Elements-Lunch

****ED NOTE: AS OF APRIL 2009, ELEMENTS IS CLOSED.


Decided to live it up and hit Elements for lunch for something new. All my usual lunch places just aren’t exciting me this week. Was so glad we made the trek downtown! But hey, don’t try it any day except Friday, because that is the only day they serve lunch (and Sundays for brunch).

Hubby had the Croque Madame made with toasted brioche topped with goat cheese, sautéed pork belly (oh my, that was a crispy little bit of heaven), and an egg, sunny side up. Man, this was spectacular. I had quite a bit of it, even though I didn’t order it myself. Came with a nice little side salad, properly dressed (I have always said Elements knows how to do a salad and dress it appropriately—their dinner salads are probably the best in the City.) Our waiter told us that he has one customer that comes in every Friday for this sandwich religiously. And I can see why.

I ordered the sliders made with skirt steak, blue cheese, caramelized onions, and horseradish cream served on what I believe are the classic Elements’ dinner rolls (which I love). These two little sliders were also quite good, and I have to comment that this thin little piece of skirt steak was cooked perfectly medium rare which is something that I have found to be a problem in the past at dinner service. So kudos on that. The only thing that was somewhat challenging was it was hard to eat the sliders like a true sandwich (i.e. with you hands) because skirt steak is, by its nature, a slightly tough cut of beef, and sometimes it was hard to daintily rip the bite off with my teeth. By the end, I moved on to using a knife and fork which was much better, and probably a little more civilized looking. Good amount of blue cheese and a perfect little side salad with thinly sliced Portobello mushrooms and pinenuts.




What a nice treat for a random Friday lunch—would definitely be a fave of mine if I was a downtown worker.

Elements
415 North Alabama Street
Indy 46204
317-634-8888
http://www.elementsindy.com/

Elements Reprise

****ED NOTE: AS OF APRIL 2009, ELEMENTS IS CLOSED.

We headed back to one of our favorite places this week-Elements. I am trying to get some new places in, but it was hubby’s birthday, and his choice, so Elements it was. And I figured since I don’t think we have been there since Chef and former owner Greg Hardesty left, it would be a good thing to check up and see how things are going.

Not too busy, but it was a Tuesday after all. We got our favorite table and were served by a very friendly and knowledgeable server. I think the wine list has changed a bit, but they had a nice Soave reasonably priced, so that is what we went with.

For a starter I had the herb gnocchi with mushrooms and roasted tomatoes with a white wine nage and sliced garlic. It was a great sized portion (i.e. not ridiculously big) and it was excellent. I really really liked it and ate every bite. At this point in the meal, I am thinking this place is still spot on. The gnocchi were super tender and light and obviously very freshly made. The mushrooms were small and tender with a taste similar to a shitake but not quite as strong. Hubby had the Tasmanian salmon starter with fresh pasta, roasted tomatoes and artichokes, and although salmon isn’t my favorite fish, the pasta and accompaniments were delicious! The pasta was homemade and they should really consider a pasta appetizer or main dish—they did it very well.

For my main, I had the skirt steak with steak frites, collard greens, pickled red onions and truffle jus. It was so cold outside and this sounded nice and hearty. The server sort of seemed to be recommending the Barramundi which also sounded good—and normally at Elements I like to get the fish, but like I said the beef just sounded so good. Well, let’s just say that I should have gone for the fish. Even though I ordered the meat medium rare, it was medium at best and therefore, a bit tough. I should have sent it back, but couldn’t really delay the meal that much due to time constraints. The thing about it is, in my experience, this has always been a problem at Elements. Any time I have gotten beef there, it has always been overcooked. Not sure why. The onions and greens were pretty good, but I couldn’t really smell or taste any truffle in there (and usually my nose can smell it a mile away). But, I have learned my lesson. Stick with the fish. Hubby had swordfish and couldn’t stop talking about how good it was. It was perfectly cooked and served with basil mashed potatoes and Nicoise veggies.

We did order a dessert this time—the apple and ginger tart with “slightly fennel” ice cream and caramel sauce. It was well done. I didn’t really taste the fennel (hence the “slightly” I guess) but thought the flavors went well together—the ginger really complimented the apples.

