February 21st - Bagel Fair

I was on a NY kick this weekend, and I mentioned to Brian that I didn't think any bagel shops in this city really had a good authentic NY style bagel. The ones that are hard on the outside, and soft and chewy on the inside. Anyway, he totally disagreed with me and told me that Bagel Fair in Nora was where my dream bagel could be found. We walked into Bagel Fair, and I wasn't too impressed with what I saw. Lucky for me, my eyes were quickly overruled by my stomach. Bagel Fair's Everything Bagel was THE BEST Everything Bagel I have ever had in my life. No exaggeration. They cover every inch of the outside with all the delicious Everything Bagel ingredients that are required - poppy, onion, salt, sesame, etc. And the outside was crispy and crunchy, but the inside... Pure bagel heaven. And actually, pretty inexpensive. We got two bagels, both with cream cheese (or schmear, if you're gonna be a New Yorker about it!) for less than $5. Try to get that kind of quality goodness at one of those crappy bagel chains. And no one can hold a candle to Bagel Fair's Everything...
Makes me want another one right now!

February 20th - Shapiro's Deli

Saturday afternoon, I needed a deli. A New York deli. So, I convinced Brian that we had to go to the most New York-like deli in Indianapolis - Shapiro's. For those of you from the city, Shapiro's is an Indianapolis staple in the deli scene. Their sandwiches are huge, their bakery items fresh, and their potato salad tastes like it came straight from NYC. In fact, so is their pastrami. Literally. They bring it in from Brooklyn. Which is the only reason why I can accept the fact that they were out of pastrami on a Saturday afternoon - the truck with the delivery must be stuck in a snow drift between here and there. So we shared a corned beef sandwich instead. (I wanted a reuben, but I conceeded to corned beef alone for Brian's sake.) Remember how I said the sandwiches were huge? I wasn't kidding. The thing was gigantic, which made me really glad I split it with my hubbs. My half of the sandwich with a kosher pickle spear and some potato salad, my NY deli craving was cured.

February 14th - Valentine's Day at Pizzaology!

My husband and I, being the romantic people we are, decided to go out for pizza on Valentine's Day. We decided to try out a new pizza place at 131st Street and Hazel Dell called Pizzaology. Let me tell you, it was totally worth the drive up there. They have all kinds of great pizzas to choose from, and after they're baked to New York Style perfection in their 800 degree oven, I swear I took a bite of a slice in Little Italy. Their atmosphere is an upscale design, making you think of a restaurant in SoHo, but their wait staff wears jeans, t-shirts and sweatshirts so you know you are in fact still in a pizza place. Speaking of the wait staff - I haven't found friendlier or more helpful waiters and waitresses in a LONG time. They really know their stuff, and they want to make sure you pick the pizza (or appetizer or entree) that you're going to love. And trust me, we did. We had their formaggio un salumi platter for our appetizer (yummy cheese and salamis... how could you go wrong?), and their four cheese pizza. Absolute heaven. We will definitely drive up there for pizza again sometime. And for a huge 13 inch pizza for $13, we may come out even better off financially after the gas up there! $13 to feed two? Almost unheard of these days!

Anyway, definitely try it out. Especially if you're a NY style pizza lover like me. Sometime soon I'll have to eat at and review a good local deep dish place for you Chicago style fans. A couple come to mind, but for some reason, so does England... Hmmm... =P

Feb 13th - Broad Ripple Brew Pub

Broad Ripple Brew Pub is a classic Broad Ripple staple. If you haven't been there, you definitely need to try it out. They brew all of their own beers on draft, plus have a ton of variety in bottles and cans. I had their Oatmeal Java Stout called Replic Ale. It was so delicious, I actually sat, sipped and enjoyed by beer thoughout my meal instead of downing it like the sorority girl I am. They also have really good food. My favorite is the cheese crock and homemade soft pretzels. They also have great burgers, fancy food, and vegetarian and vegan friendly dishes. Although it has been said their servers can come across as a tad bit arrogant, I think they have ever right to be proud of their restaurant. I know I would be!

