Edited by Beth A. Clayton


Sullivan's (3316 E. 86th St., 580-1280), where a lovely brunch fueled us for an afternoon of cheering on the Colts. It's almost impossible to leave the table hungry here: Each brunch entrée at the northside steakhouse comes with an appetizer—we chose warm asparagus bisque and a mixed-green salad heavily dressed with basil dressing—plus a gratis platter of fresh fruit and sticky buns. The chocolate-cherry French toast was as sweet as you would imagine, but, predictably, the meat dishes shine. We liked the beef tenderloin eggs Benedict—two quivering orbs of poached egg, blanketed in Hollandaise sauce, atop cut-with-your-fork–tender discs of beef. We were too stuffed to take full advantage of the limitless desserts, but a second Bellini? Yes, please.


Those who said Fountain Square wasn't living up to its promised potential may soon have to eat their words—or least give them a nibble. A couple new restaurants, a watering hole or two, and a coffee shop are currently in the works just off the Square.
•The first to come along is Calvin Fletcher's Coffee Company (615 Virginia Ave., 423-9697), which opened October 17 on Virginia Avenue in the Fletcher Place neighborhood. The not-for-profit café serves fair-trade coffee and organic teas, plus sweets from City Sweets and Classic Cakes. Each month, tips are donated to a different charity; this month's recipient is Second Helpings.
•Imbibe (1105 Shelby St.), opened Friday in the Fountain Square Theatre Building between owners Linton and Fern Calvert's other two restaurants, Smokehouse on Shelbi and the Shelbi Street Bistro. The Art Deco-themed bar offers small-plate appetizers, craft beers, specialty cocktails, and wines.
•Across the square in the Murphy Art Center, restaurateur Wally Bolinger plans to open The Red Lion, an English pub, the week of Thanksgiving. Bolinger also owns Britton Tavern in Noblesville, and says this one will offer traditional English favorites, like bangers and mash, shepherd's pie, and fish and chips, plus burgers and a couple of vegetarian options. Bolinger will also serve about a dozen craft beers (including some Sun King favorites), 20 bottled beers, and a short wine list.
•In the coming months, we can look forward the White Rabbit Cabaret (1116 E. Prospect St.), from sisters Debra and Rebecca Silveus, which will feature vaudeville-inspired dance shows and some movie and game nights, plus small-plate offerings and beer and wine. And finally, next door at 1130 East Prospect, Radio Radio owners David "Tufty" Clough and Roni Donaldson plan to open a full-service restaurant known tentatively as La Revolucion sometime next year.


St. Elmo Steak House's King Crab Dinner runs Nov. 17–20, but due to the event's immense popularity last year, Wednesday, Thursday, and Fridays nights are sold out, making Tuesday, Nov. 17, your last chance to get all-you-can-eat Alaskan King Crab legs, flown in from Dutch Harbor, for $125. Click here to see just how big these bad boys are. Call Jennifer Karaszia at 635-0636, ext. 104 for reservations.


Bloomington's Upland Brewery may unlock the doors to its new growler store as soon as this week, says sales manager Danny Henrich. The storefront will offer flights of beer and a few snacks, but the main business will be growler sales. "The idea is just to get Upland beer into Indianapolis," says Henrich, who added that they do not intend to compete with area bars or the package liquor stores that sell Upland's six-packs. "It's more of a marketing tool than a sales directive," he says.


Take your turkey to Claus German Sausage and Meats (1845 S. Shelby St., 632-1963) by November 18, and they'll smoke it for you in time for Thanksgiving. While you're at it, pick up something for your pooch, too: Claus will sell you beef and pork bones for Fido.


But don't go hungry. Here, are three great ways to fuel up on game day.

King David Dogs (15 N. Pennsylvania St., 632-3647), home of ¼-pound all-beef hotdogs, is usually closed evenings and weekends, but opens up on Colts game days.
Iozzo's Garden of Italy (946 S. Meridian St., 974-1100) serves up an all-you-can-eat buffet on game days from 10:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m., plus a Bloody Mary bar. $14.95 per person.
Ruth's Chris (45 S. Illinois St., 633-1313) now offers brunch on Colts home-game days (when kick-off is at 1 p.m.) beginning at 10 a.m. Reservations are recommended. $19.95 per person.


Recognize any of these from your kids' Halloween basket?


Chateau Thomas Winery (6291 Cambridge Way, Plainfield, 839-5263) plans to open a wine bar, tasting room, and gift shop in Fishers Towne Commons the first weekend of December...Stardust Café, (450 W. Ohio St., 232-1878) in the Indiana History Center, reopened last week with a new, Victorian-streetscape look. Hoaglin-To-Go remains the caterer at the facility...Barley Island Brewery opened its new location in Broad Ripple at 701 Broad Ripple Ave...Capital Grille (40 W. Washington St., 423-8790) will extend its three course prix-fixe menu through November 29...Restaurant at the Canterbury (123 S. Illinois St., 634-3000) dropped lunch service...Hong Kong House (6579 E. State Road 334, Zionsville, 769-6666), serving sushi, steak, and seafood, opened...Tomo Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi (7411 N. Keystone Ave., 254-8666) opened...Harvest Fresh Market and Delicatessen (12770 Horseferry, Carmel), located in the Village of West Clay, opened.


November 10: Buffalo Trace Dinner at Zing (543 Indiana Ave., 636-7775). 7 p.m. Five-course small-plate dinner paired with bourbon. $30 per person.

November 13: "A Taste of Tuscany" to benefit Ronald McDonald House. Wine and Italian fare prepared by Chef Tony Hanslits of the Chef's Academy and Chef Michelle Matiya of the Conrad. $85 per person. Call 267-0605, ext. 205 for more details.

November 14: Cutting board-making class at the Indianapolis Art Center (820 E. 67th St., 255-2464). $67 for non-members. Click here to register.

November 15: Potluck Dinner and discussion, 5:30–7:30 p.m. "Local Food Trends: Growing Community, Economy, and Mutual Delight" (part of the Spirit & Place Festival). Neal Brown will prepare a main course following a panel discussion including Brown, Chris Eley of Goose The Market, Laura Henderson, founder of the Winter Farmers' Market, and others. Click here for more information and to RSVP.

November 21: "Taste of Home Cooking Made Easy: Festive in a Flash, sponsored by Clark Appliance" at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. Cooking demonstrations. Doors open at 1 p.m. $10. Tickets available at Clark Appliance or by clicking here.

 

"If junk food is the devil, then a sweet orange is as scripture." —Audrey Foris, poet