Indianapolis Monthly June 2025

Let’s Go

CAMPING This Summer ’s fect Pitch-Per s TentSpot

J U N E 2 025

$5 .9 5

P LU S

An Architectural Home Tour

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42 PITCH PERFECT

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56 THE LANDMARK NEXT DOOR

50 JOYFUL WARRIOR

In the spirit of appreciating Mother Nature, this roundup of campgrounds in Indiana and surrounding states provides quiet places to feel small, breathe deep, and spend the night outside. Just don’t forget to pack the good coffee.

Conceived by some of the greatest architects in our city’s history, this collection of houses is loved—and lived in—by everyday residents who appreciate their homes’ understated importance.

Hunter Vale, the founder of Queer Circle City, has built an influential online platform that marries eye-catching graphics, news archives, and activism to share the rich history of Indy’s LGBTQIA+ communities.

E DI T E D BY J U L I A S PA L DI NG

BY J U L I A S PA L DI NG

BY E V E BAT E Y

IM | JUNE 2025

PHOTO BY TONY VALAINIS; COVER PHOTO COURTESY ADOBE STOCK

A Vonnegut & Bohn duplex in Cottage Home

Movement that inspires

Napleton Kia of Carmel 4500 E. 96th Street, Indianapolis NapletonKiaOfCarmel.com 844-430-6877

06 2025

ISSUE 10

G O OD L I F E

C I RC L E C I T Y

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SPEED READ

WANTED

SWOON

Brown County may not be the birthplace of bluegrass music, but Bill Monroe’s annual festival honors the genre’s legacy.

Handmade pouring bottles from Prairie General take EVOO to the next level.

Make a splash with succulent South African lobster tail from St. Elmo spinoff 1933 Lounge.

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SHOP TALK

THE HOOSIERIST

Goodies & Giggles toy store on Mass Ave tickles littles and the young at heart.

Our Indiana expert deals out details about Marion County’s lack of casinos.

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MY LOOK

UNSPOKEN RULES

Design studio manager Cassandra Kramer shares her favorite fashion finds.

A manner-festo for Noblesville’s Nickel Plate Express Railbike Excursions.

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PET PROJECT

ASK ME ANYTHING

St. Elmo Steak House’s Matt Gillen shares his perspective from behind the bar.

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Holistic remedies such as acupuncture and herbal treatments help Indy pets thrive.

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REALTY CHECK

BEST BETS

34

FIRST BITE

Orangily opens its booze-free bottle shop in SoBro, The Baker’s House serves up special occasion sourdough, and Kendall Lockwood adds a new take on cocktail creation.

36

TASTE TEST

Sink your teeth into a colorful array of macarons with crispy shells and flavorful fillings.

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FOODIE

A one-time death doula makes her debut as restaurateur with Goodness Gracious Kitchen & Cupboard.

Five can’t-miss events in Indy this month.

Two condos in the same 1873 Gothic Revival church each have a story to tell.

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ARTIFACT

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TRAVELER

REVIEW

A roasting jack made for Eli Lilly in 1938 was a precursor to the modern rotisserie.

Dublin calls with a new nonstop route to Ireland’s capital city on Aer Lingus.

The culinary traditions of Peru and Mexico come together at the lively Macizo in northwest Indianapolis.

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RESTAURANT GUIDE

BACK STORY

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

Saved from demolition, Francis W. Parker School 56 awaits its next assignment.

VOLUME 48

E DI T OR’S NO T E

Scout’s Honor W H E N I surveyed the magazine staff to collect their best camping tips, I picked up a new travel hack or two. But I can’t say I was surprised to receive a couple comments from the non-campers among us who prefer their accommodations indoors, climate-controlled, and equipped with plumbing and electricity, please. While there is Andrea Ratcliff something very enticing and romantic about escaping the hustle and bustle of the city to unplug and Editor-in-Chief commune in nature for a few days, roughing it can be … well, rough. You might encounter difficulties with your gear, inclement weather, all manner of insects, disconcerting sounds in the middle of the night, or raccoons who raid your cooler when you’re not looking.

If you need a little convincing to venture off the grid for your next getaway, our June cover feature (p. 42) highlights nine idyllic spots across five Midwestern states to pitch a tent, hike in the wilderness, prepare meals over a glowing campfire, and sleep under a canopy of stars. The scenic surroundings include sprawling forests, towering sand dunes, extensive cavern systems, and isolated Great Lakes shorefronts. Our troop of writers provides a handy field guide to the amenities, policies, and attractions at each site, as well as cooking and stargazing recommendations and expert advice about must-pack essentials.

My brief childhood stint as a Brownie may not have adequately prepared me for proper camping trips—and my sash with its mishmash of random badges is long since lost—but I feel like I might just stand a chance of surviving a few days in the elements with this handy reference in tow.

( CONTRIBUTORS )

HAPPY CAMPERS AS AN ACCOMPANIMENT TO OUR CAMPING COVER FEATURE (P. 42), IM STAFF MEMBERS SHARE THEIR BEST PRACTICES FOR MANAGING OUTDOOR EXCURSIONS.

“If you plan to make breakfast, crack all your eggs in one bottle or container so that they are easy to transport and won’t break in the cooler. … Oh, and skunks love peanuts (especially when your kids leave an opened bag of them out on the picnic table overnight).”

–Missy Beiting, Operations Director

“When you’re going to sleep, tuck your socks and a flashlight into your shoes and leave them near the entrance of your tent. That way, you don’t have to look around for them if you need to get out in the dark.”

–Maura Broderson, Editorial Art Director

Rob Annis

Eve Batey

Lucy Davey

After nearly a decade at IndyStar, Robert Annis broke free from the shackles of gainful employment to become an award-winning outdoor travel journalist (and certified bear guide).

Annis returned to his ancestral homeland of Ireland, where he spent several days pub-hopping, following in the footsteps of the family of lively carousers who came before him (p. 30).

Eve Batey met Queer Circle City founder Hunter Vale (p. 50) last year when writing an award-winning report on the Fox Hollow Farm murders. “Hunter’s simple act of preserving information about our city’s LGBTQIA+ communities went from a fun hobby to an act of resistance as our political climate turned more oppressive. It’s hard not to be inspired by that.”

Illustrator Lucy Davey is based in Bristol, UK. She has created artwork for over 200 book covers as well as magazines, packaging, and advertising. Her illustrations have been featured on everything from a postage stamp to a billboard in Times Square. Davey would have liked a cat, but her partner is allergic—she’ll have to settle for drawing pets instead (p. 26).

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“Stay on designated trails (unless you’re orienteering, obviously).

Don’t pick or disturb wildflowers especially.

It destroys habitat for butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees.”

–Camille Graves, Managing Editor

“Know where the closest hotel is.”

–Nancy Oliphant, Account Executive

PUBLISHER Ivy Bayer

EDITORIAL EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Andrea Ratcliff FEATURES EDITOR Julia Spalding LIFESTYLE EDITOR Christina Vercelletto FOOD & DINING EDITOR Eve Batey MANAGING EDITOR Camille Graves DIGITAL EDITOR Clay Maxfield

Art | production DESIGN DIRECTOR Margo Wininger PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Vu Luong EDITORIAL ART DIRECTOR Maura Broderson ADVERTISING ART DIRECTOR Christiana Bertsch

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JUNE

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION IN THIS ISSUE

IN THE NEXT ISSUE ...

MEDICAL GUIDE: Our annual list of area hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and focused practices provides details about the services offered at each site. The accompanying doctor profiles introduce readers to physicians and dentists with a wide range of specialties, from ophthalmology to orthopedic surgery.

63 63 // HOME Local homebuilders, designers, and landscapers create outdoor oases that make a splash this summer. Get a peek at three local homes with wellappointed surroundings to inspire your backyard upgrades.

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WNBA ALL-STAR GAME FAN GUIDE Women’s basketball enthusiasts can score details about the WNBA All-Star Game, fan festivities, and local attractions and dining destinations to visit during the tournament weekend in July.

Nature is a symphony that stirs your soul.

From breathtaking scenery, to renowned horse farm tours and specialty regional cuisine, you’ll feel captivated by all the spectacular experiences of our new Kentucky home.

Plan your unique getaway today.

KentuckyTourism.com

R ED R IVE R G O R G EOUS: P I R ATE S H I P TR E E H O US E , ROGERS

06 2025

ASK T H E HO OSI E RIST . . 14 UNSP OKE N RULES . . . . . . 14

C I RC L E C I T Y

ASK M E ANY T H I NG . . . . . 16 BEST BETS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 ART I FACT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

SPEED READ

Fiddle Me This

Bill Monroe’s Music Park & Campground in Brown County hosts the 60th edition of Bill Monroe’s Bluegrass Festival, considered the ultimate venue for live performances of the country music style, June 11–14. But how did this show, far from Appalachia where bluegrass originated, become legendary? And more importantly, how can you get the most out of the multiday extravaganza?

I l lu st rat ion by J I NG O M . DE LA ROSA

JUNE 2025 | IM

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( SPEED READ CON T I NUE D ) BLUEGRASS DIDN’T START IN BROWN COUNTY. This fiddle-, mandolin-, and guitar-intensive genre began in Appalachia as “hillbilly music.” The man who honed that rawboned style into today’s high-energy form was Kentucky-born Bill Monroe. It further came together in the 1940s, when banjo virtuoso Earl Scruggs joined Monroe’s band, putting the finishing touch on a new sound.

BUT IT BECAME ITS EPICENTER. During the 1940s, country music festivals in the hamlet of Beanblossom became a regional phenomenon. In 1951, Monroe caught wind and bought the slice of forested land where they took place.

There, he hosted the first Big Blue Grass Celebration in June 1967. Over the decades, the event expanded.

COUNTRY MUSIC LUMINARIES SHOWED UP.

Johnny Cash, Loretta Lynn, Willie Nelson, and other big names graced the stage, along with some one wouldn’t expect at a middle-of-nowhere country concert. For instance, in 2019, an older guy in a Lamborghini arrived—none other than Led Zeppelin front man Robert Plant, who told staff the festival had always been on his bucket list.

MONROE IS GONE, BUT THE FESTIVAL CONTINUES. The heyday of weeklong runs and crowds in the tens of thousands has passed. Still, site owner Rex Voils reckons 5,000 will tap their toes this year to acts such as the Lonesome River Band and Joe Mullins & the Radio Ramblers.

YOU CAN GO FOR A DAY OR STAY FOR FOUR.

Hardcore fans, some from as far as Japan or England, camp. The venue rents cabins and RVs, as well as tent and RV-compatible spots. “For a primitive campsite for two people for four nights, you’re looking at $132,” Voils calculates.

TICKET PRICES ARE ALSO REASONABLE.

A pass for all four days of the festival costs $155 per person (kids 12 and younger are free). For this, you get to see six world-class bluegrass bands play two sets each day. Tours of Bill Monroe’s Bluegrass Hall of Fame Museum and evening jam sessions 12

IM | JUNE 2025

THE DEL MCCOURY BAND PERFORMS AT BROWN COUNTY MUSIC CENTER ON AUGUST 22.

are both free. Voils hasn’t raised ticket prices since he bought the place in 2019.

was run over by a car (because it was, in fact, once run over by a car). It’s likely worth around $80,000 to collectors.

BUT DON’T EXPECT CREATURE COMFORTS.

You’ll find food trucks and other vendors but no VIP seating. In fact, there’s no seating at all, just a grassy hill where the audience stands, sits on blankets, or sets up their own lawn chairs.

THE FESTIVAL NEVER GETS RAINED OUT OR EVEN RAIN-DELAYED. Make sure to pack a poncho or an umbrella. Old-timers will be happy to tell you what it’s like to watch an entire evening of bluegrass in the pouring rain. “Bring your sweatshirt, and bring your shorts,” Voils advises. “You just never know how the weather’s going to be.”

HIPPY HILL HAS A STORY. In 1964, Jerry Garcia showed up to the festival intent on auditioning for Bill Monroe’s band as a banjo player. He and his companions camped in the Hippy Hill vicinity, and Garcia met Monroe. But legend has it the maestro told Garcia his skills weren’t quite up to snuff, and he needed more practice. After founding the Grateful Dead a year later, Garcia did indeed get more practice. In 1975, as a side project, Garcia created his own bluegrass band called Old & In the Way. The band’s first, self-titled album is considered one of the greatest bluegrass recordings of all time.

BE PREPARED TO ROLL WITH TRADITION.

Opening day is capped, as it has always been, with a free Southern bean supper.

Then the real fun begins, as performers mill around the campgrounds and jam late into the night. “There’s probably better music off the stage than there is on the stage,” Voils says.

AND FOR PLENTY OF HISTORY. For instance, the rusting hulk of Monroe’s pickup truck is weathering away on the grounds. And the museum features photos from the festival’s earliest days, the stage clothes of pretty much every country star you can think of, and the case in which Bill Monroe carried his legendary mandolin. The instrument itself sold for more than $1 million and now resides in the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville. But the banged-up, duct-taped case lives here. Never mind that it looks like it

YOU GET A SECOND CHANCE IN SEPTEMBER.

The park hosts the Uncle Pen Fest September 18–20, which is a tribute to Monroe’s uncle, James Pendleton Vandiver, a fiddle player and Monroe’s musical mentor. The lineup features bluegrass bands, workshops, jam sessions, and, with any luck, crisp fall weather and the first flush of changing leaves.

CHECK THE BROWN COUNTY MUSIC CENTER.

The five-year-old, 2,000-seat facility may not have the raw folksiness, but it makes up for that with air conditioning, a lack of mosquitoes, and the freedom of not having to bring chairs. The summer and fall lineup includes acts like Greensky Bluegrass, Railroad Earth and Yonder Mountain String Band, and the Del McCoury Band. It may be just the place if you want a taste of the bluegrass—but not the beans. —SAM STALL

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( UNSPOKEN RULES )

Nickel Plate Express

Railbike Excursions

ask THE HOOSIERIST

All Bets are Off

Q: HOW COME INDIANA HAS CASINOS ALL OVER THE STATE EXCEPT IN MARION COUNTY? A: We lack one for pretty much the same reason we don’t have a Major League Baseball team. Close-by MLB clubs, such as the Cincinnati Reds, fear an Indiana franchise would cannibalize their fan base, so they oppose every initiative to create one. It’s the same deal with casinos. We already have 13 scattered around the state so they (in theory) don’t compete with each other. A snazzy, centrally located operation in Naptown would likely devastate attendance at those existing gambling dens. The extremely well-heeled companies that run most Hoosier casinos (and the politicians representing districts that could be hurt if Indianapolis joins the game) don’t want that to happen. That means, barring a miracle, the only nominally “Indy” establishment will remain the one in Shelbyville, which has the gall to call itself the Horseshoe Indianapolis Casino. — S A M S TA L L

THE STATE STAT

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$2.9 B

IM | JUNE 2025

Indiana’s 2024 gaming revenue

Book early as spots fill quickly. Bring three pals—or sweat with strangers on a fourperson railbike. Pick an adventure: two hours of pedaling, 30 minutes of pedaling and an hour in downtown Noblesville, or two hours of pedaling at twilight with a s’mores break. Dress for a spin class and bring water.

Expeditions are not for the weak, whiny, or quick to divorce. Go before you go (read: no toilets on the route).

Get to Hobbs Depot 30 minutes early to check in with your guides (who won’t wait if you’re late). Enjoy the scenery as you cruise past farms and into the woods.

We brought in slightly more than Illinois, but we’re surely no threat to Nevada with its roughly $15.6 billion haul.

ILLUSTRATION BY RYAN JOHNSON. RAILBIKE PHOTO COURTESY HAMILTON COUNTY TOURISM

A MANNER-FESTO FOR NOBLESVILLE’S PEDAL-POWERED RIDE

Matt Gillen, bartender YOU MIGHT SAY HE’S INDY’S AMBASSADOR. FOR 16 YEARS, THE BROAD RIPPLE RESIDENT HAS BEEN A BARKEEP AT ST. ELMO STEAK HOUSE, SERVING LEGIONS OF VISITORS FROM, WELL, EVERYWHERE. NOW HE SHARES HIS PERSPECTIVE FROM BEHIND THE BAR.

BY CHRISTINA VE RCE LLETTO

ASK ME ANYTHING

They say bartenders are the eyes and ears of the town.

That’s true. It’s important that we know what’s happening. Sports, concerts, festivals, conventions, and trade shows all drive our business and provide opportunity to direct visitors to the best of the city. I always have people ask, “Where should we go from here?” Bartenders need to be able to provide options.

And what do you tell them?

The Rathskeller, The Ball & Biscuit … Slippery Noodle is a must.

How have tastes changed over time?

When I first started in this business 24 years ago, it was all martinis.

Now it’s whiskey cocktails all day—Manhattans, whiskey sours.

Guests are also becoming more conscious about where what they eat and drink comes from. We source as much local product as we can.

Our house brands Barkeep Vodka and Rare Saint whiskey are made here in Indianapolis. The corn for the vodka is all grown in Indiana.

What has been your most memorable night at the bar?

It was 2016 when Lady Gaga was at the 500. We stayed after closing to accommodate her and her guests.

