Three Latest and Best

We all look for balance, right? Work versus eating versus blogging versus staying fit versus the energy to do it all. Hey, I'll admit, lately, those of you who aren't regular readers have taken a look at my posts and said "What a cranky bitch!" And hey, you'd be fair to say so. ('Cause I kind of am in the winter.) But last week, I had a chance to run into quite a few of you, and it's energizing! Here's a big shout out to the folks The Urbanophile and I ran into on Friday night at R Bistro! Thanks for the mad props. Also, thanks to all of you who rolled out for Pecha Kucha Indy Friday night. I *promise* next time I'll present something on food.

White Cheddar and Apple Bread Pudding at RBistro: The waiter came over and asked how we liked the dessert we'd decided to split. My friend paused with a spoonful of Regina's rich savoury/sweet cheese and apple bread pudding on the way to his mouth. "I'm beginning to regret my decision," he said. "That is, I'm beginning to regret that I didn't order my own."

Guac at Adobo: Someone recently complained to me that Adobo only serves their margaritas straight up in a martini glass. My answer: Have you tried asking them to serve them on the rocks? That's what I do and it works every time! (They don't have a blender behind the bar to make the crushed ice nightmares -- which is as it should be.) Guac and fish tacos were a perfect weeknight stop for a girls discussion group. Looking for a deal? Check their long list of drink and food specials -- I'm all about the $1 pastor and fish tacos, 4-6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 1/2 price margs on Thursday.

Lunch at Elements: OK, I *swear* I'm ordering something different next week. I can't blather on to you again about the skirt steak sliders. I can, however, say the tomato soup was perfect -- and as always the pork belly croque madame with the perfectly fried egg on top made me envious of my neighbors' plates.

Adobo Grill Goes Non-Smoking

Image via Wikipedia Think your opinions as customers don't make a difference? Javier Fuentes from DaVinci Group just sent me a note saying Adobo downtown will be going non-smoking effective today.

Several commenters last month expressed disappointment that the restaurant had opted to allow smoking which meant families with underage children were no longer allowed. Looks like they've reconsidered. Hopefully some of their customers will, too.

Upcoming Event: Night of the Artist

This Friday night marks another of the successful First Friday art evenings. What started as a series of open galleries has morphed into a general night of art across the city, and lately, it's been a joy to see more chefs getting involved! (Did I mention the simple but wonderful spread from RBistro at Susan Brewer's last opening?)

This Friday, the Indianapolis Art Center ventures downtown for an opening party/Noche del Artista night at Adobo Grill with artist René Hugo Arceo. Attendees get free drinks and appetizers throughout the evening, prize drawings, extraordinary art, and an opportunity to meet, purchase and have prints signed. Arceo will speak at 7:30 and 8:30 p.m.

Friday, October 3

7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.

Adobo Grill (110 E. Washington)

$20 per person

Contact Jenn Collins at 317-255-2464 ext. 247

or JCollins at IndplsArtCenter dot org

or purchase online.

Three Latest and Best -- I'm (Almost) Baaack!

Hey, kids! It's that summer time of year! The weather is beautiful, the gardens are in full harvest, family is visiting, and I'm making jams, jellies, confits, and stock for the winter. I'm just checking in today but will be back next week with a full schedule of chefs, restaurants, openings, closings and more. I'll still be away for the weekend, but consider the next few posts just an amuse bouche. Or maybe a first course. In the meantime, here's my three latest and best!

RBistro: This Mass Ave standby remains the see-and-be-seen spot for savvy lunchers, especially in the arts. (Hi, Travis!) And even with the frequent menu changes, I can't resist the one constant, bacon panini with the sweet tomato chutney. Perfect with the accompanying tangy greens -- and sticky toffee pudding for dessert, natch.

RBistro Redux: Also last week, enjoyed a lovely dinner at RBistro with a friend who's departing for points west. Our big group shared the vast round table up front, and service was gracious with our varied vegetarians, non-drinkers, drinkers, and meat-eaters all. It was all good, but I fell in love with the andouille and caramelized onion pizza. (I almost called it "Campfire" since it reminded me of my favorite from Puccini's.)

