Shoefly - Revisit

We were having a family “discussion” the other day (it was a weekend) about where to have lunch. We all have our favorite places and no one could seem to agree. Hubby mentioned Shoefly because even though I had been twice, he had not yet been and wanted to give it a go. I was looking forward to trying something different, so of course I was game.

Based on several recommendations, I decided to get the duck wings off of the appetizer menu ($6) with honey Dijon sauce (you have your choice of several sauces) and the small house salad ($4). The duck wings are pretty darn delicious. The extra meaty and just slightly gamey wings (think of a large chicken wing made with dark meat) were messy but a favorite of the table. My son decided on our next visit he would get an order of these without any sauce. I am not sure I made the right choice as far as the sauce goes—I think maybe the slightly sweet chili oil might be better with duck. I am intrigued by the chimichurri. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed the flavor of the honey Dijon (lots of grainy mustard), but I think it would be better with something else.  I was kind of disappointed by the salad. It was mainly romaine lettuce with a bit of radish, a few capers, a boiled egg , Parmesan ,and some green beans (I believe). It was tossed in a lemon/olive oil dressing. I don’t know, the whole thing was just too lettuce heavy and I couldn’t really get much lemon (I need my acid) in the dressing. I love capers, but it’s hard to get one on your fork in a salad. It was just kind of bland. Oh well.

Hubby had the beer battered walleye at my recommendation (half order $11). It was just as good as the first time I had it—moist, tender fish with a light Bier Brewery batter. The fries were some of the best I’ve had on my visits—these were quite crisp. And I love the tartar sauce they serve alongside, as I said in my first post.  We also shared an order of mac and cheese for the table ($7). I still think it could use a little salt and pepper, and unfortunately this one wasn’t quite heated all the way through, but we all enjoyed it anyway.

My daughter had Anna’s gnocchi ($6). Ok, she had two orders of Anna’s gnocchi (so make that $12). She loves gnocchi and enjoyed it. Not thinking it was housemade or anything, but cooked well. It looks like they have changed the menu lately though and it is now ravioli which might make her sad. My son had a burger ($9 w/ cheese) off the regular menu (there isn’t one on the kid’s menu). He quite enjoyed it.

We had the brownie batter wontons for dessert ($5). (My daughter always checks the desserts before she even reads the regular menu). I really quite liked them. They really tasted like raw brownie batter fried into wontons. They were served with a cream sauce alongside which sadly spilled out of its little cup making the parts it touched go a little soft, but it was tasty as well.  I hate to say it but they took these off the menu too in their recent changes because I would get those again too!

I am glad to see they are changing the menu up occasionally (looks like seasonally) even if they do take some of our family favorites off. I appreciate the variety in a family-friendly restaurant like this. I am particularly interested in trying the new asparagus and goat cheese fritters.

Shoefly Public House

122 East 22^nd Street

Indy  46202

317/283-5007

www.shoeflypublichouse.com

Shoefly Public House

This is a place that I have been hearing a lot about. I was excited to try it, but as always, wanted to give it a couple of weeks before I ventured in. I met my friend @wibia there one day because he was wanted to try it as well, and then when another friend asked to go a week or so later, I went again. 

The menu is actually pretty appealing to me—lots of things that sound interesting—I had a hard time making up my mind. On my first visit, the server recommended the walleye fish and chips (lunch portion is $11), so that’s what I went with. Wibia had the Cuban pretzel flatbread ($9) and we shared an appetizer of the Boursin mac and cheese ($7).

I really liked the fish and chips. The walleye was very fresh and was done in a beer batter. It was a thick, very crisp, batter and you could distinctly taste the beer in it. It also came with plenty of housemade fries, which were tasty as well, although could have been maybe a tad crisper. My favorite part of my meal was the house tartar sauce they served along with the fish. It was great. It was a little thinner than the traditional mayo mixed with relish stuff and had way more flavor. It tasted like there were capers and some mustard in there. I dipped everything in it. There was also some slaw alongside that had a very sharp acidic flavor to it that made it a little much for me to eat just by itself. But I am kind of weird about slaw.

