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Feb 12 2013
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Asian Inspired, Local Eateries, Recker-mendation, We Eat Well

Recker-mendation: Ma Hnin Asian Restaurant

Variety

Jon mentioned this little restaurant a long time ago and then it fell off our radar for years until tonight. His dad is in town and we wanted to try something new. Ma Hnin is located at South Calhoun and Pontiac in a former gas/service station. The interior isn’t fancy, but it’s comfortable and appropriate for the type of food served. We arrived a little after 7 and had the restaurant to ourselves, which allowed us to bend our server’s ear about her recommendations. The menu is fairly small, with a handful of appetizers, noodle dishes, and thai special dishes, but offers a nice variety.

Samosas $4.50

Samosas $4.50

We started with Samosas, a wonton filled with potatoes, onions, lentils, coriander, and spices, and they were delicious. I loved the thin and crunchy pastry shell. And talk about savory spices! So much yum packed into these little triangles. A word of advice: let them cool. Those suckers are hotter than molten lava when first served.

Koa Pad Kra Prao $6.50

Koa Pad Kra Prao $6.50

Jon chose Koa Pad Kra Prao, which is stir fried basil with choice of meat (he chose pork), served over rice with 2 eggs over easy. He ordered it medium spicy, which was plenty hot for his taste. Be sure to use the peanuts on the table with this dish- they temper the spices nicely and bring out the flavors of the ground pork and fresh basil.

Fried Noodle $6.50

Fried Noodle $6.50

Jon’s dad opted for a two dishes: Rice Noodle and Fried Noodle. Fried Noodle is stir fried noodles with seafood and served Burmese Style (which means SPICY!). We were floored with the amount and variety of seafood included with this dish; shrimp, oysters, and calamari to name a few. It also contained bok choy, red peppers and water chestnuts. It came with a small bowl of broth and a spicy salad. Yummy. I am ordering this the next time we go back. The Rice Noodle is one of the traditional Burmese dishes on the menu and is served in a large bowl in broth. It contains rice noodles, cabbage, fried beans and spices. I had only a bite of this dish, but I can’t wait to go back and order it for myself. It’s like a traditional Thai Soup I’ve had at other places, but with spices I couldn’t identify. A bit sweet, a little salty, but definitely tasty.

Rice Noodle $5.95

Rice Noodle $5.95

I ordered the Yum Talay, a hot and spicy seafood salad mixed with green onion, lime juice, and fish sauce.  It wasn’t quite what I expected, but it was good. It’s a cold dish loaded with shrimp, squid, oysters, and mushrooms. I don’t care for mushrooms, so I picked those out, but the seafood was great. You can’t get that much seafood for the price anywhere in town. The tangy combination of lime juice and fish sauce was just perfect.

Yum Talay $7.50

Yum Talay $7.50

The portion sizes are HUGE, so we were all full when we left and took quite a bit home with us too, but I am really looking forward to our next trip.

Mahnin Asian Restaurant on Urbanspoon

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Jan 30 2013
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Local Eateries, Recker-mendation, We Eat Well

Recker-mendation: Pad Thai, a New ’05 Restaurant

We were so excited when Los Portales opened in our neighborhood. It was a family-owned Mexican restaurant that made its own tortillas and served kick-ass Horchatas. Sadly, it closed a few months ago. We were wrong about its staying power. Luckily, the space didn’t stay empty for long, and last weekend, we tried the restaurant that opened in the same space: Pad Thai, coined as fine Thai and Burmese cuisine.

The menu isn’t extensive, but it does offer a variety of traditional Thai dishes, including the ever-popular Pad Thai. The best part? The menu contains pictures of most of the dishes, so I chose the dish that looked the best: Thai Beef Noodle Soup ($6.95). Jon opted for Pad Thai with tofu ($7.95), and Jon’s dad had Pad Si-eew ($6.95).

Thai Beef Noodle

The Thai Beef Noodle Soup was fabulous; full of thinly sliced beef, rice noodles, cilantro, scallions, and bok choy. The broth was extremely flavorful, with a hint of cinnamon, giving it a heated, sweet taste. The dish also contained fish balls, which I did not care for, but they were easy enough to eat around. I can’t wait to go back and have this again! It will certainly be in regular rotation.

Pad Si-eew

Jon’s Pad Thai measured up to classic Pad Thai dishes we’ve had at other Thai places. He especially enjoyed the “extras” available at the table- peanuts, pickled jalapeños and red chili, enabling him to make his dish as spicy and he likes. Jon’s dad’s Pad Si-eew, made with  stir-fried ribbon noodles, bok choy and beef, was good as well. He added peanuts and red chili to ramp up the flavor.

Pad Thai

Give it a try! We want good places like this to survive in our neighborhood.

Jan 16 2013
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Local Eateries, Recker-mendation, We Eat Well

Recker-mendation: Joseph Decuis

It had been years since we visited Joseph Decuis in Roanoke, so for Jon’s birthday in September, I made reservations and arranged for a tour of the Joseph Decuis Farm. If you’ve never been to the farm, you need to check it out. Joseph Decuis is the only farm to fork restaurant in Northeast Indiana, and it is incredible to see the meticulously designed and cared for gardens and the immaculate stables that house the Wagyu cattle. Aaron Butts, executive chef, showed us around, introduced us to the goats, and talked to us about designing the menu around what’s in season in the garden. It really is an unparalleled operation. The farm is open for tours on some weekends. Check the website for more information.