After she was finished, she came around and personally thanked each of us for staying late. Cooks, dishwashers, server assistants, everyone she could find. She was very sincere, and it was really cool. A close second would be the 16

IM | JUNE 2025

PHOTO BY TONY VALAINIS

What makes Indianapolis special?

It’s our Hoosier hospitality. I think everybody knows about it. We keep hosting bigger and better events each year. The NCAA Final Four, Super Bowl, Big Ten Football Championship, then the NBA All-Star Game, USA Olympic swimming qualifier, and now even WrestleMania. The city takes a lot of pride in hosting events, and I think the reason that effort has been so successful is because of the people. One thing I have heard consistently over the years is how nice everyone is in this city.

night Peyton Manning brought in the Lombardi Trophy. This was after his second Super Bowl win, when he played for Denver. The trophy made its way through the entire restaurant. Every member of the staff got to hold it and get a photo with it. Peyton has always been a great friend of St. Elmo.

“THE CITY TAKES A LOT OF PRIDE IN HOSTING EVENTS, AND I THINK THE REASON THAT EFFORT HAS BEEN SO SUCCESSFUL IS BECAUSE OF THE PEOPLE. ONE THING I HAVE HEARD CONSISTENTLY OVER THE YEARS IS HOW NICE EVERYONE IS IN THIS CITY.”

Any other celebrity visits?

That list could go on and on. John Mellencamp, Meg Ryan, Luke Bryan, Charles Barkley, the entire Andretti family. Jimmy Fallon is exactly like he is on his show, goofy and really nice. We hosted him and his crew in our 1933 Lounge when they were here during the Super Bowl. Can I include [former Indiana governor] Evan Bayh? He was my first table on my very first training shift.

reaction, which probably didn’t help.

I assured him it was no prank, that everyone at the bar was eating the same sauce. He shouted, “Bulls*it!” and stormed out. His friends thought it was hilarious, as did I.

You must get plenty of conventioneers on your barstools.

I see so many different guests from so many places. One week it might be bankers in suits and ties; next week everyone is wearing camo because they just came from an archery show. Each group has their own vibe. Funeral directors—they like to party!

Any guests whom you know so well you have their drink ready before they ask?

Several, but the first one that pops to mind is Rob. He owns a dealership in Illinois and comes to Indy to buy and sell at the car auctions.

We all look forward to seeing him.

Really genuine, funny guy who has been coming in as long as I’ve been here. Rob drinks Tanqueray and tonic. That’s the only drink I’ve ever served him. He places only one dinner order, too: New York strip with green beans.

Bartenders are known for funny stories. Go. I had a guest who must have been from out of town and unaware of the heat in our shrimp cocktail. He was cussing at me, accusing me of pranking him, really mad. The group he was with was laughing at his

Do you give advice like Sam Malone in Cheers?

Advice, no. I would guess small local bars probably have bartenders like that. We’re often so busy, I wouldn’t have time. And these days, some people are just totally engrossed in their phones. But what I do give is great recommendations. Being able to confidently navigate our wine and spirit offerings elevates my guests’ experience. This goes for the food, as well. Now, if I were to give advice to someone coming up in this business, that’s what it would be: Know what you are selling. I’ve been doing this almost a quarter of a century now, yet I’m always trying to expand my knowledge.

So, what are your top recommendations?

For bourbon, I like to suggest Woodford Reserve or Four Roses. And we just released a port barrel–finished Rare Saint bourbon that’s really good. As far as wine goes, I tend to recommend Chappellett or Chimney Rock.

Those are great Napa wines that don’t get enough attention.

Proudest moment as a bartender?

I’ve had success in local cocktail competitions, and some of those drinks have made it onto our menu and been very well-received.

Right now, I have the Bermuda Triangle, which is a paper plane [cocktail] that subs in pineapple amaro for traditional amaro, and Slow Burn, an aromatically spiced

whiskey sour. Also, I’ve passed the introductory course for the Court of Master Sommeliers.

What’s the hottest drink?

The hot cocktail that is here to stay is the old fashioned. The espresso martini is the hottest trend, like the cosmo was during Sex and the City days. Our espresso martini is the best in the city because of a splash of chocolate liquor. Espresso and chocolate are so great together.

With wine, cabernet is king, pretty typical for a steakhouse. Full-bodied blends of cab, merlot, zinfandel, and petite Syrah are in demand.

Caymus and Silver Oak are labels that I’m consistently pouring.

And the next “it” cocktail will be …?

Last summer the Aperol spritz was coming back around. Maybe this year it will really take off. It’s light, refreshing, and low-ABV. We have a few mocktails right now. My favorite is the Blue Basil Spritz, made with club soda and topped with lemon.

What is the most difficult part of being a career bartender?

My wife will say it’s the nights away from home, and she’s right.

Working opposite schedules makes us really appreciate our time together. Then there is the wear and tear on your body. I’ve logged a lot of hours on my feet. I’ve really come to appreciate comfortable shoes.

Yet you don’t consider giving it up?

I’m definitely not a desk job guy!

Seriously, this has always been fun.

St. Elmo is part of Indianapolis history. Locals come to celebrate.

Out-of-towners have us at the top of their list to visit. It’s really special to be a part of all that. I wouldn’t trade this experience for anything.

JUNE 2025 | IM

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THIS MONTH’S CAN’T–MISS EVENTS

(1) Flavors of the

Heartland June 11 Enjoy the stories, smells, and tastes that make up our food heritage at the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center.

June’s presentation is on native plants and foraging. Recipes to take home will be provided. indianahistory.org/events 18

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(2) Wicked June 18–July 6 The Broadway and film phenomenon Wicked, called “the defining musical of the decade”

by The New York Times, is equally thrilling at the Old National Centre.

The dazzling score includes the hit “Defying Gravity.” broadwayin indianapolis.com

(3) White River Paddle

Days & Festival June 20 Canoe and single or tandem kayak races, all 6 miles in length, are part of this annual event with live music. The fun starts at the White River Canoe Co. in Noblesville. No experience or personal equipment needed. thewhiteriver alliance.org/program

(4) Legacy Fest June 20–21 It’s the fourth year for this lively free celebration on Indiana Avenue at the Madam Walker Legacy Center, and it only gets more popular. Expect a concert, food, vendors, and family-friendly action as you honor the legacy of Madam Walker. madamwalker legacycenter.com

PHOTOS COURTESY: (1) INDIANA HISTORICAL SOCIETY; (2) JOAN MARCUS; (3) WHITE RIVER ALLIANCE; (4) GERALD ENCARNACION; (5) POPCON

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(5) PopCon June 27–29 The Indiana Convention Center is the scene of one of the most animated events in town. Whether you’re a superfan of comics, movies, gaming, cartoon series, or anime, a great time awaits as you meet creators and bond with fellow enthusiasts. popcon.us/popcon-indy I l l u s t r a t i o n b y H AT S U E

Roasting Jack VINTAGE: 1938 Resides at Conner Prairie

AS THE Depression wound down, Eli Lilly hired Zionsville blacksmith Charles Monroe to make a roasting jack for use in the William Conner House at Conner Prairie Farms, which Lilly owned. Monroe worked on the iron and brass piece from photos thought to be taken in Colonial Williamsburg, which had just opened in Virginia. Per his business card, Monroe was an expert in Colonial reproductions.

Roasting jacks, also called turn-pits, rotated meat on a spit over a hearth, an early rotisserie of sorts.

The gadgets, common in wealthier homes in the 18th century, were wound up by pulling a cord that raised a heavy weight. As it slowly descended—think grandfather clock—it engaged gears that turned the spit. A cook had to rewind it periodically, but that was far better than turning a spit by hand. On May 24, 1938, Monroe wrote to Lilly, “Your turn-pit is coming along splendidly. I am making it authentic in the smallest detail. I am sure it is going to please you.” It did. — C H R I S T I NA V E R C E L L E T T O

ARTIFACT

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G O OD L I F E

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Oil Be There for You

WANTED

Bulk Costco olive oil will feel like an indulgence dispensed from a stoneware Cameo Floral Pouring Bottle, handmade by husband and wife Jonathan Ballak and Melissa Tolar. It’s topped off with a copperplated steel spout. Some use it to store vinegar, to water small succulents and kitchen herbs, as a fancy vessel for dish soap, or even for mouthwash in the bathroom. “One of our favorite parts of making ceramics is the intersection of art and function,” Tolar shares. $74. Prairie General, 1101 E. 54th St., Ste. G — C H R I S T I NA V E R C E L L E T T O

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MY LOOK Goodies & Giggles ADDRESS

811 Massachusetts Ave. HOU RS

Tue–Sat 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Sun 11 a.m.–5 p.m.

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Cassandra Kramer

( SHOP TALK )

Design Studio Manager

Play Favorites

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A COOL NEW MASS AVE TOY STORE TICKLES LITTLES AND THE YOUNG AT HEART ALIKE. BY C H R I S T I NA V E R C E L L E T T O

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In the trends of the past. Certain styles are eternally relevant.

WHICH NEW TREND ARE YOU ON BOARD FOR?

I’m in love with the sophisticated look of permanently pressed, pleated chiffon or organza.

5 scouted (1) Aurora Legendary

Friends Dragon, $25 (2) Hape Ocean Friends

Stay-Put Rattle Set, $15 (3) Bewaltz ice cream truck purse, $32 (4) Leo the Panda 24-piece puzzle, $17 (5) Jelly Fruit zip pouches, $30 each

WHAT’S THE LAST THING YOU’D PART WITH?

My collection of faux and vintage leather jackets from Italy. A quality leather jacket is a versatile staple that transcends seasons.

BEST FASHION ADVICE?

No matter how beautiful the piece is, you won’t feel confident if it doesn’t fit right. —C.V.

GIGGLES PHOTO BY TONY VALAINIS. KRAMER PHOTO BY JAY GOLDZ

I N FE BRUARY, Gwen Chastain opened Goodies & Giggles in a historic bank building. The expansive, bright store is organized by type of toy—craft supplies, dress-up garb, or vehicles, for example—and age range. All the way in the back sits the original bank vault complete with safe deposit boxes, now a clever repository for pretend cash registers, play money sets, related children’s books, piggy banks and coin counters, basketballs with a dollar-bill design, and more moola-themed merch. A large part of the shop’s appeal lies in the range of its offerings for infants through high schoolers— and sometimes beyond. (Young professionals are known to wander in, browsing for fidget spinners, squishy stress balls, and small magnetic manipulatives for their desks.) Expect to find today’s go-tos, such as STEM kits, alongside classics including marshmallow-soft stuffies, puzzles, Silly Putty, and Calico Critters. Whether you stop in needing a present— wrapping is always free—or just to peruse, Goodies & Giggles will make you feel a little like Tom Hanks in Big.

WHERE DO YOU FIND OUTFIT INSPIRATION?

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SPOTLIGHT

Support independently owned businesses with this go-to guide to local shops, personal services, dining and nightlife establishments, and more.

ON INDY BUSINESS

RESTAURANT

AUTO D ETAI LI NG

Bluebeard

DAN’S Automotive Detail is a specialist for interior and exterior vehicle-cleaning service. With free pickup and delivery within Hamilton County, Geist, and Zionsville, we work around your schedule.

DAN’S Automotive Detail

Bluebeard is an award-winning restaurant for people with an appetite for adventure.

653 Virginia Ave., Indianapolis |

bluebeardindy

Magic Hat Barber Shop

Magic Hat is a premium barber shop prized for our attentive service & selection of grooming products from Brosh Pomade, D.S. & Durga, Ursa Major, and more.

885 Monon Green Blvd., Ste. 101, Carmel magichatbarbershop

13190 Hazel Dell Pkwy., Carmel |

pizzologyindy.com

W I NE BAR

Solely Wine is a wine bar & retail shop specializing in wines that are organic, natural, biodynamic, and produced in a sustainable manner!

1106 E. 16th St., Ste. 100, Indianapolis |

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INDIANAPOLIS MONTHLY

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Twenty Tap Twenty Tap is a neighborhood scratch kitchen offering a unique selection of cra) beers and cocktails in Meridian-Kessler.

5408 N. College Ave., Indianapolis |

littletuliptree.com

SPOTLIGHT YOUR INDY BUSINESS WITH

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840 S. Rangeline Rd., Carmel |

Solely Wine

Pizzology Pizzology Cra) Pizza + Pub is a chef-driven pizzeria with unique pastas, salads, cra) cocktails, and more.

P TA

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317-650-8888

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dansdetail.info |

Little Tulip Tree

Little Tulip Tree is a Beaufort Bonnet Company Signature Store offering clothing for babies and children with a refined sense of style.

P E RSONAL L AUND RY SERV I CE

RESTAURANT

ack

Noblesville, IN |

RESTAURANT

BA R BER S H OP

EN

CHI LD REN’S CLOTHI NG

twentytap.com

Your Laundry Valet Your Laundry Valet offers pickup and delivery laundry services so you can have your time back.

Noblesville, IN |

To advertise, email hwhitney@indianapolismonthly.com

yourlaundryvalet.com

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Natural Healing HOLISTIC REMEDIES ARE HELPING INDY DOGS AND CATS THRIVE. BY S A M S TA L L nausea. Since acupuncture can calm the nervous system, it’s used to treat anxiety and stress in both species. The Bargersville Veterinary Hospital & Wellness Center (thrivepetcare.com) also provides acupuncture, as well as Chinese herbal supplements and chiropractic work. Appointments are filling 12 weeks out.

Meanwhile, Nora Apothecary (noraapothecary.com) customizes medicine by hand-compounding it into transdermal gels applied to the ear, chewy liver morsels, and more. They’ll also fill special small capsules if your pup has trouble swallowing typical ones.

Holistic services tend to be costlier due to how labor-intensive they are. One can’t insert acupuncture needles into a cat, say, and walk away. A vet tech must hold your kitty while you bribe her into quiescence with peanut butter or another prized treat. This goes on for the 10–25 minutes the needles are in. Regardless, doting pet owners don’t seem to be dissuaded, Nichols notes. “Lots of this is becoming more mainstream now.”

( GI VI NG BACK )

Fetching Flavors Pup & The Pepper hot sauce is inspired by two “amazing little fur tubes.”

W H E N the pandemic hit, Spring Hill residents Ryan Hussey and Phillip Crawshaw holed up in the kitchen. “We found joy in creating flavorful hot sauces,” recalls Hussey. “It turned into a passion project.” Now, Pup & The Pepper’s line of six sauces is sold at Cork & Cracker, Goose the Market, The Famous Tomato, Niemann Harvest Market, and at pupandthepepper.com.

No, it’s not for dogs.

During quarantine, the pair’s loyal corgi, Eleanor—the pup in Pup & The Pepper— boosted their spirits. A portion of sales goes to 10 local animal aid groups, including Far Fetched Dog Rescue, from which the duo adopted a second corgi, Weston.

Eleanor’s Everything Sauce is the mildest and a breakfast winner, made with roasted bell peppers. At the other end of the sear spectrum is Scarlet Reaper, a lemon-lime-oregano melee. A fan favorite, the “Indiana banana”– infused PawPaw Peach Habanero is great for grilling. —CHRISTINA VERCELLETTO

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ILLUSTRATION BY LUCY DAVEY. PHOTO BY TONY VALAINIS

AN I N T E REST I NG

niche to emerge from pet the American petsproject are-people mindset is holistic veterinary care.

Pet parents are increasingly embracing alternative treatments over conventional ones with risks or side effects. The Integrative Veterinary Clinic (theintegrativeveterinary clinic.com) in Westfield offers a full spectrum of holistic services, including therapeutic lasers—which can ease pain, reduce swelling, and hasten wound healing—as well as homeopathy.

“Multiple remedies can be given at the same time for a particular disorder,” says medical director Steve Nichols, DVM. He puts his ratio of traditional to holistic appointments at around 60-40.

Acupuncture, offered at The Downtown Veterinarian (downtownpetvet .com), can improve joint function and ease pain in dogs with hip dysplasia.

Felines with kidney disease may benefit from hydration regulation and reduced

( THIS OR T HAT ? )

If Walls Could Talk

TWO CONDOS IN THE SAME 1873 GOTHIC REVIVAL CHURCH EACH HAVE THEIR OWN STORY TO TELL. BY J E A NA H A R R I S A N D C H R I S T I NA V E R C E L L E T T O PROM I NE N T LY

positioned at REALTY the intersection CHECK of Fletcher and Virginia avenues with the Cultural Trail, the Lilly campus, and Bluebeard nearby, Fletcher Pointe Condominiums prove the power of preservation. In 2012, an 1873 church in Fletcher Place was rescued from demolition and transformed into luxury condos. Great care was taken to maintain—and celebrate—the original features. In a masterful fusion of historic elegance and contemporary design, these threelevel condos retain an abundance of Victorian character.

The (considerably) higherpriced option is Unit D, where dramatic lines, soaring ceilings, exquisite finishes, and expansive windows create a one-of-a-kind aesthetic. A tower room offers sweeping city views, ready to serve as a magnificent office or reading retreat. This condo delivers the feel of a boutique urban loft with the polish expected of high-end living.

Unit A, meanwhile, holds its own, from the rich, wood-paneled accent wall with a fireplace to the hefty beams and marble pillars.