Tacos at Adobo: Of all the ceviches (which I love), entrees (well-crafted), and treats (mmm, guacamole), my favorite item on the Adobo menu is still the tacos. My favorite al pastor -- pork slow roasted with mango and pineapple -- is the closest to upscale taqueria food one could hope for. (Still messy -- beware the orange splatter.)

Roasted Salsa Verde

This evening, am planning to enjoy a casual, rustic late summer dinner with friends -- and good wine -- and pork belly! In the meantime, am working through leftovers (chicken livers are now chicken-liver-pate) and fresh veg from the farmers market making edibles to weather the storm. So far I've also finished roasted green salsa with fresh tomatillos and peppers. I used Grady Spears' basic Salsa Verde recipe roasting everything under the broiler first for about 10 minutes. Lime, honey, heat -- and old school, salty, greasy tortilla chips. (The healthy kind won't do.) What did we do before food processors?

Adobo Grill Downtown: First Look

It's been a busy day, and after the immense Start with Art luncheon, I stopped in to downtown's new Adobo Grill this afternoon to take a quick look and catch up with Chef Javier Fuentes, his partner and general manager, George Munoz, and consultant Chef Karl Benko.

Sounds like things are on track for an evening event tonight -- and their VIP cocktail opening tomorrow night. More on food (and the upcoming Pikk's Tavern) next week, but in the meantime, here are a few pics of the renovated interior to hold you over. (As a reminder, here's what it looked like just a few weeks ago.)

Warm woods, copper, orange and blue glass, mix with the darker tones of the bar and metal work. They've managed to make it feel upscale and urban -- very different from their northside location, much more like their original Chicago location from what we've heard.

Adobo Grill (110 E. Washington) opens to the public on Weds, Sept 10 for dinner. Lunches shortly there after, and look for upcoming brunch service. Call 842-9990 for reservations. More pictures at Flickr.

Zing and Adobo Soft Launch

This weekend, Zing (on West St. at Indiana Ave.) soft launches on Friday night through the weekend with an official opening day set for Sept 1. The concept looks a little ultra-lounge-meets-tapas bar-meets-Bourbon-St.-Distillery. Pics over at Dig-B. They don't appear to have a web site.

Next week, Adobo Grill is still on schedule for opening downtown with the first soft launch events scheduled for Thursday, Sept 4 with the media in for lunch and a March of Dimes benefit for the dinner hour. They open to the public on Sept 10. For the evening of Sept 4, they'll be serving passed hors d'oeuvres along with beer, wine and margaritas. The event is $30 per person or $250 for a group of 10. All funds raised go directly to March of Dimes of Central Indiana. Register through March of Dimes.

Karl Benko, Adobo and Pikk's Tavern

Where's Karl Benko been lately? After a busy year consulting and spending a lot of time in airports, Benko is hanging around town for the next month. He's come on board with DaVinci group to help Exec Chef Javier Fuentes and the rest of the team get the downtown Adobo Grill up and running along with the new northside Pikk's Tavern. (Pikk's will go in the current Adobo space.) Opening one restaurant is challenging enough, but opening two in 30-days can be touch. Benko will be lending his expertise in logistics, staffing, and of course, food as these two new restaurants open.

In the meantime, the folks at Adobo on the northside have asked for a little moving help. Pop in for fresh tableside gauc on Sunday, August 31 -- their last day -- and get a molcajete set to take home. Then, bring it with you on or after the downtown opening, Sept. 10, and get free gauc for your trouble.

Adobo Grill and Pikk's Tavern: Here's the Scoop

Been wondering what's up with Adobo Grill lately? Rumors have been flying around, but I got to spend yesterday morning with Chef Javier Fuentes and GM George Munoz for a sneak peak at the new Adobo Grill downtown (plus, what's up with the north side location.)

Look for the downtown location of this upscale Mexican restaurant to soft launch starting September 4 with a March of Dimes benefit, a VIP opening dinner, and practice lunches. First formal open day is Sept. 10. The Adobo Grill at 86th and Allisonville will close in late-August as most of the furnishings will be heading to the new downtown location.

