Our annual guide highlights 912 peer-nominated honorees representing more than 70 medical specialties, steering readers to Central Indiana physicians who continually raise the bar on excellence.
EDITED BY CHRISTINA VERCELLETTO
56
REVIVED SPIRIT
Once eyed for demolition, a former church and American Legion outpost in the heart of Zionsville takes on a new life as a well-appointed village home that makes the most of its historic lineage and character.
BY JEANA HARRIS
64 THE PODCASTER NEXT DOOR
Get IN. on the story behind Nate Spangle, the young, Broad Ripple–based hype man for Hoosier successes who travels the state discovering little-known Indiana gems and oddities to elevate.
BY SAM STALL
ON THE COVER
Photograph by Tony Valainis.
Makeup by Jessica Winchell.
CIRCLE CITY
SPEED READ
IU Indy’s James T. Morris Arena opens new possibilities for Jaguar athletics.
16
THE HOOSIERIST
Our Indiana expert calculates the salary threshold to qualify for the state’s elite “1 percent.”
16
UNSPOKEN RULES
A manner-festo for the twowheeled Cranksgiving food drive on November 15. 18 THE BEAT
Purdue’s atomic reactor acts as an ambassador for modern nuclear energy. 22
ARTIFACT
Intricate hair wreaths from the 1850s serve as mementos of Vigo County kin. 24 BEST BETS
Five can’t-miss events in Indy this month.
GOOD LIFE
A wall-mounted wooden rack crafted by Bloomington’s The Iron Roots Designs stores blankets sustainably.
28
SHOP TALK
Verve brings a high-energy fashion dreamland to the Carmel City Center.
28 MY LOOK
Art teacher Jen Trinosky shows off a colorful ensemble with abundant creative flair (those glasses!).
30
BODY+SOUL
Following personal health journeys, the owners of SweatHouz franchises and The AromaRoom provide stress relief to clients. 32 TRAVELER
At a whopping 5.6 million square feet, Minnesota’s Mall of America provides retail therapy on a grand scale.
Breakfast and lunch spot Yazsh Cafe & Bistro marries Turkish, Mediterranean, and Arab world flavors with Midwestern classics. 36
FIRST BITE
Hi Mango serves Instagramworthy treats, the SipEasy bar showcases local makers, and The Salty Fork makes holiday entertaining a breeze.
38
TASTE TEST
Pucker up for a quartet of house-made pickled veggies.
40
FOODIE
Award-winning head roaster Justin Bull levels up the cafe experience at Garfield Park’s Helm Coffee.
44 REVIEW
Harrison’s on Delaware Street delivers Italian American and steakhouse cuisine that won’t break the bank.
Unrivaled. Unmatched.
$101 million already closed in
Alex Hibler
Katie Lory
Casey LewisChris Golightly
Skyler Paunwar
INSPIRE. SUPPORT. ACT.
EDITOR’S NOTE
Hot Topic
Andrea Ratcliff Editor-in-Chief
BEING A woman of a certain age, I have firsthand experience with an array of menopause and perimenopause symptoms—hot flashes, insomnia, brain fog, weight gain, thinning hair, out-of-balance hormone levels, and more. My apologies if that’s TMI, but I think younger readers could benefit from getting an honest assessment of what’s in store for them later. The consensus among my middle-aged peers is that our mothers, teachers, mentors, and even our health professionals did not adequately prepare us for any of this, likely because women in previous generations were not always vocal about the more unpleasant aspects of the female life cycle. But it seems a shift in our culture is opening up the dialogue about this particular women’s health issue. More and more information about menopause is coming to light through books (many of which were written in the last five years), news and social media, and podcasts, making it easier to understand the physiological changes and navigate available care and treatment options. In our annual Top Doctors cover feature (p. 48), we surveyed a handful of physicians in varying specialties to gain insights into how midlife hormonal changes can have far-reaching effects on women’s overall health. The responses contain a good bit of common sense advice (recommendations to eat right, stay active, and limit alcohol and tobacco use, for example), but some of the answers might surprise you.
Regardless of your age, gender, or health concerns, our yearly list of more than 900 peer-nominated physicians in Central Indiana is a valuable resource to help you find quality care in practice areas ranging from addiction medicine, to ophthalmology, to radiology, to vascular surgery.
( CONTRIBUTORS )
The Nose Knows
OUR NOVEMBER BODY+SOUL (P. 30) SPOTLIGHTS THE AROMAROOM IN CARMEL, WHICH INFUSES ITS SPA SERVICES WITH THERAPEUTIC FRAGRANCE FROM ESSENTIAL OILS. BELOW, IM STAFFERS DESCRIBE THEIR FAVORITE FEEL-GOOD SCENTS.
“Petrichor, which is the smell of freshly fallen rain on asphalt. Besides that, I’d say a log-burning fireplace/campfire. I’m a big fan of woody and natural smells.”
—Christiana Bertsch, advertising art director
“Popcorn. … I love to smell it and eat it. There’s nothing like walking into a movie theater and smelling hot popcorn popping.”
—Nancy Oliphant, account executive
Whether he’s photographing local tattoo shops (p. 136), events around Circle City, or Indianapolis sports teams, IM digital editor Clay Maxfield’s photography can be found throughout the magazine’s Instagram (@indymonthly) and its pages in print. When Maxfield’s not behind the camera, he’s busy rooting for his alma mater, Indiana University.
JES NIJJER
Indy-based photographer
Jes Nijjer has primarily focused on food and beverage—like the bafti wrap in this month’s Swoon (p. 35)—and portraiture over the course of her nine-year career. She uses natural light to highlight subjects in their most natural form. Outside of time spent on sets, she can be found out enjoying jazz, coffee, or nature.
A background in writing and a strong track record in health care marketing made freelancer Niko Vercelletto a perfect resource for bringing the issues highlighted in IM’s 2025 Top Doctor feature (p. 48) to readers. He holds a full-time role at Loyola Medicine, where he regularly conducts in-depth interviews with physicians to bring their stories and expertise to patient and peer audiences.
