Absolute Indianapolis
Living
AUGUST 2026
A NEW WAY
CULINARY INNOVATORS
DR. TAYLOR HAHN
A YEAR OF KNELL BACK TO YOU
WHERE LIFE SLOWS TO THE PACE OF NATURE. OEGGROUP.COM
PROJECTS IN THE U.S. & BEYOND
AMANDALANTZINTERIORS.COM
317.255.3096 ambrosiaindy.com 5903 N College Av. Indianapolis, IN Follow us @ambrosia_indy
If you’re looking for a hi-fi listening bar with cocktails and small plates from some of the best mixologists and chefs around, well, you’ve found your next hang. Welcome to The Pretender. It’s more than a bar. We’re a space for sound. A place where analog is king, and licks, cuts, and chops take on a whole new meaning. Belly up to the bar, let the sound in. Shut up, and play the hits. 818 Logan Street, Noblesville, IN 46060 | thepretender.com
The Shops at River Crossing (next to The Fashion Mall) • www.debrand.com • 317.669.0955
“
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“I never had chocolate like that. It’s smooth and silky and just plain delicious.” “this is My absolute favorite!” - Instagram
VISIT U
The Shops S AT Crossing ( at River Ne x t Fashion Ma to the ll )
“My new obsession!” - Instagram
Photography By Gabrielle Noël
CONTENTS August/2026
24 THE ABSOLUTE AGENDA
From outdoor concerts and festivals with food and wine, to cultural celebrations, fitness, art and championship events, this month's agenda is filled with ways to live fully. Soak up every sunny moment, embrace the energy, and enjoy the best of what's happening.
28
A YEAR OF KNELL
More than a boutique, Christy Becker's knell offers elevated, timeless clothing and has become a gathering place unto itself.
34 GAME DAY STYLE
Whether your favorite fall colors are "gold and black" or "crimson and cream," our collection is bold and game-day ready.
38 BACK TO YOU
Reclaim your wellness with our guide to a self-care reset for the upcoming autumn season.
44 A NEW WAY
When Dr. Taylor Hahn founded VIA Women's Health Collective, she had a vision for what women's healthcare could look like. Her vision has finally found a home.
53 CULINARY INNOVATORS
The greater Indianapolis restaurant scene has never had more to offer, and this year's innovators are the ones proving it.
62 ON THE SCENE
A distinguished crowd turned out for Westwood Vowery & Estate's grand opening celebration earlier this year.
66 'ROUND THE TOWN
Because life's too short for boring bottles! Check out our list of the area's best spots for wine.
Volume 19. Issue 08. (#220)
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Absolute Living
Editor-in-Chief EDUARDO PEÑA
Managing Editor JUSTYNA PEÑA
Assistant Editor MATTHEW HUME
Writer SUSAN SALAZ
Photography SARA ACKERMANN JES NIJJER GABRIELLE NOËL
Graphic Designer NICO PEÑA
Social Media Specialist CHRISTIAN PEÑA
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Comments & Feedback EDITORIAL@ABSOLUTELIVINGMAGAZINE.COM Absolute Living Magazine is published monthly by Pena Group, Inc. Copyright by Pena Group, Inc. Absolute Living Magazine is a registered trademark of Pena Group, Inc.
By Susan Salaz
The
Absolute
Living
AGENDA
August
August 12 Sweat at the Yard The Yard at Fishers District, Fishers yardatfishersdistrict.com
August 14 Park After Dark Geist Waterfront Park fishersparks.com
Every Wednesday through October, The Hot Room leads free outdoor yoga at The Yard at Fishers District. August sessions pair open-sky movement with built-in patio access afterward. No registration required — just show up and roll out your mat. Sun King and Peace Water are steps away.
Fishers Parks takes over Geist Waterfront Park on select Friday evenings for a 21-and-over after-dark hangout from 8 to 11 p.m. Fire pits, lawn games, a live DJ and beach access after sunset make this one of summer's most unexpectedly fun free nights. MashCraft Brewing is on site.