The downtown build out at 110 E. Washington, just across the street from Fogo de Chao is a flurry of activity as they transform a vacant bank space into a two-level open restaurant with a ceviche bar, an upstairs lounge area, two large private rooms, and several of the small private dining areas popular on the north side. About 80% of the menu will be the same as at the north side location with the new items featuring fresh seafood and the popular tableside gauacamole. Bonus: tequila lockers. (You'll still have to buy your premium hooch from the restaurant, but can keep unfinished, opened bottles in your own private stash. Adobo Grill (owned by Chicago-based DaVinci Restaurant Group) has three additional locations in Chicago.

Meanwhile, the former north side location will become the second location for Pikk's Tavern. Pikk's, a popular gastropub/casual steakhouse in Valparaiso, features dry-aged ribeyes, burgers, and tableside shrimp cocktail with upscale beer, wines, and cocktails. (Former Hot Schotz beer guru Hans has come on board as their new bar manager.) Look for Pikk's to open in late September.

More preview pics at Flickr.

Three Latest and Best: Tour of the North

Lunch at Bistro de Paris: Had a lovely lunch last week with fellow blogger, parent of Winecanine.com. We popped over to the new Bistro de Paris on Carmel's Main Street in the former Pizza King location. Once inside, the restaurant is a pleasant space -- if a bit noisy. We enjoyed a rich French onion soup with blue cheese and crepes. Mine was chicken and mushroom with a vevelty cream sauce all perched on a bed of shoestring sweet potatoes. Good enough to get me back for dinner.

Chicken Salad from Joe's Meat Market: I couldn't hit Carmel's Main Street without popping in to say "Hello!" to Joe Lazzara at Joe's Butcher Shop. This bustling meat market and gourmet shop is stocked with more goodies every time I stop in -- complete with a good selection of moderately priced wines. But meat here is still the star of the show here. (I even met some of the team from Morristown's Viking Lamb.) Look for his summer schedule of local chef cook-outs and his newly sourced closer-to-the-real-deal Kobe. (And of course, I've already devoured the chicken salad -- it's my favorite!)

Margaritas and Guac at Adobo Grill: Sure, their avocados come from points far south by the traincar-load, but where else can you get pretty damn good fresh gaucamole year round? After some not-so-great tableside guac at other places, I'm even more in awe of how the gauc makers at Adobo get it right pretty much all the time. Summer's coming although they've just posted new hours with no lunches except Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Two-Minute Warning: Ladies and Gentleman, as an example of the gross mediocrity of the upscale chains populating the 86th Street corridor, I present to you El Torito Grill. Once, the elegant Keystone Grill, the interior now looks pretty much the same, only a little shabbier. Think Don Pablo's minus the fake town decor complete with waiters singing happy birthday songs and a birthday candle stuck in flan. While it's packing 'em in on the northside, like every other place at Keystone these days, there were a few strange things. It's nice that they have an extra person to open the door for customers when they come in. So, how can I say this delicately. Maybe it's not such a great idea to have your most dermatalogically-challenged teenager doing it. Not a great *face* to put on your establishment. Bar service seemed to have a blind spot on my side of the bar. I did order a drink, but could never catch the chips and salsa guy's eye although everyone else was immediately served. I did, however, get openly leered at by a server as he waited for his drink order, so there was that. Our tableside guac was way oversalted but our meals were generally fine although not like the cool presentations on their website. To his credit, our waiter was a trooper dealing with a large group, people switching seats, splitting the check in a complex number of ways. But *what* is the deal with the flour tortillas with *honey* butter? That's just plain weird.

Salsa Verde from Grady Spears

Picked up an abundance of produce at Saraga the other day including tomatillos. (It's Dan Dunville's fault -- I keep craving that salsa verde he uses for the black beans, eggs and tortilla dish on his brunch menu.) So, here's the Salsa Verde I made yesterday from Grady Spears. Thank the gods for food processors. Took it to a girl's night dinner last night. Make this a day ahead! It was good yesterday but is spectacular today.