“Honeysuckle. They grew at my childhood home in our backyard. Reminds me of my dad!”
—Missy Beiting, operations director
“I wish I could bottle the smell of a man’s jacket right when he comes in the house after working in the garage on a cold day.”
—Julia Spalding, features editor
“Cleaning supplies and a little bit of bleach. Nothing like walking into a freshly cleaned house.”
—Abby Broderick, director of special events
CLAY MAXFIELD
niko vercelletto
FEATURES EDITOR
Julia Spalding
LIFESTYLE EDITOR
Christina Vercelletto
FOOD & DINING EDITOR
Eve Batey
MANAGING EDITOR
Camille Graves
DIGITAL EDITOR
Clay Maxfield
EDITORIAL INTERN
Livia Wininger
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES
Amy Cecil, Jena Jennings, Nancy Oliphant
PUBLISHER Ivy Bayer
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Andrea Ratcliff
PRODUCTION DIRECTOR
Vu Luong
EDITORIAL ART DIRECTOR
Maura Broderson
ADVERTISING ART DIRECTOR
Christiana Bertsch
CONTRIBUTING EDITORS
Brian Garrido, Jeana Harris, Terry Kirts, Amy Lynch, Sam Stall
BUSINESS
OPERATIONS DIRECTOR
Missy Beiting
SALES DIRECTOR Holly Whitney
DESIGN DIRECTOR Margo Wininger
PUBLISHED BY
CINCINNATI MEDIA, LLC, A SUBSIDIARY OF HOUR MEDIA, LLC
CEO Stefan Wanczyk
PRESIDENT John Balardo
EDITORIAL / ADVERTISING OFFICES
Indianapolis Monthly 8909 Purdue Rd., Suite 130 Indianapolis, IN 46268 317-969-6954
The Circle City lights up in wintertime with an array of activities suitable for all ages. We list light shows, live music performances, special exhibits, theater productions, artisan markets, and more to warm your hearts this holiday season.
81 // TOP DOCTOR PROFILES
As an accompaniment to our annual Top Doctors cover story, we include extended biographical information about our featured physicians. Learn more about the doctors’ backgrounds, education, specialties, qualifications, and treatment philosophies.
MIND MATTERS:
The winter season can be a taxing time with end-of-year demands, shorter daylight hours, and confining weather conditions. This special section will focus on therapeutic and transformative activities that reduce stress, boost spirits, and promote health and wellness.
CIRCLE CITY
SPEED READ
The Jim Rises
An in-progress basketball arena will open up new possibilities for IU Indy and Jaguar athletics. The facility’s name, meanwhile, cements the legacy of an Indiana University trustee and alumnus who devoted his life to this city.
Illustration by DAVID JUNKIN
CONSTRUCTION IS UNDERWAY. Columns and beams are rising for Indiana University Indianapolis’ James T. Morris Arena, on pace to be completed by fall of 2026. “In an ideal world,” the institution’s athletic director, Luke Bosso, explains, “we would play two weeks of volleyball before basketball, so we could get to know the arena. … Worst-case, the first basketball game is in it.”
IT HAS THE WORTHIEST OF NAMESAKES.
Jim Morris made impacts well beyond the university. For starters: president of the Lilly Endowment, executive director of the United Nations World Food Programme, vice chairman of Pacers Sports & Entertainment, and head of the Indianapolis Water Company (now part of Citizens Energy Group), which hailed him a “visionary leader” in memoriam.
Former New York Times journalist and current director of IU Indy’s Sports Capital Journalism Program Malcolm Moran first became acquainted with Morris, then chief of staff to Indianapolis mayor Richard Lugar, at a sporting event he was covering. The two bumped into each other many times over the years. Morris fundraised to send Moran’s students to cover the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. (He also once served on the U.S. Olympic Committee.) Moran remains struck by how Morris served the public without becoming controversially partisan. “He really was the gold standard when it came to this. I’m sure he had some very strong personal political views, but they never came at the expense of someone who was across the aisle,” he recalls. “The greater good and a willingness to reach out and find common ground was at the core of his being.”
THE ARENA WILL ATTRACT NEW STUDENTS. With the Herron School of Art and Design just to the north and the NCAA headquarters to the south, “The Jim” (as the new facility has already been nicknamed) will be on prime downtown real estate. The arena—which will also serve as USA Track & Field’s national headquarters—will seat 4,100 for basketball games and up to 4,500 for other events, according to Bosso. New
IU Indy head men’s basketball coach Ben Howlett has his own reasons to be excited. “The new arena will be the perfect size for our program,” he says. “And having it on campus in downtown Indianapolis will be fantastic for recruiting.”
THE MASSIVE PROJECT HAS A TOP TEAM. Ratio Design, behind the recently completed The Arena at Innovation Mile as well as Gainbridge Fieldhouse, is designing James T. Morris Arena. F.A. Wilhelm Construction is executing its plan in partnership with 40 subcontractors, according to senior project manager Rachel Woznicki. The entrance to the building will face west. Ratio Design CEO Bill Browne Jr. says, “We wanted to push the event level into the ground so that when you came into the building, you would basically be at the concourse level, and then you would go down into the seating.” This allows the height of the building to be scaled similarly to neighboring buildings, helping it fit into the campus more seamlessly, explains Browne.
IT WON’T BE CHEAP. Funding for the building—to the tune of $89.5 million— was approved in the state legislature’s budget back in June 2023; IU is putting forward another $21 million to take the project over the finish line. Although sports will be the its primary purpose, hosting will extend to entertainment, ceremonies, and more. “[It] is not only a centerpiece for IU Indianapolis athletics,” says IU president Pamela Whitten, “but a lynchpin in cementing the city’s
leadership as the sports capital of the world. Bringing The Jim to life is as much of an investment in the economic vitality of the region as it is in the culture of Jaguar athletics.”