Joseph Decuis Farm

After touring the farm, Jon and I headed to the restaurant to enjoy a special birthday dinner. We were lucky enough to score the best seat in the house, right in front of the large picture window overlooking picturesque downtown Roanoke. There was a wedding in the rest of the restaurant, which allowed us an opportunity to watch the kitchen staff prepare dinner for 50 guests. The kitchen is located smack dab in the middle of the front dining room, partitioned only by counters and half walls, providing an optimum view for guests. For those who love the culinary arts like us, this is a real treat. The timing of food preparation and watching the well orchestrated kitchen staff was a unique experience.

Roasted Baby Beet Salad

Roasted Baby Beet Salad ($10)

Jon and I believe food should be shared, so we ordered an assortment of dishes to enjoy together, starting with the Roasted Baby Beet Salad ($10) made with local honey, rosemary, pistachio nuts and shaved manchego cheese. We are fans of beets, but this salad takes them to the next level- it’s a savory sweet treat and was the perfect start to our meal.

Charcuterie Board

Charcuterie Board ($18)

Next, we sampled the Charcuterie Board ($18), a selection of premium house cured meats. This was a fun experience. The house cured meats are served with stone ground mustard, fruit, and an assortment of pickled vegetables and greens, providing a salty sweet experience. I had the chance to try headcheese for the first time and liked it. Though it gets a bad rap, when done well, it is considered a delicacy. Head cheese is not a cheese, but a terrine made with flesh from the head of a calf or pig. I know it doesn’t sound good, but if you have a chance to try it at Joseph Decuis, I recommend it. All of the meats are prepared and cured in the restaurant, guaranteeing their quality and freshness.

Heirloom Tomato Vernale Salad

Heirloom Tomato Vernale Salad ($11)

We chose the Heirloom Tomato Vernale Salad ($11) for our salad course. It’s a seasonal dish made with buffalo mozzarella, fried eggplant, shaved fennel, basil oil, tomato oil, aged balsamic vinegar. The tomatoes were fresh and juicy and paired well with the crunchy fried eggplant. The shaved fennel, oils and vinegar combined for a pleasingly savory taste. Overall, this was a light and refreshing way to transition to our main courses.

Pan Seared Red Snapper

Pan Seared Red Snapper ($36)

For our first main dish, we selected the Pan Seared Red Snapper ($36) with charred eggplant puree, grilled focaccia, homemade chorizo, blistered tomatoes, cipollini onions, and garden squash. Typically known for its delicate flavor and firm texture, the Snapper paired well with the creamy eggplant puree and the spicy homemade chorizo.

Wagyu

Wagyu Rib Eye ($65)

Jon and I were most excited to try the famous Wagyu beef, raised on the Jopseph Decuis farm. To learn more about it, check out the website. We ordered the Wagyu Rib Eye (F2 75%) medium rare, and the best way to describe it is: melt-in-your-mouth buttery goodness. The meat is leaner than a prime steak, and we savored each bite. It was served with creamy mashed potatoes and a subtle corn salsa.  Absolutely delectable. Though the price will deter us from having this on a regular basis, I recommend you give it a try at least once. It was an incredible experience.

Thank you Aaron and the staff of Joseph Decuis for making Jon’s birthday dinner one we will never forget!

Joseph Decuis on Urbanspoon

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Jan 04 2013
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Local Eateries, Seafood, We Eat Well

Recker-mendation: Koto Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi

I was skeptical when I saw the former Bar-B-Cutie building being remodeled into a Japanese restaurant. For one, I am a devoted Asakusa fan and there’s little room in my heart for more sushi affection, and two, it is such a weird location. I’ve seen several restaurants come and go since I moved here, so I wasn’t very hopeful about Koto.

I decided to give it a try right after it opened and was blown away by the transformation of the interior space. It’s like walking into an alternate universe. It used have a bright and cheery chain restaurant feel, and now it is decked out in dark woods and Asian decor. Part of the space has been sectioned off for hibachi, which I haven’t tried yet. When sushi is an option, it’s the option I always choose.

I love popping into Koto for lunch. Because it’s so close to my office, it’s the perfect spot for lunch meetings. Prices are more than fair. I can get in and out for under $10, and that includes soup, salad, and two rolls. I’ve been a couple times for dinner, as well, and was thoroughly impressed by the sushi selection, service, and prices.

2013-01-03 15.00.52

Beef Negamaki $5.95

Last weekend, Jon’s dad came to town and took us to dinner. We opted for Koto and had a wonderful experience. We started with soup. I am partial to the clear soup ($1.50), which contains chicken broth with mushrooms. green onions and tempura crunch. Jon loves Miso ($2), made with soy bean based soup, tofu, green onions and seaweed. Jon’s dad chose Kani soup ($2), made with chicken broth, crab, tofu, green onions, and seaweed. Next, we sampled the Beef Negamaki ($5.95). I have had it once before based on a recommendation from a friend and really liked it. It’s made with thinly sliced beef drenched teriyaki sauce, wrapped in scallion and served warm. I am typically not a beef eater, but this beef is so thin and so tender, it seems to melt in your mouth. If you haven’t tried it, I suggest adding it to your must-try list.