All in all, the new chef, Neil Andrews, is keeping the “elements” of Elements the same, and up to the old high standards. They were offering two salads that were very unique and are one of my favorite things about Elements—that they put together complex salads with unusual ingredients (in this town anyway) that are different from what pretty much every other restaurant around is doing (i.e., no blue cheese wedge). They’re continuing to use lots of fresh and local ingredients in all their dishes and to serve great fresh seafood. Keep up the good work (and maybe work on the steak temps).

P.S., I hope the menu continues to be updated online—the week we went, there was nothing at all listed on the online menu for several days, but when I checked today, it was up again.

Elements
415 North Alabama Street
Indy 46204
317-634-888
www.elementsindy.com

Return to Elements and the Tavern at Bugg's Temple

****BOTH OF THESE RESTAURANTS ARE NOW CLOSED****
OK, I am trying to play catch up still and so I am going to do quicker than normal reviews of 2 of ,what are usually a couple of my faves.

We went with the in-laws to Elements a couple of weeks ago and frankly, had one of what was probably my least favorite meals there. And usually this is one of my favorite restaurants. Anyway, I had one of their signature salads (that I love so much) and while it was good, it wasn't the best I have had for sure. It was white endive with blue cheese, pistachios and a vinaigrette. It thought it a bit light on the blue cheese and the pistachios weren't as good as some in the past which have included pine nuts or other more flavorful nuts.

For my entree I ordered Tasmanian sea trout. It was done in a shanghai style which as I have said before, I quite like. I almost always order fish at Elements because they do it so well. I had never had, nor heard of, this particular type of fish but assumed it would be similar to trout I have had before (like rainbow trout etc). Well, it was basically like salmon, only a tiny bit lighter. OK, here's the thing. I don't like salmon. I know, most people do, but I like white fish (pretty much of any kind) and some raw tuna type dishes, but usually not the fishes in the pink color family. So I was really disappointed. I was lucky though, because hubby really liked it and traded with me. He had ordered lamb so all was well in the world. The lamb was perfectly cooked, but the sides were a little dull. I only wish the waiter had explained to me what Tasmanian sea trout was, as he had to a nearby table after I had already ordered it. Oh well, you live and you learn. But again, to be fair, hubby REALLY liked the Tasmanian sea trout (but he also really likes salmon). So if you like salmon, try it, if not, skip it!

We also recently went back to the Tavern at Bugg's Temple (also on the night of an ominous looking cloud and storm system--seems hard to avoid this summer) with friends from out of town and had an outstanding meal (well, 3 out of 4 of us did anyway). I had the mussels (of course) and am happy to say, they were back up to their highest quality. In fact, everyone at the table fought for them and I should have gotten a double order. I then had the one side seared beef, which I have always wanted to get but haven't and it was really really good. A nice demi glace with it and I loved it. Unfortunately, I ended up sharing quite a bit of it with my table mate who didn't care for his suckling pig shepherd's pie (said it was way too salty), but really there was plenty for sharing.

And, big announcement! They have added an entire cheese menu in with their bar menu!!! I have been waiting patiently for Indianapolis to catch up to the rest of the world and offer some decent cheese plates for dessert and now you can make your own! They are priced individually so you can mix and match whatever you want. We had a selection of 3 served with some nice accompaniments (honey, nuts, etc) and it was good. And of course, we had the banana tart. I think as long as we go there, and they have it, we will be ordering it.

I would also like to say, the service is getting better each visit which is reassuring. Our waitress even remembered us and knew what wine we would want which was very nice. Unfortunately, they do seem to have a problems keeping several bottles cold at a time, so when we ordered our second, we had to wait to have it chilled down and ate a lot of our entrees without wine. No one is perfect I guess. But this is still one of our favorite restaurants and I was happy to see the food back to the high quality of previous visits.

Remember, they have a great patio looking over the canal. Get there while the weather is nice!