MORRIS CALLED FOR THE ARENA. Even though he attended IU Bloomington, he was a staunch advocate for an arena at IUPUI, now IU Indy. Jackie Morris, Jim’s wife of 59 years, looks forward to attending the first game played in The Jim. “He knew it was going to happen; he just didn’t know when,” she shares. “But he would have fought tooth and nail not to have it named after him! He was a pretty humble guy.”
HE CARED ABOUT INDIANAPOLIS TO THE END.
Former Governor Eric Holcomb’s chief of staff, Earl Goode, was one of Morris’ closest friends. The pair spoke often. In fact, Morris called him three times on July 12, 2024, neither having any warning that Morris would pass away that night. Recalls Goode, Morris called him first thing in the morning to hash out a thought he had on a facilities upgrade. Morris rang again in the early afternoon to bounce an idea off Goode about a way to woo a particular college coaching association to Indianapolis. “His ideas for Indianapolis never stopped coming,” Goode adds. The reason for the late afternoon, final chat? An impromptu invitation to join him and Jackie at the Fever game that evening. Goode couldn’t make it on such short notice. But the Fever sent Jim Morris out a winner: 95-86 over the Phoenix Mercury. —CHRIS SCHUMERTH
Freshen Up for the Holidays
Whether you’re hosting the big dinner or just want your home to feel festive and fresh, now’s the perfect time to give your space a seasonal glow-up. New countertops, cozy flooring, a splash of paint. Updated hardware for a modern touch. Holiday magic with tablescaping, Christmas tree setup & mantel décor.
Let’s make your home shine bright this season — inside and out. Book your holiday refresh today and enjoy the season in style!
That’s Rich
Q : HOW MUCH WOULD I HAVE TO MAKE EACH YEAR TO JOIN
INDIANA’S “1 PERCENT?” A: Let’s just say your Uber gig and Etsy side hustle probably won’t get you there. World Population Review, a website that explores world population through data, says you need an annual income of $471,007 to reach Indiana’s salary summit, while SmartAsset places the magic number slightly higher, at $473,685. But at least you don’t live in Connecticut, where the staggering $1,056,996 benchmark is the highest in the nation. In last-place West Virginia, however, a mere $416,310 is all it takes to make you the fattest hog in the waller. Of course, this is different from being in the top 1 percent in terms of accumulated wealth. To vault that hurdle, you need (depending on whom you consult) between $11 and $14 million dollars tucked away. One only gets to this level by grit, determination … and having rich parents. Mostly by having rich parents. —SAM
STALL
( UNSPOKEN RULES )
Cranksgiving
A MANNER-FESTO FOR THE FAMILY FRIENDLY FOOD DRIVE BY BIKE ON NOVEMBER 15
Pedal any route you like to make your pickups. There is no prescribed course. Ride it in advance to avoid surprises. Dress for any weather. Unless we get a blizzard, Cranksgiving rolls on. Park in the gravel lot on the north side of Guggman Haus if you’re not riding your bike there. Go straight to The Boyle Garage to sign in. Then stop at the Coffee Haus to fuel the morning. Think about using the restroom at grocery stores. Pack snacks. But save your appetite for Currywurst at the Cabin Kitchen upon your return to Guggman. Consider helping even if you’re not up to cycling. Walk-up donations are happily accepted the day of the event.
The annual salary that grants a Hoosier admission to the middle class. $46,313
It takes only $36,132 to pull the same trick in dead-last Mississippi, but $66,565 in Massachusetts.
ask THE HOOSIERIST
Now is the time to explore how philanthropy can create meaningful impact for the community, for you, and your family.
The CICF Collaborative provides expert philanthropic guidance, personalized giving solutions, and access to deep knowledge of the work of nonprofits in our communities. A SMART TIME TO GIVE. A POWERFUL WAY TO HELP.
While each entity focuses on its individual community, we also work together. By sharing expertise and resources, we ensure donor dollars go further and make a greater impact. This partnership is called the CICF Collaborative.
Whether you’re giving for the first time or refining a long-term strategy, contact us to learn how we can help amplify your charitable impact before the end of 2025 and beyond. We look forward to talking to you about how to maximize your giving now and moving forward.
Jennifer Turner | Vice President of Philanthropy | jennifert@cicf.org
Fissionista
AFTER DECADES IN THE DOLDRUMS, PURDUE’S NUCLEAR POWER PROGRAM IS ONCE AGAIN HOT, BUZZY, AND APPROACHING CRITICAL MASS. BY
BEHIND THICK security doors in a windowless basement at Purdue University’s West Lafayette campus sits Indiana’s only atomic reactor. Commissioned in 1962, it’s both an artifact from a longgone era and (possibly) a harbinger of a nuclear power renaissance.
One that Indiana might help lead.
Compared to the hulking power stations once typically associated with nukes, the PUR-1 (short for Purdue University Reactor Number One) seems impossibly petite. Its “core” is 2 by 2 by 2 feet of fissile material submerged in a deep pool of eerily glowing water. Curious visitors—both students and tour groups—can peer straight down into the heart of the machine via a circular opening that faintly resembles a wishing well.
“It’s an open pool reactor, so you can
SAM STALL
actually see the core,” says Stylianos Chatzidakis, assistant professor at Purdue’s School of Nuclear Engineering and associate director of PUR-1.
“It’s one of the very few reactors in the country where you can do that. It’s very useful for our students because they get to see the science in practice.”
The machine generates an anemic 10 kilowatts of electricity—just enough to power three, maybe four, microwaves. But that’s all it needs to fulfill its role as a teaching and research tool.
The 63-year-old reactor was born during the false dawn of nuclear energy, when supporters believed the technology would produce electricity so cheap it wouldn’t be worth the bother to meter it. And it kept humming throughout the nukes-are-thedevil era of the 1980s and ’90s, when public backlash over the Three Mile Island incident and the Chernobyl disaster folded the entire industry.
By the close of the last century, fears about everything from accidents to improper waste disposal put the kibosh on domestic atomic energy development. Indeed, the state of Indiana’s only attempt at building a reactor, the Marble Hill Nuclear Power Station in Jefferson County, was abandoned in 1984 after $2.5 billion had already been spent. All around the U.S., funding dried up, reactors were mothballed, and students stopped enrolling in nuclear engineering programs. Until now.
