tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7700721558717637465.post32649539362571633..comments2024-03-01T11:09:22.394-05:00Comments on Indianapolis Restaurant Scene: The AristocratErin in Indyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06236924407558284371noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7700721558717637465.post-49741938676847813842011-01-21T14:43:31.464-05:002011-01-21T14:43:31.464-05:00By the way, can I just say that I get ridiculously...By the way, can I just say that I get ridiculously excited when I see that you've reviewed a restaurant where I've eaten? LOLBeckynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7700721558717637465.post-11975483694187413772011-01-21T14:40:16.955-05:002011-01-21T14:40:16.955-05:00I had brunch here with a friend a couple of weeks ...I had brunch here with a friend a couple of weeks ago. Very ordinary food, in my opinion, and service was iffy.Beckynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7700721558717637465.post-74233809967163279602011-01-17T13:00:20.327-05:002011-01-17T13:00:20.327-05:00So glad someone from the Aristocrat restaurant cam...So glad someone from the Aristocrat restaurant came forward to speak...our family goes there every Sunday for brunch...l like what Melissa expressed have only wonderful things to say..isnt it beautiful to see a General Manager take the time to express what really is going on behind the sceens and to talk so highly of her staff and the restaurant itself. She takes pride in all and from our years of experiencing the Aristocrat..she surely should. Thank you Melissa for your caring and not only to your staff and the Aristocrat but in all the ways you and your staff show it to us...your loyal and appreciative customers. We thank you!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7700721558717637465.post-87438323848574499502011-01-17T10:20:26.503-05:002011-01-17T10:20:26.503-05:00Thanks, too, for letting us know the situation wit...Thanks, too, for letting us know the situation with freshly made dishes/ingredients. Very good to know.braingirlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04159313924554241811noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7700721558717637465.post-89582197955855528592011-01-16T16:03:57.290-05:002011-01-16T16:03:57.290-05:00Melissa-
thanks for respoding. I always appreciat...Melissa-<br /><br />thanks for respoding. I always appreciate it when someone from the restaurant stops by to answer questions asked here. I also appreciate the obvious dedication you have to your job.<br /><br />I know the date we were there because it was the night of the Festival of Lights Parade in Broad Ripple (Dec. 11th)--that was why we kept having to make left turns to get away from Broad Ripple traffic! :)<br /><br />thanks again,<br />ErinErin in Indyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06236924407558284371noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7700721558717637465.post-81227795871543334642011-01-16T15:12:24.683-05:002011-01-16T15:12:24.683-05:00I have worked at the Aristocrat for almost 11yrs a...I have worked at the Aristocrat for almost 11yrs and am now the current General Manager. Bad reviews are so personal and painful to us. With the good sometimes comes the bad and we can only hope to learn from both.<br />To answer some of the questions about our menu. Our Spinach & Artichoke Dip with Tortilla Chips are both homemade. The California BLT is served with a pesto mayo (homemade) and fresh avocado. We receive deliveries of fresh produce and bread six days a week. Our Fish & Chips and Tenderloin are both hand breaded. There are very few items on our menu that are premade.<br />The staff at the Aristocrat are some of the most dedicated and hardworking people I've had the pleasure to work with. One of the kitchen employees has worked in that current building since 1975. Most of these people love and care about this restaurant as much as they do their own homes. We of course at times get a few bad apples. <br />Erin, regarding the horrible Prime Rib incident. I am sorry and embarrassed. We strive for excellent customer service and this is inexcusable. I would like to know the date of your visit in hopes that this problem has already been eliminated.<br />I hope that you give us another try to show you the restaurant I fell in love with years ago.<br />Please, feel free to contact me.<br />Melissa UhteMelissanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7700721558717637465.post-37545504943154669782011-01-15T00:38:40.140-05:002011-01-15T00:38:40.140-05:00Erin,
