Showing posts with label Devour Downtown. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Devour Downtown. Show all posts

Monday, August 19

Devour Downtown Summerfest 2013 Aug. 19-Sept. 1 Reviews, recommendations & tips

Palomino's Tiramisu
Devour Downtown Summerfest 2013 has started and the usual restaurants are opening their doors for everyone to get a taste of their menus from August 19-September 1. Some will create special menus just for the event, while others simply offer their usual food items at a reduced price.

What's New?
BINGO cards can be downloaded here (there is more than one choice so be certain to look through all for the one you could most likely fill). You will print it out and attempt to get across, up and down, or diagonal boxes marked off by the restaurants when you dine there. When you do get a BINGO you are eligible for a random drawing for gift cards at downtown restaurants. I definitely like the new addition making this a game as well as the chance to check out different restaurants.

Continuing are the various price ranges, 2-for-1, and special menu options, such as gluten-free and vegetarian. I checked out all the menus and below ~ marked in purple ~ are the restaurants I believe have the best value. Let's call it the Gotta Go Great Value List...

 Tip ~
When looking for who is truly giving a great discount, check out their DD menu and compare the items to their regular menu's prices. Just add the items up and you will see whether you are getting a so-so deal or one worth the drive.

I have put an asterisk next to any restaurants I have dined at during normal times and would recommend based on that visit. And, remember, red items are my recommendations for best value.

Participating Restaurants

120 West Bar & Grill

1913 Restaurant

Adobo Grill

*BARcelona Tapas

*Bazbeaux

B's Po Boy

Bu Da Lounge

*Buca di Beppo

California Pizza Kitchen 
Dinner Menu (Coming Soon) 

Canterbury Kitchen & Bar

The Capital Grille

*Cerulean 

Champions

*Chef Joseph's 

Circle City Bar & Grille 

Colts Grille 

*Columbia Club

*Creation Cafe 

Dunaway's

*Eagle's Nest 


End of the Line Public House 

*Fogo de Chao Churrascaria 

Forty Five Degrees 

Greek Islands

*Harry & Izzy's 

High Velocity

Iaria's 

*Iozzo's 

*Libertine 

Lorenzo's Ristorante 

Maxine's Chicken and Waffles

*McCormick & Schmick's

Mesh 

*Milano Inn

Morton's

Napolese Pizzeria

Oceanaire

Osteria Pronto

*Palomino

Pearl Street Pizzeria

Plat 99

Rathskeller

*R bistro

*Ruth's Chris Steak House
(Read previous review here)

*Sahm's Tavern

Scotty's Brewhouse

*Severin Bar 
@ The Omni Severin Hotel

*Shula's 

Skyline Club

Slippery Noodle Inn

Smokehouse on Shelby

*St. Elmo

Tavern on South

*Weber Grill

*Winner's Circle

For more details, visit DevourDowntown.org
Chef Joseph's Crab Louie

Images: E.J.Musgrave

 Elizabeth J. Musgrave is a syndicated fine-living, travel columnist, freelance writer and photographer, and performing arts and restaurant critic for Gotta Go. Read Infused, her spirits, wine & beer lifestyle column, at www.GottaGo.us and www.FoodDigital.com and catch her as Indy’s Personal Lifestyle Adviser on Indy Style (CBS). Gotta Go is published on www.Gottago.us, www.BroadwayWorld.com, an in print. Follow her on Twitter @GottaGo, LinkedIn and Facebook.
Posted by 1 comment:
Labels: , , , , , , , , , ,

Devour Downtown Summerfest 2013 Signature Cocktail Winners & Recipes

Morning Glory by Palomino
The Signature Drink Competition 2013 Summerfest has been shaken, stirred and judged for the Devour Downtown event. Bartenders and mixologists muddled, garnished and poured their own secret recipes for the judging panel. I was honored to be invited to once again be one of the judges for this fun competition. The competition was held at The Conrad, Indianapolis.

Three category winners and one Best of Show were named.

Indianapolis' biannual event continues its tradition of offering menus at a reduced cost from downtown-area restaurants. The eating fest, which takes place each winter and summer, has become a mecca for foodies ~ many who attempt to hit each eatery. The 2013 Summerfest runs from Aug. 19 -Supt. 1, and includes almost 50 eateries in the downtown area.

