By Nancy Edwards
During this year’s annual fall Northside Nights Restaurant Week, foodies have more choices than ever. From gluten-free fries and vegetarian pizzas to filet mignons and scrumptious miniature desserts, even the pickiest eaters will find something to savor from the 40 restaurants participating this fall.
Each restaurant will be offering three-course meals for $30. Some will also include three-course $20 lunch meals or even serve two people for $25.
“(Restaurant Week) is a great way to get foodies out and guests who haven’t been out here before,” said Rokeena Williams, sales manager for Seasons 52, 8650 Keystone Crossing, Indianapolis. Williams said that this event, which is happening now through Sept. 29, allows guests to enjoy a “fine dining feel at a casual price.”
After chowing down on chilled lobster and shrimp spring rolls for an appetizer, followed by an organic field greens salad and cedar roasted salmon and vegetables, guests may feel as though they’re too full to eat one of the award-winning desserts at Seasons 52. No-guilt, individual-sized desserts at just 300 calories allows guests to satisfy that sweet tooth. The only problem will be trying to decide on the dessert: chocolate peanut butter swirl or a Starbuck’s-inspired chocolate caramel macchiato.
Harry and Izzy’s Castleton location, 4050 E. 82nd St., Indianapolis, will also feature menu options of vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free. Harry and Izzy’s features their world-famous St. Elmo shrimp cocktail, among other gluten-free choices including peppercorn steak salad, house smoked pork chops, brick oven baked pizzas and “Colton” fries. The fries are named after Operating Partner Jeff Smith’s son, Colton, who wanted French fries that were gluten-free.
“We’re good about allergies here; our foods are never cross-contaminated,” said Leanna Chroman, training director for Harry and Izzy’s, which is a family-owned restaurant that uses local products.
Guests participating with Restaurant Week may make a donation to Veggie U (www.veggieu.org/), a nonprofit organization that provides teachers with Classroom Garden Kits and a five-week science curriculum for elementary and special needs classrooms, according to Susan Decker, CEO of Susan Decker Media.
“The restaurants felt it was important to give back to the community,” Decker said. “The funds raised will allow us to donate some of the kits to local schools that we will help choose at the end of the campaign.”
Other participating restaurants include: Chef Mike’s Charcoal Grill, Late Harvest, Cobblestone Grill, Eddie Merlot’s, Capri Restaurant, Stone Creek Dining Zionsville, Bella Vita, Smee’s Place, MacKenzie River Pizza (in Castleton and Carmel), Hall’s Castleton Grill, Stanford’s, 1881 Grille, OAKLEY’s bistro, Sullivan’s Steakhouse, J. Razzos Restaurant, Scotty’s Brewhouse, The Local, Peterson’s, Pizzology, Ruth’s Chris, Sangiovese Ristorante, Mitchell’s Fish Market, The Melting Pot, Shiraz, Champps, Stone Creek Dining (Noblesville and Zionsville), Sahm’s Restaurant & Pub, Nickel Plate Bar & Grill, Hellas Café, The Gathering, Arni’s Restaurant, Maggiano’s, Ocean Prime, The Loft at Traders Point Creamery, J. Hamman Prime, Simeri’s and Matt the Miller’s Tavern.
Restaurant Week’s official hotel partner is the Marten House Hotel, 1801 W. 86th St., Indianapolis. The hotel is offering a $71 per night room rate (plus tax) when people use promo code NNGT13.
In addition, the Center for the Performing Arts, 355 City Center Dr., Carmel, will be providing special ticket rates for three shows: Lang Lang on Sept. 19, Craig Morgan, Sept. 2, and Fernando Otero on Sept. 29.
For more information about Northside Nights Restaurant Week, please visit http://northsidenightsindy.com.
