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Indianapolis Star
21-07-2025
- Sport
- Indianapolis Star
IHSAA football: 10 Central Indiana quarterbacks to watch for 2025 season
High school football season is right around the corner. Here are 10 Indy-area quarterbacks to keep an eye on in 2025.
Axios
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
Fever Fest looks to the future of Indy festivals
Saturday night's Fever Fest brought big laughs and big hits to Everwise Amphitheater before the WNBA All-Star game. Why it matters: The people throwing the party tell Axios it wasn't just a one-time thing. It was the first edition of the Circle City's next big festival franchise. Driving the news: Despite a midday downpour and the looming threat of show-canceling conditions, fans stormed White River State Park for the event produced by Kevin Hart's Hartbeat Media Group in collaboration with Pacers Sports & Entertainment. Stand-up headliners like Cedric The Entertainer and Leslie Jones handled the funny — with some help from the Fever's Sydney Colson — while hip-hop hitmakers BIA and G-Eazy took care of the tunes. What they're saying:"I consider Indianapolis to be the best major event host city in the country, and I think this event is going to only continue to elevate that," said Joey Graziano, PS&E's EVP of strategy and new business ventures. "With our partnership with Hartbeat as the official culture curators of the Pacers and the Fever, we created something new. Probably earlier than we would have otherwise. But we wanted to make sure that this event had a signature inaugural moment." "For the rest of Fever Fest's existence — and we believe it's got a long, long runway ahead — people are always going to say the first one was at WNBA All-Star." Between the lines: The partnership between PS&E and Hartbeat was announced earlier this year with the promise of festivals, halftime performances, scripted content and bespoke merchandise collaborations. Hartbeat EVP and head of marketing Janina Lundy told Axios the aim is to make Fever Fest and everything else born from the multi-year partnership feel distinctly Indianapolis. She added that the "inaugural" prefix the event carried in its branding was intentional, so expect the name to stick around even as the time, venue and list of performers change. "The idea isn't that we're just coming into the market when this big event is happening. We're really a partner … and we're just kind of trying to enhance what already exists," she said. "Fever Fest itself will continue to grow both with local entertainment and entertainers coming from around the world." For Graziano, the ultimate goal is one day turning Fever Fest into a citywide takeover. "We know we've got to start small. We've got to earn credibility and trust in each step. But we are looking at and saying that our city lines up so well with what we believe is the future of music and comedy festivals," he said. Zoom out: Fever Fest's future is being considered as Indy-area concertgoers enjoy a growing selection of new or expanding single and multi-day festivals of all sizes. After making its debut in May 2024, GANGGANG's I Made Rock 'N' Roll Festival will return in May 2026. Thursday marks the start of Post. Festival 2025, a three-day showcase of global post-genre bands hitting HI-FI and HI-FI Annex. The Chreece hip-hop festival returns on Aug. 23, packing performances from more than 50 acts across seven stages into a single day. Indy Jazz Fest runs from Sept. 9-20 with a loaded lineup for local and international talent. The 10th anniversary of the traveling Outlaw Music Festival Tour comes to Ruoff on Sept. 18 with legends like Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan and Sheryl Crow.
Indianapolis Star
17-07-2025
- Business
- Indianapolis Star
Indianapolis-area restaurants that have opened and closed so far in 2025
In just over six months, the Indianapolis dining scene has generated plenty of news. Decades-old institutions have closed their doors for good as exciting new concepts have cropped up throughout Marion and the surrounding counties. For every eatery that has bowed out of the famously difficult restaurant industry, another has taken its place. With the first half of 2025 in the rearview mirror, here are several of the Indy-area restaurants that have opened and closed so far, roughly sorted by cuisine. Arden Café and Lounge 6 W. Washington St., (317) 401-3848, opened Jan. 3 Neon lights, flowers and lots of pink flood the interior of this bubbly café and lounge just off Monument Circle. Arden serves hot drinks, pastries and brunch items by day (9 a.m. to 2 p.m. weekdays) and dinner and drinks by night (7 p.m. to midnight Tuesday-Friday, noon to midnight weekends). Weekday food offerings include breakfast sandwiches ($9), chicken wings ($11 for six) and chicken and waffles ($16), with upscale entrées like lamb chops ($34) and catfish filet ($20) available for dinner. Swayzee Loinz 7241 E. 146th St., (317) 764-2018, opened Jan. 6 This Carmel pork purveyor is the first brick-and-mortar restaurant of Swayzee Loinz, a meat manufacturer based in the small town of Swayzee (about 60 miles north of Indianapolis). The company began as the Market at Swayzee decades ago, but streamlined its operation to highlight the signature Hoosier pork tenderloin in 2015. Swayzee's new Carmel outpost serves Indiana's iconic sandwich alongside other classic Americana fare like bean stew, macaroni and cheese and chili dogs. Just Chicken at The Garage 906 Carrollton Ave., opened Jan. 25 The 25th vendor to join the Garage Food Hall was also the fifth counter-service location of Columbus, Ohio-based chicken eatery Just Chicken. Just Chicken offers tenders, sandwiches and, slightly belying its name, a small selection of fries and salads. Culinary Dropout at Nora Plaza 1320 E. 86th St., (463) 231-8050, opened Feb. 19 As the Nora Plaza continues to develop, this eatery by Phoenix-based Fox Restaurant Concepts was among the shopping center's first new tenants in 2025. Culinary Dropout offers an upscale take on gastropub fare with items like slow-cooked pork ribs ($31) and Korean-style ribeye ($39) as well as sandwiches, salads and a robust cocktail list. The Nora Plaza location became the chain's 13th nationally. Flower Child at Nora Plaza 1340 E. 86th St., (463) 336-9556, opened Feb. 25 Joining Culinary Dropout at the Nora Plaza is Fox Restaurant Concepts' health-centric eatery, Flower Child. The restaurant offers plenty of vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options including salads ($10 to $15), grain bowls ($11 to $19) and protein-forward entrées (around $15). Serliana 17 