Northside Kitchenette

While on College Avenue, I, my husband and Corrin stopped by Northside Kitchenette for a quick lunch. This restaurant is owned by the same individuals who own the next door restaurant, the very popular Northside Social, open at night for dinner and drinks. We loved the interior and exterior of the breakfast/lunch "kitchenette". It is modern and reminscent of a Cafe Patachou and outside they have a romantic courtyard area complete with little white lights and pillows. We sat outside in the sultry weather and received excellent service by our waitress who responded to our need of a quick lunch. We ordered the Brisket Manhattan, the Munchie Supreme (pastrami, swiss cheese and Dijon remoulade on rye), and the Broiled Basa (broiled white fish with field greens, tomato, and lemon tartar on baguette), and their signature mushroom soup with cream and brandy. Corrin's sandwich was the best with the fish perfectly broiled and mild. She also enjoyed her ice tea - a citrus-flavored green tea. The Munchie was surprisingly flavorless; my husband thought that the pastrami was not peppery enough and too salty, and the remoulade was not apparent. In addition, he was not expecting fries to be filling up the inside of his sandwich. We all loved the homemade potato chips served with the sandwiches - a perfect thickness and flavor. Homemade pickles were another accompaniment, but not my favorite. The soup was quite good with a perfect blend of mushrooms, cream, and brandy, and a lovely Parmesan-coated crouton served beside it. My beef brisket Manhattan was disappointing in that the mashed potatoes seemed institutional in flavor as well as the gravy which was too salty. The beef, cooked in beer, was tasty and of good quality. The sourdough bread which I requested to be served on the side was nicely toasted. We all shared a banana cream pie dessert which was interestingly composed but the banana custard had an artificial banana flavor and was too thick. In summary, there were things we loved about the Kitchenette, the atmosphere and service. Some of the food was very good, but other food not so good. Prices were rather high for the hit-or-miss food.

Atmosphere - 8
Service - 8
Price - 6
Presentation - 8
Food - 6
Overall - 6.5

BRICS, a Fun Ice Cream Joint

BRICS, which stands for Broad Ripple Ice Cream Station, is a cool ice cream shop that moved into the old train station on the Monon. It is locally owned and features premium ice cream, about 40 flavors, from Sherman's in Michigan. They also features your typical sundaes, milkshakes and other good ice cream concoctions. They sell fair trade coffee, tea and hot chocolate as well. I took my children today and we had the cotton candy confetti ice cream on a handmade sugar cone and the white cake batter with chocolate fudge. I also sampled the coconut almond fudge. I was not wowed by any of the flavors but I did appreciate that they were not as sweet as some brands of ice cream.  I also loved what they have done to the place, inside and out. The decor inside is pleasing to both the young and old alike with soothing blues and browns and interesting, comfortable seating. The outside  is pleasant inviting passers-by with its deck tables and chairs. I especially appreciated the fact that this place is very environmentally aware and actively recycles. I like this place enough to come back and find a flavor I love. Suggestions?

Atmosphere - 9
Service - 7
Price - 7
Presentation - 7
Food - 6
Overall - 7

Parcha Sweets Field Trip

Parcha Sweets has been in Broad Ripple since 2010, owned by two sisters from Puerto Rico. One of the sisters, Marian Mulero, is a pastry chef, who graduated from a Le Cordon Bleu Academy in Orlando,Florida. The bakery is housed in a former pizza establishment and is located on 62nd St. My first encounter with Parcha Sweets was at the Broad Ripple farmer’s market. I did not give it much notice since my two favorite bakery vendors, Rene’s Bakery and Circle City Sweets are also selling their scrumptious fares there. There is also Scholar’s Inn Bakehouse to consider.

Yesterday, my daughter took a summer camp field trip to Parcha Sweets as part of her cooking class. She was extremely excited since she had heard they have very good cupcakes. She was not sure if they would get to help make the pastries but she was definitely up for sampling! Imagine my disappointment and, especially hers, when all they did was file through the small bakery. Not even a cookie! After hearing this, we immediately drove to the bakery after class and I let her pick out a treat.

There were predominantly cupcakes displayed of many colors and flavors, all with elaborate icings. In the bottom of the case were a myriad of cake pops. In another case were a few high-brow pastries, some quite beautiful,  including tres leche. We picked out a wedding cake cupcake and birthday cake cupcake and my toddler wanted a cake pop. I also had to try the tres leche with its promised soaked sponge cake in four different milks and its marshmallow fluff topping. My toddler would not leave the premises until he had had his treat. He easily found a child’s size chair and table to claim. The seating was fun and cramped. I decided to give him half of his cake pop but it was like cutting into a brick due to its hard coating. Inside was a doughy brown middle whose flavor I could not deduce except that it was beyond sweet! Whew! Which brings me to my next point. Why in America have we found cake pops and cupcakes with inch-thick icings to be so enticing? Are there any adults present?? This seems to be so trendy and hopefully, it will disappear in a few years. Even for my children, I do not wish for them to gorge on extremely sweet balls that are enticingly called cake pops. What is more depressing is that such a seemingly talented chef has most of her case filled with these trendy and overly sweet and rich items. We have enough cupcake bakeries in this town! Enough of my displeasure about the current dessert food scene.

The birthday cake cupcake was comprised of this strange brown cake with unidentifiable flavor. Of all the items, the wedding cupcake was the best and truly tasted like a wedding cake with its strong almond undertones and good texture– again way too much icing but very nice flavors. We sampled the tres leche later as an entire family. I stuck a spoon into the foil ramekin and found almost all liquid and no cake! I know the cake should be soaked with its milks but in this particular case the cake was not perceivable. Hmmm. Did it even get baked? Sadly, a huge disappointment. I called the establishment later in the day and complained about the tres leche and was met with a heart-felt apology and the offer of a gift card. I will give this place another try even though I was not impressed with their treatment of a class of small children on a field trip and their baked goods. Why another try? Because I like the idea of this place and that it is a local effort by two sisters, one well-trained.  (Well Corrin and I did try it again the following day this time purchasing more cupcakes and a petite cherry pie. The pie was average and the cupcakes good but too sweet and rich. My husband was given the leftovers and had similar complaints made independent of our comments. We all found the cake portion of the cupcakes to be dry and dense. The exception was the Smores cupcake.)