“At Purdue, we haven’t seen this level of interest in nuclear engineering in 30 or 40 years,” Chatzidakis says. “From 2021 to 2025, our enrollment has almost doubled.” Today Purdue’s program counts more than 200 undergrad and grad students combined. That’s a remarkable rebound for a field many considered moribund. And it’s not just Purdue. Across the country, nuclear engineering departments are seeing similar enrollment spikes. Thank the development of massive AI computing centers, which suck up an unspeakable amount of electricity, for the technology’s revival. And also the fact that, in a somewhat bizarre turn of events, nuclear power is now seen in some circles as green.
“One of the strongest drivers is the younger generation’s focus on clean energy,” Chatzidakis says. “They grew up without all this fearmongering from the ’80s and ’90s. They want energy security and sustainability. They come here because they want to contribute to a cleaner future.”
And, perhaps, a less sweltering one. Nuclear power doesn’t add one bit of CO2 to the atmosphere, making it as benign (in climate change context, at least) as solar, wind, and hydroelectric energy. And boy oh boy, can it belch out the megawatts. That’s music to the ears of the companies building the sprawling data centers to power ChatGPT and similar enterprises. To get the juice necessary to keep their AI systems humming, they’re investing in new nuclear energy companies and also bringing old nuclear plants back online—including the infamous Three Mile Island in Pennsylvania.
“We’re seeing a lot of interest from the data center and AI communities,” Chatzidakis says. “If you want to build
THE BEAT
Illustration by RICHARD BORGE
At Woodstock, we believe that excellence lives in the details... the way cabinet doors align, the way light falls across a room, the way a kitchen works with quiet intention. It’s not just about tools and blueprints; it’s about insight, foresight, and craftsmanship honed over time. The result? Homes that feel intuitively correct, because every detail has been thought through, and nothing is left to chance.
Come see our brand new model in Noblesville’s Sagamore neighborhood.
11293 GOLDEN BEAR WAY
Open Saturdays & Sundays 12-4.
WoodstockCustomHomes.com
a 2,000-megawatt data center in Indiana, renewables are great, but you’d have to cover most of the state in wind turbines to make it work. Instead, you can have a nuclear reactor next to the data center providing that power supply.”
All of this is to say that Purdue’s nuclear program is (metaphorically) blowing up, and its half-century-old teaching reactor has moved from a relic to a showpiece for research, training, and technology development. Indeed, one of the school’s flagship innovations is the creation of “digital twin” technology for good ole PUR-1. “We collect all the data from the reactor in real time, send it to another building, and run it through high-fidelity models,” Chatzidakis explains. “That lets us predict what’s going to happen in the next minute or the next hour. We can detect anomalies. We can even simulate cyberattacks— safely—without touching the real reactor.” Think of it as a hyper-detailed, real-time simulation of the reactor, fed by live data culled from PUR-1’s fully digital control systems. This capability matters because, judging from where research grants and entrepreneurial businesses are headed these days, our nuclear future isn’t about building gigantic, 1970s-era plants. Instead, there’s lots of interest in designing smaller, more advanced power units called small modular reactors, or SMRs. Unlike old-school nuclear complexes, which can take a decade or more to complete, SMRs are designed to be made in factories, shipped to the power station, and integrated on-site. In the most simplistic
terms, it would be like dropping a battery into a flashlight.
Purdue is leading a $6 million Department of Energy initiative to study ways to utilize advanced materials, improve safety systems, and reduce costs of SMRs. The school’s participation in this and other projects both wires its students into high-demand careers and also gives Indiana a front-row seat for the technology’s revival. That’s a rather odd spot for the Hoosier state, since aside from PUR-1’s miniscule output, we get not a single watt from nuclear power. At least not so far. State lawmakers recently passed legislation to encourage “coal-to-nuclear” conversions, making it easier for utilities to replace retiring coal-fired power plants with SMRs. “Indiana has lots of retired or retiring coal plants,” Chatzidakis says. “You already have the land, the transmission lines, the workforce. Instead of shutting everything down, you put a small modular reactor there. It saves money, saves jobs, and keeps the community intact.”
Purdue helped fund a state feasibility study identifying at least eight promising Indiana sites for future SMRs. None of these places may ever see a nuclear reactor, but the fact the option is even on the table signals a shift. The same state that pulled the plug on Marble Hill, even after spending billions on the project, seems ready to at least entertain the idea that fission is back in fashion.
But while public skepticism and resistance have markedly waned, they haven’t disappeared. “The anti-nuclear movement is not what it used to be,”
LOOKING INTO THE FUTURE
Purdue University’s 63-year-old reactor now serves as an ambassador to the public for nuclear technology.
Chatzidakis says. “Back in the ’80s and ’90s, misinformation was more easily believed. Today, people can fact-check. They see that modern reactors have multiple safety systems. They realize there hasn’t been a major U.S. nuclear accident in more than 40 years.”
Perhaps. But questions about waste and waste disposal are still being asked. “People picture glowing green barrels from The Simpsons,” Chatzidakis says. “That’s not reality. Spent nuclear fuel is solid, small in volume, and stored safely. If you took all the spent fuel from 100 U.S. reactors over 50 years, it wouldn’t even fill a single Walmart.”
Finland and Sweden are already building long-term waste repositories. In the U.S., the politics are messier. The once-planned Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Repository in Nevada remains stalled, blocked by state resistance. But the Department of Energy is also pursuing “consent-based storage,” negotiating with willing communities about how and where to store nuclear waste.
Chatzidakis sees the revival of interest in nuclear power as far more than just academic. As countries including China rapidly expand their nuclear footprints, there’s a growing urgency, at least in some circles, for the United States to keep pace. “Other countries have built 70 reactors that are either under construction or planned,” he says. “In China, they’re building large ones in less than four years. For us, it took 10 years to build the Vogtle Electric Generating Plant in Georgia [America’s newest nuclear reactor complex]. If we fall behind, we lose not just energy security but also the technological edge.”