W. Market St. 11th floor, (463) 303-0380, opened Feb. 24 All-day restaurant Serliana sits atop the newly opened InterContinental hotel. Indy native and restaurant veteran Craig Baker (most recently the operations leader of The AMP at 16 Tech) serves as the executive chef of both Astrea, the bar that shares the roof, and Serliana, which offers gourmet plates like Niçoise salad ($19) and steak frites ($38) as well as an upscale take on the classic Hoosier tenderloin ($17). The Parlor P.S. 6 W. Main St., Mooresville, (317) 584-3010, opened March 10 Self-billed as a Victorian eatery, The Parlor P.S. serves traditional American cuisine with dishes like fried pork chops ($24), meatloaf ($24) and fried okra ($6). Traditional comfort food served in a swanky hardwood dining room makes for a distinctive dining experience southwest of Indy. Kickstarrt Coffee and More 14560 River Road, Carmel, (317) 300-4835, opened mid-May Coffee ($2 to $6.50) and protein smoothies ($6) meet smash burgers ($13) along with other pub comfort food ($5 to $12) at this eclectic new eatery on Carmel's northeast side. Indy's Fish and Chicken 4751 Franklin Road, Lawrence, (463) 202-2758, opened June 5 This primarily take-out operation in Lawrence offers a straightforward menu of fried chicken and whitefish, plus a few sandwich options including burgers, gyros and the eatery's take on a Philly cheesesteak. Most entrées cost between $8 and $20. Ardy's Concession at the Philippine Cultural Center 4141 S. East St., opened Jan. 12 Those who have wolfed down an Ardy's kabob at the Indianapolis 500 will recognize the fare at this restaurant that operates out of the Philippine Cultural Community Center on Sundays. In addition to its renowned kabobs ($13 with rice and spring roll-like lumpia), Ardy's Concession offers Filipino dishes like sisg (spiced pork off-cuts with peppers, $19), bihon (stir-fried noodles, $14) and the multifaceted shaved ice dessert halo-halo ($9). More: This popular Filipino icy dessert is best thing I ate in Indy this week Curry Leaf Indian Fusion Kitchen 8505 Keystone Crossing, (317) 956-5484, opened early February Curry Leaf Indian Fusion Kitchen offers high-end takes on dishes from across the massive Asian subcontinent, from the gutti vankaya curry (small stuffed eggplants in a peanut gravy, $14.95) of southern India to the bhindi masala (okra, $14.95) more common in North India and Pakistan. You'll also find tandoori dishes ($15 to $25), assorted chaat (various snacks, many of them fried, around $10) and refreshing dairy-based beverages ($5 to $6). Kau Kau Hawaiian BBQ 5808 Crawfordsville Road, Speedway, (317) 390-4590, opened early April This Speedway Hawaiian spot offers a no-frills menu heavy on grilled meat, rice and vegetables. Meat options include spicy "island fire" chicken, chicken katsu and beef short ribs, among others. Entrées cost about $10 each; Kau Kau also serves family meals that serve four people and come with rice, macaroni salad, vegetables and three meat items. G-1 Indian Restaurant 4907 N. College Ave., (317) 737-2290, opened April 8 Shortly after the northside location of Aroma closed with no announcement, SoBro welcomed a new Indian eatery this spring in the form of G-1. The restaurant's menu includes a robust selection of chaat ($5 to $13), meat and vegetable curries ($13 to $16) and biryani ($13 to $16). Hachi Machi Asian Street Food at the Garage Food Hall 906 Carrollton Ave., opened June 27 Taking the place of Palavana Cubano, which exited the Garage earlier last month, Hachi Machi serves pan-Asian dishes including pad Thai ($10.95 or $13.95), satay (Indonesian meat skewers, $8.45), chicken, steak or shrimp hibachi with vegetables ($11.95 to $20.95), plus some Chinese American favorites like orange chicken ($11.95 lunch, $15.95 dinner). Astrea 17 W. Market. St. 11th floor, (463) 303-0440, opened Feb. 24 This rooftop bar, which resides on the 11th floor of the InterContinental Hotel, opened in the nearly century-old Illinois building downtown in late February. Guests at Astrea (derived from the Greek word for "star") can sip wine and craft cocktails and dine on small plates including oysters, charcuterie and truffle fries while looking out over Monument Circle and the Indiana Statehouse. More: After more than a decade, InterContinental opens downtown. See inside the luxury hotel West Fork Social House 1233 Shelby St., opened March 14 Six months after it closed its Bellefontaine Street distillery, West Fork Whiskey returned to Indianapolis with this 21+ Fountain Square café and cocktail bar, originally dubbed Rise and Revel (the business switched names in early summer). West Fork Social House serves coffee and small breakfast sweets every day starting at 8 a.m., then transitions into a cocktail bar in the afternoon every day except Monday. West Fork's myriad whiskeys, distilled in Westfield, stock most of the bar at the Social House, but guests can also sip other spirits, wine, beer and non-alcoholic drinks. 1933 Lounge Carmel 175 S. Rangeline Road, Carmel, (317) 751-1933, opened April 1 Named for the year that Prohibition ended in the United States, the 1933 Lounge is a speakeasy-style bar and eatery from the culinary group behind St. Elmo. The restaurant features a variety of traditional steakhouse fare — including its sister restaurant's signature shrimp cocktail — alongside a full bar in Carmel's Arts and Design District. The Carmel location was 1933 Lounge's third to launch, following one above the original St. Elmo downtown and a second in Fishers. 1933 Lounge and HC Tavern + Kitchen at the Indianapolis International Airport 7800 Col. H. Weir Cook Memorial Drive, (317) 241-0533, opened April 11 Less than two weeks after the 1933 Lounge's third location arrived in Carmel, the restaurant set up shop in Concourse B of the Indianapolis Airport along with Huse Culinary's HC Tavern. The amalgamated eatery serves abridged versions of both restaurants' menus, leaning into small plates and handheld foods with a few classic steakhouse entrées. The airport restaurant, which is open from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, also features grab-and-go options and a full bar. Sip Easy 1220 Waterway Blvd., opened June 10 The latest addition to The Amp's food and beverage roster is Sip Easy, a small bar serving beer, spirits, cocktails and wine including owner Nicole Kearney's line of Sip & Share vegan wines. Milk and Honey Coffeehouse 8511 Southeastern Ave., opened Feb. 1 Owner Taylor Hummel last year told IndyStar she hopes her coffee shop will one day become a Wanamaker staple akin to longtime fish fry spot Wheatley's, which closed in December. Milk and Honey opened