Atmosphere – 6

Service – 8

Presentation – 10

Food – 5-6

Price – 7 (almost everything was $2.99 each)

Overall - 6

Poccadio Moroccan Grill

For lunch this week, Corrin and I decided to try the new Poccadio Moroccan Grill & Sandwiches owned by the same individual who owns Saffron Café, which we have enjoyed in the past. "Poccadio" is a Morrocan word for fast food and this is a casual eatery that allows you to build your own sandwich, salad or platter. It is located in a very busy Broad Ripple plaza. Once we secured a parking spot we headed in and were met by very pleasant Middle Eastern décor with rich colors and tile. Most of the tables were of the elevated type where you have to perch and eat your food.  At the front of the restaurant was a make-your own sandwich, salad or plate ordering area similar to some other chains. We had barely looked at the menu when we were asked if we would like to try a sampler plate.
The sampler plate itself could have been lunch for both of us in that it contained every piece of grilled meat available as well as sides, garnishes and condiments.  We settled on the Marrakesh Special (grilled kofta made of ground beef topped with lettuce, tomato, picked onions, hummus, and heera, and an eggplant (zaalouk) sandwich topped with a yogurt cucumber sauce, both on pita. Corrin ordered a mint iced tea. Strangely, we were given the option of more traditional leavened house-baked breads (Moroccan baguettes?) as well as pita bread. The service was slow even though the place was rather empty at noon.  Staff was friendly which always helps. As expected our sandwiches were quite tasty although we both agreed the pita was dry and hard – a plus for my sandwich that was oozing juices.  Corrin enjoyed the flavorful tea although it was pretty sweet.  My kids were whining because there were not really good options for them, picky children that they are, although a staff person kindly offered my toddler an orange.  Most sandwiches were about $8.00 and platters were $12.00 which we found a little steep for lunch. I brought the leftovers home to my husband, and he loved them! All in all, Poccadio is a welcomed addition to the Broad Ripple area, with interesting and flavorful food choices.

Atmospshere -  7

Service – 6 (due to slowness which should improve with time)

Presentation – 7

Price – 6

Food – 8

Overall – 7

Farmers' Markets Around Town

I look with anticipation each year as spring rolls around and farmers' markets appear. I do like the various winter markets around town but let's face it, Indiana is not in a subtropical/tropical zone. It has little to show in winter. In warm times, I have been a patron of the Broad Ripple farmer's market, behind the high school, for years. Unfortunately, my favorite vendors there, Neighbor's Garden and Seldom Seen Farms have disappeared due to unfortunate circumstances Actually Seldom Seen has merged with another vendor as part of FarmIndy, though I see much less of its pieces of art. They had radishes, greens, and cilantro that were breathtaking.. Broad Ripple features many wonderful vendors including Homestead Growers and Trader's Point Creamery. Trader's Point always pleases with its award-winning yogurts and cheeses. I like this particular market also because it showcases lots of produce and allows dogs. I love dog and people watching here. The crowds are manageable as well. This brings me to Carmel Farmer's market that recently has moved from a park-like setting to a concrete slab by the Palladium. Something is very wrong when one has to park in a parking garage and ride the elevator down to an outdoor market in a small - yes small town. The vendors tend to be wanna-be restaurants although there are a few bonafied produce vendors. The crowds are overwhelming especially if you arrive after nine. These problems, crowds and few produce vendors are also problems for the Zionsville market. The other markets I have ventured to around town are just too small. And did I mention no dogs at the Carmel market? Have a heart! I long for those piles of miraculous vegetables seen so readily in European outdoor markets where people and dogs leisurely roam with room to move.. Markets there are not a cultural trend but a way of life.

Oakley's Delights

Oakley's Bistro on 86th St. has been one of my favorite restaurants in Indy for several years. It is privately owned, consistently good, uses seasonal local ingredients, is creative, and has a nice atmosphere. They also have great cooking classes too. I like going at lunch when you get a snapshot of the restaurant for much cheaper prices than in the evening. Today I took my co-worker out to lunch at Oakley's. She loves creme brulee and I had informed her that Oakley's has a fine one. At lunch it is fairly empty which I always find depressing. I love its decor - subdued yet warm with rich browns and some blue. There is quiet music in the background. We are placed in a cozy booth and begin to check out the menu. It consists of soups, salads, tarts, and small entrees and various combos. Most under $10. Each ingredient in a dish is interestingly listed as a separate item. I choose the tomato basil soup beautifully served in a pewter tureen. My co-worker and I both order the chicken turnover which is a lovely puff pastry of a thing stuffed with chicken, brie, and spinach topped with a nice mustard and slices of pickled beet and paired with a lovely and colorful salad of local greens, carrots, radishes and pea shoots. To finish we order the day's featured creme brulee, one that is topped with chocolate mousse. Sadly, my friend finds the creme brulee a little too egg-y for her taste but to my taste buds it is ambrosia - just the right crack when I break the carmelized surface and a creamy chilled vanilla bean custard underneath. Luckily, I have them serve the mousse on the side since I am a creme brulee purist. The mousse is nice but not as silky as I would like. Ah - another good meal in Indy. If I do have a complaint about Oakley's it is the service. It tends to be impersonal and not as attentive as I would expect for a high-end restaurant. It also can be relatively slow for lunch. Maybe next time dinner?

 

Atmosphere - 8
Presentation - 10
Price - 7 (for lunch)
Food - 9.5
Service - 6
Overall - 9

Demarle Party at Home

This week I hosted a Demarle at Home cooking party. My friends and I sat around watching a cooking demo and we also did a recipe exchange. For those not familiar, Demarle at Home is a direct sales company that allows customers in the U.S. to enjoy Silpat products from France, not readily available in our stores. Sure there are Silpat mats and versions of Silpat in the U.S. market, but to have the other high-quality silcone/woven glass molds and mats one usually has to order through high-end online stores and often at higher costs. I was excited to see these products demonstrated in my home and have already been enjoying my sister’s Flexipan flower petal mold to bake muffins and single-portion size quiches. Here is a link to Demarle at Home where you can browse their catalog and shop:
http://experience.demarleathome.com

I have also included below our recipes from the evening.

Black Bean Chipotle Soup served at the party – Go to January Archives on the blog and at the end of the Very Local Chez Carrie post, you will find the recipe.

Texas-Sized Blueberry Muffins submitted by Corrin
(Makes 8 large muffins)

2 ½ c flour
2 t baking powder
½ t salt
1/2 c unsalted butter, softened
1 ½ c sugar
3 eggs
¾ c milk
1 t vanilla
2 ½ -3 c fresh or frozen blueberries

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Combine flour, baking powder, and salt in mixing bowl and set aside. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy with mixer. Add eggs one at a time, beating well. Add milk and vanilla to wet mixture. Slowly add wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until just blended. Gently fold in blueberries. Fill Flexipan Texas Muffin Tray or muffin tray of your choice. Place on Perforated Baking Sheet if using Flexipan product. Fill muffin trays half full and bake for 35 minutes or until lightly golden.
 