Salsa Verde from A Cowboy in the Kitchen: Recipes from Reata and Texas West of the Pecos by Grady Spears (1998, Ten Speed Press)

*1 lb of tomatillos (he says about 13, I used about 10 but could have used a few more)
*1/4 bunch cilantro, stems removed, leaves chopped. (If you do this, you'll use the entire bunch)
*3 fresh serrano chilis, stemmed and chopped (to taste, obviously)

*1/2 cup thinly sliced scallions (about 5 scallions) (I used 2 bunches of strong green onions and didn't slice them but just threw them in the food processor with everything else)

*1 1/2 tsp minced garlic

*1/4 cup red bell pepper, cut into 1/8 inch dice (I used orange, and also just tossed it into the food processor)

*2 tbsp honey

*1 tsp freshly squeezed lime juice (I used a bit more once I really got to tweaking this)

Kosher salt to taste

* Husk the tomatillos by removing th parchment-like covering on the outside.

* Rinse them and place in a saucepan.

* Just cover with water and bring to a boil, reduce the heat, and allow them to simmer for 3-5 minutes, or unti they are just tender but still green in color.

* Remove from the heat, drain and coarsely chop in a food processor.

* Pour the tomatillos in a bowl and add the cilantro, chiles, scallions, garlic, bell pepper, honey, and lime. Mix. Season with salt. Will keep in the fridge for up to 1 week. (Makes about 2 cups.)

The honey helps hold the heat but you can adjust as needed. This salsa just screams for sliced avocados and fresh tangy tomatos on crispy chips. It would be terrific on just-fried tortillas or even oven baked wonton wrappers. Melds in the fridge overnight so make ahead.

All Around the Town

Welcome to all you new folks who've posted or emailed me in the past week or two to say you read on a regular basis and love the blog! We have some cool new stuff in the works for 2008 and I'm looking forward to lots more great food and wine! In the meantime, here are some cool goodies from the past few snowy days. (Nothing like digging your car out at the airport wearing hose and heels.) Here's some new stuff and a few updates on things you readers have asked us to check on.

Interview with The Goose: I was so pleased to read this interview with Chef Christopher Eley and thanks to you folks who sent pointers to me as well. Not only do I think it's great that he loves "working from home" so he can see his dog (and his lovely wife) but I also dig that he says Pink Floyd is the best music to cure a ham to! Swine worship daily at The Goose Market, 25th and Delaware.

Paul Laurant: So a few of you asked about the champagne I wouldn't name without further research a week or two ago. Light, very elegant, and perfect with salty snacks. I'm ready to reveal -- it's the Paul Laurant Champagne Brut. Call your local retailer but it's likely to be a special order. Buy a case. It's the holidays!

Cabo Mexican Grill Closed: Quite a few readers have reported that Cabo Mexican Grill downtown didn't make it. After opening early in the summer, they've closed their doors. No word on the factors but the location was a little tough, parking was difficult (I speak from personal experience) for the little counter style fast casual place to make it.

Scholar's Inn Closes to Remodel: Official word has been slow in coming so let's hope Julia at The Dish can get a little more, but so far as we know (and Cory has confirmed) is that Scholar's Inn will close in January. (I've heard varying reports on the actual close date and they're still taking reservations in January so I hope they call so people don't show up for dinner and find a locked door.) Rumors I've heard say they'll re-tool as an upscale martini place, but who knows. They say they'll reopen in the spring. I hope they don't scrap those great 80s blue and green over-the-top chairs!

Don't Cry for Me Argentina: No surprise, but the Argentinian place downtown is late in opening. The building still looks like a bit of wreck so I'll be curious to hear when they update their schedule. (Rule number 1 when it comes to opening a restaurant: It always takes longer than you think.) The original opening date was July.

Thursday Goose, Closings, and Marshmallows

I have a few tidbits in oven but they're just half-baked. (Haha, insert joke: "but they're usually half-baked anyway.") It's that time of year and I'm busy putting together Christmas lists, holiday party tips, and lists of places open for New Year's Eve (not to mention New Year's Day brunch.) In the meantime, here's a plate of cheese and crackers to hold you over.

New at The Goose: Foie hot dogs! Yes, they sound almost too good to be true and I hope to pop in today just to try one of these earthly delights. (Chris almost had them finished when I popped in yesterday afternoon. Lately, new sausages and meats have been gone as soon as he's put them in the case, so keep checking in. He expects them to go fast.)