its two-lane drive-thru in February to dispense craft lattes, smoothies and other beverages. In late April, Milk and Honey opened its café to sit-down customers. Cafe Oztara 1446 E. Washington St., opened Feb. 7 The Damien Center, Indianapolis' largest and oldest organization specializing in support services for people with HIV or AIDS, bills Cafe Oztara as a "welcoming space for everyone," with an emphasis on Indianapolis' LGTBQ+ community. The coffee shop/event space serves hot drinks and smoothies ($3 to $8), plus a slim food menu including small breakfast dishes, salads, sandwiches and soups ($4 to $9), in a colorfully furnished brick building on the Damien Center's eastside campus. Bovaconti Carmel 2 W. Main St., opened Feb. 14 Nearly a year and a half after it announced a projected spring 2024 opening, Fountain Square-based Bovaconti finally opened its second location in Carmel's Arts and Design District. Bovaconti brings a European flair to its coffees and Italian-style sodas, though guests will also find more familiar lattes and sweets on the menu. Prufrock Coffee Carmel 275 Veterans Way, Carmel, opened March 6 Carmel's Midtown is home to the second café from Prufrock, which opened its flagship SoBro location in 2019 before current owner Poula Hanna took over in 2023. Hanna's second coffee shop features sweets, sandwiches and colorful craft lattes served in slender plastic cups in a chic modern setting. Human Bean Pendleton Pike 10545 Pendleton Pike, (317) 964-9296, opened March 26 Drive-thru coffee spot Human Bean, whose flagship location opened at 5405 N. Keystone Ave. in summer 2021, expanded into Lawrence with its second drive-thru. The Human Bean serves hot and cold coffees and teas as well as smoothies. The Spark on Bridge 350 Bridge St., Mooresville, opened April 18 Following The Spark on Main, which opened in Speedway four years ago, The Spark on Bridge brings the brand's lineup of java and pastries to Mooresville in a roomy industrial chic venue that doubles as a coworking space. Claypot Coffee House 1551 E. Stop 12 Road, (317) 300-1346, opened May 17 This southside coffee spot leans into Asian flavors, with offerings like lattes flavored with pandan (a grassy, vanilla-like plant), matcha and ube ($5.25 to $6), plus organic fruit juices ($5 to $6) and hot teas ($5 to $6). Claypot's limited food menu ($4 to $7) includes roti (South Asian flatbread) and popiah (a spring roll common in southern and eastern China), as well as waffles with Nutella and or berries for those seeking a more American experience. Circle City Kolache 1521 N. Green St., Brownsburg, (317) 456-2643, opened Feb. 28 This new Brownsburg eatery specializes in the Czech and Slavic pastries known as kolache (or as the savory variety are known to purists, klobásník). Located in the same storefront as Ritter's Frozen Custard, Circle City Kolache offers sweet and savory pastries with fillings including spicy polish sausage and cheese ($4.75), assorted fruits ($3), Half Liter BBQ pulled pork ($4) and Nathan's Hot Dog ($4). The eatery also offers coffee, and diners can add a scoop of Ritter's custard to their order for $1. Artesenal Pastelería, Panadería y Más 1325 Shelby St., (317) 426-2585, opened May 3 The second location of Artesenal (the first is on the northwest side) brings the bakery's array of cakes, donuts, ice cream and assorted sweet and savory pastries to Fountain Square. Watch: See inside Artesanal Pastelería y Panadería, new bakery in Fountain Square Hi Mango Dessert 6351 E. 82nd St., (317) 829-667, opened May 8 Tropical fruit appears in nearly every form imaginable at this Castleton dessert shop. Guests can choose from juices and slushies (around $6), hot fruit teas ($7.75), sundaes and sorbet ($5.95 to $12.95) and ice cream-topped crepes ($9.75 to $10.25). Hi Mango also offers a slew of desserts that pull from Chinese cuisine, like the Hong Kong-inspired sago (cold cream-like confection thickened with fruit starch, around $10) or sticky, chewy rice balls flavored with fruits and nuts (around $7.50). Coconut, banana, strawberry and, fittingly, mango all appear frequently on the menu. The Bread Barn at Healey Farm 6920 Combs Road, (317) 491-7554, opened June 28 Located right on the Healey family's farmland in Franklin Township, the Bread Barn — or Bread Shed, as the family also calls it — is a small walk-up structure that sells bread and pastries baked in the Healeys' home kitchen. The family marked the opening of their new venture with bagels, rolls, cookies and cinnamon rolls while running a multi-family garage sale. Josephine 110 W. Main St. Unit 100, Carmel, (317) 548-3589, opened in February Josephine is a French-inspired eatery from Ambrosia Hospitality Group, which also operates Italian eateries Ambrosia in SoBro and Bocca in the Near Northside, plus speakeasy-inspired cocktail bars Nowhere Special on Mass Ave and The Commodore in Fountain Square. Offerings at Josephine include steak frites ($49), ratatouille ($12) and escargot ($16), with an expansive wine menu and select cocktails. Freeland's 875 Freeland Way, Carmel, (317) 316-9875, opened Feb. 12 The project of Tinker Street co-founder Tom Main, this fine dining spot in Carmel's North End community occupies an 1845 house once home to generations of Carmel's Freeland family. Head chef and Fort Wayne native Matt Hamilton (formerly of farm-to-table eatery Rosie Cannonball in Houston), originally envisioned the menu as a nostalgic Midwesterner's tilt to traditional Central and Eastern European flavors. More recently, Freeland's has incorporated more cuisines into its kitchen with dishes like squash faux noodle pad Thai ($30) and pork belly with kimchi and duck egg ($29). Behind the scenes: Tinker Street owner didn't want another restaurant. Why he opened Carmel fine dining spot Tilly's Tea Room 8701 E. 116th St., Fishers, (317) 537-2185, opened Feb. 27 Three days after its 10-year anniversary, Tilly's Tea Room reopened in Fishers' Nickel Plate District. The popular English-inspired tea room began in Fishers in 2014. Tilly's then moved to a space inside Saks Fifth Avenue at the Fashion Mall at Keystone in 2016, where it stayed until last June when Saks closed. Back in Fishers, Tilly's still serves its trademark spread of salads, sandwiches, sweets and, of course, tea. The tearoom sits next-door to sister restaurant Max and Tilly's, a gastropub that opened last fall specializing in fish and chips and other British fare. Tapas Ñ - Taste of Spain 8215 Center Run Drive, (317) 516-4729, opened mid-April This Castleton tapería specializes in Spanish small plates including meatballs of lamb, beef and pork ($13), grilled sausages ($14), cheese- and