PUR-1, in addition to its primary role as a teaching tool, serves as an ambassador of sorts for nuclear technology. More than 2,000 visitors, from high school students to curious locals, tour the facility each year. For guests who descend into the reactor room, staring down at the PUR-1’s glowing blue heart, the next nuclear age doesn’t feel theoretical at all. It feels like it’s already begun. “People come to visit the reactor, and they realize it’s not something to fear,” Chatzidakis says. “Once you understand how it works, it makes sense right away.”
HAIR SCRAPBOOK
VINTAGE: 1850 s Resides at Eugene and Marilyn Glick
Indiana History Center
MANY PEOPLE HAVE baby books with a lock from their first haircut taped inside. But long before that practice became commonplace, there were hair albums. In the 19th century, people remembered relatives and close friends using their hair. Tresses were intricately presented in small braids or twisted into patterns, a unique aspect of these albums. The hair of married couples was often woven together. This hair scrapbook was compiled by Elizabeth C. Carr between 1850 and 1865; most of the material dates to the 1850s. Represented are members of the Carr, Pound, Kester, and Sparks families of Vigo County, Indiana. It has a cross-stitched cover; ribbons and paper decorations set off the hair wreaths, typical for these types of books. Hair albums faded away as the 20th century approached and photography became the typical means of immortalizing family. —CHRISTINA VERCELLETTO
MONTH’S CAN’T–MISS EVENTS
(1) Jonas20: Living the Dream
November 2
Promoting their new album Greetings from Your Hometown, Nick, Kevin, and Joe make a stop at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The AllAmerican Rejects open. gainbridgefieldhouse.com
(2) Holiday Heritage Market
November 8
Conner Prairie’s shopping fest sells only wonderfully handcrafted wares. For starters: quilts, woven placemats and tote bags, goat milk soap and lotion, walnut jewelry boxes, and iron plant hangers. connerprairie.org
(3) John Legend: Get Lifted 20th Anniversary World Tour
November 16
Mr. John Roger Stephens— aka John Legend—rereleased his first album Get Lifted with bonus tracks and remixes. Get the full experience when the celebration touches down at Fishers Event Center fisherseventcenter.com
(4) Tonic Ball 2025
November 21
Showcasing the music of Marvin Gaye, Britney Spears, Green Day, and The B-52s, the annual Second Helpings benefit concert rocks various Fountain Square venues. tonicball.org
(5) Jerry Seinfeld
November 22
No introduction is needed for the star of arguably the most popular sitcom ever. Just sit back and laugh (or shout, “Yada, yada, yada!”) at the Murat Theatre at Old National Centre. livenation.com
WANTED
Blanket Statement
Throws will no longer be wadded up in couch corners, strewn on chairs, or stuffed onto a blanket ladder that seemed like a good idea at the time. We’re all about the Modern Blanket Rack by minimalist woodworking and furniture design studio The Iron Roots Designs. Crafted using American walnut, white oak, or white maple from an Indiana mill and handfinished with natural oils in a Bloomington workshop, it warms hearts as well as bodies. “We use zerowaste techniques,” says owner Phillip Stone. “All of our sawdust is donated to a local farm to use as compost. Leftover wood scraps are donated to local nonprofits for campfires in the summer and warming families in need in the winter.” $220, theironroots designs.com —CHRISTINA VERCELLETTO
( SHOP TALK )
Posh Spot
Verve
ADDRESS
750 Veterans Way, Carmel
HOURS
A WOMEN’S FASHION DREAMLAND OPENS IN CARMEL CITY CENTER. BY CHRISTINA VERCELLETTO
WHEN KRISTIE Smith sets her mind on something, look out. The owner of Indy Homes wanted to open her office in Carmel City Center’s suite 208, but the corner spot was reserved for retail. Saks had just closed, spurring an idea: a boutique for Saks-level brands. “My husband said, ‘Absolutely not,’” laughs Smith. “I’d never worked in a store. I had to learn how to fold T-shirts!” Her husband knew it was a losing battle when learn she did, along with the ins and outs of high-end fashion merchandising. The result is a bright, elegant shop with understated sparkle and pops of pink. Look for the latest from the likes of Dorothee Schumacher, Milly, Brochu Walker, L’Agence, and Alice+Olivia, with pieces ranging from statement coats to simple tanks. Smith also leased the adjoining suite for Indy Homes, enabling a third purpose for the combined 3,000-plus square feet: an event space. And the shop’s name? “I’m adjacent to the Great American Songbook, so I took inspiration from women in music,” she explains. “Ella Fitzgerald cofounded Verve Records. And verve means high energy, which fits me.”
Jen Trinosky
Art Teacher
DO THE KIDS INSPIRE YOUR WARDROBE CHOICES?
During Covid, I couldn’t see their smiles. It was awful. I made a new crazy hairpiece for each school day. One day it was a dragon, the next, flowers, then feathers. The excitement rose.
IF YOU DESIGNED AN ART TEACHER UNIFORM, WHAT WOULD IT LOOK LIKE?
A jumpsuit with pockets for Band-Aids and tissues, slots for pencils, scissors, and glue, and a snap flap for a trusty roll of duct tape.
FAVORITE CRAYOLA COLOR?
Orange. Keep it real, Crayola. I’d love a box of primary, secondary, and tertiary crayons only, all wearing their actual names. —C.V.
scouted
(1) Vilagallo Dorin plaid pants with rickrack hem, $275 (2) Maria Pavan Papiro jacket, $425 (3) Bourbon and Boweties handmade stone bracelets, $34 (4) Nina paillette clutch, other colors available, $78
Hot Stuff
JEANETTE RAY’S WELLNESS JOURNEY LED HER TO A LOCAL SAUNA EMPIRE. BY EVE BATEY
LAUNCHED in Atlanta in 2019, infrared sauna and cold plunge chain SweatHouz has spread like wildfire across the U.S., with hundreds of franchisees signing up every year. Indy local Jeanette Ray is one of those, launching the area’s first SweatHouz in Broad Ripple in May and a second one in Carmel in July.
