sörenberg bahnen

I am very proud to share with you this article that I was asked to write for PBS Food regarding our Indy food scene and the Superbowl! I hope you enjoy it! http://www.pbs.org/food/features/indianapolis-food-restaurants/

Some friends of mine recently challenged me on twitter about my lack of pho love and suggested I try Long Thanh to get some that I might like.   I was kind of surprised that they liked this place so much because it is really super close to my house and I have never eaten there.   I will admit, I went in once shortly after we moved here, and picked up a menu, but just never went back.   Since then, they have classed the place up a bit with some décor (I remember it being just pretty much white all over and kind of divey) and some tablecloths.   Also, the lady who waited on me both times (one of the husband/wife owners I believe) was really nice and when I came the second time remembered me and asked me if I wanted the same drink. So I met my friends for lunch shortly after their recommendation to see if they were right.   Although, on this first trip, I didn’t order the pho.   Just being difficult I guess, but I haven’t found pho in Indy that I really like y...

Recently the schedules in our house changed and my lovely daughter and I find ourselves downtown every Saturday at lunch time (she has ballet in the morning).   So we have started trying to take advantage of being there to try some new things for lunch.   The last couple of weeks we have hit the City Market which has been really fun, and we can both get different things and enjoy the Winter Farmer’s Market as well. So this week, I was sort of torn about what to get and ended up lured back to Circle City Sweets/Soups.   When we got there (and I think all day on Saturdays) they were still offering breakfast sandwiches served on their own fresh made croissants ($5) so we got one of those to share as well as a cup of the tomato bisque ($2).   First of all, that croissant was amazing.   Warm and flaky and buttery, but with just the right amount of crunch…literally my mouth is watering right now as I type this.   The “American” sandwich that we got included scram...

We had a limited amount of time for lunch after getting hubby’s car serviced nearby and popped into Red Habanero because I had heard some good things about it and also because I heard it was taqueria style and so I assumed it would be fast.   It is kind of an interesting place because they have very detailed menu items describing some of the menu items, but then when you order them, they sort of wait for you to tell them how you want it made.   I appreciate that you can get it as you want, but just prepare yourself for that if you go.    I went with a lunch special combination of a taco and an enchilada which also came with rice ($7.99).   You choose what fillings, etc. you want and I had a chicken enchilada with red sauce and a steak taco (they have 3 kinds of beef I believe—shredded, ground and the steak, which is like a carne asada).   Interestingly, there is no pork on the menu at all (that I saw anyway).   We also got some guacamole and chips ($2....

It was Saturday. It was Castleton. The kids were hungry. We were screwed.   We were looking for somewhere to eat (we promised them dinner out) and got shut out of a couple of places because we just wouldn’t wait forever.   In desperation, I remembered there was another Japanese steakhouse nearby and I think I have mentioned that my kids love Benihana, so they would love it right?   And we could get in without a reservation. So we were going for the whole teppanyaki cook it at your table experience because my kids are big fans.   And forgive me for comparing the whole experience to Benihana, but it is sort of unavoidable for me particularly since we have eaten there so many times.   When you order dinner, you get the traditional clear soup with thinly sliced mushrooms and fried onions.   I have to say this one had a little more flavor than others I have had.   The salad was your typical iceberg lettuce with a ginger dressing. This was the type that was ...

I haven’t done a favorite places post in awhile, and I thought it would be a good fit to talk about Brad Gates Catering again. Brad has catered a couple of events for me in the last month or two and he is certainly my go to person for this kind of need.   Most recently, he catered my birthday and did a great job.   I’ll just tell you a couple of highlights, mainly because there was a lot of wine consumed on this particular night, and some of my recollections of particular details are somewhat foggy (also explains the lack of pictures).   We had a smallish group, but Brad still provided us with lots of different small tastes to enjoy and the food was great.   I helped to choose the menu somewhat, but also let Brad come up with most of the ideas.   There were a couple of things I have had before and a lot of new stuff. It was all good. Really good.   One of the the things I loved was the chilied salmon nachos.   They were chips with some nicely seasoned ...

So, 4 years ago today I started this blog. I have to say, friends ask me if I am burnt out on blogging and I can safely say, I am not.   There are those days for sure, but in general, I actually think I like it now more than ever. It has become sort of like a job (a really crappily paid job, but at least I like it). I have met a lot of people I never would have met otherwise, and have made a lot of friends, some just online friends and some who have become very good real life friends.   How cool is that? Certainly a perk I wasn’t expecting (or even thinking of) when I started this whole thing four years ago. Some of you guys I feel like I know, even though I may only know you through recurring comments, emails or conversations with you on twitter . (I worry when I don’t hear from some of you for too long, is that weird?)   But one thing I would like to say is how much I LOVE it, and you, when you take the time and make the effort to leave me a comment ...

This one’s been on the list awhile.   You know I love Fountain Square, and as the friend we were with commented as we drove towards Prospect Street, “now you really feel like you are in a city.”   I agree—I love the way Fountain Square feels and I love the fact that nearly everything there is an independently owned restaurant or store. This is a gem of a neighborhood.   AND the construction is just about totally finished, and you can even park! Anyhow, we walked into Revolucion about 6:30 and there were some people at the bar, but the rest of the place was pretty empty.   This is a place where you just find a place to sit and then go up to the bar to order.   I knew this ahead of time from reading a few things about it, and so wasn’t a big deal for me, but might be confusing to some.   We started with a margarita—they were o.k.   In general, I really like margaritas (on the rocks with salt) but these were just a little too tart for me.   Whatever ...

Tomo is another really close restaurant to me that I have never been to—and recently has been recommended by a couple of people, so we thought we would check it out.   The first thing I noticed was how well it was doing on a random Tuesday night—nice to see a small business like this with such good business. The other thing I noticed right away was the interior is pretty darn nice.   I guess for a strip mall outside of Wal Mart, I didn’t have high hopes.   But they have done a good job on the interior.   There are a few teppanyaki tables (a la Benihana) and then a larger restaurant area with a full bar.   We figured if we liked what we had, we may bring the kids back for the teppanyaki as Benihana is one of their favorite places. The menu is quite large—the regular sushi type items as well as lots of other Japanese options (teriyaki, udon, etc) and even a few Thai dishes.   Of course huge menus always worry me, but you never know.   We started with an ...

Hey, Southsiders! Look, I’m doing a southside post!   I know, I don’t do that many, but it is a long drive for me after all.   But vacation meant we had a little extra time so we decided to try Thai Spice finally.   Every time I write about Thai food, several people always mention Thai Spice. But believe me, driving right by Brozinni’s was a test of my will power. So the restaurant is set in what looks like an old bank, you know those ones that look sort of like schoolhouses or something?   And the interior is pretty cute.   They have spent some money on it and they have lots of cute glass lotus light fixtures. I liked them.   (Check out my shot of the bathroom sink too.)   I was a little annoyed that they sat another couple right next to us when there were many other tables available, but that’s just one of my pet peeves. We were there at lunch, and they have a more limited menu, and each lunch came with soup, a fried spring roll and what I think was...