We ordered two rounds of rolls. First up: Dynamite ($12.95), Fire Island ($11.95), and Black Diamond ($10.95).

2013-01-03 15.01.02

Top to bottom: Dyanamite, Fire Island, and Black Diamond

The Dynamite Roll is made with spicy salmon and avocado, and topped with flaming tuna, white tuna, salmon, strip bass, caviar, onion, and chef’s special sauce. I love rolls that incorporate a wide variety of fish and seafood. Each bite offers something different. And anytime a roll contains spicy salmon, it’s a no brainer for me. It’s just spicy enough to get the blood pumping, but not spicy enough to make the experience unpleasant.

Fire Island is a different story… it’s almost too spicy, but I loved every bite of it. It’s made with spicy tuna, jalapeno and  tempura crunch, topped with salmon, spicy sauce and caviar. The name suits it well, so if you can’t handle spicy food, steer clear of this one. Jon and I love spicy food, so this one goes down as a top choice for us. The combination of spicy and crunchy is right up our alley.

Perhaps the most unique roll on the menu, the Black Diamond is made with crab meat, avocado and shrimp tempura, rolled and deep fried and topped with green onion, caviar, eel sauce and spicy panzu sauce. I don’t know about you, but deep frying a sushi roll seems sacrilegious, but let me tell you, it’s absolutely delicious. The light tempura breading provides an unparalleled crunch and texture. I was concerned that eating a warm sushi roll would turn my stomach, but I enjoyed it immensely. All the flavors combine to propel this to the top of our list.

For round two, we ordered the Manhattan roll ($9.95) and finished it off with two lighter rolls, an Avocado ($3.50) and an Oshinko ($3.50), or Japanese Pickle.

2013-01-03 15.01.12

Left to Right: Oshinko, Avocado, and Manhattan

The Manhattan roll contains shrimp tempura, eel, caviar, avocado, and wasabi mayo sauce. It is lighter than the first three rolls and presented a nice combination of flavors and textures. I am a big fan of eel, so I enjoyed its flavor mixed throughout. Of course, we love the crunch, and this roll has a lot of it.

The Avocado Roll and the Oshinko roll are very light and provided a refreshing ending to our meal.

I encourage you give Koto a try, if you haven’t already. Prices are fair, sushi is exceptional, and the ambiance is intimate and appropriate.

Koto Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi on Urbanspoon

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Dec 31 2012
6 Comments
Adventures in Baking, Asian Inspired, Ice Cream, Local Eateries, Recker-mendation, We Eat Well, We Live Well

The Best of 2012, a series of top five lists

2012 was another good food year for us in the Ginger Kitchen. Though we didn’t cook as much as we usually do because of hectic schedules, we still managed to create some winners.

Here are some stats from our year of blogging:

  • We blogged 77 times and had 16,000 views.
  • Facebook remains our top referrer, with Twitter and Pinterest coming in second and third respectively.
  • Folks from 107 countries visited our site.
  • Our top commenters were Sara, Andy, and Wendy.
  • The busiest day of the year was December 28, with 437 views.

Thanks for a great year. To ring in the New Year, here are our top five dishes, followed by our top five desserts, and top five Recker-mendations.

Top 5 Dishes

1- Sweet Potato Dijon Veggie Burgers with Avocado

Spotted first on Pinterest, this “burger” was a real crowd pleaser and we’ve made it several times since. Beef tends to sit like a rock in my stomach, so this lighter alternative was a welcome addition to our line up this year.

sweet-potato-burger

2- Salmon Bulgogi with Bok Choy and Kale

Every once in awhile, I throw together a simply scrumptious dish. I count this Salmon dish as one of my great successes in the kitchen this year. I especially love when a dish incorporates fresh veggies and herbs from our garden. This one uses chives and bok choy from out back.

salmon

3- Gouda Bacon Burger with Avocado

Jon whipped up this one from his own imagination while grocery shopping and it had fallen off my radar until now. I think I need to ask him to make this again soon! The combination of tangy dressing, crunchy onions and smooth avocado is simply heavenly.

gouda-bacon-burger

4- Thai Shrimp Curry

We tend to prepare many Asian inspired dishes, but this one is my favorite from this year. Packed with spices, this dish leaves nothing to be desired. It’s simply perfect in my book.

thai-shrimp-3-19-12

5- Creamed Chicken with Corn and Bacon over Polenta

Last but certainly not least, this comfort dish wowed me when Jon made it. Though it’s a bit labor intensive, it’s worth it in my opinion. The tender chicken and creamy polenta, coupled with the savory spices and bacon, give it an A+ rating.

polenta-3-18-12

Top 5 Desserts

1- Buttermilk Chocolate Cookies

My love/hate relationship with Jon’s baking continued this year. These were definitely hard to resist- soft, chewy, chocolatey… so, so, good.

