Indianapolis Monthly - December 2022 Edition

47

BEST OF INDY

The sheer number of worthy contenders in 2022 attests to the optimism and energy roaring back to our city. From The Status Plant to sublime biscuits, if it’s unrivaled, we’ve found it.

EDITED BY MEGAN FERNANDEZ

68

THE HIGH NOTES

The musical phenomenon Straight No Chaser, birthed at IU, comes to the Murat this month. We trace their unlikely journey, the fits and starts, strokes of luck and setbacks, in an oral history.

72

LOOKS THAT SLEIGH

Here’s the proof that you can be both chic and festive, no matter where your December schedule takes you. These layered outfits incorporate holiday reds in unexpected, modern ways.

BY LAURA WALTERS, STYLE RIOT

Photograph by Tony Valainis

ORTHOPEDIC CENTER OF EXCELLENCE IN CARMEL

Franciscan Health + Forté + You

A New Force in Motion

Two well-known teams of orthopedic experts with one goal –to provide outstanding orthopedic services for you and your families, all under one roof.

Franciscan Health and Forté Sports Medicine and Orthopedics are a new force in motion, highly capable of maximizing mobility for patients with common or complex orthopedic conditions. The new Orthopedic Center of Excellence in Carmel has been purpose-built for you. And now, it is home to the finest, industry-leading orthopedic experts from Franciscan and Forté.

CIRCLE CITY

GOOD LIFE

27

WANTED

A striking menorah lights the way to a special celebration.

28 SHOP TALK

One local mom brings a cool kids’ boutique to Butler-Tarkington.

30 TRENDING

Friendly competition gets serious with upscale classic games.

32 OPEN DOOR

O Captain! My Captain! Kirk, that is.

34

REALTY CHECK

New owners are upgrading and preserving the family home of pioneering journalist Janet Flanner.

36

THE DISH

39

SWOON

Easy Rider Diner revs up some brunch classics in Fountain Square.

40

FIRST BITE

We raise a nonalcoholic glass to Loren’s AF, Black Leaf Vegan gets rooted downtown, and Bardales Seafood celebrates the life aquatic.

42

FOODIE

La Margarita proprietor and pinball enthusiast Jon Carlos Rangel scores a private-event space for his portfolio of laidback spots.

43

TASTE TEST

Custardy panna cotta is the creme de la creme.

44

REVIEW

TRAVELER

St. Louis entices with its strengthened historic atmosphere and fresh opportunities for fun.

The husband-and-wife owners of Natural State Provisions add comforting favorites from their home state of Arkansas. 103

RESTAURANT GUIDE

A tour of the city’s best eats, from fine dining to favorite dives.

112

BACK HOME AGAIN

My lifelong pal, Joe Saddler, saved me from damnation—and so much more.

DECEMBER

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTIONS IN THIS ISSUE

80

80 // TOP DENTISTS

Who should you trust to take care of your teeth? Our listings of highly qualified, peer-nominated dentists include hundreds of area practitioners in a range of categories, such as general and pediatric dentistry, anesthesiology, endodontics, oral and maxillofacial surgery, orthodontics, pathology, periodontics, and prosthodontics.

87 // TOP DENTIST PROFILES

As an accompaniment to this month’s Top Dentists list, our profile section showcases more than 25 Indy-area practices with extended information about their services, treatments, and philosophies, along with details about the experience and qualifications of these highly regarded dental professionals.

IN THE NEXT ISSUE ...

Indiana Bride

Are you planning to tie the knot? Browse photos, get planning guidance from industry experts, and consult a directory of more than 100 fabulous event spaces to set the stage for your big day.

Attend the Indianapolis Monthly Bridal Show on January 22 at the Ritz Charles to get a closer look at an array of products and services for your nuptials.

Financial Planning

Questions inevitably arise while mapping out wealth plans and making investments to ensure future security, comfort, and independence. This section provides advice from seasoned professionals about setting goals, building portfolios, and managing assets.

Food For Thought

WHAT DO YOU SAY to the guy who can eat 76 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes? Not much, right? Need a TUMS? I can’t even picture what 76 hot dogs look like all at once, so I’m hoping that world-famous competitive eater Joey Chestnut didn’t mind that I stared awkwardly when we met in our photo studio the other day. It wasn’t just the thought of all the hot dogs or chicken wings or pumpkin pies or pizzas or St. Elmo shrimp cocktails or any of the dozens (hundreds?) of foods Chestnut has shoved into his gullet that put me at a loss for words. Instead, I was dumbstruck by the size of the man’s masseter (chewing) muscles, which are striated in a way that is reminiscent of a bodybuilder’s calves. He is built like an elite athlete … who can eat a lot of food.

I have overeaten a lot during my time (I have weaknesses for pizza and the other kinds of pizza) and once even won a T-shirt for snarfing down an oversized burrito. But no one knows me for my eating exploits, except for the owner of my local pizza joint who never fails to lavish praise upon me for my loyalty when we bump into one another in the gro-

cery—which he should because I probably paid for his second home. Otherwise, I’m pretty unremarkable in the eating department.

Chestnut, though, is singular. We figured that made the new-ish Hoosier the perfect person to share some of his local favorites for our annual Best of Indy package (p. 47). He’s the greatest of all time. Those are words I won’t have to eat.

MEGAN FERNANDEZ

CHRISTOPH HITZ

JORDAN RYAN

Michael Rubino Editor-in-Chief

When she worked here as a senior editor for 16 years, Megan Fernandez was an idea machine and prolific contributor to our annual Best of Indy (p. 47). Lucky for us, one of that changed when Fernandez set out to return to freelance writing. “Even after I left,” she says, “I still kept a list of Bests.” Fernandez, now a contributing editor, lives in Garfield Park.

In the 1990s, Christoph Hitz came to the United States from Switzerland, where he says the man he illustrated this month (p. 25) would stop by his house in early December with a bag of homemade toys, cookies, and nuts. “As a kid, I always thought that Santa the toymaker was the coolest of all saints,” he says. Hitz lives in the Catskills, where he is writing and illustrating a picture book about a flying tree.

Architectural historian and archivist Jordan Ryan works on built environment, land use, and other sitespecific research and exhibit projects at The History Concierge, but also happens to be a proud WAG (wives and girlfriends) of the local Star Trek–themed band, Five Year Mission. That made Ryan the ideal writer to appreciate a recreation of Captain James T. Kirk’s quarters from the original Star Trek series (p. 32).

FEEDBACK

She’s got her work cut out for her, but I’m sure she can handle it above and beyond what’s needed.

RELL DAV

Via Instagram

Unless she plans to return the IMA to an open and accessible location for all, the IMA better hope its wealthy benefactors are content giving more to keep it an exclusive club.

I was a multiyear member of the IMA. Happy to pay to get into the museum. Once they closed off the grounds to the public, it lost its purpose, its way, and many members beyond me.

DRAGAN STEVANOVIC

Via Facebook

State of the Arts

In our October issue, Joe Ball’s conversation with Newfields’s new CEO created some rave reviews and cynical critiques.

So glad Colette Pierce Burnette is the new CEO. She used to be dean for my alma mater, Central State University, and made a true difference. Absolutely love her.

COCO MICHELLE

Via Instagram

Great interview; I’m very excited about hope she brings.

LUCY PASKUS

Via Instagram

Recently, during member appreciation month, I wrote a letter to the new CEO and the VP of marketing to tell them exactly why I, as a member over 65, felt decidedly unappreciated. I never received a response. Obviously, retirees without vast sums of money are not the demographic they currently wish to attract.

BARBARA HOFFMAN

Via Facebook

I was thrilled when I met her for the first time at Start With Art. I have so many great hopes for Newfields because of her!

MIRVIA SOL ECKERT

Via Facebook

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Photo by Drew Endicott

CIRCLE CITY

Full Steam Ahead

The creativity behind the Eiteljorg Museum’s annual model train holiday display is off the rails.

Photo by ZACH DOBSON

JINGLE ALL THE WAY. Watching a miniature train loop around your Christmas tree on a 40-inch-diameter circle is one thing. Seeing large-scale model trains weave through iconic landmarks of Indianapolis and the American West on 1,200 feet of track is another thing entirely. But that’s Jingle Rails or, to use its full name, Jingle Rails: The Great Western Adventure. Designed exclusively for the Eiteljorg, the annual holiday display has become as much of a family tradition as the Indianapolis Zoo’s Christmas at the Zoo.

A LOCOMOTIVE WONDERLAND. Jingle Rails is one part Indianapolis, two parts American West, and three parts festive. The display includes miniature versions of Monument Circle and Lucas Oil Stadium, which are surrounded by lights, snow, trees, and poinsettias. There’s even a wee version of the Indiana State Fair, which gets a new building this year: the Glass Barn. (It’s the excessively pointy structure on the north side of the fairgrounds.) Since the Eiteljorg celebrates the art, history, and culture of Native Americans and the American West, Jingle Rails also features scaled-down versions

of several national parks, the Golden Gate Bridge, the Las Vegas Strip, and Old Faithful, which, thanks to dry ice, actually “erupts.” Evergreen branches and pillowy fake snow—which looks like cotton candy but most definitely isn’t—blanket the scenes.

SIZE MATTERS. Jingle Rails has nine Gscale trains. With a scale ratio of 1:22.5, they are some of the largest model trains out there. Because of their size, G-scale trains are ideal for outdoor use and are sometimes called “gardenscale” trains. The “G” doesn’t stand for “garden,” however. It actually stems from the German word “groß,” which means “big.” Interessant, ja?

LIKE FATHER, LIKE DAUGHTER. Applied Imagination, the creative team behind Jingle Rails, was founded by Paul Busse in 1991. Busse earned a degree in landscape architecture from Ohio State University in 1972 and started building public garden railroads in the ’80s. He remained the driving force

behind the company until 2017, when Parkinson’s disease forced him to retire. That’s when Busse told his daughter, Laura Busse Dolan, that she was the nearest thing they had to a clone of himself. He asked her if she wanted to keep Applied Imagination going; she said yes and left her advertising career behind. Now, Busse Dolan says she creates happiness for a living.

LOVELY ARE THY BRANCHES. Save for the trains and their tracks, Applied Imagination uses dried natural materials to create their displays. In-house artists handbuild bridges and trestles using willow, and they shape hot-air balloons out of leaves. For Jingle Rails, artists entwined tree roots to shape Mount Rushmore and layered dried bark to build the Grand Canyon. The company finds most of its materials in forests near their property in Alexandria, Kentucky. Clients at the botanical gardens, conservatories, and arboretums also collect materials for special projects, and tree trimmers will drop off the occasional hollow log.

ALL ABOARD. It takes one week for the entire team at Applied Imagination to set up Jingle Rails, which is made up of several modular pods. Since the trains have to run seven hours a day, seven days a week for 10 weeks, they require routine maintenance. To ensure the wheels on the trains go round and round, a group of enthusiasts known informally as “the train guys” volunteer their time. They keep everything on track, and even answer visitors’ questions.

SEE FOR YOURSELF. Jingle Rails opens November 19, and is included in regular admission. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for seniors, and $8 for children ages 5–17. Kids 4 and younger are free. Jingle Rails runs until January 16, which is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. In honor of the holiday, the Eiteljorg will have free admission that day.

—DAWN OLSEN

PHOTO BY CASEY CRONIN

TO ENSURE THE WHEELS ON THE TRAINS GO ROUND AND ROUND, A GROUP OF ENTHUSIASTS KNOWN INFORMALLY AS “THE TRAIN GUYS” VOLUNTEER THEIR TIME. THEY KEEP EVERYTHING ON TRACK, AND EVEN ANSWER VISITORS’ QUESTIONS.

Big Bang Theory

Q : AN ELDERLY NEIGHBOR OF MINE THINKS SOME OF THE “FIREWORKS” SHE HEARS EVERY NEW YEAR AT MIDNIGHT MIGHT BE FIREARMS. IF THAT’S TRUE, HOW CAN ONE TELL THE DIFFERENCE?

A: According to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, your neighbor’s concerns are well-founded. “You are probably hearing people shooting off weapons as well as fireworks,” says Lt. Shane Foley. Fortunately, it’s often fairly easy to tell the difference between, say, an M-80 and an M16. While the “pop” of fireworks is typically preceded by a hissing or whistling noise, guns get straight to business, sounding like a string of pops with no ancillary sound. The cops also have another very straightforward ID method—looking around. If you hear pops and see a bunch of gaudy flashes off in the distance, it’s fireworks. Likewise if you see or smell smoke. The charges in bullets typically don’t make either one. —SAM

STALL

Hoosier adults who consider themselves “highly religious” 54%

( UNSPOKEN RULES )

Tanking For The Top Pick

A MANNER-FESTO FOR CHEERING ON INDIANA’S INEPTITUDE.

Practice pronouncing (Victor) Wembanyama. He’ll be the first pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. LeBron James says the 7-foot-4 Frenchman is a “generational talent.” Watch him play for his French club, Metropolitans 92, at nba .com. Don’t drool. In the meantime, enjoy Bennedict Mathurin. The No. 6 overall pick is already rewriting the Indiana record book, scoring more points in his first games than anyone in Pacers history. Remember that a poor record improves a franchise’s draft position but a lottery determines the final order. The three worst teams have a 14 percent chance at winning the top overall pick. Cross your fingers.

The national average by state is 54.7, placing us in the middle of the pack. Alabama and Mississippi tie for the top spot with 77 percent each, while Massachusetts and New Hampshire bring up the rear with only 33 percent. Verily, their Chinese restaurants and movie theaters shalt overflow on Christmas Day.

Have questions? Send them to hoosierist @Indianapolis Monthly.com.

ask THE HOOSIERIST

ILLUSTRATION BY RYAN JOHNSON; PHOTO BY TONY VALAINIS

Jennifer Rumsey, Cummins CEO

IN AUGUST, SHE TOOK OVER THE LEADERSHIP OF COLUMBUS-BASED CUMMINS, WHICH MAKES A VARIETY OF PRODUCTS BUT IS MOST FAMOUS FOR ITS DIESEL ENGINES. RUMSEY, ONE OF ONLY A HANDFUL OF FEMALE FORTUNE 500 CEOS, FACES THE DAUNTING TASK OF GUIDING THE COMPANY THROUGH THE ELECTRIC VEHICLE REVOLUTION. BY SAM

STALL

You were born and raised in Columbus, left to work at a couple of other companies, but returned to your hometown to head Cummins.

What are the odds?

It’s exciting, and I have to say that

when I was growing up here, this wasn’t where I thought I’d end up. But Cummins played a very important part in developing me into the person I am. That was one of the reasons I wanted to lead this company during

this important phase of its existence. I’ve of course lived and worked in other places, and that was a great experience that helped me appreciate what Cummins and the Midwest have to offer.

Does being a “local” have any advantages for you?

As we enter into the company’s next period, we’re focused on decarbonizing our industry and positioning Cummins for the future. Certainly I think it’s motivational for our employees and the community that you have a hometown girl. And also an engineer. I spent a lot of my career in engineering, which obviously is an important part of the work we’re doing and will be doing.

What are your major objectives during your tenure as CEO?

One of the biggest goals I have is determining the role that Cummins can play in the decarbonization of our industry, which by itself contributes about 7 percent of global CO2 emissions. It’s not the only thing that matters, but it does matter. We serve applications that are really at the heart of the economy—trucks, buses, and trains, moving goods and people around, power generation for a variety of applications. This work matters a great deal, but we need to decarbonize it. And we need to do it in a way that continues to serve our customers and ensure that our world thrives. Because the need is real. When you consider the record temperatures we’ve seen around the world this year, and the increasing number of extreme weather events, we know it matters.

Columbus makes a lot of diesel engines. Is that a major problem for the company?

Cummins is really uniquely positioned to help with decarbonization because we have these engine-based solutions. We’re accelerating technologies like batteries, electric motors, fuel cells, and hydrogen production, all of which can help to get us to zeronet emissions. I think this gives us a tremendous opportunity. My goal as CEO is to make sure that we play a role as a catalyst in that change, in a way that makes sense for our planet

and our economy, and for the people of the world. Doing that unlocks the potential of our own workforce and creates these tremendous opportunities. I think that is the key to our success. Of course, we need to deliver strong financial results as we do this because it allows us to return to our shareholders and invest in our communities.

What’s the timetable for all this?

The journey is going to be a long one, and whether or not we deliver results will define my success as CEO. Our environmental sustainability plan calls for us to reach zero-net emissions by 2050. I doubt I’ll still be CEO at Cummins in 2050, but during my tenure that goal will certainly be very important—essentially overseeing the transition and how it happens.

Cummins made a name for itself with diesel engines, and that’s still a big part of the company. Will you have to switch to electric in the coming years?

It will be a combination of power

sources. The most important thing to remember is that our commercial and industrial equipment—things that power construction vehicles, buses, and trucks—have very different energy requirements from, say, a passenger car. Which means there’s no one technology that’s going to work for all of those different applications. For instance, a bus operates somewhat like a passenger car, and regularly returns to its home base. Whereas a mining truck or long-haul truck requires very long endurance or very high power, or both. Also, setting up an all-electric infrastructure for heavy applications could take a long

time, so we need bridge technologies that can be fielded now. We can’t wait until we develop the infrastructure and make the technology capable and cost-effective for everything. We have to decarbonize engine-based emissions today, using zero-carbon fuels such as green hydrogen or a biofuel. Some of these may also be part of the long-term solution. Battery electric will play a big role in some applications, but we think we’ll need a range of solutions to solve this issue.

So you believe heavy construction equipment doesn’t really lend itself

I’M SURE BEING A FEMALE HAS ITS OWN SET OF ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES, BUT IT’S REALLY LESS ABOUT THAT THAN ABOUT HAVING THE RIGHT BACKGROUND TO HANDLE THE TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGES THE COMPANY FACES.

to electric systems just yet?

Exactly. There are lots of factors to consider. How big does the battery for a heavy-duty piece of equipment have to be? How much does that weigh, and how will that extra weight impact the vehicle’s payload and performance? Also, our customers are concerned about recharging times. So for some of those applications, such as mining and long-haul transport, you might need a hybrid solution composed of a battery and another power source—something that can be fueled quickly. Perhaps a fuel cell or an engine running on low-carbon or zero-carbon fuel. We’re listening carefully to our customers to find out what works best for them.

What do you make of the automobile industry’s sudden rush to develop electric vehicles?

There are two things that are happening with automobiles that aren’t the same for our industry. For one thing, electric-battery technology is more useful for that application in terms of

its cost-effectiveness and the range and recharge speed it can provide. So you’re seeing the establishment of the charging infrastructure necessary to support that, and more consumers deciding to switch to electric passenger cars. You will see that happening more quickly than in our industry. When it comes to things like buses, where cities are interested in running zero-emission fleets, fuel cell–based systems might be a more practical choice. Because a pure electric recharging system would be heavier and more time-consuming than for cars.

Everybody’s also trying to build electric semis right now. How about Cummins? We don’t make trucks. We make the power train. But we were nevertheless the first to demonstrate a battery-electric semi in 2017. Basically just to show off our capabilities with electric power trains and to show that we were embracing the future. These days we’re partnering with a number of original equipment manufacturers, along with some of our vehicle fleet customers that are want-

ing to evaluate new fuel technologies. So among other things, we’ve made announcements concerning heavy-duty trucks powered by natural-gas fuel cells that we’ve made with Chevron, and with Walmart as a customer. We are also partnering with a couple of truck makers over fuel cell systems. We’re investing in a range of solutions in the truck space, and some of it is at the demonstration phase.

A female Fortune 500 CEO isn’t a total rarity anymore, but it’s still pretty rare. Has it presented any special issues for you?

I get this question a lot. What I always say is that I’m the CEO of Cummins because I’m the right person. I’m sure being a female has its own set of advantages and disadvantages, but it’s really less about that than about having the right background to handle the technological changes the company faces. That, and my demonstrated experience in building and leading a strong team that can deliver results.

VINTAGE: 1935-1936

Resides in the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum

THIS ART DECO hood ornament found a fitting home among the 6-foot tall chandeliers, elaborate Italian terrazzo tiles, and floor-to-ceiling windows of the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum. A National Historic Landmark, the Auburn, Indiana, building first served as the Auburn Automobile Company administrative headquarters. Founded in 1900, the company manufactured upscale vehicles until filing for bankruptcy in 1937. Since the museum’s 1974 opening, millions of people have traveled to view the 140 classic cars on display. Now visitors can also see nearly 200 showy hood ornaments produced between 1911 and 1957 thanks to an exhibit that opened during the summer. Brandon Anderson, the museum’s executive director, says the Auburn-made “Winged Goddess” serves as a reminder that Auburn’s vehicles were more than cars. “Just as the automobiles are seen as rolling sculpture and works of art themselves, these complement the automobiles and are works of art in their own right.”

“Winged goddess” auburn hood ornament

PHOTO BY TONY VALAINIS

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THIS MONTH’S CAN’T–MISS EVENTS

Celine Dion once said that “if God would have a singing voice, he must sound a lot like Andrea Bocelli.” Hear for yourself. Hark, the Italian

December 9

One part sugar, one part spice, the “Queens of Christmas” bring the singing, silliness, and sass that made them favorites on RuPaul’s Drag

December

Come to the Palladium to celebrate the man’s entire catalog.

If you don’t see the Indianapolis Ballet perform this holiday favorite at the Murat Theatre, did Christmas really even happen?

December 31

Should old acquaintance be forgot, try to remember Paul George fondly during this rare afternoon tip at Gainbridge Fieldhouse

(1) Big Ten Football Championship December 3

A win at Lucas Oil Stadium gets the victor the Stagg Championship Trophy—and maybe a berth to the College Football Playoffs.

(2) Andrea Bocelli December 7

tenor plays Gainbridge Fieldhouse

(3) Jinkx & Dela

Race to the Murat Theatre

(4) Michael Bolton

13

(5) The Nutcracker

December 16–18

(6) Clippers at Pacers

Super Markt

THE ATHENAEUM JOINS A CROWDED FIELD TO SERVE UP WHAT ORGANIZERS CALL THE “PERFECT” CHRISTKINDLMARKT.

BY MARC D. ALLAN

WHILE THE REST of us were busy learning guitar or baking bread during the pandemic, Craig Mince focused on creating “the perfect Christkindlmarkt” for the Athenaeum biergarten. “It’s been on my to-do list since stepping in the door,” says Mince, who became the Athenaeum Foundation president in 2018. “It’s a hole that was missing from downtown.”

He decided that perfection would include working with local artisans to create one-of-a-kind items that will be sold in 12 huts located in the biergarten and adjacent Cleveland Street. He planned for a stage where visitors would hear traditional German folk music and “there would always be some musical component.” He figured the Rathskeller would serve up glühwein—Germany’s favorite Christmas drink—raclette sandwiches, and plenty of sausages, and that it would be decorated to a T, “like walking into Grandma’s house—if Grandma was German.”

Mince had plenty of inspiration to draw from. Christkindlmarkts have been around approximately forever, with the Striezelmarkt in Dresden, Germany, celebrating 588 years in 2022. The website germanyinusa.com lists 60 markets, including Carmel’s, which started in 2017, and one in Ferdinand, in Southern Indiana, that’s celebrating 25 years. “Christmas and the holidays are very important to the German community,” says Mince, whose family has Americanized itself “to the point where there were subtle German flourishes, but it wasn’t passed-down German culture. I think that’s why you see these Christkindlmarkts all over the country—all over the world, really—because there are these pockets of German communities trying to replicate what they had back home in Germany.”

Mince says the Athenaeum is not in competition with Carmel, which last year drew an estimated 400,000 visitors, according to Dan McFeely, president of the Carmel Christkindlmarkt board. “We work well together,”

says Mince, noting that the Athenaeum Foundation had run the pretzel hut in Carmel for a few years. “Anything that celebrates German Christmas is good in my book,” McFeely says.

But if everything goes the way Mince hopes, the Athenaeum Christkindlmarkt will grow to a downtown-wide tradition. He’s talked to other venues about expanding at their locations. “If there are two or three other outposts and we all work synergistically, then it becomes one bigger destination Christkindlmarkt.

“And if this is something that can sustain itself, put money back into the local arts economy through the vendor huts, keep the restaurant busy during the holiday season, then it’s a success,” he says. “I really see that as a legacy project. It’s something the city could sustain and do forever. And that’s success for me.”

Athenaeum Christkindlmarkt is open 5–9 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, noon to 9 p.m. Saturdays, and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays November 25 to December 18.

New York

“It’s in Bryant Park in Manhattan. They turn the center green into an ice-skating rink. Around the perimeter of the park you have these things that look like old French subway stations. They’re rustic green metal and glass, and you can see into them. My wife and I went one year. Southwest Airlines had a little bar. We had cocktails and peoplewatched for hours.”

Chicago

“It’s compact, on a city block in Daley Plaza. You have massive huts where they have meat markets, bread, and sugar almonds, but they also have retail outlets. It’s a maze of huts, and there’s a very German populace in Chicago.

It’s neat—and it’s always packed.”

Carmel

“Carmel has become one of those markets that people drive from all over to see. Thematically, it’s spoton. It looks exactly like you would imagine in the hills of Germany, with a big circle of vendors and a skating rink in the middle. They go hard into the German-specific items and foods. It’s one of the only places you can visit if you want that specific style of art, cooking, and nutcrackers. You don’t see this stuff anywhere else.”

Craig Mince’s favorite Christkindlmarkts

THE TICKET

ILLUSTRATION BY CHRISTOPH HITZ; CARMEL PHOTO BY TONY VALAINIS

GOOD LIFE

WANTED

Let There Be Light

The Michael Aram Palm Menorah was inspired by a fallen palm frond the artist spotted while lunching on a veranda overlooking the sea.

“The leaves were all twisted and curled, yet it stood out magnificently against the otherwise-perfect landscape,” Aram recalls. This striking antique-gold piece stands 14 inches tall and rests on a marble base. $475, Addendum Gallery, Carmel City Center —CHRISTINA VERCELLETTO

( SHOP TALK )

Kid Stuff

Lunch Money

ADDRESS

5617 N. Illinois St. HOURS

Monday–Saturday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.

Kelvin Burzon

Homemade. Sustainable. Personal.

BUTLER-TARKINGTON HAS FINALLY GAINED A DEDICATED, DISTINCTIVE CHILDREN’S BOUTIQUE. BY

KATIE MARPLE

LOOK FOR for the big red apple to find Lunch Money, which opened its doors in July. A mom herself, owner Shallan Hazlewood saw that Indianapolis wasn’t exactly abounding in specialty stores selling high-quality, fashion-forward children’s apparel. So she conjured up Lunch Money. The storefront yarn-art installation encourages young artists to add their own touches. The whimsical walls are wardrobed in color-coordinated attire to make outfitting littles easy and fun. Exclusive lines like the organic The Sunday Collective provide timeless looks for holiday festivities. And standout pieces, like a Holly Hastie satin bowed dress or a vintageinspired jacket, are ready for memorable moments. Offerings go well beyond outfits. Popclox, clocks made to look like sloths, robots, and more, In2Green blankets—they’re just the right weight and weave to be used year-round—and Coast + Cove friendship bracelets are popular picks. And for the tiniest humans, find Little Sleepies jammies, made from bamboo and softer than silk.

scouted

WHO WOULD YOU TRADE PLACES WITH FOR A DAY?

A distant cousin in the Philippines. My entire immediate family immigrated to the U.S. when I was 11. I’d probably benefit from knowing how the families there live their daily lives.

AS A CHILD, YOU WANTED TO BECOME A CATHOLIC PRIEST ... ?

The allure was in the traditions, which were part of my familial and cultural identity. And I was attracted to the drama, theatricality, and camp of it all. But I definitely wouldn’t have been my true self if I had followed that path. —K.M.

(1) Bomber jacket, $180

(2) Red & Olive knit lion doll, $100 (3) Rufflesleeve sweater, $38 (4) Checkered cap, $26 (5) Fox Popclox, $68

COZY NEUTRALS WITH A SPLASHOF COLOR .

PERFECTLY PAIRED AT HOUSEWORKS.

HOUSEWORKS has served the Indianapolis area for more than 37 years. Our team is methodical, innovative and passionate about their approach to helping our customers love the spaces they live in. We’re more than just a furniture store — we’re the way you live.

Game Plan

Grab the eggnog. Holiday family time awaits

BY STEPHEN GARSTANG

Do you like handmade earrings in festive shapes and colors? Three words: KATY BELL DESIGNS . Local maker Bell creates polymer-clay jewelry. Her two most popular styles are the daisy and sparkly stone designs. You can find the fun, holiday-giftable baubles at Lux & Ivy, Retro Metro, and at Bell’s pop-ups at various locations. Follow her around town at instagram.com/katybelldesigns. —JAYDE LEARY

Metal Call of Cthulhu dice $80. Family Time Games

Medieval chess set with rosewood and maple game board. $360. Family Time Games, 8796 Michigan Rd., family-timegames.com

Louis Vuitton chess game $4,600. us.louisvuitton.com

Luxe Dominoes tic-tactoe. $275. Charles Mayer & Co., 5629 N. Illinois St., charlesmayer.com

Tizo Design lucite backgammon set $225. Charles Mayer & Co.

Vintage mahjong set $900. Moody Interiors, 15 Iowa St., facebook.com/ moodyinteriors

(1) A communication system with active switches that play theme music and ambient USS Enterprise noises is built into his desk.

(2) A 1964 George Dickel Whisky powder

My Star Trek Lair

DAVE ARLAND HAS RECREATED CAPTAIN JAMES T. KIRK’S QUARTERS FROM THE ORIGINAL SERIES IN HIS CARMEL BASEMENT. JUST DON’T INVITE THE GORN. BY

JORDAN RYAN

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3 5 4 6 7

horn decanter with a leather strap made by local artisans. These bottles were featured in both the original series and Deep Space Nine

(3) The structure of Kirk’s quarters required an

engineer to relocate a structural post to fit in the basement.

Construction of Kirk’s rotating closet is up next.

(4) A 1960s Burke kitchenette chair, from which Arland takes Zoom

calls, with a removable top that slides onto the backrest.

(5) The patterned bronze box behind Kirk’s desk took Arland 20 years to locate. It’s the rarest prop in the room.

(6) These blue glasses are artisan recreations set with European crystals.

(7) The space’s carpeting is indoor-outdoor, made of recycled soda bottles.

(8) The captain’s quarters, shown in 30 of the 79 episodes, featured an intricate screen. With no luck finding a similar one, Arland built his own with more than 1,000 pieces of handcut PVC pipe.

(9) A 3-D sculpture printed from Hal Fromhold’s Modernist Ceramic Angel Arland used as many made-inthe-U.S. pieces as possible.

9 10

the bedspread and wall art anywhere. (He speculates it was originally made from 1960s speaker fabric.) A North Carolina textile mill recreated the familiar orange and gold pattern. 2

ForMoreInformation PleaseCall 317-740-0900orVisit www.anthonyschophouse.com

ForMoreInformation PleaseCall 317-740-0930orVisit www.3uprooftop.com

ImagesProvidedBy ErinFeldmeyer,ErinKayPhotographyLLC

Fresh Revision

WE TALK WITH THE COUPLE WHO SNAPPED UP WRITER JANET FLANNER’S FAMILY HOME IN BUTLER-TARKINGTON.

