Indianapolis Must Eats/See

Just to extrapolate on the St. Elmo's Cocktail shrimp...

St. Elmo's get's very crowded. Get there early or have reservations.

The cocktail shrimp is the most amazing kind of "hot" I've ever had. It's so hot at first, you want to scream. Give it 30 seconds. You will be begging for more. Shrimp cocktail perfection.

For the celebration of the 18th Anniversary of my 29th Birthday, I've decided to take Me, myself and I on a little road trip up to Indy for a weekend of "let's get the hell out of town".

Anyplace I shouldn't miss? Anyplace I should?

Will be staying downtown right by the Circle.

Thanks in advance.

I'll second (third?) St Elmos -- great steaks (and the shrimp cocktail IS awesome)...be sure to block out time for a lunch at Shapiro's (just a few minutes south of Monument Circle); the closest thing we have in Louisville is Stevens & Stevens -- and as good as it is, Shapiro's is much better; go there hungry -- HUGE sandwiches!

Both restaurants have websites.

Bumping up.....have a couple of good suggestions, but there has got to be more to Indy than that???????

St Elmos! You gotta have the shrimp cocktail. Just keep in mind when it says that it's hot as fire, that's exactly what they mean. It took my breath away it was so hot. I was not prepared for it! But man was it good!

Peterson's Restaurant is an excellant place to eat. Although it is on the north side, just take Meridian Street straight up. It may be a 15 minute drive, but well worth the trip.

Check it out at petersonsrestaurant.com

I enthusiastically second Brugge, but in a city prone to chains and exurban inauthenticity, there's another find just south of center, across from the Eli Lilly corporate campus ... Bosphorus Istanbul Cafe.

http://www.bosphoruscafe.com/

Turkish satellite television, lots of Turkish begin spoken, but no problem communicating. Diana endorses the tabouli, and all the meat dishes I've had were great, with the kofte perhaps most favored.

I had a very nice meal just this past weekend at Milanos Inn. Wonderful homemade Tortellini and Sausage soup.

Puck's restauraunt was very good when we went a few years ago. You can also enjoy a visit to the museum as well.

http://www.wolfgangpuck.com/restaurants ... ianapolis/

The Villa is downtown and also offers a spa as well as good food.

http://www.thevillainn.com/

If you're interested in seafood this may be worth checking out. Their baked alaska isn't bad either.

http://www.theoceanaire.com/

I recommend Loon Lake Lodge on 82nd St. in Castleton. Some of my favorites are the Eld Medallions w/ Horseradish and Raspberry Sauce, the Crab Stuffed Portabella, the Bison Burger, the Trout, and the ribs fall off the bone. I think they have rattlesnake bites and ostrich too. It's worth checking out!

The best pizza in town is at the Ale Emporium on 86th and Allisonville Rd. The pizza takes forever, but they have a great beer selection.

I also like Yats! in Broadripple, around 55th on College. They have great cajun food.

If you like seafood and don't need your money, check out Oceanaire downtown.

I would tout everything about St. Elmo's, but it sounds like that's been done.

If you go out for a beer downtown, the Slippery Noodle is a must. It is the oldest bar in Indy. It is famous for the great blues talent they draw. Back in the day, the upstairs was a brothel. The basement was linked to the underground railroad, and there are bullet holes in the wall from John Dillinger.

There is a great Scottish pub/restaurant, MacNiven's Restaurant And Bar on Massachusetts Ave in downtown. Great beer selection and very good food to boot. They even have haggis if that is up your alley.

They don't have a website that I could find, but here is a link to them on beeradvocate: http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/9812/?view=beerfly

I forgot to mention that there is a Fago De Chao in Indy. If you've never been to a Brazillian Churascaria it is something to try.

Love St Elmo's shrimp! Yeeowww. My husband and I had a wonderful meal at Elements. Food and service top-notch.

http://www.elementsindy.com

St. Elmo's shrimp definitely awsome, and their steaks are wonderful. If you go with a significant other, they are used to splitting orders, so go for a large steak, split the soup and potato (they'll do it in the kitchen, no problem), and enjoy!

Also second Shapiro's, especially the downtown one (when the suburban moved, lost a lot of charm).

We've had good luck with Oceanaire, but it is a large chain. And, tho the food is excellent, it can be very expensive depending on how you order. I signed up on-line for their "frequent diner club" and even though we go maybe once a year, I get monthly special deals sent via e-mail, so if you're possibly going sign up!

I'm really writing to second the Slippery Noodle! They are a long narrow building, with different blues bands at each end. They have typical bar food - lots of fried stuff, burgers, nacho's, etc - but the food is better than it has to be at that type of place. We had dinner moderately late (wtih a reservation), and were not charged the cover - just stayed for the music. Also, while there's one underpass that's a tad dark, it is an easy walk from downtown - and only a couple of short blocks from St. Elmo's.

St. Elmo's Cocktail Shrimp.

Shazzam............4th it!

Fab cocktail sauce with a bale o' Pontoon Beach horseradish...........it'll fix a corn belt cold.

I enthusiastically endorse the Slippery Noodle. I once went by myself (on an impulse) to a blues concert at the Murat Theater, and was directed to the Noodle for afters. Fantastic vibe.

Food, tolerable - this was a long time ago. Atmosphere = 100%.