brownie-cookies

2- Maple Ice Cream with Walnuts & Raisins

This is one of many ice creams we made this year as we experimented with different flavors. This is one of my faves. The sweet, creamy base is delicious, and the toasted walnuts and raisins complement it well.

maple-walnut-ice-cream1

3- Red Velvet Cake Truffles

I’ve long been fascinated by the rise in popularity of  cake pops and cake balls (I hate this name- that’s why I call them truffles). I assumed they’d be too difficult to make, but I tried my hand at them and absolutely love making them. They aren’t as difficult as they look and the result is always pleasing. I shared these with a handful of folks and received rave reviews.

red velvet cake truffles

4- Oatmeal Scotchies with Coconut and Orange

Jon took oatmeal scotchies to a new level when he added orange and coconut. You must try these. Really. You won’t regret it.

oatmeal scotchies

5- Cinnamon Raisin Stuffed Baked Apples

It’s amazing how simple some dishes can be. This one is no exception and the result is mouthwatering. Add this to your list of dishes to impress dinner guests.

baked apples

Top 5 Recker-mendations

1- Banh Mi Barista

2012 will be a memorable year if for no other reason than Banh Mi Barista opened. At first bite, I knew it would become a favorite, and not a week has gone by since that I haven’t stopped in. If you haven’t tried it yet, I encourage you to do so immediately. They are continually expanding their menu and I can’t wait to see what’s in store for 2013.

Banh Mi Barista viet-special

2- Dig IN- A Taste of Indiana (Recap)

Easily one of my favorite culinary experiences this year, Dig IN was so much fun. I was chosen to be a Gastronaut and gained early entrance into the event. Though it was hot and grew increasingly crowded as the day wore on, we managed to try most of the dishes we had our eye on. I can’t wait to do it again in 2013.

8-duck-pie

3- Cerulean

Because Cerulean is located at Winona Lake, we don’t get to enjoy it nearly enough. I am glad Jon and I made a trip there this summer. The place offers such a unique dining experience- the perfect place to spend an afternoon, sharing food and enjoying the company of friends.

cerulean

4- Friday Nights at Old Crown

Old Crown continued their Friday night dinners and we’ve gone several times. It’s definitely the best $15 meal you will find in town- and the menu changes every week, which is exciting. You never know what will be served, but there’s always something impressive and delicious. If you plan to go, call ahead for reservations- the place fills up quickly.

old crown halibut

5- Eddie Merlot’s- Dinner Menu and Lounge Menu

We enjoyed our experiences at Eddie’s so much, we blogged about it twice, featuring the Lounge Menu and the Dinner Menu. If you haven’t been to Eddie’s in awhile, we recommend you try it soon. If you think it’s a little too rich for your blood, check out the Lounge menu. It’s affordable and loaded with good food.

Eddie's Elk

Heading into 2013, our focus will turn towards our fledgling gourmet ice cream business and you’ll soon see more posts about that. The format for the blog will likely change as well. Stay tuned, and thanks for all of your support this year. Happy New Year foodies. Thanks so much for being a part of our year.

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Aug 27 2012
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Local Eateries, Recker-mendation, We Eat Well

Recker-mendation: Dig IN – A Taste of Indiana (Recap)

Whew! What a day. Jon and I had such a good time at Dig IN on Sunday. Though it was hot, we managed to take small breaks in the shade to cool down and rehydrate.

I was awarded 2 VIP passes for being selected as a Gastronaut, which means we got into the event an hour early. If you take anything away from this post, let it be this: Pay the extra $20 for the VIP pass. Since this was our first time at the event, we had no idea what a madhouse it would become. During the first hour, before the general public arrived, we were able to walk right up to the food booths without waiting in line. We tried about 8 dishes, while we probably tried only 8 more the remaining 5 hours. At noon, a flood of people came through the gates, and the flood continued all afternoon.

Shortly after 1pm, the lines for more popular dishes were 20-30 minutes long. Because of this, I didn’t get to try the dish that most were raving about: the walking Tacos from Goose the Market. If we hadn’t had that first hour to try anything we wanted, I probably would have been pretty cranky. I am not sure what can be done in the years to come, but I heard many people complaining about the lines. Another unfortunate side effect of the popularity of this event: some of the restaurants ran out of food with 2 hours left to go. Each was told to prepare for 3,500, while many brought enough for 5,000. The event sold out, though I don’t know the ticket count.

All those blips aside, Dig IN will go down as one of my favorite summer events. It’s not often I get the opportunity to sample quality locally sourced food. Another perk: White River State Park is a lovely space, with a beautiful view of the Indy skyline.

But of course, the highlight is the food, so let me walk you through our day.

Iced coffee from Bjava Coffee & Tea, Indianapolis/ Farm: Eden Farms, Lebanon

I am not usually a coffee drinker, but this Iced Coffee from Bjava is superb. Infused with Indiana flower from Eden Farms in Lebanon, lemongrass, and bee balm, it had layers and layers of flavor: first coffee, then floral, then lemongrass. Extremely refreshing and light. Jon liked it so much, he went back for more later in the day.