bean-stuffed piquillo peppers ($13) and a traditional Spanish tortilla (omelet of potatoes and onions, $11). Diners can also order larger plates like the restaurant's paellas with assorted seafood, meat and vegetables ($20 to $42). Boarding Pass Bites 5620 N. Michigan Road, opened Jan. 26 This northside takeout and delivery spot billed itself as offering eclectic mashups from around the globe, most of them in slider, taco or empanada form. Boarding Pass Bites' fusion concepts includes bánh mì tacos ($6), a Puerto Rican-style Philly cheesesteak ($17) and chicken pot pie empanadas ($5). In June the business announced on Instagram that it would pivot to monthly pop-ups and pre-orders. Bocado Brunch and Te'Kila 188 Westfield Road, Noblesville, (317) 764-2922, opened May 1 This upscale brunch spot in Noblesville offers Mexican-inspired dishes alongside distinctly American dishes. Guests can order chilaquiles ($16) or a classic breakfast platter ($15) with eggs, potatoes, meat and toast, or choose from Bocado's mashups that include a pork adobo Reuben sandwich ($17) and birria hash ($19). Bocado also has a margarita-heavy bar menu (around $15) with several non-alcoholic options. Noricha Café 190 Westfield Road, Noblesville, (317) 762-6262, opened May 21 This bubbly Noblesville hangout specializes in fruit and milk teas (around $7), but also serves a globally influenced upscale brunch menu with dishes that include shakshuka ($15), carbonara ($22), avocado toast topped with tiger prawn ($19) and a crabmeat egg scramble ($17). Ten Cuts Brazilian Steakhouse 1001 N. State Road 135, Greenwood, (317) 319-8625, opened March 20 The Indianapolis area has proven fertile ground for Brazilian steakhouses, with chains Fogo de Chão and Terra Gaucha setting up shop in Marion County. Now Greenwood has its own locally owned non-chain churrascaria in Ten Cuts Brazilian Steakhouse, which offers a hearty selection of flame-grilled beef, lamb, pork and chicken sliced tableside ($19.95 to $45). Verde Flavors of Mexico Greenwood 1251 U.S. Highway 31 N., Greenwood, (317) 893-4084, opened April 3 The fifth location of Fishers-based mini-chain Verde opened at the Greenwood Park Mall in early April, bringing the brand's upscale take on Mexican cuisine south of Indy. Verde's menu includes meat-forward entrées like carne asada ($30) and seafood paella ($29), tacos whose toppings range from skirt steak ($22) to octopus ($17) and dishes familiar to Westerners including burritos, fajitas and enchiladas. Fernando's Mexican and Brazilian Cuisine Mass Ave 888 Massachusetts Ave., (317) 771-6653, opened June 29 Barely two years after husband-wife restaurateur duo Elizabeth Fernandez and Cristiano Rodrigues opened their cross-cultural eatery in Broad Ripple, Fernando's Mexican and Brazilian Cuisine expanded to the north end of Mass Ave. The eatery's menu includes dishes that pay homage to both owners' upbringings (Rodrigues is from Brazil, Fernandez from Mexico), such as feijoada ($29), the stew of black beans and pork that constitutes Brazil's national dish, and Mexican staples like enchiladas ($20) and arroz con pollo ($20). The new Fernando's location takes the place of the short-lived Mass and Belle Taphouse, which was preceded by Rooster's Kitchen and the acclaimed R Bistro. INdulge: National dish of Brazil at new Mass Ave spot is best thing I ate in Indy this week Encanto Alebrije 10 W. Washington St., opened June 30 Taking the place of Rock Bottom Brewery, which closed in 2023, Encanto Alebrije aims to bring a blend of familiar, affordable Mexican fare and higher-end options to downtown just south of Monument Circle. Encanto Alebrije's menu includes familiar Tex-Mex dishes and street food like tacos in addition to upscale surf and turf such as tomahawk steaks and seafood plates. The restaurant's name pays homage to Mexican alebrijes, vividly colored folk art sculptures that depict hybrid animals; the restaurant's walls are adorned with murals depicting different alebrijes. Corridor (formerly Nicole-Taylor's Pasta) 1134 E. 54th St., (317) 257-7374, opened Jan. 21 Named for the "corridor" of Mediterranean countries whose cuisines inspire its menu, this high-end SoBro lunch and private dinner spot is the successor to Nicole-Taylor's Pasta. Chef-owners Erin Kem and Logan McMahan, who purchased Nicole-Taylor's from founders Rosa and Tony Hanslits in July 2023, have continued the restaurant's renowned private dinners that run Wednesday through Saturday every week and regularly sell out months in advance. Corridor's lunch menu (served 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday) has expanded upon its predecessor's focus on Italian food to include dishes from Portugal, Spain and the Middle East, with plenty of vegetarian and vegan options. The upscale, seasonal small plates have included roasted sweet potato wedges with garbanzo beans and tahini butter ($8), pumpkin- and sage-filled cappelletti ($16) and a a tomato sauce-soaked Turkish "wet burger" ($15). Corridor also operates a small market (10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday) that offers deli meats and cheeses, spreads and a selection of Nicole-Taylor pastas. Reem Mediterranean Grill 8922 E. 96th St., Fishers, (317) 570-5930, opened April 25 Fishers' already impressive Greek and Middle Eastern options expanded with Reem Mediterranean Grill, which offers dishes such as shawarma ($10 to $13), kebabs ($10 to $15), kibbeh (fried balls of meat and bulgur wheat, $3), soups and salads ($8), plus a handful of American options like burgers and cheesesteaks ($16). Yazsh 1705 E. Michigan St., (317) 955-9702, opened June 13 Located just across from Arsenal Technical High School on the Near Eastside, Yazsh specializes in the cuisines of the Mediterranean region. Open 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. every day except Tuesday, Yaszh serves dolma (stuffed grape leaves, $13) and shakshuka ($19), the Greek eggplant and beef lasagna called moussaka (deconstructed in bowl form for $17) and Bulgarian yogurt parfait ($18). Guests at Yazsh can also order from a slim brunch menu with familiar American staples. Xtreme Pizzaria 1634 S. East St., (317) 600-3262, opened June 1 Formerly the Daiquiri Factory, this new Near Southside restaurant and bar serves salads ($17 to $21), chicken wings ($11 to $21), sandwiches ($13) and baked pasta ($14) in addition to its lineup of specialty pizzas ($14 to $34) that include chicken bacon ranch, chicken alfredo and a vegan pizza with imitation sausage and cheese and vegetables atop a cauliflower crust. Cava Fishers 11594 Whistle Drive, Fishers, (463) 403-1400, opened March 14 Maryland-based fast-casual