The lower level offers a surprising amount of space, boasting its own entrance, a kitchenette, a full bathroom, and closets, plus ingress to a back terrace.

To boil it down, pricier Unit D offers more living space, an additional parking spot, and an extra half-bath, as well as unique design features. At a more moderate size and cost, Unit A brings a lower-level suite that could be a residence unto itself and easy access to a serene outdoor space to the table. Either one is a gem if you seek distinctive architecture and modern grandeur in the heart of the city.

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501 Fletcher Ave., Unit D BEDROOMS 3 BATHROOMS 3.5 SQUARE FOOTAGE 4,070 WINNING EXTRA Tower room with sweeping views BROKER Everhart Studios LISTING PRICE $1,250,000

501 Fletcher Ave., Unit A BEDROOMS 3 BATHROOMS 3 SQUARE FOOTAGE 2,245 WINNING EXTRA Private porch BROKER F.C. Tucker LISTING PRICE $699,900

Unique homes, uniquely for you Find your one at Pemberton of Zionsville

Only Pemberton of Zionsville offers the unique quiet and privacy of a historic country estate and is still positioned just minutes from some of Zionsville’s best eateries, galleries, and activities.

EXCEPTIONAL CUSTOM HOMES FROM $1,000,000

317.660.4444 | encoresothebysrealty.com Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated.

Dublin, Ireland DISTANC E

3,700 miles FLY T I M E

8 hours

Dublin Calling RAISE A PINT TO OUR NEW NONSTOP ON AER LINGUS. BY R O B E RT A N N I S

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ing in a thick brogue and singing along to traditional Irish folk songs performed by older musicians. You can start at The Stag’s Head (stagshead.ie), an incredibly preserved Victorian pub.

If you have Irish ancestry, it may be fun to visit EPIC The Irish Emigration Center (epicchq.com), which showcases the history of Irish immigrants and their impacts on science, sports, and culture throughout the world. Its sister attraction, the Irish Family History Centre (epicchq.com/explore/irishfamily-history-centre), allows you to work with expert genealogists to uncover your Irish roots. With four months’ notice, the center can create a map of where your ancestors lived and worked, giving you the chance to follow in their footsteps.

If you have a free afternoon, DART rail gets you to the lovely coastal suburb of Howth in 45 minutes. A three-hour e-bike tour with Howth Adventures (shaneshowth adventures.com) takes you through town and up into the hills for views of the Irish Sea.

IF YOU GO PREPARE The Emerald Isle got that way because of rain. Pack a slicker and shoes with good grip.

STAY The 1800s

Buswells Hotel (buswells.ie) is near the National Museum of Ireland and full of period charm.

EAT The Cleaver East (cleavereast .ie) offers excellent refined versions of old pub favorites.

SKIP renting a car.

Nabbing a parking spot in Dublin requires the luck of the Irish.

Honor Columbus’ legendary son on June 7, CHUCK TAYLOR DAY . The basketball player and his All-Star shoe will be remembered with live music, food trucks, and themed entertainment. Check out the exhibit Hoops and Heritage: The Evolution of Basketball at the Bartholomew County Historical Society. 524 Third St., Columbus — C H R I S T I NA V E R C E L L E T T O

DUBLIN PHOTOS COURTESY FÁILTE IRELAND, TAYLOR PHOTO COURTESY BARTHOLOMEW COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY

DUBLI N is two distinct cities. The Irish capital has one foot in the past— TRAVELER celebrating literary giants like W.B. Yeats and Seamus Heaney, as well as the country’s overthrow of British rule— and the other firmly planted in a cosmopolitan future. Multiple languages are spoken in its neighborhoods full of new restaurants and shops that reflect changing times.

The Guinness Brewery straddles both worlds. At 266 years old, it’s the most popular attraction in Dublin today. Get tour tickets early (guinness-storehouse.com/en). If you roll craps on the tour, the nearby Guinness Open Gate Brewery remains first come, first served, serving test batches of rare brews, including a black IPA. If you prefer whiskey, the Guinness-owned Roe & Co. Distillery (roeandcowhiskey.com) also does tours. The farther you get from the tourist center, the more you’ll encounter pubs with unique character and local regulars convers-

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F I T B O DY. CA L M M I N D. Offering over 150 classes a week including Heated and Room Temp Vinyasa Yoga, Yin, Restorative, Pilates Reformer Sessions and group fitness classes. Off-site corporate and private group classes available.

Join us for Outdoor Yoga classes this summer at Holliday Park & Newfields. www.invokestudio.com

Two Locations:

Downtown - Invoke Studio 86th & Ditch - Invoke Wellness Center

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SWOON

Making a Splash Newly opened in Carmel, the latest outpost of St. Elmo spinoff 1933 Lounge declares itself a speakeasy—but Prohibition-era flappers and fellas never had it this good. Its vast dining room is dotted with low tables flanked by high-backed chairs covered in jungle cat tapestry, while a distinctive horseshoe bar topped with a giant lamp centers the room. It’s a scene straight from one of Steven Soderbergh’s Oceans films, all flattering light and luxe finishes by way of Minnesota-based Shea Design. This South African lobster tail offers an exciting plot twist beyond the menu’s reliable steaks and martinis, perfect for a cozy dinner with an A-lister or a simple planning meeting for your latest, most glamorous heist. 175 S. Rangeline Rd., Carmel, 317-751-1933, 1933lounge.com — E V E B AT E Y

P h o t o b y T O N Y VA L A I N I S

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PINCH OF WISDOM “Assemble a cocktail the way you would a great meal. Think of your spirits as the protein and build around that with freshsqueezed juices and syrups that, ideally, you make yourself.”

–Kendall Lockwood, co-founder Adult Spring Break Cocktails

( NEW I N TOWN )

Rising Talent

Dry Idea THE SOBRO COMMUNITY HAS EMBRACED BOOZE-FREE BOTTLE SHOP ORANGILY. BY E V E B AT E Y W H E N SIST E RS Andrea Simpson and Kristin Patrick opened Loren’s Alcohol-Free Beverages in 2022, the wave of adults seeking alternatives to booze was just starting to pick up. Three years later, “so many people are examining their relationship to alcohol,” Patrick says, and the sisters rebranded their Carmel bottle shop to Orangily to reflect that increased fluidity: “Some people are just looking for alternatives to a cocktail one night; others are giving it up completely. We want to be there for them and everyone in between.” A second shop newly opened in SoBro has been welcomed by that hardpartying part of town “like you wouldn’t believe,” she says. Some stop in for functional drinks, others seek out teas, while no-ABV facsimiles of traditional spirits draw the sober-curious in. With generous samples and a staff eager to answer questions, there’s an NA option for every need. 1051 E. 54th St., lorensaf.com

The Baker’s House brings handcrafted sourdough to Zionsville.

BORN AND RAISED in Zionsville, Allie Rijfkogel lived and worked on both coasts before coming back home a few years ago. This spring she made a new mark on her hometown, opening The Baker’s House with business and life partner Carl Ceresoli.

Every high-quality sourdough loaf at the shop feels like a unique creation, naturally fermented sourdough boules offered traditionally or in flavors like cinnamon swirl and rosemary garlic. Each is packaged with an eye to gift-giving in bags sealed with glistening gold tape.

“We want our bread to feel special enough to bring to a host of a special occasion,” Rijfkogel says, “the same way you might bring a lovely bottle of wine.”

365 S. Main St., Zionsville, 949-324-7314, bakershouse bread.com — E . B .

ON TREND Restaurant owners in New York and San Francisco say revolving THE FEED

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restaurants are the next big trend, with high-spinning spots set to open there in coming years. Get ahead of the curve at The Eagle’s Nest, spinning atop Indy’s Hyatt Regency since 1977. CLEANING UP The Sanitary Diner in Elevator Hill will be reborn as a location of LiftOff Creamery, opening date TBD. — E . B .

BREAD PHOTO COURTESY CARL CERESOLI. ORANGILY AND LOCKWOOD PHOTOS BY TONY VALAINIS

( CH EE RS )

Try these Ohio wineries this spring.

Heineman’s Winery Heineman Winery, now in its 5th generation, is Ohio’s oldest family-owned winery. Take a ferry trip to Put-in-Bay and enjoy a bottle of wine and a cheese plate in our beautiful wine garden. We are also home to Crystal Cave, the world’s largest Celestite geode! Tours daily, early May-end of September. Call the winery for more details.

978 Catawba Avenue Put-in-Bay, OH 43456 (419) 285-2811 heinemanswinery.com

Rhonemus Cellars Rhonemus Cellars, a destination winery on the grounds of The View Golf Club in Lancaster, Ohio, fuses the experiences of wine, food, and golf, offering a social hub for recreation and relaxation. This 8,000-square-foot working winery includes a contemporary tasting room, bar, lounge, event spaces, and Trillium Restaurant. With head winemaker Nova Cadamatre, the first U.S. female to earn the title Master of Wine, Rhonemus Cellars brings exceptional experiences and wines to Central Ohio.

1151 George Road NE Lancaster, Ohio 43130 (740) 785-9900 https://rhonemuscellars.com/

Visit us today! Order your free Ohio Wine Guide at (614) 728-6438

TASTE TEST

Sweet Somethings

CIRCLE CITY SWEETS

MACARON BAR

FILIGREE BAKERY

CAKE BAKE SHOP

With crisp shells sandwiching tender centers, these macarons (pictured above) fly off the shelves at markets and coffee shops. Can’t get enough? Sign up for a monthly baking class at The AMP at 16 Tech food hall and let chef-owner Cindy Hawkins teach you how to make your own. 1220 Waterway Blvd., 317-632-3644, circlecitysweets.com

This cute downtown shop specializes in ganache fillings, adding in toasted nuts, fruit purees, and infusions for a wallop of flavor. Top seasonal sellers include tangy key lime pie and fresh Strawberry Lemonade variations. 425 Massachusetts Ave., 317-7626443, macaron-bar.com

Pastry chef Laura Lachowecki rotates through a lineup of 25plus flavors at her Broad Ripple shop, keeping a half-dozen or so constant throughout the year. Creme brulee is the most popular option, with pistachio and Cookies ‘n’ Creme running close seconds. 6331 Carrollton Ave., filigreebakery.com

Gwendolyn Rogers reveals the secret to a good macaron—high-quality ingredients and lots of practice. Go big with the Marie Antoinette, two large hand-piped shells encasing pastry cream, jam, and fresh raspberries. Multiple locations, cakebakeshop.com

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PHOTO BY TONY VALAINIS

INDY BAKERS EXCEL AT MACARONS, THOSE BITE-SIZED FRENCH TREATS WITH SHATTERINGLY THIN SHELLS AND RICH FILLINGS WITH JUST THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF CHEW. HERE’S WHERE TO FIND SOME OF THE CITY’S BEST. BY E V E B AT E Y

Guiding Light A ONE-TIME DEATH DOULA OPENS HER FIRST RESTAURANT IN CARMEL.

“I DI DN’T declare I was opening a restaurant until four FOODIE years ago,” Goodness Gracious Kitchen & Cupboard owner Tobi Mares says. “I looked at spaces, but it was hard for me to say what I was doing. I was scared I didn’t have what it takes to run a restaurant. I couldn’t have any self-doubt.”

Mares was well aware of how challenging the business is: She worked as a restaurant server throughout college, eventually attaining a master’s degree in life coaching. When a close friend passed away, she found her calling as a death doula, working to support people as they reach the end of their life. “It’s just as important how you exit this world as how you enter it,” Mares says. “I provided that missing piece between hospice and the end.”

Along the way, she bought the URL for Goodness Gracious, launching a curated picnic basket business in 2018. “I overlapped my work in hospi-

tality and with my clients for several years,” Mares says. She made a full leap to restaurant ownership in 2024, opening her business in a vibrant pink building on Carmel’s bustling Rangeline Road.

It quickly became an area fixture, serving Midwest favorites like a fried bologna sandwich or an open-faced turkey and gravy for breakfast, lunch,

and brunch in a dining room decked out in bow-patterned wallpaper and studded with vintage finds. It’s a mix of old and new that reflects Mares’ eclectic experiences.

Even now, she mixes her old life with her new. Customers still ask for end-of-life care advice, so, “I’ll sit and give them my takeaways,” she says.

“I’m still weirdly doing the work.”

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FAVORITE THINGS (1) St. Elmo. “I used to commute

from Illinois to go, I love it that much.” (2) Bier Brewery & Taproom. “After us, my favorite burger.” (3) Midland Arts & Antiques Market. “It’s my therapy. I can go there and vanish.” (4) Crystals. “I always wear a piece of iron pyrite.”

(5) Caffè Buondì. “My breakfast go-to.”

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PHOTO BY SAM HIRT

BY B R I A N G A R R I D O

Carmel’s Hotel Carmichael welcomed 150 guests to Indianapolis Monthly’s newest dining event, Indulge, on April 10. Af ter kicking off the evening with welcome champagne, signature cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and live music, executive chef Chris Coor ts prepared a gourmet five-course dinner with wine pairings.

Many thanks to all the event par tners, sponsors, and attendees who made Indulge a success!

THANK YOU!

PRESENTED BY

SPONSORED BY

MACIZO

6335 Intech Commons Dr. 463-202-2853 macizorestaurant.com HOURS

Monday-Friday 11 a.m.-8 p.m.; Saturday 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

VIBE

New School Cantina TASTING NOTES

Bright Ideas THE CULINARY TRADITIONS OF PERU AND MEXICO COME TOGETHER AT THIS ONE-OF-A-KIND LATIN RESTAURANT. B Y T E R RY K I RT S MACIZO, W H ICH opened in an industrial park on Indy’s northwest side last REVIEW fall, defies superficial judgment. That’s by design, married owners Luz and Omar Gonza say. The couple, both veterans of the local food scene, long dreamed of opening their own place, with a plan to cook foods that make them happy. Luz, who hails from Arequipa, the colonial capital of Peru, and Omar, from León in the Central Mexico state of Guanajuato, decided a marriage of their hometown cuisines was the swiftest path to joy.

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In doing so, the couple rewrites the script for Latin restaurants. There are tacos, both chorizo and steak, but they’re dressed not with salsa but sarza criolla, a tangy, vinegarbrightened relish more common in South American—not Mexican—cuisines. There are tortas layered with carnitas or ham, avocado, and queso fresco, but they come on house-baked focaccia, not the typical bolillo rolls preferred at local taquerias. There’s ceviche, of a sort, made with sushi-grade tuna lavished with a blend of citrusy leche de tigre and ají amarillo, the creamy yellow pepper condiment that’s on just about every table in Peru. And just to keep customers

Fresh takes on Mexican, Peruvian, and New Latin dishes; cold brew drinks and wine cocktails; and classic baked goods such as housebaked sourdough and pound cake.

NEIGHBORHOOD

Intech Commons office park MUST-ORDER

Light and airy chicken tamales, lush and creamy Peruvian pasta huancaína with lomo saltado sauce, aromatic enchiladas mole and verdes, and sweet pear pound cake with ice cream and pistachios 3-STAR RATING

+++

Clockwise from left: Mexican meatballs in guajillo sauce; Luz and Omar Gonza; pound cake a la mode; Tiradito; Macizo’s colorful dining room; Torta de Carnitas and a bean salad side.

guessing, there’s pound cake as good as you’d find at any European bakery and loaves of crusty, San Francisco–style sourdough you can enjoy with your meal or take home for later.

Luz and Omar had been looking for the perfect spot to open Macizo since 2019 but struggled to find a landlord willing to work with two first-time restaurant owners. They eventually landed at a vacant catering spot in Intech Commons near West 71st Street, repairing the sagging ceiling and refurbishing a neglected bar to make the tucked-away spot a welcoming—if still minimal—place to dine.

But it’s also very cool. An avid music fan who was the lead singer for a Mexican ska band when he was barely 14, Omar is an enthusiastic collector of vintage CDs, and the soundtrack at Macizo leans toward Tarantino-esque throwback cuts and DJ tracks from artists like French record producer Wax Tailor.

While the bar is restricted to wine and beer for now, Omar’s creative pours include a strawberries-and-cream agua fresca, as well as homemade sangria and Funky Fresco made with a white wine– based milk punch, citrus, and fruit.

The spirit of experimentation is also evident in the food—for example, Omar has recently started mixing rice flour with nixtamalized corn to create

a uniquely light take on tamales, fluffy and bright with chicken and pickled red onions. His curiosity also led him to perfect that tangy, chewy sourdough, which shows up in several dishes. “The first batch I made was awful,” he says, “and I wanted to throw it out and stop.

Luz encouraged me to keep baking.”

Macizio’s enchiladas, made with either complex and fragrant mole or full-flavored salsa verde, are some of the freshest and most satisfying in the city, while an especially comforting bowl of sopa criolla is made with tender chunks of beef, potatoes, pasta, and a perfect

fried egg, all in a rich broth thickened with milk. A luxurious pasta huancaína with butter and parmesan cheese is served with a gravy-like lomo saltado sauce; steak or stewed beef are optional add-ons (both are excellent).