BY JEANA HARRIS

IMPULSIVITY IS often seen as a negative. But, every now and then, acting on a whim leads to something great. Spouses Shane and Abhi would be the first to agree. They were in no rush to move out of their existing home, a “cute Cape Cod with fantastic neighbors.” Yet, for some reason, while Shane was at work, Abhi decided to pop over to North Illinois Street to look at a house for sale. When he pulled up to the front, he recalls being overcome by a “magical, emotional feeling. I was enamored immediately.”

At Abhi’s urging, Shane toured it that same day. The two agreed: It was love at first sight.

Both are admirers of the original features often found in old houses, and this one, circa 1910, has plenty among the three floors of living space. The narrow-plank, hardwood floors and massive windows spoke to Abhi, while

Shane was drawn to the elegance of the entryway and the incredible secondfloor landing. “With how the layout is set up, the landing feels like the core of the home,” Shane says. “We see this being a space where we can make lots of memories.” They’re also looking forward to digging into the home’s history— most notably, its connection to the internationally known American writer and war correspondent to Paris, Janet Flanner, who lived there in her youth. Her writing, especially her column for The New Yorker under her pen name Genêt, was widely praised for its sensibility and insightfulness.

Once the pair has “gotten to know the house and its vibe,” Abhi explains, they’ll choose new paint colors. From

there, they’ll go one room at a time, always with an eye toward preservation. “Our first instinct is to save things,” Abhi says. Long-term plans include adding a bathroom and bedroom to the first floor, bringing in more natural light to that second-floor landing, and creating a primary ensuite.

The link to Flanner, who was a noted figure in the LGBTQ and expat communities in the U.S. and France, adds another rich layer to the house for the couple. “It’s important to recognize those early heroes. They serve as a reminder of just how far we’ve come,” Abhi says.

HOME SOLD BY JOE EVERHART/QUINN DEMAREE, EVERHART STUDIO; EXTERIOR PHOTO BY THE HOME AESTHETIC

Arch Madness

SPEND A WEEKEND EXPLORING THE GATEWAY CITY’S BACKSTORY, STARTING WITH THESE NEW AND RENEWED ATTRACTIONS. BY

ST. LOUIS is historically rich. Loaded, in fact. Founded in 1764, it’s one of the oldest major metros west of the Mississippi, and it predates many to the east, including Chicago and Indy. The Museum at the Gateway Arch (gatewayarch.com) escorts you from 1764 to 1965 via six interactive galleries that incorporate Native perspectives and bust the myths of the American West. Formerly the Museum of Westward Expansion, it’s located beneath the iconic monument, so it’s a must-see.

Water is the reason there’s a city here, and this proud river town celebrates and investigates all things aquatic at the new St. Louis Aquarium at Union Station (stlou isaquarium.com). The Travel the Changing Rivers exhibit guides you through the unique geography of Missouri’s freshwater rivers and their denizens. Things get salty in the 250,000-gallon Shark Canyon and the

TONY REHAGEN

darker habitats of jellyfish and sea dragons. Set on a century-old industrial campus that hearkens back to St. Louis’s days as a prominent railroad and manufacturing hub, City Foundry STL (cityfoundrystl.com) just opened as a vibrant gathering place of shops and art installations. The food hall houses 17 locally run eateries, serving everything from waffles to pan-Indian street fare to the local finger-food delicacy that is toasted ravioli (t-ravs, as St. Louisans call them).

But if you’re talking about the industry that built this town, you’re talking about beer. St. Louis has quietly grown one of the best craft beer scenes in the country (try world-renowned Side Project and Narrow Gauge). But to truly experience STL, pay homage to the OG at the Anheuser-Busch Brewery (budweisertours.com). Each weekend in December, the tall brick buildings light up for tours of the hallowed grounds, which include a visit with the Clydesdales and a brew on the house.

IF YOU GO

EAT Get your ’cue on at Pappy’s Smokehouse (pappyssmoke house.com). The dry-rubbed ribs were named best in America by Food Network.

STAY Built inside the painstakingly preserved 1909 International Shoe Co. Building, The Last Hotel (thelasthotelstl .com) offers a boutique experience with modern perks.

INFO explore stlouis.com

St. Louis

TRAVELER

BUILDER OF THE 2023 INDIANAPOLIS MONTHLY DREAM HOME AT HOLLIDAY FARMS

ADVANCING THE ART OF HOME BUILDING™

We specialize in bringing ideas into focus and turning dreams into reality. Each home is individually designed to meet the needs and lifestyle of our client. Our team works diligently to exceed your expectations with quality craftsmanship and innovative detail. Contact us to experience the difference.

Charles | Garden Pavilion at Ritz Charles | Coxhall Gardens

SWOON Fan Fare

During the early hours, Easy Rider Diner chef Ricky Martinez serves stick-to-your-ribs breakfasts like this plate of verdes chilaquiles at the new Fountain Square spot that shares an inside double door with its music-venue neighbor, HI-FI. Martinez made his mark on Indy cuisine in the sleek dining rooms of Delicia and Bocca. But here, he cranks comfort food up to 11, serving hash fortified with barbacoa and sticky plantains, waffle flights, and a Fischer Farms steak breakfast sandwich. Later, the menu switches to fried chicken, fish tacos, and tres leches cake that achieves rock-star status. 1043 Virginia Ave., 463-224-0430, easyriderindy.com

Photo by ELIJAH VANDINE

JULIA SPALDING

( NEW IN TOWN )

Taking Root

PINCH OF WISDOM

“If you can’t use seafood right away, don’t rinse it. This introduces chlorine and bacteria that can deteriorate sh. Pat dry with paper towels, place in an airtight container, and stash in the coldest spot of your fridge.”

( CHEERS ) Free Spirits

Raise a glass at Carmel’s first alcohol-free libations store.

TERRY KIRTS

A POPULAR FOOD TRUCK BRINGS ITS SOULFUL SPIN ON VEGAN FOOD TO A CANALSIDE CAFE. BY

FANS OF Taria and Derrick Slack’s Black Leaf Vegan food truck no longer have to chase down their favorite plant-based dishes at local festivals and office parks. The pair pulled up at a permanent location on 9th Street in early fall and have been serving their take on dishes such as vegan lasagna and jackfruit sliders in a spacious ground-floor spot. Having a home base for the truck also means they are now able to offer full-day service, including morning coffee, breakfast bagels with plantbased bacon, daily quiche, and a knockout vegan peach cobbler. The Slacks continue to operate their truck, which over the summer was a hit for its gut-busting loaded nachos at the Indiana State Fair and made an appearance at BUTTER Art Fair at the Stutz building in early September. And with the Slacks’ young daughters (also part owners) often in the cafe, stopping in for a coffee break or lunch feels like a family affair. 335 W. 9th St., 317-560-4222, blackleafvegan.com

WHEN SISTERS Kristin Patrick (left) and Andrea Marley (right) opened a beverage shop offering boutique alternatives to high-proof spirits, they didn’t imagine that the bottles of nonalcoholic gin, whiskey, and chardonnay would fly off the shelves. They simply wanted to give those abstaining or drinking less some better options. So they stocked a shop named after their late father, Loren’s AF Beverages, with the best botanicals, floral blends, and spice-forward distillates they could find. Wine is easily a best-seller, and they’re “definitely not the grocerystore alcohol-free wines that have been on the market for decades,” Patrick says. The women continue to expand their inventory to include more local beverages, and they plan to add a tasting space. 5790 E. Main St., Carmel, lorensaf.com —T.K.

TAP DANCE Bloomington-based Upland Brewing Company has added another location to its fleet, taking over the former Castleton home of MacKenzie River Pizza Grill … ON THE PROWL The Alley Cat Lounge plans to expand its dining and drinking area to include breakfast, lunch, and dinner service … FILING STATUS Taxman Brewing Company’s newest offshoot, Pizza & Libations, is located near the original Bargersville gastropub.

—Phil Bardales , the longtime commercial fisherman who offers dayboat fish at Broad Ripple’s new Bardales Seafood

High Score

LA MARGARITA OWNER AND PINBALL FAN JON CARLOS RANGEL ADDS AN EVENT SPACE TO HIS PORTFOLIO OF LAIDBACK SPOTS. BY TERRY KIRTS

FOR JON CARLOS

Rangel, growing up in the family that started a Mexican eatery blocks from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway didn’t guarantee he would one day take over his parents’ business. In fact, his mother wouldn’t even give him a job. “I helped out in the kitchen now and then as a kid,” Rangel says, “but Mom knew if I worked there, I’d just goof off most of the time. So she made me get a job at Jimmy John’s.”

By this point, Rangel’s parents, Larry and Lori, had moved La Margarita to 86th Street and Township Line Road, where they were growing a dedicated clientele. But Rangel, who as a boy was more interested in playing his neighbor’s Dr. Dude and His Excellent Ray pinball machine than learning to make salsa, had his sights set on a career in sports journalism. He went off

to Indiana University in Bloomington, later completing internships with the Pacers and the Fever.

Fortunately, mother knew best. She was scheming to give Rangel the job she hadn’t years before. “One night she took me to the Aristocrat,” Rangel says. “And she asked me if I’d like to run my own place in Fountain Square.” He put his journalism career on hold, and in 2011 opened the current location of La Margarita in the Murphy Building.

As his collection of vintage and new pinball machines grew, Rangel built an upstairs spot called PinVault that’s open on First Fridays. Now, he has plans for a private-event space in the Argyle Building on Mass Ave called Proper, which will offer cocktails some nights, as well as ticketed events for collectors and hobbyists. The vibe, of course, will be as laidback as all the Rangels’ places, which is what the family intended all along.

FAVORITE THINGS

(1) Mediterranean cooking. “My wife is Greek, so it’s what we have a lot of the time.” (2) Yotam Ottolenghi. “Especially his recipes for roasted vegetables.” (3) Playing pinball at Tappers. “I’m usually playing Deadpool or Spider-Man.” (4) Chatham Tap. “Nothing is better than having a Two Hearted Ale on their patio.” (5) Philadelphia. “It has a very cool food scene. I’ve never had a bad meal.” (6) Mezcal cocktails. Visit IndianapolisMonthly .com to get Rangel’s recipe for a potent vegetal gin-andmezcal Woodlawn Sling that pays homage to his heritage.

FOODIE

Subito

Having picked up the recipe while living in Rome, owner Chuck Brezina constantly tweaks the avors of his trattoria-style treat served in 5-ounce takeaway cups. 34 N. Delaware St., 317-755-1304,

Vida

Of-the-moment ingredients make chef Thomas Melvin’s panna cotta sing. In the winter, it’s vibrant blood orange tempered with cinnamon. 601 E. New York St., 317420-2323, vida-restaurant.com

Cream Team

CUSTARDY PANNA COTTA IS ONE OF THE MOST VERSATILE DESSERTS. HERE’S THE CREME DE LA CREME IN INDY.

BY AMY LYNCH

OP Italian

At the JW Marriott eatery, an ultra-smooth vanilla bean base is topped with sweet strawberry preserves, bits of pistachio brittle, and fresh basil. 10 S. West St., 317-860-5777, opitalianindy.com

9th Street Bistro

In his Noblesville scratch kitchen, chef Samir Mohammad creates seasonal Italian cooked creams, like this wintry version layered with peppermint. 56 S. 9th St., Noblesville, 317-774-5065, 9thstbistro.com

PROVISIONS INVITES DINERS TO GRAB A SEAT AND HAVE A COKE. BY JULIA SPALDING

ADAM AND ALICIA

Sweet permanently relocated from Arkansas to Indiana less than a decade ago and proceeded to build the much-loved King Dough pizza brand from the ground up, first in downtown Bloomington and then in a snug made-over cinderblock building in Indy’s Holy Cross neighborhood. The young couple, fans of the New York slice, focused on Neapolitan-style pies on naturally leavened dough properly blistered in a showpiece domed oven. As owners of one of the neareast side’s coolest hangouts (reinforced with

natural wines by the bottle and a dog-friendly patio), they could have stopped there. But Adam, a born-and-raised Arkansan, craved something that tasted more like home. And so, the Sweets opened a follow-up restaurant around the corner, referencing an Arkansas nickname (the Natural State) when they dubbed their casual counterservice spot Natural State Provisions. The former long, low home of Rad Brewing (which went by Flat12 Bierwerks before that) provided the appropriate bare bones for the couple’s come-as-you-are concept that debuted over the summer. The walls are a funky montage of mirrors, flour-sack

NATURAL STATE PROVISIONS

414 Dorman St., 317-492-9887, naturalstate provisions.com

HOURS

Sun., Tues.–Thurs., noon–9 p.m.; Fri.–Sat., noon–10 p.m.

VIBE

Cool comfort

TASTING NOTES

Monstrous, sauceladen sandwiches and deep-fried goodies accompanied by Southern-style sides, gourmet soft serve, and brews from Lapel’s Pax Verum Brewing Company.

NEIGHBORHOOD Holy Cross MUST-ORDER

The pulled pork sandwich on Texas toast, a side of tender turnip greens, and some tortilla chips and cheese dip for the table (or just yourself)

3 STAR RATING

Owners Adam and Alicia Sweet have turned their customers on to sweet tea–brined fried chicken and Southern sides at Natural State Provisions.

art, mounted taxidermy, and cabin kitsch—a very specific aesthetic best represented on a high shelf neatly lined with antlers, old metal-lidded canning jars, and vintage glazed planters sprouting greenery.

The connected bar, where customers retrieve their Pax Verum Brewing Company drafts, sweet tea mules, and Sling Blades (not only an Arkansas inside joke but a rye whiskey cocktail made with Cocchi di Torino, lemon, and soda), is paneled in knotty sheets of timber that give it a blue-collar food hall feel, with Tiffany-style lamps hung over the tables and bar. Indeed, much of the decor traveled through time to get here, including a tension-pole lamp with faux wood detail that survived the 1970s, and the little yellow plaque with a Coca-Cola bottle opener bolted to it that hangs over the recycling bin, painted with dainty strawberry blossoms and the scripty directive to “Have a Coke.” Just try not to think of your grandma’s Formica kitchen when you see this sentimental bit of tchotchke that we must protect at all costs—or a time when the generic “Coke” might refer to a root beer, Sprite, or Pepsi. Bless its little heart.

Cocktails and draft beer accompany fried bologna garnished with kettle potato chips and saucy pulled pork.

The menu is just as endearing, with a few Arkansas Easter eggs hidden within. Among them, a rendition of the state’s signature cheese dip (a delicacy that even has its own festival). Flecked with peppers and spices, it’s warm and a bit soupier than queso, melty to the last house-fried tortilla chip. The pulled pork sandwich is tall and sloppy, with sauce and coleslaw spilling out of its Texas toast bookends. Adam braises the pig in Coca-Cola and apple cider vinegar to give it both tang and twang. “I’m just kind of riffing on flavor profiles that make me excited when I go back home to visit,” he says. “I guess it’s a more thoughtful version of Southern junk food.”

That philosophy explains why Adam included a lacy-edged smashburger on this tantalizingly brief menu. It’s crowned with American cheese and chunky bread-and-butter pickles. Meanwhile, a griddle-fried bologna sandwich gets dressed flamboyantly with red onion, a pile of kettle potato chips, and a generous swipe of Smoking Goose nduja mayo. One can buy a container of just pimento cheese here. The cornbread comes with honey butter. The pecan-

topped yams taste like candy. And a soft serve ice cream machine churns away on the counter, extruding the daily gourmet flavor. Cookie butter, hot honey, and caramel banana cream with smashed Nilla Wafers have all made appearances, their frozen beehives a sweet tribute to the legions of old-school roadside dairy bars that dot the Delta region. While there’s no neon “DAIRYETTE” sign to melt beneath during the summer months, you can take your cone or cup outside to watch pups play in the attached dog park.

Those who have followed the Sweets’ culinary trajectory (which included a few fits and starts) got a taste of Natural State’s fried chicken when the couple briefly operated a version of the restaurant out of one of the three slots inside the Fishers Test Kitchen in 2020. “We weren’t able to keep up with the 10-minute fryer time,” Adam says. “I had to take it off the menu pretty quickly.” He has since dialed in a method for frying up three-piece baskets of extra-crispy chicken that sits in a sweet tea brine for 24 hours before it’s breaded and chilled overnight to ensure the coating stays on like glue when the drumsticks, wings,

and breasts get dropped into the hot oil. There is also a hot chicken sandwich dipped in chili oil that’s so fierce the menu implores that there are “no refunds.” The crispy thigh comes topped with coleslaw, bread-and-butter pickles, and cherry jam. “That’s more Nashville, I guess. But my aunts lived there for 45 years, so I can claim that, too,” Adam jokes. As for the fried catfish? Let’s just say you don’t have to wait until Friday to get your fix of buttermilk-soaked filets. The planks are delicate and peppery, and Adam says if he’s being perfectly honest, the main reason he put fried catfish on his menu is so that he would have a constant supply.

We all benefit from those cravings. Hopefully, the owner’s home-state pride will expand to other storied Arkansas staples, like buffalo fish ribs, chocolate gravy, mustard-toasted hamburger buns, and Grapette soda. Bring on the fried hand pies and skinny Delta-style tamales that would bring a tear to Bill Clinton’s eye. All of those exotic foods would fit in nicely at a restaurant that pays attention to the details but doesn’t take itself too seriously.

EDITED BY MEGAN FERNANDEZ

BEST OF INDY

Worst of Indy? Pffft—the construction. But the Best of Indy is a tougher question because there’s so much very-good in our very-lovable city. We spend the whole year being judgy about lasagna, belt bags, local novels, houseplants, hangouts, exhibits, pizza, libraries, and anything else we can think of to compile our vetted cheat sheet of Indy’s best in class. We also enlisted a little help this year: The world’s best competitive eater, Joey Chestnut, now a proud Hoosier, and HGTV’s best designer, MJ Coyle of Good Bones , both share their expertise. Here’s to the highest standards.

WITH MARC ALLAN, BAILEY BRISCOE, ALLISON EDWARDS, DYLAN HODGES, SETH JOHNSON, CATHY KIGHTLINGER, TERRY KIRTS, LAURA KRUTY, JAYDE LEARY, DAWN OLSEN, ANDREA RATCLIFF, MONICA SALLAY, JULIA SPALDING & CHRISTINA VERCELLETTO

PHOTOGRAPHY BY TONY VALAINIS

CULTURE

EXHIBIT

You’ll be absorbed by every punk-rocky square foot of Stephen Sprouse: Rock | Art | Fashion , a tribute to the Columbus-native fashion figure known for graffiti-centric designs and a collab with Louis Vuitton. Andy Warhol’s Sprouse portraits, Debbie Harry’s “Heart of Glass” wardrobe, and light-sensitive frocks that change colors are a few of the surprises that make this the exhibit for people who rarely remember museum exhibits. Newfields, 4000 Michigan Rd., 317-923-1331, discovernewfields.org

RADIO SHOW

Every Monday at 7 p.m, The BEAT with Dave Lindquist on WTTSFM (92.3) features the esteemed entertainment journalist’s favorite tracks from up-and-coming and local artists, with thoughtful insight from a man who has heard it all. It’s basically a weekly playlist of all the new songs we should know.

After-School Program

This fall, Christ Church Cathedral expanded its long tradition of including youth choristers when it launched a comprehensive daily Choir School for students in grades 3 through 8. The program includes choral training alongside private music lessons on other instruments, academic tutoring, and communitybuilding projects, such as providing snack packs for struggling neighbors and the homeless in downtown Indy. 125 Monument Circle, 317-636-4577, thechoirschoolatcccindy.org

Breakout

High-Culture Star

Since Park Tudor School grad

Alyssa Gaines was named Urban Word’s 2022 National Youth Poet Laureate at a Kennedy Center ceremony, she has spoken alongside Bill Gates and enrolled in Harvard. Praised by the judges for “fierce, wide ranging, and funny” poems that “unfold like origami,” Gaines writes about her heritage and childhood. Follow her turn in the spotlight on social media.

instagram.com/lysigaines

NEW MURAL

After combing through 500,000 objects in the Indiana State Museum’s archive, artist Artur Silva eventually chose a mere fraction of them for his 136 Images From the Collection mural installed in Gallery One. The Hoosier-related photograph collage of people, clothing, artwork, furniture, and animals creates a Where’s Waldo–like overview that’s as layered and complex as the state itself. Can you spot Wes Montgomery’s Grammy? 650 W. Washington St., 317-232-1637, indianamuseum.org

ALBUMS

Ghost Electricity/ Vampire Draw

Richard Edwards

Drag Me Service

This rock ‘n’ roll powerhouse is the brainchild of star-crossed lovers Jilly Weiss and Russell Simins, whose former bands include Indianapolis’s We Are Hex (for Weiss) and New York City’s Jon Spencer Blues Explosion (for Simins). Having now shared the stage with a similarly raucous outfit in the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Service lives up to high expectations on this debut full-length album.

The former frontman of local indie rock heroes Margot & the Nuclear So and So’s, Richard Edwards presents a beautifully arranged album of love songs with the latest addition to his solo catalog. After opening up with the instrumental piano ballad “Ghost Electricity Theme,” Edwards consistently tugs at the heartstrings, exemplifying a knack for tender songcraft that he’s undoubtedly possessed since the days of “Broadripple is Burning.”

Never Be King

Native Sun

Consisting of bassist Brandon Meeks, drummer Richard “Sleepy” Floyd, and rapper Bobby Young, Native Sun shows off its melodic brand of hip-hop with Never Be King. From the soulful contributions of vocalist Allison Victoria on “Under the Sun” to the play of Indy jazz saxophonist Rob Dixon on the album’s title track, the trio represents Indianapolis time and time again, while also proving why they continue to be one of the city’s longeststanding hip-hop groups.

Soil

Pat and the Pissers Channeling the Midwest angst of legendary Hoosier punk bands like the Zero Boys, Pat and the Pissers have quickly made a name for themselves in the Indianapolis music scene, thanks in large part to frontman Alex Beckman’s fervent, Iggy Pop–esque energy on stage. A 12-track album that comes in at just over 17 minutes, Soil perfectly encapsulates the band’s sharp, inyour-face sound.

2 Minutes in Indiana

Various artists

Veteran musician Andrew Gustin challenged 20 local artists to create a two-minute instrumental composition representing life in Indiana. Gustin released the captivating result digitally and on vinyl on his homegrown label, Ameliorate Records. Mostly ambient in nature, 2 Minutes in Indiana features contributions from local experimental music mainstays like Mark Tester and Rob Funkhouser, along with pieces from classical clarinetist Eric Salazar, multitalented composer Mina Keohane, and 16 others.

PERSONAL BESTS

Brandon Presser

The author of The Far Land (see right) doesn’t have to go far for some of his favorite things.

Sandwich

A self-proclaimed sandwich aficionado (with no expertise whatsoever), I’m a faithful subscriber of a certain meat/fixings/sauce/ crunch/bread ratio for the most perfect bite. I will riot if the patty melt at Milktooth (534 Virginia Ave.) ever falls off the menu; same goes for the brisket grilled cheese at Half Liter Beer & BBQ Hall (5301 Winthrop Ave.)—get a side of pickles and sneak them into the sando. And if you don’t want a total coronary, opt for the houseroasted turkey club with extra mayo at Cafe Patachou (4901 N. Pennsylvania St.).

Place to Read

In the throes of winter, I like to escape the house and catch up on my reading at the Central Library (40 E. St. Clair St.). The top floors get great afternoon sun through the floor-to-ceiling windows. In summer, I grab a bench in Holcomb Gardens (Butler University, 4600 Sunset Ave.) under the shadebearing branches of an old tree. For something more social, leather couches and lattes pair nicely with the latest lit at Parlor Public House (600 E. Ohio St.).

Neighborhood

I’m a bit partial, having purchased a home in Meridian-Kessler last year, but the area has proved even more lovely than I imagined. It’s practically illegal not to wave hello to neighbors on my morning runs. And I’m never more than a few blocks from a great restaurant, brewery, or boutique. Eat your heart out, Brooklyn.

The Far Land

Brandon Presser

The mutineers of the Bounty sought out an uninhabited island upon which to settle. They wound up on remote Pitcairn, where hopes of a life in paradise ended violently, but not before a new generation was born and spawned a fraught society that has survived for 200 years. Presser, a travel journalist who resides here, got a rare invitation to visit the restricted shores of Pitcairn and came away inspired to write a lusciously styled thriller. Tom Hanks (yes, the Castaway himself) nicely summed up the draw of this book on Instagram: “The Far Land swells in the cause and effect of actions of passion. Brandon Presser’s fascinating narrative of the relentless consequences of the Bounty mutineers asks: Were they brave or damned? They lived such troubled lives ever after. You can’t make this stuff up!”

The Rabbit Hutch Tess Gunty

This novel won the Waterhouse Prize for Debut Fiction, the Barnes and Noble Discover Prize, and, as of this writing, a National Book Award nomination. The socalled rabbit hutch is a low-rent apartment house in Vacca Vale (a thinly disguised version of Gunty’s hometown, South Bend). Gunty uses several literary devices, including a protracted obituary and free verse, to tell about its residents. Their stories take us into Roman Catholic mysticism, the anti-gentrification movement, and even—eep!—animal sacrifice. The novel stands apart visually, too. It has 20 pages of hand-drawn illustrations, a rarity in modern publishing. In that respect, it’s not so different from another novel with abundant hand drawings: Kurt Vonnegut’s Breakfast of Champions. Guess it’s a Hoosier thing.

Billie Starr’s Book of Sorries Deborah Kennedy

One morning, a 28-year-old single mother faced two challenges: getting her daughter ready for a school trip to Chicago, and going to a hotel to entrap a political candidate. The ensuing government intrigue and family drama take place in fictional small Indiana towns. The book is filled with vivid prose and clever turns of phrase, plus the many possible answers a mom can give to an 8-yearold’s question, “Why do people drink?” Fort Wayne native Kennedy’s first book, Tornado Weather, was nominated for an Edgar Award for debut mystery novel.

So Help Me God Mike Pence

This autobiography’s title has a double meaning. It reminds us that the former vice president is a man of deep religious faith while recalling the words he spoke at his inauguration: to uphold the U.S. Constitution, “so help me God.” His commitment to that oath put him in the eye of a storm on January 6, 2021, when he was obliged to certify the election results. This terminated his relationship with Donald Trump and put him on the receiving end of death threats. Still, the Columbus native remains proud of what he sees as the many positive results of their administration.

Inciting Joy Ross Gay

Beethoven composed Ode to Joy. C.S. Lewis was Surprised by Joy. Now IU professor and awardwinning poet Ross Gay comes to us with his take on the powerful emotion. But this thesis is a paradox— instead of it being erased by difficulty and loss, it deepens. Thus, essay titles seem like oxymorons, like “Joy and Losing Your Phone” and “Grief Codex.” But they all share a single goal—to break down negativity and overcome the barriers that separate us from one another with healing joy. In a culture so poisoned with division and suspicion, what Gay delivers is no small gift.

Irsaypalooza VIPs

Patty Spitler, the host of Pet Pals TV, is one of our city’s best gems. I think so highly of her and her spirit that I gave her one of my songs for her show. It’s called ‘Give a Little Love.’”

The Best Night (Ever?) in Indianapolis

“White River State Park, the Eiteljorg, and the Canal Walk are great places to get your steps in. When there’s time, I stop at the Eiteljorg and the Indiana History Center. My next script is set in Indiana during World War II, so I’m doing research at the History Center.”

“The Friendly Tavern in Zionsville is the best neighborhood restaurant. The name suits it because you’re truly only a stranger once at The Friendly— the first time you go in. I eat there every Tuesday with my boyfriend and friends. We refer to it as Tuesday Night Supper Club and it’s just a great time. They serve the best tenderloin I’ve ever had in my entire life.”

Jim Irsay, Indianapolis Colts owner and CEO

“St. Elmo is my favorite, and that world-famous shrimp cocktail is my favorite dish. St. Elmo always has great food, a great ambience, and the people who work there are great, too.”

In the other 31 NFL cities, it was just the first weekend of the new NFL season. But this is Indianapolis, and Jim Irsay was ready to rock. So, on September 9, the Colts owner threw a free, all-day-and-into-the-night party at Lucas Oil Stadium that would have blown the roof off if it wasn’t retractable. Fans got to see his extraordinary collection of music, sports, and history memorabilia and take in a concert featuring Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Buddy Guy, John Mellencamp, Mike Mills (R.E.M.), and Ann Wilson (Heart), plus Indianapolis native John Hiatt and an exceptional backing band.

The roof was open, the temperature perfect, the crowd about 20,000 strong. NFL Films and NFL Network captured footage, as did a documentary crew making a film about The Jim Irsay Collection. The whole thing deserved a name: Irsaypalooza

Irsay’s collection had been to six cities before Indianapolis, but our version had more than 100 extra items. We got to see Johnny Unitas’s final-game cleats, 10 gameworn helmets from Super Bowl XLI, a locker from Shea Stadium used by the Beatles, and a Super Bowl XLI guitar gifted by Stephen Stills. Lines snaked around the stadium to see those along with signed letters by George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, and first editions of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. And guitars. Dozens of guitars.

Before the show, Irsay suggested that Kenny Wayne Shepherd play David Gilmour’s iconic black Stratocaster, which Irsay purchased at auction for $3.9 million.

The guitar was moved twice—once for the cameras the night before the show, and again the night of the concert, when it was handed to Shepherd as the band launched into Pink Floyd’s “Comfortably Numb.”

That was just one of the many great performances. Shepherd and Guy electrified the stadium with their guitar work on “How Blue Can You Get” and “I’m a King Bee.” R.E.M. fans savored hearing bassist Mills lead the band through “(Don’t Go Back to) Rockville” and “Superman.” Wilson sacrificed Heart for Led Zeppelin—including “Stairway to Heaven”—and a little Van Morrison. Drummer Kenny Aronoff backed Mellencamp for the first time in a few decades on a celebratory version of “Pink Houses.”

Then there was Irsay’s version of Nine Inch Nails’s “Hurt.” The owner’s voice is car wheels on a gravel road, but “Hurt” is more about striking the tone than hitting the notes. The Colts organization has made mental health its cause through the Kicking the Stigma campaign. Irsay’s “Hurt” provides the soundtrack.

Irsay has talked about finding a permanent home for the collection—in Indianapolis or elsewhere—but during a pre-show news conference, he backed off. Instead, he’s making like his hero Bob Dylan, who’s been on his Never-Ending Tour since 1988. The collection will make a few as-yet-unannounced stops in 2023 before heading to Europe in 2024.

