under close supervision by

Mary Ann Kleyle and Marguerite Brunelle

Welcome to Indianapolis!

We have taken on the difficult assignment of personally reviewing some of the restaurants in downtown Indy as well as some restaurants within driving distance. We did not rate well-known national chains, and we rated only a few Asian restaurants since a separate Asian Review is also provided here on the JSM 2000 web site.

You are in for quite a surprise if you have not been to Indy in a few years. Lots of nice restaurants and things to do downtown. Indy has a Hard Rock Café and Jillians, and many sports bars in the downtown area. Also we have a unique movie house called the Hollywood Bar and Grill which gives you the opportunity to watch a movie while eating a small meal.

Rating restaurants is a multivariate problem, which we worked hard to reduce to two main factors: cost and value. Cost relates to cost and value is everything else. The figure on the back page gives our estimate of the cost and value by restaurant.

Cost: $^X estimates our feeling of the cost ($¹=modest to $⁵ expensive)

 

Downtown Restaurants in Walking Distance

Acapulco Joe’s – Popular, authentic Mexican cuisine. Great place if you like Mexican food. However, Bob felt the food was not hot enough to be called truly Mexican. $³

Mikado Japanese Restaurant and Sushi Bar – Very authentic atmosphere; however, the cuisine has been slightly modified to accommodate the Midwest. Also pricey. $⁴

Shapiro’s Deli – Terrific Jewish type deli. Wonderful sandwiches more than worth the price. $²

Alcatraz Brewing Co. – Trendy Brew Pub – Food is so-so, good beer. $³

Rock Bottom Restaurant and Brewery – Another Brew Pub and Restaurant, but probably the best brew pub in Downtown Indy. At least that is what Rocco thinks. $³

California Café Bar and Grill – Pricy and somewhat elegant, upscale, trendy restaurant. Rocco was not impressed. $⁴

Gibson’s American Grill – Nice place for a group get-together, but food is not great.

Palomino Euro Bistro – A little upscale for Rocco, but he even enjoyed it. The wives liked it a lot. They were surprised that Bob and Rocco would spend this much on a meal. But it was worth it. $⁴

Buca di Beppo – Italian cuisine served family style (be careful – it’s easy to order too much) with an atmosphere that even the Italians would find too Italian. Rocco loved it but Bob felt it was noisy. $⁴

The Old Spaghetti Factory – A wonderful surprise. Limited Italian selections with a great atmosphere and not very expensive. Usually a long waiting line. $³

Bertellini’s Authentic Trattoria – Good Italian food in plush atmosphere and a good location in the Circle Center Mall. Extensive wine list and great desserts. $⁴

St. Elmo’s – Superb food but very expensive. Know for their terrific steaks and the best shrimp cocktails in Indy. Try to get your boss or the company interviewing you to take you there. Rocco got someone to pay for this restaurant and Bob is still looking for a sponsor. $⁵

Slippery Noodle Inn – Terrible food but tons of atmosphere. Great blues music – starts in the evening. Put this on your list as a "must see". $²

Downtown Restaurants – a long walk or cab ride away from the Convention Center

Iaria’s Italian Resturant – I think we reviewed every Italian restaurant in Indy for Rocco’s sake. But this one is a hidden gem, inexpensive and very authentic. One of Rocco’s favorites. $³

Milano Inn – Very nice, gourmet Italian Restaurant. This restaurant is a little pricy but worth it. Has a nice, inexpensive weekday lunch buffet on the second floor. $⁴

 

North Side of Indy – Driving Distance

Bravo Italian Kitchen – Excellent Italian cuisine without being expensive. Bob’s and MaryAnn’s favorite. Great pasta dishes and wonderful bread. Be careful not to load up on the bread before your main meal. Rocco liked the food, but felt the atmosphere to be somewhat artificial and overdone. $³

Keystone Grill – Great seafood by pricey. Nice atmosphere. $⁵

Ocean World – Authentic Japanese Restaurant and Sushi Bar with great, fresh fish. Also serves traditional American style seafood dishes. All this without being overpriced. $³

Puccini’s Smiling Teeth – Casual, inexpensive Italian cuisine. This is where we often go to eat. Great value. $²

North West Side – Driving Distance

Yummies – Chinese Restaurant with Hong Kong and Catonese dishes, known for their fresh fish (you can meet them in the lobby as you wait to be seated). As Bob says: "First you meet them and then you eat them." Also known for their dim sum. Neither Bob nor Rocco were impressed with the dim sum, but the main dishes were great. $³

 

East Side – Driving Distance

Nothing unique, just the standard chains.

 

South Side – Driving Distance

Still trying to find something.

 

Enjoy JSM 2000 in Indianapolis!!!