Saffron Cafe

FLOE felt a little late to the ball having seen lots of great reviews flow in on Saffron Cafe.  But this week we finally had a chance to give it a whirl.

As they have their menu online, we'd given it a bit of thought before we arrived.  We knew that the antipasto plate was right up our alley.  Hummus, Zaalouk (Morrocan eggplant spread) & Bakoula (Morrocan spinach spread) served with a tasty warmed pita.  The only question was how we'd keep Ozzy away from the pita basket!  

Careful to limit the boy's carb consumption, we dug in.  Fred found the spinach to be captivating; far outshining the hummus, which was a real surprise to us.  Neither of us could place a single ingredient past the spinach, but were consistently commenting on how flavorful it was.  The eggplant was also high on Libby's list, reminding us heavily of babaganush.   Even when the pita ran out, the serving spoon made for a satisfactory delivery device.  All in all, a great start to the meal.

Always excited about new and exotic ways of cooking, both of us chose Tajines for the main courses.   A Tajine is a traditional Moroccan stew cooked and served in a decorative ceramic pot.  Think of individual little crock pots that've been cooking all day and bursting with spices.  yum!

After ordering an Alhambra Negro (a wonderful, dark Moroccan lager), Fred chose the Ginger Chicken Tajine.  Half a chicken slow-cooked with ginger, garlic, peas & carrots with a healthy dose of saffron and a most unique flavor addition:  pickled lemon. We're not sure if they intend for you to actually eat the pickled lemon wedges, but WOW talk about a flavor bomb in your mouth!  It was intense, in a good way.  Aside from the lemon, the dish was very mild, floral with a pleasant flavor.  However we both agreed that this was not the best choice of dish.  Due to the slow, wet cooking method, the skin was unappetizing.  That combined with a large amount of bones made for a less than stellar overall experience.  The flavor was spot-on, but with so many other amazing options, you should consider them instead. 

Libby chose the Tajine Lamberel. Presented in the beautiful Tajine dish, it was a sight to behold....stewed leg of lamb, resting in a brown sauce that contained eggplant in some capcity(yum) and the aroma...absolutely wonderful!  The LesTrois Domanes Rouge,(a mild red table wine from Geurouane, Morocco) paired perfectly. Definitely not a dish heavy on spice.  Richness was the word that came to mind.  The lamb was beyond fork tender.  The table bread, special in it's own way with heavy tones of beer, was perfect for sopping up the goodness.  When craving a lamb dish, this is exactly what comes to mind...tender, rich, depth of flavor...comfort food. 

Ozzy made due with half the pita from the appetizer.  We had ordered him a side of roasted red potatoes, which mommy and daddy both agreed were quite tasty.  Ozzy on the other hand was much more interested in another boy's toy police helmet and had no time for food.  One of these days, boy, we'll turn you into a foodie.  You can't hold out forever!

For dessert, the choices were a tiramisu, a baklava, and a marscapone cheesecake.  Ozzy heard the word "cake" and quickly declared his vote...so, the marscapone cheesecake it was!  This was not cheesecake in the usual sense of the word...it was really more like a strawberry shortcake...and wow!  It was the best strawberry shortcake we have ever had!  A huge piece layered with marscapone cheesecake and the shortcake, covered with whipped cream and strawberry sauce...just fabulous!  Light and heavy at the same time.  How did they pull that off?!

http://saffroncafe-indy.com/

Wrap Up
Price-$$$-$$$$, Pricey but with a wow factor.  The couple on a first date in the corner certainly had the right idea!
Atmosphere-***, Small, but beautifully decorated with comfortable seating.  An open concept with a very affable and ever-present owner.
Service-****, We had a very early reservation and there were few other tables, but the waitstaff was attentive and personable without being overbearing.  