For a prix fixe menu, guests can dine on specially selected three-course meals. Devour Downtown, originating in 2005, is hosted by the Indianapolis Downtown Restaurant & Lodging Association and sponsored by Republic National Distributing Company. For full list of restaurants and menus, visit DevourDowntown.org. Information is also available on Facebook or Twitter @DevourDowntown.

Accompanying the cuisine are the winners of the Signature Drinks competition. I am always pleased to be invited to be one of the judges of this distinguished competition. It brings out the best mixologists in Indianapolis for cash prizes and bragging rights.

The three categories' liquors, Bacardi Sauza and Grey Goose, are required as the main ingredient in the new recipe, created specifically for the Devour Downtown event.


Winners ~ 2013
Sauza
and
Best of Show
Drink: Morning Glory (See above for image)
Mixologist: Curtis McGaha
Restaurant/Bar: Palomino
Recipe: Ingredients-2 oz Sauza Reposado, 3/4 oz. lemon juice, 1 oz. Lillet White, orange peel, and Thyme garnish. Directions-Mix all ingredients in mixing tin and shake vigorously. Strain into old-fashioned glass over ice. Garnish with thyme.

Bacardi
Drink: Blackberry Mojini
Mixologist: Sara Yager
Recipe: Ingredients-Five fresh blackberries, 5 sage leaves, 1 TB mint bitters, 4 tsp sugar, 1 TB fresh lime juice, 1 lime wedge, 2 oz. Bacardi Superior rum, 2 oz Bacardi Oakhart Spiced rum. Directions-Prepare a simple syrup of muddled blackberries, sage leaves, sugar, lime juice, mint bitters and water. Cool, shake vigorously over ice, syrup, and rums. Pour into martini glass and garnish with blackberry, sage leaf and lime wedge.

Grey Goose
Drink: Crystal Peach Cosmo
Mixologist: Corie Metzler
Restaurant/Bar: Tavern on South
Recipe: Ingredients-1.5 oz Grey Goose Vodka, 1 oz Luxardo Triple Sec, 1.5 oz White Craanberry Juice, .5 oz clarified lime juice, 2 white peach slices, orange peel slice for garnish. Directions-Muddle fresh white peaches, add remaining ingredients, shake, strain into martini glass and garnish.

Images: E.J.Musgrave
For sponsor information, visit Republic National Distributing Company

Elizabeth J. Musgrave is a syndicated fine-living, travel columnist, freelance writer and photographer, and performing arts and restaurant critic for Gotta Go. Read Infused, her spirits, wine & beer lifestyle column, at www.GottaGo.us and www.FoodDigital.com and catch her as Indy’s Entertainment Adviser on 93 WIBC. Gotta Go is published on www.Gottago.us, www.BroadwayWorld.com, an in print. Follow her on Twitter @GottaGo, LinkedIn and Facebook.
Elizabeth J. Musgrave is a syndicated fine-living, travel columnist, freelance writer and photographer, and performing arts and restaurant critic for Gotta Go. Read Infused, her spirits, wine & beer lifestyle column, at www.GottaGo.us and www.FoodDigital.com and catch her as Indy’s Entertainment Adviser on 93 WIBC. Gotta Go is published on www.Gottago.us, www.BroadwayWorld.com, an in print. Follow her on Twitter @GottaGo, LinkedIn and Facebook.
Posted by No comments:
Labels: , , , , , , , ,

Wednesday, January 30

Restaurant Review: Ruth's Chris Offers Vegetarian, Gluten-free, Regular Menu Options for Devour Downtown Winterfest 2013

Devour Dinner Menu Winterfest 2013
                           JANUARY 21 - FEBRUARY 3

Restaurant reviews of the various Devour Downtown Winterfest 2013 eateries are definitely a delicious part of my work. Whereas my first review was for casual, downtown pillar The Elbow Room, with its comfort-food menu, (Read review here) this second review is for an Indianapolis favorite steak spot that is giving three options for the DD foodies.