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August 14–16 Blueberry Festival Urban Apples Cidery & Restaurant, Westfield urban-apples.com Hamilton County's only cidery goes full berry mode for three days, pairing fresh-picked blueberries with handcrafted ciders, live music and farm kitchen food across 25 acres of Westfield countryside. Between the orchard, the amphitheater and the sprawling grounds, there are few better ways to spend a mid-August weekend.
August 20–23 LIV Golf Indianapolis The Club at Chatham Hills, Westfield chathamhills.com The LIV Golf Individual Championship returns to Chatham Hills for year two, bringing Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau and Joaquin Niemann to Westfield for four days of championship golf and a full festival atmosphere. Thomas Rhett performs Friday night; Disco Lines takes the stage Saturday after Round 3.
August 21–22 Indy GreekFest Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral, Carmel indygreekfest.com A late-summer tradition in Central Indiana, GreekFest returns to Holy Trinity in Carmel for a weekend of authentic Greek food, live music and folk dancing. The loukoumades alone are worth the trip. Open to all and free to enter—just bring your appetite.
August 23 Outlaw Music Festival Ruoff Music Center, Noblesville ruoffmusiccenter.net Willie Nelson & Family headline a powerhouse Americana lineup including The Avett Brothers, Lukas Nelson, Sierra Hull and Don Was and the Pan-Detroit Ensemble. One of the festival's few 2026 stops, this is a rare chance to catch a living legend on one of the Midwest's finest outdoor stages.
August 28–29 Carmel on Canvas Carmel Arts & Design District, Carmel carmeloncanvas.com Equal parts live performance, art fair, and community celebration, artists from across the region set up along the streets of the Carmel Arts & Design District, painting in real time over two days as visitors watch. Finished works are auctioned at the close of this annual event.
August 24–September 6 Devour Indy Summerfest Various locations, Indianapolis and Hamilton County devourindy.com More than 200 local restaurants offer specially priced, chef-driven menus for two weeks straight. No tickets needed. Visit any participating restaurant and ask for the Devour Indy menu. Reservations are strongly encouraged at higher-end spots, and lunch menus offer the best value for trying somewhere new.
September 5–6 Fishers Blues Fest Nickel Plate District Amphitheater, Fishers npdamp.com For more than a decade, the Nickel Plate District Amphitheater has closed out summer with two nights of local, regional and world-renowned blues musicians. Free admission, free parking and an all-ages welcome make this one of the most accessible music festivals in the state.
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Beauty in every detail... THE FINEST Intimates Worldwide
PROFESSIONAL Master Bra Fittings
EXCEPTIONAL Customer Experience
EXTRAORDINARY Range of Sizes
By Susan Salaz
A Year
of knell One year after opening on Main Street, Christy Becker has built more than a boutique. Located in the Carmel Arts & Design District, knell has become a gathering place of its own, known for its elevated, timeless clothing and the community that has grown up around it.
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odern lines meet warm textures at knell, where an artistic sensibility shapes every corner of the space into something more elevated than a typical boutique, trading the predictable formula for something more refined. Here, the clothing gets room to breathe against clean, considered design, and the experience is guided by stylists who understand timeless fashion, not fleeting trends. It's shopping reimagined as something worth slowing down for. That restraint is seen in what Christy chooses to carry. "We have a distinct point of view, and we're not trying to be everything to everyone," she says. The clothing at knell rarely announces itself. It reads elevated without being loud, the kind of quality that shows up in the weight of a fabric or the cut of a hem rather than a label. That restraint has become a signature of the store, and it mirrors Christy's own style. She's drawn to pieces that feel "special without asking for attention," she says, adding, "I'm always looking for pieces that feel effortless but never ordinary." Before every market and buying trip, Christy studies
designer line sheets and begins editing collections in her mind before she ever sets foot in a showroom. Once there, she takes her time, touching fabric and trying pieces on herself, thinking through how each one will live in a customer's closet. "I am never trying to chase trends," she says. "I'm looking for pieces that feel current, have interesting details but are not temporary pieces in someone's closet." What started as women coming in to discover a new boutique has become a place where people linger, bring friends and return for conversation as well as new clothes, Christy says. She has watched customers celebrate each other's finds and encourage one another to try something unexpected, an authenticity she credits with reminding her why she opened knell in the first place. That connection often extends beyond the racks. knell's team offers one-on-one styling services, helping customers build a wardrobe piece by piece rather than shop in isolation. "When women feel seen and confident, they come back, not just for clothing but for the connection," she says. ABSOLUTELIVING
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A year in, success at knell looks like those relationships more than any single metric. For Christy, the goal hasn't changed since opening day. "I want knell to be the kind of place where shopping feels less like checking something off a list and more like discovering something you'll love for years to come," she says. As knell prepares to celebrate its first anniversary on September 2, Christy is planning a special day to thank the community that has supported the boutique in its first year. Meridian Monogram will be onsite to personalize items purchased that day, with additional details announced as plans are finalized. On September 11, knell will join Wine, Women and Shoes, styling a selection of runway looks. Christy says she is excited to be a part of an event that celebrates fashion, community and giving back. Visit knell at 110 W. Main Street, Suite 104, Carmel and learn more at knellboutique.com. Follow @knell.boutique on Instagram for anniversary updates, events and new arrivals.