titan Cava, long a lunchtime hit with urban office workers, opened its first Indiana location in Fishers in mid-March. The Mediterranean-influenced chain features build-your-own bowls, plus wraps and salads, with ingredients like falafel, spiced lamb and hummus. The rapidly growing business plans to open a second Indy-area location later this year. Jim Dandy 2301 Conner St., Noblesville, closed Jan. 1 As 2024 drew to a close, so did diner chain Jim Dandy's 60-year run in Noblesville. Owners and brothers Brent and Dave Reasner decided to sell the restaurant because the family's next generation isn't interested in running it. The Reasners' father, Harry, opened the first Jim Dandy in Noblesville in 1964, offering burgers, curb and coleslaw to curbside customers. The chain, which at one point operated 11 locations, has one remaining location in Tipton. More: Open since carhops and bobby socks were the rage, Jim Dandy closes in Noblesville Gallery Pastry Shop 4573 N. College Ave., closed Jan. 12 After closing its Mile Square and Near Northside locations in August and November, respectively, Gallery Pastry shuttered its last remaining restaurant as owner Alison Keefer cited a desire to spend more time with her family. Keefer opened the first Gallery location on 54th Street in SoBro in 2016, relocating to College Avenue in early 2023. The string of Gallery closures came amid allegations on social media from users identifying as former Gallery employees who claimed the restaurant failed to give accurate W-2 tax forms until months after they were due. Keefer called these claims baseless and slanderous. In February, IndyStar reported Keefer would join downtown-based seafood eatery Salt to develop daytime food offerings for the restaurant's Carmel City Center location, expected to open later this summer. More on the closure: Gallery Pastry Shop closes last remaining location, third in five months Grindstone Charley's 5383 Rockville Road, closed Jan. 13 This small American bar and restaurant chain started in Noblesville in 1985 under Clancy's Hospitality, which at one point managed more than 30 Clancy's Hamburgers locations across four states. The second Grindstone Charley's opened on Rockville Road on the west side in 1985. Another on Crawfordsville Road in Speedway has also since closed. The Rockville Road location's closure left just one Grindstone Charley's, in Kokomo, although Clancy's Hospitality still operates upscale offshoots of the eatery with Grindstone on the Monon in Westfield and Grindstone Public House in Noblesville. Joella's Broad Ripple 1072 Broad Ripple Ave., closed Jan. 26 The Louisville-based hot chicken chain is down to three Indiana restaurants after closing its Broad Ripple location (Joella's shuttered its Bloomington restaurant in late 2023). Fans of the chain's generously seasoned comfort fare can still find it nearby in Carmel and on 96th Street. MCL Speedway 6002 Crawfordsville Road, closed April 20 The Speedway location of MCL Restaurant and Bakery concluded its six-decade run in the world's racing capital on Easter Sunday. While the brand is regionally famed for its fried chicken, pie and assorted Americana comfort food, the Speedway location was also a popular hangout for some of IndyCar's biggest names over the years. End of a racing era: 'Indy 500 drivers, teams basically lived there' Easy Rider Diner 1043 Virginia Ave., closed May 24 After two and a half years inside Fountain Square's Murphy Arts Center, the Southwest-inspired Easy Rider Diner closed to transition exclusively to bar service for concert patrons at the neighboring HI-FI Indy. Easy Rider's shuttering came in anticipation of the construction of a 1,200-square-foot music venue next-door, set to open in early 2026, which will permanently house the HI-FI Indy Annex. More: Easy Rider Diner in Fountain Square closes, pivots to bar service Gray Brothers Cafeteria 555 S. Indiana St., closed June 8 Nearly four months after Gray Brothers Cafeteria announced plans to relocate, the beloved 80-year-old Mooresville eatery closed without a buyer for its current space or a new home. In a statement, the Gray family cited inflation and other food industry-related challenges for placing "unrecoverable financial strain" on the historic restaurant. The Grays still hope to find a new location in or near Mooresville, per the statement, but no specific location has been identified. Read more: Historic Mooresville cafeteria to close in current space but hopes to reopen somewhere else Carnegie's A Place to Eat 100 W. North St., Greenfield, closed June 26 The retirement of longtime chef-owner Ian Harrison marked the end of a more than 25-year run for this upscale eatery. Located in the building that was once Carnegie Library, the restaurant closed with the hope that a new owner will eventually step in. Benyue 6020 E. 82nd St., closed March 2 This dim sum eatery began as Lucky Lou in Eagledale, just outside the west side's International Marketplace, before moving to Castleton and rebranding as Benyue in 2023. Guests at Benyue could sample a sprawling array of Chinese and Chinese-American dishes, from sweet and sour chicken to sticky-sweet red bean buns and chicken feet. Aroma Indian Cuisine Fletcher Place and SoBro 501 Virginia Ave. and 4907 N. College Ave., closed springtime Roughly one year after Indian eatery Aroma opened its upscale Aroma Experience in Carmel's City Center, both Indianapolis locations closed. The Fountain Square location, which owner Vinita Singh opened in 2021, is set to be the new home of La Margarita. Aroma's SoBro location, which opened in March 2022, changed ownership and rebranded as G-1 Indian Restaurant in April. Porter Books and Bread 5719 Lawton Loop E. Drive, closed Jan. 31 Part bookstore, part café, this Lawrence-Fort Ben business charmed neighbors for nearly 10 years with literary-themed sandwiches like the distinctly Italian Dante (ham, hot beef cotto, provolone) and zesty, peppery Vonnegut (ham, turkey, Swiss cheese, pickles). In a Facebook post, owners Will and Marcy Worley thanked customers and recalled fond memories from the last decade. In a subsequent post, the Worleys said money from purchases made at Porter during its last few weeks would go to staff and helping them find new employment. Coal Yard Coffee 400 S. Ritter Ave., closed April 27 After 13 years of slinging java, Coal Yard Coffee announced the end of its run in Irvington. Per the shop's Facebook, the space on South Ritter Avenue will reopen after a "brief" hiatus as Wild Child Coffee, which will retain some Coal Yard staffers. Barista Parlor at the Stutz 1060 N. Capitol Ave., closed early June Nashville-based coffee shop