Will be in Indianapolis next weekend. Near the dome. Any restaurant suggestions?

For the most part, Indy is part of the "strip malling of America" -- if it ain't been proven in another city, it ain't here! So expect the regular TGIFs, hard Rock Cafe, Rock Bottom Brewery & the like.

(We did close down the Planet Hollywood -- guess it was hard for the locals to support the $24.00 Captain Crunch Chicken Tender appetizers while looking at the milk glass David Spade drank out of in "Black Sheep.")

With that in mind, there ARE some other great places in Indy ... especially this very drivable town. AND, you will be in a good area around the Dome... close to Circle City Mall (lots of restaurants) & the White River Arts Garden & Canal areas.

(Please note that if you haven't visited Indy in a while, the renovated Union Station court & shops have been closed for years. They now are expanding the hotel facilities, meeting rooms, & -- I know, we hate it too -- the top floor is now a gocart area.)

Here are some choices for your perusal:

Palomino:
Gourmet eatery found in San Francisco, D.C., LA, and few other choice cities. (The owner(s) HAD to open one in Indy as an excuse to visit the inlaws!) Get the crab/cream/spinach appetizer on crusty flat bread, followed by the selected item of the day.

St. Elmo's Steakhouse:
Indy's oldest continuously running restaurant -- think the best steak houses of Chicago & New York in one tiny package. Not much variety -- steak and the spicy horseradish shrimp cocktail -- but, oh how they taste!

Slippery Noodle Inn:
Indy's oldest continuously running bar (n' sometimes grill). Best of the blues in town; Billy Joel stops by when in town and just may start jammin' with the bands.

Bazbeaux Pizza:
The avant garde pizza joint. Try the Pizza Alla Quatra Formagio on wheat crust-- 5 cheeses, bacon & mushroom. It's on Massachusetts Ave... about a 1.5 - 2 mile jaunt from the dome. But it is also the beginning of Indy's Arts District if you want to gallery-hop.

Also on Massachusetts Avenue is:

Agios:
Italian

Aesop's Tables:
Greek with Mediterranean fusion -- if thar' be a fusion in Mediterranean food!

Old Spaghetti Factory:
Yeah, another chain. But I love the buttered noodles with mizithra cheese!

Magic Cafe:
"It's chef-prepared food." "No, it's a private magic show." Your BOTH right!

Happy eatings!

Uh, I goofed. (Besides spelling, you English teachers!)

OSF and MC is NOT on Mass Ave, but on Meridian Street.

Definitely St Elmos if you like steak...get the shrimp cocktail

Also...Buca di Beppo is a chain but has great Italian food. The atmosphere is excellent. If you have not been there, try it.

Hey, Doctor B:

Would it be safe to throw in Iaria's (Italian), the Greek Islands, Aristocrats, Murphy's Steakhouse and The Iron Skillet?

Sorry I can't provide addresses -- I don't live in Indy -- but none of these seem to be too far from downtown.

Al, good choices all (Iaria's -- I don't know that one! How is it?). I wasn't sure if Elaine would have a car or here for a conference, Colts game, etc. so I was keeping it close downtown for walking or cab ride. (Hey, Elaine, what is your budget, by the way?)

Also forgot to mention:

Dunaway's:
(downtown, closer to Pacers' Fieldhouse) Expensive but great gourmet American food menu with extensive wine cellar.

Keystone Grille:
(far northside at Keystone at the Crossing) Features Indy's only Cognac cart (finish your dinner by sampling some smells of a $100 a glass cognac!)

Eagle's Nest:
(top of the Hyatt Regency hotel downtown)
Indy's only revolving restaurant was renovated a few years ago and still great menu at a decent price. Good prime rib and seafood selection, and a jazz band starts at sundown on the weekends. (Doesn't food always taste better when your turn around and look at the views of Indy's admittingly flat landscape?)

For the record, let me check the phone book for locations to help pinpoint Al's suggestions (guess where I'm at this week?):

Greek Islands:
downtown - 906 south meridian

Aristocrats Pub & Eatery:
North College Avenue Bar & grill -- located just outside Broad Ripple village "proper" -- a small artsy-yet-college-age-party area about 7-8 miles northeast of downtown (I've done my time there!)