Be sure to sample the house-made salsa macha, a chili crisp-like table sauce that gets a hearty kick from both morita and árbol chiles. For dessert, opt for the pound cake with chunks of pear, vanilla ice cream, pear syrup, and a shower of crushed pistachios. It’s not from Peru or Mexico, but don’t think about leaving without trying a bite.

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PERFECT IN PURSUIT OF REAL REST, REAL NATURE, AND REAL DIRT, HERE’S OUR GUIDE TO CAMPING IN THE THICK OF IT ALL.

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Glamping was fun for a while. But consider this your summertime reminder that we are part of nature— minus the yurts and solar-powered chandeliers. In the spirit of respectfully appreciating Mother Nature, this roundup of campgrounds in Indiana and surrounding states provides quiet places to feel small, breathe deep, and spend the night outside. Just don’t forget to pack the good coffee.

GARDEN OF THE GODS EXPERIENCE WILDERNESS UNFILTERED AMID MILES OF BREATHTAKING HIKING AND BACKPACKING TRAILS. CAMPERS WHO prefer solitude and starry skies over s’mores

and hot showers are in their element in this section of the Shawnee National Forest’s 289,000 acres of raw wilderness along the southeastern edge of Illinois. The area is known for its weather-sculpted rock formations—sandstone spires with names like Camel Rock and Anvil Rock—as well as panoramic views of the hills and treetops. Once part of a vast inland sea, the otherworldly landscape is the result of 320 million years of geological drama.

While this gorgeously rugged area is home to plenty of campgrounds and RV parks, it also offers a rare opportunity to experience dispersed camping—basically pitching a tent off the grid. The land is crisscrossed with well-trodden hiking trails, including a section of the River to River Trail that stretches from the Ohio River to the Mississippi River. This style of trailside roughing it requires a lot of legwork. (But then, that’s the whole point.) So you will need to pack light, leave your car behind in one of the designated parking lots, and walk beyond the well-trodden path into the heart of the wilderness.

There are a few key restrictions for hike-in primitive camping. For example, campers must pitch their tents at least 150 feet from trails and water sources. They should avoid damaging any existing vegetation. And they should leave no trace. Cell service is spotty at best, and you will want to bring your own water. But this is a fully immersive experience worth every blister and missed text. No reservations. No fees. No neighbors. Just you and a natural wonder that lives up to its sacred-sounding name. 50 Hwy. 145 South, Harrisburg, Illinois, 618-253-7114

PACK IN : Binoculars for a closer look at the resident bald eagles, red-tailed hawks, and some 250 species of birds PACK OUT : A photo of the Shawnee Forest Bigfoot— actually a statue named Sassy the Sasquatch

BY

Rob Annis, Eve Batey, and Julia Spalding

PHOTO COURTESY SHAWNEE NATIONAL FOREST

PRIMITIVE SITES available YES • ELECTRICITY yes (not dispersed) • SHOWERS yes (not dispersed) • RESTROOMS yes (not dispersed) • OUTHOUSE NO • CAMP STORE NO • strong CELL SERVICE no • PET FRIENDLY YES • ALCOHOL ALLOWED NO

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After a long day outside, happy campers will likely be starving by suppertime. These local purveyors have what it takes to craft a fantastic meal in the open air.

Old Major Market’s Merguez, a North African sausage made with lamb, harissa, and fennel, is a subtly spicy link that pairs marvelously with a sweet relish. Drop the full length on the grill, then chop into portionsized pieces for serving once its casing is close to—but not quite—bursting. 4201 Millersville Rd., 317-983-1085, oldmajormarket.com

PITCH YOUR TENT IN A BOTANICAL WONDERLAND ALONG THE RUGGED LAKE MICHIGAN SHORELINE. DESPITE HAVING a smaller footprint than other national parks, Indiana

Dunes is considered the fourth-most biodiverse in the entire park system, making it well worth an activities-packed weekend camping trip. More than 1,000 different plant species can be found throughout the park’s bogs, forests, and beaches; prickly pear cacti and water-loving ferns may sit a few yards apart but exist in two totally different biospheres. Pinhook Bog boasts both carnivorous plants and more species of orchids than the entire state of Hawaii and can only be hiked on ranger-led tours. Meanwhile, the Paul H. Douglas Trail sits within one of the last black oak savannas left in the United States. In all, you can find more than 50 miles of trails covering all types of terrain. The adjoining state park has its own opportunities for outdoor fun, including the Three Dune Challenge. This 1.5-mile route takes visitors up and over three of the park’s tallest sand dunes, a combined 552 vertical feet. For added adventure, keep an eye out for any of the trail offshoots that take you down to the beaches and shorelines.

Open seasonally from April to October, the national park’s Dunewood Campground has 54 standard drive-in sites (four of which are wheelchair accessible), as well as 12 hike-in sites. The campground sits within a hardwood forest, offering plenty of privacy between sites. None of the sites offer electric or water hookups, but each of the two loops has modern restrooms and hot showers, and all sites have picnic tables and fire rings. 1100 N. Mineral Rd., Porter, Indiana, 219-395-1882 PACK IN Sandals PACK OUT A national parks passport and stamp for Indiana’s only

official national park PRIMITIVE SITES available YES • ELECTRICITY no • sHOWERS YES • RESTROOMS YES • OUTHOUSE NO • CAMP STORE NO • strong CELL SERVICE YES • PET FRIENDLY YES • ALCOHOL ALLOWED yes (But Prohibited in the state park) 44

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Smoking Goose’s Kitchen Sink Sausage, a whole hog (that’s heart, liver, belly, and shoulder) link, comes smoked and ready to eat. You just need to warm it up—skewering it on a stick and waving it over an open flame will suffice—then drop it into a bun. 407 Dorman St., 317638-6328, smokinggoose.com Crush the campsite chili game with the Mexican Chorizo from Turchetti’s Salumeria; just heat oil in a pan over the flame or grill, drop in onions and garlic and let them soften, then add a generous chunk of chorizo and cook it through. The sausage is so flavorful that all you need are tomatoes and beans, simmered as long as you’d like, to round things out. turchettis.com INDIANA DUNES PHOTO COURTESY INDIANA DNR

Indiana Dunes National Park

HOCKING HILLS STATE PARK OHIO’S MOST BREATHTAKING SCENERY PROVIDES A STUNNING BACKDROP FOR ANY CAMPSITE.

PHOTO COURTESY NPS / NELSON DECKER NPS / NELSON DECKER

OFTEN CALLED “Ohio’s Crown Jewel,”

Hocking Hills offers an abundance of gorgeous scenery, towering cliffs, deep gorges, and stunning waterfalls among the sights. Condé Nast Traveler even named it among its “50 Most Beautiful Places in America” earlier this year. The hikes here are typically short and sweet, making this a great park for families with small children or beginners looking to gain both experience and stamina. Old Man’s Cave Trail passes by waterfalls, sandstone cliffs, and its namesake cave in about 1.5 miles, while the slightly more difficult Cantwell Cliffs Trail packs a lot of natural splendor into a relatively short distance. If you’re looking for more challenging terrain, nearby Hocking State Forest offers nearly 60 miles of additional hiking trails, including some that connect to the state park. Be sure to check out the distant view from the fire tower.

The state park’s campground has more than 150 drive-in sites, all with picnic tables and fire rings and many with electrical service. A few hiking trails begin from the campground, so you can start enjoying nature after setting up camp. If you want a quieter experience, there’s a limited number of hike-in campsites as well. If you’re not able to get a campsite in the state park, you have multiple other options within a short drive.

If you’re overnighting in the park, be sure to look up. On a clear night, you can see billions of stars. For an even better look, head up to John Glenn Astronomy Park, where you can take a peek through a high-powered telescope or listen to volunteer astronomers give guided tours of the Milky Way. 19852 State Route 664 S, Logan, Ohio, 740-385-6842

Isle Royale National Park REMOTE, RUGGED, AND UNFORGETTABLE, ISLE ROYALE PROVES JUST HOW MAGICAL TRUE WILDERNESS CAN BE. THE LEAST -visited national park in the contiguous U.S. is also the most revisited. It may seem like a contradiction, but after you experience Michigan’s Isle Royale firsthand, you’ll understand. Getting there takes effort; you can only reach this remote island in Lake Superior by boat or plane. Once there, you’re surrounded by lush hardwood forest and a bevy of wildlife.

This is a park where it pays to be experienced and self-sufficient. The only way to traverse the island is via more than 160 miles of rugged backcountry hiking trails. You’re just as likely to see a moose on the trail as another hiker. With each step, it feels as if you’re walking further back into time. A small store near the visitor center sells a limited variety of food and drinks, so you should bring as many supplies as possible with you from the mainland. Most of the island has no cell service, and the deeper you go into the park, the less likely you are to see a ranger. You won’t have access to running water, so you’ll need to either filter or boil your drinking water.

Isle Royale offers 36 primitive campgrounds across the island, some with lake access. Campsites are first come, first served for individuals and groups of six or fewer, but you’ll need free permits, which you can obtain at the ranger stations.

Many sites come with a picnic table, and several have wooden shelters to help protect you from the chilly Lake Superior winds. 800 E. Lakeshore Dr., Houghton, Michigan, 906-482-0984

PACK IN Dehydrated meals and a long-handled spork PACK OUT Every scrap of trash

PRIMITIVE SITES available YES • ELECTRICITY NO • SHOWERS YES • RESTROOMS YES • OUTHOUSE YES • CAMP STORE YES • strong CELL SERVICE NO • PET FRIENDLY NO • ALCOHOL ALLOWED YES

PACK IN A headlamp with red light for night photography PACK OUT A bottle of wine from one of the nearby vineyards

PRIMITIVE SITES available YES • ELECTRICITY YES • SHOWERS YES • RESTROOMS YES • OUTHOUSE NO • CAMP STORE YES • strong CELL SERVICE NO • PET FRIENDLY YES • ALCOHOL ALLOWED YES JUNE 2025 | IM

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Night Vision The darkest skies put on a great show when you sleep under a blanket of stars.

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Mammoth Cave National Park GO UNDERGROUND, THEN ENJOY THE VIEW AT AN INTERNATIONAL DARK SKY PARK. LOCATED JUST a five-minute walk from the Mammoth Cave Visitor Center where guided cave tours depart throughout the day, Mammoth Cave Campground is as comfortable as it is no-frills. One of several campgrounds within the Central Kentucky park (recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site), this shady, wooded patch of land is exclusively and unapologetically primitive. That means you won’t find Wi-Fi or electric hookups among its 111 campsites for tents and RVs. But you will find peace, quiet, and easy access to the longest known cave system in the world.

Most campers spend their days adventuring through more than 400 miles of geological wonders—vast limestone and sandstone underground passageways, chambers, and twisting tunnels. (Pro tip: Book your tour in advance, especially during summer’s peak season. And practice proper cave etiquette by not touching the cave formations and staying on the designated pathways.) Above ground, visitors explore the park’s 14 miles of hiking and biking trails that wind through wooded landscapes and offer views of the Green River valley. Wildlife lovers will appreciate the regular visits from deer and turkeys at dawn and dusk, and paddlers can book a canoe or kayak trip down the scenic Green River.

When night falls, stargazers are in for a real treat as the sky becomes a massive canopy of so many stars that in 2021, the nonprofit NightSky International named it an International Dark Sky Park in recognition of its efforts to reduce light pollution and protect the beauty of the night sky. 2811 Mammoth Cave Parkway, Mammoth Cave, Kentucky, 720-758-2180

PACK IN Quarters for the coin-operated showers PACK OUT An art deco–style Mammoth Cave National Park travel poster sold in the gift shop

PRIMITIVE SITES available YES • ELECTRICITY NO • SHOWERS YES • RESTROOMS YES • OUTHOUSE NO • CAMP STORE YES • strong CELL SERVICE NO • PET FRIENDLY YES • ALCOHOL ALLOWED YES

PHOTOS COURTESY MAMMOTH CAVE NATIONAL PARK

The best way to catch a shooting star is while camping, says Butler University physics and astronomy professor Aarran Shaw. The Hoosier state is populous enough that even our most rural areas have enough light pollution to obscure our view of the heavens. When Shaw wants to peek at the skies in the great outdoors, he heads to Turkey Run State Park in Parke County, which boasts 213 campsites and is “really nice and dark.”

The park’s hiking trails are closed after 11 p.m., so Shaw suggests you grab a blanket and lay it out in a darkened area near your tent closer to 1 a.m. That’s when you’ll best see “this kind of fuzzy trail that goes across the whole sky,” also known as the Milky Way. “And in a particularly dark sky region, that looks really impressive.”

You can use a telescope to get a closer look, but Shaw prefers the naked eye. “The field of view of a telescope is so small compared to the amount of sky above,” he says. “It’s best to just go out there with a bottle of wine, lay down, and look up. You’ll be amazed by how much you can see in the dark.”

Best-Case Scenario A seasoned scout spills his must-pack secrets for surviving—and thriving—in the wild.

Cotton Balls Soaked in Rubbing Alcohol When it comes to firestarters, Tankersley’s favorite incendiary is lightweight and reliable, even in damp conditions.

Transport them in an empty pill bottle.

Hot Spark Fire Starter

ACCORDING TO Rob Tankersley, operations director for the Crossroads

of America Council of the Boy Scouts of America, the most important items you bring on a camping trip aren’t pictured in any quaint campfire vignette—they’re the tools that save your trip when things go wrong. “We all make mistakes, but there are a handful of items that I won’t go without,” says Tankersley. Here are some of his practical, hiking-boots–on-the-ground suggestions.

Jetboil Stove

Folding Saw

This compact, propanepowered device folds up to fit inside the pocket of a backpack. It sets up quicker than an early morning campfire and, paired with a French press, will head off any “coffee first” catastrophes.

Handy for processing firewood efficiently and safely.

Duct Tape

Permethrin-Treated Clothing

Unlike matches or lighters, this two-piece spark maker works in any conditions— wet, windy, or otherwise—as long as you have something to catch the flame.

A go-to short-term solution for tent rips or rain fly damage.

“They make patching kits for rain flies that are readily available at any good sporting goods store,” Tankersley says.

“But those are something you’re going to use after the fact at home.”

Tick Key

AllTrails App

Headlamp

This simple little tool the size of a house key helps remove embedded arachnids and reduces the risk of squeezing or leaving mouth parts behind. Just slip it between the skin and tick and pull gently but firmly.

The $36 annual subscription provides info such as trail conditions and photos, as well as GPS tracking and custom maps. It’s better than a compass—especially if you don’t know how to use a compass.

Essential if, heaven forbid, you need to pitch a tent after dark.

Either as a spray-on application or pretreated, this insecticide derived from chrysanthemum flowers helps repel and kill ticks, mosquitoes, and other biting insects.

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WARREN DUNES STATE PARK FLIP-FLOPS COME IN HANDY ON THIS INLAND SHORE VACATION.

PACK IN A beach wagon with all-terrain wheels PACK OUT Smooth, fossilized Petoskey stones

that wash up on the sand PRIMITIVE SITES available YES • ELECTRICITY YES • SHOWERS YES • RESTROOMS YES • OUTHOUSE NO • CAMP STORE YES • strong CELL SERVICE YES • PET FRIENDLY YES • ALCOHOL ALLOWED NO

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore A WILD STRETCH OF MICHIGAN SHORELINE DELIVERS THE ULTIMATE GREAT LAKES ESCAPE. THE PERFECT compromise for couples who can’t agree on heading to the woods or the beach for vacation, Michigan’s Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore has some of the Midwest’s most amazing scenery, both on and off the water. It’s no wonder it was named the “Most Beautiful Place in America” by Good Morning America viewers in 2011.

Start your visit by driving the 7.4-mile Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive. Stop at one of many picturesque vistas to admire the scenery or as a jumping off point to hike the trails. Not too far away you’ll find the 460-foot Dune Climb. It may not look huge from the parking lot, but it can be difficult as you slide slightly backward with every step up. But keep at it, and the reward is a gorgeous view of Glen Lake, particularly at sunset. Another option is to head to the Empire Bluff trailhead, where a 1.5-mile hike takes you to an epic viewpoint of Lake Michigan and South Manitou Island.

Be sure to book a campsite well in advance. Both the Platte River and D.H. Day campgrounds are some of the most soughtafter spots in Michigan. Located at the south end of the park, Platte River Campground has nearly 180 campsites, more than half of which offer electric hookups. It also has about 25 primitive hike-in sites. Although D.H. Day offers no electric hookups, it has easy access to both Lake Michigan and the dunes. 9922 Front St., Empire, Michigan, 231-326-4700

PACK IN A wide-brimmed hat and UV-protective clothing PACK OUT Pasties—flaky handpies filled with a mix of beef,

onion, potatoes, and rutabaga that are the official snack of northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula PRIMITIVE SITES available YES • ELECTRICITY YES • sHOWERS YES • RESTROOMS YES • OUTHOUSE YES • CAMP STORE NO • strong CELL SERVICE NO • PET FRIENDLY YES • ALCOHOL ALLOWED YES 48

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WARREN DUNES PHOTO COURTESY MICHIGAN DNR; SLEEPING BEAR PHOTO COURTESY NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

HURRY UP and pop your tent in one of the two campgrounds located inside this slice of summer Americana just over the Michigan state line. You should waste no time making your way to the beach on the other side of the park—a spectacular expanse of sand that stretches along 3 miles of pristine Lake Michigan shoreline. It’s a quick car trip from campsite to beach chair, with a big payoff once you round tree-covered Mount Fuller and catch sight of the azure waters stretching to the horizon, evoking a coastal feel that is as unexpected as it is breathtaking. And the water is fine, reaching the mid-70s in the height of summer.

