Bluebeard is a new american restaurant in Fletcher Place, Indianapolis.
Bluebeard on Virginia Avenue in Indianapolis runs a scratch kitchen and the in-house Amelia's bakery. A James Beard semifinalist Fletcher Place anchor.
Signature dishes: House sourdough from Amelia's, Wood-grilled pork chop, Pasta of the day
Must order: The bread basket from Amelia's, the wood-grilled main of the day, the seasonal pasta.
Tip: Walk in before 6:00 to drink at the bar; the dining room books up by Thursday for weekend nights.
Address: 653 Virginia Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46203
Tinker Street on East 16th turns out seasonal New American small plates and pairs them off a serious wine list. Tom Main runs the kitchen and the room.
Signature: Seasonal small plates, Wine flights
Order: Whatever the chef's running on the small plates board plus a glass off the European wine list.
Tip: Sunday and Monday dinner only; closes Tuesday and Wednesday some weeks. Check the calendar before the drive.
Ryan Nelson's farm-to-table room near Keystone at the Crossing. The menu changes daily and leans into Hoosier ingredients with a chef-driven point of view.
Signature: Pork chop, Daily fish, Bourbon flights
Order: Whatever Nelson's running on the daily change, plus a flight off the bourbon list.
Tip: Bigger room than it looks from outside, with private dining for groups. Reservations on OpenTable book up Friday and Saturday.
Mama Carolla's in Meridian Kessler, Indianapolis runs the canonical Italian-American room from a brick house on 54th. A reliable Indianapolis pick.
Signature: Veal Marsala, Chicken Parmesan, Garlic bread
Order: Veal Marsala, the chicken Parmesan, the eggplant rollatini and the house garlic bread.
Tip: Closed Sunday and Monday. Reservations on OpenTable; the patio is the move in summer.
Iaria's in Indianapolis has been on the same South College Avenue corner since 1933, the canonical old-school red-sauce Italian-American house.
Signature: Spaghetti and meatballs, Tortellini, Cheese ravioli
Order: The cheese ravioli, the meatballs and the house Chianti.
Tip: Tuesday to Saturday dinner only. Walk-ins seat at the bar; reservations for the dining room.
Shapiro's Deli in Indianapolis opened in 1905. The Reuben, the corned beef on rye and the matzo ball soup have run the same counter for a century.
Signature: Reuben, Corned beef on rye, Matzo ball soup
Order: The Reuben, a side of macaroni salad, and a slice of sugar cream pie.
Tip: Order at the counter, find a table, they bring it out. Cash-friendly. Weekend breakfast 9 to noon.
The Rathskeller in Indianapolis has poured pilsner and served schnitzel in the Athenaeum since 1894. The biergarten is one of the best in the city.
Signature: Schnitzel, Bratwurst, Pretzel and beer cheese
Order: Wiener schnitzel, a Sun King or Hofbrau on draft, and the soft pretzel with beer cheese.
Tip: The biergarten opens late spring through fall. Weekend live music in the Kellerbar; the dining room is quieter.
