A Little Water Helps Cleanse the Palate

"Don't judge a book by it's cover" is a very befitting phrase when reveling over the uncovered gems found in the greater area of Indianapolis and Broadripple. For some restaurant establishments you have to look past the outer facade and completely immerse yourself in the interior and culinary aspects of the restaurant itself. These special finds that you encounter aren't just 100% honest but full of character. That is the beauty that you find in these restaurants that you don't anywhere else. H2O is an echo of exactly that.

When passing by H2O you don't give it a second glance because honestly the outside is simply conventional. Creamy exterior color with a plain sign with its insignia on it. Just like that H2O. It totally undermines what the restaurant is really about, liveliness. The interior is completely contradictory to the exterior. It is dimly lit and scattered around the room are small square metal industrial tables with chairs to match. The walls have raised diamonds that protrude from the walls perfectly accented for the numerous modern art pieces hung from them. The thought evoking paintings create an artsy yet lively attitude. Making your approach to dinner a serious yet intimate experience. The sushi bar adjacent to the entrance draws you in usually with one or two chefs busy at their work creating the whimsical signature rolls that H2O is especially known for. The garnish for the interior design would honestly be the music, they don't play the typical. They bring their character to the diners and diners love them for it.

Eli Anderson has acquired quite an impressive following and reputation within Broadripple and Indianapolis. This is really something because over the past few years it has become very difficult because of the number of impressive restauranteurs that have settled in this growing food metropolis. The only other criticism with H2O is the service. If you are looking to be enlightened, drawn in, and overly friendly with the wait staff you are going to the wrong place. H2O has a very laid back wait staff that doesn't do the greatest job of drawing you in within their first sentence. Sometimes they can be very friendly and personable and yet other times be distant and disconnected. This can be quite bothersome at times, but again it is just another chip on the wall in an otherwise deliciously entrancing restaurant.

The Food. This is H2O's glorious high note, it's perfect focal point, and it's connection to the heart of Broadripple. The eclectic assortment of South Eastern Asian influences truly defines H2O. Their ever changing menu, according to seasonal and local ingredients captures the cook's refined experience in this cuisine. Their ideas are overflowing onto the menu and inspire you to be just a bit more daring when cooking at home. The pork buns, bi bim bop, heirloom tomato salad, and their irresistible cookies are my instantaneous go to dishes whenever presented on their menu. H2O's creativity flows truly from their heart. I know this personally because of a summer of prep at this wonderful establishment. The dishes are conceived sometimes randomly, but always with honest and heartfelt care that is brought to the diner on a pristine white plate and served with just a bit of whimsical talent that separates H2O from just "the norm".

-Ian

graffiti - dinner

This past Thursday, I was fortunate enough to be in one of the greatest culinary meccas that exist in our country today. Of course, I am talking about New York City. I kicked off my evening by walking into the heart of the East Village. Graffiti, led by chef Jehangir Mehta, is a tiny restaurant squashed in between two towering apartment buildings. When I first stepped through that doorway the mood shifted dramatically. Outside, it was a bitingly cold evening while on the inside it was youthful, and lively. The walls were straight red brick adorned with vibrant pictures, statues, and various pieces of artwork, making it very warm and welcoming. The restaurant seats no more than 20 or so, dispersed onto 5 different tables. The service throughout our dinner was casual but cordial. They did not hover over us the whole dinner, which is a feat considering the size of the restaurant. If you want a quiet, and personal dinner I would not suggest coming here. The tables are communal, which means you are sitting with strangers. I have never dined this way before, and found it a whole new experience. I was able to converse with my family while able at any moment to talk to others sitting at our table. It elevated the dining experience to a whole new level. I found myself comparing our partners' thoughts on their dinner to ours. The communal tables allowed me to meet some very interesting people.

The food is served in a tapas style, which are small plates and portions. The dishes were plated with precision and an affinity for modern and new plating techniques. The first dish was a watermelon salad with feta cheese and mint sorbet. For me, it was a quirky and fresh start to the meal. I could really tell where the chef was coming from when I took a bite of it. The second dish I ordered was chili dumplings with a grapefruit confit. This dish set my the mood for the rest of my meal. They were fluffy and light and not too filling. The grapefruit confit cut the earthiness of the pork and gave it a nice tangy finish. The next dish was the pickled ginger scallops. This dish fell a bit short for me. The fish was cooked well but the flavor pairings didn't completely work. It could have been more exciting. The most exhilarating dish I encountered here was the chickpea encrusted skate. The skate was impeccably cooked; cut thinly and melted in my mouth. The chickpeas added an earthy nuttiness that finished the dish off for me.

Overall the food was brilliantly executed. The dishes encompassed the entire flavor spectrum, which led to an enjoyable meal that left me wanting a bit more. This restaurant was able to produce dishes that not only excited my taste buds but engaged my senses.

muldoon's - lunch

If you're going to eat a Muldoon's, dinner is the time for it. The atmosphere was far too lax at my lunch. Granted, there's no reason for the staff not to be comfortable, in fact I'd rather that than pretentiousness (which would be comical to see at a pub). But, even at lunchtime, the staff is there to do business in the end. I ordered their fish and chips, which, though I've eaten at Muldoon's before, I've never tried. The fish was fried far too deeply, resulting in a bland fillet wrapped in a tough crust that at least doubled its weight (think chicken fingers). The chips, on the other hand, lacked a decent amount of crispiness. The point of the fish and chips is that the fish, while fried, is left tender and flavorful, contrasting with perfectly crispy (but not tough) chips. Muldoon's does not pull this off in the slightest. If you do want to eat here, go for dinner, where the atmosphere is far more enjoyable, and steer away from the fish and chips.