I've been receiving your blog via Googl...Erin,<br /><br />I've been receiving your blog via Google Reader for several months now and always enjoy finding out about a new place to check out after your review. I was excited to see you had posted a review of 'The Aristocrat', but then surprised by the review. <br /><br />I often hang at the 'Crat specifically because of the great people that work there and the good food. I have never had bad service and I hope that your experience was a fluke! 'The customer is always right' <br /><br />Your review was honest and apparently well deserved due to the poor service. My experiences have been just the opposite. <br /><br />Here ends my 2 cents!foodiepersonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7700721558717637465.post-66396037125742984422011-01-13T21:31:23.370-05:002011-01-13T21:31:23.370-05:00Pete, yes, I have eaten at Aristocrat, in recent t...Pete, yes, I have eaten at Aristocrat, in recent times even. I had a salad that was unmemorable in every way. I have also had the pork tenderloin -- but an OK pork tenderloin does not a good restaurant make. Nor does the ability to fry food well, which was my original point.braingirlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04159313924554241811noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7700721558717637465.post-10048293427825839932011-01-13T13:31:29.082-05:002011-01-13T13:31:29.082-05:00See what I mean about the posts you least expect? ...See what I mean about the posts you least expect? :)<br /><br />Max, For the record, I did not say the restaurant was dirty, it was one commenter's opinion. I simply agreed that after at least 20 years with the same interior, in my opinion, it could use a little sprucing up. That's just me. Somep people may enjoy the "patina" as ChicagoPete put it. Actually, I don't feel that strongly one way or the other about the interior. <br /><br />Anyway, I am glad you enjoy it, but regardless of how good that tenderloin is, and hubby would agree it is damn good, I don't think he would step foot back in the place after that service experience. If you think that is "picky," well then, our standards are different. Maybe service doesn't mean that much to everyone, but I think it is an integral part of the meal. <br /><br />If you think I am too picky about the food, I would argue that in my opinion, people in Indy could stand to be a little pickier and stop settling for so much mediocre food AND service.<br /><br />ChicagoPete and braingirl--I am going to let you 2 battle this one out... :)Erin in Indyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06236924407558284371noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7700721558717637465.post-23222683785620195072011-01-13T12:06:58.320-05:002011-01-13T12:06:58.320-05:00Erin,
I would disagree with you and about The Aris...Erin,<br />I would disagree with you and about The Aristocrat. I feel your review is overly picky. For the money The Aristocrat is the best bang for the buck. I take my family there once a month for brunch and have never been disappointed. <br /><br />If I am in the area I swing by and have the lunch special that is always extra tasty.<br /><br />The tenderloin is the best in the State. <br /><br />As for the wraps I have always been satisfied. The portions are huge and filled with fresh ingredients. <br /><br />To post that the place is dirty is irresponsible. There is no way I would take my children to place that was dirty! <br /><br />For the last 9 years I enjoyed the food and the atmosphere at The Aristocrat. It very cool to be able to take my children to experience the same thing.<br /><br />MaxAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7700721558717637465.post-84494008161508435442011-01-13T11:21:01.440-05:002011-01-13T11:21:01.440-05:00Harsh from me? Maybe, but this sort of thing is re...Harsh from me? Maybe, but this sort of thing is really inexcusable. Diners need to stop taking it, or excusing it.<br />=======================<br />Have you actually eaten at the Aristocrat, and specifically their BPT? If not, then yes - it is harsh.<br /><br />Can't speak to the guacomole they serve at the Aristocrat, but their BPT is definitely not a frozen food service product. Per my palate it's a fresh product, and it's fried in fresh oil heated to the proper temperature. It's cooked at the right temperature, and it comes out crisp and non-greasy. A BPT is one of the few indigenous foods around these parts, and they serve a fine version here.<br /><br />You scoff at the craftsmanship of the deep fryer? I made the mistake of ordering a BPT at Pat Flynn's based on some glowing recommendation somewhere. They also serve a fresh, non-Sysco product so kudos to them. But they were fried in old oil and too cold, and what came out was an inedible. You can't just throw any random pimply-faced kid behind that deep fryer. <br /><br />Just going by memory, but I'm pretty sure the fries are also fresh cut at Aristocrat. It's not the greatest restaurant in the world, but at least when I've eaten there I get the impression that an honest effort is made to put out a quality product - at least when it comes to the BPT. Cant' speak to the prime rib or guac, but that's not the food I would order in this kind of place.ChicagoPetehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00482085939749594086noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7700721558717637465.post-57366001699995337682011-01-12T17:23:18.859-05:002011-01-12T17:23:18.859-05:00>Whoever is in that kitchen knows their way aro...