Barista Parlor bid farewell to Indiana early last month when it shuttered its location in the downtown Stutz building. Owner Andy Mumma cited long-distance management and poor performance relative to the mini-chain's Nashville and Louisville locations, the Indianapolis Business Journal reported. The Stutz still has two other businesses that sell coffee — Café Patachou and Amelia's — both of which opened in summer 2023 alongside Barista Parlor. TeeJay's Sweet Tooth 8660 Purdue Road, closed March 22 After seven years of slinging eye-popping, flavor-stuffed ice cream, TeeJay's Sweet Tooth shuttered its College Park sweets shop in late March. Opened in 2018 by owners Taylor DeBruce and Jerome Tiah — who chose the name Sweet Tooth as a nod to their backgrounds as dental hygienists — TeeJay's quickly developed a reputation for over-the-top colorful confections and for being one of Indy's most prominent Black-owned businesses. Nada 11 W. Maryland St., closed Feb. 23 A sign posted to the entrance doors of this cocktail and taco spot last winter announced its Feb. 23 closure and thanked customers for nine years at the Circle Centre Mall. A spokesperson for Wisconsin-based Hendrick's Commercial Properties, which acquired Circle Centre Mall in April 2024, said before the acquisition that Hendrick's expected street-level businesses including St. Elmo, Harry and Izzy's and Nada to remain Circle Centre tenants throughout the mall's extensive redevelopment projected to begin this year. But Nada, a small chain from Cincinnati-based Bocca Restaurant Group, will not be among those tenants. Palavana Cubano at The Garage 906 Carrollton Ave., closed June 19 After nearly three years of tightly pressed Cuban sandwiches and pastelitos (baked and stuffed puff pastries), Palavana Cubano shut down its operation in the Bottleworks District's Garage Food Hall. Mashaweena Mediterranean Grill 3119 W. 30th St., closed May 30 This vendor of shawarma, kebabs and other Middle Eastern fare announced it is looking for prospective restaurateurs to purchase its kitchen equipment and take over its restaurant space in Eagledale. Rockstone and Big Lug Taproom 11501 Allisonville Road, Fishers, closed June 29 After 12 years in Fishers, this pizzeria and Big Lug taproom closed as Sahm's Hospitality Group looks to renovate and rebrand the restaurant with eyes on opening a new concept in November, per Rockstone's closing announcement. Lou Malnati's Central Indiana locations Locations in Avon, Broad Ripple, Carmel and Greenwood, closed March 3 Chicago-based deep dish pizza titan Lou Malnati's shuttered its four remaining Central Indiana locations in early March, citing poor performance and a lack of population density. Lou Malnati's first arrived in Central Indiana with carry-out and delivery locations in Carmel and on West 86th Street in 2020 and 2021, respectively. In November 2021 it opened its lone Indy-area dine-in restaurant in Broad Ripple, followed by carry-out stores in Avon and Greenwood in 2022. A Lou Malnati's spokesperson told IndyStar in February that the Carmel location was the only one that turned a profit and that the company could not justify maintaining just one restaurant in the area. More: Deep dish pizza chain Lou Malnati's to close 4 Indianapolis locations La Margarita Closed at 1043 Virginia Ave. on Feb. 8, reopened at 501 Virginia Ave. on July 17; (317) 384-1457, After 14 years in Fountain Square, the storied Mexican eatery announced it would move to the Near Eastside's Factory Arts district with a projected March reopening. The move is yet to happen, though in mid-July La Margarita opened a location in Fletcher Place at 501 Virginia Ave., with the Factory Arts location still in the works. The business also plans to open a smaller high-end restaurant called Daisy Bar, also in the Factory Arts District. The move to Fletcher Place marked La Margarita's fourth in its 41-year history; the restaurant opened in Speedway in 1984, moved to the intersection of 86th Street and Township Line Road in 1990, to 96th and Meridian Street in 2006 and then to Fountain Square in 2011. Lick Ice Cream Closed at 1049 E. 54th St. on March 6, reopened at 1101 E. 52nd St. on June 12; (317) 397-0237, After two and a half years in a small blue building just off the Monon Trail in SoBro, longtime ice cream vendor Lick closed its first standalone brick-and-mortar ice cream shop following extensive water damage from a burst pipe in January. But three months later, the business reopened just two blocks south along the Monon Trail. Lick's new outpost sells the brand's eclectic variety of flavors, including blueberry and sweet corn, gorgonzola and pecan and blueberry lavender. Lick has also operated a small-batch stand out of the Garage Food Hall since 2021. Featured in INdulge: It's simply too hot. These ice creams were the best things I ate in Indy this week. Stone Creek Dining Company Greenwood Closed at 911 N. State Road 135 on May 11, reopened at 1464 W. Stones Road Crossing on May 20; (317) 889-1200, The Greenwood location of Cunningham Restaurant Group's Stone Creek Dining Company left its post on North State Road 135 on May 11 and just nine days later reopened four miles to the south. Stone Creek, which has four Central Indiana locations and another in the suburbs of Cincinnati, offers familiar American Bistro fare ranging from approachable to high-end, with dishes like Philly cheesesteak ($20) at lunch and filet medallions with lobster risotto ($38) for dinner. The Cheesecake Lady Closed at 305 W. 42nd St. on May 11, reopened at 3002 N. Illinois St. on July 5; (317) 608-7411, After roughly two years at her grab-and-go cake shop in Butler-Tarkington/Rocky Ripple, baker-owner Cassie Smith-Johnson announced she would close the outpost to move into a larger brick-and-mortar space near the Children's Museum, which opened in early July. Guests at the new bakery can find different cheesecakes in the form of slender shooters all the way to hefty 13-by-9-inch pans at The Cheesecake Lady from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Pier 48 Fish House and Oyster Bar 130 S. Pennsylvania St., closed late June Opened in September 2019 just across from Gainbridge Fieldhouse inside the Hyatt Place Hotel, Pier 48 survived the COVID-19 pandemic and a maelstrom of litigation between its owners but decided to leave downtown after five years. A sign posted to the restaurant's doors last week said Pier 48 would relocate to the north side. Per the notice, Pier 48 rewards and gift cards will be accepted at sister restaurant George's Neighborhood Grill in Allisonville. As of publication, the restaurant had not announced where it will move.