Potato, Greens & Goat Cheese Quesadilla from Duos Food Truck, Indianapolis/ Farm: Fair Oaks Farm, Fair Oaks

It’s a tie between this dish and two others for my favorite of the day. This Potato, Greens & Goat Cheese Quesadilla from Duos Food Truck was both comforting and spicy. The salsa verde was especially tangy and flavorful. Since we visited Duos early in the day, there was no line and we had a chance to chat with the owners. They’ve been in the restaurant business over 40 years and warned that owning a food truck is hard work. But we will not be deterred! Someday, there will be a Ginger Kitchen Food Truck rolling around the Fort.

Sweet Cheeks from Chef JJ’s Big Green Bistro, Indianapolis/ Farm: Gunthorp Farms, LaGrange

The Big Green Bistro’s Sweet Cheeks contains smoked pork cheeks and pork belly with fresh veggies, falafel and goat cheese. The veggie mixture had a splendid zest and paired well with the crunch of the falafel and the deep smoky flavor of the pork cheeks and belly.

Waygu Tongue & Cheek Tacos from Joseph Decuis, Roanoke/ Farm: Joseph Decuis Waygu Farm, Roanoke

The Waygu Tongue & Cheek Tacos from Joseph Decuis is the dish I was most looking forward to and it did not disappoint. Tender, juicy beef, mixed with slaw, cilantro, cucumber, jalapeños and lime. Delish! The corn tortillas from George’s International in Fort Wayne were simply perfect- toasted till slightly crispy, they complemented the flavor explosions in the taco well. I had a chance to chat with Aaron briefly. He had quite the ensemble of staff there to help him (the largest of any other restaurant), and purchased over 250 lbs of beef! Throughout most of the day, the line to sample the tacos was one of the longest. And when we left the event at 4:45, he was still whipping these up.

Unlimited Tomato Caprese from Napolese, Indianapolis/ Farm: Traders Point, Zionsville

After the spicy jalapeños on the Waygu Tacos, the refreshing simplicity of this dish from Napolese was a welcome reprieve. And it tastes as good as it looks: a juicy, fresh tomato, topped with whipped goat cheese and a basil leaf. Incredibly complex in its simplicity.

Braised Bison & Succotash from Brad Gates Catering/ Farm: Bison World, Noblesville

This dish wasn’t really on my radar coming into the event, but it ranks up there with the Quesadillas from Duos and the Waygu Tacos from Joseph Decuis. Brad Gates’ Braised bison shoulder with succotash, savoy cabbage, and horsera creme fraiche create a surprisingly tangy, savory combination. I was expecting it to be a cold dish and was pleasantly surprised to find that it was warm. Perhaps the best flavor was the horseradish in the horsera creme fraiche. It complemented the other flavors well and catapulted this dish into my top 3 for the day.

Hoosier Mama Margarita Pork from Indiana Downs, Greenwood/ Farm: Hall Farms, Sunman

This dish from Indiana Downs was one of the most interesting appearance-wise at the event, but the taste left something to be desired. A Fried Tortilla cup stuffed with pork, avocado mousse, corn, and spicy salsa verde, the dish was more spice than anything else and lacked any complex flavors.

Duck Fried Pie from The Indigo Duck, Franklin/ Farm: Gunthorp Farms, LaGrange

Jon absolutely loved this dish: The Indigo Duck’s Sun King Braised Duck Fried Pie, Blueberry BBQ sauce and Charred Sweet Corn Salad. The fried pies, also called empanadas, were warm and savory. Pairing them with the sweet blueberry BBQ is genius. Though many of the dishes contained corn, this simple charred sweet corn salad was a refreshing match for the duck pie.

Strawberry & Banana Soup from Second Helpings, Indianapolis/ Farm: Smith Dairy, Richmond

While this chilled soup was a welcome break from the heavier dishes we were sampling, I think the most notable aspect of this experience was learning about Second Helpings, an Indy-based non-profit that rescues prepared and perishable food from groceries, wholesalers, restaurants, and individuals. They transform the food into nutritious meals and distribute them, free of charge, to over 65 social service organizations that feed the hungry. I’ve been talking about this very idea for a long time and look forward to talking to them more to learn the ins and outs of their operation.

Pork Belly with Garden Greens from Cerulean, Winona Lake/ Farm: Goldwood Gardens, Columbia City

Cerulean is one of my favorite restaurants and it came through with this pork belly dish served with may apple jam, hazelnut, and goldwood garden greens. I’ve never had pork belly like this before. Though a bit fatty, the meat was so tender and flavorful. I loved that it was paired with sweet jam and hazelnut and bitter greens.

Garden Gazpacho from The Loft at Traders Point Creamery, Zionsville/ Farm: Traders Point Farm, Zionsville

This Great Organic Garden Gazpacho from The Loft was good, though not outstanding. I liked the crunchy cheese crumbles on top, but otherwise, I found it to be a bit oily.

