Trip To Indianapolis In December - Suggestions

We are going to be in Indianapolis the weekend of December 7-9, staying at or near the Indianapolis Marriott East on East 21st Street. Will be at the Anime Crossroads CON. Yeah, there are lots of things you don’t know. The reason for the hotel is that by booking at the CON hotel you get two tickets. I would NOT stay there otherwise as they CHARGE for in room Internet:
For a daily rate of 9.95 USD, the following features are available in your guest room: 

High-speed Internet access

Unlimited local phone calls

Unlimited long distance calls (within the country), not available in all markets I MAY USE THIS AND CALL INTO IGLOU AND USE IT. SEE HOW THEY LIKE 16-18 HOURS OF LONG DISTANCE FOR 2.5 DAYS. 

Prices may vary in a few markets.
I just shake my head at how stupid that is. We may in fact stay across the street. It’s like charging $10 or $12 for your bag on an airline. STOP NICKELING AND DIMING people and get back to customer service.

OK. The real question. We’ll be doing Friday and Saturday Dinner, Saturday Lunch and Saturday and Sunday Breakfast. Currently we plan on either Friday or Saturday evening at http://www.thejourneyin.com which is a Sushi, Prime Rib & Seafood Buffet. Anyone know about this place or have comments on it?

Secondly, is give us your recommendations. There is no Menu and Hours for Indy and I don’t trust Yelp or Urban spoon for much more than an address or telephone number. Is there a ‘hot bytes’ like forum up there? What places are your go to restaurants and why? Where should we not go? I would really like to find a good breakfast place like Toast On Market or a really OLD diner in our hotel area. Is there a place like the Bank Street Brew House? For supper a place like the old Grisanti’s in J-town would be nice if one exists and you know about it. See Why Louisville Hot Bytes is so important to the Dining and Foodie community here in Louisville. Eat Your Heart Out NYC! And, with the introduction of Menu and Hours it is better.
Of course other suggestions from the wonderful foodies on here are welcome.

High end:
St Elmo Steak House - get the shrimp cocktail along with outstanding steaks
Sensu - sushi and more. Let the waiter put together a meal while you try all the sake variations
Fogo de Chao - Brazilian - for meat lovers

Affordable:
Shapiro's Delicatessen - classic Kosher cafeteria
Bub's Burgers & Ice Cream - in Carmel
Petite Chou - in Carmel - breakfast thru dinner - French - try the duck fat fries
3 Sisters Cafe - eclectic cafe in Broad Ripple
Yat's - credible Cajun

Richard,

A thread from last year in the Travel forum:
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=18297&p=136765&hilit=indianapolis#p136765

A friend of mine goes to Fugo everytime she goes to Indy. Loves it!

Deb

Definitely second the recommendation for Shapiro's. It's the closest I've found to New York-style Jewish delicatessen anywhere in the Midwest, including Chicago.

Also, if you like smoked meats and sausages, you should check out Smoking Goose: http://www.smokinggoose.com/. I haven't been there, but we frequently buy their products through Green B.E.A.N. Delivery, and they're incredibly good.

We had a great breakfast at this place a few months ago. It's kind of a cross between Wild Eggs and North End.

http://www.zestexcitingfood.com/

Smoking Goose is awesome. They serve their stuff at Flat 12 brewery, which is directly across the street.


Cool cocktail bar with great food that is right downtown.
http://www.libertineindy.com/

If you're interested in a place like Bank Street, you should try Brugge Brasserie in Broad Ripple.

Cafe Patachou for breakfast.

Their 'Broken Yolk' sandwiches are the best breakfast sandwich I've had anywhere...

Cafe Patachou for breakfast.

Their 'Broken Yolk' sandwiches are the best breakfast sandwich I've had anywhere...

Second that! I forgot about them.

I really like the E. Miracle Korean Restaurant.

You all keep on posting like that and this trip is going to turn into 5 days just so we can try them... but please do keep on posting...

Thanks,

Bazbeaux Pizza
Black Swan Brewpub (Plainfield)
Black Market
Bluebeard
Divvy (Carmel)
Flatwater Restaurant
Goose the Market
Iozzo's Garden
Monon Food Company
Recess
Room 4
Revolucion
Shallos Antique Bar
Siam Square
Yat's

Richard, that Marriott is not exactly among the restaurant rows of Indy. But I will suggest one place that is close. Only a local would know to tell you about it!

El Sol on East Washington Street
http://elsoldetala.com/

Get the guacamole. Don't be scared by the exterior - but avoid this area late at night.

Definitely go to St.Elmo's to just sit at the bar and try the shrimp cocktail with a glass of wine. They grow horseradish in the basement of the building and make the best cocktail sauce you could ever imagine.

I will LOVE that, but poor hubby is allergic to horseradish!! No, more for ME!

If you only go to one place go to Shapiro's! I make sneaky little trips there if I'm within a 60 mile radius of Indy.
It's the real deal Deli that is as close to NYC as you are going to get without all the trouble of going there.
http://www.shapiros.com/