Nestled next to Market District in Carmel, Osteria is a rustically refined eatery by celebrity chef, hospitality developer and TV personality Fabio Viviani. This signature venue offers seasonally inspired dishes, including elevated takes on his favorite comfort foods, as well as local craft drafts and cocktails. Osteria features housemade pastas, Neapolitan-style pizzas, barrel select bourbons, and an extensive wine list.
Market District Supermarket 11505 Illinois St, Carmel, IN
(317) 689-6330
osteriacarmel.com
By Mark Ambrogi
There may not be scenic ocean views, but the outdoor dining experience continues to grow in popularity in the Indianapolis area.
Jason Benish is vice president of operations for Huse Culinary, which includes Harry & Izzy’s on the north side of Indianapolis and HC Tavern + Kitchen and 1933 Lounge in Fishers. Huse Culinary also operates St. Elmo Steak House and Harry & Izzy’s in downtown Indianapolis.
“We used to have no overheard shelter,” Benish said of Harry & Izzy’s on 82nd Street. “It was simply sun and umbrellas. We struggled with umbrellas for a number of years. They don’t look great after a while.”
During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, patrons felt safer to dine in open-air restaurants. Benish said the desire for outdoor dining started before the pandemic but grew fast in its wake.
Benish said they invested in a louvered roof system at the northern Harry & Izzy’s first and then the two Fishers restaurants.
“We can open and close the louvre based on sunlight and direction,” Benish said. “That was a great first step. From there, we found it’s still very cold in the winter outside. We took the next step to install vinyl-paneled walls in the winter months. The following season, we put in 15 outdoor heaters out there. We started to get some traction, and most of that was happening during the peak of COVID. So, there was definitely a strong interest in outdoor dining. We had a lot of success. On one of the COVID Christmas Eves, we brought in more heaters and people liked it. I think things have normalized a lot from an outdoor perspective. It’s a popular place to dine when the weather is lovely.”
There are cooling fans as well during the summer.
Benish said 18 months ago, the restaurants installed outdoor carpet to soften the space. Then they started dressing the tables with white tablecloths.
“We really tried to create the comfort of the indoor dining experience and try to elevate that,” he said.
Benish said they purchased new bar stools for the high-top tabletops outside at Harry & Izzy’s.
Benish said it’s around three seasons of outdoor dining at Harry and Izzy’s and all four seasons at HC Tavern and 1933 Lounge, except for the three or four coldest weeks of the year.
Claudio Bertolini, co-owner of The Smart Pergola, said his company has installed about 40 pergolas at restaurants in Hamilton County and the north side of Indianapolis with a few more planned.
“During COVID, the restaurants were calling us because due to the social distance, they had to utilize as much space as they could,” Bertolini said. “Now, they are calling because restaurants are extremely busy and outdoor dining has boomed and become more and more popular.”
Some of the restaurants include Woody’s Library, Bar Louie and Muldoon’s in Carmel. Noblesville restaurants include Ford’s Garage and Livery at Hamilton Town center.
“Our patio has been very popular from spring going into fall,” Bar Louie bar manager Sydney Brothers said. “We have the option of having the patio enclosed and kicking on our outdoor heaters to keep the patio warm during those cool fall nights. Along with having a warm spot to sit during the cooler months, we have multiple fans that keep the space cooled off for those warmer summer days.”
3UP will now be open Saturday afternoons. Guests can watch college football games at the rooftop bar in Carmel. (Photo courtesy of 3UP)
There are numerous options for those wishing to watch football this fall. Parks Place Pub co-owner Matt Whitlow said there are more 50 televisions at his Fishers restaurant.
“Football season is definitely the best time to come watch a game,” Whitlow said. “Saturdays and Sundays are equally packed. Colts games are the most sought after seat. We have increased steadily through the first 25 months. We are expecting 100 percent occupancy for football season this year.”
Fox 59 named Parks Place Pub the best sports bar in 2021. Whitlow said it was based on total experience.