I had a piece of the Cuban flatbread as well. It was interesting. I think people will either really like this pretzel-based crust or hate it. Imagine if you took a soft pretzel and made it into a flatbread. It had the pretzel taste and was chewy like a soft pretzel is, but thin. It was topped with pork, capocollo, pickle, mozzarella, and whole grain mustard. The flavors complimented the pretzel taste, although I think I might have liked a little more pickle and mustard flavor, at least in the bites I tried. It seemed like mostly meat and cheese to me.

The mac and cheese was very good—a large portion as well. It had a nice flavor from the Boursin, which is like an herby cream cheese, and was topped with herbs and crunchy breadcrumbs. The noodles were curly and hollow and ridged on the outside and held lots of the cheesy sauce. We did add a little salt and pepper to it but other than that, it was probably one of the tastiest things. Definitely worth ordering if you are into mac and cheese.

On my second trip, I went with the BLT ($9), again because of the server’s recommendation. She said it was one of the best versions she had had and she told me they were using Smoking Goose bacon, so I was sold. It was a big sandwich; that was for sure. One of those ones I have trouble fitting in my mouth. The bacon was cooked perfectly (seriously, you know when they cook it just the right amount of crunchy and it kind of melts in your mouth?), and I liked the addition of avocado (of course I did). There was an aji sauce, which was a bright yellow pepper-based sauce, but to be quite honest, it didn’t have a ton of flavor. The bread (sourdough) was pretty thick. It was a decent sandwich, but I would probably get something different next time. We also shared a side of fries tossed with parmesan and garlic and with a hickory Dijon dipping sauce ($3). I loved the hickory Dijon and sort of wished it was on my BLT instead of the aji sauce. It was mustardy and tangy and just a little smoky all at the same time. The fries however suffered from being pretty soggy. My favorite thing on this visit was the housemade limeade ($3). I have been ordering things like this lately only to find them too syrupy sweet, but this one had a real tangy limey kick. Man, I would love to have this with some booze in it.

I like that there’s parking in back so you don’t have to try and find it on the street. The interior of the place is pretty simple. Only a few photographs of people decorate the walls (people who work there?). It’s kind of hard to tell from the décor (or lack thereof) what identity they are going for. Do they want to be a pub or a family restaurant? And a random thing, the banquette seating was a little odd because the booth part was taller than the chair so I felt very short sitting in the chair. Good to know if you need a place for a business lunch and want to feel like you’re the one with the power I guess. 

I do like the creativity that the menu exhibits, even if not everything is pulled off flawlessly. Little touches like the tartar sauce and the hickory Dijon (and the limeade) make the food stand out from the crowd a bit. I am looking forward to trying it again and trying some different things. I know a bunch of you guys have been—would love some comments about what you like to eat here.

Shoefly Public House

122 East 22^nd Street

Indy  46202

317/283-5007

www.shoeflypublichouse.com

Bocca

I know it’s been awhile, but I have to let you know when I have a great meal at a new place. Recently my husband and my son went with me to check out Bocca, which is in the old Shoefly spot. I like the remodel and it feels a lot more like a nice restaurant with a pretty bar, rather than a lunch place. The front door is strangely not really marked, but it is in the same place as Shoefly was if you ever went there. A nice sign on the door might make sense (and maybe a curtain or something to stop the draft from the door to some of the tables).

It was actually still Devour when we were there, and I did order it because there were some good options—I often don’t, but it seemed like a decent deal if you wanted to try a dessert. The Devour price was $45 for 3 courses. I chose the tuna appetizer which was marinated raw tuna with avocado, red onion, olives, and oranges—it had a tangy vinaigrette with some heat from a few peppers and a little truffle flavor. It was delightful and one of the most creative crudo/tartare versions I have seen in a long time. It was really good and I would easily order it again. The boys ordered the arancini ($12)—arancini are fried arborio rice balls and these are filled with gooey fontina cheese. They are served in a nice light and fresh marinara sauce and these were absolutely delightful as well. We were extremely happy at this point in the dinner and started to get nervous that maybe we had peaked.

