Monday, May 07, 2007

Monday Tidbits

It's spring and change is in the air. A few interesting tidbits for your Monday morning.

Jim and Joe Break Up Kahn's; Call It Splitsville: Jim Arnold sent a late Saturday email announcing the business separation of he and his business partner, Joe Husar. Jim is selling the Carmel store to Joe and Joe will retain the Montage, Kahn's Katering, and the Carmel store. Jim will keep the new store and deli on Keystone -- the original Kahn's. The Carmel store will have a new name -- not yet announced -- effective immediately. By all reports, the split is amicable. Or at least as amicable as these things can be.

Darden Trims Smokey Bones Chain: Chain restaurant parent company Darden is having a hard year. First, there were the national headlines over a norovirus outbreak at a local Olive Garden. Then the closing of several restaurants in their Bahama Breeze chain. Now comes an announcement that they will close 57 Smokey Bones restaurants, including the remaining 7 in Indiana, and put the rest of the chain on the market. This could be good news or bad. It could be a signal that the chain restaurant market is hitting a saturation point in popular test markets like central Indiana, or it could be that they have a hit with Smokey Bones, want to trim the fat (so to speak), and put a profitable chain on the market to raise cash. At least one Smokey Bones restaurant has already been closed locally. Darden also owns the Red Lobster restaurant chain as well as Rocky River Grillhouse which recently moved into the Castleton Smokey Bones location.

Taste of Tango? Argentinian Food Downtown: In the "Well, this should be interesting" category, a local realtor has bought a derelict building on East Washington and says he plans to open an Argentinian restaurant by late July. No word on who will be cooking this Argentinian cuisine, the style of restaurant, or even if the building's renovations will be done in the next two months. We'll keep an eye on it. (via Property Lines)

Downtown Farmer's Market Opens Weds: The City Market renovations are still woefully behind schedule, but the Farmer's Market downtown will open right on schedule this Weds at lunchtime. Look for 40 or so vendors, suited business people enjoying lunch, and an overall good time every Weds through the end of October. The Downtown Farmer's Market is on Market Street between Alabama and Delaware.

Rose' for the Summer! A few summers ago, I rediscovered rose'. Yes, it's pink. But it's not the pink rose-in-a-jug we remember from our parents in the 70s. Today's rose's are light, dry, and the perfect early wine for late summer afternoons. Good Grape has more with some recommendations on what to try.

Weber Grill Hiring for Late July: Ads in local papers are looking for servers, FOH and BOH staff for Weber Grill saying they'll open in late July. Chicago-based Weber Grill will be opening on Illinois in the same three-block area as St. Elmo's, Ruth's Chris, and Capitol Grill.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Unless I was walking around some *other* market last week, the downtown farmers' market at City Market was open last Wednesday. ;-) Produce was sparse, but plants were plentiful, as well as baked goods, kettle corn, and local meats. This year, Capriole has a stand selling their goat's milk cheese. Traders Point's greenmarket has now gone to its summer schedule (Friday evenings), and other markets will be opening soon!

braingirl said...

Hmm. Sounds like you were a week early. Or the news source sent on to me was a week late.

Anonymous said...

I understand the reason for confusion. Last Wednesday, May 2nd, was the first day of the City Market farmers' market.
Nuvo reported a few weeks ago the market would be held twice a week, Wednesdays and Saturdays.
I stopped by the administrative offices before May 2nd to confirm the information and met with confusion.
Word last Wednesday was it's business as usual, Wednesdays only.
Does anyone have more accurate information?

Anonymous said...

The market opened May 2, and it only runs on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. If the information in Nuvo said otherwise, it wasn't on the culinary page. Here's the official press release that went out April 26:

THE INDIANAPOLIS FARMERS' MARKET
~at City Market~
Opens Wednesday, May 2, 2007

Farmers’ Market Gets Ready to Celebrate Opening Day
City Market launches outdoor market May 2

(Indianapolis, Indiana – April 26, 2007) The spring/summer growing season makes its debut in downtown Indianapolis with the opening of the Indianapolis City Market outdoor Farmers’ Market on Wednesday, May 2. Roughly 40 Indiana farmers will fill the block of Market Street between Alabama and Delaware St., offering goodies that range from honey to produce, confections to gourmet dog treats. The market will be open every Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., May thru October.

Parking is available on the Northeast Corner of Market and Alabama. Vouchers can be picked up at the Farmers' Market and customers can park two hours for just one dollar.

The farmer’s market brings a unique rural environment to the heart of the city, showcasing Indiana growers’ products in a festive, outdoor environment that operates rain or shine. Farmers’ markets throughout the nation are enjoying a renaissance due to consumers’ heightened interest in health and locally-grown produce. Indianapolis City Market Executive Director Nikki Longworth says that the farmers’ market is about more than just food. “The farmers’ market brings together people, culture, food and commerce in a unique experience for both the grower and consumer,” she said.

Musical performances from local and regionally-acclaimed artists will provide outdoor entertainment in the marketplace. Musician and singer Ann McWilliams, marketing director at Indianapolis City Market, has assembled an eclectic group of bands and singers, contributing to the Market’s festive presence. “The Market is poised near so many of the city’s cultural attractions, as well as the business and government community. It’s a natural eastward extension of the cultural corridor,” she noted. The Indianapolis City Market plans a number of outdoor special events this summer to celebrate the renovation of the City Market.

Farmers, growers and food purveyors participating in the 2007 farmers market include Victorian House Scones, Baird Farms, Biltz Greenhouses, The Apple Works Orchard, Carroll County Crops, Bryant Farm, Harvest Moon Flower Farm, Brambleberry Farm, Cate’s Cottage, Easley Winery, Bloomer’s Greenhouses, Your Neighbor’s Garden, Hobbit Gardens, Fields Farm Fresh, Graber’s Produce, Grabow Orchard, Kimben Farm, Hunter’s Honey, Kuns Kountry Kitchen, Labnercroft Berry, Miller’s Manor Gardens, Hillsdale Co., Inc., Wurks-A-Poppin, Inc., Whispering Pines Nursery, Simmons Farm & Winery, Yeager Farms Produce and Hoosier Honey.

The Indianapolis City Market was originally founded in 1821 as the city’s first market. In summer 2007, the City Market will complete a transformation that includes renovation of the historic Market House and introduction of new merchants, purveyors and amenities including a shared use kitchen.

###

2007 marks the 11th Year of the Indianapolis Farmers' Market
Developed eleven years ago to return City Market to its agricultural roots
The first Farmers' Market was held in 1996 in the parking lot at the City Market
It included 17 farmers
At least 7 of those Farmers are still a part of the market today
2007 welcomes nearly 50 farmers
The market spans the entire block of Market Street from Alabama to Delaware Street

Russ said...

The Smokey Bones in Avon is already closed, apparently. I find it difficult to believe that in an area where it is common to wait a half-hour or more for a table in peak times that they couldn't make it as well as the Olive Garden and the Red Lobster next door. My wife is already complaining of the lack of restaurant choices in our neighborhood that aren't chain restaurants or fast food joints. This isn't helping.

Anonymous said...

Kahn's Marketplace in Carmel has been renamed to Vine & Table gourmet market

The new website is www.vineandtable.com