tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7700721558717637465.post6477866793560464219..comments2024-03-01T11:09:22.394-05:00Comments on Indianapolis Restaurant Scene: Road Trip: Avec--ChicagoErin in Indyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06236924407558284371noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7700721558717637465.post-14545095765084630662011-10-01T10:59:46.529-04:002011-10-01T10:59:46.529-04:00Also, Tom H, if you are reading this, did you try ...Also, Tom H, if you are reading this, did you try any of those places you mentioned? We are looking for a place for lunch near our hotel and the ones you mentioned may just be perfect. Did you try any of them?Erin in Indyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06236924407558284371noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7700721558717637465.post-6418607589612935912011-10-01T09:55:42.003-04:002011-10-01T09:55:42.003-04:00mk, you will find some gems in Indy, but they are ...mk, you will find some gems in Indy, but they are not as prevelant as they are in Chicago for sure. If you haven't tried these, you should at some point: Recess, Room 4, R Bistro, H20 Sushi, Black Market. Also, we do have a lot of great ethnic places to check out, but too many to list here. Also, you are the second person in a week to recommend Big Star, so it is currently in the plans for a trip we have planned to Chicago for next weekend. Would love to hear any other off the beaten path places you can recommend.<br /><br />Greg, I am hoping to try the Bristol next weekend when we go to Chicago.Erin in Indyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06236924407558284371noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7700721558717637465.post-13875046470069795412011-09-30T23:32:21.258-04:002011-09-30T23:32:21.258-04:00Erin- my family and I just moved here from Chicago...Erin- my family and I just moved here from Chicago 2 months ago and needless to say I am desperately missing the food scene there! Any good recommendations for date night/ out with friends evening?? Btw, great casual Chicago restaurant to try next time is Big Star in Wicker Park. Best pork belly tacos ever!Monica- Indy Epicurehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08599340234116817016noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7700721558717637465.post-65731832723182033572011-09-05T20:45:12.693-04:002011-09-05T20:45:12.693-04:00Erin, I just got back from a weekend in Chicago, a...Erin, I just got back from a weekend in Chicago, and hubby and I checked out The Purple Pig for lunch on Sunday. I discovered it thanks to this blog, and by following Tom H's link to the Chicago restaurant forum. We arrived minutes after they opened and were seated outside immediately. It was a gorgeous day, perfect for outdoor dining. <br /><br />Because they do the small plates thing, we were able to try several different items. We started with almonds roasted in pork fat with rosemary and garlic ... then moved on to fried manchego cheese squares with tomato-quince sauce ... salt-roasted beets with goat cheese ... and a pork-neck gravy (neck portion slow-roasted in tomato sauce until the meat falls off the bone) served with ricotta cheese and huge, buttery pieces of toasted bread. It was a delicious meal with lots of flavors, and plenty of interesting things to try. If I find myself on Michigan Avenue again, I'd definitely go back. <br /><br />The other meals we had in Chicago was pizza at Gino's East downtown (a nostalgia trip for my family and always popular), and a Vietnamese place around 4900 N, Halsted called Tank. Tank was awesome, super-busy for lunch on Labor Day but friendly staff, delicious foods (we shared many plates) and super-fresh spring rolls. I do love going back to Chicago to eat, but am always grateful to get back home after the craziness of the city.Jessica in Noblesvillenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7700721558717637465.post-64456122552744044022011-08-09T07:11:19.712-04:002011-08-09T07:11:19.712-04:00Charlie Trotters still rocks...and I think he and ...Charlie Trotters still rocks...and I think he and the kitchen remain relevant<br /><br />Birriera Zaragoza is cool...Taza..Alinea...Gilt Bar..Blasan...outdoor grill...hoanh long (rokin viet fish) (sp?)<br /><br />really too many to miss and mention.lorandnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7700721558717637465.post-54579567189986942072011-08-08T22:49:51.609-04:002011-08-08T22:49:51.609-04:00I liked avec, maybe better than the publican... Bu...I liked avec, maybe better than the publican... But the Bristol has been my favorite place to eat in Chicago recently.Greghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14911451262231949781noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7700721558717637465.post-3219079996280355332011-08-06T11:18:04.161-04:002011-08-06T11:18:04.161-04:00I think Frontera is a must for anyone who hasn'...I think Frontera is a must for anyone who hasn't eaten there before, Bayless single-handedly transformed Mexican cooking the US. Before Frontera every Mexican restaurant in the country was spewing out the same 10 combo plates with a side of soupy refried beans, rice and shredded iceberg lettuce. <br /><br />Frontera showed how sophisticated and exciting Mexican cuisine can be. It's always super busy and noisy and crowded and jammed with tourists, but the quality has never wavered and he's always kept the prices reasonable when he could've easily milked it.ChicagoPetehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00482085939749594086noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7700721558717637465.post-12386294073294742702011-08-06T10:02:15.655-04:002011-08-06T10:02:15.655-04:00Heading up there next week for a seminar & hop...Heading up there next week for a seminar & hoping to spend the remainder of the weekend exploring. Avec has been on my list for a while. I really need to make it there & check it out. Great review, thanks!Andrewhttp://www.indyscan.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7700721558717637465.post-56922495832018636792011-08-05T17:13:26.582-04:002011-08-05T17:13:26.582-04:00Tom, well I look forward to hearing your full repo...Tom, well I look forward to hearing your full reports! And believe me, I spend way too much time looking at menus online too, especially when I am getting ready to go somewhere.