Central Indiana Starbuck's Closure List

Threatening my coffee by closing stores? Why does Starbuck's hate America so much?

38th and Meridian! Noooooo!!!!

College and Fall Creek (People did get shot there.)

Looks like 116th at Keystone (in the shopping center by the Marsh)

96th and Allisonville!

Good news, looks like the bustling Starbucks at next to Kinkaid's at 56th and Illinois is new enough that it escaped the hatchet. Others weren't so lucky. Here's the list. (Thanks to the Wine Canine who sniffed it out before it went wide this week.)

11499 WAYNE & CALVARY 1426 N WAYNE ST ANGOLA IN

11500 I-74 & SR 229 14 ALPINE DR BATESVILLE IN

7989 SHERMAN & ALBANY 1718 CHURCHMAN AVE BEECH GROVE IN

13201 SR 1 & LOWE'S 2133 N MAIN ST BLUFFTON IN

2365 CARMEL 2316 E 116TH ST CARMEL IN

13805 RTE 53 & 109TH 10761 BRDWAY CROWN POINT IN

9760 LLOYD EXPRESSWAY & RED BANK 5000 W LLOYD EXPRESSWAY EVANSVILLE IN

13948 SR 3 & LINCOLN 1703 N LINCOLN ST GREENSBURG IN

2549 GREENDALE CENTRE 789 US 31 GREENWOOD IN

2489 38TH & MERIDIAN 3778 N MERIDIAN ST INDIANAPOLIS IN

2499 96TH & ALLISONVILLE 9642 ALLISONVILLE RD INDIANAPOLIS IN

2591 THE PRECEDENT 3855 E 96TH ST INDIANAPOLIS IN

9433 FALL CREEK & COLLEGE 2910 N COLLEGE AVE INDIANAPOLIS IN

10508 W 38TH & GEMCO 5060 W 38TH ST INDIANAPOLIS IN

11846 16TH & SHARON 3021 W 16TH ST INDIANAPOLIS IN

13444 KEYSTONE & NATIONAL 3801 S KEYSTONE AVE INDIANAPOLIS IN

10074 SR 3 & PARKVIEW 1902 S MEMORIAL DR NEW CASTLE IN

11722 METROPOLIS MALL 2499 FUTURA PKWY PLAINFIELD IN

11354 RTE 6 & AUGUSTA 6200 US HWY 6 PORTAGE IN

10739 US 50 & JACKSON PARK 1250 E TIPTON ST SEYMOUR IN

11504 CLEVELAND & PORTAGE 3600 PORTAGE RD SOUTH BEND IN

2704 SPEEDWAY & CUNNINGHAM 5945 CRAWFORDSVILLE RD SPEEDWAY IN

9521 US 41 & HART 2605 HART ST VINCENNES IN

Clean Out the Refrigerator Friday

A long, slow, lazy summer for some reason has meant a week of 6:00 a.m. wake ups, manic lists, and working until 1:00 a.m. every night. (One of the joys of working for yourself is you can get up whenever the heck you want. Why does the universe hate me?) It started the same nutty way today but after a week of only five hours of sleep a night, I crashed *hard*. Ah, well. Tomorrow is another day, another punch list. (Here it is 10 p.m. and I'm just getting through today's list.) Blog post -- check.

Welcome to a whole bunch of you who've subscribed to the RSS feed and daily email in the past few days. Once these dog days settle in, we'll be back to all sorts of delicious doings. In fact, next week looks pretty promising. In the meantime, here's a little of what everyone else is talking about:

*Indiana is Mint Country: Indiana is third biggest mint producing state in the country. That's mint the herb. (cue Johnny Carson voice) I did *not* know that. (end Johnny Carson voice) Plus, a recipe for mint chocolate chip ice cream. [Hungry Hoosier]

*Sour Cherry Goodness: They're starting to pop up everywhere, mmmm, sour cherries! I see sour cherry jam in my future. [Going Local]

Zing Go the Beers of My Heart: Dig-B has pictures of ZING or at least the banner ZING has announcing it's opening soon. Renovations to the former Peyton's Place building by the Madame Walker are an improvement. We hear they're going for a Distillery kind of feel. [DIG-B]

Enough Already: Michael Bauer finally snaps. Enough with the surcharges to bills in San Francisco. And we thought an extra penny of sales tax was bad. [Between Meals]

Deadlines, Fried Green Tomatos and One Perfect Dish

So, I'm on a crazy deadline. (A friend of mine recently said "You're *always* on a crazy deadline," so maybe I've got to quit oversharing.) Still, it's true. Plus, it's summer, and the last place any of us want to be in this great weather is sitting in a restaurant with our hands wrapped around a glass of wine. But, last night, needing a break, I took myself out to dinner. I don't have a three latest and best for you this week (although I could do a whole list of "Two Minute Warnings" from last week. This means you, Noah Grant's.)