Well, my son and I also had very good pasta dishes. The one I got with my devour was the mushroom lasagna (normally $22 on the regular menu). It was a rich white sauce-based veggie lasagna with pesto, shitake mushrooms and spinach. It was very rich and decadent, but also quite delicious. I like the way the pesto gave a hit of something to cut through the bechamel. My son got the Bolognese ($21) which was fresh tagliatelle with meat sauce and a mushroom ragout on top. The pasta was perfect and the flavor was good. I liked that even the tomato sauces were fresh and acidic. He loved it and between the three of us, it was gone pretty fast.

The only let down was the carbonara ($21), which is typically one of hub’s favorites. It is spaghetti (did not seem fresh) with guanciale, egg, black pepper and romano cheese. It is meant to be a pretty simple dish and the egg and cheese are what make it rich and decadent. This one just fell flat for some reason—the pasta itself wasn’t as good and the dish was just a little one dimensional. 

The dessert was not a star either—it was the bombolini which came with devour (usually $12), which are fried doughnuts with lemon curd. The doughnuts themselves were just a little dense and we didn’t finish them. I saw the tiramisu come out and it looked good—I would probably try this next time. And I have had friends tell me how much they liked the bombolini, so maybe it was just an off night for this particular item.

All in all though, we were really excited by the food, the menu and the place—the server was very nice as well and the wine list was interesting. We had a nice Italian Soave that we then ordered from the wine store because we enjoy it so much. I would recommend it and will happily plan a trip back, which is not something I saw often about Italian restaurants in Indy.

Bocca

122 E. 22^nd Street

Indy. 46202

317-426-2045

https://boccaindy.com/ 

Support our Local Restaurants...and get yourself a little something

Taking a break from my regularly scheduled blog posts (new post next Monday). Support our local restaurants who are struggling right now with decreased business. You can buy a gift card, order some food to pick up curbside, or order some other goodies. Whatever you can do, please support them. Seriously, if you like any of these places, buy something from them. This is hard on all of us, but particularly service-based industries. 

This is an evolving list. If you know of someone to add (or you are a restaurant that wants to be added), please let me know!

Please wash your hands and stay healthy.

Peace and Love,

Erin

Gift cards:


Alley's Alehouse at Pinheads: https://alleysalehouse.com/

Baby's: https://www.instagram.com/p/B9w47rHgkda/ (call and order by phone)

Beholder: https://beholderindy.com/product/gift-certificates1/

Big Lug/Sahm's/Half Liter/Liter House : https://sahms-restaurant-group.myshopify.com/

Bluebeard: https://bluebeardindy.com/gift-certificates/

Caplinger’s: hhttps://squareup.com/gift/AY4751BQYJ9JW/order?external_source=postoffice-egift-widget&external_token=ww6Lrs0YuqtzBeFZ

Clancy's: https://www.clancysinc.com/

Cunningham Group: https://www.crgdining.com/Gift-Cards/

Daredevil Brewing: http://daredevilbeer.com/store/

Goose the Market: https://ecommerce.custcon.com/Purchase/Select?c=c06da07e-a312-4e79-b85d-f653163a4eb7

Iozzo's: https://www.giftcardmall.com/e-gift-cards/iozzos-garden-of-italy-egift-card

Jazz Kitchen: https://www.thejazzkitchen.com/gift-cards/ 

Late Harvest: http://lateharvestkitchen.com/

Meridian, Blind Owl,  Broad Ripple Tavern https://lux.securetree.com/

Mikado: Doing phone orders for gift cards (10% off) and will mail 3167/’972-4180

Milktooth: https://www.milktoothindy.com/gift-cards/gift-card

Movable Feast: https://www.feast317.com/

North End BBQ: http://thenorthendbbq.com/

Old Major: https://oldmajormarket.com/shop/

Patachou: https://patachouinc.securetree.com/

Rook: http://www.rookindy.com/gift-cards/

Rooster's: https://roosters-kitchen.square.site/

Scarlett Lane Brewing: https://squareup.com/gift/GVX54KNRJ27FQ/order

Shoefly: http://www.shoeflypublichouse.com/store/c1/Featured_Products.html?fbclid=IwAR1Tpk7BdBJQmggrFnlvUbamGgLEQSXN7DN4L0Kl3SFUGmDc_m8Tcv6B-zg