Luxury Hair, Ready When You Are. The complete Kacey Welch Extension Collection is in stock at The Mae Salon. Wefts | K-tips | Tape-ins | Clip-ins
themaesalon.com 4907 N Pennsylvania Street Indianapolis, Indiana
Game Day
Boilermaker Style
Statement layers, sparkling accessories and polished wardrobe staples elevate classic Boilermaker spirit. Bold and game-day ready, these picks make a stylish statement from kickoff to the final whistle. Curated in collaboration with Duo Boutique, 150 S. Main Street, Zionsville, IN 46077
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Game Day
Crimson & Chic
Celebrate Hoosier pride with spirited pieces that blend playful details and polished style. Designed to stand out, these crimson-and-cream finds are perfect for game day and beyond. Shop the complete collection at Duo Boutique, 150 S. Main Street, Zionsville, IN 46077
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Carmel City Center
Schedule
By Susan Salaz
Back to You
A Self Care Reset for the Season Ahead The backpacks are stocked, the schedules are set, and the carpool lines are figured out. Somewhere in the shuffle of getting everyone else ready for this season, it's easy to let your own wellness slip off the calendar. Now's the time to reclaim a little of it for yourself. From skin that finally gets the attention it deserves to a smile tuned up and hair that feels like yours again, these local boutique businesses make it simple to carve out time for yourself before the quick pace of the fall takes over. Consider this your reminder that taking care of everyone else starts with taking care of you first.
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The Smile Upgrade
Emerick Orthodontics Not every patient can tolerate traditional orthodontic treatments, and at Emerick Orthodontics, that's where the real problemsolving starts. Dr. Emerick and her team build treatment plans around innovative technologies such as Angel Aligner clear aligners and fully customized 3D-printed braces, giving patients options that fit their lives and comfort levels.
The Skin Renewal
Well Infused
At Well Infused, skin renewal starts from within. The Noblesville-based regenerative aesthetics practice offers PRP-based Vampire Facial® and Vampire Facelift® treatments, using the body's own platelets to catalyze collagen production and support long-term skin structure and vitality, without toxins or fillers. Enhanced with growth factors, exosomes, PDRN and GHK-Cu, each treatment works with the skin's natural repair processes rather than overriding them. It's part of a broader approach at Well Infused, where regenerative aesthetics sits alongside functional medicine, IV therapy, hormone optimization and peptide support, all built around the same principle. "We focus on doing the right things in the right order so the body can respond and adapt efficiently," says founder Dr. Staci Blume. The result is skin that doesn't just look renewed, but is.
"Our team is dedicated to delivering personalized care, advanced digital treatment planning and beautiful smiles," explains Dr. Emerick. Fully digital treatment planning, in-office 3D printing, and Zoom professional teeth whitening result in orthodontic care that adapts to the patient, not the other way around, for smiles of every age and complexity. That same adaptability carries past treatment, too, with fast, limited in-house aligners available for minor touch-ups if a smile shifts after skipping a retainer. Emerick Orthodontics is located at 12863 Broad Street in the Village of West Clay, in Carmel. Learn more at emerickortho.com and follow @emerickortho on Instagram.