Oatmeal Cake with Icing submitted by Judy

1 ¼ c boiling water
1 c quick cook oats
½ c butter
1 c white sugar
1 c brown sugar
2 eggs beaten
1 1/3 c flour
¾ t baking soda
 ¼ t salt
½ t cinnamon

Pour water over oats and let stand while preparing rest of mixture. Cream butter, add sugars, and continue creaming. Add beaten eggs. Sift flour, soda, salt and cinnamon. Add oat mixture and dry ingredients to creamed mixture. Pour into your choice of Flexipan mold or greased and floured square cake pan and bake at 350 degrees for 45-50 minutes.

Icing
¼ c milk
6 T butter
¾ brown sugar
1 c coconut
1 c nuts (pecans suggested)
1 t vanilla

Mix all ingredients and pour over warm cake. Put under broiler (remember to transfer to broiler safe plate if using Flexipan mold) until mixture bubbles and browns slightly.

Spinach Salad submitted by Judy

1 lb fresh spinach
1 can sliced water chestnuts
2 hard-boiled eggs shredded
½ lb bacon diced
¾ c bean sprouts
Note: Other ingredients can be added such as grape tomatoes.

Dressing
1 small diced onion
1 T Worchestershire sauce
½ c salad oil
½ c white sugar
¼ c ketchup
2 T apple cider vinegar

Mix above ingredients in blender or by hand with whisk. Mix dressing several hours before serving over salad to let flavors mellow together and keep at room temperature.

The New Eggshell Bistro

Eggshell Bistro, in the heart of Carmel, is on Indianapolis Monthly's list of best new restaurants this year. I peeked in as I picked up cupcakes at Holy Cow Cupcakes next door. I love the look of this breakfast/lunch bistro. The first thing you notice is its cheery yellow metal chairs and its progressive edge. I looked in the bakery case and decided to pick up a few lemon poppy seed scones. They had a limited menu listed on a chalkboard. I was intrigued by its look and paid the steep $8 for my two scones on a fancy tablet where my bill appeared. Once home I tried out the scones which were pretty good, maybe a little eggy and probably not worth the price. I will put this on my list as a place I would like to go to try a meal without the toddler. I suspect however that I will find it overpriced and perhaps not quite as good as I would expect from its sophisticated face.

Casa Grande in Castleton

After a brief hiatus I am back on the restaurant scene.  We were taking a friend out to eat, who had moved out to LA a few years ago. We were looking for a decent restaurant with pleasant atmosphere that was also OK for kids. When taking out-of-town visitors to eat out, I am quickly reminded of the limited good food choices. I strongly felt this again last evening. With Cooper's Hawk fully booked we headed to Casa Grande for Mexican. It is housed in the former Max and Erma's behind the mall. When I walked in, I immediately liked the place. It was a notch above most Mexican restaurants as far as decor. It had well-appointed booths, tile, and rich-looking wooden banisters and tables. In-house chips and freshly made salsa were on the table. Also served with the chips is ranch dressing??  The chips and salsa were very good and were starting to quickly fill our bellies. The freshly made guacamole next to us made me want to order it. It was abundant and beautiful in color. Service was prompt and our entrees appeared in better than average time. The entrees, though, were average - not bad but not that good. My  husband's beef fajitas were large in portion, comprised of thin strips of meat and a variety of bell peppers coming with a side of rice or beans and a small smattering of shredded iceberg lettuce. My vegetarian enchilada dish featured a bean burrito, cheese enchilada and bean tostada with a few shreds of lettuce all which were very average. The food seemed spare for $8 and was very bland. My daughter made the mistake of ordering the cheese pizza from the kids menu which came out with white soft squishy dough. Even after sending it back, it returned too pale. The dessert menu was limited.

Atmosphere - 8
Service -8
Price - 6
Presentation - 6
Food - 6
Overall - 6

Claddagh Cravings

Ever since Rob 'N Jay Chippies on N. College closed about seven years ago, I have been searching for those fish and chips that remind me of the lovely fried fish and chips I sampled in England and Ireland. I especially like the British version with the optional curry sauces. Rob 'N Jay kept me very happy during my first pregnancy. I asked the family to go to Claddagh over the weekend - I had a craving! Claddagh is a small Midwestern chain that has been part of the Indy scene - especially downtown. In the northside version, I ordered the fish and chips, of course. My husband ordered the chicken curry, and a sister-in-law a hamburger and salad. Sadly, the fish though fried well, was pretty tasteless and undersalted, my husband's curry flavorless with tiny blocks of chicken, and the hamburger average. Maybe if you are coming here for drinks, it is more enjoyable. After all the interior is cozy and fairly authentic and the choice of beers a plus. I find the menu lacking - not sure if it is British or Irish. We had such a difficult time finding an appetizer that appealed to our group that we gave up. Prices are not cheap. Still searching...

Atmosphere - 8
Service - 6
Price - 5
Presentation - 7
Food - 6
Overall - 6

Corrin's First Post!

Windmill Grill in Kokomo

Let’s face it: our beloved Hoosier state has very few excellent restaurants. Oh sure, there are quite a number of fine dining establishments with prices to match, scattered throughout Indiana, restaurants touted by critics and advertised as having local ingredients and gourmet fare prepared by expert chefs. The truth is, as my sisters and I sadly have found, very few of these restaurants live up to their hype. We find that the food quality is uneven and several high-priced dishes have been spectacularly bad! We keep looking for a go-to restaurant in Indianapolis-one with consistently good food, good atmosphere and reasonable prices. Maybe a few gourmet surprises would be nice too. 

            Which brings me to Windmill Grill: if you’re ever in Kokomo, or there about, and have a hunger for breakfast, lunch, dinner, a late-night snack or just some gourmet coffee and dessert, this is your place. It is the almost perfect “go-to” for a meal. I have eaten there many a morning, noon and night since the 1990’s when they opened, and I’ve yet to be disappointed. Their food is almost always inexpensive, fresh, tasty and well-cooked with gourmet surprises, such a tilapia Newburg offered recently.

            For my meal there last week, I ordered salmon with Caribbean glaze, baked sweet potato with brown sugar and butter, broccoli and their signature Farmhouse salad.  The glaze was perfect, savory and sweet, but not overpowering the salmon. The broccoli  was bright and green, yet tender, and the sweet potato was mellow and deep orange, its sweetness enhanced by the butter and brown sugar (although I only allowed myself a little dab of each due to my PD (perpetual dieting) condition. The accompanying roll was so good I yearned for another though my PD wouldn’t allow it. As I ate the salad, I thought “A mere salad shouldn’t be this good;” but then I realized,” With real bacon bits, chunks of  boiled egg and crispy potato sticks, how could it not be!”

