A FEW RESTAURANTS IN INDY

We ate at Iaria's and Meridian on Meridian.

Iaria's is a fourth generation owned Italian restaurant located at 317 S. College Avenue. I think that the secret's in the sauce. We did a sampling of the menu beginning with Crostini with Caponata, a Sicilian Dish combining Fresh Eggplant, Celery, Capers, Tomatoes, and Calamata Olives, served with Toasted Italian Crostini Bread. Since they make their own ravioli, we had a taste of the meat, spinach and cheese. Then there was a garlic lover's Linguini with Clam Sauce, a traditional Lasagne and a sampling of their sausage and meatballs. I did not like their version of Tirmisu, otherwise the food was authentic and delicious.

Meridian on Meridian is a two story log structure erected in the 1880s at the prime location between Meridian Street and the Indiana Central Canal. Some of those original logs remain as a reminiscence of the history of this unique property that has served food and drink to Hoosiers and travelers alike for nearly a century.

We did a chef's sampling of the menu commencing with a Charcuterie plate that included their own duck proscuitto along with some goose liver pate. Appetizers of: Korean BBQ Beef- short ribs cooked with ginger and orange with slaw; Potato Gnocchi with oyster mushrooms, roasted tomato, greens, and sage; Oysters Rockefeller - chicken fried, creamed spinach, smoked bacon and Hollandaise sauce; Smoked Corn Puree - applewood smoked corn, chicken stock, red pepper, potato, bacon and a touch of cream; Cornmeal dusted Soft shell crabs that I just couldn't resist.

Special of the day was the Atlantic Skate Wing - removed from the cartilage, and sauteed, with roasted root vegetables and fingerling potatoes. For those who do not like "fish" this is the one to try...more toward the shellfish side of seafood.

Pan roasted chicken breast with parmesan bread pudding, escarole, and a tomato jam.

Then there were the sides of creamed kale, and a mac and cheese using 6 different cheeses.

Dessert was a butterscotch pudding that was served in an ice cream glass. Delicious, but too much for one person!

As for everything else, it was all good to my taste buds.

This is one of three restaurants owned by Rick Lux, this locale being a cuisine of fine dining and American fare.