Murphy's Steakhouse:
North Keystone Avenue about 6 miles northeast from downtown; about a mile or so from the State Fairgrounds. It's okay, family-owned steakhouse, and less trendy ro formal.

The Iron Skillet:
West 30th Street about 4-5 miles from downtown

Iaria's (yes, rhymes with you-know-what) is on S. College, I think, but don't know the cross street. A very good, reasonable, local Italian place that's been there for years.

New Orleans House on Township Line Road

This is maybe ten miles north of the dome but well worth the trip for a seafood buffet

get out of downtown and go to Broad Ripple. Lots of good restaurants. The previous posters were right: Indy is the most sterile, strip mall city i have ever seen.

Another vote for Dunaways. IMHO, it surpasses Ruth's Chris and/or St Elmo's for steak. The shrimp cocktail at St Elmo's can't be beat-just keep some liquid handy when you approach your first 'cocktail' - you'll see why!

Thanks for all the advise. Will be in town for the Bands of America Grand National Championships. Always a fun time,but needed an update on restaurants.

Any good restaurants in the Carmel area? I'm not even sure what part of town it's in, but I have a meeting there in a few weeks.

Don't know about rests but Carmel is north of Indy. North of I465 also . Great tenderloins at a railroad type place I think in Fishers. Near there.

Any other suggestions for north Indianapolis?

Max and Erma's is good

xx: Carmel is adjacent north of Indy and south of Westfield. I'm drawing a blank on some of the area's nicer dining options, so I'll try pick up a recent issue of Indy's DINE magazine this week and repost later, but here are some ideas...

Westfield has some standard chain dining options on US-31: Applebees, Ruby Tuesdays, Steak and Shake (gawd-bless'em), fast food, etc.

Carmel has Illusions at Carmel Drive and Keystone Avenue: The ORIGINAL magic restaurant. (The Magic Cafe was opened downtown Indy by this restaurant's original owner.

Carmel borders on the northside Indy high-rent biz & retail area called Keystone at the Crossing (82nd St. & Keystone Ave). Available restaurants there include...

Keystone Grill:
Steaks, seafood, cocktails, and awesome
Sunday brunch

Sullivans:
Steaks and martinis!

American Bandstand:
Dick Clark's answer to Hard Rock Cafe. Varied US dining options on menu among Rock n Roll items. Bar & nightclub, too.

Cheesecake Company:
Chain just like the other cities!

Bennihana's (sp?):
Chain Japenese dining & the cooks prepare meals at your table.

Cattlemen's Company:
Chain steakhouse

TGI Fridays:
Need an explanation?

Also semi-upscale food court at the Fashion Mall.

That's all comes to mind now; will look up later after I catch up with work. (STILL haven't found time to write up trip itinerary from Zion/Bryce!)

Elaine--- I vote for Dunaways also. It's in an old historic building but has a noveau decor inside. Great service and an innovative menu.

For the northside recommendation-- Keystone Grille at Keystone Crossing is great for seafood. Just re-done inside completely. Also, Petersens up on 96th St. in Fishers, just off of I-69. Lulu's at Keystone Crossing is a hip, happening scene for dinner and afterwards for drinks with a small dancefloor and DJ.

Downtown Indy has been pretty well covered here, but a jewel I've found is Bistro 936. It's at 936 Virginia Avenue. The place is maybe 5 min. drive or taxi from dome, at most. Can walk, but a bit too far. It is the best food for the money in Indy. Quaint part of town, very nice decor, and very fine dining and service. You won't be disappointed. Also, check out their wine cellar bar in basement. We've turned on many friends to this place and everyone loves it!

Virginia, here is the Indianapolis dining suggestions as I told you.

I'm surprised these two non-chain restaurants didn't get mentioned in the discussion. Both within easy walking distance of Circle Centre mall.

Malibu on Maryland – Maryland between Illinois & Meridian
Eclectic, California cuisine.

Majestic Oyster Bar & Grille – Maryland & Pennsylvania
Emphasis on very good seafood.