Top Chef, Noodles, and Art!

Brian Says Good-bye on Top Chef: Oh, Brian, is it really true that chefs don't view trout as seafood? I'm sure we'll hear more on the success of the braising in the Thursday blogs, but it was clearly time to say "so long" to San Diego Oceanaire chef Brian Malarkey. Next week look for the Top Chef finale face off between Dale, Casey, and Hung.

So long, Nothing But Noodles: Cory reports all locations, including the popular one by the IUPUI campus, seem closed. Makes you wonder what went wrong, especially since that location by campus is very crowded all the time and everything in there seems to be working (even the nasty Chinese buffet.)

More Progress at Meridian: Finishing touches seem to be in the works at Meridian (nee Dodd's Townhouse with renovations) to be helmed by Chef Dan Dunville (nee Ruth's Chris, nee Dunaway's, nee Broad Ripple Steakhouse.) No website yet, menu preview, or word from Dunville.

Art for the Sake of Food! I recently spent a lovely morning with Chef Neal Brown hiking around Indianapolis with a camera in the rain. We were looking at art. From iMOCA to the Love sculpture, Chef Brown is creating an entire wine dinner based on contemporary art. Look for more details in the next week, but put Oct 29 on your calendar for a mulit-course art feast at L'explorateur! (Dinner will benefit iMOCA.)