“We have amazing food, 23 draft beers, 180-plus bourbons and 50-plus tequilas,” she said.
Anthony Lazzara, owner of Anthony’s Chophouse and 3UP in Carmel, said he expects 3Up to become a popular place to watch college football on Saturdays this fall.
“With three TVs, two indoor and one outdoor, we can accommodate all the Saturday games now that we open at noon,” said Lazzara, who said 3UP began opening at noon on Saturdays in May.
The rooftop bar is closed on Sundays.
Bar Louie is another popular spot to watch games in Carmel.
“We do have 10 TVs inside surrounding our bar and one upstairs in our mezzanine,” Bar Louie bar manager Sydney Brothers said. “We do play the sound to highly requested games. Being an Indiana bar, we always play the sound to every (Indiana) Pacers and (Indianapolis) Colts game.”
Brothers said Saturday night college games and NFL on Sunday afternoons are the most popular.
“While sitting indoors there is a view of every TV,” Brothers said. “We play every game, making it the most enjoyable for our guests who either come to watch their favorite team or root for their fantasy football players. Our mezzanine is a highly requested space for March Madness, along with the Super Bowl. The mezzanine space is the perfect spot for our sports fans to have their own private space to watch and listen to their favorite team.”
Other popular places to watch football include Joe’s Grille in Westfield and Fishers; Fox + Ale House, Brockway Pub, Danny Boy Beer Works and Pint Room in Carmel; and Birdies Grill House and Sports Bar in Westfield, among others.
There are Wolfies Grill locations in Noblesville, Fishers, Geist and Carmel. The Fishers location is a 21-and-older restaurant/bar.
Although football — and the NFL, in particular — is king, there are plenty of soccer fans who show up at Chatham Tap in Fishers to watch their favorite sport.
I love good chicken wings, and we in central Indiana are fortunate to have numerous options to get excellent wings without having to travel too far. Everyone has their own way to make wings, but often it comes down to the sauce. So, if you are looking for a great place to catch a football game and get your fingers messy, I have a list of some great options for you. If you are a boneless wing eater, a.k.a. you love chicken nuggets, never fear, you can get your fix at all these wing spots.
Fork + Ale in Carmel has a large menu with several unique and scratchmade items that can make it easy to overlook their wings, but don’t do that. Get your wings bone-in. They are naked and lightly smoked before being deep fried. It has several house-made sauces like mango habanero, Parmesan garlic and maple bacon.
Moontown Brewing in Whitestown makes delicious beers. Its crispy pilsners are lights out and a great option for washing down some tasty eats. The Moontown menu is often changing to keep things interesting, and that includes wings. Expect something seasonal and delicious here. Currently, you can expect to enjoy a naked dry-rubbed smoked wing tossed in house hot honey mustard and served with a roasted garlic aioli dipping sauce.
Crafters Pizza and Brewhouse in Carmel is always packed and for good reason. Its pizza is great. Owners Bryan and Alexis Hall love to make funky pizza topping combinations, and they are often switching out their wing sauce recipes as well! Their bone-in wings are naked, deep-fried and dry rubbed. Dip your wings in a variety of sauces, including buffalo garlic parm, Tennessee honey or sweet Thai chili. You should check out the PB&J hot wing.
Fat Dan’s in Carmel is a great place to get hot sandwiches, smoked brisket and killer fries. It is also a great spot for grabbing some wings. Fat Dan’s wings are smoked to tender perfection and dry rubbed before being tossed in the fryer to crisp up a touch. These wings are smokey and delicious, not one to miss. Enjoy these wings by watching a Cubs game. Fat Dan’s may be a Chicago-style deli, but you won’t find many White Sox fans there.
Ale Emporium is about as Indianapolis as Monument Circle. This neighborhood pub was opened in 1982 by Marc Luros, who was later joined by Herman Perryman and his daughter and son-in-law. The pub is famous for wings. It serves a deep-fried naked wing with several sauce options, but if you are eating wings at Ale Emporium, try the Hermanaki-style wings, named after Herman himself. It is a secret recipe that can only be found here.