As for the band, its focus on classic rock may not suit the Super Bowl, but it’s perfect for the Pro Bowl Games. —Marc

Allan

Jennie DeVoe, singer-songwriter

Angelo Pizzo, screenwriter, producer, and director

Kristi Lee, radio host

Attraction Upgrade (Adults)

Traditional cultures and modern technology embraced when the Eiteljorg ’s reimagined Native American Galleries were unveiled in July. Beadwork, textiles, pottery, jewelry, paintings, and sculptures are now displayed in striking glass cases (which, unlike the former cabinets, allow a 360-degree view). Numerous interactive displays include a huge wall map of North America. The highlight? Connected by Water, a collection of the detailed handiworks of Great Lakes tribes, including brightly ornamented moccasins and elegantly patterned bandoliers. 500 W. Washington St., 317-636-9378, eiteljorg.org

ARTSALE

If someone on your holiday gift list is a fan of both racing and art, this online auction benefiting the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum is a no-brainer. Sleek: The Art of the Helmet auction offers nine designs by local artists with materials ranging from the shredded rubber of drivers’ Firestone tires to copper to party beads. Even if you don’t win a work of art (bids close December 11), you can see even more cool helmets at the current exhibit by the same name. imsmuseum.org/sleek

ATTRACTION UPGRADE (KIDS)

Eighteen years after Dinosphere opened, The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis dug deep to expand its top exhibit this year, adding lesser-known creatures that its own paleontologists excavated from Wyoming’s Jurassic Mile. Two soaring longnecked sauropods and a curious-looking marine reptile called a baptanodon are among the fossils that now have a home here. Talk about good bones. 3000 N. Meridian St., 317-334-4000, child rensmuseum.org

BeneDICT Polizzi

Sure, TikTok stardom is real. But TV stardom is still better. Southside native and standup comedian Benedict Polizzi (bene dictpolizzi.com) hit the national spotlight this summer when he wisecracked his way through auditions for HBO’s dating show FBoy Island and was cast as a “nice guy” contestant opposite the titular jerks. The 32-yearold lasted the whole series but didn’t end up with the girl. Instead, he started a serious relationship with success— opening for the show’s host, Nikki Glaser, in Las Vegas. But he gets some of his best material back home in Indianapolis.

Pickup Spot

Starbucks on Mass Ave (430 Massachusetts Ave.) because there are more dogs than humans.

Sports Team

The Colts (colts.com) because I start every morning by kissing the Peyton Manning statue.

Restaurant

The Ball & Biscuit (331 Massachusetts Ave.) because the lighting is so low that no one can see my crow’s feet.

Club

The Patron Saint (250 S. Meridian St.) because I feel like we’re breaking fire code.

Comedy Club

Helium (10 W. Georgia St.) because all the best comedians perform there and they’re dumb enough to book me.

AFTER-WORK HANGOUT

You want to put some mental space between the work day and the rest of the evening? Cannon Ball Lounge makes you feel like you’re somewhere else—somewhere sophisticated, relaxed, and a little secret. Set on the top floor of the new Hotel Indy downtown, the midcenturymodern–inflected space has a rooftop patio and wideopen views of the city. The private elevator straight to your cocktail doesn’t hurt, either. 141 E. Washington St., 317-735-2592, cannonballindy.com

Kids Night

Planning a kid’s party these days takes more creativity than most of us can muster after what we’ve been through lately. One call to Circle City Sleepovers can keep you sane. The duo behind the new venture expertly brings an outer space–themed sleepover to life, complete with matching teepee tents, flocculent pillows, and coordinating snack trays. Not into planets? Choose from five other inspired themes and a bundle of party frills

that are sure to elicit a few squeals and TikTok likes. 314-680-3835, circlecity sleepovers.com

Shag Haircuts

Amid the coolness of SoBro’s 46th Street, D&G Studio is turning back time by turning out modernized versions of ’70s shags, mullets, and curly cuts favored by trailblazing celebrities—Miley, Zendaya, and Taylor, to name a few. 2017 E. 46th St., instagram .com/dgstudioindy

LIBRARY

A recent renovation by Indy’s RATIO Architects turned the Carmel Clay Main Library from a tired, dour presence on a downtown block into a glass-enclosed temple of modern media. In addition to the stacks of books, there’s a digital lab with 3-D printers, music practice rooms, a teen lounge, a bookstore, and a Java House coming soon. Nonresidents of Hamilton County can buy a statewide library card for $65. 425 E. Main St., Carmel, 317-814-3900, carmelclaylibrary.org

Post-Workout Hang

If you need an incentive not to skip leg day, the promise of açaí bowls, well-dressed avocado toasts, and craft brews at Top Out Cafe , the high-ceilinged lounge at North Mass Boulder, should be more than enough to get you in for a climbing session or conditioning class. It’s open to nonmembers, which means the lattes, gochujang sticky wings, and paninis are worth a stop, whether or not you’re recharging your quads. 1411 Roosevelt Ave, 317-953-6669, topoutcafe.com

Sound Bath

Hear us out—sound baths aren’t BS. They’re like a massage for your nervous system. These multisensory experiences include yogic breathing techniques and meditative mantras that can help increase relaxation, lower stress, and heighten your focus. Devon Ginn uses singing bowls, bells, chimes, and indigenous instruments to create ambient, calming vibrations to soothe both body and mind. Sounds good to us. instagram.com/yodevg

Wellness Class

NEW TRAIL

Yes, the point of the 4.5-mile Nickel Plate Trail is to move, but the railbed conversion’s rest stops are the reason to toot the horn—top restaurants and watering holes along 116th Street, Adirondack chairs, monumental stairs for people-watching, and swings hanging from the old train platform in a playful nod to city history. playfishers.com

In A Moveable Feast, Ernest Hemingway said we should “write hard and clear about what hurts.” He was right. Research has shown it’s therapeutic to write about what’s weighing on our hearts and minds. Locally, Dominique Weldon teaches Creative Writing for Wellness at Butler University and facilitates free, online Writing for Wellness classes through the Indiana Writers Center. Her classes help you identify “what hurts” and encourage healing. 1125 Brookside Ave., indianawrit ers.org

BAR CART

MJ Coyle, the HGTVfamous designer for Two Chicks and a Hammer, has a special touch for stylish entertaining.

Carts

You can always find unique bar carts at Midland Arts & Antiques Market (907 E. Michigan St.), plus small knickknacks while you’re at it.

Holiday Wine

Oliver Winery (oliverwinery .com) is one of my favorite Indiana wines. They have lots of high-quality, fruitforward wines that are delicious on their own or make for great cocktail mixers. A must-have for your bar cart.

Vintage Barware

I seem to always stumble upon amazing midcentury barware and champagne buckets at French Pharmacie Flea (823 E. Westfield Blvd.).

Trays

I have two incredible wooden trays from Haus Love (5901 N. College Ave.). Also, their lamp selection is impeccable.

Napkins

Hands down, Parkside Linen (1762 E. 86th St.) has everything you need for a swanky cocktail party.

SPA DAY

There’s a bit of cognitive dissonance going from the Bottleworks District sidewalk to the inner sanctum of Woodhouse Day Spa in just a few steps. All of your senses instantly encounter solace and indulgence, as if you stumbled through a secret portal to a luxurious dimension. The service and treatments are excellent, and you can make a day of it with shopping, dining, drinks, and a movie right there at Bottleworks. 850 Massachusetts Ave., 317-981-8888, woodhousespas.com

Book Club

Imagine a happy hour for introverts or anyone who dislikes the pressure of traditional lit groups. There’s no assigned reading for Silent Book Club , so you can bring whatever book you want. The Indy chapter, founded by communications professional Kelsey Jones, meets roughly every month, usually at Hotel Indy. Lose yourself in the latest best-seller or mingle with fellow bookworms at these relaxed, inclusive meetups. instagram.com/silentbook clubindy

Funny Instagram Account

The silver lining to the interminable I-65 North Split construction? Stuck on College Ave , documenting the mishaps of rerouted heavy vehicles—and a new walk of shame. It’s when a passenger has to alight from a box truck or school bus that can’t make it under the train trestle at College Avenue and Washington Street downtown and guide the driver out of the jam. Chances are, someone in the cars stuck behind them is filming and hashtagging. instagram .com/stuckoncollegeave

Pilates Classes

With just three Reformers, the brandnew drop-in classes at Era Pilates in Fountain Square feel more like semiprivate sessions than group ones, ensuring plenty of personal attention from the top-notch instructors for $40 (they specialize in pre- and post-natal Pilates, too). The commitment-free aspect is attractive, but you’ll find yourself clearing your schedule to return to the small, sunny studio. 1224 Prospect St., 317-828-3251, erapilatesindy.com

Pickleball Lessons

Hundreds of new pickleball players are learning block shots and backhand punches from Steve Farley , a retired Butler University baseball coach with a phys-ed degree (although even he’ll tell you that advanced players should get tournament-tough through Team Witskin). Farley’s 90-minute class at Life Time Castle Creek in Castleton fills up every month, and you just need one to hold your own in the kitchen. It’s open to nonmembers, and he’ll give private lessons at your neighborhood’s tennis courts, too. sfarley19@yahoo.com

YOGA SETTING

Art stretches the mind, but Sundaymorning classes inside The LUME Indianapolis stretch the body, too. Amid what is arguably Indy’s most inspiring atmosphere for yoga, Invoke Studio instructors lead attendees in an hourlong set of vinyasa poses while dreamy digital artwork by Monet and other famous impressionists flashes across the floor and walls. Inhale extra deeply—the exhibit’s piped-in floral scent is a lovely bonus. Newfields, 4000 Michigan Rd., 317-631-9642, invokestudio.com

Free Workout

With an open field, some tractor tires to flip, a cargo net to climb, low beams to vault, and more classic obstacles, Gatling Gauntlet in Nineveh is a no-cost, low-frills workout covering 20 skills in 1.6 miles. If you can’t torch the whole thing, or don’t exactly look coordinated on the incline wall, there won’t be many people to notice. Two laps around equals a 5K, perfect training ground for an upcoming race once the course reopens in the spring. Watch the YouTube videos for a demonstration on each challenge, and post your time on the leaderboard if you’re good. 7995 S. Gatling St., Nineveh, 317-739-8600, www .festivalcountryindiana.com/thegatling-gauntlet

Targeted Workout

At the risk of being the butt of many jokes, Glutes 317 opened this year and embraced all the buns puns. The membershipbased near-eastside gym is an indoor-outdoor setup made of cargo shipping containers with dedicated “boxes” for classes, free weights, and a sauna. Sessions cover light- and heavylifting days and a focus on core stabilization for better mobility and health. A suggested routine of three times per week promises to plump the rump to peachy perfection. The first class is on them. 218 S. State St., 317-660-1911, doitinabox.com

NINJA WORKOUT

Started by a five-time American Ninja Warrior, Ultimate Ninjas opened in the summer with a warped wall and 19 other obstacles made famous by the hit show. Ninjas in training and ninjas at heart only are all welcome at classes and open play. 9625 E. 150th St., Noblesville, 317-473-7480, ultimateninjas.com

SHOPPING

White Shirt

All the cool kids have been wearing this button-down workhorse. The “Schiffer” shirt from the Indy-based label Lyssé New York has been spotted over a sports bra and biker shorts on the Monon, a tank and jeans at Newfields, and even as a coverup at the pools. At $108, it’s a smidge longer in back, has a generous boyfriend cut, and refuses to wrinkle. Frances + Parke, 20 N. Main St., Zionsville, francesparke.com

New Beauty Product

BOOK BAGS

The old-school cloth totes at Indy Reads combine the nostalgia of the Troll Book Club with modern sass. Skim them all:

“Books—The Original Touch Screen,” “Read Like a Girl,” and “Talk Wordy to Me.” Then fill up your favorite with bargain used novels and get to class. 1066 Virginia Ave., 317-384-1496, indyreads.org

You know the scent. We know the scent. Heck, Australians know the scent of sweet, earthy, enigmatic Ambre Blends, born here and sold worldwide. Now the unofficial fragrance of Indianapolis has evolved into Ambre Blends Natural Solid Essence , a dab-on version of the superclean formula. ambreblends.com

Belt Bags

Gen Z calls them belt bags. Millennials know they’re fanny packs. But everyone agrees that Stoney Clover sets the new standard with felt patches, sequins, gold hardware, and monograms. Customize one at Addendum Gallery . Carmel City Center, 317-253-3400, addendumgallery.com

EXPANSION

Chef-favorite Gravesco Pottery spun out to a bigger space near downtown this year, allowing Rebecca Graves more room to showcase her signature grooved mugs, tumblers, tableware, and home accessories alongside a bevy of blankets, gourmet food items, and personal care products with the same contemporary, earthy spirit. 1501 E. Michigan St., 567-694-4750, gravescopottery.com

Grab-and-Go Bouquets

Flower Boys Jake Rupp and Jake Smith brought a whiff of European romance to Fletcher Place when they opened a storefront in March. While their workshops and stem wall have many devotees, the ready-made bouquets have found a cult following among posy-lovers. For $13, you get your pick of colorful, compact, adorable arrangements wrapped to travel. 702 Lexington Ave., 317-734-9356, flowerboysindy.com

Hip Children’s Shop

HGTV star Mina Hawk has birthed two kids and one store since her show, Good Bones, became a hit seven seasons ago. Originally dedicated to comfycool homegoods, Two Chicks District Co. has expanded into similarly styled kids’ clothes. And like Hawk, the flared denim, mini shackets, workwear-style jumpsuits, and earlyempowerment statement tees like “Babes Supporting Babes” and “World Changer” aren’t too precious to get dirty. 1531 S. East St., 317-426-3652, twochicksdis trictco.com

HEAD SHOP

Five women form the smoke circle of success behind Mona , a modern cannabis-lifestyle boutique packed with curated smoking vessels and accessories from women- and minority-owned businesses. From Indy-based Fluff’s Delta 8 vegan gummies to the CBDcannabis-free munchies lining the shelves, the joint prioritizes quality first. You can put that in your pipe and smoke it. 977 Hosbrook St., 317-500-4686 (text only), getwavymona.com

Preppy Children’s Shop

Steve Schwartz of Zionsville’s bygone Ballerinas and Bruisers just moved school districts. Find the popular kids’ clothing trendsetter at Lunch Money Boutique , now turning heads in IPS territory with faux-leather dresses, cutesy holiday pajamas, and baby oxfords. Owner Shallan Hazlewood gets extra credit for design, down to the cafeteria-esque speckled floor. 5617 N. Illinois St.

Crystals

Unearth a treasure trove of crystalline proportions at Inner Path , a longstanding new-age shop with two locations. Whether you want to awaken your mind’s eye or just add some sparkle to a living space, the selection of abundant and rare stones begs for a serendipitous splurge. Don’t miss their handmade, crystal jewelry collections, like Brooklyn-based artisan Bora Jewelry. 1484 W. 86th St., 317-228-9411; 7673 S. Shelby St., 317-883-1100; myinnerpath.com

New Vintage Shop

D.C. transplant Macey Schumacher of Nuova Vita Vintage blends modern and vintage pieces into a shoppable collection of timeless, rotating staples. There are racks devoted to both men’s and plus-size fashions, which are often less organized elsewhere, even in these glory days of vintage shopping. 907 N. Pennsylvania St., nuovavitavintage.com

Tennis Skirts

Now that the fashion set has coopted tennis style, go for the real thing at the Indianapolis Racquet Club pro shop . Nonmembers are welcome to score the latest quality collections from Nike, Adidas, Fila, and Eleven by Venus Williams. Ready to serve? 8249 Dean Rd., 317-849-2531, indyracquet.com

HOUSEPLANTS

Trendy Foliage

The Botanical Bar is stacked with all of the stunning species of the moment, like elephant ears, variegated rubber plants, pink Dalmatians, and shark fin succulents.

The light and airy shop is smaller than other plantporium boutiques blooming citywide, but that makes it easy to process the options. They’ll also repot anything you bring in. 1103 N. College Ave., 317-319-9591, the botanicalbarindy.com

Soil Blend

Monstera parents and calathea caretakers know the dirt about Snakeroot Botanicals the nouveau plant shop sells its specially blended potting mix by the pound in Fishers and Fountain Square. Go the back room, grab a burlap bag, and scoop up as much of the nutrient-rich soil as you need to make fellow flora-lovers green with envy. 1052 Virginia Ave., 317-604-7562; 8597 E. 116th St., Fishers, 317522-6339; snakeroot botanicals.com

Flower Pots

Usually, you buy the plant and then the pot. But the vessels at The Forest Flower flip the script. Dozens of contemporarycool options for the floor, shelf, and hook go well beyond utilitarian with a dizzying array of modern colors and fresh designs, like terrazzo-style resin cups flecked with pink, mustard, and turquoise. Learn how to stop killing the contents through the shop’s Houseplants 101 class and you can keep buying more. 3205 W. 71st St., 317-291-1441, theforestflower.com

FOOD& DRINK

NEW SPIRIT

With marshmallow, caramelized sugar, and vanilla extract, ’Shmallow, the newest bourbon from Hotel Tango Distillery , is a far more sophisticated take on flavored spirits than the gourmand Smirnoff you drank in college. The s’moreslike profile is strengthened by subtle hints of smoke, and ’Shmallow is smooth enough that even clear-liquor fans might be tempted to sip it on its own—perhaps with a crushed-graham-cracker rim? hoteltangodistillery.com

Canned Cocktails

Newcomer distiller Hi & Mighty nailed its first round of canned offerings by perfectly capturing seasonal flavors. Those missing the State Fair need only to crack open a Lemon Shake Up, a gin-based riff on the midway staple. And when the leaves start to change, the brandy-forward, cinnamonspiked Spiced Apple Sidekick is practically a requirement around a bonfire. drinkhiandmighty.com

Outrageous Cookies

It was only a matter of time before a local crumble-master arrived on the scene to give a certain chain sensation a run for its sugar bombs. While the focus at The Cavity Factory cookie truck is the rotating menu of unparalleled mashups like Almond Joy, Oreo Butterfinger, and milk chocolate pistachio, don’t snooze on the chocolate chip, a thick, gooey treat you’ll hunt down all over the city. 317-2817659, thecavityfactory.com

Pasta Night

Every toothsome piece of perfectly al dente pasta at Cortona’s Italian Cuisine & Wine Bar is a real deal made by owner Simone Lucarini, who hails from the Tuscan town where Eat, Pray, Love was filmed. If the special is spaghetti awash in a family-recipe pecorino sauce, order it and watch as it’s tossed tableside in a hollowed-out shell of Parmigiano-Reggiano. The required vessel isn’t always on hand, so catch the show if you can. 209 S. Main St., Fortville, 317-7474242, cortonasitaliancuisine.com

NEW RESTAURANT

Giving comfort food the respect of fine-dining finesse, The Fountain Room lives up to its self-appointed superlative, “Mass Ave’s finest supper club.” The twostory showstopper borrows the Art Deco splendor of the Bottleworks Hotel next door with tufted leather chairs, glamorous clamshell booths, marble bar tops, and cascading chandeliers. Executive chef Andrew Popp’s big-shouldered menu covers everything from fine-tuned steaks and seafood to wild-card winners like a 20-ounce Circle City Cut prime rib with a tableside pour of jus, a noble old-school relish tray, utterly decadent French onion soup, and the best Coca-Cola barbecue ribs in town. 830 Massachusetts Ave., 463238-3800, thefountainroom.com

MILKSHAKE

When Sugar Factory opened in April, confection connoisseurs lined up. And Instagram blew up … with the over-the-top shakes. In classic flavors of vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, cookies and cream, and coffee, Insane Milkshakes are poured into chocolate-and-sprinkle-coated mugs, thick but sippable and worthy of their old-timey striped paper straws. The towering concoctions are stacked with chocolate-dipped bananas, spiral lollipops, candy necklaces, caramel waffles, blue glazed doughnuts, pink frosted cupcakes, cotton candy, and cheesecake hunks. If you’re going to do it, do it right. 49 W. Maryland St., 463-217-0383, sugarfactory.com

Wings

Not many great chefs fuss over this game-day staple, but thankfully, Tia Wilson of Chicken Scratch isn’t snobby. She brings a slam-dunk combination of tradition and creativity to crispy, juicy, bone-in drumettes drenched in sauces like hot honey, mango habanero, garlic buffalo, and Cajun ranch. 5308 N. Keystone Ave., 317-426-3457, chickenscratchindy.com

Sangria

Sangria isn’t just for summer, and Bocca proves it. The new midtown hotspot’s take blends Italian red wine, deep-flavored Italian herbal liqueur, apple cider, and housemade spiced syrup into a low-alcohol cocktail you can enjoy without overindulging. It’s the perfect intro into what Bocca does best: infuse traditional menu items with modern Italian ingredients. 122 E. 22nd St., 317-426-2045, boccaindy.com

Smoothies

It may look like a humble produce stand from the outside, but the counter staff at Isaro’s Market and Juice Bar in Fletcher Place take their blenders seriously, whether they’re making a textbook strawberry–banana festooned with fruit garnishes or innovating with hemp, strong-brew coffee, or beetroot. 642 Virginia Ave., 317-426-4916

Iced Cookies

It takes a lot for a home baker to stand out from the crowded pack. Banner Sparks of Blooming Bakes makes the cookie her canvas for gorgeous handpainted (not printed) masterpieces, including uncanny portrait work. The new mom’s custom orders are on hold, but she starts selling four-pack holiday gift sets in early December. And yes, the soft sugar cookies are delicious. facebook.com/blooming.bakes9

BISCUITS

Soft. Flaky. Warm. Substantial. Crunchy (just a little). Grandma’s recipe at Big Bear Biscuits earns every adjective. While the heavenly heft adds to the experience of the many sandwiches (bologna, short rib) and sweets (blueberry cobbler, bourbon brownie), if you came for the namesake nibble, we suggest The Bears and The Bees. That’s just biscuits loaded with brie, pecans, fruit, jam, and local honey. 3905 E. 96th St., 317343-2103, bigbearbiscuits.com

Located in a former fire station, Chalet borrows the après-ski style of St. Moritz and gives us somewhere to go in thick sweaters and shearling boots for chocolate croissants and pistachio lattes.

Caffeine is served until 4 p.m. and cocktails until 10 p.m. most nights. Remote workers, take note: There’s no Wi-Fi because Chalet wants to keep the vibe relaxed. 5555 N. Illinois St., 317-207-2127, chaletindy.com

COFFEE

Ice Cream Case

Pans brimming with voluminous folds of colorful housemade gelato and ice cream—some studded with marshmallows, drizzled with fruit syrup, or even layered with soft hunks of snack cakes—fill the cold cases at The New Age of Ice Cream and More . And tidy rows of gem-like popsicles stand like soldiers, ready to be pulled from their chilly ranks. Many flavors here are seasonal, but expect at least one cookie variation— like the creamy, aromatic Mint Oreo swirled with cookie chunks—and nearly as many vegan options as milk-based ones. 1325 Shelby St., 317-384-1093

Dinner and DJ

SLEEVE ART

Barista John Vazquez at Calvin Fletcher’s Coffee Company sketches portraits on coffee sleeves and sticky notes, capturing hair styles, body language, and even moods. It’s not just regulars. He posts caricatures of bad customer interactions on Instagram, too (@aliensushi). 647 Virginia Ave., 317-423-9697, cfcoffeecom pany.com

DAY-TONIGHT SCENE

In this cozy, literal brickand-mortar underground space, the fullservice coffee bar at Commissary cranks out seasonal specialties so good you can’t help but share them on social media. There’s also food, including Sidedoor bagels and vegan breakfast wraps. On Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights, Commissary transitions to Blind Tiger, the after-hours “speakeasy” with beer, wine, and chill vibes.

304 E. New York St., 317-7303121, commi ssaryindy.com

COFFEE SERVICE

A meal is not officially over at Geraldine’s Supper Club until the blackvested server has whisked out this after-dinner caffeinated spread. In keeping with the nostalgic steakhouse theme, the piping-hot brew arrives in an ornate silver pot on an equally elegant tray, with a selection of sweet add-ins such as whipped Chantilly cream, warm caramel sauce, cinnamon sticks, and turbinado sugar cubes that will send you home with a good buzz.

1101 English Ave., 317-6003336, geraldines indy.com

COLD BREW FLIGHT

Located in a modest building on the far-west side, Best Friends Coffee & Bagels drills down on its seasonal lattes, rolling out themed menus to correspond with the weather and holidays. For those who don’t have enough mornings on their calendars to try them all, the four-pour flight of mini cold brews is a handy way to sample the elaborate, sweet cream–topped likes of salted caramel, Fluffer Nutter, cookie dough, and lavender white chocolate. 1060 E. Main St., Brownsburg, 317-3502185, facebook .com/bestfriends coffeeandbagels

If you don’t already love Cholita for the heady margaritas and build-yourown taco platters, we have another reason to hit the Broad Ripple taqueria. With popular DJs on tap, they also know how to turn up the volume on date night. Before you can even care that it’s too loud to hear, you’ll be ordering another round to enjoy the free concert from the comfort of a cushy velvet booth. 1001 Broad Ripple Ave., 317-3895555, cholitatacos.com

Pancake

You only need one Lemon Souffle Pancake at Gallery on 16th , not a stack. This Japanese riff is a freshbaked pillowy shell that stands a few inches tall and is filled with smooth lemon curd and then dressed up like a luau dancer with fresh fruit, flowers, and flakes of gold leaf placed with tweezers. 319 E. 16th St., 317-820-5526, 16th .gallerypastry.com

Pastry Box

If you can’t attend one of Ruchi Shah’s interactive, educational high teas featuring her family’s recipe for aromatic chai, you can order a box of Chai High Tea ’s tasty sweet and savory pastries for your own afternoon party. The boxes, available for pickup in spring, include twists on Indian snacks such as chutney sandwiches, curried sweet potato hand pies, scones with clotted cream, and pistachio cake rusk, a biscotti-like treat that’s perfect for dunking in one of their own chai blends. theafternoonchai.com

Lunchbox Cakes

Supersize a cupcake so it fits perfectly inside a small styrofoam clamshell and voila —a social-media sensation. A few bakers here offer the darling Korean lunchbox cakes by special order, but you can usually find the two-person, double-layer treat ready to go at The Flying Cupcake in Carmel for $29. 831 S. Rangeline Rd., Carmel, 317-396-2696, theflyingcupcakebakery.com

New Canned Sodas

If you’re looking for a more exotic, less sugary sipper than traditional colas, Bollygood should be your go-to. Maxine Henderson riffs on the lemony beverage nimbu pani that’s popular in Indian markets by spiking up the sparkling soda with ginger and mint or lime and cumin, plus a signature hit of salt. Drink one straight up or use it as a mixer for an aromatic cocktail. You’ll have to go online to get them. bollygood.com

MOCHI DOUGHNUTS

These colorful Hawaiian-style doughnuts combine the best aspects of a pillowy glazed yeast and sticky-sweet mochi ice cream bon bons—a science that Mochi Joy Donuts has mastered in the most delightful way from the modest kitchen of Noblesville’s VFW Thursday through Sunday. Owners Tom Nguyen and Rachel Burnett churn them out in a rainbow of flavors: banana pudding pie rimmed in crushed Nilla Wafers, a pixie-dusted purple Taro Unicorn, strawberry funnel cake, deep-purple ube, sweet corn pie, and even a slightly savory black sesame. Buy them individually or by the box—but do not dawdle. Arriving after they have sold out for the day (as they often do) is a killjoy. 654 S. 9th St., Noblesville, 463-2660021, mochijoydonuts.com

Chips and Dip

Some people call it junk food, but Bluebeard does not trifle with our most compulsive snack habit. The Fletcher Place eatery presents its appetizer potato chips—thin-sliced yet sturdy, ringed in a filament of potato skin—in a proper white bowl. The accompanying trivet of chunky French onion dip is cool and surprisingly light with pockets of garlic and complex waves of umami. Instead of salty overkill, you get this perfect balance: an earthy snap of spud that holds up well under the dip’s delicate creaminess. For the record, you can’t eat just one. 653 Virginia Ave., 317-6861580, bluebeardindy.com

Onion Rings

More tennis bracelet than chunky bangle, the wispy loops of allium served by the paper basket at Apocalypse Burger take the less-is-more approach to deep-fried bliss. Sweet onions are sliced on a mandolin, lightly coated in a peppery seasoned flour, and flash-fried into a crunchy nest of addictively munchable ringlets. (Imagine a warm, finger-food version of French’s crispy-fried casserole topper.) Each batch comes with a dipping sauce of choice, from ranch to wasabi aioli to ginger chili, making a good thing even better. 115 E. 49th St., 317-426-5001, apoca lypseburger.com

Savory Pastries

Customers who can resist the urge toward sweet at Amelia’s gourmet bakeries are rewarded with limited-edition tarts and Danishes that substitute for meals. Cheddar cheese and savory granola have topped the laminated green tomato chutney toast. There have been Crois-Dawgs (like jumbo pigs in a blanket), sweet-pepper pizza pastries, Cuban croissants garnished with cornich-

ons, and caprese kites. Danish variations have included tomato and hot honey popping with Baharat-spiced fried chickpeas, and a mouthwatering beauty topped with au gratin potatoes, spring onion, and mornay. Try not to fall in love with any of them, though. The flaky inventory rotates weekly. 653 Virginia Ave., 1637 Nowland Ave.; 317-686-1583, ameliasbread.com

Pizza by the Slice

Last year, they went deep with their Detroit-style Futuro. This year, Indy’s first couple of pizza dough, Luke Tobias and Sarah Saint Aubin, took on the oversized New York slice at their cozy follow-up, Grump’s Slice Stop The massive triangles are lightly sauced, generously crusted, and pliable enough to achieve a classic Naples al libretto fold. A single slice makes a meal—and a fine one when you consider the range of toppings includes a solid margherita, a State Fair–inspired ranch pickle, and a fierce spicy salami lit up with jalapeño and hot honey (plus piped-on ricotta for the cooldown). The $5 weekday lunch special that bundles a piece of cheese or pepperoni with a fresh, hot jumbo breadstick, dipping sauce, and canned soda is the best deal in town. 2201 E. 46th St., 317-792-1413

Lasagna

Other versions might soar higher off the plate or have a more impressive noodle count. But the gooey, old-world entree at Our Table is so tender and cheesy, so judiciously sauced so that the sticky-tomato flavor punches through the mozz and Parm, that you might weep with the first bite. Don’t worry that it sits so low on the plate, a midcentury-modern pasta structure buried under heavy layers of molten cheese. It’s an unapologetically humble version (a grower, not a shower, if you will) that any nonna would be proud to serve. 5080 State Rd. 135, Bargersville, 317-530-2624, ourtablerestaurant.com

PERSONAL BESTS

Joey Chestnut

The world-champion competitive eater—now a Hamilton County resident—once ate 17 pounds of St. Elmo shrimp cocktail in one sitting. He has also consumed enough of his new home to have some opinions.

Local Dish

This is surely influenced by the fact I’m cutting out sugars right now and literally dream of sugar and starch. The bourbon bread pudding at Harry & Izzy’s (153 S. Illinois St., 4050 E. 82nd St.) has been on my mind more than anything. The server brings it to the table fresh out of the oven and drenches it with enough Maker’s Mark to make me nervous. I don’t even want to know how much sugar is needed to balance out the booze, but there is enough. The texture of the bread pudding is perfect, not burned, super moist without being soggy. I fantasize about sitting at the circle bar and only ordering the bourbon bread pudding and Budweisers, over and over again.

Chicken Wings

I love chicken wings. All of the Ale Emporium (ale-emporium.com) locations do a great job. Quality and consistency, which is hard with chicken wings, plus unique sauces and employees that love wings.

Bar

Close to me in Westfield is a Joe’s Bar and Grill (16156 Spring Mill Rd., Westfield). The food is great (for a bar); I get the BLT. There is a great mix of people. It is amazing how busy the place can get on Friday and Saturday nights. I’ve used the free shuttle they offer to keep everyone safe. Oh, yeah, they have great bartenders who can be convinced to take shots.