Elements
415 North Alabama
Indy 46204
317-634-8888
http://www.elementsindy.com/

The Tavern at Bugg's Temple
337 West 11th
Indy 46202
317-735-7960
http://www.tavernatthetemple.com/

***Note: this restaurant is now called Euphoria, under new management but with the same chef.

Sunrise, Elements and More Z's

****THIS RESTAURANT LOCATION (ON 82ND) HAD MOVED TO SHADELAND AND 71ST****
I just want to start out saying this; the best greasy spoon type breakfast--eggs, bacon, hash browns and toast (or biscuits) that I have found is Sunrise Cafe. I go to the one on 82nd Street near Kohl's but I think there are one or two other locations. They have the hash browns I really like that are shredded and not cubed (which should be home fries, not called hash browns anyway). On a weekend morning, it may be crowded, but on one of those days when you had a light dinner or maybe drank a little too much the night before, it is the best choice I have found so far. The decor is strange to me for a breakfast place (sports, sports and more sports--did this place used to be a sports bar or what?). But it is Indiana I guess.

****ED NOTE: AS OF APRIL 2009, ELEMENTS IS CLOSED.
Ok, now I have to give a glowing review to Elements. I think this is one of the top restaurants in our fair city. I will say the first couple of times I went there maybe a year and a half to 2 years ago, I had some meals that were just ok, and some items that were really good. But the last few times I have been there in the last year, the entire experience has been amazing. The chef works with seasonal ingredients and mixes it up quite a bit. This is one of the only places in town that has salads that are different from the standards you see everywhere (anyone for a spinach salad or lettuce wedge?) and they are GREAT! I love a salad with varying flavors and textures and a little tang. This time it was watercress with pea shoots, cremini mushrooms, parmesan and truffle vinaigrette. Yum. Last time I had one with apples, pine nuts and endive and a vinaigrette that was simply amazing. I opted for a steak this time (I usually get fish here because it is always good) and it was great. It was a ribeye which can be a bit fatty for me but the mushrooms and fingerlings with it were great. It had a great red wine butter on it that wasn't too over the top. Hubby had fish--striped bass--and it was also great. I had several bites.

The other thing I like about Elements in the interior--it is not as stark and some around here and the colors are warm reds and oranges. Great art too. A very pleasant experience. FYI, our favorite table is #7 (for 2 anyway). It is on the end of the banquette but still in the middle of the restaurant. You can hear your dinner mate and still enjoy being in a restaurant with other people. Or if it isn't cold and you want maximum privacy, get the one behind the door.

****ED NOTE: Z'S OYSTER BAR AND STEAKHOUSE IS NOW CLOSED****
Now, on a down note, we went back to Z's Oyster Bar and Steakhouse. While the food remains very good, we were there on a Saturday night and the placed was slammed which is good for them, but the service severely suffered. We started out ok, but by the end of the meal, it had gotten ridiculous. And we were seated in the bar even with a reservation which is very dark and noisy--not so good for a party trying to talk to each other (there were 6 of us) or read a menu. Again, the food was again good (except skip the "Derby Souffle'" unless you want a dessert that tastes like a shot of bourbon.) We probably would not have even gotten dessert except we had ordered in advance to get the souffle'--it was so late and we had been there so long by that point. It was very disappointing considering they assign 2 people to each table to take care of service. The owner was making the round and spoke to us a couple of times. Their business is doing well, but they really need to work out some kinks I think. I am not even going to talk too much about the food as I basically ordered the same thing to see if it was as good the second time. It mainly was, but one thing about the walu (butterfish), if you order it, I would request a piece that is from the thin end of the fillet as it seems to have much more flavor. Hubby ordered the oysters Rockefeller and was quite disappointed--the oysters were very small and there was way too much topping for such a small amount of oyster--he had to dig them out. He is convinced Sullivan's has the best Oysters Rockefeller in this city (even though I think the rest of their food is generally average). If anyone has any suggestions to this end, please let me know!

On a sad note, I hear the Glass Chimney and Deeter's is closing in April. While the decor was in desperate need of an update, the food is good. Very good. Let's just hope someone starts a new generation of a chef-owned restaurant and not another chain....