Indianapolis Star
25-06-2025
- Sport
- Indianapolis Star
IHSAA softball's first-year standouts: These Central Indiana freshmen debuted with a bang
From key contributors amidst deep postseason runs to rising stars who've already begun establishing themselves among the state's best softball players, these were some of Central Indiana's top-performing freshmen. The first-year hurler went 7-4 in her first season, posting a 3.42 ERA and totaling 144 strikeouts over 88 innings. She held opposing batters to a .244 average and posted a pair of five-inning shutouts. Braun also went the distance in a 12-inning win over Bishop Chatard, allowing just one earned run on three hits with 19 strikeouts. She also hit .383 with 23 hits, 19 runs, 13 RBIs, two homers and nine steals. Corn smashed seven home runs to tie the school's single-season record (fun fact: her first career homer was a grand slam). She finished the season batting .471 with 40 hits, 11 doubles and three triples, plus 34 RBIs, 39 runs and a .520 OBP. Corn played multiple positions in the field, but was primarily at second and third (.915 fielding percentage on 71 chances). State finalists and record-setters: These are Indy-area softball's top sophomores Farr batted .330 in her debut with 30 hits (11 doubles), 18 RBIs and 15 runs scored. She stole a base and converted all 27 chances in the field (25 putouts, two assists). Hazelwood made an immediate splash with the 3A state champion Irish, posting a .404 average with 40 hits, 36 runs and 18 RBIs. She logged six doubles and two triples (one of which lifted Cathedral to a semistate semifinal win over New Palestine), and posted a .482 OBP. Hazelwood went 16-for-17 on steal attempts and registered 35 assists and five double plays in the field. 'She's the real deal' Cathedral freshman has 'mentality of upperclassman' and skills to match. Hittle batted a team-best .544 with 37 hits, 33 runs and 32 RBIs. Her collection of hits included 10 homers, two triples and three doubles, she was perfect on 55 chances in the field and stole seven bases. The state semifinalist Saints' lead-off hitter, Langston posted a .460 OBP and .369 average with 31 hits, 11 RBIs, 35 runs, three doubles and a triple. She stole 30 bases — a school record for a freshman — and struck out just 14 times. Langston finished the season with a .905 fielding percentage. An all-conference honoree, Lutz batted .424 with 36 hits (11 doubles, four triples, seven homers), 41 runs and 32 RBIs. She stole 11 bases and was lights out in her 10.2 innings pitched, going 2-0 with a 0.66 ERA (one earned run allowed, four total) and 13 strikeouts (40 batters faced). Polston collected four wins and struck out 15 hitters over 30.2 innings pitched. She was among the Hawks' top hitters, batting .395 with 32 hits, 22 runs and 33 RBIs (second-most on the team). Her collection of hits included four doubles, three triples and seven home runs, and she also stole five bases. Riley was sidelined due to injury late in the season. She pitched 47 innings across 11 appearances in the circle, going 6-2 with a save and a 2.68 ERA. She struck out 66 batters and issued just 11 walks with a .201 batting average against. Schroering shined as the Bulldogs' ace, going 11-2 with a 2.70 ERA and 52 strikeouts over 91.2 innings pitched. She held opposing hitters to a .214 batting average and led Brownsburg to a sectional runner-up finish. Whiston batted .388, tallying 31 hits (six doubles, one triple), 16 runs and 14 RBIs in 26 games. She pitched 12 innings, compiling a 2.33 ERA, striking out 12 and limiting opposing hitters to a .196 batting average. A .380 hitter, Wilkerson tallied 27 hits, 24 runs and 15 RBIs over 71 at-bats. She swiped six bases and was very dependable in the field, converting 46 putouts and an assist on 50 chances (.940). The Golden Eagles' only pitcher, Augustinovicz logged 99.2 innings in her debut season, striking out 88 batters with a .292 batting average against and 4.92 ERA. At the plate, she batted .370 with 12 runs and four RBIs. Cope anchored the CC outfield, registering putouts on 29 of 30 chances with a double play and only one error. She was a key presence at the plate, as well, notching 32 hits (.386 average), 22 runs and 20 RBIs. She stole six bases. A multi-sport standout, Dittemore was among the Eels' top hitters, logging a .585 average that included 31 hits, 18 runs and 13 RBIs. She struck out just six times in 58 plate appearances and tallied six doubles and four triples. She rounded out her notable stats with five steals and a .909 fielding percentage. Engleking batted .391, collecting 27 hits, 23 RBIs and 14 runs. She drew seven walks, stole five bases and struck out 59 batters in 52.1 innings in the circle. Vaeth batted .419 with 26 hits, 18 runs and 19 RBIs. Her collection of hits included four doubles and a triple. She also held a fielding percentage of .975 with only three errors on 118 chances. Capable of playing multiple positions, Hilliard batted .364 through the first 21 games of her career, collecting 20 hits, 16 RBIs and 17 runs. She doubled five times, drew nine walks and stole 12 bases. Holt collected 26 hits (.347) with six doubles, a triple and two homers. She drove in 13 runs and scored twice herself, and was among the team's most dependable fielders, committing just two errors on 164 chances with 14 assists and a double play. Hughes had not played shortstop consistently before starting at the position every game this season for the regional champs. She recorded 30 putouts and 42 assists on 74 chances with two double plays. She settled in as the team's No. 9 hitter, batting .333 with 12 RBIs, a double, a triple and 27 runs scored. Maynard batted .304 in her debut, picking up 28 hits with six doubles, two triples and three homers. Her efforts at the plate resulted in 23 runs scored and 27 RBIs. She also swiped eight bases and was nearly flawless in the field with a .990 fielding percentage (two errors on 199 total chances). Olson settled in as a first-year catcher, compiling a .991 fielding percentage with only