Tenderloin

I love that I never had tenderloin before moving to Indiana. Trying new foods and learning about them makes me feel like a kid. Close to where I live, Grindstone on the Monon (17470 Wheeler Rd., Westfield) has an amazing tenderloin sandwich— perfectly seasoned and fried in a way that reminds me of great fried chicken. The bun is big enough for the tenderloin and toppings. I’ve had some sandwiches that are all tenderloin and nothing else. For

dinner, I get the Hoosier plate with the same tasty tenderloin covered in gravy.

Sandwich

Hoagies & Hops (4155 Boulevard Pl.) is about 25 minutes from where I’m at in Westfield, but it’s worth the drive. The owner or her husband drive to Philly to get the bread! The steak is ribeye and the cheese is wiz, just like the best places in Philly. But it tastes so much better in Indiana.

Hole-in-the-Wall Restaurant

Pupuseria Casa Maria (7363 N. Michigan Rd.) is a small joint, but I have always been able to sit down and enjoy a variety of awesome pupusas. Maria is in the kitchen making the pupusas fresh. Her husband works the register and is happy to give recommendations. Every meal I’ve had at Maria’s has been more than satisfying.

Hangout

Urban Vines (303 E. 161st St., Westfield) is sweet. In the winter, they have igloos that you can rent and get crazy in.

Tip for Eating Shrimp Cocktail

I’m honest with myself. I accept that it is going to hurt and know the pain will go away. The first shrimp is always the hardest. The fresh horseradish hits so hard I want to panic. I get a rush from not panicking, then I chew the shrimp and swallow. Almost like magic, the heat goes away and I’m left wondering if I was exaggerating. So I end up eating another … then I’m addicted. And in trouble.

THE HIGH NOTES

The astounding rise to fame of our homegrown a cappella group Straight No Chaser followed a sinuous path of lucky breaks, missteps, and impulsive decisions. They wouldn’t have had it any other way.

AS TOLD TO LOU HARRY

A QUARTER OF a century ago, a bunch of upstart vocalists decided to splinter off from the Indiana University Singing Hoosiers and form their own a cappella group. At first, the goal was mostly to get the attention of coeds. Now, though, the birthed-at-IU Straight No Chaser is a musical sensation, with a string of hit albums, PBS specials, and a 25th anniversary tour that includes four shows at the Murat Theatre December 10–11, one at IU Auditorium December 16, and performances in South Bend, Fort Wayne, and Evansville in between. Straight No Chaser usually consists of nine or 10 performers at any given time. (“Ten is our sweet spot,” says former member Ryan Ahlwardt.) To get the story on how it all happened, IM separately interviewed five key early members for this oral history, which has been edited for both length and clarity. As you’ll read, not everything was pitch perfect on the road to harmonic success.

THE VOICES

DAN PONCE

Original member, now a journalist for WGN in Chicago

RANDY STINE

Original and current member

JEROME COLLINS

Original and current member

STEVE MORGAN

Original and current member

RYAN AHLWARDT

Replacement college member and part of reunited group, now host of Indy Live

The Beginning

JEROME COLLINS: It was sort of a music fraternity—our way of getting away from the choir and doing our own thing. We wanted to have fun with the music we enjoyed. Nothing wrong [with Singing Hoosiers], but we were just bored. We wanted to sing Huey Lewis and Michael Jackson.

RYAN AHLWARDT: Dan [Ponce] handpicked a lot of that original group.

DAN PONCE: I’d always been in love with a cappella music and the college groups that would visit my high school. When I got to IU—one of the best music schools in the world—there was no group like those.

RANDY STINE: Some schools have 10 or

20 groups on campus. We didn’t have that at Indiana.

PONCE: It started sophomore year. Let’s make a group. Let’s start singing.

STINE: A lot of bands are started by friends … but maybe one guy only has been playing drums for a few months. Instead, we built ours off musical ability. One person came to rehearsal and just assumed he was in. Well, no. That’s not how this works. Just showing up doesn’t put you in the band.

STEVE MORGAN: I was the last [of the original members] in. They auditioned every other tenor they could think of. Not quite right. Not quite right. Someone said, “There’s a freshman who sings high …” My audition was in the Singing Hoosiers’ music library, which is a glorified closet. We probably started that week putting together the Dance Marathon routine.

PHOTOS COURTESY STRAIGHT NO CHASER

CHASING FAME

From their early days in Bloomington to shows around the world, the success of Straight No Chaser has eclipsed the wildest dreams of the a cappella group that began at Indiana University.

The Dance Marathon

STINE: Dan got the first gig. He had a lot of Greek connections. He spoke to someone who said, “We’ll give you a time slot at, like, 7 a.m. on a Sunday.” That’s a coveted spot, right?

PONCE: The night before the performance, we didn’t have a name. We were sitting in Denny’s and we threw out a bunch of really lame names like The Crimson Knights … just awful.

STINE: Dan walked up to the mic to introduce us and said, “Ladies and gentlemen, we are ….” Then he turned to us and said, “What name are we going by?” [The name was inspired by the title of a Thelonious Monk album.]

MORGAN: We came in with our five songs we had been rehearsing and practicing for a month.

PONCE: We started a song that was so bad. We were so off. I remember the look we gave each other onstage. That is burned in my memory, what a dud it was. If anyone heard that, they would have said, “No way this group is going to take off.”

MORGAN: But we got good feedback from people who were delirious from standing on their feet for 24 hours.

STINE: It was by no means flawless or fantastic.

MORGAN: It doubled our resolve.

Campus Gigging … and a Chicago summer

COLLINS: We started out singing in dorms. Singing anywhere to anybody at any time.

STINE: Our first paid gig was probably a sorority moms’ weekend.

AHLWARDT: Sorority girls are your main audience when you’re 18 or 20 years old. You’re really singing for girls and food.

COLLINS: We went dorm storming.

STINE: My dad had been very apprehensive about the whole thing. But then the parents visited for a weekend and they watched a show and it suddenly clicked for him. My dad said that, like sports teams, we needed to practice over the summer. “If you guys disband, you lose the progress you made. Get all of the guys to move to Chicago for the summer.” So I pitched that to the group.

PONCE: We rented an apartment and all lived together and did gigs around the city. It was a blast. We had birthday parties. We opened for Lou Rawls.

STINE: We performed at Navy Pier four

to five shows a day on weekends. That led to a gig at the Hammond riverboat casino. So we hit the ground running when we came back to campus in the fall of ’97.

Alumni Hall and Alumni Support

COLLINS: We didn’t know how good we were until we went to another campus, the University of Illinois. Another group got snowed in and we got the call. The crowd went crazy, something we had never seen before. That’s when we hit our stride, had a little swagger. I turned to the guys, Sister Act–style, and said, “We are now a group.” Then there was the first concert at Alumni Hall. There was a long line when we were walking in and we thought there must be someone else also performing.

PONCE: It was the talk of the campus. A sold-out show at Alumni Hall. We’d been a group for a little over a year.

COLLINS: That show put us on the map.

AHLWARDT: The executive director of the IU Alumni Association had been looking for an ambassador group that he could send around the country. He heard us at a niece’s wedding and said, “Meet me in my office on Monday.”

COLLINS: That was a game-changer, getting us to

CONTINUED ON PAGE 100

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WHEN YOU NEED A ROUTINE

dental checkup and cleaning or a more specialized service, who do you call?

Meet more than 300 Central Indiana dentists worthy of your consideration. According to whom? The dentists themselves, who voted for their colleagues in an independent survey commissioned by Indianapolis Monthly and conducted by topDentists, LLC, of Augusta, Georgia. It posed one question to hundreds of dental professionals: If you had patients in need of a dentist, to whom would you refer them?

METHODOLOGY: This survey was conducted by topDentists, LLC, which sought input from dentists across the U.S. The nomination pool consists of dentists in the American Dental Association or local/regional professional societies, thus allowing virtually every dentist the opportunity to participate. Practitioners were selected based on a vote of their peers, who were asked to consider five factors: experience, continuing education, manner with patients, use of new techniques and technologies, and physical results. Survey respondents were asked to evaluate only dentists whose work was familiar to them. After the vote compilation, dentists with the highest average scores were checked for any record of misconduct against state dental boards. No payment is accepted by topDentists in exchange for selection.

DENTISTS TOP

DENTAL ANESTHESIOLOGY

KYLE J. KRAMER

Indiana University

School of Dentistry

1121 W. Michigan St. 317-924-2390 dentistry.iu.edu

MARK A. SAXEN

Indiana Office-Based

Anesthesia

8935 N. Meridian St., Ste. 107 317-924-2390 indyoba.com

ENDODONTICS

JOSEPH B. ADAMS

Indianapolis Endodontics

8102 Kingston St., Ste. 500, Avon 317-396-1873 indyendo.com

WILLIAM R. ADAMS

Indianapolis Endodontics

8102 Kingston St., Ste. 500, Avon 317-396-1873 indyendo.com

DONALD G. ANDERSON

Keystone Endodontics

3105 E. 98th St., Ste. 130 317-569-9977 keystoneendo.com

MICHAEL P. ASLIN

Hamilton County Endodontics

14757 Oak Rd., Ste. 400, Carmel 317-580-0123 hamiltoncountyendo.com

SVETLANA BERMAN

Berman Endodontics

704 Adams St., Ste. D, Carmel 317-815-5552 bermanendodontics.com

ADAM B. BROADY

Meridian Endodontics

9002 N. Meridian St., Ste. 201 317-846-4980 meridianendoindy.com

KARA BROTHERS

Central Indiana

Endodontics

8360 S. Emerson Ave., Ste. 600 600 317-882-8300 cinendo.com

JAMES E. DUNCAN

Northside Endodontics 1010 E. 86th St., Ste. 15 Ste. 317-844-3396 northsideendo.com

SCOTT T. HILL Hill Endodontics 5520 Pebble Village Ln., Ste. 200, Noblesville 317-399-7255 hillendo.com

CHARLES F. HINE Central Indiana Endodontics 8360 S. Emerson Ave., Ste. 600 600 317-882-8300 cinendo.com

CHRISTOPHER D. KUTANOVSKI

Indiana Endodontics 8782 Madison Ave. 317-882-2882 indianaendodontics.com

PAUL J. LEY

Indianapolis Endodontics 8102 Kingston St., Ste. 500, Avon 317-396-1873 indyendo.com

TOD R. MORETTON

Endodontic Specialists 10078 Lantern Rd., Fishers Fishers 317-570-9000 endospecialistsfishers.com endospeciali stsfishers.com

THOMAS K. NASSER

12188-A N. Meridian St., Ste. 300, Carmel 317-844-7833 nasserendo.com

DAVID H. PFOTENHAUER

Indianapolis Endodontics 8102 Kingston St., Ste. 500, Avon 317-396-1873 indyendo.com

BLAKE T. PRATHER Hamilton County

Endodontics

14757 Oak Rd., Ste. 400, Carmel 317-580-0123 hamiltoncountyendo.com

DOUGLAS L. RAMSEY

Indiana Endodontics

8782 Madison Ave. 317-882-2882 indianaendodontics.com

EDMUND L. RAPP

West 10th Dental Group 6443 W. 10th St., Ste. 204 317-247-9512 west10thdentalgroup.com

ASHLEIGH M. REXFORD Indianapolis Endodontics 8102 Kingston St., Ste. 500, Avon 317-396-1873 indyendo.com

FADI S. SALOUM

Eastside Endodontics 8105 E. Washington St. 317-357-3636 indyeastendo.com

JOHN H. SLAVENS

Northside Endodontics

1010 E. 86th St., Ste. 15 Ste. 317-844-3396 northsideendo.com

KENNETH SPOLNIK

Indiana University School of Dentistry

1121 W. Michigan St. 317-274-5306 dentistry.iu.edu

CHARLES L. STEFFEL Meridian Endodontics

9002 N. Meridian St., Ste. 201 317-846-4980 meridianendoindy.com

KATHRYN G. STUART

Advanced Endocare

8489 Fishers Centre Dr., Fishers 317-578-2224 advanced-endocare.com

BRIAN P. TATE Hamilton County

Endodontics

14757 Oak Rd., Ste. 400, Carmel 317-580-0123 hamiltoncountyendo.com

MYCHEL M. VAIL Endodontic Specialists

10078 Lantern Rd., Fishers Fishers 317-570-9000 endospecialistsfishers.com endospeciali stsfishers.com

CURT A. WARREN 10439 Commerce Dr., Ste. 120, Carmel 317-876-3636 warrenendo.com

GENERAL DENTISTRY

TIMOTHY C. ADAMS 3021 E. 98th St., Ste. 220 317-580-9222 timadamsdds.com

BENJAMIN D. AHLBRECHT North Meridian

Dental Excellence 8902 N. Meridian St., Ste. 102 Meridian 317-204-7134 smileindiana.com

ANDREW J. ALEXANDER Glendale Family Dentistry 2620 E. 62nd St. 317-251-2371 makingpeoplesmile.com

LESA M. ALLISON Park Pediatric Dentistry

1700 Smith Valley Rd., Ste. B-1, Greenwood 317-300-8163 parkpediatricdentist.com

KEITH A. ALVAREZ

Alvarez Family Dentistry

1185 W. Carmel Dr., Ste. D2, Carmel 317-846-1573 alvarezdentistry.com

HOLLY M. AUSTGEN

Austgen Family Dental 1405 W. County Line Rd., Ste. A, Greenwood 317-885-6400 austgenfamilydental.com

GARY L. BACON 9670 E. Washington St., Ste. 220 317-897-1147 drgarybacon.com

SANDRA E. BACON

Carmel Dental Care

1980 E. 116th St., Ste. 150, Carmel 317-848-1771 sandrabacondds.com

JOSEPH M. BAILEY Bailey & Wright Dentistry 1035 N. Post Rd. 317-897-6074 baileywrightdentistry.com

ALEX BALABAN Smile Arts Dental 200 Medical Dr., Dr., Ste. A, Carmel 317-575-1995 carmeldental.com

ANDREA W. BALL Ball Dentistry 4130 E. 10th St. 317-359-7244 balldentistry.com

CRAIG E. BALL Ball Dentistry 2935 E. 96th St., Ste. 100 317-846-3463 balldentistry.com

BRENT J. BARTA West 10th Dental Group 6443 W. 10th St., Ste. 204 317-247-9512 west10thdentalgroup.com

SCOTT M. BASSETT Fishers Family Dentistry 8410 E. 116th St., Fishers 317-576-0611 fishersfamilydentistry.com

DAVID E. BENDER Village Dental at Saxony 13390 Overview Dr., Fishers 317-565-4249 fishersindentist.com

BRAD R. BENDUSH 115 N. Shortridge Rd., Ste. 200 317-353-1062 bendushdental.com

DISCLAIMER: This directory is excerpted from the 2022 topDentists™ list, which includes the names of hundreds of dentists and specialists in the Indianapolis metro area. For more information, call 706-364-0853, email help@usatopdentists.com, or visit usatopdentists.com. TopDentists puts forth its best efforts in assembling this list, but does not warrant that the information contained herein is complete or accurate. It does not assume, and hereby disclaims, any liability to any person for loss or damage caused by errors or omissions herein that may result from negligence, accident, or any other cause. Copyright 2009–2022 by topDentists, LLC, Augusta, Georgia. All rights reserved. This list, or parts thereof, must not be reproduced in any form without permission. No commercial use of the information in this list may be made without permission of topDentists, LLC. No fees may be charged, directly or indirectly, for the use of the information in this list without permission.

JOSHUA R. BERRY

Moore-Berry Dentistry

13580 E. 116th St., Fishers 317-348-1354 fishersdentist4u.com

JESSICA BOLANDER

Indy Dental Group

9310 N. Meridian St., Ste. 200 317-653-6239 indydentalgroup.com

CHRIS BORKOWSKIHICKS

Avalon Dentistry

7118 N. Shadeland Ave. 317-849-6776 avalondds.com

TED K. BRAUER

Brauer Family Dentistry

5625 Castle Creek Pkwy. Pkwy. N. Dr. 317-585-0005 indianadds.com

LORIE G. BRINSON

3934 W. 96th St., Ste. B Ste. 317-228-0195 brinsondental.com

ZACHARY CAMPANO

Campano Family Dentistry

3001 N. Meridian Meadows Meadows Rd., Greenwood 317-865-3733 facebook.com/ campanofamilydentistry

TY W. CAMPBELL

931 E. 86th St., Ste. 207 Ste. 317-255-0307 tycampbelldds.com tycampbelldds.com

TIMOTHY J. CARLSON

Monon Family Dental

1040 E. 86th St., Ste. 40A 317-846-6188 mononfamilydental.com

MARK E. CATTON

Catton Dentistry

4809 N. Pennsylvania St. 317-923-2561 cattondds.com

NICHOLAS J. CATTON Catton Dentistry 4809 N. Pennsylvania St. 317-923-2561 cattondds.com

ORLANDO L. CAYETANO 6202 N. Broadway St. 317-254-0433 drcayetano.com

MILLIE CHANG

Signature Smile Family Dentistry

8136 Bash St. 317-577-6453 signaturesmilefamily dentistry.com

JANE J. CHEN

4715 Statesmen Dr., Ste. E 317-578-9696 chenddspc.com

BETSY J. CRANDALL

Blue River Dental

1818 N. Riley Hwy., Ste. A, Shelbyville 317-392-1468 blueriverdental.com

CHRISTY CRANFILL

4450 Weston Pointe Dr., Ste. 100, Zionsville 317-733-0571 bethanygeymandds.com

MIKE M. DELDAR

Deldar Dental

14753 Hazel Dell Crossing, Ste. 700, Noblesville 317-208-0000 deldardental.com

SARAH DELDAR

Deldar Dental 14753 Hazel Dell Crossing, Ste. 700, Noblesville 317-208-0000 deldardental.com

DESIREE S. DIMOND 3606 Olender Dr. 317-856-5268 desireedimonddds.com

STEVEN A. DOUGLAS 6745 Gray Rd., Ste. F 317-786-1277 stevedouglasddspc.com

STEVEN F. DRIGGERS

Sonshine Family Dental

10100 E. U.S. Hwy. 36, Ste. A, Avon 317-271-1330 sonshinefamilydental.com

KIM I. DUNBAR

Dunbar Dentistry 504 Sheridan Rd., Noblesville 317-774-0000 dunbardentistrypc.com

DAVID K. DURELL

Durell & Durell Family Dentistry

1301 Agan Dr., Plainfield 317-839-6106 durelldental.com

LAURA L. DURELL

Durell & Durell Family Dentistry 1301 Agan Dr., Plainfield 317-839-6106 durelldental.com

ROD J. ECCLES

1858 Stafford Rd., Plainfield 317-662-2585 rodecclesdds.com

EDWARD EROTAS JR.

1 American Square, Ste. 165 317-955-3988 erotasdds.com

MARK M. FARTHING

Indianapolis Family Dentistry

8602 E. 10th St. 8602 317-622-6605 indianapolisfamilydentistry.com

SCOTT R. FEDERSPILL

9201 N. Meridian St., Ste. 101 317-580-1880

DONALD T. FISCHER

124 N. Indiana St., Mooresville 317-831-3370 mymooresvilledentist.com

JASON C. FLANNAGAN

First Impressions

Family Dental Care

522 E. State Rd. 32, Westfield 317-867-5511 firstimpressionsdental.com

RYAN C. FLEMING

Fleming Family

Dentistry & Aesthetics

4728 Limerick Dr., Ste. B, Carmel 317-848-1884 flemingfamilydental.com

REBECCA FOSS

Fall Creek Family Dental

9751 Fall Creek Rd. Fall 317-842-1090 fallcreekfamilydental.com

MATTHEW J. FRAIZ

Indy Dental Health

9333 N. Meridian St., Ste. 225 317-872-3465 indydentalhealth.com

JEREMIAH J. FRASIER

Forest Creek Family

Dental Care

6447 S. East St., Ste. B 317-783-3390 forestcreekdental.com

JEREMY A. FRIEDMAN

Parker City Family Dental

14331 E. Jackson St., Parker City 765-468-6814 parkercityfamilydental.com

JODY M. FRIEDMAN

Friedman Family & Cosmetic Dentistry

4011 Westfield Rd., Westfield 317-867-0757 friedmanfamilydentistry.com

KARA FRIEDMAN

Family Dental Innovations 16000 Prosperity Dr., Ste. 100, Noblesville 317-703-1066

BARRY R. FRITSCH

Fritsch Family Dentistry

4745 Statesmen Dr., Ste. E 317-849-4745 fritschfamilydentistry.com

LAURA K. GEIGER

Southeast Family Dental

6020 Southeastern Ave. 317-359-8000 southeastfamilydental.com

BETHANY J. GEYMAN

4450 Weston Pointe Dr., Ste. 100, Zionsville 317-733-0571 bethanygeymandds.com

JAMES W. GORDON

8960 Fitness Ln., Fishers 317-845-9130 jameswgordondds.com

KURT R. GOSSWEILER

Gossweiler Dentistry

7951 Crawfordsville Rd. Crawfordsville 317-293-0965 gossweilerdentistry.com

RAYMOND GOVE

Gove Family Dentistry

14660 Herriman Blvd., Ste. 400, Noblesville 317-774-0600 govefamilydentistry.com

SARAH M. GOVE

Gove Family Dentistry

11501 Cumberland Rd., Ste. 200, Fishers 317-578-1414 govefamilydentistry.com

ANGELA L. GREENAWAY

Fall Creek Dentistry

10106 Brooks School Rd., Ste. 500, Fishers 317-596-8000 fallcreekdentistry.com

ERIK G. GROTHOUSE Grothouse Quality

Dentistry

7962 Oaklandon Rd., Ste. 105 317-823-1780 erikgrothouse.com

JOSEPH B. HADLEY Hadley Family Dentistry

5406 S. Emerson Ave., Ste. A 317-780-7777 hadleydentistry.com

SETH A. HALL Hall Family Dentistry 7101 Southeastern Ave. 317-356-0919 hallfamilydent.com

CHRISTOPHER B. HARDIN

Hardin Cosmetic and Family Dentistry

7855 S. Emerson Ave., Ste. F 317-889-8500 hardindentistry.com

JOHN H. HARTMAN II

Carmel Smiles

3091 E. 98th St., Ste. 220 317-581-0215 carmelsmiles.com

USHA V. HECHT

Hecht Family Dentistry 1123 S. Rangeline Rd., Carmel 317-569-9559 hechtfamilydentistry.com

AILEEN C. HELTON Dentistry on 116 890 E. 116th St., Ste. 210, Carmel 317-575-8993 dentistryon116.com

KELLI K. HINDS 1480 W. Southport Rd., Ste. A 317-300-9124 kellihindsfamilydentistry.com

WILL C. HINE JR. Indiana Family Dentistry 505 N. Green St., Brownsburg 317-852-5999 infamilydentistry.com

EVAN HIPLE Hiple Family Dentistry 630 3rd Ave. SW, Ste. 150, Carmel 317-843-9760 hiplefamilydentistry.net

LAUREN E. HIPPENMEYER Franklin Family Dentistry 1035 W. Jefferson St., W. Franklin 317-736-6361 franklinfamilydentistry.com

TIMOTHY J. HOFTIEZER The Extra Smile 1610 E. Greyhound Pass, Ste. B, Carmel 317-705-5800 theextrasmilebydrtim.com

JAY A. HOLLANDER Hollander Aesthetic & Family Dentistry 1305 W. 86th St. 317-259-1501 hollanderdentistry.com

MARIE C. HOLT Holt Dental 7862 E. 96th St., Fishers 317-576-9393 holtdentalindy.com

CAMI L. HOVDA

Carmel Dental Group 715 W. Carmel Dr., Ste. 103, Carmel Carmel 317-844-0022 carmeldentalgroup.com

PHILIP HOYT Indy Dental Group 9310 N. Meridian St., Ste. 200 317-846-6125 indydentalgroup.com

JAMES A. HUSEMAN Noble Creek Family Dentistry 485 Noble Creek Dr., Noblesville 317-770-1247 noblecreekfamilydentistry.com

HEATHER N. IRELAND Ireland Dental 10995 Allisonville Rd., Ste. 110, Fishers Fishers 317-578-4866 heatherirelanddds.com

DAVID E. ISAACS

Isaacs Family Dental 8870 Zionsville Rd., Ste. 100 317-943-7759 davidisaacsdds.com

OLGA ISYUTINA

Smiles in the Village Dentistry

12740 Horseferry Rd., Carmel

317-200-3679 carmelsmilesdentist.com

RYAN C. JAY

12110 Pendleton Pike, Ste. C 317-826-1050 ryanjaydds.com

PAUL C. JOHNSON

8240 Naab Rd., Ste. 365 317-872-3282 pauljohnsondds.com

ANGELO M. JULOVICH

Trinity Dental

6857 W. Stonegate Dr., Ste. A, Zionsville 317-973-3020 drjulovich.com

JOSEPH W. KECK

Keck Family Dentistry

151 E. Bow St., Ste. 1, E. Thorntown 765-436-2433 keckfamilydentistry.com

WAYNE T. KINNEY

Keystone Dentistry

2828 E. 96th St. 317-575-1120 keystonedentistry.com

JOHN R. KIRKPATRICK

8475 Fishers Center Dr., Fishers 317-842-1781 kirkpatrickfishersdentistry.com

MICHELE L. KIRKUP

Indiana University

School of Dentistry

1121 W. Michigan St. 317-274-5628 dentistry.iu.edu

BRIAN L. KIRKWOOD

Kirkwood Dentistry

101 N. State St., Greenfield St., 317-462-3456 dockirkwood.com

TRENT KIRKWOOD

Kirkwood Dentistry

101 N. State St., Greenfield St., 317-462-3456 dockirkwood.com

GEORGE E. KIRTLEY

Great Lakes Family Dental Group

7207 N. Shadeland Ave., Ste. A 317-841-1111 smilesbygeorge.com

MICHAEL KLUTH

Kluth-Richardson Family & Cosmetic Dentistry

16000 Prosperity Dr., Ste. 400, Noblesville 317-768-0504 kluthrichardsondental.com

PAUL A. KOLMAN

Kolman Dental

6112 N. College Ave. 317-255-8546 kolmandental.com

TIMOTHY O. KRAUSS

8307 W. 10th St. 317-271-3700

SPENCER J. KRUSE Mishel-Kruse Dental 6425 N. Keystone Ave. 317-255-2941 mishelkrusedental.com

SANG H. KWON

Traders Point Dental

8850 Zionsville Rd. 317-872-4746 tpdental.com

JAY LEONE

Zionsville Dentistry

1020 W. Oak St., Zionsville 317-873-5344 zionsvilledentistry.com

ELIZABETH B. LEWIS Indy Dental Group 9310 N. Meridian St., N. Ste. 200 317-653-6239 indydentalgroup.com

MICHELLE E. LUMSDON Choice Dental Centre of Greenwood 8936 Southpointe Dr., Ste. B6 317-881-5200 choicedentalcentre.com

CLAIRE MACINTYRE Village Dental at Saxony

13390 Overview Dr., Fishers 317-565-4249 fishersindentist.com

AMANDA MAIZE

5511 E. 82nd St., Ste. F Ste. 317-842-1903 maizesmiles.com

AMY MARCKESE DentalSpa

5252 E. 82nd St., Ste. 203 866-486-0230 dentalspaindianapolis.com

MATTHEW J. MARTIN

Martin Dentistry

1724 Broad Ripple Ave. 317-576-3601 martindentists.com martindenti sts.com

STEPHANIE P. MARTIN

Martin Dentistry

1724 Broad Ripple Ave. 317-257-9103 martindentists.com martindenti sts.com

GARY R. MARTINE Martine Dental

3410 W. 56th St. 56th 317-291-2119 martinedental.com

BRENT A. MCDONALD

McDonald Family Dentistry 5842 W. Broadway, McCordsville 317-336-7788 mcdonaldsmiles.com

CHRISTIE G. MCDONALD

McDonald Family Dentistry 5842 W. Broadway, McCordsville 317-336-7788 mcdonaldsmiles.com

BRUCE P. MCDOWELL

9002 N. Meridian St., Ste. 111 317-846-2882

NATALIE MERCHO

Advanced Family Dentistry

135 S. 2nd St., Zionsville 317-751-5301 afd-zionsville.com

AMANDA F. MILLER

Wolf Family Dentistry

8920 Southpointe Dr., Ste. A-1 317-881-8161 wolffamilydentistry.com

CHRISTOPHER R. MILLER

Renew Dental Arts

2205 N. Delaware St., Ste. 103 317-602-8924 renewdentalarts.com

JACK M. MILLER

Indy Dental Group

12720 Meeting House Rd., Carmel 317-571-1900 indydentalgroup.com

MAXWELL S. MILLER

Dr. Maxwell Miller’s Downtown Dentistry 320 N. Meridian St., Ste. 808 317-632-6258 millerdowntowndentistry.com

ALEX MISHEL

Mishel-Kruse Dental 6425 N. Keystone Ave. 317-255-2941 mishelkrusedental.com

C. LEE MITCHELL

Flying High for Dental Health

2946 Waterfront Pkwy. W. Dr. 317-290-9466 cleemitchelldds.com

BEN MOHRMAN

Affordable Dental East 4082 Pendleton Way 317-899-1100 indyaffordabledental.com

GIANNA G. MOHRMAN

Mohrman Family Dental 11920 Pendleton Pike 317-823-4413 mohrmandental.com

AMY MONTEFALCO

303 N. Alabama St., Ste. 270 317-794-2392 drtraceywilliams.com

BRENT A. MOORE

Moore-Berry Dentistry

13580 E. 116th St., Fishers 317-348-1354 fishersdentist4u.com

MALINDA G. MUNDY-BURGETT

Grin Dentistry 10208 Lantern Rd., Fishers 317-598-4746 grindentistry.com

ANTHONY S. NATALIE 148 Vestal Rd., Plainfield 317-839-2381 anthonysnataliedds.com

JOHN M. NEEB

Cornerstone Dental Arts 920 N. State St., Greenfield 317-462-7696 cornerstonedentalarts.com

PATRICIA J. NEW

A New Smile

1700 W. Smith Valley Rd., Rd., Ste. C2, Greenwood 317-888-6684 ournewdentist.com

DON M. NEWMAN Newman Family Dentistry 3945 Eagle Creek Pkwy., Ste. A 855-743-5157 newmanfamilydentistry.com

MARC F. NEWMAN Newman Family Dentistry 3945 Eagle Creek Pkwy., Ste. A 855-743-5157 newmanfamilydentistry.com

MIKEL NEWMAN Newman Family Dentistry

3945 Eagle Creek Pkwy., Ste. A 855-743-5157 newmanfamilydentistry.com

MICHAEL P. O’NEIL

Today’s Dentistry 12953 Publishers Dr., Ste. 100, Fishers 317-849-2933 fisherssmiles.com

MARIQUITA “KIT”

PALANCA-BEVERIDGE

Preferred Dental Care 8280 N. Michigan Rd., Rd., Ste. A 317-337-0233 myindydentist.com

KRISTEN B. PATE

Nora Dental Associates 860 E. 86th St., Ste. 1 317-575-2888 norafamilydentistry.com

KATHERINE A. PATTON 8355 Rockville Rd., Ste. 100 317-271-0094 katherinepattondds.com

GREGORY J. PEASE 310 W. 161st St., Westfield 317-867-2828

JEFFREY A. PLATT Indiana University School of Dentistry 1121 W. Michigan St. 317-274-7229 dentistry.iu.edu