Mexican Restaurant Closes: The Mexican restaurant lately busted by the health department in Greencastle has closed. Remember when employees were found butchering a road kill deer in the kitchen? Apparently, that has a bad effect on business. Go figure. (And I'll say it again. The butchering didn't gross me out as much as the fact that the deer was *road kill*.) Ewww.

Welcome to the new Wine Canine: Give a big blog world shout out to Jackson Gray (or J. Silverheels Gray), the new blogger over at Wine Canine. Jackson joins his owner's family newly from a Weimareiner rescue program.

Conrad Tea: Rita Kohn at Nuvo is reporting the Conrad Hotel will host a holiday tea every Thursday through Saturday from 2-5 p.m. I haven't checked this out, but I know the old tea of days past at the Conrad was popular and formal high tea could be a fun break from shopping! Check with the Conrad (317.713.5000) for more information and reservations.

Homemade Marshmallows! My favorite treat so far this season has been the peppermint marshmallow squares you can find right now at Trader Joe's. But these homemade wonders look so much more intriguing. Reading the notes, it's clear that the hardest part is getting them into the pan. As long as my mixer can hang in for 12 minutes, homemade marshmallows could be in my future.

Closings and a Movie

56th St. Fish Market Closed: I haven't gone over there and rattled the door myself, but word has it the doors are locked at 56th St. Fish Market. With all the shenanigans and disputes with owner and managers, it's a surprise they lasted this long. On the north side, Joe's Butcher Shop and Fish Market usually carries tuna and salmon every day and with a little notice, Joe can source anything special that customers need. Some folks swear by Kona Jack's fish market and there's always Wild Oats.

Mo's Loading Dock Closed: Word also has it that Mo's Loading Dock, the casual bar and eatery at the Stutz Building has closed. Mo's was known for their fresh weekly shipments of crawfish and catfish. They'll be missed.

Meryl Streep = Julia Child: Did you read Julie and Julia: 365 Days, 524 Recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment Kitchen? The book, which came out a couple of years ago, details one blogger's journey to cook her way through the entire classic Julia Child cookbook, Mastering the Fine Art of French Cooking. Julie and Julia is a hoot and about more than just cooking. Meryl Streep will play Julia Child (who makes her appearances in the book merely in the author's speculations about Child's early life.) Nora Ephron will direct. (More from Slashfood.)

Do We Have Any Chi-Chi's? File this under "why I love the internets". My new favorite blog: Creepy Abandoned Chi-Chi's which details, well, sad and dead locations of this late, "great" national Mexican food chain. While their salsa brand lives on, their buildings do, too! Blame Slashfood.

Saggin', Tex-Mex, and The Rosewood Mansion at Turtle Creek

And now, for something completely different. (This is almost enough to make me want to revive Hoosiers Ate My Brain.) Yesterday morning I awoke to NPR serenading me with the a new cultural anthem combatting saggin' in south Dallas, the rap hit "Pull Your Pants Up!" The deputy mayor of Dallas is leading a campaign to keep guys from wearin' 'em low. (Apparently, the trend was boxers, then dirty boxers (eww), then nothing at all (double eww!) A local guy in his barber shop saw the mayor on TV, then went out back to his recording studio and recorded a new rap anthem for the masses. It's pretty snappy, actually. So, in the spirit of "Hey! Pull your pants up!" -- my earworm of the week -- here's some food news from Dallas (aside from the billboard with the tagline from rapper Dooney da Priest: "It's not cool. It's rude. Walkin' around showin' your behind to other dudes.")

Robb Walsh Recommends Tex Mex: Think we're the only ones who crave good Tex Mex? Think again. New Yorkers, Europeans, even Texans are all looking for the best Tex Mex -- or at least their personal favorites. From Diner's Journal, Robb Walsh, author of The Tex Mex Cookbook, kind of a recipe and travel guide, gives us his two cents on the best in on the border, Paris, and even DC.

Some of the greatest institutions of Tex-Mex were built on the Mexican side of the border in the 1920s and 1930s during America’s experiment with Prohibition,” he told me. “ These Tex-Mex restaurants catered to Americans who crossed the border looking for cocktails, but miraculously, eighty years later, some of them are still in business. The list includes Ma Crosby’s in Acuña, The Drive-In in Matamoros, and The Kentucky Club in Juarez.There are good Tex-Mex restaurants in Paris. The Indiana Cafe is a favorite. Elsewhere around the planet, I found the enchiladas at Charley Brown’s in Bangkok decent, but the tacos awful.