Once you’ve had your fill of sandcastle-building, stand-up paddleboarding, and frolicking on the connected dog beach, you can head back to civilization (or, at least, some semblance thereof). The park’s Mount Randall Modern Campground has 185 spots in both the shade and sun, with electrical outlets, restrooms, private showers, and plenty of room to spread out. You will likely find yourself in the shadow of a monstrous RV one slip over unless you score one of the campsite’s coveted secluded spots, such as the corner spaces 124 and 127. The dogwalkers say hello on their morning constitutionals.

Kids cruise by on their scooters, maybe on their way to the camp store to buy ice cream. The more isolated northern Hilldebrandt Semi-Modern Campground is a loop of 37 smaller primitive spots ideal for rugged tent campers who simply want to empty the sand out of their shoes at the end of the day and relax beside a crackling campfire as the summer sun melts into the dunes. 12032 Red Arrow Highway, Sawyer, Michigan; 269-426-4013

Yellowwood State Forest ESCAPE THE BUSTLE OF BROWN COUNTY WITH A QUIET, BACK-TO-BASICS RETREAT. IMAGINE AN Indiana park as postcard-perfect as Brown County but

SANDY SPRINGS CAMPGROUND

PHOTO COURTESY SANDY SPRINGS; YELLOWWOOD PHOTOS COURTESY INDIANA DNR

A FAMILY-RUN PROPERTY PROVIDES A FRONTROW SEAT TO RIVER VIEWS AND BIG SKIES. IN 2018, Julie and Darcy Wangler moved from North Dakota to Southern Ohio after buying a fixer-upper campground that was on the brink of closure. Julie had owned a reflexology business and worked in hospitality, while Darcy came from a family farming background. But they saw enough potential in the property—spectacularly situated along a dramatic bend in the Ohio River and at the base of the Appalachian foothills—that they took a leap of faith.

Sandy Springs Campground did not disappoint. Over the past seven years, the couple has steadily upgraded the grounds, adding private heated shower rooms, expanding the playground, and introducing unique lodging options such as riverside cabins with outdoor soaking tubs and a houseboat on land. Today, it’s a family-friendly retreat with 40 full hookup sites to accommodate both RV and tent campers—who often spend their days hiking nearby trails (including the popular 3.3-mile Rock Run loop), playing mini golf, and browsing the antique shops in Portsmouth, Ohio.

But Sandy Springs’ biggest draw is its riverfront view. Campers love to settle into their lawn chairs along the banks and watch the water traffic drift by—a lazy parade of everything from tugboats and barges to the occasional steamboat and even a lone sandbox Tuggy that probably got swept up in the current. “We’re right on the river, looking across at Kentucky,” Julie says. “It’s just kind of entertaining to sit back and watch whatever floats by.” Equally captivating are the spectacular nighttime views of the stars. “We came from North Dakota where there’s big skies, and in our campground, that’s what we have. At night, it’s just beautiful.” 27719 U.S. Highway 52, Stout, Ohio, 701-640-7858

with only a fraction of the visitors. Most of them come to hike the multitude of trails that accommodate every skill level. Signs along the 1.5-mile Jackson Creek Trail identify the different tree and plant species, making it a great walk for families with small kids. Both the High King and Lake trails offer beautiful views but sometimes confusing trail markings. So be sure to download maps from AllTrails or a similar app before you head out. For an even more adventurous experience, you can hike the 42-mile Tecumseh Trail that traverses the park and traces through easements on public land.

Three of the lakes inside the park were created by the Civilian Conservation Corps and Works Progress Administration during the Great Depression, while volunteers built the rugged Crooked Creek mountain bike trail that runs through the park and connects to nearby Brown County State Park.

Register for camping on-site at the forest office. While there, you can also buy ice and firewood. All other items you’ll need to bring with you. The park’s 80 campsites are first come, first served. You’ll find vault toilets and spigots for drinking water but no showers. Sites are fairly well spread out and quiet. Dispersed camping is allowed along the trail on public property. 772 Yellowwood Lake Rd., Nashville, Indiana, 812-988-7945

PACK IN A handsaw for breaking down any dead branches on the ground to use as firewood PACK OUT Knowledge of Hoosier state native trees

PRIMITIVE SITES available YES • ELECTRICITY NO • SHOWERS NO • RESTROOMS NO • OUTHOUSE YES • CAMP STORE NO • strong CELL SERVICE NO • PET FRIENDLY YES • ALCOHOL ALLOWED YES

PACK IN Groceries (the nearest store is 20 miles up the Ohio River Scenic Byway) PACK OUT One of the many Ohio River ghost stories told around the campfire

PRIMITIVE SITES available NO • ELECTRICITY YES • SHOWERS YES • RESTROOMS YES • OUTHOUSE NO • CAMP STORE NO • strong CELL SERVICE YES • PET FRIENDLY YES • ALCOHOL ALLOWED YES JUNE 2025 | IM

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w

H E N H U N T E R VAL E

BY EVE BATEY ∙ PHOTOS BY JAY GOLDZ

Hunter Vale, the founder of Queer Circle City, has built an influential online platform that marries eye-catching graphics, news archives, and activism to share the rich history of Indy’s LGBTQIA+ communities. It’s a calling that’s grown harder in Indiana’s current political climate, but Vale is more than ready for the fight ahead.

tells people about his upbringing in a deeply conservative and ultra-religious Hoosier community, people’s reactions are alarmingly similar. “Everyone says, ‘Oh, you must have so much trauma.’” But the founder of historical archive and educational tool Queer Circle City is delighted to upend those expectations—and many others, as it turns out. “I hate saying this because I feel bad in a way, but I had a great and happy childhood,” Vale says. “There are a lot of gay people with downright horrific stories about growing up in a place like Indiana. But I’m not one of them.”

In fact, the Mass Ave resident radiates joy and positivity, even in these troubling times for Hoosier residents in the LGBTQIA+ communities. “Every civil rights fight has its ebbs and flows,” Vale says. “We’re in an ebb right now, and they’re trying to erase us. But we’re not going to let them.”

Now 31, Hunter was born in Seattle, Washington, but his family moved to Anderson, Indiana, when he was very young. At the time, his minister father, Richard (who goes by Rick), was a rising star in the Church of God, which is headquartered in the city. His mother, Karen, landed a job adjacent to Rick’s ministry as the personal assistant to one of the church’s most famous members, Sandi Patty.

“Someone at the church approached my mom and said, ‘There’s this singer at the church. She’s a Christian singer and she’s looking for a personal assistant. My mom’s always been a jackof-all-trades. She can adapt

to do any kind of job, so she said, ‘Sure, introduce us,’ even though she hadn’t ever worked as a personal assistant, especially for someone famous.” Karen worked with Patty for over a decade, Vale says.

Between his dad’s job as a Church of God pastor and his mom’s work with Patty, “my childhood really was enmeshed in the church,” Vale says. “I know there’s a lot of emotion around that for many gay people who grew up in evangelical religions, but I always really had a good experience.”

This might be surprising to people who know the Church of God mainly for its emphasis on how women dress, a set of rules it’s relaxed in recent decades.

But many still remember when female parishioners were discouraged from wearing pants, jewelry, or makeup; they were also told not to cut their hair or don “worldly fashions.”

That said, the church also has progressive roots in certain social areas, encouraging pacifism and discouraging church members from joining any war efforts until World War II. Similarly, church founders preached racial equity from its founding in the 1880s, arguing that true sanctification wasn’t possible without the elimination of racial prejudice.

“I really don’t have any bad memories of any of that time, especially in the evangelical kind of realm,” Vale says.

“And then traveling with Sandi, you know, she’s the most awarded gospel singer of all time. And my mom was right in the center of it.”

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one of her albums, crediting her for “introducing her to per diem shoes.” In a 2003 news article in the Spartanburg Herald-Journal, Karen explained, “We get ‘per diem,’ which is money that we are given to use on the road for food. I choose to use mine for shoes. Per diem shoes must fit within the amount you are given, they are not sensible, and they just must be very fun.”

(When I showed that interview to Vale in the days following our conversation, he was floored. “This is hilarious,” he said, explaining that to this day, his mother’s email address also includes a reference to “per diem shoes.” “I just can’t believe that is in print, because that is so my mom.”)

In 2005, Rick told Karen that he was gay. “And that changed things for us in the community but not for our family. Not really.”

“It didn’t?” I ask skeptically. Like Vale, I’m from a small Indiana town that’s strongly infused with religion and wasn’t kind to folks who even seemed like they might be gay. If you’re my age (I was born in 1971), you might have memories like this, too.

But Vale was born in 1993.

For context, that’s a year after RuPaul’s “Supermodel (You Better Work)” topped the U.S. charts. Now, I’m not saying that three-decadeold bop changed the face of the nation. But according to a 2020 research project by consumer goods monolith Procter & Gamble Co., nonLGBTQIA+ Americans are significantly more inclined to accept members of those communities if they see them portrayed in highvisibility outlets such as TV, music, and social media.

So unlike those of prior generations, Vale has always lived in a world with prominent drag queens; by the time 52

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he was ready for kindergarten, Ellen DeGeneres’ Ellen character, Ellen Morgan, had come out during prime time on ABC. He doesn’t mention either of those pop culture moments when we speak, but I wonder as I’m talking to him if his father would have been as free to live his truth without these visible, mainstream figures. Or if his family’s transition from the type

this day that will cross the street so they don’t have to see him. So that aspect of it was definitely hard, but my whole family was also saying, ‘Those people are not right. Those aren’t Christian values.’ Again, I know I’m a rarity, but this was actually a positive, formative time for me,” Vale says.

(Rick has since returned to the ministry under another

“I’m

REALLY A

STORYTELLER. I’M JUST

FASCINATED BY PEOPLE AND HISTORY, AND I WANT TO MAKE THAT ACCESSIBLE FOR THE CURRENT GENERATION,

THE NEXT GENERATION, EVEN THE GENERATION BEFORE US, SO THEY CAN REALLY HAVE THAT UNDERSTANDING OF HISTORY TO GO FORWARD.”

of unit the Church of God traditionally finds acceptable to something new and more openhearted would have gone as smoothly.

“My mom’s one of eight kids, and her whole family is very accepting. So were all the close family friends around us. But in the external community it was different. He worked at Anderson University, and he was a pastor of a church, but when he came out, he was fired from all of his jobs.”

“It split the church in half.

Half would talk to him, and half would never talk to him again. There are people to

denomination and is now the pastor of Anderson’s Central Christian Church.)

“I don’t even have a recollection of our family separating, because we were still always together. That nuclear family still existed and really had no issues,” Vale says.

When Rick came out, Hunter already knew he was gay, too. “I always knew.

Definitely by the time I was 2 years old. I never, ever even considered that I wasn’t.” But even so, he kept that part of himself quiet for a time.

But when he was 12, he gathered the nerve to tell his

parents, “And my mother— she’s always been my best friend—said, ‘Was there anything else?’” Vale laughs at the memory. “I wasn’t offended, but it was very much, ‘Uh, yeah, we were aware of that.’”

“I’ve been fortunate to have been put into a family that didn’t really even give it a second thought,” Vale says. “I don’t take that for granted.”

And, once again, it certainly helps that the tide of visibility ushered in by RuPaul and DeGeneres continued to rise, and national acceptance with it.

FAMILY PHOTO COURTESY HUNTER VALE

Vale graduated from high school in 2015, and just a few weeks later the U.S. Supreme Court issued its decision on Obergefell v. Hodges, establishing the right to marriage equality for same-sex couples. Meanwhile, Vale was working at the Noblesville location of Houlihan’s, where he was exposed to a broader swath of beliefs and politics than any time before.

“It’s Obama’s second term, marriage equality was on the table, and Eric Garner, Michael Brown, and Freddie Gray [all Black men who were killed by police officers] were in the news, gay marriage was coming, and we

were at war in Afghanistan.”

Then, 10 days before marriage for all became the law of the land, a reality TV star and real estate mogul named Donald Trump announced that he was running for president of the United States, descending from his tower on a golden escalator.

“When you work in a restaurant, you can have a lot of downtime where all you can do is talk. I was working with a very diverse group of people—some were liberal, some conservative, and everyone wanted to talk philosophically about the news.”

The vigorous and respectful debates he witnessed and

engaged in at work ignited his interest in politics. Vale enrolled at the school then known as IUPUI, majoring in political science. While there, he got an internship with the Indiana Senate, parlayed that into a job with a lobbying firm, then joined former U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly’s final campaign as a research assistant. Donnelly, a Democrat, lost his bid for reelection in 2018 to Republican Mike Braun, who has since been elected as Indiana’s governor.

Donnelly’s loss sent Vale back to the Indiana Statehouse, where he was a legislative assistant at the

House of Representatives. “I was just so interested in policy.

Everybody was always talking about how the governor’s office doesn’t do this, or the statehouse doesn’t do that. I knew I needed to enter the world instead of just being mad at it from the outside.”

All the while, the political divisions between the two parties were growing at an epic rate, especially in places like Indiana. “After Trump, job prospects for a Democrat in Indiana politics got very, very low. You’re never going to work in the governor’s office because no Democrat is winning that in Indiana anytime soon. And you can’t be a lobbyist because Republicans won’t even talk to you anymore.” The exchange of ideas and healthy discussion that Vale so appreciated at Houlihan’s was nowhere to be found at 200 W. Washington St. “I didn’t want to move to

WE ARE FAMILY “My parents are my best friends,” Vale says. In the photo above, parents Karen (left) and Rick (right) Vale pose with sons Hunter (left) and Cameron (right) Vale.

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THE FIRST “Gay Pride Week” was held in Indianapolis in 1976, a picnic at Sugar Creek Park followed by workshops with names like “Do I Tell My Parents?”

In the five decades since, it’s grown to a larger and more inclusive family-friendly weekend, held this year on June 14 and 15. As Pride celebrations around the world have increased in scale, big brands and businesses have hopped aboard the rainbow-colored bandwagon, seeing the potential profitability in performative allyship.

That changed in 2025, when the country’s elected leaders began opposing equal rights for all members of LGBTQIA+ communities.

Suddenly, high-profile sponsors backed away from events such as Pride that support systemically and historically marginalized communities—and Vale suspects many local Indiana businesses will follow.

“I’m definitely watching to see who supported Pride last year and is quiet this year,” he says. “Everyone else should look around, too. What companies are still sending people to march this year? What restaurants are still offering drink specials or doing Instagram posts from the parade?”

Some local businesses are already stepping up, with spots like Baby’s (2147 N. Talbott St.), Hotel Tango (702 Virginia Ave.), and HandleBar Hangar (501 Madison Ave.) hosting Pride-themed events and offering specials in June. “This is everyone’s chance to make their allegiances known,” Vale says.

“I believe in our Indy community. We’ve got plenty of good people who’ll speak up.”

OUR RAINBOW CITY Program from Indianapolis Pride 1995 (left), drag queen Leslie Ryan walking in the 1995 Pride parade (right).

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them. But what’s the point of having a poster from 1972 for the Gay Liberation Front in Indianapolis—three years after Stonewall—to just have it in your closet, and not talk about it, and not share it with the general public?”

So he started the Queer Circle City Instagram account (@queercirclecity), with the idea that he’d spread this historic information in an accessible, quickly shareable way.

“Instagram was just like, everyone’s on it, everyone’s interested in it, and it’s easy,” Vale says. As the account’s following grew, more people reached out to Vale to share details and information they remember from gay Indy’s earliest days, giving him more leads to chase with his politically honed research skills.

“I’m not a historian because I’m not traditionally trained,” Vale says. “I’m really a storyteller. I’m just fascinated by people and history, and I want to make that accessible for the current generation, the next generation, even the generation before us, so they can really have that understanding of history to go forward.” That includes posts describing the glory days of downtown gay nightlife, as well as explainers on the local impact of the HIV and AIDS crisis and the disappearances linked to Herb Baumeister, now colloquially known as the Fox Hollow Farm killer.

In recent months, Vale has also brought present-day information into the mix.

The tide of acceptance that started rising around the time Vale was born came crashing down toward the end of 2024, giving him a new sense of urgency. Sure, RuPaul is still working—but when he’s on a network show, he’s more frequently seen in male drag.

Influential companies like

PROGRAM COURTESY HUNTER VALE. RYAN PHOTO COURTESY ALEXANDRA CURRY

d u o r p & d lou

D.C. or Chicago, because this is my home. But I hit a threshold financially and professionally—and, honestly, satisfaction-wise. A friend said, ‘Well, if you want to level up, you should go back to restaurants, because the management experience you get there will transfer to any job.’ So I left politics, and I went to work for Martha Hoover.”