W. MICHAEL PRINCELL Great Lakes Family Dental Group 7207 N. Shadeland Ave., Ste. A 317-577-2478 greatlakesfamilydental group.com/meet-ourdentists/dr-michael-princell

NANCY V. PRUETT Pruett Family Dentistry 4715 Statesmen Dr., Ste. G 317-284-1850 drnancypruett.com

CARRIE PUMPHREY Blue River Dental 1818 N. Riley Hwy., Ste. A, Shelbyville 317-392-1468 blueriverdental.com

TONY L. RATLIFF Stony Creek Dentistry 17021 Clover Rd., Ste. 101, Noblesville 317-776-8600 stonycreekdentistry.com

TED M. REESE Indianapolis Dentistry 7218 S. U.S. Hwy. 31 317-953-5427 calmingfears.com

JASON A. RENZ Team Green Dentistry 11559 Cumberland Rd., Ste. 100, Fishers 317-348-4547 teamgreendentistry.com

CHRISTOPHER C. ROMAS Romas Family Dental 1155 Parkway Dr., Ste. 100, Zionsville 317-733-1965 romasfamilydental.com

R. KEITH ROONEY TLC Family Dentistry 7625 S. Meridian St. 317-881-8271 facebook.com/ rkeithrooneydds

SCOTT T. ROSENFELD 8902 N. Meridian St., 8902 Ste. 237 317-846-6653 drscottrosenfeld.com

KURT A. RUPENTHAL Rupenthal Dentistry 5790 E. Main St., Ste. 110, Carmel Carmel 317-426-7307 rupenthaldentistry.com

GRANT RYAN

Fishers Family Dentistry

8410 E. 116th St., Fishers 317-576-0611 fishersfamilydentistry.com

TIM SCHAFER

Post Road Family Dentistry

1527 N. Post Rd. 317-895-6713 postroaddental.com

KENNETH C. SCHNEIDER

Schneider Dental

8928 E. 96th St., Fishers 317-598-9380 schneiderdentaloffice.com

CHRISTOPHER W. SCHULTZ

6068 N. Keystone Ave. Keystone 317-257-7198

BRYAN A. SEYFERTH

Glendale Family Dentistry

2620 E. 62nd St. 317-251-2371 makingpeoplesmile.com

CHRISTOPHER W. SHOREY

Shorey Family Dental

8325 E. Southport Rd., Ste. 180 317-862-9800 facebook.com/ shoreyfamilydental

BRADLEY J. SHUDER

549 E. County Line Rd., Ste. G, Greenwood 317-881-9364 bradleyjshuderdds.com

BRYAN SIGG

Cornerstone Family Dentistry

1201 N. Post Rd., Ste. 6 Ste. 317-897-8970 cornerstonefamily dentistry.com

MONA SINGH 86th Street

Complete Dental 3810 W. 86th St. 317-707-6453 86thstreetdental.com

DIPESH P. SITARAM

Dental Solutions of Columbus 3780 Jonathan Moore Pike, Ste. 180, Columbus Columbus 812-379-8266 columbusdentalsolutions.com

HAROLD A. SMITH

Dental Sleep Medicine of Indiana

5625 Castle Creek Pkwy. Pkwy. N. Dr. 317-585-0008 snoringindiana.com

MARY ELLEN SNYDER

Snyder & Associates

70 E. 91st St., Ste. 103 103 317-844-6000 snyderdentalassociates.com

KATHERINE E. SO

Mass Ave Family Dentistry

310 N. Delaware St. 317-456-5109 holisticdentist indianapolis.com

MARCIA SODER Soder Dentistry 6002 W. 62nd St., Ste. A 317-293-5011 soderdentistry.com

CAROLYNN H. SPANDAU Detail Dental 1030 Country Club Rd. 317-271-1488 detaildental.com

KEVIN R. SPEES 1235 Parkway Dr., Zionsville 317-316-9297 kevinspeesdentistry.com

AARON R. SPRINGHETTI Springhetti Dentistry 10485 N. Michigan Rd., Ste. 150, Carmel 317-886-1304 springhettidentistry.com

JULIE L. STANTE 9810 Westpoint Dr., Ste. 100 Dr., 317-579-1875 juliestantedds.com

PAMELA A. STEED 8402 Harcourt Rd., Ste. 724 317-338-6464 pasteed.com

CHARLENE M. STEINER Smith Family Dentistry 8211 E. 116th St., Ste. 105, Fishers 317-578-1933 garrysmithdental.com

MARK R. STEVENSON Stevenson Dental 6905 E. 96th St., Ste. 800 317-849-6990 stevensondds.com

ALYSSA B. STICKLEY Danville Family Dentistry 23 S. County Rd. 200 E, Ste. B, Danville 317-745-4400 danvilledentalcare.com

J. DONALD SUMMERLIN II

Summerlin Family Dentistry 3351 N. Meridian St. 317-926-5200 summerlinfamilydentistry.com

MICHAEL K. TALBOTT Village Dental at Saxony 13390 Overview Dr., Fishers 317-565-4249 fishersindentist.com

DAVID TALER Advanced Family Dentistry 9845 E. 116th St., Ste. 400, Fishers 317-849-1223 advfamilydentist.com

BEAU TAYLOR

Greenwood Smiles

710 Averitt Rd., Greenwood 317-548-4754 greenwoodsmiles.com

WILLIAM C. TELLMAN

Tellman Dentistry

5750 E. 91st St., Ste. A St., 317-849-3280 tellmandentistry.com

ARMIN M. TEPNER

Indianapolis Family Dentistry

8602 E. 10th St. 8602 317-622-6605 indianapolisfamilydentistry.com

BRANDON K. TIEK

Tiek Dental Studio

14390 Clay Terrace Blvd., Ste. 249, Carmel 317-815-9800 tiekdental.com

ALEXANDER M. TITUS

Titus Dentistry

40 Executive Dr., Ste. A, Carmel 317-844-8292 titusdentistrycarmel.com

DANE UHL

German Church Road Family Dentistry

11020 E. 10th St., Ste. A 317-898-9231 gcrdentistry.com

GARY F. WALKER

Walker Dentistry

10177 Allisonville Rd., Ste. 101, Fishers 317-849-8550 walkerdentistry.com

DENNIS J. WALTKE

Arlington Dental Group 7373 E. 21st St. 317-357-7373 arlington-dental.com

GARY V. WALTON

9002 N. Meridian St., Ste. 206 317-574-1138 waltondds.com

MATTHEW R. WALTON

Walton Family, Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry 488 S. State Rd. 135, Greenwood Greenwood 317-751-4070 waltondental.com

KEVIN D. WARD Fishers Dental Care 11959 Lakeside Dr., Ste. B, Fishers 317-577-1911 fishersdentalcare.com

BARRY C. WIDDICOMBE

My Indy Dental Center

3804 N. Delaware St. 317-925-4202 myindydental.com

TRACEY TABOR WILLIAMS

303 N. Alabama St., Ste. 270 317-794-2392 drtraceywilliams.com

BRADEN W. WILLMAN

Greenwood Family Dentistry

1090 S. State Rd. 135, Ste. A, Greenwood 317-882-8899 greenwoodfamilydental.com

JODY WILSON

Image Dental

11711 N. Pennsylvania St., Ste. 114, Carmel 317-816-0841 imagedentalcarmel.com

DAVID H. WOLF

Wolf Family Dentistry 8920 Southpointe Dr., Ste. A-1 317-881-8161 wolffamilydentistry.com

DAVID C. WOOD 266 Medical Dr., Carmel 317-844-0592 davidwooddental.com

JESSICA WORTHINGTON

Carmel Family Dentistry 370 Medical Dr., Ste. E, Carmel Carmel 317-575-0200 carmelfamilydentistry.com

GREGORY T. WRIGHT Bailey & Wright Dentistry

1035 N. Post Rd. 317-897-6074 baileywrightdentistry.com

STEPHANIE WRIGHT Fall Creek Dentistry 10106 Brooks School Rd., Ste. 500, Fishers 317-596-8000 fallcreekdentistry.com

BRETT A. ZIMPFER Zimpfer Dental 55 E. Hawthorne St., Zionsville 317-872-3333 zimpferdental.com

ORAL AND MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY

MARK W. ANDERSON Oral Surgeons of Indiana 8240 Naab Rd., Ste. 355 317-876-1095 oralsurgeonsin.com

MATTHEW D. BOJRAB

Indiana Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Associates 10972 Allisonville Rd., Ste. 100, Fishers 317-845-7878 iomsa.com

CHRISTOPHER A. BURNS

Geist Oral & Facial Surgery 8170 Oaklandon Rd., Ste. B 317-823-4260 gofsindy.com

JAY E. COWAN

Cherry Tree Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 9602 E. Washington St., St., Ste. E 317-536-0748 cowanoms.com

MATTHEW M. DAVIS

Indiana Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Associates 8445 S. Emerson Ave., Ste. 100 317-882-1284 iomsa.com

NATALIE MUIR EDEN Indiana Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Associates 10972 Allisonville Rd., Ste. 100, Fishers 317-845-7878 iomsa.com

LAWRENCE G. FALENDER Indianapolis Oral Surgery & Dental Implant Center 1320 N. Post Rd. 317-900-4535 indianapolisoralsurgery.com

DENISE A. FLANAGAN

Oral Surgeons of Indiana 8240 Naab Rd., Ste. 355 317-876-1095 oralsurgeonsin.com

BRENT T. GARRISON

Northeast Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery 9860 Westpoint Dr., Ste. 100 Westpoint 317-841-1100 neomsindy.com

STEVEN C. GRAHAM

East Indianapolis Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery 125 N. Shortridge Rd. 317-353-1320 facebook.com/eioms

STANLEY C. JACHIMOWICZ

Carmel Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery 13590-B N. Meridian St., Ste. 105, Carmel Carmel 317-844-7626 carmeloms.com

PATRICK S. KELLY

Northeast Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery 9860 Westpoint Dr., Ste. 100 Westpoint 317-841-1100 neomsindy.com

CHRISTOPHER T. KIRKUP

Indiana Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Associates 12036 N. Michigan Rd., Ste. 200, Zionsville 317-733-0926 iomsa.com

RAYMOND W. LEE

Plainfield Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery

803 Edwards Dr., Plainfield 317-527-0066 plainfieldoms.com

ROBERT J. MCDONOUGH

Avon Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery

6695 E. U.S. Hwy. 36, Avon 36, 317-272-2200 avonoms.com

MATTHEW C. MOLL

East Indianapolis Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery

125 N. Shortridge Rd. 317-353-1320 facebook.com/eioms

PHILIP M. MONTEFALCO

Indiana Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Associates 8445 S. Emerson Ave., Ste. 100 317-882-1284 iomsa.com

DAVID M. MONTES

Indiana Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Associates 777 Beachway Dr., Ste. 202 317-297-1007 iomsa.com

CORBIN G. PARTRIDGE

Richmond Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 1004 Oak Dr., Richmond 765-935-1997 romfsa.com

CHRISTOPHER W. POTEE

Noblesville Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery 340 W. Logan St., Noblesville 317-776-0105 drpotee.com

TYLER J. POTTER

Indiana Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Associates 1630 W. Smith Valley Rd., Smith Greenwood Greenwood 317-882-3370 iomsa.com

JOHN W. PRUITT

Indiana Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Associates

1630 W. Smith Valley Rd., Smith Greenwood Greenwood 317-882-3370 iomsa.com

JOHN J. SCHIER

Indiana Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Associates

12036 N. Michigan Rd., Ste. 200, Zionsville 317-733-0926 iomsa.com

KEVIN T. STOCKTON

Avon Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery

6695 E. U.S. Hwy. 36, Avon 36, 317-272-2200 avonoms.com

SAMUEL A. TANCREDI

Indiana Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Associates

9240 N. Meridian St., Ste. 300 317-846-7377 iomsa.com

ORAL PATHOLOGY

SUSAN L. ZUNT Indiana University School of Dentistry 1121 W. Michigan St. 317-274-5250 dentistry.iu.edu

ORTHODONTICS

M. JAYME ADELSPERGER

Adelsperger Orthodontics

670 Patrick Pl., Brownsburg 317-858-4688 adelspergerortho.com

BRIAN W. BENEDICT

Benedict Orthodontics 11780 Olio Rd., Ste. 300, Fishers 317-578-9500 benedictorthodontics.com

JEFFERY C. BIGGS

Biggs-Hansen Orthodontics

9333 N. Meridian St., St., Ste. 301 317-316-0285 indyortho.com

REBECCA P. BOLON 9311 N. Meridian St., Meridian Ste. 200 317-846-6107 orthodonticsindianapolis.com

MARYBETH BRANDT

Associated Orthodontists of Indiana 370 Medical Dr., Ste. C, Carmel 317-844-4104 associatedorthoin.com

JASON K. BUNCH

Gorman & Bunch Orthodontics

5594 E. 146th St., Ste. 220, Noblesville 317-815-9310 317-815-9310 gormanbunch.com

DAVID B. CLARK

Clark Orthodontics

1530 S. Miller St., Shelbyville 317-392-6166 smilesbyclarkortho.com

KAREN L. COTTINGHAM

Cottingham Orthodontics

3916 Shore Dr. 317-299-0576 cottinghamortho.com

JULIAN E. DAVILA

Geist Orthodontics

8140 Oaklandon Rd. 317-823-8338 geistortho.com

JEFFREY A. DEAN Clark, Dean & Associates

Children’s Dentistry

7830 Rockville Rd., Ste. A 317-271-9727 clarkdeanjones.com

R. BRYAN DIXON

Walker-Dixon Orthodontics

7205 N. Shadeland Ave. 317-849-0110 walkerdixonortho.com

PAUL ELLIS

Ellis Orthodontics 1678 Fry Rd., Ste. A, Greenwood Greenwood 317-881-1161 greenwoodorthodontics.com

MICHAEL C. FRAZIER

Ashcraft & Frazier Orthodontics

1225 Parkway Dr., Zionsville 317-873-3399 afbraces.com

KARL W. “SKIP” GLANDER II

Glander Rochford

Orthodontics

8445 S. Emerson Ave., Ste. 102 317-888-2827 glanderrochford orthodontics.com

VINCE HANSEN

Biggs-Hansen

Orthodontics

9333 N. Meridian St., St., Ste. 301 317-316-0285 indyortho.com

TODD A. HICKMAN

Gorman & Bunch

Orthodontics

8001 Shelby St., Ste. 1 317-888-7807 gormanbunch.com

JAY A. HUGHES

Hughes Orthodontics

9106 N. Meridian St., Ste. 250 317-846-7001 hughes-ortho.com

SERKIS C. ISIKBAY

Apricot Orthodontics

2905 N. High School Rd. 317-292-9292 facebook.com/apricotortho

GREGORY A. JOHNSON Avon Orthodontics

8114 Kingston St., Avon Kingston 317-272-4755 avonortho.com

SAMANTHA C. JONES-DAVIS

J. Orthodontics

8240 Naab Rd., Ste. 250 317-731-5203 jorthodonticsinc.com

JOHN T. KRULL

Castleton Orthodontics

8140 Knue Rd., Ste. 115 317-842-8282 castletonortho.com

ROBERT G. LARSON Larson Orthodontics

6070 N. Keystone Ave. 317-253-6784 larsonorthodontics.com

DANIEL S. MARTIN 1000 W. Jefferson St., Franklin 317-736-0607 martinorthosmiles.com

RUSSELL MCCABE McCabe Orthodontics

3551 Rocky Ford Rd., Columbus 812-376-9425 drmccabeortho.com

RONALD L. MILLER Carmel Orthodontics

715 W. Carmel Dr., Ste. 201, Carmel 317-844-6284 carmelorthodontics.com

CARLY MORAN Gorman & Bunch Orthodontics

16407 Southpark Dr., Westfield 317-867-1133 gormanbunch.com

JAMES R. NICHOLSON Nicholson Orthodontics 95 E. Oak St., Zionsville 317-873-6927 drnicholson.com

JOHN C. PRITCHETT Pritchett Orthodontics

9602 E. Washington St. St. 317-898-9473 p2ortho.com

JOHN G. RAPP

Associated Orthodontists of Indiana 370 Medical Dr., Ste. C, Carmel 317-844-4104 associatedorthoin.com

LINDSAY L. RESMER Resmer & Ryan Orthodontics 16000 Prosperity Dr., Ste. 500, Noblesville 317-774-8480 resmerryanorthodontics.com

KIRK T. RIPLEY Ripley Orthodontics

8849 S. Shelby St., Ste. C-2 317-881-3997 ripleyortho.com

JEFFERY A. ROBERTS

Roberts Orthodontics

5955 S. Emerson Ave., Ste. 200 317-536-1365 drjeffroberts.com

BRIAN ROCHFORD

Glander Rochford Orthodontics 8445 S. Emerson Ave., Ste. 102 317-888-2827 glanderrochford orthodontics.com

STUART RYAN Sadler Orthodontics 11921 Lakeside Dr., Fishers 317-594-0888 sadlerorthodontics.com

CHUCK A. SADLER JR. Sadler Orthodontics 11921 Lakeside Dr., Fishers 317-594-0888 sadlerorthodontics.com

MARISA A. WALKER Walker-Dixon Orthodontics 7205 N. Shadeland Ave. 317-849-0110 walkerdixonortho.com

GREG A. WERNER

Werner Orthodontics 9602 E. Washington St., St., Ste. B 317-898-7645 wernerortho.com

MICHELLE L. WITTLER Wittler Orthodontics 534 E. State Rd. 32, Westfield 317-896-3444 wittlerortho.com

PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY

JILL S. ALDRICH

Aldrich Pediatric Dentistry 10373 County Rd. 100 N. 463-701-5437 aldrichpd.com

SAM BULLARD Smiling Kids

Pediatric Dentistry 9240 N. Meridian St., Ste. 250 317-580-9199 smilingkidsindy.com

K. BLAIR BUMGARDNER

Kid’s Dentistree 7900 U.S. Hwy. 36, Ste. K, Avon 317-561-0090 kidsdentistree.com

JANET C. CLARK

Clark, Dean & Associates

Children’s Dentistry 7830 Rockville Rd., Ste. A 317-271-9727 clarkdeanjones.com

KARA M. CZARKOWSKI

Czarkowski

Pediatric Dentistry

1927 Broad Ripple Ave. 317-964-0900 czarkowskipediatric dentistry.com

MICHELLE H. EDWARDS

Children’s Dental Center

9885 E. 116th St., Ste. 100, Fishers 317-794-2876 babytoothcenter.com

MARK A. ELLIS

Ellis Pediatric Dentistry 910 Averitt Rd., Greenwood Rd., 317-859-9450 ellispediatricdentistry.com

ANNETTE T. FARTHING

Drs. Papineau and Farthing 7725 S. Emerson Ave. 317-882-7694 pediatricdentist indianapolis.com

CHARLES T. FUHRER III

Pediatric Dentistry of Noblesville

106 Lakeview Dr., Noblesville 317-773-3617 noblesvilledentistry.com

CHAD O. HAZELRIGG

Pediatric Dentistry of Noblesville

106 Lakeview Dr., Noblesville 317-773-3617 noblesvilledentistry.com

JOHN D. HENNETTE

Greencastle

Pediatric Dentistry

821 E. Franklin St., Greencastle 765-653-5437 653kids.com

MYRNA I. JANER

Little Smiles Pediatric Dentistry

409 N. Peru St., Cicero 317-984-1800 facebook.com/ littlesmilescicero

LAURA JUNTGEN

Hamilton County

Pediatric Dentistry

13430 N. Meridian St., Ste. 165, Carmel Carmel 317-846-5893 hcpdent.com

DIANA KOZLOWSKI

Growing Grins

Pediatric Dentistry

526 E. State Rd. 32, Westfield 317-896-9600 growinggrinsdentistry.com

JENNIFER R. KUGAR

Northeast Pediatric

Dentistry

11501 Cumberland Rd., Ste. 600, Fishers 317-585-8055 smile4drkugar.com

KELLI R. LUCIA-IJAMS Weddell Pediatric

Dentistry

3737 N. Meridian St., Ste. 100 317-924-5359 weddellpediatricdentistry.com

MELISSA A. MCHENRY Zionsville Pediatric Dentistry

55 Brendon Way, Ste. 500, Zionsville 317-873-4186 zpd4kids.com

CAROL G. MCKOWN

Village Dental at Saxony 13390 Overview Dr., Fishers 317-565-4249 fishersindentist.com

D. SCOTT MORGAN

Pediatric Dentistry North 9002 N. Meridian St., Ste. 105 317-571-8000 pediatricdentistrynorth.com

KATHERINE T. NICHOLS Carmel Pediatric Dentistry 12188-A N. Meridian St., Ste. 365, Carmel 317-846-3496 carmelpediatricdentistry.com

SCOTT D. PAPINEAU Drs. Papineau and Farthing 7725 S. Emerson Ave. 317-882-7694 pediatricdentist indianapolis.com

HAYLEY H. PAVLOV Columbus Pediatric Dentistry

3158 N. National Rd., Columbus 812-376-0166 columbusdentalgroup.com

ERIN F. PHILLIPS

Indianapolis

Pediatric Dentistry 8433 Harcourt Rd., Ste. 307 317-872-7272 indykidsdentist.com

MISTI S. PRATT

Fishers Pediatric Dentistry 9126 Technology Ln., Ste. 100, Fishers 317-598-9898 fisherspediatric.com

BRIAN J. SANDERS Sanders Pediatric Dentistry

13590-B N. Meridian St., Ste. 202, Carmel 317-818-2200 sanderspediatricdentist.com

SWATI SINGH

Smiling Kids Pediatric Dentistry 9669 E. 146th St., Ste. 260, Noblesville 317-773-5437 smilingkidsnoblesville.com

JAIME L. STEELE

9602 E. Washington St., St., Ste. C 317-899-5437 eastindypediatricdentist.com

KIRA L. STOCKTON

Indianapolis

Pediatric Dentistry

8433 Harcourt Rd., Ste. 307 317-872-7272 indykidsdentist.com

ANA H. VAZQUEZ

Fishers Pediatric Dentistry

9126 Technology Ln., Ste. 100, Fishers 317-598-9898 fisherspediatric.com

LAQUIA A. VINSON

Fishers Pediatric Dentistry

9126 Technology Ln., Ste. 100, Fishers 317-598-9898 fisherspediatric.com

JAMES A. WEDDELL

Weddell Pediatric Dentistry

3737 N. Meridian St., Ste. 100 317-924-5359 weddellpediatricdentistry.com

LAUREN S. WEDDELL

Weddell Pediatric

Dental Specialists

14555 Hazel Dell Pkwy., Ste. 100, Carmel 317-816-1555 317-816-1555 carmelindianapolispediatric dentists.com

NICOLE K. WEDDELL

Weddell Pediatric Dentistry

3737 N. Meridian St., Ste. 100 317-924-5359 weddellpediatricdentistry.com

PERIODONTICS

STEVEN B. BLANCHARD

Indiana University

School of Dentistry

1121 W. Michigan St. 317-278-1300 dentistry.iu.edu

JULIE L. COMBS

Greenfield Periodontics and Implant Dentistry

120 W. McKenzie Rd., Ste. J, Greenfield 317-477-3000 greenfieldperio.com

MICHAEL D. EDWARDS

Implant Dentistry and Periodontics

9885 E. 116th St., Ste. 300, Fishers 317-842-2273 indyimplants.com

DANIEL GOMES

Central Indiana

Periodontics

8235 Country Village Dr. 317-299-4731 centralinperio.com

SARAH HERD

PerioIndy

4725 Statesmen Dr., Ste. F 317-436-7162 perio-indy.com

KRISTIN M. JACKSON Indiana Periodontics & Dental Implants 45 N. Madison Ave., Greenwood Greenwood 317-887-3180 indianaperio.com

T. RYAN JACKSON Indiana Periodontics & Dental Implants

1860 Stafford Rd., Plainfield 317-839-9801 indianaperio.com

VANCHIT JOHN

Indiana University School of Dentistry

1121 W. Michigan St. 317-278-1300 dentistry.iu.edu

BRITTANY A. LANE

Indy East Periodontics 115 N. Shortridge Rd., Ste. 100 317-357-2235 indyeastperio.com

BURTON V. LARGURA Valparaiso Family Dentistry

2005 Roosevelt Rd., Ste. B, Valparaiso 219-280-4322 valparaisofamilydentistry.com

ANAND PATEL

Indianapolis Periodontal & Dental Implant Associates

3003 E. 98th St., Ste. 241 317-846-5894 indyperiodontal.com

BRYAN J. ROY

6825 Parkdale Pl., Ste. A 317-293-7171 royperio.com

DANIEL SHIN

Indiana University

School of Dentistry

1121 W. Michigan St. 317-274-5421 dentistry.iu.edu

STEPHEN B. TOWNS

Sonrisa: A Periodental Spa 508 Indiana Ave. 317-269-0402 sonrisadental.com

KURT D. VANWINKLE 8902 N. Meridian St., 8902 Ste. 138 317-844-2792 vanwinkleperio.com

BRUCE B. WILAND

5162 E. Stop 11 Rd., Ste. 2 317-888-3322 indyperio.com

PROSTHODONTICS

SAVI ABEY

Prosthodontics of Central Indiana 11405 N. Pennsylvania St., Ste. 110, Carmel Carmel 317-574-0866 prosthodonticsin.com

FIDEL BARBOSA ClearChoice Dental Implant Center 8555 N. River Rd., Ste. 160 317-643-8593 clearchoice.com/doctors/ fidel-barbosa

CHRISTINE BISHOP

Prosthodontics of Central Indiana 11405 N. Pennsylvania St., Ste. 110, Carmel Carmel 317-574-0866 prosthodonticsin.com

JOHN A. LEVON Indiana University School of Dentistry 1121 W. Michigan St. 317-274-4935 dentistry.iu.edu

AMMAR C. LOULY Louly Dentistry Snore No More Indiana 9602 E. Washington St., St., Ste. A 317-869-0000 snorenomoreindiana.com

GENE A. MARGIOTTI

385 Meridian Parke Ln., Ste. B, Greenwood 317-859-8100 facebook.com/drmargiotti

JOHN R. PHELPS 8902 N. Meridian St., 8902 Ste. 139 317-818-9858 johnrphelpsdds.com

KELLIE M. SCHAUB Indianapolis Dental Center 8445 S. Emerson Ave., Ste. 101 317-884-8633 indianapolisdentistks.com

RICHARD J. STUART, JR. 3021 E. 98th St., Ste. 240 317-406-6576 richardstuartdds.com

TOP DENTIST PROFILES

Researching a new dentist?

Take a closer look at more than 25 Indy-area practices and their services, treatments, and philosophies, along with details about the experience and qualifi cations of these highly regarded dental professionals.

INDIANAPOLIS MONTHLY’S

VILLAGE DENTAL AT SAXONY

A UNIQUE, MULTI-SPECIALTY PRACTICE FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE

At Village Dental at Saxony, we offer a full suite of services to provide your family with comprehensive dentistry under one roof. Our goal is to help patients of all ages achieve a lifetime of healthy, beautiful smiles. Whatever brings you to us, you can rest easy knowing that you’re in good hands!

STATE-OF-THE-ART FACILITY

We want you to have a positive, stress-free experience from the lobby to the treatment room. Our state-ofthe-art facility is filled with relaxing patient amenities and the latest dental technology to provide a truly exceptional level of care. At Village Dental at Saxony, we want every patient to leave our office with a smile!

RELAXING SEDATION OPTIONS

We understand that coming to the dentist can be difficult when you’re dealing with dental fear and anxiety. If this is the case, don’t worry. Our judgment-free team is focused on helping you feel at ease and we offer a variety of sedation options, including a Board Certified Anesthesiologist , to minimize your anxiety and help you feel comfortable. We’ll do everything we can to ensure that you have a positive, stress-free dental experience.

GENTLE PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY

Establishing a dental home early on can help you set a benchmark for your child’s oral health and help them get comfortable interacting with dentists. The sooner your child starts attending dental visits, the more likely they are to not suffer from dental anxiety in the future. Our goal is to get kids excited about dentistry and taking care of their smiles!

ORTHODONTIC CARE

Orthodontic treatments are about more than just aesthetics, they can positively impact your health since straighter teeth are easier to care for and are less likely to get damaged. Our skilled orthodontist will work with you to determine which orthodontic method is right for you. At Village Dental, we provide all patients with transparent pricing and flexible payment options

VILLAGE DENTAL INSTITUTE

We are so proud to incorporate an educational seminar space in our facility. Continually seeking to improve our skills is foundational for the team at Village Dental at Saxony. We are able to host events with some of the very best lecturers in dentistry today. Not only is it a benefit for our team, but we also host events for dentists and dental teams that reside from all over the country !

CONGRATULATIONS DR. NATALIE MERCHO AND DR. DAVID TALER ON YOUR 2022 AWARDS FOR

Advanced Family Dentistry works with patients of all ages so your family can receive the best dental treatment.

From routine dentistry to advanced procedures including dental implants and full smile makeovers, we provide all members of your family with the highest level of care. We realize life gets busy, therefore we offer flexible scheduling including Friday and evening appointments. You can feel confident that you will receive affordable, pain-free dentistry from Dr. David Taler, Dr. Natalie Mercho, Dr. Ronia Aasar, and the rest of the team.

Our state-of-the-art office is equipped with the most advanced technology and amenities including 3D imaging & printing, digital impressions, and even virtual googles that stream videos to keep you entertained and relaxed. If you suffer from dental anxiety, we offer sedation dentistry options including nitrous oxide (laughing gas), oral sedation, or general anesthesia.

Of course, we know that affordable care and simple payment plans are an important aspects of your treatment. We accept most major insurance plans and in addition, we offer flexible payment options, including Wells Fargo and CareCredit® financing. Our office staff will work closely with you to find a payment plan that meets all your family’s needs.

DAVID TALER, DDS

FAGD, MICOI, F/AAID, DABOI/ID

Board Certified Dental

Implant Specialist

NATALIE MERCHO, DDS

Cosmetic & General Dentistry

RONIA AASAR, DDS

Cosmetic & General Dentistry

FISHERS LOCATION 9845 East 116th St., Suite 400 Fishers, IN 46037 (317) 849-1223

We would love the opportunity to make you smile. Call or schedule an appointment at www.advfamilydentist.com

ZIONSVILLE LOCATION 135 South 2nd Street

Zionsville, IN 46077 (317) 873-4609

Dr. David Taler and Dr. Natalie Mercho

Dr. Ronia Aasar, Dr. David Taler, and Dr. Natalie Mercho

Dr. David Taler

The Zionsville Team

The Fishers Team

Husband and Wife Team

WORLD CLASS COSMETIC DENTISTRY & RESTORATIVE TREATMENTS

Meet Dr. George E. Kirtley

EDUCATION

Indiana University School of Dentistry, DDS | Graduate of Midwest Institute of Implantology

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS

Accredited Member American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry | Indiana Dental Association | American Society for Dental Aesthetics

Dr. George Kirtley is the cosmetic and restorative dentist behind hundreds of beautiful smiles. Dr. Kirtley has the skills, knowledge and experience to help create the smile you’ve always wanted using the latest techniques and applications in dentistry.

For inspiration, view the smile gallery at greatlakesfamilydentalgroup.com to see the incredible smile make-overs Dr. Kirtley has created through the techniques of porcelain laminate veneers, dental implants, cosmetic dentures, and more. If you are seeking a cosmetic or restorative whole-family dentist in Indiana to give you or your family the healthy smile you deserve, contact us for an appointment.

