tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7700721558717637465.post8676815622602068750..comments2024-03-01T11:09:22.394-05:00Comments on Indianapolis Restaurant Scene: Ambrosia - RevisitErin in Indyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06236924407558284371noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7700721558717637465.post-44011548437686717802014-12-25T08:35:29.410-05:002014-12-25T08:35:29.410-05:00We had a very nice Christmas Eve dinner here. The ...We had a very nice Christmas Eve dinner here. The Huz likes to have Italian when we go out for Christmas Eve and, as you said, choices here leave much to be desired. When I saw this review earlier in the year I made a note on the calendar to try it.<br /><br />We started with the grilled octopus you mentioned. It was very good. I don't think I would've chosen it from the menu without your recommendation so I'm glad I reread this review before the meal.<br /><br />Next we had soup. I had the tortellini because I wanted to try them without ordering them as an entree. They were delicious in the soup and the housemade chicken broth was excellent. The Huz had the minestrone, which he enjoyed very much.<br /><br />For entrées I chose a special—butternut squash ravioli in a brown butter sage sauce—and The Huz chose the panna (meat tortellini dish) based on my telling him your recommendation. I didn't dislike the ravioli but I wouldn't choose them again. Pro: small, cooked well, perfect browning of the butter. Con: very sweet, sauce was just a lot of the butter, not much other flavor. The sage wasn't prominent, which I preferred, but I could see how that would be a problem for others. I should've asked for more Parmesan. The Huz liked the tortellini dish overall but he wished it were creamier; the sauce was a little dry (like tacky glue, like maybe it sat out for a bit before it got to us, see possible reason below) and that detracted from his enjoyment of the dish. I had a bite of his and liked the flavors but wouldn't want a whole plate of it—too salty for me.<br /><br />For dessert we had the tiramisu, which is the only choice made in house. (They also make the filling for the cannoli, though.) I don't like coffee so I don't enjoy tiramisu but I tried a couple bites and can confirm that it's a quality version. The chocolate drizzle on the plate is Hershey's syrup, though, if my palate can be trusted on that. The Huz enjoyed the tiramisu with a cup of coffee.<br /><br />Other notes:<br /><br />The bread is outstanding, yes, as is the olive oil for dipping. They get the bread from NJ, which may explain why it tastes like the bread I would expect at an Italian restaurant. I asked for a second basket, which I was hoping to have with the soup but it didn't come until the entrée course. No problem—I mopped up the brown butter with it.<br /><br />Our server has been working there 14 years. He was attentive and knowledgeable and friendly. There was a bit of a delay after the soup that he came over to explain—a large table in the party room was ahead of us in the kitchen—and I thought that was courteous (although I wished we had bread).<br /><br />The owner was walking around and, when he came to our table, we shook hands and exchanged pleasantries. That was nice.<br /><br />The dining room has a stylish decor, is kept tidy, and isn't overly loud. The fake fireplace is odd. <br /><br />Our service, even beyond the waiter, was very good. And the bussers are so nicely dressed that I thought, "Why is this man taking my plate?"<br /><br />Overall it was a positive experience and a solid meal. The prices were a couple bucks more than you noted. It's too bad more affordable Italian food in Indy is, at best, mediocre. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7700721558717637465.post-81875397588288726592014-03-31T14:08:11.145-04:002014-03-31T14:08:11.145-04:00My husband and I are traveling to Indianapolis nex...My husband and I are traveling to Indianapolis next week for a business meeting. We are making this into a family vacation since we won't have time till next year so I have been looking for things to do while we are there. We will definitely have to try this place out. The linguine with clams and the cannoli look so good!<br /><br />Mia | http://hoodedmerganser.ca/ Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13506096836231722486noreply@blogger.com