Everyone has their own way to make wings, but often it comes down to the sauce.
(Stock photo/Unsplash)
From
By Mark Ambrogi
Jeremy Holmes understands he is blessed to be the executive chef at perhaps the most well-known restaurant in Indiana.
“We’ve been here since 1902,” Holmes said of St. Elmo Steak House in downtown Indianapolis.
“I definitely wear that badge proudly and I don’t take it for granted,” the 45-year-old Fishers resident said. “I know that I have a job that a lot of people want. I come to work every single day proud of that and make sure I do my best to my ability to keep that. You never know who is going to walk through the doors. I’ve seen (everyone) from Ciara to Shaquille O’Neal to John Travolta.”
Holmes enjoyed meeting former San Diego Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson.
“He and I had a deep conversation because I saw one of his pieces on HBO, how he was raised in the South,” Holmes said. “His family grew up on a plantation, and that kind of resonated with me. So, I talked to him in the 1933 Lounge (in the upstairs of the restaurant) about how his piece touched me and he reminded me of my hometown (in Mississippi), you know, so he and I connected a little bit for that short period of 15-minute conversation.”
Holmes also has appreciated his interactions with former Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning through the years.
“He’s such a down-to-earth guy, really cool, really nice,” Holmes said. “(When) word gets out when Peyton is in town, we get a crowd forming outside.”
One of his favorite customers is CBS sports broadcaster Jim Nantz.
“He’s a great guy,” Holmes said. “He’s a fan of St. Elmo. He talks it up on the air and put it in his book. When he’s in town, he makes it a point to come in here, and he and I are on a first-name basis.”
Holmes has been at St. Elmo for 24 years. He moved to Indianapolis with his cousin in 1996 from Mississippi, the day after he graduated from high school.
“I had three older brothers living here, and two of them were in the restaurant industry,” he said. “So, we technically had a job waiting on us when he moved here. Taco Bell was my first job.”
He worked at Taco Bell for about a year before picking up a second job at an Arby’s. He then moved into a prep cook role at an Outback Steakhouse.
“One of my brothers was the assistant kitchen manager (at St. Elmo) and recruited me here in April of 1999, and I’ve been here ever since,” he said.
Holmes started as a pantry chef and worked his way around all the stations. He was a sous chef at the catering business for about two years. He got the position of lead boiler cook before moving into the executive chef position in 2010.
Holmes said his specialty is pasta.
“On my days off, I make some kind of pasta dish,” Holmes said. “It’s not typically something you should eat every day, but it’s my guilty pleasure.”
Holmes, however, cooks plenty of steaks.
“I’m still one of the best grill cooks here, if not the best,” he said. “Every once in a while, I have to get back there and show them who is the top dog.”
His biggest duty is overseeing the entire operation.
“Lately, I’ve been working the grill with the guys because we got understaffed a little bit or somebody called in sick or for whatever reason,” he said. “So, I jump in and then when I’m back there, it’s like being back home. I do kind of miss it a little bit. But I’m not missing doing it five days a week anymore.”
St. Elmo is a place where many employees stay for years, Holmes said. The Legends room features paintings of employees who have been there 30 years or more.
“Every year, we have dinner for those (who have been) here 20 years or more and it’s like 30 people,” he said. “People typically don’t leave because Steve and Craig (Huse) are great owners to work for. Their goal is to make each person feel they are part of something great and what we’re building here.”
By Mark LaFay
Bier Brewery has been making popular beer since 2010. Founded by Darren Connor with the support of his father, Jerry Connor, the brewery initially launched with a 55-gallon brewing system and quickly won the hearts and palates of Indiana beer drinkers.
The brewery’s incremental approach to growth has created success for the Connor’s. Patience is a key ingredient to longevity, especially in the beer business, which is often considered congested. Bier’s brews can now be found in stores, bars — including its Carmel pub location and restaurants across the state.