86TH STREET COMPLETE DENTAL

86th Street Complete Dental, located on 86th Street and Michigan Road, provides all dental services under one roof. Other than all general dentistry, the office provides advanced options like sedation and oral appliances for sleep apnea patients. Dr. Mona Singh, DDS, the doctor at the office, is a highly qualified dentist possessing fellowship in general dentistry and implant dentistry.

Dr. Singh is one of the very few general dentists credentialed to provide intravenous sedation in Indiana. She also holds a diplomate status with American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine. She has presented several research papers and is an active member of Indiana Dental Association, presently serving at their Medicaid committee and being on the peer review committee in the past. She is member of several study clubs and an avid believer in continuous education to constantly incorporate the latest knowledge in her practice. She is selected by her peers as one of the top general dentists listed in Indianapolis Monthly magazine.

ENDODONTIC SPECIALISTS

At Endodontic Specialists, we are dedicated exclusively to comprehensive endodontic care. Our compassionate team includes an experienced endodontic staff that provides the highest level of professional care in a warm, friendly, and comfortable environment.

Our location is a state-of-the-art endodontic facility that utilizes cuttingedge technology including the surgical operating microscope, digital imaging, and cone beam technology which allows superior visualization of dental structures, and the GentleWave system which uses acoustic energy to clean the deepest, most complex root canal structures. Our doctors are highly skilled, and with the use of the latest technology, we are able to provide our patients with exceptional endodontic care. Patient comfort is very important to us so we offer several types of anxiety control techniques including a full range of sedation options. We have also incorporated anesthesia technology to make injections more comfortable.

Dr. Tod Moretton and Dr. Mychel Vail are Certified Endodontists who are actively involved in teaching continuing education classes and maintaining involvement in the dental community. They also lecture at Indiana University School of Dentistry.

We offer same day emergency appointments and we are always on-call and available for our patients.

Dr. Mona Singh, DDS

AILEEN C. HELTON, DDS

Over the last 22 years in dentistry, I have cherished the great relationships we have developed with so many families. The Dentistry on 116 team and I are committed to creating and maintaining healthy smiles that last a lifetime! We offer family and cosmetic dental services which include pain free dentistry, Invisalign®, and sedation dentistry in our high-tech facility. My husband, Patrick, and I are from Munster, Indiana and we met in high school. We live in Carmel with our children, Bruce, Luke, and Ruby and our golden retriever, Bryzzo. We enjoy visiting amusement parks and the beach, watching movies, and trying different restaurants. We are avid Chicago sports fans. My favorites are Michael Jordan, Kris Bryant and the ’85 Chicago Bears. If you are looking for more than “just a dentist,” visit us to receive dental care like you’ve never experienced before. We pride ourselves on taking the time to listen with care and kindness to meet your expectations. After your thorough exam, we decide together how to accomplish your dental needs. Check out what our patients have experienced on our Google reviews. We invite you to be a part of the Dentistry on 116 dental family! No dental insurance? Call us today to ask us about our VIP membership plan.

Dentistry on 116

890 E. 116th St., Ste. 210 • Carmel, IN 46032 317-575-8993 • www.DentistryOn116.com

INDIANAPOLIS ENDODONTICS, PC

All of the doctors of Indianapolis Endodontics are committed to providing the highest standard of both non-surgical and surgical endodontic treatment in a relaxed, pleasant office utilizing our specially trained staff and state-of-the-art equipment. All of the Endodontists are actively involved in teaching, research and organized dentistry. They have lectured nationally and internationally and have authored numerous articles on Endodontics and related topics. All the Endodontists are either Board Certified or Board Eligible. AVON

8102 Kingston St., Ste. 500 Avon, IN 46123 317-396-1873

INDIANAPOLIS

6335 Intech Commons Dr., Ste. J Indianapolis, IN 46278 317-924-3228

indyendoavon@aol.com www.IndyEndo.com

indyendo@aol.com

FOURTEEN-YEAR WINNER

Established in 1978

Dr. Joseph B. Adams

Dr. William R. Adams

Dr. Nomin Aomin

Dr. Paul J. Ley

Dr. David H. Pfotenhauer

Dr. Ashleigh M. Rexford

TWELVE-YEAR WINNER

INDY DENTAL GROUP

commitment to provide you with excellence in dentistry by combining exceptional education, extensive clinical experience and personal dedication to help ensure a lifetime of dental health.

The Five World-Class Indy Dental Group locations have been designed with patient comfort in mind. Our Carmel office (located in The Village of West Clay) showcases Dr. Miller’s race memorabilia, walls of fame and one of his Crest® racecars hanging from the ceiling. A dedicated team of doctors, hygienists, technicians and administrative staff help provide Hoosier families with the best dental care and support available.

Indy Dental Group was founded in 1993 by Drs. Jack M. Miller, Three-Time Veteran Driver of the Indianapolis 500 Race, & Elizabeth B. Lewis, a leader in comprehensive, cosmetic, and family dentistry with a special focus on patient education and family dental health.

Indy Dental Group has EIGHT doctors that bring a broad scope of expertise to the team. All share the philosophy and

Indy Dental Group is dedicated to serving the entire family, providing comprehensive dental care and support. We look forward to working with you and your family to help to ensure a lifetime of good dental health.

Winning Smiles For The Entire Family

Five Convenient Locations - Indianapolis, Carmel & Westfield

SCOTT PAPINEAU, DDS & ANNETTE FARTHING, DDS

As pediatric dentists, Dr. Scott D. Papineau and Dr. Annette T. Farthing are specially trained to treat infants and children. Drs. Papineau and Farthing and their compassionate staff work to make each child’s dental visit a positive and rewarding experience. It is their goal to treat each child as if they were their own.

Child-friendly language and techniques are used to walk each patient through their dental procedures. Nitrous oxide, general anesthesia, and sedation for anxious patients are also available when needed. Drs. Papineau and Farthing’s expertise allows them to provide excellent dental care and guidance for establishing a lifetime of good oral health.

Drs. Papineau and Farthing are honored to have been selected as top dentists by their peers. Together, they will continue to offer quality dental care in a fun and welcoming atmosphere and invite you to make their office your child’s dental home.

Scott D. Papineau, PharmD, DDS

Diplomate American Board of Pediatric Dentistry

Annette T. Farthing, DDS

Diplomate American Board of Pediatric Dentistry 7725 S. Emerson Ave. Indianapolis, IN 46237 317-882-7694

FOURTEEN-YEAR WINNER

HOLLY AUSTGEN, DDS

Ready to see new patients and give back to her wonderful community in Greenwood and Center Grove, Dr. Austgen provides large scale, all inclusive dental care with a comfortable family feel.

Some of our services include:

• Fully digital x-rays and impression systems

• Children’s dentistry

• Same day crown/bridge using Cerec technology

• Periodontal therapy

• Laser therapy

• Whitening

• Botox

SVETLANA BERMAN, DDS, MSD

Dr. Berman is a Board of Endodontics eligible specialist, dedicated to providing high-quality and patient-centered endodontic care. Her practice is proud of its experienced, knowledgeable, and caring team and modern, state-of-the-art office. To confidently diagnose and comfortably treat the most complex conditions, the Berman Endodontics professionals use surgical microscopes, cone beam CT for 3D imaging, digital radiography, the STA® computer assisted local anesthesia, conscious sedation, and relaxing chair-side television. The latest technology in endodontics is used for the most successful and efficient root canal treatment, such as the GentleWave System® and the EdgePRO™ laser.

Education:

• IU School of Dentistry, D.D.S. with high distinction

• IU School of Medicine, General Practice and Hospital Dentistry Residency

• IUSD Graduate Endodontics program

Memberships and Affiliations:

• IUSD, part time faculty member

1405 West County Line Road, Suite A Greenwood, Indiana 46142 317-885-6400

• Clear braces

Whether you are an older patient with a complicated medical history or a young family looking to establish roots, Dr. Austgen can help you achieve your dental goals in a fun and positive way.

CARMEL DENTAL GROUP

Exceptional Quality Care and Comfort you can Smile About!

We would like to welcome you to our state of the art practice serving patients of all ages. Carmel Dental Group is privately owned and operated by Dr. Cami L. Hovda, DDS, PC. Our practice is devoted to comprehensive and preventive patient care in a relaxed setting that will put you at ease. Active Member of the American Dental Society, American Academy of Facial Esthetics, Indiana Dental Association, Chicago Dental Society, American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, Indianapolis District Dental Society, Seattle Study Club and DOCS (Sedation Dentistry).

Dental Services Include:

• Cosmetic, Restorative & Implant Dentistry

• Veneers & Tooth Whitening

• Crowns, Bridges & Dentures

• Root Canal Therapy

• Clear Braces

• Laser Dentistry

• Dentistry for the Whole Family Children’s Program

TWELVE-YEAR WINNER

Cami L. Hovda, DDS, PC

• Member of the American Association of Endodontists, ADA, IDA, and IDDS: Leaders & Mentors Award 2021

• OKU National Dental Honor Society

• Pierre Fauchard Academy Fellow

• Founder of the Pain Management and Sedation in Dentistry Study Club

• Fellow of the American College of Dentists

704 Adams St., Ste. D Carmel, IN 46032

317-815-5552

www.BermanEndodontics.com

GentleWave Root Canal Treatment Authorized Provider

CATTON DENTISTRY

• Digital X-Ray System

• Conscious Sedation

• Relaxing & Friendly Environment

• Botox

• Dermal Fillers

• Concierge Services

• In-house Insurance Plan

715 West Carmel Dr., Ste. 103 Carmel, IN 46032 317-844-0022

www.carmeldentalgroup.com

Most Insurance Accepted and Financing Available

Dr. Mark Catton

Dr. Nick Catton

4809 N. Pennsylvania St. Indianapolis, IN 46205 317-923-2561

14747 Oak Rd., Suite 400 Carmel, IN 46033 317-663-8957

cattondds.com

Drs. Mark and Nick Catton are grateful for being named to Indianapolis Monthly’s Top Dentists. Patients have trusted our family owned and operated practice with their general dentistry needs for nearly four decades. We are welcoming new patients of all ages at our Meridian-Kessler and Carmel locations. Call to make an appointment today!

Austgen Family Dental

SIX-YEAR WINNER

FOURTEEN-YEAR WINNER

ELEVEN-YEAR WINNER & TWO-YEAR WINNER

CHILDREN’S DENTAL CENTER

For Dr. Michelle Edwards, pediatric dentistry is about more than dental health; it’s about creating a pleasant visit to the dental office promoting an establishment of trust and confidence in children that will last a lifetime. “My position is to help build a dental home, valuing prevention, early detection and treatment of dental disease in children,” she says. “My goal with my own practice is to make it a place where children, even if they come in with fears or a nervous feeling, can leave with a smile on their face and anticipation of their next visit.” Her patients and their parents affectionately call her “Dr. Michelle.”

Michelle Edwards, DDS,

9885 E. 116th St., Ste. 100 Fishers, IN 46037 317-842-8453

babytoothcenter.com

FALL CREEK DENTISTRY

Dr. Angela Greenaway and Dr. Stephanie Wright, both Top Dentists for over 7 years, have made it their mission to serve Fishers and the surrounding area with high quality, compassionate dental care. When they opened Fall Creek Dentistry 23 years ago, they made a commitment to provide patients with superior preventative and restorative treatments.

Patients can expect a premium experience when they visit Fall Creek Dentistry, from the friendly, efficient, highly-skilled staff members, to the latest state of the art technology.

Contact us today to schedule an appointment!

FISHERS FAMILY DENTISTRY

Dr. Grant Ryan

8410 E. 116th St.

Fishers, IN 46038

317-576-0611

FishersFamilyDentistry.com

At Fishers Family Dentistry, we offer a wide variety of services focusing on your dental and overall health. While we practice conservatively and focus on preventive care, we are also confident and experienced in the treatment of major cosmetic smile makeovers and complicated treatment plans. We are patient-centered and go out of our way to provide the most comfortable dental experience.

Dr. Scott Bassett is honored to be recognized as a top dentist for the past six years, and Dr. Grant Ryan for his first!

FALL CREEK DENTISTRY

10106 Brooks School Rd. Fishers, IN 46037 317.596.8000 fallcreekdentistry.com

GOVE FAMILY DENTISTRY

Gove Family Dentistry of Fishers and Noblesville are family-oriented practices that use the latest technology and techniques to maximize patient convenience, comfort, and satisfaction. This commitment means we are equipped to deliver every service you and your family may need from a dentist. From children to adults, we at Gove Family Dentistry treat our patients with the utmost care. Our mission is to build long-term relationships with our patients and treat you with a smile.

Gove Family Dentistry

14660 Herriman Blvd., Ste. 400 Noblesville, IN 46060

317-774-0600

11501 Cumberland Rd. Fishers, IN 46037 317-578-1414

GoveFamilyDentistry.com

Dr. Scott Bassett

SIX-YEAR WINNER & FIRST-YEAR WINNER

Dr. Raymond J. Gove TEN-YEAR WINNER

Dr. Sarah M. Gove TEN-YEAR WINNER

DMD

TWELVE-YEAR WINNER

SEVEN-YEAR+ WINNERS

Dr. Angela Greenaway & Dr. Stephanie Wright

FISHERS PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY

Dr. Misti worked in private practice for five years prior to pursuing her passion of working with children and completing her pediatric residency. She began working as an associate for Fishers Pediatric Dentistry in 2014 and immediately knew she found her forever dental home. She became co-owner in July of 2016 and receives her biggest reward by providing compassionate and loving care to the families she serves.

BOARD CERTIFICATION:

Diplomate, American Board of Pediatric Dentistry

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS:

ADA, American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, Indiana Dental Association, Indianapolis District Dental Society

HOSPITAL AFFILIATION:

Ascension St. Vincent Fishers

PRACTICE FOCUS:

Oral health of infants, children, adolescents, and individuals with special health care needs.

MISTI PRATT, DDS 9126 Technology Ln., Ste. 100 Fishers, IN 46038 317-598-9898 FishersPediatric.com

FISHERS PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY

Dr. Ana founded her private practice, Fishers Pediatric Dentistry, in 1996. She has served as a consultant for the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Council on Clinical Affairs and has furthered her education by obtaining a Masters in Business Administration from Northwestern University.

BOARD CERTIFICATION:

Diplomate, American Board of Pediatric Dentistry

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS:

ADA, American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, Indiana Dental Association, Indiana Society of Pediatric Dentistry, IU Pediatric Dentistry Alumni, Chicago Dental Society

HOSPITAL AFFILIATIONS:

Ascension St. Vincent Fishers, Carmel Ambulatory Surgery Center, Community Surgery Center

ANA VÁZQUEZ, DMD, MBA 9126 Technology Ln., Ste. 100 Fishers, IN 46038

317-598-9898

FishersPediatric.com

FISHERS PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY

Dr. Vinson has been practicing pediatric dentistry since 2004 and has been practicing with Fishers Pediatric Dentistry since 2005. She currently serves as a consultant on the Committee for Special Needs for the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry as well as many other committees in national dental organizations.

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS: American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, American Dental Association, American Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Association, Indiana Society of Pediatric Dentistry, American Dental Education Association

HOSPITAL AFFILIATIONS: Riley Hospital for Children, Ascension St. Vincent Indianapolis and Carmel, Carmel Ambulatory Surgery Center, Community Hospital Surgery Center

LAQUIA A. VINSON, DDS, MPH 9126 Technology Ln., Ste. 100 Fishers, IN 46038

317-598-9898

FishersPediatric.com

DR. TIM HOFTIEZER

At The Extra Smile, the office of Dr. Tim Hoftiezer, he and his staff excel at providing outstanding care! From your initial welcome through lifelong visits, our wonderful team listens while thoughtfully catering each appointment to best serve our patient’s needs.

Dr. Hoftiezer is an Indiana University School of Dentistry graduate. He completes at least 100 hours of continuing education per year, and is active in several local study clubs to provide the best in dental care with the latest technology.

Please visit our website to see reviews from our happy patients!

TEN-YEAR WINNER

SIX-YEAR WINNER

FOURTEEN-YEAR WINNER

FOUR-YEAR WINNER

IMPLANT DENTISTRY AND PERIODONTICS

My mission is to restore the confidence which comes from a healthy and pleasing smile. I specialize in dental implant placement, the treatment of gum disease and gum rejuvenation. I have worked hard to create a team of individuals who are committed to treating patients with respect and honoring a high level of care. Working alongside our patients we strive to find individualized solutions to optimize oral health. I serve as the office visionary; navigating the rapidly changing dental marketplace so we can offer the most progressive treatment alternatives and techniques in our field.

TWO LOCATIONS:

9885 E. 116th St., Ste. 300 Fishers, IN 46037 317-842-2273

8801 N. Meridian St., Ste. 103 Indianapolis, IN 46260 317-574-0600 indyimplants.com

KIRKWOOD DENTISTRY

Dr. Brian Kirkwood graduated from Indiana School of Dentistry in 1988. Dr. Kirkwood brings 30+ years of dental experience into his practice. With this knowledge he promotes effective and long-lasting treatment options for his patients. Dr. Kirkwood provides a range of services including: crowns/bridges, implants, braces, extractions, dentures, root canal therapy, and more. Dr. Kirkwood continues to serve the central Indiana area through his philanthropy and quality dental care.

Brian Kirkwood, DDS 101 N. State St. Greenfield, IN 46140 317-462-3456 dockirkwood.com

KIRKWOOD DENTISTRY

Dr. Trent Kirkwood graduated from Indiana School of Dentistry in 2018. He is a general dentist who sees patients of all ages. Dr. Trent offers a variety of services including: crowns/bridges, extractions, dentures, root canal therapy, and more. Dr. Trent believes that quality dental treatment starts with patient education. He takes the time to listen to the needs of his patients, and to explain treatment options. Dr. Trent is accepting new patients and is happy to be advancing healthy smiles in his community.

Trent Kirkwood, DDS 101 N. State St. Greenfield, IN 46140 317-462-3456

dockirkwood.com

DR. KURT A. RUPENTHAL, DDS

Dr. Kurt A. Rupenthal is a oneof-a-kind dentist, just ask any of his many patients and you will learn he is caring, compassionate, and always looking for ways to improve the practice. For more than 30 years, Dr. Rupenthal has been practicing dentistry in Carmel, Indiana, bringing his Wabash College biology degree (1981) and Indiana University School of Dentistry (1985) expertise to the forefront of every appointment. He is also a graduate of the Dawson Academy and a member of Spear Study club.

Patients always feel at ease when they come see Dr. Rupenthal. His conservative care paired with much-appreciated attention to detail keeps them coming back.

5790 East Main Street

Carmel, IN 46033 317-844-2810

Kathy@rupenthaldentistry.com

www.rupenthaldentistry.com

FIRST-YEAR WINNER

THREE-YEAR WINNER

EIGHT-YEAR WINNER

Michael Edwards, DDS, MSD

TEN-YEAR WINNER

JULIE L. STANTE, DDS

At Julie L. Stante, DDS, Cosmetic & Family Dentistry, the dentistpatient relationship is the most important part of our practice. We offer comprehensive dental care, on-time appointments, and the latest techniques, tools and advanced technology so our patients receive the best possible experience. Serving the Indianapolis, Fishers, Geist and Noblesville areas, our practice focus includes Family Dentistry, Cosmetic & Restorative Dentistry and TMJ therapy incorporating the use of Botox for myo-facial pain.

We firmly believe combining a personal approach with the latest dental technology provides the best long-term oral health for you and your family. Dr. Julie Stante completed her undergraduate degree at Butler University and earned her dental degree from the Indiana School of Dentistry. Her commitment to exceptional dentistry is exemplified by her ongoing education and passion for providing the best patient care.

TRACEY TABOR WILLIAMS, DMD

We are honored to be selected as a Top Dentist for the 14th consecutive year. We are grateful for the continued loyalty and trust of our peers and patients. Many things have changed as we emerge from the COVID 19 pandemic, but our commitment to delivering safe, compassionate, personalized dental care has remained the same.

DOWNTOWN INDY

303 N. Alabama St., Ste. 270 Indianapolis, IN 46204 drtraceywilliams.com 317-637-4636

9810 Westpoint Dr., Ste 100 Indianapolis, IN 46256 317-579-1875

juliestantedds.com

Recent studies suggest the ongoing pandemic has taken a serious toll on the oral health of many Americans. Dentists across the country have seen a marked increase in dental conditions such as gum disease, cavities, TMJ disorders, and cracked teeth. These changes can be a result of increased stress, changes in diet and home care routines, and delays in seeking dental care. We understand this is a time of some uncertainty, and we want to assure everyone that we are taking every measure possible to create the safest environment possible for dental care. The dental profession has been on the forefront of using universal precautions and infection control for decades. In addition to industry stringent guidelines, we use hospital grade HEPA air purification systems and cold fogging technology in every room to reduce and destroy airborne bacteria and viruses.

We are excited to join you as your partner on your journey to overall health and wellbeing. We are dedicated to helping all of our patients in creating personalized solutions for their dental care needs. We are committed to providing you with a safe space to receive dental care during the pandemic and beyond. Be very well and take good care of one another!

EIGHT-YEAR WINNER

FOURTEEN-YEAR WINNER

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 71

work on material and sing for alumni functions.

AHLWARDT: He knew what it would take to make the group a success on and off campus. He bought us our suits. We recorded our fourth album, with songs by Hoosier artists. [Later,] we went to the IU alumni camp in Wisconsin. It wasn’t just something we did on campus. We went to Florida.

COLLINS: Winter in Florida? This is great!

AHLWARDT: It became year-round.

And then there were the doughnuts

MORGAN: One spring break we had a show lined up in Boston.

COLLINS: A couple of the guys were big fans of The Simpsons and there was a sign in Newburg, New York, that said, “We got doughnuts.”

MORGAN: Some of the guys decided they needed to steal the sign and we got run off by the police.

COLLINS: We did our gig that night and were coming back through that same town at three in the morning. This time, we took it.

MORGAN: But the same cop was pulling a double.

COLLINS: He does a U-ey and pulls us over.

MORGAN: He said, “I let you guys go, all you had to do was not come back.”

COLLINS: We spent the night in jail. Three of us in one cell, singing all night

long. The next morning, we got out to see the judge who said, “Would you mind singing for our secretary?” We sang “One Fine Day” and “Still of the Night.” The judge laughed and let us go our own way.

MORGAN: There was an auditorium full of kids at our high school gig that day ready for an assembly but we didn’t have enough material to cover a single song.

COLLINS: I don’t like doughnuts to this day because of that.

The Big Show

STINE: We’d done three headline concerts at Alumni Hall in November ’97, January ’98, and April ’98. And we were going to have another fall concert. But IU Auditorium was closed for renovations, and Indiana Theatre on Kirkwood was being renovated. There was no place to do a show. We begged and pleaded with the music school and made an in-person presentation to the dean with a 20-page spiral-bound proposal to use the MAC [Musical Arts Center]. He looked it over and said, “If you sing at my Christmas party, you can sing at the MAC.” But there was some friction about that. IU Sing was going on and they weren’t allowed to use it.

COLLINS: Dan and Walter [Chase, another original member] were really good at arranging parts for voices.

STINE: We did the Boyz II Men “Silent Night,” and “Carol of the Bells” and “Twelve Days of Christmas” as the close of the first act.

COLLINS: Walt came up with adding “Africa” to “Twelve Days of Christmas.” As much as we ended up hating it, “Africa” became one of our most popular and most requested songs.

STINE: It was the first time we performed it and a crew filmed it. The fact that it would be in the MAC, I pushed to have it videotaped. Some didn’t want to spend the money but I thought we could use it for marketing down the road. I talked them into it.

Separate Ways

PONCE: We didn’t miss a whole lot

of school. We all graduated with our degrees.

MORGAN: I mean, my last math class wasn’t the best grade I ever got, but we all got through.

PONCE: But we realized we weren’t going to “make it” in the music biz. When we graduated senior year, we passed the group on to undergraduates as a legacy group.

MORGAN: We weren’t breaking through on any mainstream level, so we kind of put it to bed.

PONCE: We auditioned and picked the guys who would succeed us. [After years of sharing the SNC name, the student group is now known as Another Round.] So we went our separate ways. Two guys went to New York to try out Broadway. Five of us moved to Atlanta and tried to make it ourselves. We signed as technically a boy band, Last Call. We signed with RCA Records but then the label dropped us.

The Video

AHLWARDT: All those guys had careers but because Randy was unemployed, he had the time to put those videos on YouTube. He’s also the nerdiest of the group so he knew how to do it.

STINE: We didn’t get the footage for three or four years. The video company went out of business but I tracked down the owner and told him we never got the footage. Sure enough, he FedExed them to me on Betamax. I worked out of a post-production house in Atlanta and sat there loading Beta and eventually dumping them onto my computer. They wouldn’t play on Macs, so I called a friend and said, “I’m trying to share. How do I do that?” He told me about a new website called YouTube. That was the first I had heard about it.

PONCE: It was a chance to relive a concert we did 10 years before.

STINE: We were having a 10-year anniversary and we were all going to go down and watch the current group perform. In preparation for that, I had all of this footage and thought I should put it together. I edited together the

entire concert. If I hadn’t lost my job, I probably wouldn’t have gotten it done. I put it together for us to have for guys who couldn’t make it to the reunion. It was mainly just for us, not for the public. And because I made DVDs of the concert, the minimum order was like 4,000 or something crazy. I had boxes and boxes of them. The guys joked that I could retile my kitchen with them. I bought ads on Facebook and Myspace to at least make the cost back. I was doing anything I could to rid my house of these CDs.

PONCE: We noticed the video count go up. And up. And up. It was fun to watch it take off, but we didn’t think it was going to lead to anything.

STINE: When we hit 100,000 views in the summer and fall, I sent an email to the guys and said, “Isn’t this funny?” We were up to 7 million by late December.

STINE: I got interviewed by The Wall Street Journal and Crane’s. They acted like I had a formula or a marketing team. I just uploaded it to share and it took off.

PONCE: Then we got a call from Craig Kallman, the CEO of Atlantic Records.

STINE: I asked Dan, “Can you get next week off? We need to go to L.A.”

The Deal

STINE: They flew us out for the whole Hollywood deal experience. Picked us up in a limo to take us to the Peninsula Hotel. Dinner at Spago. We were the only ones at Spago in full suits. The CEO had a crewneck sweatshirt and sneakers. We looked like we were going to a wedding. The whole thing was surreal.

STINE: We went back to the bar and brainstormed. Then we made some calls.

AHLWARDT: When I got the call, I was just home from teaching a 12-year-old on guitar.

MORGAN: I was still in New York, in Mamma Mia! Dan said, “Are you in?” I said, “I don’t know what’s ‘in’ right now, but yeah, let’s make an album.”

COLLINS: I was in Hong Kong [as Simba in The Lion King]. I said, “Tell me when I get to leave.” I gave my last performance and hopped on a plane. I get to tour the country and the world with eight of my best friends? Sign me up.

STINE: We ended up all flying to New York to sing in the Atlantic offices. It was a little nervewracking. The label that had Bruno Mars and Led Zeppelin was going to sign us? But we figured even if they said no, if all else failed, they were paying for a reunion. We rehearsed in the conference room of the hotel. While in the middle of singing, the CEO walked out. He just left. Our hearts sank. But then he walked in with two people from his legal team and said, “Let’s get contracts signed. An album has to be done by August.”

MORGAN: It took us four to six weekends getting all of it together.

STINE: We were traveling to New York every weekend.

PONCE: Everybody stepped right into their old roles. It was bizarre but strangely familiar.

MORGAN: I had one problem—I had four shows a weekend. So we’d rehearse from 10 to 1, I’d do a show, we’d rehearse a little more, grab dinner, and I’d do another show.

STINE: We all kept our day jobs because we had no other income.

MORGAN: Then we went back to Bloomington and recorded it at Airtime Studios. We knocked out the entire album in two weeks.

AHLWARDT: It took a year and a half to two years for the professional group to really leave the launchpad.

STINE: But any time anyone gets a big head, we always take him down a peg. One of the publicity events was a treelighting at The Grove in L.A. Natalie Cole was there. Reality show stars. The performances were great, and it seemed like a big event for us. Then we had a CD signing and they had an area cordoned off for us and a table to sign. We’re sitting there all dressed up and said, “Go ahead, open the gate,” and three people walked through.

PBS

STINE: The album had traction, but we were pretty much undiscovered by most people.

PONCE: My dad is a household name in Chicago broadcasting and he brought the president of WTTW to our concert in Chicago.

STINE: But the airing on PBS gave people the opportunity to see what we do live. We saw ticket sales skyrocket from that.

PONCE: It was lightning in a bottle. The IU Alumni Association. The YouTube video. The PBS special. All of these things came together and we were able to launch this mega-national act. If one of those pieces were missing, chances are it wouldn’t have happened.

CURTAIN CALL

PONCE: Audiences can tell that we were really close friends. That laughter, that friendship translated into our live performances. That’s the heart and soul. We needed good arrangements but, ultimately, the camaraderie of the group is what stands out.

AHLWARDT: We had an unofficial reunion about a month ago. We rented boats on Lake Monroe. We hit the same bars we used to in college—this time with our wives. We shared the same jokes; some had kids with them. The family is growing.

PONCE: I don’t think there’s any limit to how far the group can go. I think it can be out for 50 years. Christmas music was the way we got through the door—I wish we hadn’t have done two back-to-back—but Christmas is only a percentage of it. We’ve done hundreds of songs in all genres. I don’t see the group ever really breaking up. There’s always going to be some form of Straight No Chaser.

COLLINS: I won’t be happy until I’m sitting with a Grammy.

The Straight No Chaser 25th Anniversary Celebration runs for four shows on December 10–11 at the Murat Theatre.

A long roll at Sushi Maki, p. 110

DOWNTOWN

INCLUDES Fletcher Place, Fountain Square, Mass Ave, Mile Square

Aroma

INDIAN Familiar tandoori and tikka masala staples mingle with heartier, more elevated offerings at this elegant pan-Indian spot that opened in the former Rook location in early 2021. Lunchtime lamb and chicken rolls in crispy flatbread wrappers stand out, as do hearty chaat dishes dressed up with yellow peas, yogurt, and chutneys. An impressive lamb shank is the highlight of the chef’s specialties and easily feeds two or more. A full bar and an artful array of desserts help round out a special-occasion meal. Opt for the orange pudding, a creamy, lightly sweet rice pudding served in an orange shell with a chocolate tuille. 501 Virginia Ave., 317-602-7117, aromaindy.com V $$

Ash & Elm Cider Co.