two errors, six caught stealing and four pickoffs. She batted .329 with six doubles, 19 RBIs and 23 runs scored, plus a .453 OBP. The Mohawks' leading hitter, Rogers batted .559 across 13 games, tallying 19 hits, 16 RBIs and scoring 12 runs. She doubled six times, tripled twice, and also swiped four bases. Rogers broke out for three hits, five RBIs and four runs scored in a 29-24 loss to Indiana Deaf in late April. Wheat played one JV game then made the jump to varsity, batting .415 over 256 games with 27 hits, 27 runs and 12 RBIs. She doubled three times, tripled four times and homered during that stretch and also stole 16 bases. White notched 23 hits with a .333 average for the Bruins. She tallied 21 runs and 14 RBIs, stole 10 bases and committed just two errors on 41 chances in the field (.951). Wolfe went 29-for-60 (.558) at the plate, scoring 20 runs and driving in 20 RBIs. She collected seven doubles, two triples and two home runs, and stole 11 bases in 17 games. Avon: Ada Dittemore; Brebeuf: Lila Epstein; Franklin Central: Maddie Baker, Olivia Starr; Guerin Catholic: Jillian Davis; Hamilton Southeastern: Sophia Feher; Indiana Deaf: Madison Dray; Mt. Vernon: Lexi D'Angelo; Park Tudor: Rachel Cudworth, Elle Feltman; Southport: Rachel Pfieffer, Warren Central: Julie Dever, Kennedi Nicholson; Westfield: Reese Gettinger, Cam Pulice; Whiteland: Addison Smith
Indianapolis Star
02-06-2025
- Business
- Indianapolis Star
Fountain Square loses popular brunch spot, Latin-inspired brunch comes to HamCo in May
The nonstop news whirlwind that is May in Indianapolis is behind us, leaving the city's dining scene looking a little different. Last month brought several new eateries to the Indianapolis area, including upscale Mediterranean fare in Fishers, tropical desserts in Castleton and South Asian-inspired coffee in Southport. Meanwhile, Fountain Square lost a reliable brunch hangout. Here are some of the Indy-area restaurants that opened and closed in May, plus one from April that slipped through the cracks. Reem Mediterranean Grill 8922 E. 96th St., Fishers, (317) 570-5930, opened April 25 Fishers' already impressive Greek and Middle Eastern options expanded with Reem Mediterranean Grill, which offers dishes such as shawarma ($10 to $13), kebabs ($10 to $15), kibbeh (fried balls of meat and bulgur wheat, $3), soups and salads ($8), plus a handful of American options like burgers and cheesesteaks ($16). Bocado Brunch and Te'Kila 188 Westfield Road, Noblesville, (317) 764-2922, opened May 1 This upscale brunch spot in Noblesville offers Mexican-inspired dishes alongside distinctly American dishes. Guests can order chilaquiles ($16) or a classic breakfast platter ($15) with eggs, potatoes, meat and toast, or choose from Bocado's mashups that include a pork adobo Reuben sandwich ($17) and birria hash ($19). Bocado also has a margarita-heavy bar menu (around $15) with several non-alcoholic options. Artesenal Pastelería, Panadería y Más 1325 Shelby St., (317) 426-2585, opened May 3 The second location of Artesenal (the first is on the northwest side) brings the bakery's array of cakes, donuts, ice cream and assorted sweet and savory pastries to Fountain Square. Watch: See inside Artesanal Pastelería y Panadería, new bakery in Fountain Square Hi Mango Dessert 6351 E. 82nd St., (317) 829-667, Tropical fruit appears in nearly every form imaginable at this Castleton dessert shop. Guests can choose from juices and slushies (around $6), hot fruit teas ($7.75), sundaes and sorbet ($5.95 to $10.25) and ice cream-topped crepes ($9.75 to $10.25). Hi Mango also offers a slew of desserts that pull from Chinese cuisine, like the Hong Kong-inspired sago (cold cream-like confection thickened with fruit starch, around $10) or sticky, chewy rice balls flavored with fruits and nuts (around $7.50). Coconut, banana, strawberry and, fittingly, mango all appear frequently on the menu. Kickstarrt Coffee and More 14560 River Road, Carmel, (317) 300-4835, opened mid-May Coffee ($2 to $6.50) and protein smoothies ($6) meet smash burgers ($13) along with other pub comfort food ($5 to $12) at this eclectic new eatery on Carmel's northeast side. Claypot Coffee House 1551 E. Stop 12 Road, (317) 300-1346, opened May 17 This southside coffee spot leans into Asian flavors, with offerings like lattes flavored with pandan (a grassy, vanilla-like plant), matcha and ube ($5.25 to $6), plus organic fruit juices ($5 to $6) and hot teas ($5 to $6). Claypot's limited food menu ($4 to $7) includes roti (South Asian flatbread) and popiah (a spring roll common in southern and eastern China), as well as waffles with Nutella and or berries for those seeking a more American experience. Stone Creek Dining Company Greenwood (moved) 1464 W. Stones Road Crossing, Greenwood, (317) 889-1200, relocated May 20 The Greenwood location of Cunningham Restaurant Group's Stone Creek Dining Company left its post at 911 N. State Road 135 on May 11 and just nine days later reopened four miles to the south. Stone Creek, which has four Central Indiana locations and another in the suburbs of Cincinnati, offers familiar American Bistro fare ranging from approachable to high-end, with dishes like Philly cheesesteak ($20) at lunch and filet medallions with lobster risotto ($38) for dinner. Easy Rider Diner 1043 Virginia Ave., closed May 24 After two and a half years inside Fountain Square's Murphy Arts Center, this Southwest-inspired Easy Rider Diner closed to transition exclusively to bar service for concert patrons at the neighboring HI-FI Indy. Easy Rider's shuttering came in anticipation of the construction of a 1,200-square-foot music venue next-door, set to open in early 2026, which will permanently house the HI-FI Indy Annex. More: Easy Rider Diner in Fountain Square closes, pivots to bar service Mashaweena Mediterranean Grill 3119 W. 30th St., closed May 30 This vendor of shawarma, kebabs and other Middle Eastern fare announced it is looking for prospective restaurateurs to purchase its kitchen equipment and take over its restaurant space in Eagledale.