Hoover might be one of the Midwest’s most recognizable icons, the founder of restaurant group Won’t Stop Hospitality, which oversees Cafe Patachou and its spinoff brands; she also founded the anti-food-insecurity nonprofit The Patachou Foundation.

“Martha is extremely successful for a reason,” Vale says. “To learn under her and the leadership team she created transformed how I work with people.”

In the middle of Vale’s tenure at Patachou, the pandemic shut a lot of the operation down. “I had a lot of free time, and, like a lot of people, I was talking to my parents a lot more. My dad had remarried, and my stepdad grew up in Irvington, went to Butler, and had been out for many, many decades. They’d come down to visit, and he’d point out buildings downtown and note which were gay bars he remembered from the 1980s and ’90s. And I had all this research experience from the Donnelly campaign …”

Through his stepfather, Vale began connecting with older community members.

“And then they would start giving me magazines or newspapers,” such as The Works and The New Works News, two of the earliest publications geared toward gay Indy residents. “I started collecting everything I could find, even posters, and fliers, and matchbooks, and then I’d catalog everything, taking photos and preserving

Salesforce, which pushed back against former governor Mike Pence’s proposed 2015 legislation to allow discrimination against gay people so aggressively that Apple, Yelp, NASCAR, and General Electric joined the protest, now remains silent as current governor Braun speaks out against equal rights for all. Even Indiana Democrats are attacking those communities, with Reps. Wendy Dant Chesser, Ed DeLaney, Chuck Moseley, and Tanya Pfaff and Sens. David Niezgodski, Rodney Pol, Lonnie Randolph, and Greg Taylor recently voting in favor of laws that strip trans women of rights. That about-face has prompted Vale to start “sharing as much information as I can to support this very small population [less than one percent of the worldwide population is transgender] that is under attack from all sides right now.”

“I was born into a place of queer privilege,” Vale says, sounding a great deal like a sermonizing pastor, himself.

“I’m white, and I come from a very loving middle-class family. You can’t just sit on that privilege. That privilege means you have to do something when you see

THE FUTURE PAST Vale inside Almost Famous, an inclusive Mass Ave coffee shop and bar in Indy’s one-time center of queer culture.

injustice.”

That means he’s also started leading in-person gay history discussions at places like 16th Street’s Dream Palace Books and the Carmel Clay Public Library.

“Hunter’s presentations have

“I’M WHITE, AND I COME FROM A VERY LOVING MIDDLE-CLASS FAMILY. YOU CAN’T JUST SIT ON THAT PRIVILEGE. THAT PRIVILEGE MEANS YOU HAVE TO DO SOMETHING WHEN YOU SEE INJUSTICE.”

been so special—sometimes bringing me to tears,” Dream Palace co-owner Taylor Lewandowski says. “He tries his best to save and preserve a history that is so easily erased.”

It’s that threat of erasure that seems to drive Vale the most. In a time when officials are removing mention of historically and systemically marginalized people from governmental websites and politicians are pulling curriculum that acknowledges lesbian, gay, nonbinary, and trans identity from schools, Vale says, “It isn’t just that they are trying to erase our identity. What they’re really saying is, ‘We don’t believe that you’re gay. We don’t believe you’re lesbian, transgender, bisexual, queer, asexual. We don’t believe that exists.’ They’re not trying to deny who we are—they’re truly trying to convince the world that we

aren’t real.”

So by collecting and sharing ephemera from Indy’s gay past, Vale believes he just might be able to ensure its future. And if that Procter & Gamble research project is right, he could even start rebuilding some of the acceptance LGBTQIA+ communities have lost since Donald Trump began his second presidential term.

“Now more than ever, we need to get involved, and stay involved, and protect our most vulnerable,” Vale says. “There are actually more avenues than ever to do that, and one of the easiest is just to keep gay and trans people visible and in the light. Remind those people who said, ‘Hey, my cousin’s gay!’ in 2015 that they need to stand up for someone else’s cousin now. Remind everyone that we have always been here, and we’re never, ever going away.”

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n ex t d oo r

THE LANDMARK ARCHITECTURAL LEGACY

Joan Hostetler and John Harris relax on the porch of their Vonnegut & Bohn duplex in Cottage Home.

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BY JULIA SPALDING | PHOTOS BY TONY VALAINIS MANY OF THE ARCHITECTS BEHIND INDY’S MOST IMPRESSIVE STRUCTURES ALSO DESIGNED LOCAL HOMES. HERE’S WHERE TO FIND THEIR SIGNATURE WORK AT STREET LEVEL. JUNE 2025 | IM

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city blueprints

AN ATOMIC-AGE RELIC. A ROW OF DUPLEXES LISTED ON THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES. A CLASSIC TUDOR GEM. A MARVEL OF ART NOUVEAU DESIGN. THEY MIGHT HAVE BEEN CONCEIVED BY SOME OF THE GREATEST ARCHITECTS IN OUR CITY’S HISTORY, BUT THESE HOMES ARE LOVED—AND LIVED IN—

BY EVERYDAY RESIDENTS WHO INVITED US IN AND DESCRIBED WHAT IT’S LIKE TO LIVE IN A HOME OF SUCH UNDERSTATED IMPORTANCE, WHERE EVERY CORNER TELLS A STORY.

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VONNEGUT & BOHN

DOUBLE VISION A row of duplexes built by the late1800s firm Vonnegut & Bohn has a long history of resilience.

WHEN JOE RAY and his wife, Kacy, spotted a “For Sale” sign a few doors down from their Cottage Home new-build a few years ago, they saw a rare opportunity to move into an architectural time capsule—one of five Vonnegut & Bohn doubles that date back to 1888 and are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Designed by the powerhouse architecture firm led by Bernard Vonnegut Sr. (grandfather of writer Kurt Vonnegut) and Arthur Bohn, the homes were built as working-class rental properties for grocer Frederick Ruskaup. In contrast to Ruskaup’s own stately Vonnegut & Bohn limestone mansion across the street, the duplexes are quietly elegant, their facades decorated with charming gables and spindlework. “When we lived down the street, I always had front-porch envy of all the Vonnegut doubles,” Joe says.

The partially renovated house the Rays purchased needed a rescue mission. For that, the couple worked with Graydon Renovations, a local construction company that specializes in historic homes.

Today, the house stands beautifully restored, a single-family two story with a majestic

DAS DEUTSCHE HAUS, LATER NAMED THE ATHENAEUM—VONNEGUT & BOHN’S FIRST MAJOR COMMISSION AND A NOD TO THE ARCHITECTS’ GERMAN HERITAGE

double staircase, fully functioning wavyglass windows, period-appropriate hardware, and (bonus!) a noted Indianapolis historian and photo archivist living right next door.

Joan Hostetler serves as director of The Indiana Album, a nonprofit dedicated to preserving and sharing the state’s visual history. She and husband John Harris, a museum professional who has worked with the Indiana Historical Society, moved into their Vonnegut & Bohn double in 1999. One of the rooms serves as Hostetler’s home office where she does much of her research, including quite a bit of historical digging for information about her own neighborhood. “To me, it’s sort of like detective work,” she says.

Hostetler once interviewed an Indianapolis old-timer who mentioned a turn-of-the-century fire that devastated this entire block. “I was a little skeptical,” Hostetler says. “But I went in the fire records and found that two years after these doubles were built, they burned to the ground. The house to our north survived the fire, half of our house burned, and the other three doubles south of us were a total loss.” Even more remarkably, Hostetler found that Ruskaup immediately brought Vonnegut & Bohn back on to rebuild the incinerated doubles— proof that the current residents of these Cottage Home gems aren’t the first to recognize they are worth saving.

HERRON SCHOOL OF ART + DESIGN, VONNEGUT & BOHN’S THREE-STORY NEOCLASSICAL BUILDING THAT OPENED IN 1907

THE FIRM’S ELABORATELY VICTORIAN SCHNULL-RAUCH HOUSE, AN EARLY MERIDIAN STREET MANSION, NOW KNOWN AS THE MANOR AT THE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF INDIANAPOLIS

ALL IN A ROW

The Rays’ family home is one of the rare surviving doubles designed in the late 1800s by Vonnegut & Bohn.

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city blueprints

EDWARD PIERRE

STREETS OF STYLE

EDWARD PIERRE’S BRICK AND TERRA-COTTA CLINEHENS BUILDING AT 54TH STREET AND COLLEGE AVENUE, NOW HOME TO THE JAZZ KITCHEN AND YATS

Edward Pierre designed some of Midtown’s most spectacular homes.

A century later, his granddaughter is keeping his legacy alive.

AMONG Meridian-Kessler’s leafy grid of

streets featuring one architectural gem after the other, the imprint of a civicminded architect named Edward Pierre is unmistakable. During the 1920s, ’30s, and ’40s, he designed scores of homes in Midtown—by some estimates, at least one house per block between 38th and 62nd streets—in his signature eclectic style blending elements of Tudor, art deco, colonial revival, and prairie into grand but livable spaces. Pierre’s arched entries, steep gables, and leaded-glass windows helped shape the look of the city’s most beloved streetscapes.

At 5654 N. Delaware St. (above), family doctor Jason Lee is only the third owner of his 1928 Pierre-designed home. “I used to walk by it as a kid and think it looked like a castle,” Lee says. Now raising the fifth generation of his family in Meridian-Kessler, Lee appreciates the home’s graceful proportions, light-filled formal rooms, and leaded glass windows.

“There’s a sense of elegance to how the rooms open into one another,” he says, “and you just don’t see that kind of natural light in homes from that era.”

A few blocks away, the sleekly curved art moderne residence at 5601 Washington Blvd. (right) is a bit of a celebrity (as owner Don Altemeyer pointed out, this is the fifth time Indianapolis Monthly has included his rare residential time capsule in its pages). The home is captivating, not only because of its sweeping limestone curves, flat roofline, and sexy horizontal flow, but also because it is Pierre’s boldest departure from his signature brick Tudors. Commissioned in 1938 by jeweler Adolph Blickman and his wife Fanny, it

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features glass pocket doors, an oval dining room, and some original decor.

Pierre’s granddaughter, writer Lisa Hendrickson, finds the home especially fascinating. While researching for an upcoming coffee table book featuring her grandfather’s work, she interviewed the original owner’s son, Sol Blickman, before he died in 2006. In high school when the home was built, he shared stories about the building process— including the fact that the house’s original footprint was too big for the lot. “So they bought 15 feet from the neighbor’s lot,” Hendrickson says. “Because they wanted the house to have, as Sol Blickman called it, ‘a very graceful curve.’”

OXFORD GABLES APARTMENTS AT 3815 WASHINGTON BLVD., WHICH PIERRE BUILT IN 1925 AS LUXURY RESIDENCES

A MIDTOWN LANDMARK THAT HAS BEEN A 7-ELEVEN, DOUBLE 8 FOODS, NEXT DOOR EATERY, AND GALLERY PASTRY SHOP SINCE PIERRE’S ORIGINAL KROGER DESIGN

city blueprints

HARRY COOLER

BACK TO THE FUTURE Midcentury modern magic strikes again in a northside home designed by a protégé of Frank Lloyd Wright.

THE 2,100-SQUARE-FOOT midcentury

modern home in Sylvan Estates had seen better days when Todd Eads purchased it in 2015. Originally built as the centerpiece for the 1961 Indiana Home Show, the three-bedroom marvel of limestone and rare pecky cypress was disassembled after its state fairground run and carefully reconstructed like a modernist puzzle on its current lot.

Indianapolis architect Harry Cooler, who studied under Frank Lloyd Wright, designed the home utilizing the classic clean lines and open concept aesthetic of the organic architecture movement.

Cooler’s work saw a spike of interest a few years ago when one of his projects in Greenwood, the stunning Mills House, was restored to its original glory. But as with that iconic residence and so many other homes from the era of flat roofs and stark minimalism, Eads’ home was extensively remodeled over the years without regard for the original design.

Yet, he loved it from the moment he stepped inside. “I could just tell it had a lot of potential,” says Eads, who is the regional vice president of leasing at Simon Property Group.

Sure enough, he started peeling away the layers of “upgrades” to find pristine details such as eight-panel solid wood entry doors with clerestory glass panels that were covered up by an aluminum door and clouded glass. Underneath carpet, he uncovered limestone and hardwood floors. Luckily, very little of Cooler’s original work was discarded. It was just a matter of unburying his treasures.

Eads even managed to return this show home—one of Westinghouse’s futuristic Gold Star Medallion all-electric residences—to the spotlight. In 2018, it was included in an Indiana Landmarks tour of midcentury modern homes.

THE ADMINISTRATION BUILDING AT THE FORMER INDIANAPOLIS AIRPORT TERMINAL THAT COOLER DESIGNED WITH A STRIKING FLAT ZIGZAG ROOF

COOLER’S GLASS-FRONTED, PEAK-ROOFED 1957 PROTOTYPE FOR THE FIRST BURGER CHEF ON WEST 16TH STREET

THE MILLS HOUSE, NOW THE HARRY COOLER CONFERENCE CENTER, COMMISSIONED BY ERNIE AND EDITH MILLS OF MONARCH CABINETRY IN 1955

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i TAKE THE PLUNGE ˇ˛˘ ʿʠ˦˛˔ˣ˘˗ ˖ˢˡЃ˚˨˥˔˧˜ˢˡ ˢ˙ ˦˧˘ˣ˦ ˟˘˔˗˜ˡ˚ into the pool allows for gradual immersion and provides places to sit in the water.

MY BLUE HEAVEN i

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GEOMETRY CLASS h

The staggered stone pathway leading up to the house plays off the geometric shapes on the front facade of the exterior.

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Surfaces of stone, wood, and metal combine and complement each other at the entry.

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Photos by WayUp Media

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GATHERING SPOT i

Family and friends can cozy ˨ˣ ˧ˢ˚˘˧˛˘˥ ˜ˡ ˙˥ˢˡ˧ ˢ˙ ˧˛˘ Ѓ ˥˘ˣ˟˔˖˘ to watch a game or movie.

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An illuminated stepping path bridges the gap between the raised hot tub and the swimming pool, allowing the family easy access back and forth.

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g VIEW FROM ABOVE

A turf-covered upper balcony overlooks the backyard, providing views of the pool by McGhee Pools and surrounding deck below.

FLEXIBLE SPACES h

The home’s interior connects with the outdoor kitchen and TV area, which can be closed off from the pool area with retractable panels from Phantom Screens.

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g ALL AGLOW ˊ˜˧˛ ˧˛˥˘˘ Ѓ˥˘ˣ˜˧˦ ˔ˡ˗ ˟˜˚˛˧ing installed on the stone stairways, as well as landscape and pool lighting, the backyard glows up in the evening hours.

GARDEN VARIETY h

Stone surfaces from Architectural Brick & Tile are complemented by lush plantings in the adjacent built-in planter boxes.

g PRIVATE CHAT ROOM

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SOOTHING SOUNDS h

A natural waterfall that appears to Єˢ˪ ˜ˡ˧ˢ ˧˛˘ ˣˢˢ˟ ˔˖˧˦ ˔˦ ˔ ˕˨˙˙˘˥ ˔˚˔˜ˡ˦˧ ˡˢ˜˦˘ ˙˥ˢˠ ˡ˘˔˥˕ˬ ˧˥˔˙Ѓ˖ʡ

Urban Oasis CARMEL When Carmel homeowners reached out to Pro Care Horticultural Services to revamp their backyard, they wanted to create a welcoming environment for family gatherings and play time with their grandkids. Their neighborhood, which has close access to Keystone Parkway and Main Street, provides easy convenience to all manner of amenities, but the location felt a little exposed. While designing a more intimate, serene setting for relaxing and entertaining outdoors, Pro Care owner /RZHOO 5ROVN\ SORWWHG D SDWLR VZLPPLQJ SRRO ¿UHSLW DUHD cascading water features, and landscape beds with stone paths FRQQHFWLQJ WKH LQGLYLGXDO DUHDV ³7KHUH DUH GH¿QLWH GHVWLQDWLRQ points around the yard,” says Rolsky. “It’s a nice collection of spaces that are enjoyable.”

A screened-in porch and kitchen and dining areas behind the house make this outdoor haven an ideal spot for cookouts and alfresco meals with a view of the ever-growing landscape.

Photos courtesy Pro Care Horticultural Services

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g IN FULL SWING

An existing pergola swing already on the property was connected to the Ѓ˥˘ˣ˜˧ ˔˥˘˔ ˔ˡ˗ ˣˢˢ˟ ˪˜˧˛ ˔ ˡ˘˪ access path.

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Pathways of large stepping stones are softened by arrangements of shrubs and perennials.

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Plants such as hydrangeas, hemlocks, coreopsis, upright yews, azaleas, dogwoods, and weeping blue spruce accent the landscape.