So my one latest and one best is possibly the one perfect dish I've had in the last few months. If you eat nothing else that personifies summer in the next week, take yourself to L'explorateur for the Fried Green Tomato -- thick cut, breaded in cornmeal, and perfectly crispy on the outside. Served with a hefty dollop of Trader's Point Cottage Cheese (loaded with salt and pepper, just like mom used to serve it!), then topped with a generous portion of fresh tuna tartare -- perfectly spiced with the right amount of tang. This dish has it all going on -- cold and hot; crunchy and soft; savory, sweet, and tangy. All mixed up with great memories of hot, childhood lunches.

Their whole menu is comfort food right now, perfect for summer, and I daresay the portion sizes are coming up. (After an appetizer and entree, I was *stuffed*.) Neal, your southern roots are showing, and they're terrific.

Blog Indiana Wednesday

Hey, kids, just a reminder about the Blog Indiana 2008 conference, August 16 and 17, on the IUPUI campus in Indianapolis. It's going to be an interesting two days as many of Indiana's top bloggers across a wide range of topics get together and share best practices on social networking. (And a shoutout to the folks who've stepped up as sponsors and conference organizers Shawn Plew and Noah Coffey. Compendium Blogware, IU School of Informatics and more.)

I know, because I've spoken to many of you, that you're trying to figure out how to implement blogs. Or juggle multiple blogs. Or come up with content. Or understand the relationship between content and traffic. (Hint: It's *all* about the content.) Registration, speakers lists, and session schedules are online. See you there.

Kermit Lynch Dinner

This time of year, you could fill in a wine tasting or dinner every night of the week. If you're into Kermit Lynch's French imports and love seafood, don't miss tomorrow night's wine dinner at The Oceanaire. Rob Henke of Kermit Lynch Wines will be there. Here's the menu from Chef Ryan Nelson who says there are four spots still open!

Passed Appetizers: House Cured Salmon, Alaskan King Crab, Kumamoto Oysters,

2007 Domain Du Salvard Cheverny, Loire Valley

First Course: Marinated House Made Cocconcini

2007 Trinquevedel Tavel Rose, Rhone Valley

Second Course: Golden Potato Puree

2004 Philippe Colin Chassagne-Montrachet 1er 'Chaumes,' Cote De Beaune

Third Course: Seared Foie Gras

2006 Nicole Chanrion Cote De Brouilly, Cru Beaujolias

Fourth Course: California Sturgeon

2006 Brunier 'Telegramme' Chateauneuf Du Pape, Rhone Valley

Dessert: Summer Peach Soup

2003 Domaine Champalou Vouvray Cuvee Moelleuse, Loire Valley

Tuesday, July 15, $100 (tax and gratuity not included), call the Oceanaire for reservations.

Scotty's Brewhouse Downtown

This week's IBJ has an update on the new downtown location of Scotty's Brewhouse plus a picture of Allen Plaza right where it will go. (For reference, that's the construction project between Fogo de Chao and Mo's, A Place for Steaks. Renderings are at Property Lines.) The lease is signed and they report a target opening date as January. (And we hear plans are on track for the new Adobo downtown. Look for some previews next week.)

Summer Menu at Tallent

Restaurant Tallent has a new summer menu and announces that they've expanded availability of their bar menu to anyone who sits on the south side of the restaurant. It's a great way to enjoy the Tallent experience during the week with smaller portions, more treats, and no duck fat hangover. Plus, you'll be back for a full dinner on the weekend, you know you will.

Food and Wine Touts Traders Point Creamery

Hey, I hear Trader's Point Creamery made an appearance in this month's Food and Wine magazine for their award-winning organic Fleur de la Terre. Check it out under 15 Easy Ways to Live Better. (#9 Stock a Green Fridge.) Apparently artisan cheese makes us environmentally responsible eaters. Who knew?

Indiana Starbucks Closures

I'd been hoping someone else would dig through the list of 600 Starbuck's closing soon and thank the gods, Tom Spalding at the Star came through. He reports two closures -- the Starbuck's on W. 16th Street and the one in Bluffton. (I say as I drink my cup of Peet's coffee from Fresh Market. Ahhh, civilization! Peet's, I've missed you!)

Monday Morning Ketchup: Farm to Table Dinners

Never hurts to take a few days off from the blog, especially in the summer, traditionally one of the slowest times in the restaurant world, too. There are some cool things cooking for fall, but the big news these days is the upcoming Farm to Table Dinners hosted by several of the chefs attending this fall's Terra Madre conference in Italy with Slow Food Indy.

Neal Brown hosts his tonight at L'explorateur. I haven't seen a menu, but I'll guess that if you call there today, you might able to get a spot!

Next up is Chef Thom England, Thursday, July 31 at Chateau Thomas Winery. Here's the menu for Thom's dinner. Don't forget Chef Christopher Eley's on August 3.

