Indiana Casinos Offer More than Gambling

Blue Chip

I am not surprised at how many people do not know about the amenities at casinos outside the gaming floor. It's almost a secret. I am not against gambling at all, I just don't do it often. So why do I go to casinos?

If you consider that people go to casinos and win money ~ they want someplace to spend it and they want to spend it now. Enter... an entire smorgasbord of options, including (but certainly not limited to) shopping, food, mixologists creating marvelous cocktails, spas, hotels, golf, cooking classes, and so much more... They truly are an adult playground.

Below is a complete and up-to-date (as of today) list of all the casinos in Indiana with links directly below. Read, click and go have fun ~ not gambling.

Well, okay, you can go ahead and gamble if you like. Certainly they have plenty of slot machines, poker, Black Jack and horses for placing money on, along with people who help you understand how to bet, play the games and where to cash in (my favorite part).

Indiana Casinos List 2013

Ameristar
Ameristar.com/eastchicago 

Belterra

Belterracasino.com

Blue Chip

Bluechipcasino.com 

French Lick Resort & Spa 

Frenchlick.com

Hollywood 

Hollywoodindiana.com

Hoosier Park & Casino 

Hoosierpark.com

Horseshoe SI

Horseshoe-indiana.com

Horsehoe Hammond 

HorseshoeHammond.com

Indiana Grand & Downs 

Indianagrand.com

Majestic Star I 

MajesticStarCasino.com

Majestic Star II

MajesticStarCasino.com

Rising Star

RisingStarCasino.com

Tropicana Evansville

TropEvansville.com

Elizabeth gives Indy Style viewers insider tips for Indiana casinos.

Elizabeth J. Musgrave is a syndicated fine-living, travel columnist, persuasive copywriter, features
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 your Personal Lifestyle Adviser on WISH TV 8 (CBS) Indy Style. Gotta Go is published on www.Gottago.us, and in magazines. Follow her on Twitter @GottaGo, LinkedIn and Facebook.

Northside Nights 2013: March 11-24

The Melting Pot

Northside Nights, the northern take on Devour Downtown, returns for foodies and occasional diners alike to enjoy the wondrous edible fare on Indy's upper end. Fourteen days worth of culinary offerings tempt the palate for a special price and menu at each location.

The third year includes 36 restaurants giving guests a prix fixe meal. Tech savvy folks can follow updates on Twitter by following @NorthsideNights. Below are participating restaurants and links for reviews which will be updated regularly.

Northside Nights 2013
Participating Restaurants

(GF) Gluten Free ~ (V) Vegetarian ~ (Ve) Vegan

Blu Martini (V) 

Hall's Castleton Grill (V) 

Peterson's (V) 

Stone Creek Dining-Noblesville 

Chef Mike's Charcoal Grill 

Daddy Jack's 

Pizzology (V) 

Sahm’s Restaurant &Pub (V) 

Dessert at Blu Martini

Sushi at Blu Martini

Late Harvest (V) 

Kincaid's (V) 

Ruth's Chris (V)

Nickel Plate 

Cobblestone Grill 

Kona Jack's Fish Market & Sushi Bar 

Sangiovese Ristorante 

Hellas Cafe (V) 

Eddie Merlot's 

Harry & Izzy's (V)-lunch or dinner 

Mitchell's Fish Market 

Michael's Southshore(V) 

Fleming's Prime Steakhouse 

Oakleys Bistro (V) 

Seasons 52
Arni's Restaurant (GF,V)-lunch or dinner 

Stone Creek Dining-Zionsville 

Sullivan's Steakhouse (V) 

The Melting Pot (GF,V) 

For a review of The Melting Pot chocolate martini, click here.

Grille 39 Restaurant

Belle Vita (V) 

J.Razzos (V) 

Shiraz (V)

Ocean Prime 

Scotty's Lakehouse (V) 

Scotty's Brewhouse (V)

MacKenzie River Pizza, Pub, Grill (GF,V)

Rusty Bucket Corner Tavern (V)

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.

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.

List of Devour Downtown Restaurants Winterfest 2012

Winner's Circle

Devour Downtown begins today with the event running through January 22. $30 menus (for one or two

depending on location) give foodies and regular diners alike the ability to try out three courses at more than 40 restaurants in the downtown Indianapolis area. This year select eateries are also offering $20 lunches.

Devour Downtown Winterfest 2012

Participating Restaurants

To check out each restaurant's menu, visit DevourDowntown.org

120 West Market Fresh Grill 

14 West

Adobo Grill

Barcelona Tapas

Bella Vita at Circle Centre

The Capital Grille

Champions Sports Bar & Restaurant

Chef Joseph's at the Connoisseur Room

The Columbia Club

The Circle City Bar & Grille

Colts Grille

Columbia Club

Creation Café

Dunaway's

Eagle's Nest

Elbow Room

Fogo De Chao

Forty Five Degrees

Goose the Market

Greek Islands

Hard Rock Café

Harry & Izzy's

High Velocity

Iaria's Italian Restaurant

Iozzo's Garden of Italy

Kilroy's

Libertine

Lorenzo's Ristorante

McCormick & Schmick's

Mesh

Milano Inn

Miguel's Southern Kitchen

Morton's The Steakhouse

The Elbow Room

The Oceanaire Seafood Room

Osteria Pronto

Palomino

Pearl Street Pizzeria

The Rathskellar

R Bistro

Rock Bottom

Ruth's Chris Steak House

Sahm's Tavern

Scotty's Brewhouse

Sensu

Severin Bar & Grille

Shula's Steak House

Skyline Club

Slippery Noodle

Smokehouse on Shelby

Smoking Goose

St. Elmo Steak House

Tavern on South

The End of the Line Public House

Turner's at the Canterbury

Weber Grille

Claddagh

Winner's Circle

Since 2005, the Indianapolis Downtown Restaurant & Hospitality Association (IDRHA) has hosted Devour Downtown. Originally an annual event, Devour Downtown now is held twice a year – in the winter and summer.

To view the list of participating restaurants and their specific prix fixe menus, visit www.devourdowntown.org.

Elizabeth J. Musgrave is a syndicated columnist, travel writer, performing arts and restaurant critic. Catch her as Indy’s Entertainment Adviser on 93 WIBC, and follow her on Twitter @GottaGO and Facebook. Gotta Go is published in M magazine and  the following newspapers: South Sider Voice, Indiana Weekender, New Palestine Reporter, Pendleton Times Reporter and Fortville-McCordsville Reporter.