fresh from my first visit to the old town ale house. we were able to try:

- beer cheese soup
- chicken sandwich (grilled with a roasted tomato pesto and dill havarti)
- bacon (brown sugar and bourbon)
- donut bread pudding
- approx 5 pints

everything was worthy of recommendation and trying again. I came for the amazing selection of beer… but left very impressed by the cuisine. The portions were large and most importantly, the quality was very high. I think it is telling that I’m eager to return to try other items I spied on the menu (their burger… oh, and more of that ridiculous bacon candy).

in terms of their beer…
if you like beer, you really have to get yourself on up there. I’d honestly say it is the best pub I’ve ever experienced – I’m a huge fan of a few of the local establishments who brew their own (Broad Ripple Brew Pub and Barley Island being my usual suspects), but the variety here really cannot be topped. And it is well-considered variety at that. They have something for everyone… I was very impressed by their selections and I hope to see them do well.

much love,
T

My girlfriend and I tried the Kabob Korner for the first time a few weeks ago and I wanted to recommend it… I was impressed with the whole experience and am eager to return.

The owner warmly welcomed us (it was late afternoon and we were the only customers there). As we were deciding between the tasty-looking choices, he helped us with some descriptions and pronunciations. I felt assured that even if we didn’t like what we ordered… he’d have tried to make it right. That wasn’t a problem – we were both extremely pleased with our dishes!

I had the beef-filled dumplings in a wonderful sauce (one slightly spicy red – and then there was a cooling, creamy sauce drizzled on top of that). The dish came with well-prepared, delicious rice on the side and I spiced it up a bit more with hot sauce that was at the counter. My attractive companion went with a chicken dish that was topped with slivered almonds and raisins… I tried a bit and it was seriously soooo good. An amazing sauce, quality pieces of chicken, served over more of that rice.

I’m looking forward to going back for their kabobs… for an order of that amazing chicken dish for myself… and even to try some lamb (not something I’d normally go for, but the owner and the experience made me feel comfortable that it would be on the same [high] level).

Check em out!

((and by the way – get some baklava… we took two pieces home and it was some of the best I can remember trying))

reading the recent reviews, I just felt like I needed to give this old favorite some love.

yes, their prices can seem a bit high. it has always been a bit of a treat—- maybe one day I’ll have enough dough saved up to live in that area and eat there often… but for now, it is a nice place to visit if I’m going to go to the IMA, etc.

and considering how much a 1/2 of a sandwich and a 1/2 of a side is at Panera (or one of the ilk)… I really dont think their prices are that bad at all.

what I like is the sense of freshness I get. Their cup of veggie soup is about 3x better than Panera’s (IMO, at least – not so salty… fresher veggies and more of a homemade feel). I love the turkey sammy on a cwah-saint that comes with avocado and bacon (and it tosses aside the ridiculousness of a “health” billing, as kate accurately pointed out in her review. btw – I thought that was a fair review, given the items they selected).

And yes, the desserts are pretty astounding. I’m partial to the apple fritter and one of said croissants to go.

((edit – also check out the daily special – usually on a smaller board there on the actual counter you order at))

My only visit there was a bit unique, so take this with a grain of salt…

My 10-year high school reunion was held at Bella Vita (a swanky spot for a reunion!). I was very impressed with the location and found the few little starters that were included to be generally tasty, but my concern is that when I checked my account balance the next week… I found four identical charges from them (I’d started a tab at the bar, tipping $1 for each drink).

I called my credit card company to alert them of the mistake…
and over the course of the next few months, there were over a dozen various charges and credits (some of which seemed to have no rhyme or reason – i.e. credits in amounts not even close to what was disputed). I attempted to contact Bella Vita via email to straighten this out… and never received a response.

Over $200 wound up being charged to me (!)…
though in the end, I believe we ended up more or less even.

Perhaps I should have just contacted Bella Vita in the first place…
but it seemed very odd & not very professionally handled. I’ll sure pay in cash if I ever go back!!!

wonderful beers…
never been very impressed with their food

the sort of place that I’ll stop by after getting my stomach filled someplace else. Maybe get some starters to munch on with your liquid food.

better than bazbaux and pucchinis (forgive my no doubt terrible butchering of the spelling on those).

and that’s nothing against either one of those fine establishments, considering that I’d rather eat any of them than the delivery chains…
than from a box out of the freezer, etc

their pasta dishes are pretty spectacular, too!

good pitcher pricing and they often have a pretty tasty craft beer on tap

this could very well be my favorite spot to get a bite to eat…
not all luxuriously appointed or anything like that, but it isn’t sketchy and were it full of fancy trappings, I’m sure the prices wouldn’t be nearly so choice (mgmt, dont go getting any ideas!). I havent sampled a bad item…
but my personal favorite has to be their beef manhattan from the lunch menu. OMG! Deliciousness. And a heck of a good value.

pulled pork and chicken are amazing…
and the ribs arent at all that bad (I’ve sort of got a thing for anything brisket there, so haven’t had the ribs too many times).

Five Star all the way

I was at the Brewpub this past weekend…
I enjoyed the Black Lager (first time sampling that there) and a nice Monon Porter from the beer engine. Yum!

Needed a bite and ordered the hot pretzel with a small cheese crock. The cheese is damn good and I can’t really fault the pretzels…
but $5 for 2 pretzels as big as the palm of my hand and a little thing of cheese = ripoff supreme. Throw me a bone and toss a couple more ’zels in for that steep of a fee. $9 for some bread & cheese? come on now, son.

Cheers
T