>Whoever is in that kitchen knows their way around a deep fat fryer.<br /><br />This is not something anyone should look for in a quality restuarant. Not only does an ability to deep fat fry *anything* not equate to culinary skill (like, say, cooking a prime rib), but it usually means they're sending out a lot of frozen, premade stuff. <br /><br />Think about it, chips from a bag, spinach dip from a "crock" (you can buy them that way -- I would love someone to tell me they've watched staff make that stuff every day from fresh ingredients.) Salsa from a jar. Fish breaded in the same breading as the tenderloin. (Too much work to make two different batches of batter/breading.) Everything on the sandwich right down to the gooey avocado spread I'd wager is pre-made. One would hope they fry their own bacon, but you can certainly buy high quality heat-and-eat bacon off the truck. <br /><br />I'm surprised someone from the restaurant hasn't been by to offer an explanation or excuse re: the chef/kitchen.<br /><br />Harsh from me? Maybe, but this sort of thing is really inexcusable. Diners need to stop taking it, or excusing it.braingirlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04159313924554241811noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7700721558717637465.post-80704207626068813332011-01-12T16:17:46.432-05:002011-01-12T16:17:46.432-05:00Yay Jill! Thanks for coming out of hiding! And f...Yay Jill! Thanks for coming out of hiding! And for the support, I appreciate it and am glad to be of service! :) Hope to see you around more too!Erin in Indyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06236924407558284371noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7700721558717637465.post-17104524201173218202011-01-12T15:38:54.133-05:002011-01-12T15:38:54.133-05:00Hi Erin! Just like Lora, I'm also a LONG-time...Hi Erin! Just like Lora, I'm also a LONG-time lurker! But since you enjoy when a lurker comes out of hiding, here I am. I read your blog often and consult it when I'm about to try a new restaurant. I find it refreshingly honest, and often provides a good kick in the rear to try a new restaurant. Or *not* try one!! Keep the reviews coming; I love them!Jillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06494771137350835094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7700721558717637465.post-207322018578384932011-01-12T15:36:48.209-05:002011-01-12T15:36:48.209-05:00oh, and to The Me, I agree it could use a little s...oh, and to The Me, I agree it could use a little spiffing up as I think it has been pretty much the same for at least the last 20 years or so.Erin in Indyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06236924407558284371noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7700721558717637465.post-80529106364429326982011-01-12T15:35:08.056-05:002011-01-12T15:35:08.056-05:00ChicagoPete, yes, hubby agrees the pork tenderloin...ChicagoPete, yes, hubby agrees the pork tenderloin is very good, although he thinks the one at the Pawn Shop is better. I have only had the Pawn Shop one and it was very good.<br /><br />Lora, Welcome! I love it when a lurker comes out of hiding! :) And thanks for the kind words! I hope to see you around more..Erin in Indyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06236924407558284371noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7700721558717637465.post-3220447804899489142011-01-12T11:56:17.127-05:002011-01-12T11:56:17.127-05:00Hi Erin! I've been a long-time blog lurker an...Hi Erin! I've been a long-time blog lurker and I figured it was time to finally comment. :) My husband I recently went to the Aristocrat for the first time last Friday and both left feeling disappointed. Service was S-L-O-W. Granted it was pretty crowded with other folks trying to get to the Butler game. I agree with you on it being dirty. Our food (club sandwich and pepper chicken panini)was ok, but I wasn't wowed. The whole experience left much to be desired. Thank you for your excellent and honest reviews!Lorahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17060308797560257924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7700721558717637465.post-59633615168252015792011-01-12T09:43:54.616-05:002011-01-12T09:43:54.616-05:00Dirty? No, no, no, that's just a patina from ...Dirty? No, no, no, that's just a patina from a 50+year old blend of cigarette smoke and atomized oil.<br /><br />Sounds like you didn't try the breaded pork tenderloin, it's the best I've had. Whoever's in that kitchen knows their way around a deep fryer.ChicagoPetehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00482085939749594086noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7700721558717637465.post-8966625281941063862011-01-12T07:32:17.307-05:002011-01-12T07:32:17.307-05:00I also think the Aristocrat is kind of dirty insid...I also think the Aristocrat is kind of dirty inside, like a greasy film on everything. It could use a good scrub and some freshening up.Phillilphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12999965385327106003noreply@blogger.com