Ruth's Chris offers three separate menus this go-round with vegetarian, regular and gluten-free options. With the $35 per person reduction, the steakhouse gives choices galore, pleasing everyone's palate.

I checked out the tomato basil bisque, 10 oz. rib-eye steak and mashed potatoes, along with the cheesecake ~ Chocolate Pecan Bark dessert.

Here's the thing when you dine at a restaurant like Ruth's Chris ~ you expect a certain level of quality in the food, atmosphere and service. And you receive it.

Tomato Basil bisque is a great salad alternative for a winter's meal. The steak was tender, juicy, and sizzling as it was brought to the table. Dessert of a duo of cheesecake and Chocolate Pecan Bark was tasty enough to tempt me, but I chose to take it to go. A nice reminder of the evening's meal.

At this reduced cost, this quality of cuisine and the spectacular service ~ I will most likely return during Devour Downtown...or even after.

Let me know which restaurants you have tried and whether you've been, or are going, to Ruth's Chris before DD ends.

REGULAR MENU
$35 per Person
(Gratuity & Tax not included)

STARTERS
(Please choose one)
Steak House Salad
Tomato Basil Bisque

ENTRÉES
(Please choose one)
6 oz. Filet
10 oz. Ribeye
Stuffed Chicken
Salmon

SIDE ITEMS
(Please choose one)
Mashed Potatoes
Creamed Spinach

DESSERT
Duo of Cheesecake and Chocolate Pecan bark
----------------------------------------------------------------------

VEGETARIAN MENU
$35 PER PERSON
(Gratuity & Tax not included)

STARTERS
(Please choose one)
Steak House Salad
Tomato Basil Bisque

ENTRÉES
(Please choose one)
Pasta Primavera
Vegetable Platter (Choose 3)
Mashed Potatoes, Sauteed Mushrooms, Creamed Spinach, Broiled Tomato, Fresh Spinach,
French Fries
Baked Potato

DESSERT
Duo of Cheesecake and Chocolate Pecan bark
----------------------------------------------------------------------

GLUTEN-FREE MENU
$35 PER PERSON
(Gratuity & Tax not included)
Steak House Salad

STARTERS
(Please choose one)
Steak House Salad
Choice of dressing: Creamy Lemon Basil, Thousand Island, Remoulade, House Vinaigrette
Tomato Basil Bisque

ENTRÉES
(Please choose one)
6 oz. Filet
10 oz. Ribeye

SIDE ITEMS
(Please choose one)
Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Sauteed Mushrooms

DESSERT
(Please choose one)
Berries with Sweet Cream Sauce
Ice Cream - Chocolate or Vanilla
Raspberry Sorbet

Elizabeth J. Musgrave is a syndicated fine-living, travel columnist, freelance writer and photographer, and performing arts and restaurant critic for Gotta Go. Read Infused, her spirits, wine & beer lifestyle column, at www.GottaGo.us and www.FoodDigital.com and catch her as Indy’s Entertainment Adviser on 93 WIBC. Gotta Go is published on www.Gottago.us, www.BroadwayWorld.com, an in print. Follow her on Twitter @GottaGo, LinkedIn and Facebook.
Posted by No comments:
Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Monday, January 21

Restaurant Review: The Elbow Room offers Comfort Food During Devour Downtown 2013 Winterfest

January 21 - February 3 is the time frame foodies in the Indianapolis metro-area have been waiting for since last August.
Devour Downtown Winterfest 2013 kicks off with more than 50 eateries around the Circle City's inner circle sharing their menus at reduced prices. While some will attempt to impress with gourmet goodies, others will comfort you this winter with the foods your mother made you as a child.

The Elbow Room, 605 N. Pennsylvania St., serves up a two-for-$25 deal that will make anyone, and their wallet, pleased. I stopped in over the weekend for a quick check up on their DD menu.
Although it didn't make the finals of the Signature Drink Competition, the Dream Beam martini was a blended ice cream martini that would work for dessert in a glass or after drink easily. They also offer a hot buttered rum drink which I could easily go for again and again.

The Devour Downtown menu offers one appetizer, two entrees and one dessert for the fixed price of $25. Drinks, tip and tax are not included.