Bier Brewery Carmel pub is the brewery’s first expansion outside of its home base of Indianapolis. The brewpub has a neighborhoodbar atmosphere and a full menu of food options provided by Fox Lane. It is a unique approach to operating a brewpub, one that allows the craftsmen to focus on their respective crafts.
Besides indoor seating, Bier Carmel has a spacious patio that can accommodate 50-plus guests. It also has heaters and a fire pit.
“Bier Brewery Carmel has some new things coming this fall that we are excited to announce,” said Leah Conner, co-owner of Bier Brewery. “We are hosting our first Oktoberfest parking lot party in October, and we will officially be open on Mondays starting Oct. 2 with Kolsch service.”
This fall, guests need to try Bier Brewery’s seasonal märzen, a German amber traditionally served at the Munich Oktoberfest. The brewery’s pumpkin ale is also a seasonal favorite and has often been compared in flavor to be like drinking liquid pumpkin pie. The Oktoberfest party is Oct. 7. There will be fest-style food, Oktoberfest beer, stein-holding contests, dog races, live music and more. Guests are encouraged to wear lederhosen or dirndl.
After 95 years in business, Tuttle Orchard in Greenfield has built a generational fan base.
“We have so many customers that it’s their family tradition to be out there every fall,” said Kelly Wenning, the orchard’s marketing coordinator. “Things have evolved over the years and changed as we’ve added new opportunities, but it’s always fun hearing the stories and the memories they have.”
This year, many traditional favorites — such as apple picking, a pumpkin patch, corn maze and Tractor Town play area — have returned. Fall hours in September and October are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and for the first time the grill will be open every day from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Previously, it only operated on Saturdays.
Some offerings at the orchard, which is in its fourth generation of family ownership, vary by the week. For example, sunflowers tend to peak in late August or early September, Wenning said, while the pumpkin patch won’t be available until Sept. 22. Most of the best apples from the orchard are gone by October, she said.
Playdates at the Orchard are set for Sept. 5 to 8. The event includes a discounted combination pass for the play area, hayride, corn maze and flower picking
garden. Tuttle Orchard does not have any school groups or other field trips scheduled to visit that week.
“If (families) are wanting to play in a quieter atmosphere, that’s a good week to come,” Wenning said. “(Participants) can do a free apple-themed kids craft, and we’re doing an apple-themed storytime at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. every day.”
Tuttle Orchard has special events scheduled throughout the fall, including the Caramel Apple Festival on Sept. 9 and 16. The store carries the dipped treats throughout the season, but during the festival guests can create their own caramel apple combination and roll it in a wider variety of toppings than usually available.
Tuttle Orchard is open year-round, but Wenning said fall is its busiest season.
“Fall is definitely the biggest time around here,” she said.
Cost to visit the sunflower fields, Tractor Town, corn maze and hayride is $7 each. Combination passes to visit all attractions are $14 each. Season passes valid for September and October cost $30. General admission and parking are free.
Tuttle Orchard is at 5717 N 300 W in Greenfield. Learn more at IndianapolisOrchard.com.
DULL’S PUMPKIN HARVEST
1765 W. Blubaugh Ave., Thorntown
Hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, 1 to 7 p.m. Sunday Sept. 23 to Oct. 29; also open 1 to 7 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays starting Oct. 5
Learn more: dullstreefarm.com/PumpkinHarvest
STUCKEY FARM
19975 Hamilton Boone County Rd., Sheridan
Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday
Learn more: stuckeyfarm.com
PINEY ACRES FARM – FALL ON THE FARM
1115 East 1000 North, Fortville
Hours: Noon to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, noon to 6 p.m. Sunday Sept. 23 to Oct. 30
Learn more: pineyacresfarm.com/fall-fun
RUSSELL FARMS
12290 E. 191st St., Noblesville
Hours: Vary by day. Learn more: russell-farms.com/admission.html for details.