Overall

Fred - B+, I'm sure a different tajine would only improve this rating.  But you have to call it as you see it.
Libby - A,  My experience was excellent.  I look forward to coming back for more.  I appreciate their openness to allow accommodating young children.  We saw another table made a fast-food run for their youngster which was simply joked about by the owner as he brought out a complimentary appetizer for the large family to share.
Ozzy- C+, No kids menu whatsoever, but Ozzy actually fork-blocked mommy for the dessert!
Estelle- A, Stella's personal, very private dining experience was not looked upon with shock and dismay by the staff, but rather seemed welcome and natural in the setting.

Red Lion Grog House

FLOE is finally feeling well and glad to be back to one of our favorite things...food!  On this rainy almost-Spring day, an English pub sounded like the thing that could warm our hearts and tummies!

In October of last year, Fountain Square welcomed newcomer, Red Lion Grog House to the scene.  (Check out the website...nicely done.)  Although they are located in the heart of Fountain Square on Virginia Ave., it takes a minute to find them due to a distinct lack of a good outdoor street sign.  It helps to know it is part of the old G.C. Murphy building. 

Upon entering, you notice how clean and new everything is.  Rich red-brown walls, beautiful hardwood floors, a dark tin ceiling, and at least 5 flat screens.  The restaurant has a long narrow shape, is well arranged, and has a nice, albeit, alcohol-free bar at the moment..(liquor license pending within the next month).

The lack of a freshly tapped beer at a grog house was quite the disappointment for Fred and Libby, but we were still optimistic and so glad to finally be out and about after so long.  The menu features typical English fare...fish 'n chips, bangers 'n mash, shepherds pie, scotch eggs, a little curry, and some sandwich and burger options. 

FLOE decided to start with the fried pickle chips with garlic dijon-aioli.  Fred chose the curry dish, the Chicken Tikka Masala while Libby stayed very English with the Fish and Chips...although the Blanket Bangers sounded oh, so tempting!  Ozzy, being in a mood after waking up cranky from a brief car nap and losing a toy the moment we set foot in the pub, settled on some of the fresh-cut fries and a water...oy.  Stella seemed very content post pre-dinner peas and squash. :)

The pickles came out fresh and hot.  A nice crunch, a light fry, and that dipping sauce was just fantastic!  Something to save for anything else you could possibly dip in it! They were gone far too quickly, but definitely got us in the mood for more!

The entrees arrived soon after.  Fred's Chicken Tikka looked so good that poor, quick Stella stuck her hand in it the moment Daddy's attention went to picking her toy rings off the floor for her...a little too warm and a shock brought the pleasantness of the evening to an abrupt halt.

After soothing the wee one, Fred found the Chicken Tikka Masala to be rich and flavorful.  He had always heard that the English did Indian very well, but had assumed that their version would always be a bit watered down on the flavor side.  But this was heavily seasoned and certainly equal to anything he's had at India Palace.  The only thing missing was the naan.  And a hefty beer, of course!  Served with only basmati rice, it was a hearty portion that left a wonderful warmth around the lips and belly. 

At first glance, you could tell Ozzy's fries were going to be good.  A perfect brown hue promised a lovely flavor to those  house made fries...and they did not disappoint.  Ozzy was very happy, complaining only that there were too many for him to finish.  Libby was so pleased to see an equally welcoming perfect golden-brown fry to her Atlantic cod.  This was easily one of the best fish and chips entrees ever, and there have been many.  The fish was not oily, of good quality, perfectly fried with a tasty batter...and a perfect amount.  Not over battered, mushy, or underfried.  Well done.  A little(or maybe a lot) of malt vinegar and we were good to go!

To round off the meal, and to try and salvage an evening that had been full of follies, we chose to try the dessert...two large chocolate chip cookies over vanilla ice cream drizzled in ganache...how can that not be good?  It was great.  The cookies were even a little underdone just to put it over the top.  Yum.  Ozzy was so enthusiastic he proclaimed that it "tasted very healthy!" and tried to convince me he saw some greens in it...if only chocolate chips could count as greens...