Appetizer choices are Texas Skins, potato skins with homemade chili, shredded cheese, jalapenos, onions and sour cream or Crab-stuffed Mushrooms made and baked in house.
Entrees are Pulled Pork Sandwich on Pretzel Bun with potato pancakes, Country Fried Steak, with mashed potatoes and green beans, or Spinach-stuffed Chicken Breast with baked potato and green beans.

Dessert is a Grilled ~ yes, I said grilled ~ Angel Food Cake with Strawberry Topping. (See photo above.)

This menu is perfect for the freezing weather as a stick-to-your-ribs winter meal. An idea I like very much when the cold wind is blowing.

The brandy, Jim Beam and ice cream martini was tasty and the hot toddy of buttered rum was even tastier with the buttered rum being made in house ~ no pre-mix here.

The Texas skins were filling, hot and not overly topped. This is the perfect amount of food to split between two.
The chicken breast meal easily could have been split also, but is meant for one. The cream sauce and spinach in the breast were a balanced amount.

The angel food cake was unique with the chef's take by grilling the soft cake on two sides and topping it with fresh strawberries, glaze and whipped topping. I have never had angel food cake grilled...They have it listed as DD menu only at this point. Here's to hoping it remain a fixed item.

Bottom Line: The Elbow Room's Devour Downtown menu just might be the best deal in town.

Images: E.J.Musgrave

Elizabeth J. Musgrave is a syndicated fine-living, travel columnist, freelance writer and photographer, and performing arts and restaurant critic for Gotta Go. Read Infused, her spirits, wine & beer lifestyle column, at www.GottaGo.us and www.FoodDigital.com and catch her as Indy’s Entertainment Adviser on 93 WIBC. Gotta Go is published on www.Gottago.us, www.BroadwayWorld.com, an in print. Follow her on Twitter @GottaGo, LinkedIn and Facebook.
Posted by 1 comment:
Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Devour Downtown 2013 Winterfest January 21-February 3

Devour Downtown Winterfest 2013 has started and the usual restaurants are opening their doors for everyone to get a taste of their menus from January 21 - February 3. Some will create special menus just for the event, while others simply offer their usual food items at a reduced price.
New this year is the differing prices, as opposed to years past wherein all had the $30 prix fixe menu. Now, depending on where you dine, the price could be as high as $35 (like at FOGO) or as low as 2 for $25 (like at Elbow Room). The main thing to remember is check out the links, menus and prices before venturing out.

I have put an asterisk next to any restaurants I have dined at and would recommend.

Participating Restaurants
120 West Market Fresh Grill 
1913 Restaurant 
Acapulco Joe's
Adobo Grill 
* BARcelona Tapas 
* Bluebeard
* Buca diBeppo 
BuDa Lounge 
California Pizza Kitchen
* Cerulean 
* Champions Sports Bar 
* Chef Joseph's at the Connoisseur Room
Circle City Bar & Grille 
* Columbia Club 
Creation Café
Dunaway's 
* Eagle's Nest 
* Elbow Room
* Fogo De Chao 
Forty Five Degrees 
Greek Islands
* Harry & Izzy's 
High Velocity 
Iaria's
Indianapolis Colts Grille 
* Iozzo's Garden of Italy 
Kilroy's Bar & Grill
Libertine 
Lorenzo's Ristorante 
Maxine's Chicken & Waffles
McCormick & Schmick's 
Mesh 
Milano Inn
Morton's the Steakhouse 
Osteria Pronto 
* Palomino
Pearl Street Pizzeria 
* R bistro 
Rock Bottom
* Ruth's Chris Steak House 
* Sahm's Tavern 
* Scotty's Brewhouse
* Severin Bar 
* Shula's 
Skyline Club
Slippery Noodle 
Smokehouse on Shelby 
* St. Elmo Steak House
Tavern on South 
The Capital Grille 
The End of the Line Public House
The Oceanaire Seafood Room 
The Rathskellar 
* Turner's at the Canterbury
Weber Grill 
* Winner's Circle