Well Infused is located at 14297 Bergen Boulevard, Suite 125, in Noblesville. Learn more at wellinfused.com and follow @wellinfusednoblesville on Instagram. ABSOLUTELIVING 40
The Confidence Boost
Wise Aesthetics
Every treatment plan at Wise Aesthetics starts with a question most people skip: What does your skin actually need? Founder Crissy Wiseman, a board-certified nurse practitioner, built her practice on evidence over trend, choosing products and techniques based on anatomy, safety and long-term results rather than what's popular this season. The Hair Refresh
The Mae Salon Ten years in, Korie Lance still describes opening The Mae Salon as a calling rather than a career move. “I wanted to create a culture where encouragement is abundant, excellence is celebrated, and everyone has the opportunity to flourish together,” she says. That vision has grown The Mae into more than a salon—it’s a destination for beauty, self-care and connection, with a team of highly trained artists who bring both expertise and intention to every guest experience. Offering customized color and luxury hair care, spa services and industryleading extension methods—including bonded K-Tip extensions and the Kacey Welch Method for clients looking to add length, fullness or confidence—The Mae’s approach remains rooted in the same belief Korie started with: that beauty and self-care can be a way to reconnect with yourself, and that every person who walks through the doors should leave looking and feeling like the very best version of themselves.
Whether it's dermal fillers restoring volume, biostimulators encouraging the body's own collagen, or a DiamondGlow facial for an immediate reset, every option is chosen for what it does, not what's trending. Skin quality is cumulative, and Crissy believes the right time to start is simply now. "The best results start with the most thorough process, not the fastest one," she says. That philosophy shapes every consultation at Wise, where the goal isn't a quick fix, but a plan that keeps working long after the appointment ends. Wise Aesthetics is located at 2325 Pointe Parkway in Carmel. Learn more at wise-aesthetics.com and follow @wiseaestheticscarmel on Instagram.
The Mae Salon is located at 4907 N Pennsylvania Street in Indianapolis. Learn more at themaesalon.com and follow @themaesalon on Instagram. ABSOLUTELIVING 41
Dr. Taylor Hahn, MD, FACOG, MSCP, is the founder and owner of VIA Women's Health Collective, a direct specialty care practice in Westfield devoted to personalized gynecologic care at every stage of life.
By Susan Salaz
A NEW WAY Photography By Gabrielle Noël
Dr. Taylor Hahn
When Dr. Taylor Hahn founded VIA Women's Health Collective, she had a vision for what women's healthcare could look like. The new Westfield space is where that vision finally has a home.
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T
he building was an empty concrete shell when Dr. Taylor Hahn, board-certified OBGYN, first walked through it. No walls, no light fixtures, no trace of what it would become. She stood in the middle and tried to imagine women walking in, sitting down and (maybe for the first time in a long time) feeling like their health was actually being taken care of. That image carried her through what she describes as "approximately 5,000 decisions about things I never previously knew existed." Flooring, fixtures and finishes, yes, but also the subtler architecture of a new kind of practice, taking into account how an appointment should feel, how long it should last, and what a woman should leave knowing that she didn't know when she arrived. When the construction dust finally settled, VIA Women's Health Collective had a home at 17300 Westfield Boulevard, and the practice finally had the space to become everything Dr. Hahn had envisioned. "I wanted women to feel the moment they walked through the door that they could exhale," she says. "That they were welcome here, that they would be listened to, and that their health deserved more than being reduced to one symptom or one 15-minute appointment." Dr. Hahn founded VIA after years of practicing within traditional healthcare systems of large hospital settings, the U.S. Air Force, and gynecologyfocused group practices where she kept encountering the same pattern: women whose concerns were minimized and care that was fragmented, rushed, and never quite added up to a complete picture. She
kept asking herself why it had to be that hard. Eventually, she stopped waiting for someone else to answer. Returning to Indiana to build VIA felt, she says, less like a calculated decision and more like pieces falling into place. She completed her residency at Indiana University, built lasting friendships here, and eventually put down roots with her family. “There is so much talent, innovation, generosity and entrepreneurial spirit here,” she says. “It felt right to return, grow alongside the people and place we love, and create something that could give back in its own way.” That home, she says, has allowed VIA to deliver on that founding promise in ways that feel tangible right from the moment patients arrive, with longer appointments, a carefully considered physical environment, and the flexibility to meet women where they are rather than fitting them into a rigid, transactional model. "More than anything, I hope our patients can feel the difference," Dr. Hahn says. "I don't want to dictate a care plan to someone and send them on their way. I want us to partner with women—to understand what matters to them, talk through their options, and create a plan together that fits their goals and their lives." That partnership extends to how VIA operates outside the traditional insurance model, with a direct specialty care approach that still surprises some new patients. Dr. Hahn is straightforward about why, explaining that insurancebased systems, however familiar, create friction for everyone involved. Confusing coverage rules, unexpected costs, prior authorizations, and providers spending
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The VIA care team, Dr. Hahn, nurse practitioner Amy Kinnett and practice manager Kara Hardersen, brings together complementary expertise under a shared commitment to whole-person women's health.
