HOLIDAY DINING GUIDE

HOW TO PUT MORE HAPPY IN YOUR HOLIDAYS

GOURMET TO GO

By SuSaN Salaz | PhotograPhy By JeS NiJJer | artwork By eduardo Peña

Many special moments happen around the dinner table, especially during the holiday season. This is a time to be together and count our blessings. Whether you are sharing a small meal with your immediate family, or are finding a way to safely celebrate with a larger crowd, we want you to cherish every minute you spend with your loved ones this year. Many of you have been doing it all for the past few months, why not let someone else take care of the cooking for a change?

We caught up with some of our favorite local restaurateurs who have been hard at work planning and prepping so you don’t have to. We asked them about their favorite holiday traditions and what they are grateful for. The one answer they all had in common was their gratitude for the community and their loyal customers who have supported them through such a challenging year.

Thanksgiving might look a little different, but consider it an opportunity to create new, meaningful traditions with your friends and family. Read on to discover creative carry out and catering options, where you can still have a cozy meal outside, and private party options so that you can host a safe gathering.

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BLAKE FOGELSONG

GRINDSTONE ON THE MONON

(317) 763-1100 17470 Wheeler Road, Westfield

The Fogelsongs are a restaurant family through and through. Carl Fogelsong was an industry legend and founded the first double-drive-through in the Midwest. Today his family, including grandson Blake Fogelsong, stays rooted in the original traditions and values at the newest Clancy’s venture in Westfield—Grindstone on the Monon.

“Our family loves getting together on Christmas to eat Prime Rib and watch classic holiday movies,” says Blake, adding how special it is to play a role in other family gatherings at the restaurant too. “We cherish these moments in the restaurant, and we want to make it easy for our guests to come in and "We love the enjoy themselves this holiday house-smoked season, or take food home if they are more comfortable brisket and with that.” white cheddar Grindstone on the Monon macaroni and offers custom catering options or easy to-go family cheese." packs featuring some of their favorite entrées, salads and side dishes. These are completely customizable and perfect for groups of 4-6. We love the house smoked brisket and white cheddar macaroni and cheese. You can conveniently order online and choose your pickup date, and the meals are simple to reheat.

You can also reserve one of the restaurant’s private dining spaces, including the inviting outdoor patio kept warm with extra heaters and an oversized fire pit for a safe, outside gathering option this year. The delicious food, unique contemporary-rustic atmosphere and outstanding service make Grindstone on the Monon a great place to host all of your holiday events without breaking the bank, or doing any dishes.

“We are in this business to take care of people,” says Blake. He is looking forward to helping families enjoy the holiday season, and is excited to have his doors open and see his staff and customers smiling after such a tough year.

Open daily at 11am for lunch and dinner

grindstoneonthemonon.com

KEN, ELAINE KELTNER AND DIANE CANNON

JUNIPER ON MAIN

(317) 591-9254

110 E. Main Street, Carmel

Juniper on Main sits in the heart of the Carmel Arts & Design District, and will be all decked out for the holidays. “This year we will have the inside twinkling and festive, and outside under the Pergola and Porch we will offer dining in a warm and cozy winter wonderland for added safety and winter fun,” says co-owner Diane Cannon, noting they have brought in extra heaters and fire pits under the Pergola for an al fresco ski resort feel, and wrapped the front porch area for additional warmth outside.

Inside the historic cottage bungalow, they have gone the "Extra heaters extra mile, installing multiple medical grade air purifying and fire pits systems to keep guests under the and staff safe and confident through the winter months. Pergola bring The beautiful, bright winter environment with quaint a wintry fun, holiday touches make for al fresco ski wonderful family gatherings and memories, and is now resort feel." accepting special occasion and family group reservations for the holiday season. “We are offering a no rental fee time slot indoors, for semi-private dining, from the hours of 2:30 to 4:30 with a minimum of 20 guests with a special entree choice. Our outside Pergola and Porch area is also available for special events. Book your party soon!” says Cannon.

Juniper on Main is available to cater your holiday gathering with a "dash of Southern charm in the heart of the Midwest." Try the famous Shrimp & Grits Bar with house Coca- Cola BBQ Sauce, the Sweet Tea Brined Grilled Chicken with holiday specialty sides, or Mae Mae's Meatloaf with Cornbread, Smokey Collard Greens and Garlic Mashed Potatoes. These meals will sure be the talk of the party.

Open Monday-Saturday at 11am for lunch and dinner

juniperonmain.com

PAUL ARÉCHIGA

VERDE FLAVORS OF MEXICO

1111 Main Street, Carmel (317) 853-8208 11680 Commercial Drive, Fishers (317) 578-7511 2727 E 86th Street, Indianapolis (317) 280-7410

VERDE owner Paul Aréchiga, says his family’s favorite time of year is undoubtedly the holiday season. “In our industry, this is a season full of harmony and family time. We experience a lot of this when people gather with their loved ones at our restaurants. It is a very contagious feeling that we definitely bring home too. We love it.” He enjoys special meals with his family on Thanksgiving and Christmas, and in past years has celebrated at work with a large party, gathering the teams from all the VERDE locations, along with their families.