<br /><br />Pete, I agree, I need to try Frontera as I think it may be a better representative than Topolo (and a much better bargain).Erin in Indyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06236924407558284371noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7700721558717637465.post-38906630686093368102011-08-05T12:46:18.337-04:002011-08-05T12:46:18.337-04:00Erin, sorry about that I took a look again after I...Erin, sorry about that I took a look again after I posted and did see that you listed the prices. One problem with blogger is you can't see the original post when writing your comment. But anyway, one of the noteworthy things about Avec is that it's a great value - IMO to get food prepared this well and almost always come out of there at less than $50/person with wine, tax and tip is a bargain.<br /><br />I'd say Avec and Frontera are good benchmarks in Chicago if you haven't eaten there before. Both have been very influential restaurants, not only Chicago but nationally. Neither take reservations and get very busy, you'll definitely get the hint from staff that you're taking up valuable real estate at Frontera. But they've both maintained their excellence over many years even though it would've been very easy to rest on their laurels.<br /><br />Anyone looking for in depth, I mean ridiculously granular, info on Chicago dining should check this out:<br />http://www.lthforum.comChicagoPetehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00482085939749594086noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7700721558717637465.post-4579588907262148802011-08-05T12:23:18.626-04:002011-08-05T12:23:18.626-04:00I'll try to remember to send you a note, Erin!...I'll try to remember to send you a note, Erin! We have reservations for lunch at Frontera on the day we arrive... and I know my wife is hoping to go to Xoco for churros with a side of their thickest hot chocolate. Also on our list and near our hotel - La Madia, Sable and Watershed. Maybe the Purple Pig, depending on the wait. <br /><br />I'd probably blush at how much time I've spend surfing the web and looking at menus.Tom Hhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05707908109402031352noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7700721558717637465.post-35438193620061759962011-08-05T11:54:03.231-04:002011-08-05T11:54:03.231-04:00Jay- Yes, we look forward to going back and trying...Jay- Yes, we look forward to going back and trying more things. We had a gift certificate and as hard as we tried, we couldn't use it all up! Good excuse for another trip though. And I can't wait to hear about your SF trip! Phew, glad at least one of my recommendations was good! ;)<br /><br />Pete, I did put the prices in the review, but you are right. This is a very reasonable restaurant in Chicago, particularly considering the quality of the food. I hope to see the trend continue in Indy too.<br /><br />Tom H, thanks for the support. I always wonder if people are interested in reading reviews from other cities, and it is good to hear. as far as Bayless restaurants go, I have only eaten at Topolo and it was a good experience, but I wish I would have tried one of the more casual ones instead to be honest. Would love to hear your thoughts after your trip.Erin in Indyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06236924407558284371noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7700721558717637465.post-81094494323325698372011-08-05T09:57:03.255-04:002011-08-05T09:57:03.255-04:00I just want to thank you for your handful of revie...I just want to thank you for your handful of reviews from Chicago. My wife and I are heading up there soon for a few days of eating, drinking, walking, museums etc. We'll be staying in River North and will be without a car, but there are just so many great options... I've enjoyed doing lots of research!<br /><br />I picked a hotel close to the Frontera Grill/Topolo/Xoco, as I've been a Rick Bayless fan for many many years and am excited to eat at one or two of his restaurants.<br /><br />I could go on, but just wanted to say that I appreciated this review and am looking forward to the next one!Tom Hhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05707908109402031352noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7700721558717637465.post-18145205901809414672011-08-05T09:52:29.258-04:002011-08-05T09:52:29.258-04:00Avec has been a really seminal restaurant in Chic...Avec has been a really seminal restaurant in Chicago, inspiring a generation of young chefs. You wouldn't have a Girl and the Goat or a Schwa without Avec having gotten there first. <br /><br />You didn't mention the prices, but Avec paved the way for putting out really excellent fare at a moderate tab. Before Avec, to eat really well on a regular basis in Chicago you had to fit in the right demographic. There's a lot of really good restaurants in Chicago now that have a much broader appeal. That's built a more sophisticated mass clientele, and it's made everyone step up their game.<br /><br />Avec opened in 2003. Indy seems to be getting there, places like Black Market and Room 4 are in the same mode. I see the similarity in Room 4, which is an offshoot of the higher-priced Recess in the same way that Avec was spun off from Blackbird. Great food at moderate prices is definitely a trend I'd like to see take hold here.ChicagoPetehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00482085939749594086noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7700721558717637465.post-41344038305295129012011-08-05T09:19:10.550-04:002011-08-05T09:19:10.550-04:00Avec continues to be my favorite restaurant in the...Avec continues to be my favorite restaurant in the Midwest. I've noticed that the last couple of times I've been there that some of my favorites on the menu (they used to do a halibut that was the best fish I've ever had) are no longer there. They still more than make up for it with the chorizo dates, the pork shoulder and their hanger steak. They've always got a great selection of cheese for a nice starter as well. Anytime I'm in Chicago, Avec is always on the list!<br /><br />Jay<br /><br />PS - Erin, I owe you some reviews for some excellent restaurants suggestions you gave me for a recent SF/Napa trip. (Prospect was amazing).Jaynoreply@blogger.com