The new VIA Women's Health Collective space in Westfield was built from an empty shell into a practice environment designed to feel welcoming, unhurried and distinctly unlike traditional healthcare.
hours advocating for care they know their patients need. At VIA, care decisions are made between patient and clinician, with transparent pricing and appointment times that allow for real conversation. It is a model, she acknowledges, that isn't right for everyone. But for the women it serves, she says, it offers something they've often been missing—clarity, access, and a genuine seat at the table in their own healthcare. That ethos is embedded in the name Dr. Hahn deliberately chose for the practice. VIA stands for Validation, Innovation and Advocacy, three words she describes as the practice's compass. "Growth should never be about becoming bigger just for the sake of being bigger," she says. "It should allow us to validate more women's experiences, innovate in the way we deliver care, and advocate more boldly for what women deserve." She built the space alongside a team she describes as central to everything VIA is. Amy Kinnett, a women's health nurse practitioner and certified menopause practitioner, brings two decades of clinical experience to the practice. During this time, she has been a trusted presence in the Westfield and greater Indianapolis communities where she grew up and has devoted her career. Practice manager Kara Hardersen wears many hats. She is often the first voice a patient hears when they call, a knowledgeable guide through the sometimes complicated landscape of health and wellness. She’s also VIA's RN injector, leading the practice's growing medical aesthetics and wellness offerings with what Dr. Hahn calls a genuine passion for helping women look and feel their best.
The word "collective" in VIA's name was never incidental. Women's health is too broad, she says, for any one provider to be everything to every patient. What makes the practice work is the layering of different perspectives, different strengths, and above all, a shared belief in the vision. "I could never do this alone," says Dr. Hahn, adding, "And I don't think we're meant to." The grand opening was a milestone that confirmed what Dr. Hahn had believed all along. “Seeing our community come together to celebrate this vision was incredibly meaningful,” she notes. “We're building a place where women feel heard, valued and empowered, and while this milestone means everything to me, it's only the beginning of what we hope to accomplish.” Watching the empty shell become VIA taught her something she carries into the next chapter. You can have a very clear vision, but you still have to stay flexible as it takes shape. Some days it looks nothing like the picture in your head. And then one day, you walk in, and you realize you did it. For the women who will walk in after her, Dr. Hahn has a message she returns to often: it is okay to expect more. "You don't have to quietly accept feeling dismissed or being told that something is simply part of getting older," she says. "Your experience is worth investigating, and your health is worth advocating for." Visit VIA Women's Health Collective at 17300 Westfield Boulevard, Suite 310, in Westfield. Learn more at viawomenshealth. com and follow @viawomenshealth on Instagram.
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By Susan Salaz
Culinary Innovators None of these restaurants look alike, and none of them play it safe. What they share is a refusal to hand guests something generic, choosing instead to build places worth coming back to again and again.
The greater Indianapolis restaurant scene
has never had more to offer, and this year's culinary innovators are the ones proving it. They are willing to take real chances— swapping out old formulas for something riskier, more personal and more specific to the people cooking it. A rigatoni recipe handed down from one chef to another. A listening room built for vinyl instead of television screens. Two family food legacies sharing a single kitchen. And a steakhouse obsessed with precision. Here's a look at who’s raising the bar for your next night out.