SMITH FAMILY FARMS
7055 W 675 S, Pendleton
Hours: Open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays in October
Learn more: smithfamilyfarms.com/pumpkin-patch
WISEWOOD FARM
50 W. 250 S. Lebanon
Hours: Fall Fest from noon to 4 p.m. Oct. 1, 8, 15
Learn more: wisewoodfarm.com
The Hoosier state might be known for pigs and corn, but it’s also home to more than 100 wineries, some growing their own grapes in addition to importing fruit from more established wine-producing states.
Native Hoosier grapes have natural resistance to Midwestern weather, and scientists at places like Purdue University have crossed traditional varieties from Europe and the West Coast with native grapes to create vines than can handle Indiana’s cold winters and produce grapes during the area’s comparatively short growing season.
Locally, there are quite a few businesses to choose from that offer Hoosier-made wine. In the Geist area, for example, is Daniel’s Family Vineyard and Winery, 9061 N. 700 W., McCordsville.
Winemaker Blake Trobaugh said the vineyard has about 22 acres of vines, and it — like other vineyards in the state — grows hybrid grapes that can handle Indiana’s weather.
“Your more traditional varieties like cabernet, they’re not cold-hardy enough, and they don’t have any sort of (local) disease resistance,” he said.
Daniel’s also grows native grapes, Trobaugh said, such as Concord and traminette. Both produce sweet wines. Daniel’s offers dry wines from their hybrid vines and imports whole fruit from the West Coast to make traditional wines like cabernet or pinot noir.
Daniel’s wines can be bought at the vineyard, which also has a tasting room and event space, and at various liquor and wine stores in the area.
Trobaugh said with fall fast approaching, he recommends their Gewurtztraminer, a semi-sweet white wine. He said the acidity and the slightly sweet notes pair well with a heavier meal, such as Thanksgiving.
“Also, if you’re having anything spicy in the fall, whenever it’s football season, you got the pregame chili on or whatever, it’s a great kind of balance for that too,” he said.
For red-wine fans, Trobaugh said they will have a pinot noir available in November, adding that their canned wines and wine spritzers are perfect for tailgate parties. For more, visit danielsvineyard.com.
Sugar Creek Winery, 1111 West Main St. in Carmel, is another local winery that grows its own grapes, albeit on a smaller scale. Co-owner David Phillips said their vineyard totals about three acres in Montgomery County east of Crawfordsville.
Phillips said they had their first commercial harvest in 2015 and opened their tasting room in September of 2018. They offer wine by the glass, bottles for sale and guided tastings for those who aren’t sure what they want.
Sugar Creek Winery has front and back patio space, live music on the weekends, trivia nights and music bingo, and offers the space for events. They don’t have a kitchen, but customers can bring carryout or buy some of the limited snack items.
Like other Indiana wineries, Phillips said Sugar Creek grows hybrid varieties, such as Brianna.
“It’s a hybrid out of the University of Minnesota,” he said. “It makes a very floral, nice white. All of the ones that I grow. I make them either semi-sweet or sweet. I think that those varieties, in my taste, tend to work better (for sweet wine).”
Sugar Creek imports fruit or juice to make its other wines. Whole fruit is better for reds, he said, because fermenting with the skin helps the flavor.
Phillips said white wines are preferable in the summer because they’re served slightly cold. For the upcoming cooler fall weather, he recommends Sugar Creek’s Holiday Wine. That’s a spiced red wine, which is not the same as their mulled wine.
“Our mulled wine has a base of apple cider with wine added to it and a bunch of a bunch of seasonal spices and we serve it hot,” he said. “Whereas the Holiday Wine is a true wine that’s been fortified with small amount of port. We call it Christmas in a glass. It’s what everybody’s grandmother’s kitchen used to smell like in the holidays.”
The Holiday Wine is a nice red with hints of cinnamon, cloves and allspice. Phillips said they will introduce that wine at their Carmel tasting room in October. For more, visit sugarcreekwinery.com.