Beyond the Texas borders, my suggestions are not nearly as exotic. I feel blasphemous saying this, but The Tee Pee in Phoenix (4144 E. Indian School Road) could be airlifted and set down in Texas and nobody would know the difference. La Tolteca in Wilmington, Delaware (2209 Concord Pike) is the best I’ve ever had along the New York-Washington D.C. corridor.

Dallas Eats Asks Where's the Best in Dallas? Noting that Walsh likes his tacos on the side (as do I, although the shells still get soggy if the meat is too greasy), Dallas Eats asks "where is the best Tex Mex in Dallas?" I can only imagine it will be as passionate a discussion as on this blog when we talk about Mexican food -- only with 100s more places to go.

The Mansion Gets a Facelift: (There's a Turtle Creek, Dallas matron, expensive plastic surgeon joke in there somewhere, but I'm just not finding it.) In other Dallas food news, not Tex Mex related, the Mansion at Turtle Creek, one of the most well-known restaurants in Texas, is relaunching as The Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek next month after extensive renovations. Once, one of the best restaurants in the state, chef changes and a well-worn interior had left the old battlehorse a little weary. (Think of it as The Oak Room of the southwest.) It sounds like the new look is perfect and I'll make a point to check it out if only for a cocktail next time in in Dallas.

Morton's v. Morton's and Other Tidbits

I run into a lot of people who are confused about why foodies, reviewers, dining editors, and reporters don't always have hard opening dates, chef info, and restaurant confirmations. In this wonderful world of soft news and blogs, here's how it works in a nutshell, at least right now: Cory over at Property Lines often hears about restaurants early. He talks to developers and reports on real estate sales, leases, and companies looking for franchisees. Often, he will blog a project when a lease has been signed, a letter of intent has been drafted, or permits are granted. However, we all know a lot can happen between development and opening when it comes to restaurants. Christy and Julia over at Indianapolis Monthly, reporters at the Star and Intake, and even Nuvo follow up directly with the restaurant or their corporate parents for their respective newsletters and publications. As you can imagine, most corporate offices are tight lipped about future plans until ground is broken and they've scheduled an opening date. Which is why Cory seems to have such a scoop -- and sometimes deals fall through. What do I do? Keep my ear to the ground and offer a hearty dose of my own opinion and a round up of what is interesting to me. Luckily, some of you find it interesting, too, (for a variety of reasons, I'm sure.)

Morton's Sues Morton's Pub: I know some people see this sort of thing as "big corporation keeping the man down" but if you know anything about trademark law, you know your mark is only as strong as your ability and willingness to defend it. And this week, Morton's (the steakhouse) sent a letter to Ty Morton of Muncie who just opened a place called, (wait for it) "Morton's Pub and Grub". As I see it, Morton's (the steakhouse) has a case, and if I was in the corporate office, I would have been the first one calling the legal department to get a letter out, mom-and-pop shop or not. Morton's (the steakhouse) has to defend their trademark. It's their brand. Do they have a restaurant in Muncie? No, of course, not, but they do have one in Indy, a lot of Muncie people have been there, and they're based in Chicago. If the Ruth's Chris expansion is successful in the S. Bend area, don't think they won't consider it, too. (A new market for expansion -- high end steakhouse nirvana!) So, fair? No, probably not. But come on, this is business 101. Whether it's your own name or not, naming your place after a nationally branded steakhouse and not talking to your lawyer about it? Probably not a smart idea. From AP (via the Indy Star)

El Sol, Partners Fighting, Partners Not Fighting, Whatever: So, let me see if I get this right (or even close): El Sol owner number 1 (founder) and partner (let's call him owner 2, Chicago boxing promoter) go bankrupt after opening a downtown location. Owner 3 buys the building while former-owner 2 strips out all the equipment after the sale. Owner 3 sues, but then renegotiates for all the stuff back while making owner 2 a partner again? They've also brought in another partner -- we'll call him owner 4 -- to help run the place. Owner 4 allso co-owns the local Cancun restaurants. Owners are slating a re-opening of the East Washington location for November. Not sure where they are on the originally planned massive renovations and complete menu overhaul, making it more upscale. (From the Star -- thanks (scubachef) for the pointer.)