            My sister Ruthie and her husband Ray shared a hefty chopped steak, smothered with sautéed mushrooms and onions and a rich brown sauce, accompanied by from-scratch mashed potatoes, and green beans studded with bits of onion and red bell pepper. Ray was the only one to opt for dessert (Ruthie suffers from the same PD condition as I.) His huge serving of homemade pecan pie, garnished with whipped cream and caramel sauce was as delicious as it was large. We know this because he would not share.

            I still don’t know why this great restaurant is named Windmill Grill. Some day I’ll have to ask the friendly owner,  Tom Trine, whose family works in the kitchen.  The spacious dining room is paneled in knotty pine, displaying lots of Hoosier memorabilia andl a large-scale model train that runs on tracks overhead. It’s a warm, farmhouse kind of place with the quiet buzz of many contented diners, but there’s nary a windmill in sight!
            The bottom line is if you want a reasonably-priced meal (most entries are under $10), as well as very good, often excellent, food , then head north on Dixon Road in Kokomo to the grill with no windmills.

Atmosphere - 7

Service - 9

Price - 8

Presentation - 8

Food - 8

Overall - 8

Listen up: Better quality lettuce would improve the Farmhouse salad.

And Now for Rene's Bakery

Of course, I had to work Rene's into my morning schedule after the sad experience at Taylor's. Would Rene's stand up to my criticism? This is a locally owned bakery in Broad Ripple for over a decade and is often at the local farmers' markets. Well, the main problem is that it is a tiny house - I mean tiny. But every corner is filled with mouth-watering temptations although they are a quite low on the pastry choices. The other problem is that it is a 15-minute drive from my house. Today I filled my bag with a perfect-looking loaf of brioche, a few berry scones, a plain croissant, an orange hazelnut croissant, and some pumpkin bread. I have eaten my way halfway through the bag and I can attest that everything is delicious. I always think the croissants are a little over baked beyond golden, but they are still very good. The pumpkin bread has perfect flavors and texture and the berry scone is interestingly hearty and good. A list of short ingredients on each product lets you know if your taste buds don't that the ingredients are high quality and pure. So yes, Indianapolis does have a excellent bakery albeit too small and limited in pastry choices.

Atmosphere - 6
Service - 8
Price - 6
Presentation - 7
Food - 9
Overall - 9 (food carries a heavier weight in this instance)

Taylor's Bakery I Want to Love You

At Hearthstone Coffee House and Pub, we were not able to find the right sweet ending to our lunch so Corrin and I thought for sure the solution would be found at the nearby Taylor's Bakery. Taylor's has been on the Indy scene for years, is locally owned, and has loyal customers. Here begins my lament. Is there not one good decent bakery in this whole Indy area? Where are the critics who demand more? How long have I been crying for a good bakery? Years? Yes, I did recently feature Great Harvest which I like but it hardly could stand up to any European or ethnic bakery. Plus it is a franchise with canned recipes! I keep trying which explains why I am here again at Taylor's. I pump up my spirits as I walk in the door and see once again mostly heavily decorated and traditional cakes and piles of donuts and cookies. No subtlety here. I resign myself to a glazed donut and these cute little cinnamon squares that look like donut pillows for Barbie dolls . My sister sacrilegiously buys their hot cross buns ("Way before Easter!" I scream at her.), a pecan tart and a cannoli. We break out the donuts before we reach home and enjoy the fresh homemade sugary taste; this is what they do pretty well.There is no chemical aftertaste like one gets after a grocery store donut or a donut from Dunkin Donuts. Unfortunately, the good stops here. The cute little cinnamon bites are way too cinnamony inside - almost inedible. The pecan tart is awful with a syrup and pastry that begs for improvement. The cannoli is equally bad. Well, I can be content with the fact that the hot cross buns may still be on the counter come Easter! Huge sigh. Rene's Bakery here I come. You are the one small yet bright bakery light in this town.

Atmosphere - 7
Service - 9
Price - 8
Presentation - 6
Food - 3
Overall - 5 (mostly due to great service)

Hearthstone Coffee House and Pub in Fishers

We needed a new lunch place so Corrin, me and my toddler went to the new Hearthstone Coffee House and Pub which had caught my eye on my way to work. It is located on 116th St. in Fishers in one of those neat brick plazas. It is locally owned and hopes to capture the spirit of a European pub. As we walked in we were greeted by a warm gas fireplace and a family sitting comfortably in leather armchairs around the fireplace. It was warmly brown inside and featured a coffee counter facing us and around the back was a bar. The light fixtures were very twiggy. There were scattered tables reminiscent of Starbucks with its occupants staring at computer screens while sipping their favorite beverage. Unfortunately there were not enough tables for the fair number of people looking for a nice lunch spot. Corrin and I sat at the at a tall counter that faced the parking lot as we waited for our order. My toddler went running for the children's books and games found in baskets by the fireplace. We had ordered the gumboliya soup and a chicken salad sandwich with a chai. I received my soup shortly but my sister was still waiting for her lunch 15 minutes later. When she inquired at the counter, the staff person seemed confused (similar to when we originally ordered) and realized her order had been lost!. Shortly her sandwich and soup appeared with an apology and a card for a free beverage. Well handled! The sandwich though small in size was fresh with the chicken salad and cranberry bread working well together. It was served with kettle chips and a pickle. Our soup was delectable featuring large chunks of veggies and meat including sausage, chicken, mussels and shrimp! I kept going back to the dessert display looking for a nice sweet thing to end our lunch but they were whisking away the muffins and scones, staples of a coffee shop. Another man getting ready to order a muffin was equally disappointed. They replaced the case with various cakes and cupcakes from the Flying Cupcake Bakery but I walked away bewildered by the fancy desserts. The menu also features healthy breakfast and lunch items including gluten-friendly choices. They have live entertainment on some nights with small plates in the evening.  All in all, a nice neighborly place for downtown Fishers!

Atmosphere - 8
Service - 5
Presentation - 6
Price - 6
Food - 8
Overall - 8

Listen up: The pub could use more cozy seating. Attention to details when plating foods suggested like providing crackers/bread with soup and displaying all available food would increase appeal. Making desserts in-house would be a nice touch. The staff seem confused and short in supply.