Fall is a great time for a glass (or two) of wine. Here are a few more local wineries to check out that aren’t too far from home:
PEACE WATER WINERY, 37 W Main St, Carmel
URBAN VINES WINERY, 303 E 161st St, Westfield
SPENCER FARM WINERY, 7015 E 161st St, Noblesville
HOPWOOD WINERY, 12 E Cedar St, Zionsville
COUNTRY MOON WINERY, 16222 Prairie Baptist Rd, Noblesville
Commentary by Mark LaFay
Nothing kicks off the start of fall quite like Oktoberfest, but do you know what Oktoberfest is all about? The original event was a celebration of the marriage of German Prince Ludwig and Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen on Oct. 12, 1810. To celebrate their nuptials, they invited the public to join them for a massive party. Every year since, more events, activities and celebrations were added for anniversary celebrations. The event ultimately grew to become an annual event and the date was pushed forward to September to take advantage of longer daylight hours and warmer temperatures.
Oktoberfest has evolved through the years to become a celebration of agriculture, friendship, German culture, food, family and life in general. The event still pays homage to its roots. Each year since 1850, to kick off the party in Germany, a parade proceeds through the streets of Munich to the Oktoberfest grounds to honor the marriage of Prince Ludwig and Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen.
Oktoberfest has become popular in Western cultures in recent decades. Coupled with the explosion of beer culture in America and our penchant for co-opting the traditions of our cultural heritage, Oktoberfest celebrations have begun to pop up in greater concentration domestically.
“Moontown Oktoberfest is first and foremost a celebration of beer, especially German beer,” said Bobby Mattingly, proprietor of Moontown Brewing Co. in Whitestown. “Lager is a passion of ours and we show it by tapping a handful of them, including our awardwinning Oktoberfest lager. On top of the beer, it’s a gathering of friends, family and a big portion of the Whitestown community. We’re proud to have this event every year. It’s my favorite event we do at Moontown.”
What’s not to love about food, friends, family, beer and the fall season?
We have done our best to assemble a comprehensive list of Oktoberfest celebrations in the area. Grab your lederhosen or dirndl and head on out with family and friends to enjoy food, beer, live music and the commencement of fall in the Midwest!
CARMEL OKTOBERFEST
Location: Carmel City Center
Date: Oct. 6
Time: 6 to 10 p.m.
Details: Beer, food, live music, all ages welcome
GRAND JUNCTION OKTOBERFEST
Location: 1189 E 181st St, Westfield
Date: Sept. 9
Time: Noon to 10 p.m.
Details: Music, beer, food, contests and activities for kids. All ages welcome
BIER CARMEL OKTOBERFEST
Location: 13720 N. Meridian St, Carmel
Date: Oct. 7
Details: Bier-stein holding contest, dog races, live music and more
MOONTOWN BREWING OKTOBERFEST
Location: 345 S. Bowers St., Whitestown
Date: Sept. 30
Time: 2 to 11 p.m.
Details: Live music, food, stein-holding contest, best dressed contest
ST THOMAS ACQUINAS PUMPKIN FEST & OKTOBERFEST
Location: 1870 W. Oak Street, Zionsville
Date: Oct. 7
Time: Pumpkin Fest 2 to 6 p.m.; Oktoberfest 6:30 p.m. to Midnight
Details: Pumpkinfest will have food, hayrides, face painting, pumpkins for kids. Oktoberfest starts at 6 p.m. with food, dancing, and music for guests 21 and older.
PRIMEVAL BREWING OKTOBERFEST.
Location: 960 Logan St., Noblesville
Date: Sept. 8-9
Time: 4 to 11 p.m. Sept. 8, noon to 11 p.m. Sept. 9
Details: Food, beer tapping, live music, wear traditional apparel, indoor/ outdoor games, all ages welcome
GUGGMAN HAUS BREWING OKTOBERFEST
Location: 1701 Gent Ave., Indianapolis
Dates/times: 5 to 8 p.m. Sept. 15, 1 to 9 p.m. Sept. 16, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 17
Details: Live music, stein-holding contest, cookie decoration, run, food, beer