February 10th - Murphy's Steakhouse

I had high expectations for this place, based on its reputation in the city - plus the fact that they had Murphy's Irish Stout on draft! Unfortunately, they didn't quite live up to the hype in my book. As my husband says, "we got what we paid for". They're currently running a special of 2 filets for $25. You get soup, salad, filet and side. But all of it tasted very... vanilla. It didn't wow me by any stretch of the imagination. And the atmosphere is very... old. It seems like it hasn't been updated in years, and neither have the clientele. Although it was nice to visit a place where the staff really does know their customers (by name!), it didnt make up for everything else.

I doubt I will go here again in the next 30 years. Maybe after that point I'll fit in more.

Feb 6th - Grady's Champion Deli

On our way to the Home Show on Saturday, we wanted to stop and get lunch. Not too far from the fairgrounds at Fall Creek and Keystone is a local place called Grady's Champion Deli. It used to be an old Arby's restaurant, but now it is home to something (in my opinion) MUCH better. I was a little hesitant at first to try this place. I had in my head that it was going to be dirty, dark and small. I was completely suprised that reality was not as I had thought. Grady's makes their soups and sandwiches with lots of love and care. And they put lots and lots of delicious deli meat in their sandwiches! They also make homemade potato chips to serve with your sandwich. They also give you a side of "special sauce" which looked like Thousand Island, but tasted like a flavor explosion. The best I can compare it to is a tangy, flavor filled mayonaise, but that doesn't do this dip justice. I know that we will go to Grady's again. It is so close to home, and a perfect lunch spot. If you go to the fairgrounds anytime soon, make sure you stop by for a bite! I know we will be there soon to try out some more of their lunch-worthy treats.

February 4th - Shallos

We had our monthly Indy RAT (Riders Association of Triumph) Pack meeting at Shallos in Greenwood. I really enjoy that place. They have a very unique menu to fit with their VERY extensive beer collection. You can have swamp nachos (spicy cajun style nachos) with an Abita beer from Louisiana. Or you could have the jerk chicken with a Red Stripe from Jamaica. Or, you can be like me and make a meal out of their home-made potato chips with a delicious ranch dip. I paired that with a Left-Hand Milk Stout. Not a very healthy combination, but I did sneak a few bites of Brian's Chicken Ranch salad. So I did get a few actual nutrients in my dinner last night. But even if I didn't, I definitely got some tasty food last night.
Also, just because they have an extensive beer menu does not mean Shallos is a bar. They have really done a great job at making Shallos kid and family friendly. There are lots of cool antiques and pictures on the walls, and they have a pretty good children's menu available. The kid thing doesn't really apply to me, but I know it does to some of you. So be sure to grab your kids and head over there one night when you don't feel like eating at home.

February 2nd - Greek Islands

I've been having a really rough time lately, so my husband (being the sweet man he is!) wanted to take me out for one of my favorite cusines - Greek! We went to Greek Islands, because they have a really good Devour Downtown menu. Appetizer, two soups or salads, a combination platter to share, then individual desserts. All of this food for $30! They also had a special where you could add on two glasses of wine for an additional $10. (Brian let me have both.=D) Our appetizer was saganaki - of course. If you know me, you know that cheese is my lifeline. And they set it on fire?!?! How cool is that? After our salads, we split the combo platter. I tell you, there was enough food for 3 people on that thing! There was gyro meat with tzaziki sauce, moussaka, a tiropita, a spanikopita, pasticchio, and a dolmathes. Plus sides of greek potatoes, greek green beans, and rice. Sooo good! I have to say, I think their tiropita was the best I've ever had in my life. Then there were the desserts. Brian wanted baklava, and so I got the rice pudding. I have never had rice pudding, but I really enjoyed it. Brian's baklava was really good. But we had so much food, he couldn't finish it. So I had to take one for the team! HA!

Anyway, I was a very happy lady when I walked out of that restaurant last night. Made me feel like I had a little bit of sunshine through my clouds lately. Thank you, Greek Islands!