Zacky's Hot Dogs and Smokehouse

Another favorite treat of mine is the all-American hot dog and yet I find it hard to come by a good hot dog joint. Well, look no more...there is such a place in Carmel on S. Rangeline Road called Zacky's Hotdogs and Smokehouse. Even better, it is locally owned and family operated, and this shows as soon as you walk in the door. I was greeted at the counter by a person who really seemed interested in knowing the customer and was eager to please. They have a long list of Vienna beef hotdog styles from which to choose including the Chicago and Cincinnati hot dogs. There are a variety of sides including sweet potato fries and coleslaw. This joint also features smokehouse barbeque - Tennessee style. In addition to the hotdogs and barbeque are other kinds of sandwiches including Italian beef. Everything I tried, a variety of of hotdogs and sides, was prepared right in front of me and delicious. I really liked the coleslaw which was homemade, creamy and with a surprise - cranberries. There are a few tables if you want to dine in - the walls are an interesting  lime green and the tables are covered in plastic gingham table cloths. Music in the background is cheery. Try Zacky's!

Atmosphere - 6
Service - 10
Price - 7
Presentation - 6
Food - 8
Overall - 8

Noodles and Company Again

I keep trying Noodles and Company, a place that touts itself as being a casual and healthy fast food restaurant.  I love noodles, all kinds, but I keep getting disappointed at this almost-all noodle place that features noodle dishes from around the world, specifically America, Asia, and the Mediterranean. All dishes are made from fresh ingredients as you order. I walk into one of the Indianapolis locations and am greeted by a motley group of pimply teenagers who are ready to fill my order. I decide on the Bangkok Curry with chicken for my husband, a mushroom stroganoff for myself and Wisconsin macaroni and cheese for the kids. I sit down and wait in the pleasant but bland dining area watching others eat their noodle selection from a cavernous bowl - something I would feed a family of four. My selections are ready in about 5 minutes and, too, are huge in size. The dishes feature mostly noodles, with vegetables and meat being on the light side. Yes, this restaurant chain was voted one of the healthiest fast food chains in America by Health Magazine! A sad commentary on our American diet. Anyway, the Bangkok Curry my husband finds flavorless and my mushroom stroganoff is just OK and a bit peppery. They  make a macaroni and cheese whose texture and flavor are below par for a place that specializes in noodles. Once again I leave thinking it could be much better. I am stumped by why this particular noodle chain has survived when other much better competitors are gone.

Atmosphere - 7
Service - 6
Price - 6
Presentation - 7
Food - 6
Overall - 6

Yummy Yats

I like good quality carry-outs so I decided to go over to Yats on 96^th St. for a carry-out dinner. Yats has been a favorite in the Indy scene for quite some time now due to its cheap and good Cajun Creole grub. Joe Vuscovich, the owner who grew up in New Orleans has four locations in town with College and Mass Ave. having the best atmospheres, casual and cool.  At all locations, the customer orders at the counter from a chalkboard menu. Each dish costs $5.50 and for a combination, you throw in another buck. For that price you get a good- sized portion of etouffee or jambalaya served over parboiled rice with a small slice of garlic bread. The menu is rotating and features about six or so choices depending on the day. Service is quick which is good since Yats tends to be crowded especially around noon and dinner times. This time I ordered my favorite spinach mushroom etouffee, a chicken creole dish, and red beans and sausage. Each had a nice and unique infusion of Cajun spices and tasted as if it had been brewing in a pot all day (which may be good or bad depending on your taste). Everything is thrown all together on its plastic ware so it is not the prettiest plate you will see. I thought the spices were right on, but my husband found it all on the mild side. The restaurant has a large variety of hot sauces to add to your food, if you are like my husband and like the heat turned up high! You won’t find much meat in the carnivore options. Desserts are minimal but do feature a good peanut butter pie and some treats from Circle Center Sweets – yum! Yats has found a good and simple recipe. And it is cheap!

Atmosphere - 5
Service - 6
Price - 9
Presentation - 5
Food - 8
Overall - 8 

Some Guys Pizza Hits the Spot

Some Guys Pizza Pasta Grill, a locally owned pizza place with several locations around town, was calling me last night. Our local Some Guys manages to balance hip and family friendly with its black interior and neon signs in which families may be found coloring and chowing down on gourmet-style pizza. Its front wall is crowded with all the awards it has won in the past. Some Guys Pizza has been in town for about 20 years. On Sunday night they feature live entertainment. We ordered our favorite Primavera pizza, another with sausage and mushrooms, and a small salad with the house buttermilk dressing. Appetizers included garlic cheese bread and spinach artichoke dip. Some Guys features a good selection of pizzas and pasta as well as more sophisticated desserts including gelato and cheesecake. There is a decent selection of wines and beer although my brother-in-law lamented over the lack of any wheat beer. The pizza has the right chew with good quality toppings that are balanced. They use a blend of mozzarella and fontina cheeses. The tomato sauce is not too sweet or acidic, made from Roma tomatoes. Our Primavera pizza was bursting with perfectly "roasted" broccoli, yellow squash, and carrots. All the appetizers attested to their goodness by disappearing quickly. Some Guys is my local go-to pizza joint. Nearby Pizzology may be a food critics choice but somehow Some Guys' pizza wins me over every time. Its pizza is pricey, compared to other national chains, but you can tell the difference!

Atmosphere - 7
Service - 7
Price - 6
Presentation - 7
Food - 9
Overall - 8

Introducing Little Cricket

Little Cricket is my niece who lives in the San Francisco Bay area. She is a free-spirited journalist who also has the food obsession gene. She has offered to be a guest blogger contrasting the San Fran food scene with Indy. Recently, I asked Little Cricket to make sure to indulge in a local dessert on Valentine's Day since she is newly single, and write up her experience. Here is what she wrote....

"I popped in the office of my magazine editor and a San Francisco foodie. I asked for confectionery suggestions in the Financial District, the suit-and-tie part of the city where our office building looms. “Café Madeline.” Her confident dark eyes didn’t hesitate under a dramatic coal-black feathered-hat. With jotted directions I grabbed my bag and headed out for a lunch hour. At the small feminine boutique bakery on California and New Montgomery, I found my partner in a precisely symmetric heart-shaped chocolate cake with an unnaturally huge (GMO?) strawberry.  I  indulged myself and paid $3.00 for steamed milk over concentrated coffee, making an exception today buying a latte for the sake of palate balance. I decided to make a ritual of it and headed to a pier overlooking a sun-giddy bay. I walked past two lovers cuddled asleep by the water and found a long log with a spot free of bird droppings. The seagulls were friendly and I arranged my dessert, ignoring the plastic takeout ware. Finally. fork. and bite: Creamy cocoa pudding  frosting with a preview of moist inner-cake. The second bite—much more cake—quickly assimilated to the frosting’s silky feel as it melted on my tongue. “AUK AUK AUK!” cried the seagull, perched on the rail opposite the log. "Why don’t you share some of that?” it seemed to say.. I reached for the big strawberry perched proudly on the hardened swirl of waxy chocolate. Unnaturally large fruits seem to trade taste for size. This strawberry was no different. I ate the strawberry quickly so I could try a swig of latte. The steamed cream-thick coffee swirled with a balancing act of maple undertones and bitter beans—a hard complement to the soft dessert. Pretty decent lunch...Tick. Tick. My hour on the water was waning, my wage cage a-waiting".