Afterwards, one of the owners came up to let us know there were going to be a few locals on tap, including two Sun King brews and Upland Rad Red (complete with a custom Red Lion tap)...not a bad start.  She also made sure to let us know there would be no domestics...even better.  There will also be about 20 bottled beers available.  We will definitely be back when the taps are present and full and we can get the full Grog House experience. :)

http://www.redliongroghouse.com/index.html

Wrap Up
Price-$$, Well worth the money for far above average pub-grub.
Atmosphere-** - ***, We never thought we'd say this, but they need more sh!t on the walls.  And beer...
Service-****, Service was top-notch, although it was a slow night and they had plenty of extra staff on hand.

Overall

Fred - B+, Assuming they get that liquor license, this place could be dangerous...  Perfect fried pickles. Must try the Blanket Bangers next time.
Libby - B,  The meal was good.  But sadly the rating has to take a hit when there's no grog in the grog house.
Ozzy- B, Enjoyed the fries and dessert, but there really weren't any children's items available.  Although the waitress did offer to come up with a PB&J!

The Greek Islands Restaurant

Great balls of flaming cheese! Talk about an entertaining environment!  We saw about 8 of these cheese infernos in the time we were there.  And not only are they fun to watch, but tasty to boot!  Opa!

Greek Islands is located south of downtown, neighboring Shapiro's and Iozzo's...not bad company.  A little out of place with it's bright blue paint, once inside, it all comes together.  Intimate, open and inviting describes the ambiance and the waitstaff do their part to add to that family restaurant feel.

 After ordering a glass of the house red, we simply had to start off our meal with a Saganaki.  Graviera cheese flambéd table-side in ouzo then sprinkled with fresh squeezed lemon juice.  At first we assumed you were really paying for the show, but upon our plate's arrival, we knew differently.  There is a reason why almost every table in joint ended up with one.  It's a must have.  Creamy and oily with a flavorful chewy exterior.  Perfect with the ever-present warm pita.  


We then decided to split the Greek Islands combination plate -- Generous helpings of Moussaka, Pasticcicho, Dolmades, Gyro meat, Spanakotiropita, and Tiropita.  The single entree was more than a match for both our appetites.  The Moussaka was easily the best either of us has had.  The eggplant and meat melded perfectly and made you feel like there was an old Greek grandma back in the kitchen.  

The Pasticcicho seemed like simply a lesser version of the Moussaka.  It was basically the moussaka with the eggplant substituted with macaroni.  We quickly passed this one by on the way to the wonderful Gyro meat (all for Libby) and the only Dolmades that either of us have enjoyed.  Both the Spanakotiropita and Tiropita (small stuffed phyllo pies) were delicious.  Perfectly crispy with creamy spinach and cheese stuffing.  Yum.


Ozzy opted for the kid's spaghetti with the sauce on the side.  He has recently decided that he loves dipping everything, but this time he quickly asked that we pour it on top.  It was a big hit.  This mixed with a playful waitress made for a very happy Oz.  The loud atmosphere was also very good for both kids and parents alike.  Any shenanigans would not upset nearby tables.


http://greekislandsrestaurant.com/


Libby lucks out again!  Greek twice in one month???  Well, she had Dinner Club to thank for that.


Wrap Up
Price-$$-$$$, A fair price for scratch-made meals.
Atmosphere-***, Fun with flames erupting every few minutes and exclamations of Opa!
Service-****, Everything about our service screamed family business that really cares about their customers. 

Overall

Fred - B+, While the house red was uninspiring, I think a few rounds of Ouzo would push this into A territory.  Perhaps next time!
Libby - A, Solid food, fun atmosphere, happy kids = happy parents.
Ozzy- A, Plentiful bread, understanding waitstaff and a good red sauce.  What's not to like?

