LLindaC

Thanks to all who gave us suggestions. We had a very enjoyable dinner at Elements. First, it is very small and intimate. The service was good, not stuffy one bit. It is smoke free as well. The wine list was wonderful- some very good wines at very good prices. Not just the high end "try to impress you" wines, but some well selected goodies. We had a bottle of "Old Ghost" made by Klinker Brick in Lodi. It was fabulous! Looks like we have a new one to add to the cellar! They do NOT serve small plates, or tapas style. They had several starters, and excellent soup (lobster bisque) plus about 10 entrees, including a vegetarian risotto and 2 fish dishes. Our sea bass was delicious. We met the chef later at the bar and discussed wines. He and all the staff were very nice and even at the bar, they filled water glasses constantly. Great place! We went to the Rathskeller for some dancing, but were really disappointed. First, the smoke is thick and choking. The place is huge and beautiful but what a waste. They had a terrible band who played nothing anyone could dance to and nothing which we recognized. The lead singer thought he was God's gift with a fan billowing his long hair ala Peter Frampton in the 70s ( but couldn't sing). At least there's no cover! Maybe they shoyuld charge cover and hire a decent band. We walked to Chatter's...another intensely smoky place, but the jazz music didn't start till 10:30. So much for the music scene downtown, LOL.We went back to Element's small but smokefree bar, chatted with the friendly staff and polished off another wine.

LLindaC

Yikes, I hit post without finishing. Anyway, many stores on "Mass Ave" were open late on weekends and it was fun walking around enjoying that. My daughter attended the Nintendo Tour at the Murat to see her fav band, Fall Out Boy, and said it was the best night of her life, LOL. That is a cool place, glad they preserved it. Great weekend fun- thanks again!

amwosu

Hey Linda, I know the world probably isn't this small but... do you live in Illinois and is your daughter in band?

My son met up with a girl at the mall downtown yesterday who was in Indy for the Fallout Boy concert.

We haven't been to Elements yet so thanks for the review and the name of wine you tried there.

cylueth

Thanks for reviewing Elements. I haven't been there because I'm trying to maximize bonus FF miles with restaurants where I can get them here. Hope I can get to Elements before they go out of business, which most good independent restaurants here eventually do.

Too bad the weather was too bad for you to just briefly explore the building, then sit outside. I have also found the bar too loud and smoky, but I always find any bar where there is entertainment that way. Indpls has a nonsmoking ordinance going into effect next year, but I think bars are excluded.

Rathskeller used to have really good German food, but the food has been so-so for quite awhile. The building has a really interesting history as an old German social club. My mother used to talk about going there as a child - this would have been in the '30's. Their family was poor and would not have been members, so they must have done some sort of outreach for children back then. Way ahead of their time.

LLindaC

Amwosu, we are from Louisville and my daughter's not with a band. However, I used to be! I'm still a pro musician so I think I can review bands pretty honestly. ;-) I think Fall Out Boy is pretty good, God knows I've heard enough of them recently! Yes, I love the Rathskeller's architecture- it was designed by Kurt Vonnegut's father, right? We have a smoking ordinance in Louisviile too, but it excludes many restaurants and all bars, sadly. We do have a great smokefree jazz club downtown, however. The Jazz Factory. They deserve the publicity. Elements was packed- lots of business, glad we got in. I made a reservation the day before.