Amber Restaurant on a Dreary Day

There is nothing like a little Indian food to perk up your day. Corrin and I decided to go to Amber Restaurant on N. Meridian in Carmel for their extensive lunch buffet. For about $10.00 you can get a wide variety of vegetarian and meat dishes, an appetizer or two, salad, chutneys, naan brought to your table, and dessert. This particular Indian restaurant, which has a good atmosphere, is consistent in food quality and features a nice variety of food that is fresh. Most of the dishes are Americanized Punjabi (North Indian) dishes but still tasty for those more in the know. Today the butter chicken was tender and spicy. There was also tandoori chicken, a chicken stir fry and lamb curry on the buffet. The vegetable dishes included a mixed vegetable korma, several dals and channa masala, palak paneer (spinach with Indian cheese), and a mushroom tikka. I especially liked the cabbage pakora and bread pakora, which are basically vegetables or other items fried in a chickpea flour and spices. On the salad bar were an assortment of raw veggies, a very nicely done aloo chaat, raita (yogurt), and an assortment of chutneys. The desserts, gulab jamin, mango pudding, and kheer (a type of rice pudding) were also fresh and well done. For now, this is my favorite Indian restaurant in town. At night, you can order off the menu which offers an extensive selection of standard North Indian fare. If you are new to Indian cuisine, this is a good place to start and ideally with their buffet where you can sample multiple dishes.

Atmosphere 8
Service 7
Price 7
Presentation 7
Food 8
Overall 8

A Detour

It was a girl friends night out and someone suggested Detour An American Grill in Carmel. It is located right by Bubs on West Main Street. It touts its food, beers, and live entertainment as a "detour" or "a trip". As we entered I must say I was concerned as I conjured up some of my road trips. The five of us were seated at a table across from the busy bar and I took in the atmosphere – a rough edge with lots of gray and black, too many large screen TVs (37), a sizable bar with outdoor seating area, and lots of goofy street signs.  There were not too many people in the restaurant, not counting those drinking, yet it was noisy.  The menu featured some strange items like fried pickle chips and fried avocado, the last supposedly being a crowd pleaser. There was also a long list of sandwiches, flatbreads, salads, and popular entrees to choose from. And don't forget the Triple Bypass, a 30-inch Italian beef sandwich! Based on the recommendation of the waiter, who was a little too eager, I and one of my friends ordered the grilled mahi mahi with tomato marmalade, another friend the blackened mahi mahi tacos with homemade guacamole. Also ordered was a flatbread that featured chicken. Detour outsources its fish from its neighboring sister restaurant, Taste of Sensu, and allows for them to serve a very fresh specimen. The mahi mahi was pleasantly fresh but bland and not cooked in the center. The blackened fish tacos were faintly praised and the flatbread featured dried-out chicken and a plethora of cheese. The guacamole extolled by the waiter was OK with diced tomatoes in a garlicy avocado mash. Unless the summer scene really makes up for the food, I am not sure this will be a repeat detour.

Atmosphere - 6
Service - 7
Presentation - 8
Price - 5
Food - 6
Overall - 6

Cooking Greek Carry-Out

I had a sick daughter and needed a quick dinner for the evening. I was heading past a relatively new restaurant, Cooking Greek on N. Meridian, that also offers cooking classes and thought I would see what they had as take-out. It is an interesting place - sort of a cavernous store front with two or three rooms not well defined. I was glad I was not eating in. It is limited in what you can take away unless you call ahead - of course, anything on the restaurant menu is available, though, if you are willing to wait. I ordered a few of the tiropita (cheese phyllo pies) and some falafel and gyros to go. There were also an assortment of desserts - baklava and cannoli that I skipped. Once home I reheated the items for dinner which may account for the dry falafel. It is very hard to get good falafel in this town! The gyros were average; the tiropita very good - actually one of the best phyllo pies I have had. The lettuce accompanying the falafel was not very fresh iceberg. For the price, the portions were quite small. There is an Easter feast coming up in April that sounds intriguing - they are roasting a lamb outside and there will be traditional Greek sides and music, all for $30 per person. However, based on my initial visit, I am hesitant. Hmm...

Atmosphere - 5
Service - 6
Price - 5
Presentation - 6
Food Quality - 6
Overall - 6

A Sanctuary in Zionsville

The Restaurant in the Sanctuary in Zionsville, Indiana, offers an unusual dining experience. This restaurant is housed within an 1800's Victorian church that has since become Nancy Noel's art gallery, museum and luncheon cafe. The cafe serves lunch from 11-4 PM and showcases chef Gyslain's beautifully hand-painted chocolates and his breads and pastries. Corrin and I headed to Zionsville to pick out a Noel painting for ourselves. We decided to stay for lunch after settling on a typical Noel piece that features Amish themes. Unfortunately, we were visiting on a day that was also chosen by a local school, so the place was swarming with high school kids who had devoured many of the hand-crafted pastries. Even though the cafe was littered with lingering students and their used dishes and glasses, we managed to find a quiet and clean corner soaking in the art work which surrounds the large luncheon room. It is a peaceful cafe that fills the senses with wonderful architectural elements and whimsical paintings. The waitress was very attentive, rushing over to serve us. We ordered the espresso barbequed pork sandwich (pulled pork marinated in cinnamon, and other warm spices and paired with an espresso barbeque sauce), a side of beet salad, garden vegetable soup, and a side of scalloped potatoes with leeks. For dessert we picked out two of the mousse pastries from the display case. While waiting for our order I noticed that on the table they provided several exotic sea salts to try -  a very nice touch. I also caught sight of a small and magical-looking seating area above the main room where one could sit and have lunch. Our food promptly arrived, even after such a full house, and was beautifully displayed on the plates. Everything was piping hot. I liked the smooth and creamy soup that had a appealing burnt orange color. My sister liked her pork sandwich but I thought the flavors were odd. The beet salad was flavored with curry and was enjoyable. We agreed the scalloped potatoes and leeks were delicious but extremely salty to the point of being inedible! Not much of a chance of utilizing the special salts on the table. The slices of a homemade baguette with the very fresh butter served with our lunches were delicious. We were divided over the desserts. The mousse cakes were gorgeous! The taste of these art pieces, though, did not match up to their fantastic appearance. The Sacher was a raspberry chocolate creation, which we did not finish, and the other, the Bresilian, was a coffee-chocolate flavored concoction that was pretty good. The mousse inside both was grainy rather than smooth. In summary, The Restaurant was a very pleasant lunch spot but the food was inconsistently good.    