Peach Soup with Duck from R Bistro, Indianapolis/ Farm: Maple Leaf Farms, Milford

R Bistro’s chilled peach soup with smoked duck salad was a delectable treat. The peach flavor was intense and paired nicely with the smoky duck flavor. I also liked the addition of radish- many conflicting flavors coming together to create a new, intense flavor. I will add R Bistro to my list of must-trys in the Indy area because of this dish.

Channa Masala from Spice Box, Indy/ Farm: Miller’s Amish Country Poultry, Orland

My second food truck experience of the day, Spice Box offered up a traditional Indian dish, Channa Masala aka Chicken & Garbanzo beans. Jon and I love Indian food and were satisfied with this dish, though it was a bit light on spices; it could have been ramped up considerably.

Lamb Adobo Lettuce Wraps from OAKLEYS bistro, Indianapolis/ Farm: Russell Sheep Co., Eaton

Jon didn’t care for this dish from OAKLEYS very much, but I liked it. Though I didn’t taste the adobo, the combination of the slow roasted lamb and stinky cheese was good. Generally, I am a fan of lettuce wraps. I like the cool crisp lettuce with the warm fillings, and this one was right on par with others I’ve tried.

Caramels, Nougat, and Pate de Fruit candies from Circle City Sweets, Indianapolis/ Farm: Wildflower Ridge Honey, Anderson

I am not a big candy eater, but Jon liked all three of these offerings from Circle City Sweets, especially the Pate de Fruit, which was a honey meringue, cherry/apricot, and roasted pistachio mixture. Unfortunately, because it was so hot, the candy was extremely melty, making it difficult to eat.

Artisan Marshmallows from 240Sweet, Columbus

I love marshmallows, but I’ve never seen anything like these artisan marshmallows from 240Sweet. Jon and I sampled the vanilla bean and coconut and were thoroughly impressed. Other flavors include triple berry, elephant ear and salty caramel. Check out the full flavors list, which includes some odd ones like pomegranate rose and thai chili.

Peach Lavender Smoothie from Natural Born Juicers, Indianapolis/ Farm: Garwood Farms, LaPorte

By 1:45, it was getting hot and this peach lavender smoothie from Natural Born Juicers was the perfect thing to cool us down, even if only momentarily. The peach tasted natural and fresh, and the smoothie finished off with a slight floral hint of lavender. Perfection! We will be ordering more flavors from them!

Ricotta with Peach & White Corn Puree with Popcorn from Zest! Indianapolis/ Farm: Smith Dairy, Richmond

I took a break from the action from 2-2:45 p.m. to chill in the social media tent with Sara Croft and Ryan Puckett, so Jon brought this fun and creative dish from Zest! to me to try. House-made ricotta with peach and white corn puree, finished with Twisted Sistaz Popcorn (made exclusively for this dish by Just Pop In), combining sweet and salty, soft and crunchy. What a fun idea.

Duck Prosciutto Bruschetta from Albatross Grille, Carmel/ Farm: American Persimmon Co., Jackson County

After I finished my shift at the social media tent around 3 p.m., the lines were getting out of control and a few restaurants had run out of food. I really wanted to try this dish from Albatross Grille, so we waited about 10 minutes, but it was worth it. Duck prosciutto with honey ricotta and persimmon peach gastrique, atop a small piece of toast and topped with bitter greens: a light and creamy treat!

Signature Reuben from Black Swan Brewpub, Plainfield/ Farm: Fischer Farms, Jasper

We ended our long day in the sun with the Black Swan Signature Reuben. This dish was not on my radar heading into the event, but I am glad we had a chance to sample it. The cheese melted on top was actually done with a blow torch! What a fun way to end the day.

Exhausted, sunburned, and completely full, we made our way back to our car and back to Fort Wayne, but we can’t wait to do it again next year.

Tips:

  • Bring sunscreen. There is little shade available at the event.
  • Wear comfortable shoes. You will do a lot of walking.
  • Splurge for the VIP pass. The extra hour is worth it.
  • Scope out your must-try dishes before you arrive so you can create a game plan to fit them all in.
  • Stay hydrated. The Chill tent offered free water. Take advantage of it.
  • Take a stroll across the bridge. It’s scenic and breezy, offering a bit of a reprieve from the heat.
  • Be patient. The lines will get long and people will get cranky. Remember to smile.
  • Buy the Dig IN beer pint for $6. The first fill is free and each refill is only $5.
  • Check out the artisan area. We didn’t have time to make it over there with the exception of hitting the marshmallow tent on the way back from the bathroom, but the products on display are phenomenal.
  • Pace yourself. If you are attending with someone else, share each dish, versus getting your own. You will be able to try more dishes this way.
  • HAVE FUN!
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Aug 25 2012
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Local Eateries, Recker-mendation, We Eat Well

Recker-mendation: Taste of the Arts

Main Street, Fort Wayne, during Taste of the Arts

I wasn’t sure if  we were going to make it to Taste of the Arts this year, even though it’s one of my favorite events of the summer. Thankfully, we got a break in the action long enough to hop on our bikes and head downtown. For more information about Taste of the Arts, read my guest post for Visit Fort Wayne. There I talk about all of the attractions the event has to offer. But here, I want to focus on the food, of course.