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JUNE 13, 2025 Premium Experience presented by Ice Miller LLP 5:30pm – Midnight General Admission: 7pm – Midnight Restaurant Partners 1. 1830 Chophouse 2. 1947 Fusion Eatery & Lounge 3. 80 Acres Farms 4. Abbiocco Pizzeria 5. Aberdeen Social House 6. Amazeball by Eat Surreal 7. Another Broken Egg Café 8. Aramark 9. Arni’s Restaurant 10. Aroma Experience Indian Cuisine + Bar 11. Azucar Morena 12. BIBIBOP Asian Grill 13. Blondie’s Cookies 14. BRU Burger Bar 15. Capri Italian Restaurant 16. Clancy’s Hamburgers 17. Clean Eatz Fishers 18. ClusterTruck 19. Convivio Italian Artisan Cuisine 20. Cretia Cakes 21. Daniel’s Vineyard 22. DeBrand Fine Chocolates of Indianapolis

23. Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse 24. Derailed at Hotel Nickel Plate 25. Dick’s Last Resort 26. Emporium 109 27. Field Brewing 28. Garrett’s Smokehouse BBQ 29. Great Legs + Wine Spirits 30. Grindstone on the Monon 31. Grindstone Public House 32. Harry & Izzy’s 33. Herculean at the Garage 34. Indie Coffee Roasters 35. Indy Porkopolis BBQ 36. Joella’s Hot Chicken 37. Just Chicken 38. Livery 39. Los Arroyos Mexican Restaurant and Bar 40. Mambo’s Cheesesteak Grill 41. Market District 42. Market Square Popcorn 43. Nameless Catering 44. Ocean Prime

45. Open Kitchen Restaurant 46. Pizza & Libations 47. Punch Bowl Social 48. Punkin Pie’s Sweet Treats 49. Rare Brew 50. Rathskeller Restaurant 51. Saint Joseph Brewery and Public House 52. Salt at Geist 53. Salt on Mass 54. Samano’s Mexican Food 55. Schakolad Chocolate Factory – Zionsville 56. Scotchy Jamaican Grill 57. Shake Shack 58. Slapfish 59. Social Cantina 60. Spoke & Steele 61. St. Elmo Steak House 62. SweetCakesByRonda 63. Taste of Innova Wings + Greens 64. Taxman CityWay 65. The District Tap 66. The Fountain Room

67. The Oakmont 68. The Oceanaire Seafood Room 69. Tinker Coffee 70. Tulip Tree Creamery 71. Twisters Soda Bar 72. Unforgettable Catering 73. Union 50 74. Up Cellar 75. Verde Flavors of Mexico 76. Vicino 77. YATS

Entertainment Cascadoux Jay Jones & Brick House Dueling Pianos Austin Johnson DJ Filipow DJ Lockstar GlamëricA Tay Bourquein Duo Tommy Tsunami Xtina & Dyllen

06 2025

R E S TAU R A N T S

R

new and updated HO OT ERS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88 FREELAND’S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90 T HI EV ES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90 CLAYTON’S RI PPLE RODE O. . . . 94 CLAYTON’S HONKY TONK. . . . . 94

Freeland’s cod with fava beans (p. 90)

P h o t o b y T O N Y VA L A I N I S

JUNE 2025 | IM

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key

BR 2024

Named one of IM’s Best Restaurants in 2024

Brunch Outdoor seating Reservations V Vegetarian friendly

NEW New addition to the guide

$$$$ $50 and up $$$ $30–$40 $$ $20–$30 $ Under $20

a hunk of tempura-fried meat begins a meal that might include a cowgirl ribeye, a flight of filets, or a domestic wagyu burger. Take note—the steak menu also lists a spinalis.

You may never eat another steak this perfect.

Black-suited and professional servers, an impressive wine list, and well-composed cocktails keep the high-dollar meal running smoothly. 201 W. Main St., Carmel, 317740-0900, anthonyschophouse.com $$$$

Aroma Experience 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 ebatey@IndianapolisMonthly.com.

9th Street Bistro SEASONAL Co-owners Samir and Rachel Firestone Mohammad’s tiny innovator is almost always packed by fans eager for the duo’s globally inspired Midwestern dishes. In response, the pair has created a community dinner series to allow even more patrons to sample their takes on the local farmstead ingredients that inspire their dishes. Mussels in aromatic broth, house-made burrata with of-the-moment garnishes, and pasta with shrimp and lemony cream sauce still anchor the menu, but it’s better to let the creative duo keep you guessing. 56 S. 9th St., Noblesville, 317-774-5065, 9thstbistro.com V $$$ BR 2024

Abyssinia ETHIOPIAN This spot—where diners use a spongy sour flatbread known as injera in lieu of utensils—provides a thorough introduction to Ethiopian cuisine. Aficionados of East African food will be impressed by the seasoning of the stewed lamb, beef, and spicy chicken; vegans and vegetarians will appreciate their greens, lentils, and chickpeas. 352 W. 38th St., 299-0608, abyssiniaindy.com V $$

Ali’i Poke POKE Follow the IU and Purdue students to this delightfully fresh fast-food spot just off the now-separate schools’ Indianapolis campuses. The scooped-to-order poke bowls have a rice base (sticky or brown) over which customers choose their proteins (chicken or tofu are also on offer) and add-ons. Fresh mango, edamame, avocado, pickled ginger, seaweed salad, and unagi sauce are just a few of the available toppings. Go wild ladling them on, or get the Hawaiian Style with just rice and fish. Multiple locations, aliipoke.com V $$

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, another fine dining legend. The food has equal flourish. Lobster bisque with 86

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INDIAN Vinita Singh’s portfolio of restaurants expanded in March 2024, when she brought a new location of her Aroma mini-chain of restaurants to Carmel City Center. Those who enjoy her Aroma Indian Cuisine and Bar spots in Fountain Square and SoBro will find plenty to like in this glitzy, date-night venue. The other locations’ daily dinner menus of Northern Indian dishes such as tikka masala and Kerala-style curry are on offer, as are ambitious entrees including a lehsuni prawn dish that plays notably with Aroma’s coconut and cashew naan. (There’s also a chili garlic naan so engaging that one could enjoy it unaccompanied.) Lunch, which is served daily, is a more concise affair of bowls, rolls, and wraps. There’s also a full bar and some standout, homemade ice cream–based desserts. Multiple locations, aromaindy.com V $$$

Ash & Elm Cider Co. CIDERY Ash & Elm’s array of complex and

quaffable ciders gets broader all the time, with funky cocktails demonstrating a flavor profile well beyond sweet apples in the vibrant tasting room at the former Ford Assembly Plant on Washington Street. The drinks pair beautifully with the ambitious, seasonally changing menu that goes well beyond casual pub fare. 1301 E. Washington St., 317-600-3164; 525 North End Dr., Carmel, 317-740-1991; ashandelmcider.com V $$$

Auberge FRENCH Brick Street Inn’s classic French bistro installed talented chef Toby Moreno (of The Loft at Traders Point Creamery and 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 as 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 shines among the entrees, especially crispy-skinned roasted cod, though diver scallops with asparagus puree showered with herbs and toasted almonds also impress. 175 S. Main St., Zionsville, 317733-8755, auberge-restaurant.com $$$$

Baan Thai Bistro THAI Roxanna Williams’ cozy Thai eatery,

which she opened in a former house and hair salon in late spring of 2023, is a welcome addition to Wanamaker’s dining offerings, bringing aromatic flavors and artful presentations to dishes like the lightly breaded and fried Son-in-Law Eggs (Kai Look Keuy), which is drizzled with earthy-sweet tamarind sauce, and generous summer rolls that come with a trio of tangy dipping sauces.

Less expected starters to split include rich and flavorful Isan Thai Sausage with just the right amount of spice, served with a not-too-hot dipping sauce and a darling bamboo basket of sticky rice; a Crispy Rice Salad that crackles and pops; and airy steamed dumplings. Hearty Boat Noodle Soup and Crispy Pork Belly Ramen with a light mushroom-scented broth are good bets for main dishes, as are the kicky Crying Tiger Steak and more typical curries and noodle dishes. Adventurous diners will want to try one of three fish dishes redolent of ginger and basil, and a sumptuous mix of whole chicken drumsticks and sweet curry noodles makes for a comforting supper. 8705 Southeastern Ave., 317-759-8424, baanthaibistro V $$ .com

Bearded Bagel DELI Food truck veteran Tom Race opened this brick-and-mortar bagel deli on Indy’s northeast side in late 2021, featuring his signature steamed bagel sandwiches with dozens of topping combinations. Breakfast versions, such as the Slammin Sammy with bacon, egg, and American cheese or the Hangover Helper with spicy cream cheese, bacon, egg, and three slices of cheese are a no-brainer. But whimsical tributes to fast-food favorites, such as the R-Bee’s with roast beef and extra cheddar, are great lunch choices. Vegetarians can opt for the Urban Farmer with “all the veggies,” avocado, and cheese, and traditionalists can sink into a cream cheese–schmeared bagel with lox, tomato, capers, onions, and cucumbers. Puffy cinnamon rolls, biscuits and gravy, and loaded potato tots complete the menu, along with a short list of cookies and brownies. 7305 E. 96th St., 317-516-5938, beardedbagel.com V $$

Beholder CONTEMPORARY You never know what to expect from restaurateur Jonathan Brooks’ Windsor Park kitchen, aside from one of the most innovative and wellexecuted meals in town. The menu is difficult to track, mainly because Brooks builds his dishes around seasonal ingredients that are fresh and of-the-moment. Impeccable servers will guide you through the evening’s offerings, which start small at the top of the menu (fresh oysters, perhaps, or pork rinds with kimchi and chicken liver mousse) and bulk up toward the bottom (think wild boar Bolognese or a massive pork Wellington portioned for two).

Finish with the most exotic flavor of housemade ice cream. 1844 E. 10th St., 317-419-3471, V $$$$ beholderindy.com BR 2024

Bluebeard CONTEMPORARY Tom and Ed Battista’s charming little restaurant has led the charge in getting Indy’s dining scene on the national radar. A perennial nominee for the James Beard Awards with mentions in outlets such as The New York Times and Bon Appétit, Bluebeard—which takes its name from one of native son Kurt Vonnegut’s novels—still delivers on the hype. The menu has settled into a comfortable groove, starting with shareable small plates such as housefrizzled chips and French onion dip, gourmet bar nuts, and grilled bread from sibling bakery Amelia’s served with a flight of slatherings. A plate-spanning Faroe Island salmon, beef-and-pork Bolognese, and other larger BR 2024

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entrees make for a nice, lingering dinner accompanied by ambitious cocktails in a dining room decorated with shelves of books and Vonnegut-era typewriters. 653 Virginia Ave., 317-686-1580, bluebeardindy .com V $$$

Bodhi Craft Bar + Thai Bistro THAI This Mass Ave restaurant serves a small, focused menu of Thai dishes like massaman curry with braised beef and Bodhi’s own version of pad thai. Cocktails get a lot of attention on a drinks list designed by beverage director Dalton Lineback. 922 Massachusetts Ave., 317-941-6595, bodhi-indy .com V $$$ BR 2024

Bonge’s Tavern AMERICAN Opened in the 1930s near the rush

of the White River and purchased by Charles Bonge a little over 10 years later, Bonge’s Tavern has been a part of Indiana dining history for more than 90 years. In the fall of 2023, Burgess Restaurant Group purchased it and installed Dean Sample as executive chef. The centerpiece of the menu is still the signature tenderloin, appropriately named the Perkinsville Pork. Other favorites include a stuffed duck breast and a fresh fish entree. Chef Sample inflects his own ideas into the menu, with a Southern influence. It’s worth the risk to order whatever delightful special he adds to the menu. Make sure to grab a reservation long before you plan to go—they go quick—and arrive early enough to tailgate in the parking lot with other diners, a Bonge’s tradition worth keeping. 9830 W. 280 N, Perkinsville, 765-734-1625, bongestavern.com $$$

Borage

pick up the house-made dulce de leche, which is sold by the jar, as well as their churros and specialty Argentinian shortbread cookies. And don’t overlook the cook-at-home sausages, from Spanish-style chorizo to Argentinean black sausage. 3124 W. 16th St., 317-737-2012, chechori. com $$

Cheeky Bastards ENGLISH Co-owners Michael Rypel and chef Robert Carmack fell in love with British culture and cuisine during travels abroad. Their Geist restaurant is a true tribute to the food, serving not only a classic full English breakfast and sausage rolls made with imported meat but also a very convincing fish and chips featuring crispy planks and hand-cut potatoes. Don’t forget to ask for the malt vinegar or the HP Sauce for the full UK experience. 11210 Fall Creek Rd., 317-288-9739, cbindy.com $$ BR 2024

Chin Brothers BURMESE One of the oldest Burmese restaurants in town, this brightly lit and friendly spot attached to a large, well-stocked market serves as a cultural center for immigrants from the Chin state of Myanmar.

Invigorating refreshers such as sweet tea with condensed milk and a cane syrup beverage with puffed rice offer a colorful taste of Burmese culture. Fried rice and soups are solid standards here, as well as luscious and tender curried goat. Their Lahpet Thohk salad, made with fermented tea leaves, greens, and spices, may be one of the best in the region. 2320 E. Stop 11 Rd., 317-888-1850, chinbrothers.com V $$

Chopped Cheese Boys DELI New York’s beloved bodega snack is

ALL-DAY CAFE Josh Kline and Zoë

the eponymous specialty at this no-frills Taylor’s long-awaited all-day cafe, Irvington convenience store and takeout deli. dinner spot, and market took years True to form, well-seasoned ground beef gets longer to open than they expected when they chopped on a sizzling flattop, then pressed chose its Speedway site. Some even despaired into a sub sandwich roll, and finally topped that the couple in business and life—who met with plenty of gooey cheese and mayo, which while toiling in the kitchen at Milktooth— makes for a rich and flavorful mashup of the might never see their dream realized. But smashburger and a Philly cheesesteak. But be sure to dip into the eye-popping menu of suddenly last summer, Borage threw its doors wings, chicken tenders, fried open, and all worries vanished. fish, and—another Big Apple Every menu lineup, from food cart favorite—chicken breakfast to dinner and over rice (tender grilled chicken everything in between, is a SMALL breast meat with a signature collage of standby ingredients, BITE white sauce slathered over rice) such as polenta or milk bread, with falafel. 1520 N. Arlington reimagined into well-portioned Ave., 317-377-4951 V $$$ small plates that will fill your table. Mussels float in kimchiThere’s been a Commission Row flecked coconut broth alongside a location of Hooters in FINE DINING This glossy meatloaf sandwich made with BR downtown Indy since spot from Indy’s brisket and bacon. Every aspect 2024 the 1980s, but the near-ubiquitous of the restaurant, its bakery, and Cunningham Restaurant Group the attached retail space feels party might be over is just steps from Gainbridge thought-through and intentional. at the once-outré, Fieldhouse, and it reflects its Borage was worth the wait. 1609 owl-themed wing neighbor’s baller vibes with a N. Lynhurst Dr., 317-734-3958, spot. The struggling three-figure seafood tower, caviar borageeats Florida sports bar service, and an eight-steak menu .com V $$ chain shuttered a (which offers add-ons such as foie slew of outposts Che Chori gras and lobster tail). Sure, you last summer, ARGENTINEAN The focus of the can play small with its excellent then declared menu at this colorful driveburger or sizable salads, but if bankruptcy in April, thru is a selection of traditional you do, you’ll be missing the announcing a plan butterflied-sausage sandwiches point. Appropriately, its wine list to sell its remaining and warm empanadas filled with leads with bubbles by the glass or restaurants to a seasoned meats. Make sure to bottle, while its cocktail list franchise group.

BR 2024

GIVE A HOOT

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boasts eight takes on a classic martini. 110 S. Delaware St., 317-550-2500, commissionrow.com $$$$

Convivio ITALIAN With a menu that traces the geographical regions in Italy, this is not your average 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 with 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-to-navigate, Italian-heavy wine list that makes picking a bottle for the table a pleasure. 11529 Spring Mill Rd., Carmel, 317-564-4670, convivioindy.com $$$

A Cup of Chai TEAHOUSE Punjab native Pravy Nijjar’s cozy,

funky teahouse, which opened in July of 2023 on a secluded section of Shelby Street in Fountain Square, offers a true taste of Indianstyle chai with several different spice profiles.

For the genuine article, go for the masala chai, a dairy-forward drink that features ginger, cardamom, fennel, and cloves, equally good hot or iced. Pair that with one of Nijjar’s street food–inspired snacks, such as golden, aromatic samosas or tasty kati rolls (tender paratha stuffed with spiced chicken, paneer, or potatoes). Coffee drinkers can get an espresso or cappuccino, and those avoiding caffeine can go for a spice-infused golden latte, mango lassi, or minty pineapple lemonade. 1028 Shelby St., 317-998-4463, acupofchai.us $

Fernando’s Mexican & Brazilian Cuisine LATIN AMERICAN A subtle name change due to a legal request from international fast-food chain Nando’s, has done nothing to diminish the spirit and vibrant flavors of this Broad Ripple restaurant featuring the cuisines of Mexico and Brazil. Enjoying a flight of fruit-infused caipirinhas and a plate of crisp, savory chicken croquettes on its spacious sheltered patio is still a warm-weather delight, and dishes like feijoada with fall-apart-tender pork and rich stewed black beans, as well as chicken stroganoff and a Brazilian take on the homey pot pie, remain hearty staples that are hard to find. Fare such as queso fundido and arroz con pollo more than hold their own against the best, and refreshing desserts such as an ultra-creamy flan and Brazilian-style guava cheesecake are worth saving a few bites of your entrees to make room for. 834 E. 64th St., 317-377-4779,fernandosindy.com $$$ BR 2024

The Fountain Room STEAKHOUSE This fine dining offering from local restaurant group Clancy’s Hospitality offers an upscale menu of steaks and seafood in a glitzy Art Deco environment. Sides and appetizers are generous enough to share, so bellying up to the full bar—which offers a classic array of cocktails—can be

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King Dough

a great way to begin (or end) a long night out, while those with heartier appetites can opt for one of the restaurant’s comfortable, eye-catching booths, the perfect place to see and be seen. On weekends, brunch is a popular scene, with a broad-ranging list of substantial favorites. 830 Massachusetts Ave., 463-238-3800, thefountainroom.com $$$

BR 2024

Freeland’s Restaurant EURO FUSION Tinker Street’s Tom Main says this heritage-based restaurant will be his last, making it worth a visit for the farewell tour aspect, alone. But the setting also compels: A massive renovation has turned an 1890s mansion into a glossy place to drink and dine, complete with vintage china and a wildly patterned bar. The oft-changing menu from chef Matt Hamilton defies easy categorization, with influences from across Europe as well as Indiana’s colonizer class.