St Elmo: https://store.stelmos.com/

Subito Soups: https://www.subitosoups.com/gift-cards

Sun King: https://shop.distinctimages.net/SunKingMerch/shop/home

Turf: https://squareup.com/gift/B9Y8YW8PW83M8/order

Curbside pick up: (* designates some limited delivery as well)

Ale Emporium: https://www.ale-emporium.com/?fbclid=IwAR0kaW3FtewrGruelb5er5-xx18m9RucxVMTmhf6pLVGhNKro31tBQlLcas&fbclid=IwAR0kaW3FtewrGruelb5er5-xx18m9RucxVMTmhf6pLVGhNKro31tBQlLcas

Alley's Alehouse at Pinheads: https://alleysalehouse.com/

Ali'i Poke: https://aliipoke.com/

Ambrosia: https://www.ambrosiaindy.com/ (offering a gift card promotion)

Amelia': https://ameliasbread.com/

Anthony's Chophouse (Carmel): https://anthonyschophouse.com/

*Baby's: http://babysindy.com/?fbclid=IwAR1b2LP83RS5PWrfTQf1LISCD4VuUNaQkwhL5-knJpQMUVuSc-4BPn6oU3g (delivery through grub huh/uber eats as well)

Bee Roasters:  https://www.beecoffeeroasters.com/

Beholder: https://beholderindy.com/ (email info@beholderindy.com)

*Between the Bun: https://btbindy.com/ (delivery through grubhub)

Big Lug: https://www.biglugcanteen.com/restaurant/

*Binkley's: http://www.binkleyskitchenandbar.com/menu/

*Biryani Hut: http://www.biryanihutindy.com/

Blind Owl: http://www.blindowlbrewery.com/

Broad Ripple Brewpub: http://www.broadripplebrewpub.com/

Brozinni Pizza: http://www.brozinni.net/

*Clustertruck: https://www.clustertruck.com/ . (Use this code as a friend of Jessica for discounted first order)

Cork & Cracker: https://www.corkandcracker.com/  (curbside wine!)

*Daredevil: http://daredevilbeer.com/  (doordash.grub hub plus some limited delivery from Ironworks locale)

Delicia: http://deliciaindy.com/

The Dugout: https://www.thedugoutindy.com/

Ellison Brewing: http://ellisonbrewing.com/home/

*Ember Urban Eatery: www.emberurbaneatery.com

Ezra's Enlightened: https://ezras-enlightened-cafe.square.site/page

*Fat Dan's: https://www.fatdansdeli.com/

Foundry Provisions: http://foundryprovisions.com/ Text order to 317/348-4358

*Gallery Pastry Shop: https://www.gallerypastryshop.com/

*Giordanos: Thttps://giordanos.com/no-contact-delivery/ (offering free delivery for online orders placed with code “FREEDELIVERY”.)

Grindstone Public House (Noblesville):  https://www.grindstonepublichouse.com/

*Hot Box: https://www.hotboxpizza.com/?fbclid=IwAR3YXt2cSnmjcJKfI2SX_QFI6VJyFZdys8EGn-B1l7pBMm1x7FG4CZCP-GQ

*Iaria's: http://www.iariasrestaurant.com/

Illinois Street Food Emporium: https://www.eatincarryout.com/

Iozzo's: call  317-974-1100. Working on delivery.