Atmosphere 10
Service 10
Price 6
Presentation 10
Food quality - 6
Overall - 7

Historical Hollyhock Hill Restaurant

I spent a fine Tuesday evening with my work buddies at one of Indianapolis’s oldest restaurants, Hollyhock Hill, located on N. College. This establishment began in 1928 as a small country cottage feeding 30 diners at a time! As I pulled up to the restaurant I was surprised by the full parking lot on a weekday. I walked into the small white building decorated inside like it was still 1950 and the waitresses were dressed in outfits from a similar time. The restaurant, which now seats 150, has several rooms with tables adorned with crisp white tablecloths and large fresh flower arrangements. Colorful hollyhocks are painted on every wall.  Large family groups were seated celebrating birthdays or anniversaries. My friends and I quickly decided on the pan-fried chicken served family-style with small bowls of mashed potatoes, white gravy, buttered corn, and seasoned green beans. We had a bevy of lovely plates and silverware stacked before us promising quantities of food. Before the meal arrived, various bowls of relish, pickled beets, cottage cheese, iceberg lettuce with its famous sweet vinaigrette dressing, and apple butter were placed before us.  Our appetizer was a tomato rice and chicken soup.  Dessert was a make-your-own sundae with average quality ice cream and various toppings including an unnaturally green mint sauce.

I know people love to hate this restaurant because it is old-fashioned and not hip at all, but I have to say the fried chicken was very moist with a nice crunchy coating, the vegetables real and tasting like they came out of your own Hoosier kitchen, and there was a wonderfully savory gravy that I could eat by itself. The soup was also nice, smooth, and complemented the meal. It is hard to make a good tomato soup, one that is not too harsh. There was also a basket of homemade biscuits.  I especially enjoy family-style meals where it makes the eating much more communal. My husband would find it all too bland, the menu limited, and not worth the price of  $20 a meal, but for me it is good comfort food that my mother would feed me if she were still here.  It definitely fills a place in the sometimes pretentious Indianapolis restaurant scene. It does not pretend to cater to special dietary needs. This restaurant is true to the simple food traditions, including the strong influence of the Amish food traditions, in our state. “Keep it real- keep it simple!” you can hear past Hollyhock Hill owners saying across the years.

Atmopshere – 8 (or 0 depending on your age J)

Service – 9

Price – 6

Presentation – 7

Food quality – 7

Overall – 8

Listen Up: Don’t change too much! One slight improvement, however, would be the ice cream. Suggest upgrading to a better quality or providing home-made.

Thai Taste Crowds

Corrin and my family went to our favorite buffet night at Thai Taste on 82nd Street. Thai Taste has been a part of the Indy restaurant scene for years with the same owners. Each Thursday a dinner buffet is featured with the first Thursday of the month relegated to vegetarian dishes. Tonight was veg night and, as typical, the restaurant whose buffet officially starts at 6 PM was already packed by 5:30.  There was no table in sight as we made a mad dash from our car to the front door of the tiny establishment.  We waited about 20 minutes until the first shift started to finish and head out. The five of us squeezed into a table for four and began sampling from the buffet set up in the middle of the very full room. We talked about the pull of the restaurant which, yes, has very good Thai food but what makes it especially attractive is the notion that it is in high demand. We also suspect the cozy jostling of shoulders and convivial discussions that flow across tables add to the restaurant’s appeal. Most importantly, are the family owners and workers here who are gentle-spirited and very friendly. Typically the vegetarian buffet features a spicy clear soup full of vegetables with pepper and lemon flavors. There are always nice crunchy spring rolls and usually another deep-fried dish such as a sweet potato tempura.   Constant features are the very nicely seasoned green and yellow curry dishes as well as a decent Pad Thai and yummy fried tofu in a sweet chili sauce. There are about four other dishes that change depending on the month, plain and fried rice, and Thai noodles. For dessert is a large bowl of tapioca with coconut milk. If you do not want the buffet, items from the menu are also available.  This is one of my favorite restaurants in town with a simple formula: consistently good food, a clean simple interior, warmth, owners and servers who really seem to care, a history, and an excellent location.     

Atmosphere – 9
Service – 10
Price – 7
Presentation – 9
Food – 8
Overall – 9.5

Penzeys Spices - A Local Treasure

After Jason's Deli, Corrin and and I went to one of our favorite stores, Penzeys Spices on E. 82nd Street. Penzeys Spices, a chef's go-to-place, is a store specializing in over 200 spices, herbs, and spice blends. Owned by a husband and wife, it originated in Milwaukee, Minnesota in the 1950's. Bill Jr. has since taken over the operation that has over 50 stores nationwide. They also publish a monthly catalog that features their spices and recipes utilizing the spices sent in from Penzeys patrons. There is always a coupon attached for a free trial of a particular spice that you can take in to the store to redeem. Indianapolis is very lucky to have this retail store and I am always worrying about them closing due to low usage by the community. The spices can be bought in small batches and are very fresh. Penzeys has quite a few of their own tasty blends such as Mural of Flavor, a salt-free blend. If you can't find a spice or herb in your grocery store, you will likely find it here. Prices are very reasonable. The staff are extremely knowledgeable regarding the spices they sell and how to use them in recipes. I especially like the gift boxes you can purchase, including the wedding gift box. When you walk in, you see a treasure trove of little jars of exotic and more common spices on wooden shelves. In the corner of our local store is a vintage kitchen with hot chocolate mixes and and other useful kitchen staples. Another corner has a small table and chairs with a large basket of crayons and a stack of coloring pages, beneath a display of already colored and signed pages by children. We always leave with a bagful of their wonderful products with our heads brimming with recipe ideas!

Atmosphere - 9
Service - 10
Price - 9
Presentation - 9
Food quality - 9
Overall - 9


Listen Up - Love you Penzeys! You do so much right!

Jason's Deli - Healthy Choices

Corrin and I decided to go to the fast food restaurant, Jason's Deli, just recently named by Parent's magazine as its choice for Best Restaurant. Another superlative to test! It touts its organic vegetables, gluten-free menus, and other healthy choices. It uses natural grilled chicken in its wraps. When we walked in we were greeted by a crowd of people vying for tables and orders. This was a busy and popular place. We saw the enticing sign for organic vegetable soup and grabbed a menu while we were waiting in line eager to try its offerings.