Restaurant and Cider Bar

GASTROPUB A long-awaited move to the historic former Ford Assembly Plant building on East Washington Street not only brought Indy’s premier cider-maker a few blocks closer to downtown but also ushered in a full menu of snacks and dinner dishes created by chef Tracey Couillard. Start with a cider slushie or a cidermosa (peach, mango, or guava) to enjoy with tangy, rich deviled eggs or crisp, light elote fritters with a bright cilantro crema. Then move to a flagship cider such as the semi-sweet or tart cherry for the main courses, including a standout roasted chicken breast with a crispy hasselback potato, hanger steak with chanterelles, or pan-fried walleye. But don’t pass up the apt apple-cheddar melt or the burger of the moment, lavished with crab dip or garlic scape pesto. 1301 E. Washington St., 317-600-3164, ashandelmcider.com $$

Beholder

CONTEMPORARY A former car-repair shop sets the stage for daring performance art that has featured pig-skin noodles and granita-topped uni

designed to melt on the tongue, as well as buttermilk fried chicken with wildflower honey. The labor-intensive cocktails are spot-on. 1844 E. 10th St., 317-419-3471, beholderindy.com V $$$

Bluebeard

CONTEMPORARY Bluebeard opened in 2012, and crowds still roll in for chef Abbi Merriss’s take on seasonal comfort food. Start with the bread baked next door at Amelia’s—it’s especially delicious slathered with anchovy butter—and build your meal from the ever-changing menu of small and large dishes. Fried morels may show up on a spring picnic plate, while winter nights call for a comforting butcher-shop Bolognese. For a special-occasion meal, rent out the private upper-level dining room. 653 Virginia Ave., 317-686-1580, bluebeardindy.com V $$

Bodhi: Craft Bar + Thai Bistro

THAI Three generations of women form the culinary foundation of this Mass Ave restaurant serving a small, focused menu of Thai dishes like Massaman curry with braised beef and Bodhi’s own version of non-Americanized pad thai. Cocktails get a lot of attention on a drinks list designed by Ball & Biscuit’s Heather Storms. Try the Thai Iced Tea cocktail with bourbon, rye, spiced ginger liqueur, demerara sugar, orange peel, and housemade Thai iced tea. 922 Massachusetts Ave., 317-941-6595, bodhi-indy.com V $$

Brew Link

BREWERY What started as a casual brewery on the edge of a Hendricks County golf course has expanded to include a good-time downtown Indianapolis spot that is serious about its bar bites. Get an order of smoked chicken wings for the table or loaded nachos piled high with your choice of pulled pork, chicken, carnitas, or steak. The burgers are elaborately garnished, and the mac and cheese is doused with Brew Link’s house beer cheese. 714 N. Capitol Ave., 317-653-1884, brewlinkbrewing.com $$

Bru Burger Bar

GOURMET BURGERS The generous patties here combine sirloin, chuck, and brisket and are paired with cocktails and craft beers. Highlights include the signature Bru Burger, with bacon,

Taleggio, sweet tomato jam, and porter-braised onions. 410 Massachusetts Ave., 317-635-4278, bruburgerbar.com $$

Cafe Patachou

CAFE The original Meridian-Kessler “student union for adults” continues to draw in the morning crowds and has inspired citywide offshoots, such as this sleek downtown location, a huge hit with the business and weekend hordes alike. The cinnamon toast remains as thick as a brick; the produce is still locally sourced; the massive omelets continue to have cheeky names; and the broken-yolk sandwiches are a perennial lunch favorite. 225 W. Washington St., 317-632-0765, cafepatachou.com V $$

The Capital Grille

CLASSIC A theme of decadence permeates this steakhouse adjoining the equally posh Conrad hotel, from the gilded-framed pastoral paintings that hang on its dark-paneled walls to the selection of elaborate steaks (one of them drenched in a Courvoisier cream sauce, another flavored with aged balsamic—and some of them dry-aged). The servers are exquisite, of course. 40 W. Washington St., 317-423-8790, thecapitalgrille.com $$$$

Dave’s Hot Chicken

CHICKEN The name of this Los Angeles–based chain is no joke. Strips of white meat are brined to lock in the chicken’s juiciness before the Nashville hot–style, Carolina reaper–based spice is applied in seven levels of firepower. Heat-seekers line up to order the incendiary poultry in degrees that top out at a 911–worthy “Reaper,” but even the tamer “Hot” and “Medium” are not for the faint of heart. Order an entry-level “Mild” in slider form, dressed with slaw, sweet pickles, a generous swipe of the tangy, mayo-based house sauce, and tucked inside a squishy white bun that serves as insulation between the tongue and sear. Crinkle-cut french fries and a soothing chocolate milkshake complete the meal. 530 Massachusetts Ave., 317285-0200, daveshotchicken.com $$

Fat Dan’s Deli

MEAT AND POTATOES Brisket cooked for 14 hours is a mainstay of the made-from-scratch menu, as

Very Good Good

Brunch

$$$$ $30 and up

$$$ $20–$30

$$ $10–$20

$ Under $10 UPDATED

Recently opened establishment.

Open for more than five months but making its first appearance in the guide.

Recently revisited and reevaluated.

Restaurants included in this guide are selected at the discretion of the Indianapolis Monthly editorial staff based on food quality, innovation, atmosphere, service, value, and consistency. IM does not accept advertising or other compensation in exchange for dining coverage. Price symbols indicate the average cost of a meal per person (without tax, tip, or alcohol). Due to limited space, this list does not cover every evaluated restaurant. For a more comprehensive guide to Indianapolis dining, visit IndianapolisMonthly.com/Dining. Feedback? Please email TheDish@IndianapolisMonthly.com.

is the house corned beef. Get an order of tender smoked wings and some tots for the table, served no-frills on a spread of craft paper. Whatever you do, don’t miss the plump Viennadogs that will transport you straight to Wrigleyville. 410 E. Michigan St., 317-600-3333, fatdansdeli.com $

Gallery Pastry Bar

CONTEMPORARY The second location for the popular Broad Ripple bakery and brunch spot specializes in European-inspired pastries, brunch, dinner, and cocktails. 110 S. Pennsylvania St., 317820-5526, gallerypastryshop.com $$

Harry & Izzy’s

STEAKHOUSE Craig Huse’s casual alternative to big brother St. Elmo holds its own as a clubby hangout worthy of destination-steakhouse status itself. The marbled bone-in ribeye sizzles in its juices, a smart umami-rich pick among the high-quality (and high-priced) Midwest-sourced prime cuts. The menu expands to thin-crust pizzas, sandwiches, salads, and seafood selections like pan-seared scallops. 153 S. Illinois St., 317635-9594, harryandizzys.com $$$

Hinata Japanese Fine Dining

JAPANESE An elevated experience awaits inside this modern and elegantly appointed downtown establishment. With a thoughtful and measured approach to exploring Japanese cuisine beyond traditional sushi and noodle dishes, chef Akinori Tanigawa educates guests in the traditional kaiseki, or multicourse, dinner with dishes that showcase his expert skills with fresh seafood and local Midwestern produce. California wines suited for Japanese cuisine, crafted cocktails,

and an impressive sake list accompany the prixfixe menu that is remixed monthly with respect to availability of ingredients. 130 E. Washington St., 317-672-4929, hinataindy.com $$$

The Hulman

CONTEMPORARY With its sleek midcenturymodern decor, the street-level restaurant inside downtown’s Hotel Indy pays tribute to the VIP Indianapolis Motor Speedway experience. The pared-down seasonal menu supplies some fittingly elegant dishes, like short rib spaccatelli with horseradish sugo and a fancy Alaskan king crab bisque presentation. High-concept desserts like a candied-almond churro curled around banana gelato are a must, as are signature craft cocktails. 141 E. Washington St., 317735-2586, thehulmanindy.com $$$

Iozzo’s Garden of Italy

ITALIAN Expand your pasta knowledge with the textbook bucatini all’Amatriciana with a rich and hearty pomodoro sauce, or an order of light but decadently dressed gnocchi with gorgonzola cream sauce and just enough sliced beef filet. Save room for creamy tiramisu cheesecake and a refreshing lemon olive oil cake topped with sweet and tangy Meyer lemon confiture and toasted meringue. 946 S. Meridian St., 317-974-1100, iozzos.com V $$$

King Dough

PIZZA Chewy and with just the right flop in the middle, the pizzas are bona fide craft, from the dough to the quality toppings. Standouts include the Stinky Pete with wild mushrooms, gorgonzola, and plenty of garlic and herbs. Burgers,

including one made from chorizo and topped with manchego cheese, play surprisingly close second fiddles to the pies. Cocktails concocted from boutique liqueurs and aromatics are reason enough to drop in, and they make for perfect sippers while you wait for your pie on the patio. 452 N. Highland Ave., 317-602-7960, kingdough pizzas.com V $$

Kuma’s Corner

BURGERS Towering burgers are dressed with as many hardcore flourishes as a Megadeth guitar shred at this lively Fountain Square spot. Burgers of the month have included the Mutoid Man, topped with tempura-battered jalapeño, braised beef, and a Sriracha drizzle, and the Wolves in the Throneroom, which includes apricot chipotle jam among its toppings. 1127 Prospect St., 317-929-1287, kumascorner.com $$

La Eskina

MEXICAN Jesus Metlat’s Latin cantina offers an array of regional Mexican specialties, as well as generously stuffed tortas. Be sure to start with ultra creamy guacamole topped with braised pork belly, though savory plantains slathered with mole and crema and showered with cotija cheese also make for a great first course. Tacos filled with everything from carne asada to mushroom-scented huitlacoche are good bets, but the birria taco is among the best in the city, and platters of carnitas, carne en su jugo (beef cooked in its juices with bacon), and red-sauced chicken and cheese enchiladas make this colorful spot a refreshing change from other taquerias around town. 641 Virginia Ave., 317-492-9467, orderla eskina.com $$

Leviathan Bakehouse

BAKERY Pastry chef Pete Schmutte’s patisserie and lunch cafe near Chatham Arch is a welcome addition to the downtown bakery scene. Schmutte draws on his talented staff’s specialties to produce earthy artisan breads, ultra-flaky French-style laminated pastries, and elegant financiers. If you oversleep the day’s breakfast sandwich with creamy, soft eggs and local charcuterie, grab a chimichurri roast beef sandwich with apple-fennel chutney and brie on porridge bread. 1101 N. College Ave., 317-493-1879, levia thanbakehouse.com $$

Livery

LATIN This place feels like a hidden urban treasure, especially when the mezcal cocktails are flowing and the partially open kitchen is sending out plate after plate of contemporary Latininspired fare. Favorites have included a salad tucked inside a folded manchego crisp, meltingly tender steak fanned over a block of polenta, and a silky tres leches cake to die for. Snag a spot on the upper-level deck for a real treat. 720 N. College Ave., 317-383-0330, livery-restaurant.com $$

Love Handle

SANDWICHES Daily lunch and brunch features such as schnitzel and waffles and a pulledchicken Hot Brown are the main draw at Chris and Ally Benedyk’s cheeky sandwich shop. The chalkboard menu also offers side options in the form of braised greens and potato salad with roasted tomatoes. 877 Massachusetts Ave., 317384-1102 $$

Maialina Italian Kitchen + Bar

ITALIAN Straw-wrapped chianti bottles, wooden cross-back chairs, and family photos give a throwback trattoria feel to this addition to the city’s Italian scene, opened by Ambrosia heir Francesca Pizzi and stepbrother Lawrence Green. Meatballs, from a family recipe, are always a good choice with a solid house marinara. Pastas range from a straightforward toss of rigatoni with sausage and broccoli rabe to a rich, three-meat Bolognese lavished atop plump gnocchi. The Torta della Nonna, a light and lemony ricotta sweet, is the perfect way to end a meal. 1103 Prospect St., 317-982-7676, maialinaindy.com

$$$

Milktooth

BRUNCH This diner-style cafe has a playfully gritty vibe. The early-morning counter service featuring pastries and coffee gives way to a full-service brunch menu with daytime craft cocktails. 534 Virginia Ave., 317-986-5131, milk toothindy.com V $$

Modita

ASIAN-INSPIRED The lavish restaurant in Bottleworks District’s showpiece slot gets extra style points for its gorgeous industrial-sleek decor that is equal parts silk wallpaper and factory-grade doors. Sip a Singha or a citrusy Tokyo Exchange Rate under the glow of dangling pendants and soak up the thoughtfully preserved vintage vibe. 850 Massachusetts Ave., 317-316-0470, modita.com

$$$

Mori Sushi

JAPANESE At this cheery ramen-and-sushi spot that opened in early 2020 in one part of the former Milano Inn, highlights include the Spiderman roll, which accents crunchy soft-

shell crab tempura with avocado, spicy mayo, and eel sauce, as well as especially fresh yellowtail and white tuna sashimi. Tonkotsu pork-belly ramen is a rich and flavorful go-to bowl, but yakisoba and udon in beef, chicken, and seafood versions are good bets as well. 231 S. College Ave., 317-964-0139, morisushi-japanese restaurant.business.site $$

Nesso

ITALIAN Highly stylized seafood and meats paired with small pasta courses and shared a la carte sides add up to a sumptuous dining experience inside the Alexander hotel. Pass around a plate of prosciutto-wrapped prunes or crab arancini, but keep the tortelloni and sea bass to yourself. 339 S. Delaware St., 317-643-7400, nesso-italia .com $$$

Pier 48 Fish House & Oyster Bar

SEAFOOD In a sleek, well-placed fish house across the street from the Pacers arena, diners pregame on fresh seafood delivered from the restaurant’s own South Bristol, Maine, fishery. The selections range from a fried chicken sandwich to market-priced lobster prepared baked, steamed, or chargrilled. But the Lobstah Roll, dressed with either butter or mayonnaise, is the star of the show. 130 S. Pennsylvania St., 317560-4848, pier48fresh.com $$$

Ruth’s Chris Steak House

STEAKHOUSE While nightly specials at this stately steakhouse include innovative seafood and poultry options, supper-club classics abound, from the succulent, fat-marbled ribeye to a delicate petite filet, all served on sizzling-hot plates. 45 S. Illinois St., 317-633-1313, ruthschris.com $$$$

Salt on Mass

SEAFOOD Fresh fish arrives daily at this gleaming Mass Ave restaurant that boasts of not even owning a freezer. That means the menu is written around the latest catch, but perennial favorites include sea-salt grilled salmon and meaty seared cobia topped with a cheesy mix of crab and artichokes. 505 Massachusetts Ave., 317-6386565, saltonmass.com $$$

Shapiro’s Delicatessen

DELI Slide your tray along and take your pick of kosher comfort foods at this downtown institution. Hot pastrami and corned-beef sandwiches on rye have drawn long lines for more than a century. The Reuben contends for the city’s best, and heartier fare such as potato pancakes, stuffed cabbage, and matzo-ball soup are perennially satisfying standbys. Load up on a massive wedge of pie, or you haven’t really had the proper Shapiro’s experience. 808 S. Meridian St., 317-631-4041, shapiros.com $$

Spoke & Steele

CONTEMPORARY At the sleek lobby restaurant of Le Méridien, French classics with fusion touches imagined by chef Joel Scott Johnson include a spiffed-up bouillabaisse with wasabi tempura cod, steak tartare with fennel and watermelon radishes, and a Niçoise salad with fried potatoes standing in for the traditional tuna. Entrees feature hearty pastas, steak au poivre lavished with bone marrow butter, and chicken paillard accompanied by broccolini. A perfectly cooked burger made with Fischer Farms beef and crowned with Colby and shaved garlic may require more napkins than you’d like, but it comes with textbook

crispy frites. 123 S. Illinois St., 317-737-1616, spoke andsteele.com $$$

St. Elmo Steak House

STEAKHOUSE Since 1902, this stately house of red meat has served as the unofficial ambassador of downtown Indianapolis—the walls carry decades’ worth of celebrity photos, the burnished bar hearkens to an earlier era, and the servers remain starched and bow-tied. The drill remains the same as well: a generous martini; a shrimp cocktail with that infamously hot sauce; the bean soup or tomato juice; the wedge; and one of the large steaks. 127 S. Illinois St., 317-635-0636, stelmos.com

$$$$

Sweetgreen

NEW SALADS A California import with locations across the country, this bowl-based eatery assembles oversized salads and healthy grain dishes. The decor is bright and spartan, and ordering is Chipotle-style at a long counter. Customer favorites include a roasted chicken Harvest Bowl with warm wild rice and the vegan Shroomami with tofu, warm portobello, raw beets, cucumbers, and kale tossed in miso sesame ginger dressing. 157 E. New York St., 463220-4400, sweetgreen.com V $$

Taxman CityWay

GASTROPUB Soaring ceilings, rustic candelabra lighting, brick walls, and a 3,000-square-foot beer-garden patio make this one of Indy’s most welcoming drinking spots. The gastropub menu includes some of the city’s best frites, served with more than half a dozen sauces or loaded with bacon, beer cheese, and scallions. Liège waffles are topped with hearty add-ons like fried chicken and rosemary-scented maple syrup or cheesy shrimp and grits. 310 S. Delaware St., 317734-3107, taxmanbrewing.com $$

Tinker Street

NEW AMERICAN Reservations are a must, so snag whatever date you can get and hope there’s a warm-night seat on the twinkling patio. Then settle in for small plates such as surprisingly light and flavorful chickpea ravioli with vegan ricotta and a host of colorful garnishes. Or try one of the always-vegan soups or a seasonal salad such as a refreshing mix of greens with asparagus, pickled rhubarb, and tangy blue cheese. Fall-apart pork belly with kimchi, forbidden rice, and a duck egg is perhaps the star of the main dishes, though shrimp and grits with green-tomato chow-chow and a refreshing halibut with carrot soubise are excellent bets. 402 E. 16th St., 317-925-5000, tinkerstreet indy.com V $$$

Union 50

CONTEMPORARY Marrying the retro trappings of a onetime union hall with all of the sleek amenities of a 21st-century cocktail lounge, this instantly popular supper club features a stunning backlit glass bar and a wood-fired kitchen with a prep line and pass-through visible to the spacious dining room. 620 N. East St., 317-6100234, union-50.com $$$

Upland Brewing

GASTROPUB Bloomington’s Upland Brewery brings its casual-dining experience to Indy’s near southside, with an open-concept dining room and a popular dog-friendly patio. The Upland repertoire gets proper representation in the

wall of taps behind the bar. You can casually sip a flight of sours and snack on smoked chicken wings, or get busy with dishes plucked from the chef’s rotating seasonal menu. 1201 Prospect St., 317-672-3671, uplandbeer.com V $$

EAST

INCLUDES Beech Grove, Irvington

10th Street Diner

VEGAN Surprisingly familiar and hearty plant based takes on diner classics occupy the entire menu at this rehab of a former pawn shop, a comfy backdrop for enjoying such tasty fakeouts as a gooey and satisfying seitan Reuben, a “chicken” pot pie, and house chili that rivals your favorite con carne version. Showstoppers include the many-layered lasagna with plenty of fresh veggies, a bright tomato sauce, and a tangy “cheese” concocted from tofu and cashews. Arrive early, before the day’s supplies run out. 3301 E. 10th St., 463-221-1255 V $$

18th Street Brewery

BREWPUB In a snug family-friendly pub setting, the Indianapolis branch of a decorated northwest Indiana craft brewery works small miracles with its food pairings. Rustic sandwiches put pork belly, house mustard, and Amelia’s bread to good use. Soups are fortified with lagers. The wings have a potent dry rub. And a surprisingly polished brunch menu is a delicious endorsement of the put-an-egg-on-it theory. In addition to a whole roster of 18th Street beers on tap, beverages include cocktails mixed with spirits from the brewery’s companion distillery. 2829 E. 10th St., 317-875-1170, 18thstreetbrewery.com $$

Don Juan Peruvian Sandwiches

PERUVIAN Crisp-crusted fresh bread made by a local baker and finished on site surrounds tempting meats at this darling sandwich shop tucked behind a secluded strip mall at Raymond Street and Sherman Drive. Favorites include the lomo saltado with tender strips of beef tenderloin, and the lechon, a South American take on a Hoosier tenderloin featuring breaded pork roast topped with an onion “salsa criolla.” A fried-fish sandwich and creamy chicken salad get a boost of flavor from the tasty mild green sauce served at the table. 3720 E. Raymond St., 317-377-4677 $

Landlocked Baking Company

CAFE What began life as a production bakery along Irvington’s tucked-away Audubon Road has expanded into a full-service daytime spot serving sandwiches and plated entrees. The menu keeps things brief, with a special focus on the array of fresh-baked carbs. The LGBT is a BLT enhanced with guacamole and tangy fried green tomatoes, and the focaccia grilled cheese includes local ham and cheese, plus pickled peaches. Gorgonzola grits topped with poached egg and hot honey, crispy-skinned confit potatoes, signature lattes, and a brunchy cocktail list make this sunny dining room more than just a neighborhood favorite. 120 S. Audubon Rd., 317-207-2127 V $$

Mayfair Taproom

PUB Housed in a 120-year-old structure with a

colorful past, this eastside hang has the timeless feel of a well-loved neighborhood pub. Walk-ins can relax over pints of beer at the bar, right next to a family-friendly dining room with windowseat booths and local art on the walls. The menu is brief and sandwich-heavy, with equal love given to the thick and cheesy Mayfair burger and daily vegan breakouts like the spicy seitan sloppy Joe and the massive bean burger. 2032 E. 10th St., 317-419-2393 V $$

NORTH SUBURBAN

INCLUDES Carmel, Fishers, Noblesville, Westfield, Zionsville

101 Beer Kitchen

CASUAL The energy is high and the flavors are forward at this Ohio import. In a dining room that combines the best parts of a craft brewery and an unfussy family haunt, crowd-pleasing dishes like loaded tater tots, Andouille sausage–spiked shrimp and grits, and brown-buttered pierogies have lots of moving parts, complex but more fun than fancy. The Yard at Fishers District, 317-537-2041, 101beerkitchen.com $$

9th Street Bistro

BISTRO In a snug cafe off Noblesville’s town square, owners Samir Mohammad and Rachel Firestone Mohammad create meals worth lingering over, from a lamb shank slow-smoked to buttery tenderness and served on top of fresh pappardelle pasta to a housemade burrata that makes several appearances on the menu. Hyperlocal ingredients fill out thoughtful seasonal dishes, such as butternut squash bisque and duck confit toast. Chef Samir’s rotating Fried Thing of the Day (from tofu to artichoke hearts) should not be missed, and neither should the rustic desserts. 56 S. 9th St., Noblesville, 317-774-5065, 9thstbistro .com $$$

1933 Lounge

STEAK AND COCKTAILS This clubby cocktail lounge offers a younger, sexier take on finedining institution St. Elmo Steak House. The twist here is that the black-vested servers deliver Oysters Rockefeller and 45-day dry-aged ribeyes to diners tucked into noir-lit corners where no one can see their faces melt into a brief ugly-cry at that first bite of incendiary shrimp cocktail. The Yard at Fishers District, 317-758-1933, 1933lounge.com/fishers $$$

Anthony’s Chophouse

STEAKHOUSE The interior of this swanky heavy hitter along Carmel’s Main Street has the polished gleam of a new Vegas hotel, with an upper-level lounge containing the salvaged mahogany bar from The Glass Chimney, a fine-dining legend. The food has equal flourish. Lobster bisque with a hunk of tempura-fried meat begins a meal that might include a cowgirl ribeye, a flight of filets, or a domestic Wagyu smashburger. Black-suited servers and wellcomposed cocktails keep the high-dollar meal running smoothly. 201 W. Main St., Carmel, 317740-0900, anthonyschophouse.com $$$$

Auberge

FRENCH Brick Street Inn’s classic French bis-

tro installed talented chef Toby Moreno (The Loft at Traders Point Creamery, Plow & Anchor) in early 2022 and immediately sent him to Paris, where he trained in the kitchens of famed chef Alain Ducasse. Moreno has added that continental know-how to the vintage dishes he makes fresh with as much local produce, meats, and cheeses he can. That translates to an impressive plate of buttery escargot topped with croutons, seasonal salads, and a deeply flavorful French onion soup with a rich broth. Seafood stars among entrees, especially crispyskinned roasted cod with browned-butter sauce, though diver scallops with asparagus puree, showered with herbs and toasted almonds, also impress. Quiche of the day is a solid choice, as is the house burger, made with Angus steak and slathered with a tarragon aioli that’s especially good on a side of pommes frites. Old-school cocktails are even better when enjoyed on the streetside patio. 175 S. Main St., Zionsville, 317733-8755, aubergerestaurant.com $$$

Ben’s BBQ Shack

BBQ Ben Hoffman gained a following for his oldschool barbecue technique (smoked with hickory and cherry wood with no assist from electricity or gas) when he parked his trailer-mounted smoker outside Grand Junction Brewing Co. a few days a week. When a 300-square-foot shack on Westfield’s main drag became available in 2020, he snatched it up and turned it into a prep kitchen and walk-up window. Standard sides like baked beans and cole slaw are available, but as you would expect, the meat’s the star of the show. There is no way to go wrong, whether you order the juicy, flavorful brisket or shredded pork by the pound, or a smoked pork belly sandwich with jalapeños and onions. The only mistake you might make is waiting too long to place an order. Your best bet is to order on the website in advance. 124 E. Main St., Westfield, bens bbqshack.com $$

Bica Cafe

PORTUGUESE A huge chalkboard menu lays out the options at this counter-service cafe in downtown Noblesville. Dishes are infused with Portuguese and Italian flavors, including cacoila (slow-cooked pulled pork), a Portuguese steak sandwich, and a weekend brunch of batter-fried chicken and waffles drizzled with both maple syrup and peppery piri piri sauce. Pick up something sweet from the pastry case stocked with Portuguese desserts like fried-dough malasadas and tiny custard tarts. 933 Conner St., Noblesville, 317-764-2555 $$

The Cake Bake Shop

ELEGANT The fairy tale continues at Gwendolyn Rogers’s second tribute to layered cakes and buttercream icing, a pristine Carmel expansion dripping with chandeliers. There are hints of the twinkly, cottage-like Broad Ripple original in the white-on-white-on-white decor, but Cake Bake 2.0 is polished to a brilliant sheen, and the patisserie menu has expanded to include delicate fare like the esteemed Chicken Velvet soup and frites. 800 S. Rangeline Rd., Carmel, 317-257-2253, thecakebakeshop.com $$

Chao Vietnamese Street Food

VIETNAMESE Sourcing the beef and pork for its noodle bowls, tacos, and pho from Indiana’s own Fischer Farms, this strip-mall eatery delivers fresh, flavorful dishes. Shrimp spring

rolls come with a rich and complex dipping sauce, and a bracing green papaya salad is refreshing. Delectable pork-belly tacos are highlights among the lighter choices. A full list of coffees, bubble teas, and unusual bubble waffles make this a great place to bring the family for an intro to one of the world’s great cuisines. 7854 E. 96th St., Fishers, 317-622-8820, chao vietstreetfood.com $$

Convivio

ITALIAN With a menu that traces the geographical regions in Italy, this is not your average Midwestern red-sauce joint. The pasta, including curled nests of black squid ink spaghetti and purple beet-infused fettuccine, are all made in house. The torchietti pasta, tossed with dried figs, black olives, basil, goat cheese, and Parmesan has been known to induce deep cravings in the weeks after eating, and the frutti di mare packs a generous serving of mussels, clams, shrimp, scallops, and calamari among tonnarelli pasta in a spicy and bright tomato sauce. Beyond pasta, the menu offers Neapolitan-style pizzas served blistered and hot from the imported Italian pizza oven, rotating regional specials, and an easy-tonavigate, Italian-heavy wine list that makes picking a bottle for the table a pleasure. For dessert, the tiramisu is an appropriate finish, but do the group a favor: Order a towering slice of chocolate cake for all to share. 11529 Spring Mill Rd., Carmel, 317-564-4670; 40 S. Main St., Zionsville, 317-733-3600; convivioindy.com $$

Farmhouse Brunchery

BRUNCH It’s hard to resist the extravagance of lemon-curd pancakes with fresh blueberries and cream cheese mousse or—on the savory end of the spectrum—cracker-crusted jumbo shrimp called Cowboy Chaps at this northside provider of daytime sustenance. Customers pay at the counter, as in an old-school diner, and can go retro with a serving of corned beef hash and a bottomless cup of coffee. Meanwhile, steak and eggs that come with the choice of sirloin, strip, or rib-eye, and the Seriously Adult Grilled Cheese stuffed with Swiss, brie, cheddar, Muenster, and raspberry-chipotle cream cheese are gateway options for brunchy indulgence. 8664 E. 96th St., Fishers, 317-288-0884, farmhousebrunchery.com

$$

Field Brewing

FAMILY BREWPUB This Westfield addition to the local craft brewery scene would be dazzling enough for its mod fixtures and bocce ball court that spans the family-friendly outdoor space. But the menu is as daring as it is easy to pair with the house brews. Tender lamb ribs with chimichurri are a standout small plate, and deeply caramelized brussels sprouts with hunks of bacon are some of the best in town. 303 E. Main St., Westfield, 317-804-9780, field brewing.com V $$

The HC Tavern + Kitchen

CONTEMPORARY The term “tavern” hardly captures this swank addition to the Huse Culinary Group/St. Elmo family. A hit among starters is the lobster “cargot” with lumps of lobster meat in garlic butter and melted Havarti. Chops include the supper-club darling steak Diane with mushroom cream sauce and horseradish mashed potatoes, though equally regal is the Wagyu meatloaf enriched with pork and veal,

sauced with a truffle mushroom demi-glace. The Yard at Fishers District, 317-530-4242, atthehc .com $$$

Hoss Bar & Grill

CASUAL The dining room surrounds a central bar where frozen daiquiris and peanut butter White Russians are blended to life and delivered alongside sibling brewery Big Lug’s beers. Chef Blake Ellis’s menu matches that fun energy with extra-thick burgers in 6- and 10-ounce versions, gourmet hot dogs, and a stellar fried chicken thigh sandwich. After 4 p.m., the selection expands to include plated dinners and a nightly casserole. A soft-serve ice cream machine headlines the dessert offerings. 7870 E. 96th St., Fishers, 317-841-3014, hossbarandgrill.com $$

Juniper on Main

SOUTHERN Chef Christine Daniel adds flavor every step of the way at this laidback salute to Southern coastal cooking. That means the shrimp and grits contain heirloom hominy; the grilled salmon is plated with chili-lime butter, coconut rice, citrus black beans, pickled onions, and plantains; and nearly everything arrives with a heaping side of okra. Even the sweet 1907 house that wraps Juniper on Main in a porch and pergola evokes the homey charm of its culinary inspiration and the owner’s former home base of Savannah, Georgia. 110 E. Main St., Carmel, 317-591-9254, juniperonmain.com $$

Manelé Cafe

HAWAIIAN Menu highlights at this island vacation–themed eatery include a luau pork sandwich featuring tender, tangy-sweet kalua pork served with Polynesian slaw and pineapple salsa on a King’s bun, accompanied, of course, by macaroni salad. The cafe’s Loco Moco (the typically gut-busting morning mound of beef patties, rice, eggs, and gravy) veers in the direction of health food with additions of bok choy, watermelon radish, and edamame. 703 Veterans Way, Carmel, 317-218-7877, manele cafe.com $$

The Mash House

elaborately plated steaks, roasted chicken, and burgers. Cocktails go down nicely on the enclosed patio that faces a bustling stretch of the Monon. 110 W. Main St., Carmel, 317-853-2280, montereycuisine.com $$$

Moontown Brewing Company

BREWPUB The craft beer and barbecue come with a side of Hoosier hoops nostalgia at this popular Boone County hangout. Its location, a former high school gymnasium, drips with vestiges of its hardwood past, but Moontown’s house-brewed beers are constantly evolving, from the Moon Lite Cream Ale quencher to Moontown’s robust porter, Into the Void. The food is kissed with just the right amount of smoke, served on paper-lined trays, and not limited to conventional barbecue. Though the beef brisket and pulled pork have that thick Southern dialect, the adobo brisket nachos, smoked Portobello burger, and Nashville hot chicken sandwich prove that nothing should be sacred. 345 S. Bowers St., Whitestown, 317-7693880, moontownbeer.com $$

