NORTHEAST
INCLUDES Broad Ripple, Castleton, Geist, Herron-Morton, Kennedy-King, Keystone at the Crossing, Meridian-Kessler, Nora, SoBro
Ambrosia
ITALIAN Regulars have happily returned to this storied Broad Ripple trattoria run by the Pizzi family for three decades. Antipasti are a must, especially the goat-cheese torta or grilled shrimp wrapped in prosciutto. Veal marsala (a true trattoria test) might be less than crispy, but other classics hit the mark. 5903 N. College Ave., 317-255-3096, ambrosiaindy.com
Baby’s
BURGERS This playful, family-friendly joint limits its menu to smashburgers, broasted chicken, milkshakes (spiked or not), and cocktails, which means it hits every pulse point for its faithful Herron-Morton clientele. Housed in a former drag-show bar, it also has fun with the building’s artsy legacy—the house burger is called a Strut Burger, and all of the cocktail names come straight from the RuPaul meme factory—sip a Tongue Pop or a Sashay Away as you polish off the last of the Talbott Street Style fries dressed with bacon, cheese sauce, white barbecue sauce, and pickled jalapeño. 2147 N. Talbott St., 317-600-3559, babysindy.com
Bar One Fourteen
A card on each table at Martha Hoover’s playfully cheeky Bar One Fourteen suggests that if guests listened more, they might hear more. Which is smart advice at one of Indy’s loudest, most rollicking, most exclusive vintage-cocktail spots, made famous in the spring of 2017 for its Fancy AF burger, seared with a torch at the bar and showered with black truffles for an additional $12. Gone are original chef David Hoover’s crudité platter and chocolate mousse, but equally extravagant updated retro dishes take the form of dainty blini topped with a carrot pudding and caviar; lobster with celeriac, bee pollen, and shell bisque; and a T-bone for two slathered in black shallot compound butter. Cocktails themed on
