quote:

Originally posted by spondy:
Thanks Indybob,
Hoped to read from you. Did not expect that much info. Is Element related to the restaurant of the same name in Phoenix?

quote:

Originally posted by indybob:
Spondy,

Cool. I don't claim Indy, I'm a West Coast transplant of ten years, but I get around A LOT, and have the lay of the land pretty well.

Wine Shops: Kahns Fine Wines, with Vine & Table and Crown Liquors as second fiddle (both just north of Indy). If you go to Kahns, take a look at their sale flyer in the lobby.

Wine Bars: Nothing amazing, but D'Vine and Corner Wine Bar are servicable.

Hotels: High end: Canterbury, Conrad.
Medium/High: Omni, Westin, Hyatt, Marriott, all downtown.

Dining: Chain restaurants: There are a zillion in Indy, but these are the notables: Oceanaire, Ruth's Chris, Morton's, Adobo, Cheesecake Factory.

Independent restaurants, all delicious, and in order of how I like them: R Bistro (fresh local food), Elements (American/Continental), Shanghai Lil (Chinese country), Dunaway's (American/Continental), Zest (very good mom/pop brunch), Santorini (Greek), St. Elmo's (Steaks, chops, and shrimp ****tail), Sawasdee (good casual Thai).

Oakley's Bistro gets a lot of raves, but the service is spotty, IMO. Most have websites, and Oceanaire, Dunaway's and St. Elmo's have excellent wine lists.

Also, great pizza at either Bazbeaux (new fangled), or Union Jack's (Deep Dish), and a killer Mexican taqueria named Pancho's at 7023 N. Michigan Road, but it's very casual.

Also, there's L'Explorateur, but I haven't been there yet, but it's supposed to be very good. No sushi of special note.

Also, if you have kids in tow, take them to the Children's Museum, it's first rate. But, skip the zoo, unless you want to see the koala exhibit that's currently there. You wouldn't think so, but the IMA (Indianapolis Museum of Art) is sensational, especially for a city of this size/stature. And, I'd avoid central downtown on July 19th and 20th, unless you like gigantic crowds.

If you need any more tips, let me know. We have a couple of other Indy locals, like Vinosnob, who may chime in.

quote:

Originally posted by vinosnob:
Ouch! Second fiddle!

quote:

Originally posted by cdr:
Perhaps you ought to change your name to Socalbob?