Openings, Schmopenings: More vapor, or at least, these days, we're working from a wait-and-see-approach: Bugg's, still saying next weekend for all three restaurants -- Tavern at the Temple (one assumes, a pub), Bugg's Grille (one assumes this is the fine-dining restaurant we've been promised), and Cornerstone Coffee (what may end up being the most successful of the three.) No word on the Ritter's Frozen Custard we were looking forward to most. Meridian, reports are they'll soft launch at the end of the month. No hard dates for openings on any of the newly reported chains coming in downtown -- Adobo or Fogo de Chao. Frequent poster (corrnd), tell us he's seen a liquor license posted at the old Peyton's Place on Indiana and West St. No reports on the sale and new bar opening.

Looks Like El Sol is Closed for Good

A few hopefuls keep asking me if I've heard if the downtown El Sol will reopen soon. I'd heard that location was closed for good, but according to a report in today's Star, it sounds like the entire business is done for. With partners suing each other, space sold, and incomplete renovations, don't look for either location of this popular eatery to re-open at all -- revamped "gourmet" menu or not. (Of course, this is the Star and I'm always distrustful that we're seeing anything close to the complete or real story in their pages these days, but bottom line, El Sol is goner.)

Three Latest and Best

Mussaman Curry at Sawasdee: Holy crap this stuff is good. We popped in on Sunday to this bustling north side Thai staple on the verge of their much needed expansion. Having not been in for dinner for a long while, we queried Ty on his recommendation. (I almost always have the green curry at lunch.) He didn't hesitate. "Number 39." All I can say is Wow. Thick, rich, meaty with chicken and rich with potatoes stewing in the thickest, peanutiest, sweet curry *ever.* Oh, so good.

Chinese at Sesame on 86th: I've been looking for a decent, down-home Chinese place for a while, and may have found a passable option at Sesame, newly opened at 86th and Ditch (next to Athletic Annex. Good house made crab rangoon (with real crab in the slightly sweet cream cheese), flavorful wonton soup with a light, fluffy wonton (not hard from the freezer or can), and the kind of egg rolls I like, made by hand and with lots of cabbage and pepper. Plus cashew chicken with lots of wok-hay, that great taste that you only get from a really hot wok and someone who knows how to use it. Worth another visit for the soup and crab rangoon alone.

Cocktail Hour at Palomino: I'd been hearing good things about the after work happy hour at Palomino and I wasn't disappointed. An impressive appetizers list, half-price pizza, and a nice list of cocktails including flavored mojitos round out one of the most robust offerings of all the downtown cocktail menus. I had the berry mojito (heavy, but good with lots of fresh mint) and, of course, the signature Gorgonzola cross-cut fries. Eat 'em while they're hot! Even better? Palomino offers the same deals late night on Saturday! Perfect for late night, post bar snacking.

Two-Minute Warning: In my never-ending quest for good Mexican food in Indianapolis, I can tell you that El Arado Mexican Grill in Fountain Square is not it. It should have been a warning when I asked the server what was good and every dish she recommended was deep-fried. Not up for the chimichanga or taquitos, I opted for the flautas. The beef was pot roast. No, really, it tasted and looked just like pot roast. Good pot roast, but not Mexican food. The rice? Overcooked (the split grains looked like a pile of little X-chromosomes.) The refried beans? I'm pretty sure they came out of a can. The guac? In a world where a taqueria on the West side can blow me away with their simple, fresh, delicious and easily identifiable fresh avocado with onions, peppers, salt and lime, I just refuse to eat the pureed, green avocado-flavored slime restaurant supply houses pass off as cheap guacamole. And I'm over the Mexican places that serve it. (Frankly, I'm over the Mexican places that set up shop with a deep frier, a Sysco account, and no actual, you know, cooking. News flash: If it comes in a pre-made plastic package that you cut open in the kitchen to serve, skip it.) Any self-respecting avocado would be ashamed to have its flavor profile used in the bitter, sour gunk plopped on top of iceberg lettuce and called "avocado salad". (Of course there's no actual *real* avocado in there. It's the avocado equivalent of "cheese food". Seriously, read the label on the same product next time you're in the grocery store.)