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CULINARY INNOVATORS
Emilio Cento Apicio Ristorante & Enoteca, Owner & Executive Chef Emilio Cento's culinary education happened around family tables and in kitchens, not classrooms. He started young at his family's restaurant, learning from his mother, grandmother and aunts who taught him to respect ingredients, tradition and the people he was cooking for. Some of his earliest memories are set in Italy, where meals were never rushed. That sense of gathering follows him still, more than thirty years later, at Apicio, his most personal restaurant yet. “For me, innovation is about respecting tradition while continuing to grow as a chef,” says Cento, explaining it as taking the recipes, techniques and lessons that have been passed down and building on them without losing what made them special in the first place. “Italian cooking teaches you restraint,” he continues. “If your ingredients are exceptional, they don’t need to be hidden behind complicated techniques.” Nowhere is that clearer than in The Gabriele, a rigatoni dish with pancetta, peas, marinara and fresh basil, named for the chef who taught Cento the recipe years into his career. It's still prepared exactly as it was created, proving that some recipes don't need to be reinvented, but deserve to be preserved. Cento has spent most of his career cooking in Central Indiana, and he has watched diners grow more adventurous and curious about authentic regional Italian cuisine, eager to know where a dish comes from and why. "Authenticity never goes out of style," he says. That same philosophy recently earned Apicio's wine program Wine Spectator's Award of Excellence. Cento is already looking ahead, with new seasonal dishes, wine dinners and private events planned for the months to come. Visit Apicio Ristorante & Enoteca at 3311 South US 421 in Zionsville, or explore the menu at apicioindy.com. Follow @apicioindy on Instagram for seasonal dishes and upcoming events.
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Blake Fogelsong Clancy's Hospitality, Owner & Director of Operations Four years after opening The Fountain Room in the Bottleworks District of downtown Indianapolis, Blake Fogelsong is at it again, this time in his hometown. The Pretender, a hi-fi listening lounge tucked into historic downtown Noblesville, marks Clancy's Hospitality's latest departure from the burger counters and casual dining rooms that built the company's name, and its boldest bet yet on an idea Fogelsong has been chasing for years— rooms built entirely around a feeling. Inspired by Japan's jazz kissa culture, The Pretender pairs a curated vinyl collection and vintage-style sound system with a menu built to complement the experience rather than compete with it. Central Indiana had nothing quite like it before now. "There really wasn't anything like it here," Fogelsong says, and he saw the gap as room to introduce something new while keeping it approachable for local guests. Under Executive Chef Ricky Martinez, the kitchen leans into thoughtful small plates and shareable dishes alongside elevated comfort favorites, all designed to pair easily with handcrafted cocktails, wine, beer and sake. The menu moves at the same unhurried pace as the room itself, built for guests settling in for a while rather than rushing through a meal. That instinct for reading a market runs through everything Fogelsong builds. "If you create something with intention, pay attention to the details, and consistently deliver great hospitality, people notice," he says. It is less a strategy than a standard, one he has now applied twice in four years to very different rooms with the same result: a concept that could not exist anywhere else in Central Indiana. Visit The Pretender at 818 Logan Street in Noblesville. Explore the menu at thepretender.com and follow @the. pretender.hifi on Instagram for events and updates.