After parking our bikes at Fort Wayne Trails’ bike valet, Jon and I did a lap around the food tents to scope out the fare. The following is our food adventure:

Mahi Mahi Fish Tacos

Pulled Cuban Pork Sandwich

First, Mahi Tacos and Pulled Cuban Pork from Crackerjack Catering. The tacos were tasty and extra spicy, which we love. The combination of spicy and sweet paired nicely. The Cuban Pork was excellent, packed with flavor and extremely tender… seasoned just right! Simply perfect!

Filet Mignon with Bleu Cheese and Bordelaise Sauce

Up next, a Filet Mignon with bleu cheese and bordelaise sauce from Baker Street. Though I like my filet a little rarer, I understand how unreasonable that request is at an event like this. The chef manning the grill was cranking these out as fast as he could. I may have opted to enjoy this without the bordelaise sauce, but overall, a very tasty snack.

Thai Chicken Nachos with Wanton Chips

It’s no secret that I am not a huge fan of Don Hall’s restaurants, but I was drawn to the Thai Chicken Tacos served at the Gas House tent. With a slight hint of sesame oil and just the right amount of cilantro, these nachos, served with Wanton Chips, were out of this world. I especially like the Wanton Chips, which were crispy and light. Sadly, these don’t appear on the restaurant’s regular menu.

Banana Cream Pie

Halfway is a good time for dessert, right? That’s what we thought. We haven’t been to Chrome Plated Diner yet, but if its food is as good as this Banana Cream Pie, we won’t be disappointed. Simple, yet oh-so-yummy! A light pie crust, topped with banana cream, whip cream, and chocolate chunks.

Pork Tacos with Salsa Verde

Oddly enough, the chefs from Harbour Assisted Living were on hand at this year’s event serving up pork tacos with 3 different kinds of salsa: mango, roasted red pepper, and salsa verde. We opted for the salsa verde because they said it was the spiciest, and though it didn’t bring the heat we were expecting, it had a nice flavor. The pork, though a little on the bland side, was not bad. This taco was definitely the best value at the event, just 1 ticket ($1), while everything else was between 2 and 5 tickets.

Margarita Sandwich Cookie and Chocolate Chilean Cookie

Vanilla Bean, known for its cupcakes, certainly knows how to do cookies right, too! The Margarita Sandwich Cookie may be the best cookie I’ve ever eaten- salty and sweet, crunchy and creamy- it has all the right flavor and texture combinations. The Chocolate Chilean cookie was good. I love combining odd flavors- chocolate with chili powder is an interesting one- but I shouldn’t have eaten it after the Margarita Sandwich. It paled in comparison.

Beef Lettuce Wrap

I think this was the healthiest dish we tried all day. Chef Dyeaka Wilson is just starting her personal chef business and she’s dedicated to teaching people how to enjoy healthy food. I definitely enjoyed her beef lettuce wrap and look forward to seeing her business grow. Check it out at www.iluvtoeat.org.

And that just about did it for us. It was hot, we were full, and we still had to ride our bikes back home. Well done Taste! We had a great time… and so did our bellies! Until next year!

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Jun 20 2012
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Asian Inspired, Local Eateries, Recker-mendation, Seafood, We Eat Well

Recker-mendation: Cerulean

This weekend, Jon and I ventured to Winona Lake, near Warsaw, to take pictures of front porches. You see, we are contemplating adding a front porch to our house, so we wanted to gather ideas to show our designer. Oddly enough, not many of the houses around Winona Lake have front porches- it seems that our memories betrayed us- an apparent case of confabulation (admittedly, Jon had to explain what this word means when he used it). But all was not lost because we got to eat at Cerulean. We’ve been there a handful of times, but it has been a few years.

I love this quote from its website: “Cerulean through food, at its best and at every level: is about communication, communion and joy, while encouraging a modern sensibility that inspires.” It embodies the experience you will have at Cerulean. The atmosphere is fun and inviting. The menu fuses tapas, sushi, and high-end dinners into a perfect combination of choices, each carefully crafted for quality and presentation. Jon and I love to share food. It’s one of the reasons tapas has always been so appealing to us. Cerulean gave us the opportunity to truly experience our food- taking our time, tasting each bite, and enjoying each other’s company.

Here’s what we had:

Round 1- (Tapas)

maple leaf duck bacon tomato, black risotto, endive $9

This was my favorite dish of the evening. The duck bacon had a nice light flavor and the texture was perfect- not crunchy like typical bacon, rather tender and juicy, with a thin layer of fat on one side to lend richness to the taste. Surprisingly, the black risotto was extremely cheesy and sticky, and while that turned Jon off a bit, I loved it. It was salty and comforting and complemented the smoky duck bacon.

balsamic pork strawberries, ide’s honey $7

We thought this dish was going to be pulled pork and I think we would have liked that texture better. Although we enjoyed the dish, we probably wouldn’t order it again. It simply wasn’t what we were expecting. We couldn’t taste much balsamic, and while the honey was a good idea, serving it on the bottom made it almost impossible to integrate into each bite. We’d suggest serving this as pulled pork and drizzling the honey over the dish. We did enjoy the combination of pork and strawberry though, which opens up many doors for us in our own cooking.

viking lamb sausage melon, mustard, cucumber-tarragon puree $8

This was Jon’s favorite dish. The combination of melon, sausage , mustard and cucumber-tarragon puree was savory and unexpected. The salty sausage was tempered by the subtly sweet melon. The mustard added a delightful punch. The flowers you see are actually edible flowers, which is a nice touch.

