Things to do in Indianapolis March 2017

It's warm, it's cold, it's raining, then snowing, then sunny.... strange winter in Indianapolis indeed. You just decide it is a good time to go hiking, when the temps drop and the snow falls. As March rolls its way in, the weather will continue to flip flop. Outside, or in, there are always things to do in Indianapolis.

Here are my TOP 5 recommendations for March 2017.

Broadway in Indianapolis
If you have not seen it, now is the perfect time as Broadway in 

Indianapolis brings a return performance of Jersey Boys to Clowes Memorial Hall, Butler University February 28 - March 5. This will be my third time to catch it, because it is worth it (read my review here). Then, March 30 – April 2, Motown the Musical takes over The Murat Theatre at ONC. Two great eras of music ~ life is good.

WFYI Ice Miller Wine Fest 2017

Hosted by Ice Miller this wine event will be held Fri., March 3, and has been moved to Old National Center. Still the preeminent fundraiser for WFYI, this annual tasting soiree' is THE wine event for Indy.

Livery Stable
Livery has a rooftop dining experience with spectacular views of Mass Ave's splendor, Lockerbie, Chatham Arch and other historic neighborhoods. This most recent restaurant addition to the Mass-College corner is impressive in its simplicity. The understated urban décor, efficient and friendly service (an important detail to many), and trendy, well-executed menu ~ both culinary and cocktails ~ make this THE place to catch sunlight, starlight and wonderful views.

Central Canal
The best way to break out of those winter blahs is to take a stroll, bike ride, or brisk walk, along downtown's canal. From war memorials, to fountains and fauna, to people watching, there is always something to do along the waterway.

Cabaret
Moved into its new home (for now), The Cabaret is a perfect reason to dress up. Great talent is brought in from all over for the cozy, intimate club-style ambiance. Fri., March 10, Judy Kuhn performs two shows at Cabaret's new location.

Elizabeth J. Musgrave writes two magazine food and wine columns: Destination Dining and White Linen & Corks,and is a travel, features, food and wine writer, travel and food photographer, and performing arts and restaurant critic. Catch her as the Travel & Leisure Adviser on FOX59 Morning News Show. She also is a speaker, consultant and trainer for hospitality, travel and luxury businesses, P.R., and tourism groups, as well as a radio and television guest and host. Follow her on Twitter @GottaGo, LinkedIn and Facebook.

Infused: Restaurant Review: Cafe Benelux

Cuvee des Trolls                                   Image/Musgrave

Milwaukee, with its brewing roots strongly in German soil, has been invaded by the Belgians and Dutch. And the local residents don’t seem to mind.

Where are the Belgian biers holed up? Those daring, bold invaders can be found hiding right out in the open. The open rooftop, that is.

Café Benelux, 346 N. Broadway, offers a rooftop advantage of views overlooking the ultra cool, revitalized neighborhood of the Historic Third Ward. Warehouses, built in the 1800s, are now filled with an eclectic array of pubs, fashion shops, spas, theaters and more, including Milwaukee Public Market and Riverwalk.Within steps of Lake Michigan, Benelux landed in a scenic spot to woo German-origin residents and visitors alike away from their traditional stein-filled liquids.

Named for the Lowland European region of Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg, Café Benelux features a 41-page Bier Book and it is taking no prisoners.

Bier, which has been hand-picked from the nooks and crannies of the favored European Lowland region in its breweries and monastaries, include a diverse, but well-focused menu of draughts, Saisons and Farm ales, Lambics and more. Gluten-free options are not just an afterthought with an entire page of 5.3% a.c. to 7 % a.c. options.

Pannenkoeken                      Image/EJMusgrave

On the extensive list, dark ales include Gulden Draak at 10.5% a.c. to the Tilburgs Dutch Brown Ale at a, comparably low, 5% a.c.  Sours, Amber Reds and IPAs are all on the frontline to take over the Lake Michigan-city’s taste buds.

Bitterballen         Image/EJMusgrave 

Cuvee des Trolls might just be worthy of the status of starred general with its blond malts and dried orange peel scents. Bitter, sour and occasionally sweet, this officer for the Brasserrie Debuisoon in Leuze-Pipaix, Belgium commands respect from all.

Glassware, which is considered an important piece of equipment and not just a decorative chalice, is paired properly with regard to each bier. Palettes come in four 120 ml. pours selected from 30 biers while the Lowland Meter gives you 10 selections to share with pals. The Kwak Carousel offers four beaker-like glasses of the amber liquid and the Kwak Liter has a two-handed beaker for your pleasure.

Kwak Carousel                              Image/Benelux

Pairings are equally taken seriously when it comes to the food selection. Taking the server’s expert suggestion, the pannenkoeken (a Dutch crepe/pancake, pancetta, egg and combination) frites and bitterballen (a Dutch meatball-type snack common in pubs) all hooked up well with the Cuvee des Trolls.

Bottom Line: With a passion so devoted to the culture and bier of Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg, Café Benelux makes the Lowlands proud and Milwaukeans content.

Directions, full menu and bier information can be found at CafeBenelux.com.

Elizabeth J. Musgrave is a syndicated columnist, travel writer, performing arts and restaurant critic. Catch her newest column, Infused at GottaGo.us and FoodandDrinkDigital.com and as Indy’s Entertainment Adviser on 93 WIBC. Gotta Go is published on Gottago.us, BroadwayWorld.com, in M magazine and these newspapers: South Sider Voice, Indiana Weekender, New Palestine Reporter, Pendleton Times Reporter and Fortville-McCordsville Reporter. Follow her on Twitter @GottaGo, LinkedIn and Facebook.