BODY+ SOUL
“After Covid, I decided I needed to do better for myself. I went on a health journey and lost 120 pounds. Then I got a personal trainer’s license and dedicated myself to showing people how they can get healthy, too,” Ray says.
Ray quickly learned that rest and recovery are as important as working out, but she saw few options in Indy for the kinds of hot and cold therapies she gravitated toward. So when she heard about the opportunity to work with SweatHouz, she went all in.
Athletes may swear by cold plunges and vitamin C–infused showers— SweatHouz signature treatments—but medical data is scarce on their efficacy. Physicians remain similarly divided on the benefits of heat treatments and saunas. But most agree that when used within recommended limits, none of these remedies are inherently risky (though one should always consult a physician before trying any new health correctives) and may help relieve the stress of daily living.
In fact, those seeking stress relief are some of Ray’s most loyal customers, she says. And soon, locals will have more options for those therapies, with Ray opening locations in Bottleworks and Fishers in 2026. “We want to take care of everyone in Indy,” Ray says, “and that means being everywhere people might need us.” 6280 N. College Ave., 750 Veterans Wy., Carmel; sweathouz.com
( OASIS )
Just Breathe
The AromaRoom sets itself apart with scent.
DURING A health scare, a realization hit Brownsburg resident Shayla Webb: Time with her family was way more important than her high-pressure career as an attorney. While recuperating in Florida, she discovered the mood-boosting and body-aiding effects of aromatherapy at a spa. Back home, she couldn’t find a single similar service—and her path was clear. “I felt God was calling me to do this, to open a wellness studio,” shares Webb. ADAcompliant steam suites with showers, halotherapy salt chambers outfitted with Bluetooth, and a private haven with a hydromassage table are infused with essential oil blends. “I get teachers who’ve had screaming kids all week relaxing with lavender,” says Webb. “Those heading to a meeting go with tangerine or sweet orange, because citrus scents boost energy.” The favorite among her many repeat clients, though, is clean, crisp eucalyptus, which clears nasal passages and enhances mental clarity. 762 S. Rangeline Rd., Carmel; thearomaroom.us
—CHRISTINA VERCELLETTO
Att ention, Shoppers
MINNESOTA’S MALL OF AMERICA PROVIDES RETAIL THERAPY ON A GRAND SCALE. BY JULIA SPALDING
WHEN Mall of America (mallofamerica.com) rose from the Minneapolis suburbs in the early 1990s, a glass-curtained spectacle on the land where the Metropolitan Stadium once stood, it was hailed as the pinnacle of retail. Today, at 5.6 million square feet, the mega-mall is a shopaholic’s dream come true. And though consumer habits have changed beyond recognition in the years since it was built, MOA (as locals call it) remains the country’s largest shopping mall—a still-gleaming throwback of more than 500 retailers, including one of the world’s largest Lego stores, outfitted with monumental creations. Upscale chains, such as Chanel, Zara, Steve Madden, Ugg, Dr. Martens, Armani Exchange, and Fjällräven cater to shoppers taking advantage of the state exemption on clothing sales tax. In a TikTok Shop world, the thrill of IRL hunting and gathering is almost quaint.
Minneapolis, MN
This time of year, holiday shoppers can break away from the musical performances, light displays, and Santa visits to refuel at a food court that alone dwarfs a standard strip mall. Comedy club Rick Bronson’s House of Comedy hosts visiting acts. On the first floor, the Sea Life aquarium, Minnesota’s biggest, features a 300-foot underwater tunnel for viewing sharks and sea turtles as well as interactive touch pools. Most spectacularly, MOA houses a full-scale indoor amusement park, Nickelodeon Universe, built into the center of the complex, complete with roller coasters, a Ferris wheel, and a log chute.
The entire “retailtainment” venue spans three levels, and a lap around each floor covers a little over a mile. The savvy devote multiple days to a visit. To make the trip as painless as possible (especially when freezing winter temps crackle the nose hairs), the mall contains its own luxury hotel, the Radisson Blu, where guests decompress in the indoor saline pool or at its spa.
IF YOU GO
INDULGE James Beard Award winner Owamni (owamni .com) serves dishes made with Indigenous ingredients and no wheat flour, cane sugar, or dairy.
ADMIRE The Walker Art Center (walkerart .org) sculpture garden includes Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen’s famous oversized SpoonbridgeandCherry
GLIDE The Central Park Ice Skating Loop (maplegrovemn.gov) offers an 810-footlong refrigerated trail and ice skate rental.
Here comes the bride, all dressed in … black. Before Queen Victoria made white a thing, women wore inky hues to their nuptials. BRIDAL ELEGANCE: THE ART AND HISTORY OF WEDDING FASHION at the Wayne County Historical Museum exhibits garb from the 1800s on. Among it: a WWII gown made of parachute material. 1150 N. A St., Richmond —CHRISTINA VERCELLETTO
TRAVELER
Wrap It Up
Newly opened just steps from Woodruff Place, breakfast and lunch spot Yazsh Cafe & Bistro is a reflection of Indy’s melting pot culture, owner Lora Popov says. That’s manifested via dishes that marry Turkish, Mediterranean, and Arab world flavors with Midwestern classics, like french fries loaded with feta cheese or eggs Benedict served over Bulgarian pastry. One of the purest forms of this is the Bafti Wrap, which pairs a lamb, pork, and beef smashburger with chickpea salad and tarragon cream sauce, all encased in a house-made, gluten-free zucchini tortilla. “It’s vibrant, it’s filling, and it’s got so much flavor,” Popov says, all trademarks of Yazsh’s inventive menu. 1705 E. Michigan St., 317-955-9702, yazshindy.com —EVE BATEY
SWOON
( NEW IN TOWN )
Tropical Treat
A BUZZY CASTLETON DESSERT SHOP SERVES SWEETLY INSTAGRAMMABLE TREATS. BY EVE BATEY
FROM THE outside, Hi Mango looks like the drive-thru Wendy’s that it once was. But step inside and all thoughts of red pigtails slip away, as the space has been transformed into a light and breezy haven of light wood and floral arrangements. It’s a perfect setting for the restaurant’s lineup of Asian-style frozen desserts, shakes, pastries, and crepes. Every dish at this locally owned business seems created to feed the eyes as much as the palate: Sundaes burst with enough fruit to fill an Edible Arrangement, cakes are artfully sauced and dusted, and toppings on bowls of ice cream are arranged with military precision. And while mango items are in abundance—fitting, given the restaurant’s name— other flavors such as durian, ube, and matcha also sparkle in various preparations. 6351 E. 82nd St., 317-829-6667, himangoindy.com
PINCH OF WISDOM
“We’ve moved past the idea that you need to prepare every dish at a party or holiday event. Hiring a private chef to make some of your dishes pays for itself by decreasing your stress and giving you more time with friends and family.”
