Indianapolis this weekend- restaurants, Saturday fun
 

I will be indy this weekend- I am looking for suggestions for good restaurants and for some good ideas of things to see in Indy on Saturday. Pleae help!

We love St Elmo's steak house in downtown Indy. They have a "world famous" shrimp cocktail that is fabulous and HOT! I'm not normally a meat eater, but this place is famous, the service great and has a lot of tradition.

If you have a car and have never been to Speedway, you might want to visit the Indy 500 track. They have a good museum and a bus that will take you around the track.

I live close to Indy and spend time downtown. I think it has a lot to offer considering that, after all, you are in Indiana. <BR><BR>Here is my list of restaurants for the downtown area. If any of them strike your fancy I can be more specific just ask. <BR><BR>Non-chain within Walking Distance of Circle Centre Mall<BR>Malibu on Maryland – Maryland between Illinois &amp; Meridian<BR>Eclectic, California cuisine. <BR><BR>Majestic Oyster Bar &amp; Grille – Maryland &amp; Pennsylvania<BR>Emphasis on very good seafood.<BR><BR>St. Elmo’s – Illinois between Georgia &amp; Maryland<BR>Waiters in fancy tuxes, but food isn’t fancy: big chunks-o-beef. Knock-your-socks-off horseradish in the famous shrimp cocktail though.<BR><BR>Ram Restaurant and Brewery – Illinois between Georgia &amp; Maryland<BR>Good food, great beer.<BR><BR>The Cozy – Pennsylvania between Washington &amp; Market<BR>Upscale bar food &amp; sandwiches. Live entertainment weekends.<BR><BR>Thai Gardens – Meridian &amp; Jackson<BR><BR>Nicky Blain’s – Meridian &amp; Washington<BR>Cigar/martini bar with decent appetizers &amp; live music on weekends if you can stand the smoke.<BR><BR>Non-chain Southeast or East of Circle Centre Mall about 1.5 Miles <BR>Dunaway’s Piazza Oxygene – corner of South &amp; East Sts.<BR>Eclectic menu.<BR><BR>Milano Inn – College between Washington &amp; South<BR>Classic Indy Italian<BR><BR>Iaria’s – College between Washington &amp; South<BR>Another classic Indy Italian<BR><BR>Amici’s – E. New York St.<BR>Great Italian in an old storefront in historic Lockerbie Square<BR><BR>Bistro 936 – Virginia Ave.<BR>Italian bistro in up-n-coming Fountain Square<BR><BR>Non-chain Mass. Ave. Northeast of Circle Centre Mall about 1.5 Miles<BR>Agio – Mass. Between North &amp; Walnut<BR>Eclectic cuisine leaning towards Italian.<BR><BR>R’s Bistro – Northeast end of Mass. Ave all the way up by the Interstate<BR>Eclectic cuisine, wine &amp; beer license only.<BR><BR>Rathskeller – Mass. &amp; New Jersey<BR>Great German food. Usually music on the weekends.<BR><BR>Bazbeau’s Pizza – Mass. Between Delaware &amp; Alabama<BR>Best &amp; most interesting thin crust pizzas in town. Try the artichoke hearts &amp; sun dried tomatoes or the Greek. <BR><BR>Non-chain South of Circle Centre Mall about 1.5 Miles<BR>Greek Islands – S. Meridian<BR>Family run Greek restaurant.<BR><BR>Shapiro’s Delicatessen – S. Meridian<BR>Classic Indy deli. Sandwiches seem pricey but they’ll feed two or three. <BR><BR>Chain within Walking Distance of Circle Centre Mall<BR>Palomino Euro Bistro – Illinois &amp; Maryland<BR>PF Changs – Illinois &amp; Washington<BR>Alcatraz Brewing –Illinois &amp; Maryland<BR>Bertolinis – N. end ground floor Circle Centre Mall<BR>Ruth’s Chris – Illinois between Washington &amp; Maryland<BR>Rock Bottom Brewery – Washington between Illinois &amp; Meridian <BR>Morton’s of Chicago – Washington &amp; Pennsylvania<BR>Buca de Beppo – Illinois between Washington &amp; Market<BR>Mikado – Georgia &amp; Illinois<BR>Claddagh Irish Pub – Jackson &amp; Meridian<BR>Champps – Washington &amp; Illinois<BR>Spaghetti Factory – Georgia &amp; Meridian<BR>Johnny Rockets Hamburgers – 3rd floor N. end Circle Centre Mall<BR>Hard Rock Caf&eacute; – Maryland &amp; Meridian<BR>Jillians – Georgia &amp; Meridian<BR>Houlihans – Maryland &amp; Illinois<BR>Steak-n-Shake – Maryland &amp; Illinois<BR><BR>Hotel Restaurants <BR>Restaurant in Hyatt – rooftop revolving<BR>Restaurant in Marriott<BR>Restaurant in Omni – Hot Tuna<BR>Restaurant in Canterbury - fabulous brunch served on lenox china.<BR>Restaurant in Westin – Shula’s<BR>Restaurant in Embassy Suites <BR>Restaurant in Adam’s Mark

For things to do downtown I have two ideas depending on the weather.<BR><BR>If it's nice out, walk west past the Capitol building and find the canal just north of the government center. If the paddle boats are out, rent one and paddle about a bit. Walk north up the canal to see the USS Indianapolis memorial monument. The USS Indianapolis was the US Navy ship that was sunk after it had delivered one of the atomic bombs to the Asian WWII theater. The sailors couldn't radio for help and were stuck in the water overnight while the sharks circled around and picked many of them off. The �captain� in the movie �Jaws� hated sharks because he was an Indianapolis survivor. <BR><BR>If the weather is not nice hit one of the nearby museums. Monument Circle with a small Civil War museum in the bottom. I like to ride the elevator to the top for the view then walk down. The NCAA hall of fame, the new Indiana State museum and the Eiteljorg museum of southwest art are all 4 blocks west of Circle Centre mall. About 4 blocks north of the mall are the WWII Memorial and the Scottish Rite Cathedral. If you're interested in Gothic architecture call ahead to the Scottish Rite and see if you can get a tour. It has stunning stone work, stained glass and wood work inside. <BR><BR>In the southeast corner of Meridian and Washington ( across from the Parisian department store) is a Borders bookstore with a Starbucks inside. It was the old Merchants Bank building and you get your coffee handed to you through an old teller's window of marble and brass. It's pretty to see.