The Top 10 Best Chocolate Treats in Indianapolis 2013

Chocolate ~ we crave it, love it and seek it out in every form... and that is perfectly fine. After all, it has healthy antioxidants and tastes delicious. Here is a list of folks bringing chocolate goodness to our world and city that I have searched all over to find.

These are The Top 10 Best Chocolate Treats in the Indianapolis area!

Wyliepalooza

Caffeinated chocolate ice cream and Zanzibar chocolate shakes

Wyliepalooza.com

Severin

Chocolate-dipped bacon

SeverinBar.com

Indy Style segment on Top 10 Chocolate List 2013

Ruth's Chris Downtown

Salted chocolate caramel martini (Review)

RuthsChrisIndy.com

Shula's

7-layer chocolate cake

Shula'sIndy.com

Complexions Spa
Chocolate spa treatments
ComplexionsSpa.com

Young Audiences
Chocolate Festival

YAIndy.org

Handels

Frozen Hot Chocolate, Handels Pops and Chocolate-dipped bananas

HandelsIceCream.com

Endangered Chocolate

Chocolate candy bars

ChocolateBar.com

Sun King

Chocolate Wee Mac

SunKingBrewing.com

Schakolad Chocolate Factory

Handmade European-style chocolates

SchakoladChocolateFactory.com

Images ~ Izzy Evans; Elizabeth 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 lifestyle adviser on Indy Style televison (CBS). Gotta Go is published on www.Gottago.us, www.BroadwayWorld.com, and in print. 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.

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.

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.

Northside Nights: March 8-18 Restaurant List

NORTHSIDE NIGHTS RESTAURANT WEEK

MARCH 8th – 18th 2012
If you are looking for Northside Nights 2013 Click HERE

Mini indulgences/Seasons 52                  Image/IzzyEvans

What: Northside Nights Restaurant Week

When: March 8-18

Who: 27 northside Indianapolis restaurants

Where: Various northside Indianapolis restaurants-see list below

Cost: 3 courses: $30 per person or $30 for two people

Website

For a complete list of menus, visit NorthsideNightsIndy.com

Participating Restaurants

Arni’s

Bonefish Grill

Chef Mike’s Charcoal Grill

Cobblestone Grill

Eddie Merlot’s

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse

Hall’s Castleton Grill

Harry & Izzy’s

Hellas Café

Kincaid’s

Michael’s Southshore

Mitchell’s Fish Market

Oakley’s Bistro

Peterson’s

Pizzology

Ruth’s Chris Steak House

Sahm’s Bar & Grill

Sahm’s Restaurant & Bar

Sangiovese Ristorante

Seasons 52
For a review of Seasons 52, click here.

Stone Creek Dining Noblesville

Stone Creek Dining Zionsville

Sullivan’s Steak House

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

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