( CHEERS )
Hometown Spirit
Drinks at new bar SipEasy have a distinctly local flair.
“THIS IS A place for people to come together over their love of local makers,” owner Nicole Kearney says of her new business in the AMP. ”It’s also another way to show off the great spirits and wines that are made in Indianapolis.”
Indy’s reputation as a craft beer hot spot is wellestablished, but people are less aware that local spirits makers and vintners are also producing impressive products. “When you go into most bars, you see bottles from big brands and that’s it,” Kearney says, “but not at SipEasy.”
Kearney’s also the founder of boutique winery Sip & Share Wines, but SipEasy is her first public-facing bar. “Being able to be with people and show them amazing drinks from local makers all day long is a dream,” she says. “Why didn’t I do this sooner?” 1220 Waterway Blvd E.B.
COUNTRY TIME Bedford-born Nashville star Clayton Anderson’s downtown bar, Clayton’s Country, has opened in the former Hard Rock Cafe on Meridian Street. Expect live music and a bounty of beer. EXPANSION TEAM Fernando’s Mexican & Brazilian Cuisine is leaving its Broad Ripple digs for a larger spot two blocks away. The new venue at 6320 Ferguson St. should open by Christmas. —E.B.
–Lindsey Imel, private chef and owner, The Salty Fork
TASTE TEST
In A Pickle
THESE LOCAL SPOTS ARE BRINING UP CUKES, ONIONS, AND OTHER VEGGIES FOR PICKLES GOOD ENOUGH TO ENJOY ON THEIR OWN.
BY AMY LYNCH
Bluebeard
Bluebeard’s house-made pickle plate appetizer changes according to season and whim, drawing from 10 to 15 different varieties at any given time. Carrots, radishes, peppers, asparagus—you never know what you’re gonna get. Pickles also accent several main dishes, and chefs sometimes sub in brine for vinegar, assuring nothing goes to waste. 653 Virginia Ave., 317-686-1580, bluebeardindy.com
Smoking Goose
“Fire Butter” pickles combine cucumber rounds and slivers of shallot with smoked serrano, Calabrian, and chipotle chili peppers. Pick up a pouch to complement your salumi or sausage of choice. There’s also a rotating lineup of seasonal varieties; holiday table–worthy Bourbon-Maple Pickled Beets are available now through Thanksgiving. 411 Dorman St., 317-638-6328, smokinggoose.com
Subito
Inspired by a recipe an employee’s grandmother used to follow, the pickles at this lunchtime destination rely on fresh dill, garlic, and turmeric to flavor sliced cucumbers for layering on traditional Cuban sandwiches. Customers can also ask to add them to other orders like the Walla (ham, Swiss, and honey Dijon) as well. Two locations, subitosoups.com
Twenty Tap
This friendly SoBro craft beer spot stacks thin slices of house-pickled cucumbers on burgers, Cubans, Southern chicken sandwiches, and roasted mushroom Reubens for a fresh hit of acid that plays nicely with other rich flavors. You might want to just go ahead and ask for an extra ramekin when you place your order. 5408 N. College Ave., 317-602-8840, twentytap.com
by TONY
Photo
No Bull
JUSTIN BULL BREWS AWARD-WINNING CUPS OF JOE AT HELM COFFEE.
BY BRIAN GARRIDO
“COFFEE isn’t just for the morning,” says Justin Bull, head roaster at Garfield Park’s Helm Coffee. “It’s a way to connect with people, a chance to share something that can be both everyday and extraordinary.”
Not that long ago, Bull was a graphic designer in Washington, D.C. He moved to Indy four years ago, when his wife began her Ph.D. studies at the IU School of Medicine. While she immersed herself in viral immunology, he was drawn into the craft of java.
He’d been tinkering with pourovers and extraction ratios as a coffee hobbyist for nearly a decade, which gave him the confidence to walk into Helm soon after it opened to apply for a job as a barista. Less than three years later, he began entering national and global brewing competitions. In 2025, he won the U.S. Brewers Cup Championship, the first for an Indy barista, then represented the country in the global competition, finishing sixth.
A former competitive runner, he loves the idea of a sportsperson’s
challenge, but Bull insists his work is about people, not competing. “Sharing coffee with someone in a way they’ve never experienced before is special,” he says. At Helm, that translates to a welcoming neighborhood cafe, but with a high-level coffee program, offering roasts that highlight small producers in Colombia, Honduras, and beyond.
(1) Amberson Coffee: “An incredible spot in a former gas station.” (2) Roberts Camera: “A huge inventory of vintage film cameras.” (3) Bodhi: “My go-to for Thai comfort food.” (4) North Mass Boulder: “I’m there five days a week.” (5) Borage: “The best pastries in the city.”
Bull admits that Indianapolis wasn’t originally the plan for him and his wife. But in a city where food and drink culture is evolving, he’s excited to contribute. Whether he’s behind the counter serving a rare variety or sourcing beans from a continent away, Bull is putting the Crossroads of America on the global coffee map one cup at a time.