Jason's features salad including an all-you-can-eat bar, sandwiches, wraps, soups, and even mufaletta's. It has a kid's menu too. Rather than potato chips for a side with a sandwich you may choose veggies or a fruit cup. We chose a Reuben with pastrami and corned beef, Irish potato soup, the organic vegetable soup, and mac and cheese for the toddler. We sat down among all the people and waited for our order which was delivered in about 5 minutes. In the meantime, we noticed that there was free soft serve ice cream and toppings for all. Wow! We also glanced over the salad bar which was extensive with a decent amount of toppings, other specialty salads, puddings, and muffins. Our order was delivered by a friendly server. We laughed at the organic veg soup which was nothing like the picture. The vegetables were lost in the dull broth. It tasted OK but we could not get over its lackluster appearance.  The potato soup with its full-bodied flavor and hearty potatoes was good. Our Reuben needed better bread and the corned beef tasted a little strong. The meat was plentiful for a change. The mac and cheese appeared to be a boxed Kraft. Of course we had some soft-serve ice cream and we agreed that the secret to Jason's is the notion you can be healthy and yet end with an ice cream cone. It was fun to watch people on their lunch break breaking out in a smile as they licked their cones after eating their veggies! In summary, we like the concept - healthier eating - but there were still plenty of unhealthy choices and the quality of food was average.

Meaty sandwich

Atmosphere 6
Service - 8
Price - 6
Presentation - 6
Food quality - 6
Overall - 6 

A Superlative Place? Best Chocolate in Town...

If you recall, Corrin and I had darted into a local chocolate shop before our dinner at R Bistro last week - and not just any shop, but a place that dared call itself Best Chocolate in Town. I felt compelled to go back and review the chocolate shop on Mass Ave. This place began in 1998 and its owner has a background in fine arts and a love of chocolate. She has been there ever since, back in the kitchen rolling out her handmade chocolates. She extols her service and the friendliness of her establishment. The shop specializes in unusual flavors and truffles, there is a Gorgonzola chocolate truffle, and chocolates with cayenne or wasabi to name a few. Corrin and I each bought one of the dark chocolate bars found in a basket right by the cash register. My flavor was dark chocolate and pistachio with a small note on its label "with dried cherries". I was eager to try it - yes, the name of the place, of course, built up huge expectations - and it was a numbered batch, 5/15. This was serious business. I gingerly tore off the cellophane and ate a small square. I bit down on a large dried cherry and, in fact, noticed the bar's surface was marred by multiple, dried cherries. I thought it was supposed to be chocolate with pistachio? And the taste? Well--good, but certainly not the best I had ever had! I quickly thought that a Cadbury bar, before the company was bought out, could rival this. My sister's dark chocolate bar with almonds and smoky paprika was inedible! How does one make a chocolate bar taste so bad?

OK, I admit I must sample more, especially the truffles, before reaching a conclusion, but I already have my doubts. I looked at the other reviews on other sites and this place is ecstatically loved, often getting 5 out of 5 stars. And there are awards, too. Reviewers often site the gelato as wonderful - but hey guys, the gelato is not even in-house. It is a product of DaVinci Bistro, another local restaurant. Of good note, is that this shop has gift packages that when bought result in a 20% donation to lupus or breast cancer research. The ambiance is plus, minus. I liked the exposed brick and cases of chocolate; however, one could peer right into the kitchen where it looked somewhat dirty and unorganized. Best Chocolate in Town, I appreciate your effort to be friendly, charity-minded, and hand-made, but the proof is in the chocolate.

Atmosphere - 6
Service - 8
Price - 6
Presentation - 9
Food quality - 5
Overall - 6

Very Local Chez Carrie

I had a baby shower to go to and it was a nicely thought-out dinner of girls with no children and no games. My friend Carrie joked that I should include a review of her dinner on this blog site and I thought, "Well, why not, since she had served much better food than most places in which I had recently dined! And it was definitely local!" To make it accessible to all, I would include the recipe of the main dish that was provided by another friend at the reinvented shower.* Here is my night Chez Carrie:

We first sat casually in the kitchen, munching on a variety of chips, including kettle, flax seed, and blue tortilla. My friend had made fresh guacamole for a healthy chip dip, but took a smart shortcut and added minced garlic and a fresh store-bought salsa to add to the chunks of avocado. In the background, several were working on the hearty soup, perfect for a January day. Chorizo was browning on the stove. Another person was preparing the topping of fresh cilantro, sour cream, and grated cheese. In the crock pot, the black bean chipoltle soup was simmering. It had been nicely smoothed by an immersion stick. Soon dinner was ready, served in the dining room with red candles aglow and fun, snowflake dishes. The soup was a delight with its smoky, earthy flavors. Each person enjoyed adding the toppings she wanted. I loaded mine up with the chorizo. The soup was served with a simple salad of tomatoes, cucumbers, red pepper, and fresh herbs with a citrus oil dressing. Bread of various kinds was piled in a lovely white bowl on a pedestal. The lovely ending was a homemade cheesecake with berry coulis and jewel-like, fresh berries. I noticed a mug piping hot by my plate and discovered it was a smooth and milky hot chocolate. What a nice companion to the cheesecake. I think the baby-to-be especially enjoyed this part. In summary, a lovely meal with lovely friends - and local.

Atmosphere - 10
Service - 10
Price - 10
Presentation - 9
Food - 9
Overall - 9.5

Listen up: Thanks!


*Black Bean Chipoltle Soup (from www.crock-pot.com)
Ingredients
1 pound dry black beans
2 stalks celery, cut into ¼-inch dice
2 carrots, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch dice
1 yellow onion, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch dice
2 chipotle peppers (canned in adobo), chopped**
1 cup tomatoes, crushed
4 ounces chopped green chilies, canned, drained (hot or mild, depending on preference)
6 cups chicken (or vegetable) stock
2 teaspoons cumin
salt and pepper, to taste
sour cream
salsa
fresh cilantro, chopped
*1 cup spicy sausage such as linguica or chorizo, diced, browned (for an even heartier soup)
**If using dried chipotles, soak in warm water to soften before chopping - about 20 minutes.
Directions
    Place beans in a medium pan, cover with cool water, bring to a boil, boil for 2 minutes, remove from heat and let stand for 1 hour and rinse. Add to stoneware and top with celery, carrots, and onions.
    In a separate bowl, combine chipotles, crushed tomatoes, green chilies, stock, cumin, and salt and pepper to taste. Mix to blend and pour into stoneware.
    Cook on High for 1 hour and then Low for 6 hours, until beans are tender to bite. Adjust seasoning to taste.
    Puree with an emersion blender (or traditional blender) to a slightly chunky consistency. If using, add additional sausage and cook for 30 minutes more.
    Serve topped with a dollop of sour cream, spoon of salsa and sprinkling of chopped cilantro.