Desserts are clever and adventurous without being cloying, while a full bar mixes excellent cocktails and pours wines from a well-curated list.

875 Freeland Way, Carmel, 317-400-0436, freelandsrestaurant .com $$$ NEW

HOLD UP

CONTEMPORARY This colorfully cozy all-day hangout and cocktail spot in Fall Creek Place from Byrne’s Grilled Pizza owners Adam Reinstrom and Pablo Gonzalez draws on Reinstrom’s love of interior design and Gonzalez’s background in innovative mixology. Vibrant wall fixtures by creators such as Bootleg Signs & Murals and revolving works by locals from the LGBTQ art community provide a funky backdrop for sipping seasonal elixirs; salads include a wedge with smoked blue cheese and roasted-poblano ranch. Byrne’s original pizzas, cracker-thin and charred, are on offer, as are thicker-crusted Roman-style oval pies with well-chosen toppings. Fresh takes on shareable plates include crispy-skinned salmon with kale and quinoa and intriguing scallop sliders with Asian-style slaw. On Sundays, the brunch menu features classics such as egg dishes and French toast. There are also breakfast pizzas such as the Chilaquiles, a thin crust topped with chorizo, salsa, eggs, and fried tortillas.

Coffee drinks and a solid sandwich list anchor the daytime menu, and desserts feature a luxe take on the Hoosier classic sugar cream pie. 22 E. 22nd St., 317-258-2222, gather22.com BR 2024

$$

Julieta Taco Shop MEXICAN Gabriel Sañudo and Esteban Rosas’ taco shop in the Stutz Building shows the pair’s skill and fine dining experience in little details such as the marinades for meats, tortillas handcrafted from heirloom corn varieties, and surprisingly flavorful vegetarian options. Their tender grilled or braised meats are excellent but the signature taco al pastor is the star. 1060 N. Capitol Ave. $$

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began as a student-friendly Bloomington destination in 2014; now it’s a local mini-chain with multiple locations.

The huge wood-burning pizza oven (it’s named Thunder Dome) is the first thing diners see when they enter the restaurant’s Holy Cross space, with an open kitchen that feels like a grown-up version of the exhibition pizzerias so popular in the 1980s. But this is present-day pizza, bubbly and SMALL charred, with seasonal toppings BITE such as truffles and imported Taleggio cheese. Multiple locations, kingdoughpizzas.com

Cocktail bar Thieves is bouncing up a block to the former Starbucks at 845 Broad Ripple Ave. When it reopens this month, it will expand into the sunnier hours with a coffee and light bites menu during the day, then will revert to its familiar list of mixed drinks at night.

Gather 22

BR 2024

PIZZA This industrial-feeling pizza spot

V $$

Lone Pine

STEAKHOUSE Beholder partner Josh Mazanowski’s solo restaurant pulls inspiration from his background at West Coast and Indy restaurants, married to a Montana ranch sensibility.

The end product is a cutting-edge chophouse with a menu that has a range as wide as Mazanowski’s palate, which he’s honed during his career as a sommelier.

While steaks remain a mainstay, much of the menu is a rotating feast. Watch for items like a cassoulet with Old Major Toulouse sausage, smoky roasted carrots with tahini, or creamy local greens with miso. Desserts are made in-house and include a stellar panna cotta, and the wine list leans heavily on Napa Valley’s best, with some notable bottles from France and Italy to also consider. 710 S. Rangeline Rd., Carmel, 317-907-0177, lonepinecarmel.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 breakfast and sandwich shop. The chalkboard menu (which is also updated online) offers a list of side options such as braised greens and potato salad with roasted tomatoes. Fridays often see a fish special, and weekends are a chef’s playground of eggy experiments, satisfying hashes, and sweet sides served in a dining room dotted with nostalgic and quirky decor.

877 Massachusetts Ave., 317-384-1102 $$

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.

Meatballs from a family recipe with a solid house marinara are always a good choice.

Pastas range from a straightforward toss of rigatoni with sausage and broccoli rabe to a rich, three-meat Bolognese lavished atop plump gnocchi. 1103 Prospect St., 317-982-7676, maialinaindy.com V $$$$

Max & Tilly’s BRITISH A traditional UK-style chip shop

from the owner of Tilly’s Tea Room, Max & Tilly’s serves traditional pub classics such as cock-a-leekie soup and mushy peas alongside house-baked scones, spotted dick, and Bakewell tarts. It’s the fried offerings that transport you to a cozy mystery mindset, especially the Filthy Fries with hot shredded roast beef and, of course, the golden planks of beer-battered cod over hand-cut chips. 8701 E. 116th St., Fishers, maxandtillys.com $$

Milktooth BRUNCH This airy diner-style cafe has a playfully gritty vibe and a menu that changes with both the seasons and the whims of its chef. The early morning counter service featuring pastries and coffee gives way to a full-service brunch and lunch menu—if they’re serving a Dutch baby pancake, get it.

Daytime craft cocktails are also on offer, pairing well with a rotating selection of substantial savory offerings such as latkes, sandwiches, and salads. 534 Virginia Ave., V $$ 317-986-5131, milktoothindy.com BR 2024

Mr. Patakon COLOMBIAN The name of Diana Moreno and

Brenda Sánchez’s cheerful, authentic southside Colombian eatery comes from the popular Latin and South American dish patacones— flattened, fried plantains filled with everything from shredded barbecue chicken criollo to cheese, corn, and shredded beef. Or try the Super Perro hot dog, which is topped with every meat in the kitchen, quail eggs, and a special house sauce. Mazorcada (heaps of sweet corn topped with meats, cheeses, and potato sticks) is a delectable side dish. Fruit drinks and desserts, especially obleas (wafer cookies filled with dulce de leche and cheese), are worth the extra calories for a flavor experience like no other in the city. 7415 U.S. 31, 317-6929829, mrpatakon.com $$

Magdalena SOUTHERN Westside born-and-raised Nick Detrich has returned to Indianapolis after decades running restaurants in New Orleans— and he’s brought the French Quarter back with him. This seafood-heavy Fountain Square spot leverages its building’s crumbling brick and exposed infrastructure to create a moodily lit space that makes for a great date night, but a solo dinner at a bar seat is just as satisfying. Start with some oysters, then order an assembly of small plates to share, or head straight to the substantial list of mains paired with an expertly crafted cocktail; no-ABV options are also in abundance. The dessert list also nods to the Lowcountry, with puddings and possets that are big enough for two. 1127 Shelby St., 317-691-8021, magdalena.bar $$$

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, negrillrestaurant.com $$

Nowhere Special COCKTAIL BITES Dan Cage’s funky cocktail lounge and small bites spot is far from its all-too-modest name. Sleek banquettes in

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BACK TO SCHOOL BASH SATURDAY, JULY 19 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM 9511 ANGOLA COURT, INDIANAPOLIS IN

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earthy greens and brushed brass tabletops provide an elegant backdrop to classic pours and a host of elixirs created by the talented bar staff. Menu items include fancy hot dogs, crostini and dip, and a rotating ice cream dessert. The cocktail menu regularly rotates its theme, and balances experimental new concoctions with a solid list of classics. 608 Massachusetts Ave., nowhereindy.com $$

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 martini or bottle from its vast and lauded wine list, a shrimp cocktail with that notoriously hot cocktail sauce, the bean soup or tomato juice, the wedge, and one of the well-aged, gorgeously marbled and completely legendary steaks. 127 S. Illinois St., 317-635-0636, stelmos.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 purees 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 V $$$ St., 317-824-1231, oakleysbistro.com

Our Table CONTEMPORARY The strip mall location is suitably cozy and out of the way for one of Bargersville’s most popular fine dining destinations. 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 brioche sliders (containing buttermilk fried chicken or beef tenderloin with crispy onions and horseradish creme fraiche) are little bites of heaven. 5080 State Rd. 135, Bargersville, 317-847-4920, ourtablerestaurant.com V $$$

Revery CONTEMPORARY This Old Greenwood

bistro inside an 1800s-era drugstore offers approachable fine dining, with a more casual bar on the historic building’s back end. Small plates have included beets with whipped goat cheese and wasabi, while entrees are seasonal and skew toward seafood, with lobster, halibut, and mussels on recent menus.

Whiskey drinks get priority on the cocktail menu, and their old fashioned feels fresh and new. 299 W. Main St., Greenwood, 317-215V $$$ 4164, reveryrestaurantgroup.com

Richard’s Brick Oven Pizza PIZZA When husband-and-wife team Richard

Goss and Meg Jones first fired up their restaurant’s massive brick oven in 2009, chain pizza ruled the Central Indiana landscape, either delivered within 30 minutes or served in a cavernous room with a singing, mechanical rodent. Franklin was a risky place to launch their vision of high-quality Neapolitan pizza made with fresh, often local ingredients—but the gamble paid off, and 15 years later, it’s become a destination for diners. Fantastic garlic knots, pastas, custom calzoni, and lasagna round out the menu, which boasts a solid wine list and locally made sodas. 229 S. Main St., Franklin, 317-738-3300, richardskitchen.com V $$$

St. Elmo Steak House BR 2024

STEAKHOUSE Since 1902, this stately

house of red meat has served as the unofficial ambassador of downtown Indianapolis—the walls carry decades’ worth 94

IM | JUNE 2025

Sam’s Square Pie PIZZA Don’t expect a long list of toppings or side options at Jeff Miner’s cult-fave Detroit-style pizza shop. A single-minded homage to pan-baked pizzas, fans rave about the pies’ signature crown of well-browned cheese around the edges of the chewy, sturdy crust. Slightly thinner and larger Sicilian pies occasionally appear on the menu, so snag one if you can. Cheesy garlic bread made with Miner’s pizza dough and garlic knots slathered in butter are also available, but it’s best to save room for the main attraction.

Carryout is available, but dining in is always a good time. 2829 E. 10th St., samssquarepie.com BR 2024

V $$$

Shadow Lounge SOUL FOOD After a major renovation, the

Tinker Street NEW AMERICAN Diners are in for a delightful treat at this cozy, detailoriented restaurant where the open kitchen almost feels like part of the dining room. The menu changes with the seasons, but the soup is always something lush and vegan, the Duck & Dumplings (featuring duck confit and truffled dumplings) sells out fast, and the person who orders the pork chop will be the most envied diner at the table. The cocktails are delicate, the wine list well-curated, and its bar staff ready to offer mocktails. Don’t skip dessert, especially if it involves a scoop of ice cream. While Tinker Street sets aside some tables for walk-in diners, reservations are available online and are a good idea Thursday through Sunday. 402 E. 16th St., 317-925-5000, V $$$ tinkerstreetrestaurant.com BR 2024

Vicino ITALIAN More than filling Mass Ave’s pasta needs, this modern, colorful trattoria from the owners of The Oakmont measures up to some of the best Italian spots anywhere in the city. Pastas are rotating and seasonal, as is a menu of substantial mains and blistered, wood-fired pizzas, many of which are tweaked for a fun weekend brunch menu. A solid wine and craft cocktail list rounds the experience out nicely.

350 Massachusetts Ave., 317-798-2492, vicinoindy.com BR 2024

former Marco’s Restaurant and Lounge has been transformed into a rollicking dining destination.

V $$ Chef Tia Wilson, late of wing spot Chicken Scratch, is in the SMALL Wisanggeni Pawon kitchen, serving Southern and BITE INDONESIAN The talents soul-infused dishes such as BR of chefs Bambang lamb lollipops, Cajun penne, 2024 Wisanggeni and Putri and garlic-parmesan wings.

Pratiwi make dining at The cocktails are strong, the Wisanggeni Pawon a superb music is loud, and while dinner Bedford-born country experience. The husband-andis delightful, brunch is the real music artist Clayton wife duo presents the complex, scene. 2380 E. 54th St., 317-974Anderson is opening spice-forward dishes of their 9288, shadowloungeindy.com two Indy restaurants $$$ homeland, as well as some this spring: Clayton’s hibachi favorites drawn from Ripple Rodeo in Shapiro’s Delicatessen their experience at nearby Broad Ripple’s DELI Slide your tray along and Japanese restaurants. Split a former Mineshaft take your pick of kosher comfort platter of martabak telor, a Saloon space and foods at this family-owned hearty beef omelet encased in Clayton’s Honky downtown institution, which is crispy wonton skin, or share Tonk on Meridian just as well known for its food some steamed Indonesian Street downtown. as it is as a cozy, comfortable dumplings with a rich peanut The Nashville gathering place for generations sauce. The signature beef resident promises of Hoosiers. Hot pastrami rendang also stands out. Save both will feature live and corned beef sandwiches room for the ube spring rolls music, a meaty menu, on rye have drawn long lines dessert. 2450 E. 71st St., and stiff drinks. for more than a century, and 317-756-9477, wpawon.com V $$ its Reuben is a contender for the city’s best. If you don’t INDIANAPOLIS MONTHLY (ISSN 0899-0328) is published monthly ($24 load up on a massive slice of for 12 issues) at 8909 Purdue Rd., Suite 130, Indianapolis, IN 46268. cheesecake or pie, you haven’t really had Copyright © 2025 Cincinnati Media, LLC, a subsidiary of Hour Media, the proper Shapiro’s experience. 808 S. LLC, 5750 New King Dr., Ste. 100, Troy, MI 48098. The Indianapolis Meridian St., 317-631-4041, shapiros.com $$

COUNTRY BOY

Magazine. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part of any text,

Shiba Pho

photograph, or illustration without written permission from the publisher

VIETNAMESE Deep bowls of the namesake

is strictly prohibited. Opinions in the magazine are those of the authors

aromatic noodle soup get top billing at this no-frills Brownsburg spot, which also makes a special vegetarian broth for those who skip meat. Starters like spring rolls and dumplings set the tone, while deep-fried wings are standouts even in our chicken-rich region. Don’t miss the sensibly stuffed banh mi sandwiches, served on fresh baguettes. 578 W. Northfield Dr., Brownsburg, 317-286-7018, shibapho.net $$

and do not necessarily represent management views. The magazine is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts and photographs. For subscription orders, address changes or renewals, write to INDIANAPOLIS MONTHLY, 1965 E. Avis Dr., Madison Heights, MI 48071, or call 1-888-6606847. Periodicals postage paid at Indianapolis, Indiana, and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Please send forms 3579 to INDIANAPOLIS MONTHLY, 1965 E. Avis Dr., Madison Heights, MI 48071. If the Postal Service alerts us that your magazine is undeliverable, we have no further obligation unless we receive a corrected address within one year.

BAC K S T ORY

Francis W. Parker School 56

SLATED FOR DEMOLITION IN 2023, THIS EASTSIDE IPS BUILDING WAS SAVED AFTER INDIANA LANDMARKS CHAMPIONED ITS HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE. B Y J E A NA H A R R I S T H E ORIGI NAL structure that became Francis W. Parker School 56 was built in 1903 at the intersection of Columbia Avenue and 24th Street. It was named in honor of Francis Wayland Parker, a trailblazer in the progressive school movement. Neighborhood demographics shifted in the early 1920s. With segregation in full swing, white students were transferred, and School 56 was designated a Black school.

Enrollment skyrocketed through the ’20s, leading to the construction of a new building in 1931 designed by D.A. Bohlen & Son, the architecture firm that also gave the city the Morris-Butler House, City Market, Murat Shrine Temple, and more. The two-story exterior is made of saltglazed buff brick and boasts art deco features, including 96 IM | JUNE 2025

carved motifs, a stylized chevron pattern, and a decorative parapet. The playground was the first in the Midwest to use sand-coated asphalt. According to Eunice Trotter, director of Indiana Landmarks’ Black Heritage Preservation Program, the design included notable components rarely seen in schools, like terrazzo flooring and natural airflow ventilation. School 56 became the gold standard for IPS buildings.

“The school site was a community hub,” says Trotter, with activities like glee club, an Easter fashion parade, sporting events, orchestra performances, and more. As it approaches historic landmark status, its future use remains unclear, but the hope is it will continue to bring life to the community.

Wherever you are in life,

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