, pickled vegetables also fit inside this overflowing pita, and last but not least, THE SAUCE. Some sour-ish white yogurt sauce (without the cucumber flavor of "tzatziki" sauce) that either had similar seasonings to the marinade or just complimented them so well that the combination of the spicy red meat, the tart sauce and the subtle vinegar-bite of the vegetables brought me to audible enjoyment of the sandwich with every bite, and a request for extra sauce. My husband went with the traditional Gyro Sandwich and enjoyed the lamb, cucumber sauce, onions and tomotoes served in an identical pita, but soon envied my magic-sauce ridden "Souvlaki" and helped me finish the behemoth. Maybe he should have asked for the $0.49 "Hot or Extra Spicy" upgrade... Needless to say at our second visit, he ordered the Souvlaki and I tried the Chicken Shawarma Sandwich which was similar to the first with the marinated meat and a "pickle sauce," but didn't quite achieve that perfect blend of flavors. Final note on food: the sandwiches do not come with a side-- fries or other sides can be added but I barely finished mine and longingly wished I had room/money to try the (only $3.00!!) baklava dessert.
The other mainstay of this venue is the SERIOUS Mediterranean grocery (I'm telling you-- flawless pita and hummus made fresh every morning) and elaborately beautiful hookahs for decoration and sale. For more info check out (and print a coupon from) their website, and then GO THERE and try it yourself!
Overview: Sandwich and full dinner options from $5 to $15 exploding with spice, flavor, and fresh ingredients. Homemade soups, salads, appetizers, and desserts also available.
Location: Hiding in a strip mall on Allisonville just south of 116th St.
At our first visit the hubby and I decided to stick with lunch sandwiches, but were too hungry to wait long and ordered the Falafel Appetizer ($3.99) and a cup of Lentil Soup ($1.99). Falafel is a seasoned mix of chick peas and spices rolled into balls and deep fried-- for those of you unfamiliar with Mediterranean food. The garlic, onion, and parsley mixed falafel was crisp on the outside, warm and soft like a muffin inside and served with tahini sauce (sesame paste used in hummus) to help mellow the seasonings, and a few kalamata olives (my favorite!). Ryan describes falafel as "hush puppies from heaven" and especially loved this dish. My lentil soup was hearty and obviously homemade, and served with pita that I know for a fact they make from scratch every morning. Most lentil soups I've had are pasty and dry, but this broth was thick with what tasted like well-cooked potatoes? Definitely homey and the best lentil soup I've had.
I chose a relatively simple sandwich (according to the menu) because I wanted to branch out from the obvious choice of gyro, and many of the other options had bell peppers (unfortunately I am not a fan of those wonderful veggies). All sandwiches are between 5 and 7 dollars. I ordered the Chicken Souvlaki Sandwich which was described as "Marinated chicken pieces with garlic, black pepper and olive oil." Start with the basics. The sandwich that appeared before me was everything but simple, and subsequently turned out to be miraculous. The white meat chicken pieces were bright red with the marinade and called to mind spicy Indian flavors I adore. Some concoction of, I believe, pickled vegetables also fit inside this overflowing pita, and last but not least, THE SAUCE. Some sour-ish white yogurt sauce (without the cucumber flavor of "tzatziki" sauce) that either had similar seasonings to the marinade or just complimented them so well that the combination of the spicy red meat, the tart sauce and the subtle vinegar-bite of the vegetables brought me to audible enjoyment of the sandwich with every bite, and a request for extra sauce. My husband went with the traditional Gyro Sandwich and enjoyed the lamb, cucumber sauce, onions and tomotoes served in an identical pita, but soon envied my magic-sauce ridden "Souvlaki" and helped me finish the behemoth. Maybe he should have asked for the $0.49 "Hot or Extra Spicy" upgrade... Needless to say at our second visit, he ordered the Souvlaki and I tried the Chicken Shawarma Sandwich which was similar to the first with the marinated meat and a "pickle sauce," but didn't quite achieve that perfect blend of flavors. Final note on food: the sandwiches do not come with a side-- fries or other sides can be added but I barely finished mine and longingly wished I had room/money to try the (only $3.00!!) baklava dessert.
The other mainstay of this venue is the SERIOUS Mediterranean grocery (I'm telling you-- flawless pita and hummus made fresh every morning) and elaborately beautiful hookahs for decoration and sale. For more info check out (and print a coupon from) their website, and then GO THERE and try it yourself!
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Let's Get It Started
Calling all foodies, adventurous eaters, cheapskates, hungry drunks, and everyone in between. Indianapolis is bursting with exciting food joints and teeming with hungry people to frequent them. That's where I enter the stage-- Working through Indy's selection of restaurants, eateries, joints, shacks, and then sharing with you which ones I think are worth our hard-earned moola and our social joy. Also some great daily and weekly specials for those times when your wallet is the weight of air but you still need some good eats. I welcome and plead for any and all comments, disagreements, new suggestions, and questions. So check in as often as you want and check up on the state of dining in our city. According to my humble opinion, that is. And then go out and get you some nummy-nums. Happy eating!
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