El Arado is completely unremarkable. I'd put it on par with La Piedad in Broad Ripple (almost identical actually) and countless other usually crowded but not terribly good Mexican restaurants in town. It's back to the West side taqueria circuit for me. Simpler food but *so* much fresher and tastier.

Three Latest and Best

After last week's dine fest and this week's marathon dinner schedule (starting tonight), I've been going downscale! And what a treat it's been.

BLT at Bourbon Street Distillery: Yes, Monday is $1 beer night. But it's never a bad time to tackle the beast of a BLT. I've never seen so much bacon in my life. And that's a very good thing.

Ranchero Beans at Cabo Mexican Grill: I popped in last week for lunch at this new little downtown spot. If you're looking for a local version of Quoba with slightly tastier, housemade ingredients (like the salty, tangy guacamole or rich queso) and a slightly broader menu, then you're in luck. They feature burritos, tacos, and enchiladas, along with the usual chips and salsa off a walk-up counter menu. My favorite thing? The ranchero-style pinto beans. Delish! Their liquor license should arrive this fall and they'll have beer with their expanded outside seating.

Bing Cherries, Ingredent of the Week: Sure, they're usually only in season for a nanosecond, but I've been enjoying the heck out of this season's sweet red cherries. Most are so big you could almost swallow the pit by accident biting in. Where have I found this bounteous goodness? Believe it or not - Marsh. (I've heard due to the weather, it's been a tough summer for stone fruit. No cherries yet that I've seen at the farmer's market.) I've been eating them plain, in a cherry clafouti, in smoothies, and today, I'm making a soup. Oh, so good!

This and That

You know we're bored in the summer when the biggest foodie activity is speculation on when Bugg's Temple will open. At this point, I can't imagine it's going to be worth it! (Well, except for the Ritters!)

Neal Has Blue Fin: We all need more friends like these! So, some customers and friends of Neal and Lindy's at L'Explorateur went tuna fishing off Cape Cod. They caught a 65-pound Blue Fin at 11:00 a.m. yesterday. Tonight, you, too, can partake in the bounty. (They sent 30 pounds to Neal.) It will be tuna heaven! Call for reservations.

There's a New Bar in Town? Looks like someone is finally going into the former King Cole space that was the old location of Nicky Blaine's. (I can't imagine how they'll get years of cigar smoke smell out of there.) No other info except for the liquor license application on the door next to Qdoba downtown.

Corner Gourmet is Done? I had heard various versions of the rumor that Corner Gourmet was closing, but the one I'd heard most was that Scott had moved but the stores would remain open. Cory at Property Lines checks it out and it appears Corner Gourmet is closed. Sadly, it will be the end of their cooking classes which I know many people tried out over the years.

Devour Downtown Kicks Off: It was a nice event for Second Helpings on Monday with plenty of snacks galore to kickoff the summer downtown restaurant week. The best of the night? The watermelon tomato gazpacho from University Place. (And possibly the burgers on a donut from the new BadaBoomz.)

Adobo Downtown: Various confirmations and close confirmations are trickling in. Christy at The Dish and Cory at Property Lines tell us the rumors are pretty much true (Cory says it's a done deal as far as the property owner is concerned. Christy hasn't yet had confirmation from Adobo's corporate headquarters.) Look for Adobo Grill at 110 E. Washington St *maybe* sometime next spring if all goes well.

Another Great Wine Secret: If you've recovered from the best kept secret in town, (half price oysters at The Oceanaire from 3-6 p.m. on week days), here's the second best. Friends reminded me this week that Scholar's Inn has half price bottles of wine on Monday nights. And they have a carry out license. So you can stop in on your way home. Or buy two bottles and take one home. (Just tell the waiter to open one instead of both.) Their wine list has quite a few to try -- and a few reliable drinkers that will be fun at half the price! (Imagine, Chateau Potelle VGS at $58 a bottle or that yummy David Bruce Pinot for $19!)