Canal Bistro Mediterranean Grille

New Year's Eve gave FLO the opportunity to go out as a family and enjoy a year ending feast together.  As usual, the most difficult part was figuring out where to go.  Canal Bistro had been on our short list of places to try since we saw it during a beautiful summer walk on the Monon this year.  Located on the White River canal, the outdoor seating always looked so tempting in the evening sun.  Finally, on the coldest part of the year, we decided it was time to check it out.

We were psyched and surprised to see there was a small parking lot (and an open space!) located next to the building and were not surprised to see we were one of two four tops in the joint.  Our waitress was welcoming and happy to see us.  Inside, the decor was unique and fun...a little upscale in feeling, but like most Broad Ripple establishments, a relaxed atmosphere that welcomes jeans or jacket.

For those not aware, Fred is not the biggest Grecian cuisine fan.  The closest he gets is Turkey(loves Bosphorus), but Greece has not been his fav. Libby, on the other hand, LOVES Greek and relished this rare opportunity to try one of the several Greek venues in the Indianapolis area.

We chose to start with their appetizer sampler, the Mazza plate; falafel, tabbouleh, humus, tiziki sauce, tomato, cucumber, spinach pie, feta, and pitted black olives.  Freshly grilled yummy pita came as the table bread.  The falafel and spinach pie were the shining stars of this plate.  The falafel was perfectly fried and had a well-melded mild flavor...really tasty in the humus.  The spinach pie was absolutely delightful.  Lightly crisp that left your fingers greasy and your mouth happy with the creamy spinach filling.  Tabbouleh can be a difficult thing to eat much of with so much parsley, but it was fresh and light, a nice garnish(though there was more of it than anything else).  The humus was good, but not memorable. The feta and olives were of great condition and quality.  Overall, a nice appy, but Fred and Libby agreed they preferred the similar option at Bosphorus.

As it is really the Greek meats that Fred dislikes, he chose to sample the grilled feta sandwich-feta, tomato, cucumber, olives and spices grilled inside a large pita(?) or other flat bread.  A solid sandwich made special by the very creamy feta that Fred wishes he could repeat at home.  On the side came the orgasm of the evening.  Originally requesting just fries, the waitress questioned whether Fred wanted them with feta and garlic...yes, please!  What arrived are FLO's new favorite garlic fries in town.  Move over Boogie Burger, these are the best garlic fries around!  How is this accomplished?  We suspect a garlic infused oil is the portal and more of that delicious, extra creamy feta.  If the concept of creamy, crispy garlic fries intrigues you, then give these a try.

Libby, with a great love for gyros, had to try the Gyros platter that included more of the delicious feta and olives, buttery rice, some cucumber, tomato, lettuce and tiziki sauce.  An unusual feature was the manner in which the gyros meat was presented.  In the past, Libby has experienced the thin sliced variety, but this was cut in short chunks.  Oddly, it made a difference.  Libby prefers the thin sliced, more done edge that come with most gyros platters and sandwiches.  The flavor was good, but the texture was not as desirable or pleasant as with others.  Sadly, the tiziki seemed to need salt.  Creamy enough, but little seasoning.  The rice was standard.  Overall, it was good, but not the best Libby had had by any means.  Fred sampled the meat and found the texture not to his liking either-big shocker.

Ozzy was not left in the cold here.  There was a kids menu.  Options included gyros, chicken strips and something else he wouldn't eat(no recollection).  He chose to try the chicken strips and fries.  To our delight and his chagrin, they use their own batter...Ozzy did not approve, but Mommy and Daddy like.  An odd and sadly happy development for Mom and Dad was a curious and new appreciation for ketchup.  Since when did Ozzy decide he liked dipping?  Yay!  A new love for fruit?  ;)

Wrap Up
Price-$$$, With no alcohol, at lunchtime, we were still talkin' $60.
Atmosphere-***, Interesting decor and welcoming environment.
Service-****, One of the coolest waitresses we have ever had!

