Posts Tagged: tzatziki
Canal Bistro Mediterranean Grille
Service: No complaints, I’ve always received fast and friendly service. Not sure if the man I speak of is the owner or just the manager, but he is always there to greet his guests.
Booze: Full bar.
Food:
Pita | served with spices and oil, complementary.
House Salad | romaine lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions & house vinaigrette, included with entree.
Stuffed Dolmathes | grape leaves stuffed with rice, chick peas, tomatoes, parsley, olive oil and lemon juice $ 8
Moussaka | roasted eggplant with ground beef and onions baked wth a creamy béchamel sauce $ 15
Grilled Fresh Fish | your choice of salmon or tilapia marinated and grilled over an open fire $ 17
I passed on the pita bread with bland olive oil—despite the appearance of delicious spices—but the salad was quite refreshing and enjoyable considering its simplicity. Flavorful and moist, but not greasy, the grape leaves were some of the best I have had in this town; unfortunately the accompanying tzatziki sauce left a lot to be desired. Not the worst, not the best. My salmon, wonderfully marinated and charred without being dry, was complemented with crisp tomato, cucumber, lemon and a lightly seasoned rice. A new dish for me, moussaka, tasted… like… meat… PIE. It was so heavy and rich and savory that between the two of us we could only finish half. The best part: yummy burnt bits of béchamel sauce.
Kudos: On certain pleasant afternoons, there is tasteful live music on the patio.
Overall: A little pricy on certain items, but I have eaten here several times without much disappointment (the fries with garlic and feta are absolutely phenomenal) and definitely will return come the warmer season.
www.canal-bistro.com
6349 Guilford Ave.
Indianapolis, IN, 46220
Sabbatical
Locals Only Art & Music pub reemerges with an avenue-worthy tapas makeover.
Atmosphere: A large open deck complete with a cozy corner fireplace invites you inside where deep, natural tones, wood flooring and exposed brick continue the welcoming mood.
Service: A lot of this crew shimmied over from LOAMP. Everyone is so genuine and pleased to educate first-time diners, entertain the regulars and start new friendships. The service as it stands is a little slow, but hopefully that will improve after a few weeks. Dining here twice since the opening one week ago, I have witnessed a few mishaps, but every step was taken to smooth out the situation and ensure the guests were pleased.
Booze: Full bar with a specialty of flavored mojitos served by the carafe, and a great bottled beer selection.
Food:
Kale Tzatziki | kale, bell peppers, cucumber and fresh herbs in a tangy strained yogurt sauce $ 5
Adobo Battered Mushroom Skewers | crimini mushrooms with a spicy adobo batter served on a bed of kale slaw and drizzled with wasabi cilantro cream $ 6
Scallop Wonton Tulips | topped with diced mango, red onion, wasabi cilantro cream sauce, and fresh herbs $ 9
Seafood Stuffed Shrimp | jumbo shrimp stuffed with a creamy blend of crab, salmon and scallops served on a bed of wild rice with crispy spinach and drizzled with adobo butter $ 11
Sabbatical is the perfect spot to people-watch on the avenue while enjoying a couple drinks, small plates and conversation. Something about it feels like home. Attention to detail is key in the jazzy new menu; both delicate and powerful flavors are blended to create beautifully plated harmonies.
I was recently introduced to the kale world and I didn’t enjoy it the first time around, yet I was intrigued by the tzatziki. This dip was definitely worth the chance: a twist on a classic chunky cucumber sauce loaded with peppers and salty kale. The mushrooms were extremely rich, which made them a great dish to share amongst multiple people. Very tasty but a bit heavy on oil. Big chunks of mango and sharp red onion beautifully complemented the sweetness of the scallops in the wontons; however, the scallops themselves were slightly overcooked. Unlike the seafood stuffed shrimp, which were wonderfully tender and pleasantly spicy.
Kudos: They offer a lot of vegetarian and vegan options! Live blues music from Late Night Saints on the deck every Tuesday @ 9PM.
Overall: I am pleased and refreshed to see a restaurant like this open along the strip. Having sampled nearly half of the menu, I remain unable to choose a favorite. My only complaint would be the portions on a few dishes; four wontons are perfect, plenty of crostini pieces are served with dips, but receiving only three shrimp (or meatballs) makes it difficult to share amongst a couple. I try to be fair, but cutting a shrimp in half is just plain silly. Gimme gimme more shrimp! That aside, Sabbatical remains a new favorite spot of mine, as I knew it would when the restaurant was merely a vision. Gather a group of friends and head over.
sabbaticalindy.com
921 East Broad Ripple Ave
Indianapolis, IN 46220