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CULINARY INNOVATORS
Elizabeth Fernandez & Cristiano Rodrigues Fernando's Mexican & Brazilian Cuisine, Owners Fernando's Mexican & Brazilian Cuisine started as two family recipes on one table. Co-owner Elizabeth Fernandez is Mexican, her husband and business partner Cristiano Rodrigues is Brazilian, and since opening their first location in 2023, the couple has built a menu around both of their upbringings rather than choosing one. "We are not just serving Mexican food or Brazilian food; we are telling our story through both cuisines," Fernandez says, adding that guests can order handmade tacos, feijoada, margaritas and a craft caipirinha all in the same meal, a rare find in Indianapolis. Cristiano's mother, Katia, shapes much of what happens in the kitchen, and her influence shows most clearly in the Feijoada, Brazil's national dish and one Cristiano is especially passionate about serving. Deeply rooted in tradition, the dish takes hours to build, with premium meats, beans and seasonings simmered slowly until the flavors turn rich and comforting. "Every dish has meaning," she says, "and we work hard to ensure every guest feels welcomed like they are dining with family." That same standard carries into sourcing. Many ingredients come from Indiana farms, including grass-fed beef from Fischer Farms and organic chicken from Miller Poultry, a decision Fernandez says guests can taste in every dish and one that keeps the restaurant connected to the community it serves. Growth has followed quickly. After adding a second location on Mass Ave, Fernando's recently moved its original Broad Ripple restaurant into a larger space, with a new concept in the works for the original Broad Ripple address. Visit Fernando's Mexican & Brazilian Cuisine at 6320 Ferguson Street in Broad Ripple or 888 Massachusetts Ave in Indianapolis. Explore the menu and catering options at fernandosindy. com, and follow @fernandos_cuisine on Instagram for news and events.
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Raffaele D'Eusebio Charred, Owner & Executive Chef Charred keeps its lighting low and its focus narrower than most steakhouses in Central Indiana. Tucked into Carmel City Center, the restaurant pairs an open kitchen with plush, private booths, a combination meant to feel like theater and refuge all at once. Owner and executive chef Raffaele D'Eusebio, who also owns Ristorante Roma in the Carmel Arts & Design District, built the concept around fire, bourbon and rare spirits rather than scale. "Most steakhouses focus on volume," he says. "Charred focuses on intention." That shows up in the details most guests never think to notice. As a smaller, boutique concept, D'Eusebio says every element of the space, every plate and every pour is taken into account before it reaches a guest, nothing left to chance. The approach draws inspiration from steakhouses around the country, particularly Chicago's speakeasy-style rooms, filtered through D'Eusebio's own instincts for what belongs in Carmel. Anchoring that philosophy, Charred serves steaks that are one hundred percent Certified Angus Beef, never frozen, sourced fresh from Fischer Farms in Indiana, a decision D'Eusebio treats as non-negotiable. Supporting local producers matters to him, and the kitchen handles every cut the way he'd want it served to his own table, simply and with care. At the bar, an extensive bourbon and rare spirits program is built to match the menu pour for pour. D'Eusebio isn't calling Charred finished. "We're not done," he says. "Charred will continue to evolve, always pushing to better serve our guests and the dining scene in Carmel and the surrounding area." Charred is a 21 and older restaurant. Visit Charred at 61 W. City Center Drive in Carmel City Center. Explore the menu and make reservations at charred-indy. com, and follow @charred_indy on Instagram.
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ON THE SCENE
Photography By Chelsey Barhorst, Hive and Honey Creative, Kassidy Layne Studios, Marissa Wiley, The Lang Co
ON THE SCENE
Westwood Vowery & Estate
Westwood Vowery & Estate stepped into the spotlight earlier this year with a grand opening celebration. "We were thrilled with the opportunity to showcase Westwood hospitality and introduce the new venue to the world," says founder, owner and COO Shelby Dempsey, also of The Sixpence. Guests turned out en masse, including booked Westwood couples, industry friends, influencers and recognizable faces from the community, moving through the finished space to live music from multiple DJs, savoring culinary delights and cocktails. The distinguished crowd delighted in private lounges, a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a VIP after party rounding out the evening, presented by Fairmont Construction.
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ON THE SCENE
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By Susan Salaz
’Round the Town Grape Escape — Your Mini Guide to the Area's Best Wine Spots
Because life’s too short for boring bottles. From vineyard hills to a downtown tasting room, these ten stops let you sip your way through Central Indiana and see what all the buzz is about. No passport required—just a designated driver. Grapevine Cottage 61 S. Main Street Zionsville, IN 46077
grapevinecottage.com
At this wine shop on Zionsville’s charming brick Main Street, a review and tasting notes are displayed with every wine on the shelf, a system owner Doug Pendleton built after one too many confusing wine shopping trips. Nearly three decades later, the shop still carries over a thousand well-reviewed wines alongside cheeses and gourmet extras. It remains the rare wine stop where browsing feels like getting a personal education.