Amuse: Seafood Sausage and Molasses Cured Bacon

La Ina, Fino Sherry Jerez Spain, Domecq

Soup: Pinot Noir and Cherry Soup with Indiana Goat Cheese Stuffed Squash

2003 Chateau Thomas Carneros (CA) Pomona Pinot Noir

Salad: Tomato Salad with Local Cheeses

2006 Chateau Thomas Lodi (CA) Zinfandel

Intermezzo

Entree: Seared Duck Breast and Apricot Duck Sausage with Sautéed Red Cabbage and Apples, Quinoa Corn Fritter

2007 Chateau Thomas Yakima Valley (WA) Dry Riesling

Dessert: Peach Tartlettes and house-made Ice Cream

2007 Chateau Thomas Lake Erie (Canada) Vidal Blanc Ice Wine

For tickets, call Chateau Thomas, 837-9463, $65 inclusive.

Open Thread: Gas Prices and Budgets

There has been a lot of discussion lately about the high prices of food, of gas, transportation and the tough times the the restaurant business. Fine dining restaurants seem to be weathering the storm pretty well, but some mid-level places are struggling, I hear. With the price of gas, and food, what have you changed? Are you eating at home more or less? Are you drinking more or less? Has it not affected you too much? (Honestly, I find I'm still eating out just as much at the same places.) Have you changed your dining habits?

Wings, Pasta, and Bacon!

Was going to work on a Summer Cocktails, Pt II for you yesterday, but actual, you know *work* got in the way. Of course, I'm great at procrastinating when I have big projects on deck, and let's just say...my house is *very* clean.

In the meantime, here are a few things to chew on:

*Buffalo Wild Wings has formally signed on for downtown at 7 E. Washington St. Look for the massive location to open in the Fall. [IBJ]

*Looks like the Simons are trying to lure an Il Mulino to Indy. So far it sounds like buzzy vapor and there's no formal word on where it might go although we can all make a couple of guesses. [Susan Guyette]

*Love bacon? Join in the manic fun with Pork Week. You'll either love or be disgusted by the bacon suit. (I thought it was kind of hot.) [Salon]

A Little Light Housekeeping

Have been making some time to fix the broken "Recent Comments" today as well as sort out general other small blog issues. (Something's gone wonky with the feed, I think.) Either way, ignore the yellow "Wet Floor" sign as I do a little cleaning up around here.

Bon Appetit Loves Goose, The Market

If you're already deep into your August issue of Bon appetit, you'll find a mention of our local favorite, Goose, on page 20. What are they already famous for? They're listed as #1 among sandwhich shops in the nation for the Batali (with coppa, sopperessata, capocollo, provolone, and tomato preserves.) They lead the pack among deli's from Portland to North Carolina. Congratulations, Chris and Mollie! (And a tip o' the hat to frequent reader and fellow food and wine geek Cheryl Holland for the pointer.)

Weekend Update

First week in July is a slow restaurant week, but here are a few updates to hold you over:

Brothers Bar and Grill: Cory at IBJ's Property Lines has updated renderings of what Brothers Bar and Grill will look like when it opens in Broad Ripple later this fall.

Top Chef Steph: My pal, Joe Gray over at the Stew (from the Chicago Trib) reports that Chicago chef and recent Top Chef winner is blogging now so fans can keep up at Top Chef Steph.

What To Eat? Grub Street offers some fish alternatives in case you're giving salmon a rest during the Wild Salmon shortage. Halibut is great but will only be in season for a few more months. They suggest arctic char, as well.

Favorite Internet Meal Ever: OK, so I'm a sucker for a great fried chicken sandwich, and this on from What Geeks Eat one looks great. Not to mention the amazing slaw -- on the sandwich. Want.

Blog Indiana 2008 Conference

Hey all you fellow bloggers in Indiana, mark your calendar for the Blog Indiana 2008, August 16 and 17 at the IUPUI Campus Center. The idea for a conference for Indiana bloggers started a year ago as a gleam in Noah Coffey and Shawn Plew's collective eye, and now you can check out the web site for sponsors, speakers, session schedules and more. It's going to be a useful weekend whether you're just starting out or have been doing this for a while.

If you are blogging in Indiana, please participate in the 2008 Indiana Blog Census. As part of the conference, organizers will be publishing a complete census about just how active Indiana bloggers are.

Since I'm leading a session, I'm happy to extend a discount to you -- 15% off the already reasonably priced registration. Just email me at wilmeth dot renee at gmail.com and I'll send you the event code. (They also want me to mention the amazing lineup of informative sessions, how this is the first event of its kind, or even just how awesome the IUPUI Campus Center is going to be.)

If you're blogging now, thinking about blogging, or have been at it for a while, I'm fairly certain you'll find this conference useful. On the session schedule, they've programmed for beginners and more experienced folks, as well as for technical and non-technical users. More to come in the next month, but I hope to see many of you there.