Overall

Fred - B+, If I have to be dragged to a Greek place, this would be my choice.  While the Brugge's frites still reign supreme, these feta garlic fries are an easy number two.
Libby - B+, So glad to finally enjoy a taste of the Mediterranean!  Although it wasn't the best of it's kind I've had, it was good and a happy meal overall.
Ozzy- B, Loved the fries(and ketchup!) and the atmosphere, but a short kids menu with little for carbotarians to enjoy.

        .

Brickhouse Burger Company

Location, location, location ...You definitely can see this place going south on 465 at the Kentucky Ave. exit, but it isn't quite clear how to get there.  Fred had noticed this Damon's takeover more than a couple of times on the way home.  Recently, FLO was able to make an appearance.

After a round about way, we were glad to arrive and see that the place was busy on a monday evening.  Inside, we were immediately seated in a comfortable booth and had the pleasure of 4 large screens to choose from.  We were excited to see a speaker box on the table, but to our disappointment it was out of order.  We later found out from our waitress that a server had cut the wires during carpet replacement and it was decided not to fix it...bad move.

The menu promised several appetizer classics, ribs, steaks, seafood, salads, sandwiches, wraps and some very exciting burgers...and that was what we were there for.  Libby knew right away it would either be one of their stuffed burgers or the Rockefeller Spinach burger.  Since Fred had his eye on either the Italian Stallion or the Three Cheese, Libby went with the latter.  Not to be horribly redundant, but Ozzy had "the usual."

With Stella in tow, we were glad to be in a family friendly environment.  On her best behavior, she seemed happy to look at the moving pictures or check out the activity outside the kitchen.  The layout was very open and much larger than it appeared from outside...definitely an awesome place to watch a game or hang out with a group of friends.  So, in essence, a venue for the masses.

After ordering a delightful Fat Tire draft, Fred had finally decided on the Three Cheese stuffed burger, as the pizza sauce on the Italian Stallion left him a bit skeptical.  To change it up, he asked for it to be served on their pretzel bun but left on the standard house fries.  Brickhouse certainly did not disappoint.  The three cheeses oozed out of every bite and just to put it over the edge, they added a layer on top of the burger as well.  Yowza, that's an artery clogging, gotta be good the rest of the week kind of burger.  The pretzel roll really held up to the juice rushing out of it and added a bit of bite to the whole ordeal.  A real home run.  The fries, while certainly prefab, were well fried.  Not overdone, but had a great crunch to them.

Libby's Rockefellar looked spectacular (as pictured above)!  Ordered with the sweet potato fries, it was a wonderful balance of salt and sweet.  There was a layer of cheddarjack cheese, spinach artichoke dip and crumbled bacon on top.  Perfectly cooked and juicy...the only thing missing was more bacon and spinach.  Not to downplay a good burger, but the size of the burger begged for more topping.  Very well done all in all.  And those fries were very tasty.  As you would add to any sweet potato, they had sweet/cinnamony spices and the more fried bits were a bit caramelized.  Sweet and crunchy. Yum.

Ozzy completed the meal and actually gave an enthusiastic "Pretty good!"

http://brickhouseburger.com/ 

Wrap Up

Price- $-$$$, If you came to watch the game, you could get 2 big beers and a great burger for under $20. A steal.
Atmosphere- ***, Clean, good layout and noise level.  Stadium seating so that everyone can watch the game's on the projection TVs.  But they've GOT to fix those speaker boxes!!
Service- ***, Personable, laid back wait staff.

Overall

Fred - A-, One delicious burger and I could certainly enjoy a game there.  I need to try their brioche bun next!  For the money, the great food and the TV's, these guys have it going on.
Libby - B+, Was it the best burger in Indy, no.  Boogie Burger and Ted's are my favs, but if you are looking for a family friendly sports bar atmosphere, this is the place to go.  The burger rocked and I will be back for another.
Ozzy- A+, he loved his meal, finishing the entire thing.  And as a typical 5 year old, he could make an ass of himself and no one heard or cared.  Unlike BW3's, where all the good TVs are in the bar area, these guys have family seating in front of the massive screens!  Yeah Rah!