Well, we did it. Well sort of. We managed to go to Taste for lunch and order something different. Ok, so we ordered a BALT too, but we got an entirely new sandwich for us as well, the “Italian Grinder.” If you have been reading my blog for awhile, you know how much I love Taste. And if I had to pick a favorite lunch spot (and the one you will most often see me eating lunch), it would be Taste. I was just trying to explain to a friend about why Taste is better than so many other sandwich type places. It isn’t just that they use really fresh ingredients (which they do), it is the dressings and sauces that they put with the sandwiches that make them really special. The Grinder, for example, was made up of imported mortadella, coppa, genoa salami,
provolone, lettuce and olive tapenade. The meat is top notch yes, and delicious. But what makes this sandwich for me is the olive tapenade. The sandwich without it would be a very good sandwich, but once you add the salty tanginess of the olives, you have something that is truly special. Taste just has a way of knowing this and everything they do seems perfectly balanced. 
We still got a BALT which is bacon, avocado, lettuce and tomato sandwich too. The bacon is warm, the rest of the ingredients are cold, and it is a perfect combo. They add their basil aioli (which is the same thing they serve with the frites) and it sort of melts in with the bacon. Again, you get the richness of the avocado, the saltiness of the bacon, and the tanginess of the aioli and tomato. Still my favorite sandwich ever. 
We also had the pomme frites because it seems as if I can no longer go in there without getting them. They are also some of my favorite French Fries in the City. They are the thinner variety, nice and crisp, served simply with salt and a bit of parsley and with a side of the basil aioli for dipping. It is a very generous portion, enough for at least 2 people to share.
I mentioned in a recent post that I also love their deviled eggs and often get one of them as well. I think they have basically mixed more of that yummy aioli in with the egg yolk. They don’t have the sweetness that maybe traditional deviled eggs have from sweet relish, they are more of a salty take on them including capers in the mix.
If you haven’t been to Taste, you are missing out. This is what a sandwich should be.
Taste Cafe & Marketplace
5164 N College Ave
Indy 46205
317-925-2233
http://www.tastecafeandmarketplace.com/
5164 N College Ave
Indy 46205
317-925-2233
http://www.tastecafeandmarketplace.com/
I couldn't agree more. Taste is potentially the best restaurant in the city. I love that it's local. I have been on a bit of a Nordstrom's Bistro kick for lunch lately though. However, it's hard to argue the value of taste in comparison.
ReplyDeleteBig Russ-
ReplyDeletethat is funny, I often also eat at Nordstrom bistro for lunch myself. I love that olive aioli they serve with their fries. Yum.
I have to agree. Taste is my #1 for restaurants in Indy. I believe everything they do is first class and made with discernment and with the best quality ingredients they can find. They're doing this breakfast bagel with harissa, radish, and hummus that is ridiculously good. I've had it three times, every time its been perfectly made and unbelievably consistent. Love them. And, no, they don't pay me.
ReplyDeleteTaste is the bomb. I just went there for dinner a few weeks ago. Great food and service. If I am even close to it, I usually stop in for something to munch on.
ReplyDeleteGlad Taste has started getting "best food place in the city" buzz. I've sorta felt that way for a while, and only Goose, R Bistro, or Recess give me pause in that thought (I've never been to Oakley's). Dinner is also awesome.
ReplyDeletethanks for finally pushing me over the edge... this past Sat. my wife and I finally had lunch at Taste & it was wildly amazing! We sat at the counter and had a great fishbowl glimpse into the kitchen--- it was impressive to see them working and I wanted to eat everything I saw.
ReplyDeleteTom-
ReplyDeleteSo glad I motivated you to go and that you enjoyed it!
I had lunch there recently. Lots of people, even at 1.20 pm. Got the chicken liver pate w/ crostini, the truffle frites, and a caesar salad.
ReplyDeleteThe pate was good. Beautifully smooth with balanced seasoning, accompanied by crisp crostini and a pleasant fruity jam-like stuff.
The truffle frites - the fries were nice, well fried w/ salt and parsley served in a paper cone in a little tin bucket; the truffle taste was in the aoili that came with it. But...there was just so much Parmigiano-Reggiano shaved over it. Smothered in it. Tasty and the cheese was fine, but too much. In all honesty, I don't find the fries really that remarkable.
The caesar was cool and well-tossed, but again, so much cheese on it! Too many croutons, too. Basically I pushed aside most of the cheese and croutons to get at the lettuce.
I'm not a sandwich guy, also not into the kind of stuff like wraps and 'soup-and-salads' or bread-with-something plates that seem to largely define places like Taste and other similar establishments.
I can't say I would particularly want to go back to it.
Huiray, I agree that the truffle frites can be over-cheesed, and I have only ordered them once because of it. And I think the basil aioli that comes with the regular frites is so good....and the frites are just fried and seasoned with salt and herbs. If you go back, you should just get the regular frites.
ReplyDeleteI don't know, but I wouldn't write the sandwiches off at Taste. They are some of the best I have had (along with Goose).
I finally had a chance to try Taste. I went for a work meeting at 10 am, so I wasn't sure if I wanted breakfast or lunch. I ended up ordering the banana bread trifle. It was sooo good. I thought it was going to be a slice of banana bread topped with fruit and whipped cream. Instead, imagine the best part of banana bread, the slightly crunchy crust, drizzled with butter and cup up into bite-size chunks. That was then smothered with lots of fresh bananas, blueberries and strawberries, then a light whipped cream. It was incredible!
ReplyDeleteAfter reading Erin's raves I was tempted to also get the frites, but the meeting had to come to an end and I had to go. Now I'm planning my next trip ... it'll certainly be a lunch, and frites will be involved!