Jan’s (Westfield): https://jansvillagepizza.com/order-westfield-1#/restaurants/jansvillagepizzawestfield/4822

*Jockamo: http://www.jockamopizza.com/?fbclid=IwAR2L7v-9G9rdrLcZb-nS03LOSz6BPA6g_m9wBPrjz21MK22I3j7ziSrVXSc

*King Dough: http://www.kingdoughpizzas.com/#the-kitchen

Lil Dumplings (Fishers): 317/953-6411 (soon to be on grub hub)

Mama Carolla's: https://www.mamacarollas.com/

Mashcraft Brewing: http://www.mashcraft.com/home/

Meridian https://lux.securetree.com/

*Michaelangelo's (Noblesville): https://www.michaelangelosbistro.com/

Movable Feast: https://www.feast317.com/

Nameless Caterers: https://namelesscatering.com/

North End BBQ: http://thenorthendbbq.com/

Northside Nook/Social/KItchenette: https://northsidenook.com/  https://northsidesocial.com/menu/

*Oakley's: http://www.oakleysbistro.com/ 

Patachou :https://cafepatachou.com/menu/

Pizzology: https://pizzologyindy.com/

Prufrock Coffee: https://www.prufrockcoffee.com/

Pull Up Grill & BBQ: https://pullupgrill.com/

Sahm's: https://sahmsplace.com/

*Savor: https://savorcarmel.com/

*Scarlett Lane Brewing: https://www.scarletlanebrew.com/south-broad-ripple-tap-house/

Shoefly: https://www.facebook.com/ShoeflyPublicHouse/?hc_location=ufi

*Siam Square: https://www.siamsquareindy.com/ (delivery through door dash/grub hub)

Soupremacy: soing delivery soups certain days: https://www.soupremacy.com/

*Squealers: https://www.squealersbarbeque.com/ (delivery via door dash, grub hub, uber eats)

Tea's Me: https://www.teasmeindy.com/

Three Carrots: https://www.threecarrotsindy.com/

The Legend: https://www.facebook.com/166589785238/posts/10157744784410239/?d=n

Tiger Lilly: https://www.facebook.com/tigerlilyrestaurant/ 317/516-1914

*Turf Catering: https://www.turfcateringkitchen.com/ (looking to add delivery soon as well as pick up dinners).

Twenty Tap: http://www.twentytap.com/

*Ukiyo: http://ukiyoindy.com/ (Call 317/384-1048 for delivery and carry out)

Union Jack: http://unionjackpub.co/about/

(they’re also on grub hub)

Upland (multiple locations):  https://www.uplandbeer.com/locations/   https://www.uplandbeer.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/ColAveMenu__CARRYOUTtweb.pdf

Other yummy things:

Delivery lasagna: https://sendafriendlasagna.com/ Gift card: https://sendafriendlasagna.com/collections/frontpage/products/30-gift-certificate


Savor V (baked goods): https://savorv.com/ (with every purchase she makes a donation to IPS schools)

Other shopping (that supports restaurants):

Ash & Elm Cider: https://www.ashandelmcider.com/buy-merch/

Ellison Brewing: https://ellison-brewery-plus-spirits.square.site/

Sun King: https://shop.distinctimages.net/SunKingMerch/shop/home

Turchetti’s  https://www.turchettis.com/shop

Tyner Farm (local meat): https://tynerpondfarm.com/shop

Union Jack: http://unionjackpub.co/apparel/

Dig In Ticket Giveaway!

Hey Everyone!

I know I've been a bit absent lately (look for a new post from me next week) but I am happy to be a gastronaut again this year at Dig IN (it's on August 17th)! I have been given a couple of general admission tickets to give away again this year. I've included the 2014 food and restaurant line up below--leave me a comment telling me what you can't wait to try and you'll be entered in a random drawing for the tickets! I will announce the winner Friday afternoon around 4:00.*

If you don't win, or would like to buy early admission tickets (to get in at 11:00 instead of 12:00), they are available here.

And if you're interested in reading more about Dig IN, check out my posts from years past.

******

Valley Kitchen and Bar
Sweet and Spicy Chicken Tacos

Trader’s Point Creamery
Candied Pork Belly with Indiana melon and fresh cheese curd

Wyndham West
Hibiscus Shrub

Omni Severin
Crispy Pork Taco with pickled jalepeno, napa cabbage slaw and queso fresco.