This year has been different for everyone, and Paul "Catering understands that everyone has different comfort levels. packages He also understands that are a perfect food is the focal point at any family gathering, and option for those wants to help families be able to celebrate in any way who want to he can. While all VERDE take extra locations are open and following current guidelines, precautions this the catering packages are a great option for those taking holiday season." extra precautions this winter. They offer a Fiesta Taco Bar, a Grilled Fajita Bar, and more to please any size group. The catering menu is designed to travel well and is available for pick up or delivery.

“Once you figure out a menu for your party or special

occasion, everything else simply follows,” says Paul. They keep that in mind at VERDE, always trying to meet the needs of their customers by offering alternatives to standard services, especially this year. “We are happy to individually package each meal if you prefer, or we can cook items from the menu by the tray.”

Paul says this year has made his family realize how important their community is. “Our customers have been very supportive, and it is such a great feeling to receive such warmth from those who choose our establishment.”

Open daily at 11am for lunch and dinner

verdeflavorsofmexico.com

DAVID PHILLIPS

SUGAR CREEK VINEYARD AND WINERY

(317) 688-7222

1111 W. Main Street, Carmel

“Sugar Creek Vineyard and Winery has something for everyone, from new wine drinkers to seasoned enthusiasts,” says David Phillips, owner of the vertically integrated vineyard and winery tasting room in Carmel. Sugar Creek offers guided tastings of any of the wines on the menu, red, white, sweet or dry. Many are made from the Estate Grapes grown at the Sugar Creek Vineyard in Montgomery County, Indiana, as well as many more distinctive, artisan wines using grapes sourced from California, New York, Oregon and South America. All the wines are named for rivers, creeks, streams or rapids that the winemaker matched "This holiday with the wine’s characteristics celebrating many of the great season, come whitewater runs. for new wine Sugar Creek has a lot to offer releases, wine club this holiday season, including several new wine releases, memberships, trivia wine club memberships, trivia nights, and live nights, and live entertainment by local musicians every Friday entertainment on and Saturday nights. They have several spaces available the weekends." to rent for your holiday celebrations as well. Whether it’s just a few friends getting together or the entire extended family, Phillips says renting a space at the Sugar Creek tasting room is easy and convenient, especially this year when many are reconsidering gathering inside homes. They have room for sit down dinners, festive cocktail parties, corporate events,

girls night out, or a cozy winter picnic around the fire pit on the private patio (complete with extra heaters). You can bring your own food or have the event catered—there are no food restrictions, but there will be plenty of good wine!

Wine makes a great holiday gift, especially when it's local. Stop in the tasting room soon, all decked out for the fun! And be sure to bring an ornament and help decorate the tasting room tree to receive a free glass of wine.

Open Saturday and Sunday at 1pm, TuesdayFriday at 5pm

sugarcreekwinery.com

KURT COHEN

ARNI’S RIVER RIDGE

(317) 571-0077 4705 E. 96th Street, Indianapolis

Kurt Cohen, son of the original Arni, loves that Arni’s restaurants have become community institutions. They have served many families across generations, and despite not being able to offer some of their usual holiday festivities like Breakfast with Santa this year, Kurt is happy to keep Arni’s moving forward doing what they do best— serving delicious food with dependable service in a friendly atmosphere. “I am incredibly grateful for the outpouring of local support at our restaurants,” he says, noting their loyal following.

Kurt is also thankful for the health of his family this year, and wants all of Arni’s supporters to stay safe and healthy this holiday season. While dining options are open under current guidelines, Arni’s is happy to offer their full menu, which includes appetizers, salads, sandwiches, pasta and, of course, their famous pizza for carry-out and delivery. You can even order online for added convenience.

"Make it a virtual pizza party with the relatives you can't visit by shipping Arni's to family and friends around the country!"

If you need to feed a crowd, let Arni’s bring the party to you. With a range of catering options beyond their famous pizza and salads, designed to fit whatever party you have in mind, from corporate events to family gatherings, Arni’s is ready to

lend a hand so that you can enjoy the festivities without all the work.

If you are looking for a unique holiday gift, consider shipping Arni’s pizza to family and friends across the country. The pizzas are shipped quickly to satisfy those craving no matter where you are. Make a virtual pizza party a new tradition this year with relatives you can’t visit, and feel a little more connected knowing you are all sharing the same Arni’s slice. Kurt’s favorite is Italian sausage with pepperoni, onion and extra cheese.

Open daily at 11am for lunch and dinner

meetyouatarnis.com