Noah Grant’s Grill House & Oyster Bar

CONTEMPORARY The sushi list is solid at this packed surf-and-turf spot, but even better bets are super-fresh oysters and savory short rib wontons to nibble on while you explore the voluminous menu. It’s hard to go wrong here. Entrees range from fish and chips to coconut-crusted mahi mahi to internationally inspired dishes like Korean bibimbap. 91 S. Main St., Zionsville, 317-732-2233, noahgrants.com $$$

Osteria by Fabio Viviani

ITALIAN You would never guess that the Top Chef alum’s modern Italian restaurant takes up residence in a dining room connected to Carmel’s mega Market District supermarket. Rustic fresh pastas, including pesto gnocchi with pistachio and a creamy pasta alla boscaiola with nubs of sausage and mushrooms, share the spotlight with oven-fired, Neapolitan-style pizzas. 11505 N. Illinois St., Carmel, 317-689-6330, osteriacarmel.com $$

NEW

DISTILLERY The distillers behind Kennedy-King’s popular West Fork Whiskey opened a second, destination tasting experience and spirits education center in the summer of 2022, pegging local chef and Westfield native Carlos Salazar to head up the kitchen. Start with a textbook Old Fashioned featuring house-blended bitters, and pair that with a plate of crunchy, soft-in-the-middle corn “puppies” with whipped maple butter. Head for the classics for main dishes, including Salazar’s more-thick-than-wide pork tenderloin sandwich dressed up with Parmesan and fennel. A double “mash” burger with “fancy sauce” is a good bet, as are a throwback fried bologna sandwich with pimento cheese and tea-brined chicken served atop creamy corn pudding. 10 E. 191st St., Westfield, 317-763-5400, westforkwhiskey.com $$

Monterey Coastal Cuisine

SEAFOOD The famed town on California’s rugged Central Coast provides inspiration for this good-looking Carmel offering. Seafood entrees include a Fisherman’s Wharf ravioli and soy ginger–glazed salmon with forbidden black rice and wild mushrooms, while half of the menu revolves around cutting-edge sushi and traditional nigiri. The turf counterparts include

Sangiovese Ristorante

ITALIAN The ebony walls, gilded frames, and soft glow from pendant orb light fixtures set a dark and sexy scene at this longtime Indianapolis favorite. The food is luxuriously authentic—a tribute to Italian pastas, from the showstopping lasagna with both béchamel and marinara to the delicately sauced linguini frutti di mare, a light, luscious, garlicky tangle of shrimp, calamari, mussels, and clams in white wine. 2727 E. 86th St., 317-757-5913; The Yard at Fishers District, 317-219-6413, sangiovese ristorante.com $$$

NORTHEAST

INCLUDES Broad Ripple, Castleton, Geist, Herron-Morton, Kennedy-King, Keystone at the Crossing, Meridian-Kessler, Nora, SoBro

1947

INDIAN FUSION In spring of 2022, the owners of fast-casual Tandoor and Tikka and Noblesville’s

Biryani Hut opened this upscale homage to India’s year of independence with the promise to deliver a “culinary experience like no other in the city.” And from the funky, vibrant cocktails concocted in the spacious, high-ceilinged bar to bar snacks and street food dressed up on black plates with swaths of creamy sauces, this rollicking strip-mall lounge is definitely a welcome departure from other more staid and traditional Indian eateries. You’ll want to inquire about drinks, such as a smooth, sweet Guava Fusion with Technicolor layers or Golgappe shots, golden potato-stuffed shells balanced on shot glasses, served virgin or with vodka. Masala crabcakes with a creamy, aromatic sauce are a nice starter for sharing, alongside crispy samosas and calamari. But be sure to try the chef’s specialties, including a deeply savory and fall-apart lamb curry, as well as Goan prawns in a creamy curry, and stuffed okra with a sauce of onions and peppers. 5846 E. 82nd St., 317-288-0060, 1947indy .com V $$

Apocalypse Burger

BURGERS The Patachou crew repurposed its shuttered Crispy Bird location into this modern-day diner. The focus is on a handful of burger variations and clever greasy-spoon sides like Old Major bacon–loaded fries and blocks of fried macaroni and cheese washed down with canned wine. For dessert, it’s a toss-up between Ding Dong cake or a root beer float with gelato. 115 E. 49th St., 317-426-5001, apocalypse burger.com V $$

Aroma

INDIAN See Downtown listing for description. 4907 N. College Ave., 317-737-2290, aromaindy .com V $$

Baby’s

BURGERS This playful, family-friendly joint limits its menu to smashburgers, broasted chicken, milkshakes (spiked or not), and cocktails, which means it hits every pulse point for its faithful Herron-Morton clientele. Housed in a former drag-show bar, it also has fun with the building’s artsy legacy—the house burger is called a Strut Burger, and all of the cocktail names come straight from the RuPaul meme factory. Sip a Tongue Pop or a Sashay Away as you polish off the last of the Talbott Street Style fries dressed with bacon, cheese sauce, white barbecue sauce, and pickled jalapeño. 2147 N. Talbott St., 317-6003559, babysindy.com V $$

Big Lug Canteen

BREWPUB In this spacious hangout steps from the Monon Trail, seasonal beers and house standards include spins on wheats, ales, and IPAs. The menu is always filled with fun surprises (a Taco Bell–inspired pizza, for example, or a “horseshoe of the week” inspired by the gloppy sandwich of Springfield, Illinois) as well as excellent poutine, salads, and sandwiches, none more macho than the Nashville Hot Chicken. 1435 E. 86th St., 317-672-3503, biglug canteen.com $$

Blupoint Oyster House

SEAFOOD A blue dining room draped in rattan pendant lights and subtly nautical decor sets the scene for Gino Pizzi’s ode to coastal Italian fare. The scaled-down menu focuses on heartfelt dishes like squid-ink tonnarelli in lemoncream sauce, misto mare, and pan-roasted

salmon. Fresh oysters are shucked to order. 5858 N. College Ave., 317-559-3259, blupoint indy.com

$$$

Bocca

ITALIAN A dark and sleek renovation of the former Shoefly Public House location, this modern-Italian eatery shares DNA with siblings Ambrosia, Maialina, and Blupoint Oyster House—all branches of Indy restaurateur Gino Pizzi’s pasta family. Executive chef Ricky Martinez adds some flash to the date-night calamari standards. His seared scallops share the dish with little cheese-filled sacchetti dumplings, and the lasagna is a light, mushroomlayered variety sauced with bechamel. The hulking lamb shank served with polenta is a showstopper, though. After dinner, descend the stairs behind the host stand to the basement speakeasy, for some sofa lounging and mixology magic. 122 E. 22nd St., 317-426-2045, boccaindy.com $$$

BreadWorks at Broad Ripple

CAFE The former service station that once housed gourmet market Locally Grown Gardens got a full makeover in the summer of 2022, reopening as the second installation of Greencastle-based BreadWorks by Bridges. With chef Alan Sternberg (recently of Iozzo’s Garden of Italy) in the kitchen, the sourdough loaves, bagels, and croissants are treated to luxe fillings and toppings. Breakfast burritos and sandwiches, Italian beef, creamy chicken salad, and a slightly sweet truffled mushroom melt with Tulip Tree Creamery’s Trillium cheese are among the savory offerings. Must-tries among pastries include fruit-filled Danishes and almond croissants. 1050 E. 54th St., 317-756-9224, breadworks bybridges.com V $$

Delicia

NEW LATIN Since it opened in 2013, this sexy SoBro spot has served up classic sips and easyon-the-eyes Caribbean dishes to a chic and boisterous crowd. The Fire ’n’ Ice is still the go-to cocktail for its chile-dusted rim and mix of tequila, hibiscus, and basil. Standards include tender, smoky octopus tostones; bright guacamole dusted with pistachios; and rich, aromatic enchiladas de pato filled with tender shredded duck and topped with habanero sauce, lime crema, and plenty of bubbling Chihuahua cheese. Churros with chocolate sauce make for the perfect finale. 5215 N. College Ave., 317-925-0677, deliciaindy .com $$

Diavola

PIZZA Pies emerge expertly bubbly and charred from a centerpiece brick oven. Ingredients are simple but top-shelf, including homemade meatballs, which join the likes of spicy sopressata, smooth clumps of fior di latte, torn basil, and EVOO. Deep booths are perfect for leaning in over a luscious mound of burrata. 1134 E. 54th St., 317-820-5100, diavola.net V $$

Fat Dan’s Deli

MEAT AND POTATOES See Downtown listing for description. 5410 N. College Ave., 317-600-3333, fatdansdeli.com $

Big Bear Biscuits

BRUNCH Longtime supper club specialist Dean Sample turns his focus toward brunch at this colorful 96th Street spot where the classic Southern

biscuit serves as his canvas for culinary improvisation. Sandwich-style stuffed versions have some of the more ambitious fillings, whether a pork chop with fig jam and brie for breakfast or fried bologna, jalapeño jelly, and mornay sauce for lunch. And open-faced platters such as a spin on the Kentucky Hot Brown with turkey and bacon or the playful Petting Zoo with roasted tomatoes, avocado, and goat cheese will satisfy your midday cravings. But perhaps the best way to appreciate Sample’s buttery, fluffy biscuits big enough for a bear is simply straight up with homemade strawberry jam or apple butter, local honey, fruit, and candied pecans. Salads, omelets, and selected favorites from Sample’s previous kitchens, including his always-excellent shrimp and grits, broaden the offerings at this full-service morning and afternoon pleaser. 3905 E. 96th St., 317-343-2103, bigbearbiscuits .com $$

Festiva

MEXICAN This lively Latin spot puts a gourmet flourish on south-of-the-border fare. The menu includes tacos, plus an old favorite: poblanos stuffed with housemade chorizo and queso. 1217 E. 16th St., 317-635-4444, festivaindy.com $$

Grump’s Slice Stop

PIZZA Futuro’s emo brother pays tribute to the extra-wide New York slice in a fun, colorblocked industrial space connected to Black Circle Brewing. The menu is posted over the cash register and mentions just a handful of judiciously adorned options. But every one of them is a hit, from Grump’s balsamic-drizzled take on a margherita pizza to the bold, banana pepper–dotted TurboKid. Nurse a basket of stretchy mozzarella sticks while you wait for your slice to cool off, and order a pizza puff to go. 2201 E. 46th St. V $

Half Liter

BARBECUE In the airy back half of the complex that houses its sister event center, Liter House, owner Eddie Sahm’s Bavarian-themed barbecueand-beer hall has all the rollicking energy of Oktoberfest with the laidback charm of a Texas brisket pit. 5301 Winthrop Ave., 463-221-2800, half literbbq.com $$

Harry & Izzy’s

STEAKHOUSE See Downtown listing for description. 4050 E. 82nd St., 317-915-8045, harry andizzys.com $$$

Late Harvest Kitchen

CONTEMPORARY A luscious comfort-food menu delivers top-shelf versions of family-table dishes, such as chunked kielbasa (on a base of mustard spaetzle browned in dill butter) and braised short ribs. Dessert is all about the sticky toffee pudding. 8605 River Crossing Blvd., 317-663-8063, lateharvestkitchen.com

$$$

Petite Chou

FRENCH-INSPIRED The sweet-or-savory crepe dilemma is no contest: dessert. The brown-sugar version delivers gooey caramelized filling, velvety bananas, and sugar that crystallizes as you eat. 823 E. Westfield Blvd., 317-259-0765, petitechou bistro.com V $$

The Roost Nora

BRUNCH Locally inspired bennies, dolled-up pancakes, and a variety of cheesy midday melts top

the menu at the recently converted Sahm’s Alehouse along the Monon Trail in Nora. The second location of The Roost in Fishers, opened in 1996, the new spot next to the popular beer draw Big Lug has its own unique menu and feel, as well as plenty of options for the brunch set. Big Lug’s beers are still on tap, but don’t resist the bottomless mimosas or your choice of four brands of bubbly. For gut-busting day-after nourishment, try the two-egg Hoosier Benedict with a pork tenderloin and loads of sausage gravy on a buttery biscuit. Or go for one of nearly a dozen omelets, including the veggie-lover’s Florentine with spinach, mushrooms, and a side of hollandaise. The Roost’s spin on chicken and waffles, with a savory bacon-and-cheddar waffle, is a good bet, but be sure to add some fluffy flapjacks, whether or not you dress them up with cinnamon apples or pecan granola. A la carte eggs, sausage, and toast, as well as breakfast combos, are available for the purists. And for those who caroused a bit too much the night before, a well-stuffed breakfast burrito or the Huevos Divorcé, with fried tortillas and two salsas, hits the spot. 1435 E. 86th St., 317735-1293, theroostindiana.com/nora V $$

Ruth’s Chris Steak House

STEAKHOUSE See Downtown listing for description. 2727 E. 86th St., 317-844-1155, ruthschris .com $$$$

Sushi Maki

NEW SUSHI In the same location where Taste Cafe & Marketplace got Indy hooked on frites and truffled eggs more than a decade ago, Sushi Maki assembles pristine nigiri and extravagant specialty rolls like the pretty Passion Salmon and deep-fried Crabzilla. Tempura veggies are the highlight of the four-part bento “boxes” served on pretty white sectioned plates. As a bonus, this cheery SoBro spot still provides the city’s best patio for peoplewatching. 5164 N. College Ave., 317-426-4354, sushimakindianapolis.com V $$

Sweetgreen

NEW SALADS See Downtown listing for description. The Fashion Mall, 317-6767900, sweetgreen.com V $$

NORTHWEST

INCLUDES College Park, Lafayette Square, Traders Point

Barrel 1787

CASUAL This sleek and spirits-focused “urban grill” focuses on hard-to-find bourbons and scotches served alongside scratch-kitchen menu items such as bechamel chicken rigatoni, a bone-in pork chop, and seared curry salmon with spiced lentils and yogurt tomato sauce. The menu also offers gluten-free and vegan options, and there’s live piano music on Fridays and Saturdays. 1454 W. 86th St., 317-876-0202, barrel1787.com $$

Byrne’s Grilled Pizza

PIZZA What began as a food truck became one of Butler-Tarkington’s most popular brick-andmortar eateries in 2015. The simple menu here focuses on a tasty gimmick: Pizzas are grilled

over an open flame, which chars the thin crust in a manner familiar to Neapolitan lovers. The Hey Zeus (pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, onion, banana peppers) is a favorite. 5615 N. Illinois St., 317-737-2056, byrnespizza.com V $

Chalet

COFFEEHOUSE A refurbished Butler-Tarkington firehouse sets the funky scene for this newest offering from the restaurant family that includes Coat Check Coffee, Provider, and Landlocked Baking Company. The shingle out front promises hot coffee, cold beer, cool wine, and stinky cheese. As advertised, Chalet serves gourmet espresso drinks and breakfast small-plates by day, and then the kitchen switches the menu to adult beverages and raclette sandwiches in the evening. 5555 N. Illinois St., 317-207-2127 V $

Chapati

MIDDLE EASTERN It’s not enough that the butter chicken melts in your mouth, the lamb kebab bursts with flavor, or a split plate of luscious paneer tikka masala and slow-cooked lentil daal is presented with warm slips of chapati bread for dunking and smearing up the last trace of sauce from the dish—or that those family recipes, passed from generation to generation, barely scratch the surface of a menu that goes deep into Pakistani, Indian, and Middle Eastern cuisine. This chill westside counterservice spot has a fried-chicken side hustle called Shani’s Secret Chicken focused on humanely prepared Halal fried chicken cooked three ways: tandoori-marinated and buttermilk-battered; fried and dipped in spicy-sweet sauce; and the batterless, dry-rubbed Faridi style that’s extra spicy. 4930 Lafayette Rd., 317405-9874, eatchapati.com V $$

Chef Borel’s Kitchen

CREOLE/CAJUN Fans of the now-closed Borel’s Cajun & Creole Cookery on West 86th Street will recognize the New Orleans–inspired dishes at this Michigan Road delivery and carryout-only spot. But daughter Theresa Borel has since completed culinary school and local externships that have helped the kitchen she now heads up put out even more polished and flavorful bayou fare with some Caribbean and African twists. Shrimp and grits are a signature here, with some of the most butterrich grits you’ll find in the city. But gumbo, whether seafood or chicken and sausage, is a Borel family recipe you’ll wish was your own. Jambalaya, cheesy etouffee, and well-stuffed po’boys with catfish, andouille, and soft-shell crab will definitely land this place on your weekly lunch list. Borel’s take on classic dirty rice and Low Country Hoppin’ John are lesser-seen regional favorites that will make this your go-to source not just for Mardi Gras parties but for stick-to-your-ribs eating all yearround. 6950 Michigan Rd., 317-492-9448, chef borel.com $$

Oakleys Bistro

CONTEMPORARY The meticulously plated fare at Steven Oakley’s eatery hails from a culinary era when sprigs of herbs and puddles of purées provided the flavor, and every single element on the plate served a purpose. The presentations are wild, with menu descriptions giving little more than clues as to what might arrive at the table. Heads-up on anything that appears in quotes,

such as a creative “Coq au Vin.” 1464 W. 86th St., 317-824-1231, oakleysbistro.com V $$$

Rusted Silo

BARBECUE Nestled between I-74 and the railroad tracks in Lizton (pop. 511), you’ll find this barbecue joint with only six indoor tables and usually a line out the door. Pitmaster Robert Ecker has been smoking, cooking, and even baking some of the best Southern-style pit barbecue, sides, and desserts in Indiana for the last four years. Grab a beer from one of the floor-to-ceiling coolers just inside the door and get ready to make your way down the menu. If you can’t decide between the perfectly seasoned, pink-tinged shredded pork butt or a slice of the fork-tender brisket, go ahead and get both and try them with one (or all) of the four housemade sauces on deck. On the side? The ranch beans are creamy and well- seasoned. During peak sweet corn season, you’ll find cotija-dusted elotes on the menu. Where other barbecue joints might phone in their desserts with frozen pies and canned fruit, Rusted Silo dishes up homemade bourbon pecan pie and peach cobbler. 411 N. State St., Lizton, 317-994-6145, rustedsilobrew house.com $$

SOUTH SUBURBAN

INCLUDES Bargersville, Greenwood

Cafe Euclid

NEW COFFEEHOUSE Vino Villa owners Paul and Laura Jacquin opened this cozy cafe in a smaller restored home behind their popular wine bar in Old Town Greenwood in July 2022, and southside coffee-lovers immediately lined up out the door. Lattes and espresso drink specials top the caffeinated offerings, and bagels sourced from Bloomington’s Scholars Inn Bakehouse get dressed up with Italian meats, smoked salmon, or avocado and veggies to complete your morning pick-me-up. But housebaked cinnamon rolls and generous chocolate chip cookies with flakes of sea salt are alone worth the drive. Colorful murals in homage to the Greek mathematician Euclid, repurposed wood accents, and plenty of patio seating make this a soothing daytime sitting spot before heading for adult beverages next door. 357 Euclid Ave., Greenwood, 317-3609887, cafe-euclid.com $

The Healthy Food Cafe

HEALTH FOOD After a five-year stint at its original spot, the second location of personal trainer and Navy veteran Erica Bryant’s vibrant cafe features a variety of wholesome eats, from smoothies and juices to wraps and bowls to organic and gluten-free sweets. Start with a cold-pressed fatburner or immunity-boost juice, or go for one of the many coffee drinks or teas, especially when they’re enriched with a flu-busting burst of ginger. Tuck into a hearty steak, chicken, or shrimp bowl with rice or quinoa and a whole garden of veggies. Most of those ingredients are available on flatbread pizzas or quesadillas, and that same grass-fed steak makes an excellent filling for a wrap. Save room for one of the knockout sweets, such as a fudgy black-bean brownie or an oatmeal turtle cookie with pecans and chewy bits of

caramel inside. 1155 E. Stop 11 Rd., 317-476-2361, thehealthyfoodcafe.com V $$

Our Table

CONTEMPORARY The location is suitably cozy and out of the way for Bargersville’s newest fine-dining destination, home to crisp leather booths and a crackling fieldstone fireplace. Chef and owner Joe Miller focuses on gorgeous, rustic plates of steak, seafood, and Old World lasagna made with fresh pasta and generous layers of beef Bolognese, mozzarella, and creamy ricotta. The $2 brioche sliders (take your pick of buttermilk fried chicken or charcrusted beef tenderloin with crispy onions and horseradish creme fraiche) are little bites of heaven. 5080 State Rd. 135, Bargersville, 317847-4920, ourtablerestaurant.com $$$

Revery

CONTEMPORARY This bistro offers approachable fine dining, with a casual workingman’s bar on the historic building’s back end. Unexpected small plates have included beets with whipped goat cheese and wasabi, and cheese curds fried in chorizo oil. 299 W. Main St., Greenwood, 317215-4164, reverygreenwood.com $$$

SmockTown Brewery

BREWERY Brother-in-law duo Mark Sublette and Ken Johnson’s Old Town Greenwood brewery and Attic Hardware walk-up speakeasy do double duty for day drinking ambers and porters or sipping Old Fashioneds in the evening on the second-story veranda. Hot Pink Pepper Catering has been adding some beer-worthy eats, including snackable fried pickle spears with a kicky dipping sauce, Everything pretzel bites with Scottish-ale beer cheese, and a meaty flatbread. But don’t pass up the rich and well-dressed short rib nachos, with all of the garnishes and a bright cilantro-lime crema. Slider combos and tacos are also great for staving off the munchies, but save room for some cinnamon-dusted fried biscuits drizzled with caramel cream sauce. 223 W. Main St., Greenwood, 317-215-4836 $$

Yummy Bowl

SUSHI/MONGOLIAN STIR-FRY This fresh take on Mongolian barbecue adds solid sushi offerings to mix-and-match stir-fry bowls in a well-appointed storefront setting. First-time customers should opt for building their own bowls from a buffet of ingredients, with suggested sauces and seasonings that are then stir-fried and brought to your table. Those who want to cede control to the grill cooks can order such traditional Japanese fare as an udon bowl with a protein or more familiar Chinese dishes such as lo mein. 8810 S. Emerson Ave., 317-586-8212, yummybowl.business.site $$

WEST

INCLUDES Avon, Brownsburg, Plainfield, Speedway

Big Woods Speedway

BREWPUB Pulled-pork nachos reign among starters at this Main Street Speedway reboot of the Brown County fave. While pizzas and street tacos get the most attention on the menu, ribs and chicken may be the best bets for dinner. Of

course, you will want to finish the meal with a Nashville fried biscuit tossed in cinnamon sugar and served with apple butter and toasted coconut rum sauce. 1002 W. Main St., Speedway, 317-7573250, bigwoodsrestaurants.com $$

Brew Link

BREWERY See Downtown listing for description. 4710 E. U.S. Hwy. 40, Plainfield, 317-838-9694, brewlinkbrewing.com $$

Brozinni Pizzeria

PIZZA Owner James Cross grew up in New York, and everything on the menu is named after an iconic NYC location, from the Madison Square Garden sandwich (meatballs, mozzarella, and marinara) to the Hell’s Kitchen calzone (Frank’s hot sauce, chicken, mozzarella, and bacon). Don’t skip the garlic knuckles, curled into knots and drenched in garlic butter. Use the sauce pooling at the bottom of the basket for dipping. 1067 N. Main St., Speedway, 317-744-2826, brozinni.com $$

Che Chori

ARGENTINEAN Marcos Perera-Blasco’s colorful westside drive-thru restaurant offers a delectable introduction to full-flavored Argentinean street food. A selection of traditional butterfliedsausage sandwiches and warm empanadas filled with seasoned meats are the focus of the menu. But do not overlook the seasoned burgers and cook-at-home sausages, from Spanish-style chorizo with smoked paprika to rich Argentinean black sausage. 3124 W. 16th St., 317-737-2012, chechori.com $$

Dawson’s on Main

CLASSIC A quaint dining room belies the fact that Dawson’s does few things in moderation, from huge slices of carrot cake to heaping rib platters enjoyed on Speedway’s main strip. 1464 Main St., Speedway, 317-247-7000, dawsonsonmain.com $$

Duke’s

BAR AND GRILL Live music and national acts are the bread and butter at this neon-lit honky-tonk bar that boasts a menu of smoked meats and no-nonsense bar drinks befitting its blue-collar backstory. 2352 S. West St., 317-643-6403, dukes indy.com $$

Homey Hot Pot & Sushi Buffet

ASIAN A calculated approach is wise for diners considering the mounds of fish balls, shrimp, sliced meats, veggies, and greens at this Asian buffet where customers cook their own food in bubbling pots at their tables. First, choose a base broth from simple original to hot and spicy or Mandarin duck soup. Then go for a combo of meat and seafood, as well as mushrooms, aromatics, and greens to add freshness. 3649 Lafayette Rd., 317-295-1982, hotpotsushibuffetin.com $$$

The Iron Skillet

FAMILY DINING Heaping platters of skillet-fried chicken and bowls of buttered corn and mashed potatoes rule here, where everything from the flowered wallpaper to the antique furnishings suggest days gone by. 2489 W. 30th St., 317-9236353, ironskillet.net $$$

Karen Thai Street Food

THAI This East Asian food stall tucked into the original Saraga International Grocery represents the food of the Karen ethnic grup in western Thailand near the Burmese border. The

fresh and attractively plated dishes range from more typical drunken noodles and curries to more unusual soups and salads. Sweet, creamy Thai milk tea is a great way to start, with a plate of Thai salad rolls or num tok, a chilled beef salad on lettuce leaves with a bracing dressing of lime and fish sauce. 3605 Commercial Dr., 317744-9900 V $$

Negrill Jamaican Restaurant and Bar

JAMAICAN You’ll need to come early to this spirited island spot if you want to score some of the day’s tender, rich oxtail stew or aromatic curried goat, served up in “lickle” (little) or larger portions dressed with rice and peas, steamed cabbage, and sweet fried plantains. Jerk chicken has just the right heat. Beef patties, fried or “escovitch” fish garnished with tangy veggies, and soups, depending on the day, round out the menu. 3701 W. 10th St., 317-602-8553, negrillfood.com $$

Oasis Diner

DINER An original 1954 diner in New Jersey was transplanted to the heart of Plainfield and restored to its polished original lustre. The structure experienced some expansion along the way, as did the menu, which has been updated to include more timely eats like a thick Monte Cristo and Disco Fries. 405 W. Main St., Plainfield, 317837-7777, oasisdiner.com $

Rick’s Cafe Boatyard

SEAFOOD You don’t have to be a Parrothead (though it helps) to appreciate the pontoon-life allure of Eagle Creek’s waterside restaurant, with its breezy dining room on stilts over the Dandy Trail boat slips. The menu gets creative with all of the casual-dining tropes, mixing smoked-salmon nachos and chicken cordon bleu fingers in with the jumbo shrimp martinis and oyster shooters. It serves all of the pastas, burgers, steaks, and entree salads you’d expect from a place that draws big crowds. 4050 Dandy Trail, 317-290-9300, ricks boatyard.com $$$

Taste of Dubai Restaurant

MIDDLE EASTERN For maximum drama at this Middle Eastern spot, slip into a curtained booth. After sipping the cardamom-scented coffee from a tiny cup, order a frosty mint lemonade, with its tart sweetness that will complement almost any of the delicately spiced entrees. Lamb abounds, in the form of chops, kofta, and shish kebabs, but it’s most popular in the Mendi dish, seasoned with cumin and slow roasted. 4672 W. 38th St., 317746-6966, tasteofdubaiindy.com $$

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Hardly Your Average Joe

BY PHILIP GULLEY

We served Mass together several times in the following years, then graduated from high school and went off to college. Joe ended up a middle school teacher in Plainfield, and I became a Quaker pastor. We likely wouldn’t have reconnected except that in 1987, my wife and I rented a farmhouse east of Plainfield. A young woman, Robin Smith, was our neighbor, single, and living by herself out in the country. We were feeling especially protective of her, so when she told us she had a boyfriend we were immediately suspicious.

“He better be nice to Robin, or else,” my pacifist Quaker wife would say.

Then one evening Robin phoned and said she was bringing her boyfriend over to meet us. A moment later there was a knock on the back door, and we opened it to see Robin standing with Joe, and so our friendship was reborn. A few years later they married, had a son, and moved to Danville, as is the dream of everyone fortunate enough to be raised here. Several years later, my wife and I followed, buying a house down the street from the Saddler’s.

point to a bright light in the sky and say, “What’s that?” I would say, “It looks like a planet to me.” He would say, “Which one?” And I, as if we were still in junior high, would say, “It looks like Uranus.” We would laugh uproariously, almost every night for 20 years.

Until one night we noticed Joe’s right foot dragged on the pavement and sometimes he couldn’t find the right word. Doctors were consulted, tests were run, and a tumor was discovered deep inside his head, the nasty kind of tumor with cruel tentacles that weave themselves into the brain, strangling hope.

I FIRST MET Joe Saddler at St. Mary’s Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Danville in the late 1960s. Father McLaughlin was our childhood priest. Joe was several years older than me, and it was Father McLaughlin’s custom to pair younger altar boys with older altar boys, so I was paired with Joe. Despite Joe’s seasoned hand at the wheel, I was terrified at the prospect of serving at the altar, because my brother Glenn had warned me that if I made any mistakes during the Mass I would go to hell. Just before the service, Father McLaughlin told me it would be my job to ring the altar bells at the appropriate moments, the details of which I had already forgotten, but was too afraid to admit. The Mass began, it came time to ring the bells, and I froze, and would have gone to hell if not for Joe leaning over and whispering in my ear, “The bells, ring the bells.” And so I did, and was spared eternal damnation, thanks to Joe.

Our first month in Danville, Joe and I had the bright idea to end each day with pie and ice cream at the Mayberry Cafe. Within a few months, Joe’s pants no longer fit and I got diabetes, so we decided to forgo pie and ice cream and go for evening walks. I’d walk up my hill, Joe would walk up his hill, and we would meet at the top of the neighborhood and circle the block two times, two miles. We did that nearly every night for 20 years, and in all those years shared the same joke. He’d

Our walks dwindled to an end, COVID hit, and our visits were confined to conversations on his back deck, sitting 10 feet apart wearing masks, but even that became too draining for Joe. Then this past summer, Robin became unable to transfer Joe from his recliner to his bed, so I would end my day helping put Joe to bed. One evening, Robin and I were lifting him from his recliner and his pants slid down and without thinking I said, “I see Uranus.” Joe started laughing, and so did Robin and so did I, laughing so hard we fell backward into Joe’s chair, our tears and laughter mingling. It was our last laugh, but our best laugh.

Three weeks later Joe died, and a week after that we held his funeral at St. Mary’s Queen of Peace Catholic Church, our childhood church. Sitting there, amid the comforting aromas and sounds of my youth, it occurred to me Joe had saved me twice: the first time from damnation, the second time from despair.

MY LIFELONG PAL, JOE SADDLER, SAVED ME FROM GOING TO HELL—AND SO MUCH MORE.

Illustration by RYAN SNOOK

Philip Gulley is a Quaker pastor, author, and humorist. Back Home Again chronicles his views on life in Indiana.

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