Indpls Locals-----restaurant for 70-yr-old women!
 

Hi----my Mom is turning 70, and my sisters and I are flying into Indy for her b'day. We want to surprise her by taking her someplace for dinner (in a limo, with about 3 or 4 of her friends----they don't like driving around the city after dark) She lives on the southside, but we thought it would be fun to either go downtown or someplace other than the southside (why pay for a limo if we're just driving around the block). :) She likes linen-tablecloth type places, no smoking, no loud music or dancing, and we'll probably be looking at an early seating on a Saturday night. (no Mexican---heartburn, no Asian----allergies-----no Italian---too spicy):):) She likes Rick's Boatyard Cafe if that helps you get a feel for the type of place she enjoys. Thanks in advance!!

Two of my favorites downtown are Agio and Scholar's Inn, both on Mass. Ave. My parents (early 60's) both loved Scholar's Inn and the cranberry pork chops that they ate there.

BetsyinKY----can you tell me anything about Agio? My Mom's been to Scholar's Inn and liked it just OK. (perhaps she didn't try the cranberry pork chops-----and I know she loves pork chops!) Thanks for your post!

<b>Downtown</b>

Canterbury - www.canterburyhotel.com

For what you want, this is my top pick. Linens, Lenox china, waiters in tuxes, not crowded, smoking allowed only in the separate bar area the Canterbury's restaurant has very good food. I've really enjoyed their Sunday brunch. It's a real brunch with a special menu, not an all-you-can-eat affair.

For something different you might look at their afternoon tea service. That's a bit unusual for Indy. It might fit in well with having that instead of an early dinner.

Eagle's Nest at the Hyatt - www.indianapolis.hyatt.com

I've not eaten here in forever. The menu looks good but that's not why I'm listing it. Since you are having an early dinner take the group to an after dinner drink/coffee in the revolving roof top bar. Spend an hour, make a complete lap, take in the view and chat. You'd have to make sure it was open if you want before dinner drinks here since your dinner will be early. It's diagonally across the street from the Canterbury.

Oceanaire - www.theoceanaire.com

Incredible seafood in a beautiful space. This is a small corporately backed chain. The local executive chef has a lot of leeway in the menu. The menu is printed fresh for every meal. The seafood on the menu is what was flown in that day. Everyone needs to like fish. On the menu for any meal will be only one chicken, one pork, one beef and maybe a vegetarian main course.

St Elmo's - www.stelmos.com

This is an Indy classic. Big aged steaks, beautifully prepared served by waiters in tuxedos. Famed for their horseradish laden shrimp cocktail which I love. However I don't care for it. The tables are so packed in you're having dinner with strangers. The food is poorly garnished. A $32 steak with a bit of wilted kale? You gotta be kidding! There's no b&eacute;arnaise, mushroom or peppercorn sauce to go with your steak.

The navy bean soup that a friend of mine raved about for years is Campbells. Yes Campbells, I asked. The desserts are all high-end SaraLee products that anyone can buy from a SaraLee outlet these days. The food gets rated &quot;ho-hum&quot; by me which is probably why it appeals to so many Hoosiers.

Palomino - www.palomino.com

Another small chain with an executive chef on site. I think the food is excellent and the space is gorgeous. As I recall lunch is without linens, dinner has them. Lots of oven-fired food options and a cream of portabella mushroom soup that is out of this world.

Malibu on Maryland - www.malibuonmaryland.com

An independent with an excellent mix of dishes however no table clothes, dinner is served on nice granite tabletops. They have live music on Friday &amp; Saturday nights. It might start late enough (8 or 9?) to not interfere with an early dinner. The trip to the restroom goes past walls filled with photos of the owner and mostly local celebrities.

Mo's a place for steaks - www.mosindy.com

This would be my pick if big-chunk-o-beef dining is necessary. This is Mo's second place. Their first restaurant is in Milwaukee. B&eacute;arnaise available for the steak, tablecloths, nicely spaced tables well dressed waiters. In the Morton's tradition everything is huge.

Dunaway's - www.dunaways.com

A little south east of down town this was the old Indiana Oxygen building. Good not great food, pretty space, lots of interesting local photos. The food that arrives never seems to deliver what was promised on the menu. I'm not sure why. It's been a few years since I've been to eat. I really should swing by and try it again.

The usual big chain suspects downtown are Morton's, Shula's and Ruth's Chris for steak.

<b> Massachusetts Avenue </b>

Agio - www.agiorestaurant.net

Billed as &quot;American Eclectic&quot; their food leans a little to Italian. I've had some excellent meals there. The outdoor patio is very nice in pleasant weather.

R's Bistro - Ruth (the &quot;R&quot; in the bistro) likes to serve reasonably sized portions so a diner can actually eat dessert for a change. With only a beer and wine license I like to eat there. She changes the menu every week to reflect available products and seasons. If you love something on the menu you'll have to find out when it'll be on next or come back the next night.

After a few people gave me the &quot;not getting my money's worth&quot; speech I have to be careful who I take to this place. Mainly because I retaliate with the &quot;haven't you gotten your money's worth more than enough times&quot; speech. :-)

Elements -

New, rave reviews I haven't eaten here yet. It's served in the small-plates style for sharing and leans towards Japanese/sushi.

Good choices offered inprevious post. My fav is Oceannaire. Good service, dark warm atmoshpere, fresh seadood.

We've driven from Cincinnati to eat at the Ruth's Chris in Indy since we don't have one here. If you haven't been to a Ruth's Chris, the atmosphere is very classy &amp; subdued - the food is wonderful. Service is top notch. Can you tell I'm a fan?

I did find a web address for R's Bistro.

www.rbistro.com

This was the closest I came for a website with Elements.

http://www.digitalcity.com/indianapo...dp?sbid=125383

Thank you all SOOOOOO much!! What great suggestions!!! (y'all must know my Mom) :) :) I'm cutting and pasting already! Thanks again.

My vote goes for Agio on 635 Massachusetts Ave. I'd call for reservations, though. They're always hopping. I like the street it's on--it's always hopping, too, and it's fun to stroll around and look into the art galleries and shops and people watch. The phone is 488-0359. I should mention that not only is the food very good there but the decor is, too. Up-to-date but not so trendy that your mother wouldn't like it. I'd bring my own parents there to eat.

Another good choice is Scholar's Inn, also mentioned above, at 725 Mass. Ave. We've only gone there for Sunday brunch, but if their dinners are as good, you'd be in for a treat. Phone is 536-0707.