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