Round 2-

strawberry gazpacho tomato crisp, basil $4

I love gazpacho and I’ve had strawberry gazpacho before, so I had to try this to compare it to others I’ve had. It is certainly one of the better I’ve had, but I am glad it is served in such a small serving size. By the time I was done, I was done- I don’t think I could have eaten anymore. It has just enough acid and tart to make it difficult to eat in large quantities. I loved the tomato crisps and will need to figure out how to make those. What a fun addition.

Round 3- (Sushi)

gunslinger: tuna, avocado, tomato, cilantro, scallions, sriracha, lime $10

This is the most surprising roll I’ve ever eaten- the flavor knocked the wind out of me. The combinaton of scallions, cilantro, lime and cilantro gives this roll a heavy Mexican quality, but once the shock of that wore off, we thoroughly enjoyed it. I did have to take a break after the first one to regain my senses. I can handle spice, but this was a little much for me. Luckily, I got used to it and finished off my half with ease. Thanks to our waiter for suggesting we eat it sans soy in order to enjoy the flavor combinations already present.

red dragon: tempura ebi roll topped with tuna, eel and eel sauce $14

 Though this roll could be compared to a typical tuna roll, I enjoyed the added flavor of the scallions. Plus, it served as a nice buffer after the smoking hot gunslinger. Jon described this roll as super meaty- meat on the inside, meat on the outside… delicious!

eel: unset eel, tempura asparagus, cucumber, topped with shrimp & avocado $11

 Eel is my favorite, so there’s very little that could be done to mess up this roll, but I especially enjoyed the added flavor and texture of the tempura asparagus. Normally, Jon and I steer away from rolls containing asparagus, but this one was perfect.

tiger: avocado, cucumber, carrot, red pepers, peanut sauce, ginger, lemon zest, scallion $7 (not pictured)

We ordered this roll to go because we simply could not eat another bite, but we really wanted to try it. We ate it sporadically throughout the following day. It is lovely- the peanut sauce is a nice touch, giving it a Thai flair. I also liked the taste of ginger in the roll. Normally, we eat raw ginger between each bite, but incorporating it was surprisingly pleasing.

If you haven’t been to Cerulean, I recommend making a the trek to Winona Lake to do so. It is a bit pricey (our bill came to over $80), but for special occasions, this is the perfect spot. Check out the full menu on the restaurant’s website. Also, follow them on Twitter and like their page on Facebook.

Cerulean on Urbanspoon

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Dec 17 2011
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Local Eateries, Recker-mendation

Recker-mendation: Dash In Saturday Brunch

This summer, we discovered the Dash In’s Saturday brunch and it quickly became a favorite. I’ve been meaning to blog about it since then, but I’ve either forgotten my camera or forgotten the name of our dishes before I had a chance to write them down. After a very lazy Saturday morning, we ventured out to partake of the brunch and it was just as good as always. Not only is the ambiance at the Dash one you’d be hard pressed to duplicate in Fort Wayne, but the food is fresh and tasty, too. If you haven’t been down for brunch, I encourage you to do so soon.

Smoke Salmon Eggs Benedict topped with Onions and Capers with Herbed Cream Cheese and Potatoes

 

Eddy's Slop- Scrambled Eggs, Potatoes, Onions, Sausage, Bacon, Green Pepper, Red Pepper

Dash-In on Urbanspoon

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Nov 27 2011
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Local Eateries, Recker-mendation, We Eat Well

Recker-mendation: Tuesday Night is Italian Night at Acme

I am not a fan of Acme Bar and Grill. You can read my previous review to find out why here: Oh Acme, We Really Want to Love You.

Needless to say, I have not been impressed and I am pretty unforgiving when it comes to service and quality of food… two strikes and you are out. But recently, I’ve been hearing murmurings about Tuesday Nights at Acme. First, I heard advertisements on the radio and dismissed them, but then, I started hearing rave reviews from friends… and the kicker was a picture that a friend texted to me of the dish he had just been served on Italian Night…a fist-sized meatball atop a mound of spaghetti. My mouth watered and the very next week, Jon and I had to check out Italian Night for ourselves.

Veal Parmesan

We were not disappointed. I ordered the lasagna and Jon ordered the Veal Parmesan. Both dishes were heaping portions of Italian goodness- cooked just right, with the perfect amount of cheese and sauce, accompanied by 4 scrumptiously buttered pieces of garlic bread. It takes a lot these days to thoroughly impress me, and I was thoroughly impressed. A bit pricey, yes. My lasagna and Jon’s veal were both over $14, so this won’t be a regular Tuesday tradition, but we will certainly be back. Maybe next time we will split a dish; both were plenty big enough for two.

Lasagna

Acme Bar on Urbanspoon

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