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Wine & Rind 254 Veterans Way Carmel, IN 46032
wineandrindcarmel.com
Brothers Tom and Chuck Lazzara opened Wine & Rind on a simple idea—pairing serious wine knowledge with thoughtfully composed food—all built around a rotating wine list made for discovery alongside shareable plates, cheese pairings and charcuterie boards. Just off the Monon Trail, the spot draws a steady after-work and weekend crowd looking for something more composed than a bar but less formal than a restaurant.
Urban Vines Winery & Brewing Co. 303 East 161st Street Westfield, Indiana 46074
urban-vines.com
Westfield's only winery pairs its own label with a full brewery on a five-acre property built for lingering. Family and pet friendly by design, Urban Vines draws crowds for live music and food alongside a rotating list of wines and beers made on-site. It's less a tasting room than a destination, the kind of spot that turns one drink into an afternoon.
Peace Water Winery 37 W. Main Street Carmel, IN 46032
peacewaterwinery.com
Indiana’s only locally owned Napa Valley winery pours handcrafted California wines inside a colorful Arts & Design District tasting room designed for groups and solo visitors alike. Half of its net profits support charities chosen by the founders’ eight children, giving every glass poured a bit of purpose. Private tastings and events fill the calendar most weekends.
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Q’s Wine Bar 2139 Glebe Street, Suite 100 Carmel, IN 46032 qswinebar.com
Founder Quynh Nguyen opened Q’s in the Village of West Clay last year with a selfserve wine wall inspired by a trip to France. Guests choose a 2-, 4- or 6-ounce pour from the rotating selection at their own pace—no bartender required. It’s a low-pressure way to build a flight or find a new favorite, with shareable plates and charcuterie to match.
Daniel’s Vineyard — McCordsville 9061 N 700 W McCordsville, IN 46055 danielsvineyard.com
Rows of vines stretch across the farmland near Geist. The idea traces back to a trip through Tuscany’s wine country. Inside the tasting room, estate-grown reds and whites take center stage, with a wine club for regulars who want first access to new releases. The outdoor grounds provide a perfect backdrop for a relaxing day and host a regular lineup of live music, weddings and private events.
Mallow Run Winery — Bargersville 6964 W Whiteland Road Bargersville, IN 46106
mallowrun.com
Twenty minutes south of Indianapolis, Mallow Run turns a seventh-generation family farm into a go-to weekend destination, pouring American and French hybrid wines from a restored nineteenth-century barn. Behind the barn, the sloping hill is perfect for picnics and hosts concerts, festivals and food trucks all season long. Free tastings make it easy to sample before committing to a bottle.
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Spencer Farm Winery — Noblesville 7015 East 161st Street Noblesville, IN 46062
spencerfarmwinery.com
Spencer Farm has grown strawberries and pumpkins for decades, but a 2019 pivot added ten grape varieties and a wine list to the mix. The tasting room sits inside a restored 1883 farmhouse with a wraparound patio overlooking the vines—perfect for slower afternoons. Live music, yoga and seasonal events keep the calendar full, while the surrounding acreage continues to function as a working farm. The Rejoicing Vine 8440 West 82nd Street Indianapolis, IN 46278 rejoicingvine.com
Tucked between Eagle Creek Park and Zionsville, The Rejoicing Vine treats winemaking as something closer to a mission than a menu. Its approach is built around the idea of cultivating life through sustainable, locally sourced fruit. Sparkling flights and bubbly mimosas pair with artisanal charcuterie boards, while a full lineup of alcoholfree options welcomes guests who want the ritual without the buzz. Private events and vineyard tours extend that same intentional spirit.
Easley Winery 205 N. College Avenue Indianapolis, IN 46202 easleywinery.com
Easley Winery’s story starts nearly two hours south, where the Ohio River curls past Cape Sandy near Leavenworth, shaping the grapes long before they reach the state capital. There, the grapes are crushed, fermented and bottled just blocks from Monument Circle. Indiana’s oldest familyowned winery, Easley pours everything from dry Cabernet to the playful Reggae line, plus Indiana Champagne made from Traminette. The outdoor wine garden hosts live music and seasonal events with skyline views.
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