Cerulean
Terrine of Rabbit with apples and hazelnut

Indigo Duck
Turkey Trio

Bee Coffee Roasters
Cherry Coffee Zing

Napolese
Indiana Heirloom Tomato Panzanella Salad

Oceannaire
Chicken poached in smoked shrimp broth

Circle City Sweets
Indiana Fruit Streusel Tart with wildflower ridge honey

Circle City Soups
Beer Can Chicken Nacho

J Ford’s Black Angus
Yankee Style Pot Roast

Artisan Foodworks
Duck Duck Goat! (Cheese)

Meridian Restaurant
Lamb belly sausage, caramelized onions and spicy cherry mostarda

Fermenti Artisan
Cheese and Pickle plate

Peterson’s
Lamb in an Afghan

Rook
Shrimp Ceviche

Union 50
Kimichi Meatloaf

Mesh
Duck Confit Short Rib

Joseph Decuis
Wagyu Beef Brisket Empanadas with pine nuts, raisins and hot pepper

One World Catering
Puerco Pibil with poblano polenta and patron pickles

Oakley’s Bistro
Duck “Meatball” with corn crust and  pickled blueberry freezer jam

800 Degrees
Wood Fired Sausage Pizza

18 on the Square
Southern Indiana smoked summer succotash

The Local Eatery
Brisket

Brad Gates Catering
Salad with Smoking Goose bacon and goat cheese

Barn Brasserie
Pork Shoulder

Second Helpings
Roasted chicken with greens

Goose the Market
Elk in a Blanket

Delicia
Goat Birria Tacos

Northside Kitchen
Caja China Roasted Pork

Shoefly Public House
Smoked trout on greens

Just Rennies
Gourmet cookies

Natural Born Juicers
Zen and Cherries

Spice Box
Lam Bam!

Scratchtruck
Pork loin, Yucca-mushroom hash, blackberry mole and pickled blackberries

Duos
Honey, lavender and rosemary shortbread

Nicey Treat
Raspberry frozen pop

Citizen Hash
Smoking Goose chorizo and Citizen’s Garden cachapa

Caveman Truck
Smoking Goose bacon hash

Libertine (VIP)
PLT – Pork, lettuce, tomato

R Bistro (VIP)
Thai-style marinated duck with an herb salad

Recess (VIP)
Beef Shank Tacos

Bluebeard (VIP)
Pork belly rillettes with smoked sweet corn jam, pickled peppers, cumin-scented ricotta and francese.

*If I don't get a response from the winner within 24 hours, I will pick a new winner.

12 Chefs of Christmas Ticket Giveaway!

It's that time of year again! 12 Indy Chefs have been paired with 12 local Flat 12 seasonal beers to make a dish that will make you happy and give you a drink. This year's event will be on December 12th at the City Market.

Here's the pairings of Chefs with beer:

VIP Chef: Ty Wald from Spice Box/ Wassail Cycle

Ian Phillips from Three Carrots/Can't Catch Me Stout

George Turkette from Smoking Goose/Brandy Walk

Percy Romo from Mambo's Cheesesteak Grill/Koko B Ware

Paul Haveck from the Libertine/Snickerdoodle Blonde

Eli Laidlaw from Recess/Milk & Cookies

Ricky Hatfield from Peterson's/Juniper Spruce IPA

Craig Mariutto from Shoefly Pub/Grandpa's Glazed Ham

Alan Sternberg from Cerulean/Fireside Amber

Roger Hawkins from Circle City Soups/Chocolate Orange Porter

Cindy Hawkins from Circle City Sweets/Bourbon Ball Ride

Braedon Kellner from Tinker Street/Fruitcake

You can currently buy early bird tickets and save $25 (until November 21st). Tickets are currently $50 for designated drivers, $75 for regular admission and $100 for VIP. Tickets are available at www.twelvechefs.com. You can also go there to learn more about the event and the chefs involved.

BUT I HAVE A PAIR OF TICKETS TO GIVE AWAY! If you want to be entered to win, leave a comment here telling me your favorite holiday food tradition/dish. I will randomly draw a winner tomorrow, Thursday the 20th around 3:00 ish. You will need to contact me within 2 hours to claim them or I will choose another winner (ideally you should leave your email address in your comment so I can reach you easily). If you don't win, you'll still have a few hours to get the discounted ticket prices online.

Happy Holidays!