For more details and menus, visit DevourDowntown.org

Elizabeth J. Musgrave is a syndicated fine-living, travel columnist, freelance writer and photographer, and performing arts and restaurant critic for Gotta Go. Read Infused, her spirits, wine & beer lifestyle column, at www.GottaGo.us and www.FoodDigital.com and catch her as Indy’s Entertainment Adviser on 93 WIBC. Gotta Go is published on www.Gottago.us, www.BroadwayWorld.com, an in print. Follow her on Twitter @GottaGo, LinkedIn and Facebook.
Posted by No comments:
Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Friday, January 11

Infused: Devour Downtown Winterfest 2013 Signature Drink Winners

Grandpa's Apple Pie
The Signature Drink Competition has been shaken, stirred and judged and the results are in. Vying for the top drink for the Devour Downtown event, bartenders and mixologists muddled, garnished and poured their own secret recipes for the judging panel. The competition was held at The Conrad, Indianapolis. Three category winners and one Best of Show were named.

Indianapolis readies for two things in the winter, cold weather and Devour Downtown. The biannual event continues its tradition of offering menus at a reduced cost from Indianapolis-area restaurants. The eating fest, which takes place each winter and summer, has become a mecca for foodies ~ many who attempt to hit each eatery. The 2013 Winterfest runs from Jan. 21 - Feb. 9, and includes almost 50 eateries in the downtown area.

For a prix fixe menu, guests can dine on specially selected three-course meals. Devour Downtown, originating in 2005, is hosted by the Indianapolis Downtown Restaurant & Lodging Association and sponsored by Republic National Distributing Company. For full list of restaurants and menus, visit DevourDowntown.org. Information is also available on Facebook or Twitter @DevourDowntown.

Accompanying the cuisine are the winners of the Signature Drinks competition. I am always pleased to be invited to be one of the judges of this distinguished competition. It brings out the best mixologists in Indianapolis for cash prizes and bragging rights.

The three categories' liquors, Jim Beam, Sailor Jerry and Grey Goose, are required as the main ingredient in the new recipe, created specifically for the Devour Downtown event.
Winners
Jim Beam
and
Best of Show
Drink: Grandpa Jim’s Apple Pie
Mixologist: Cassie McKinney
Restaurant/Bar: The Severin, Omni Hotel
Recipe: 2 oz. Jim Beam Bourbon, ½ oz. Goldschlager, ½ oz. apple juice. Add graham cracker crumbles around rim the rim of a martini glass. Combine ingredients into shaker. Shake and serve with apple garnish.

Sailor Jerry
Drink: Sazerac Lafitte
Mixologist: Jordan Ward
Restaurant/Bar: Ruth's Chris Steakhouse
Recipe: 2 oz. Sailor Jerry Rum, 2 dashes Peychaud's Bitters, 1/2 oz. Simple Syrup, ¼ oz. Absinthe, lemon peel garnish. Fill highball glass with ice to cool it. Build all ingredients except Absinthe in pint glass and stir contents. Empty highball glass and pour in Absinthe to line the glass. Dump extra Absinthe. Pour ingredients into highball and garnish with the lemon peel.


Grey Goose
Drink: Bloody Posmo
Mixologist: Kenny Garner
Restaurant/Bar: Tavern on South
Recipe: 2.5 oz Grey Goose Vodka, 1.5 oz Solerno Blood Orange Liqueur, 1.5 oz Pom Juice, 3 wedges of blood orange, 1 Rosemary sprig. Muddle the blood orange with Solerno. Add Grey Goose Vodka and Pom Juice. Shake and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with blood orange and torched Rosemary sprig.

Images: You are Here Photography (Cassandra and Damian Salimeno)
For sponsor information, visit Republic National Distributing Company

Elizabeth J. Musgrave is a syndicated fine-living, travel columnist, freelance writer and photographer, and performing arts and restaurant critic for Gotta Go. Read Infused, her spirits, wine & beer lifestyle column, at www.GottaGo.us and www.FoodDigital.com and catch her as Indy’s Entertainment Adviser on 93 WIBC. Gotta Go is published on www.Gottago.us, www.BroadwayWorld.com, an in print. Follow her on Twitter @GottaGo, LinkedIn and Facebook.
Posted by 1 comment:
Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)