FAVORITE THINGS
FOODIE
PHOTO BY SAMUEL HIRT
RESTAURANT
Bluebeard
An award-winning restaurant for people with an appetite for adventure 653 Virginia Ave., Indianapolis | bluebeardindy
RESTAURANT
Goodness Gracious
A comforting breakfast and lunch restaurant offering catering, events, and curated picnics 24 N Rangeline Rd., Carmel i_love_goodnessgracious
BARBER SHOP
Magic Hat Barber Shop
A premium barber shop prized for its attentive service & selection of grooming products from Brosh Pomade, D.S. & Durga, Ursa Major, and more 885 Monon Green Blvd., Ste. 101, Carmel magichatbarbershop
Smitten Kitten
Smitten Kitten helps reduce the number of surrendered, abandoned, and homeless cats by fostering a peaceful, cage-free, interactive environment for both adopters and cats.
7852 E. 96th St., Fishers | fisherscatcafe
PRIVATE CHEF & MEAL PREP
Chef Alex Teague
Private chef specializing in high-end dinner parties, catering, meal prep, short- and long-term private chef roles, and more in the Indy metro area and beyond Indy Metro Area | chefalexteague.com
Jen’s Floral Design
Unique, personalized floral arrangements also offering wedding planning Fishers, IN | jensfloraldesign | jensfloral.com
RESTAURANT
Pizzology
Pizzology Cra Pizza + Pub is a chef-driven pizzeria with unique pastas, salads, cra cocktails, and more. 13190 Hazel Dell Pkwy., Carmel | pizzologyindy.com
Solely Wine
A wine bar & retail shop specializing in wines that are organic, natural, biodynamic, and produced in a sustainable manner
1106 E. 16th St., Ste. 100, Indianapolis | solely_wine
AUTO DETAILING
DAN’S Automotive Detail
Interior and exterior vehicle-cleaning specialists, with free pickup and delivery in Hamilton County, Geist, and Zionsville—We work around your schedule. Noblesville, IN | dansdetail.info | 317-650-8888
CHILDREN’S CLOTHING
Little Tulip Tree
A Beaufort Bonnet Company Signature Store offering clothing for babies and children with a refined sense of style 840 S. Rangeline Rd., Carmel | littletuliptree.com
BOUTIQUE & GIFT SHOP
Salt & Ash Market
A trendy boutique with local gi s and apparel, plus handcra ed soap and body care made in-house 1011 Massachusetts Ave., Ste. 111 | saltandashmarket
The Only Facial
An 11-step custom facial service providing honest advice and no upselling, with gratuity included 3742 E. 82nd St., Indianapolis | theonlyfacial.com
WINE BAR
CAT CAFE AND COFFEE SHOP
FLORAL & WEDDING PLANNING
Twenty Tap
A neighborhood scratch kitchen offering a unique selection of cra beers and cocktails in Meridian-Kessler 5408 N. College Ave., Indianapolis | twentytap.com
Wise Aesthetics
A luxurious medical spa with personalized care, ensuring your unique beauty and wellness goals are met with excellence Carmel, IN | wise-aesthetics.com
Unplug Soy Candles
POUR. PLAY. SHOP. Create memories, gi joy! 12550 Promise Creek Ln., Ste. 108, Fishers unplugsoycandles.com | unplugsoycandles
Yours For The Making
A fun art studio offering painting, beading, wreath making workshops, parties, and so much more 13620 N. Meridian St., Carmel YoursForTheMaking.co
Urban Homestead
At Urban Homestead, find home decor thoughtfully curated to reflect timeless sophistication and warmth. 114 East Jefferson St., Tipton, IN urbanhomesteadllc
Your Laundry Valet Your Laundry Valet offers pickup and delivery laundry services so you can have your time back. Noblesville, IN | yourlaundryvalet.com
Double-boned pork chop (below); the abundant wine and spirits offerings (right)
Bank On It
HARRISON’S
555 N. Delaware St. 317-826-7361
harrisonsindy.com
HOURS
Mon–Sun
11 a.m.–10 p.m.
VIBE
Casual Italian
TASTING NOTES
Old school Italian American red sauce classics with steakhouse touches, salads, lunch panini, well-poured drinks, and dolled-up brunch dishes
A DELAWARE STREET BANK HAS BEEN TRANSFORMED INTO A POCKET-FRIENDLY RESTAURANT WITH A MASHUP OF CUISINES. BY TERRY KIRTS
THE DAYS WHEN dinner out included complimentary bread and a house salad may have gone the way of the dessert cart. But a local restaurateur with his heart in the restaurants of yore is trying to make dining affordable again, one side of linguine at a time.
Bill Pritt, whose FortyFive Degrees restaurant and Metro nightclub are popular Mass Ave stops, has branched out with Harrison’s, a mashup of Italian American and steakhouse cuisines. It’s all housed in the onetime Regions Bank on Delaware Street,
just blocks from pricier spots he wants to diverge from. He even left the drive-thru largely intact as a spacious, comfy patio, and diners can request a table in the former bank’s vault.
Design touches from Demerly Architects and graphic artist Matthew Mutchmore lend contemporary appeal to the somewhat retro concept. Vintage photos of its namesake, homegrown U.S. president Benjamin Harrison, were chosen to add “a little flavor of the whimsical,” Pritt says. “Opening a new restaurant is always a learning curve, but I do my best at fixing the places I’ve opened and making them great.”
NEIGHBORHOOD
Downtown
MUST-ORDER
Crispy, tender fried calamari with charred lemon tartar sauce; fried honey-glazed Brussels sprouts with almonds and parmesan; a doubleboned pork chop with a light bourbonapple reduction; and succulent steak bites with a red wine shallot sauce and creamy mashed potatoes
3-STAR RATING
Harrison’s menu is inspired by North Keystone restaurant Marco’s, beloved for its homey pasta recipes and “cheap meat” night. To push the offerings, Pritt enlisted FortyFive Degrees kitchen manager Edy Merida, Gordon Foods Service corporate chef Blythe Beck, and former H2O Sushi co-owner Eli Anderson, who helped ensure the menu isn’t too lost in the past. Their skill is evident in starters like crisp, light calamari with a tangy charred lemon tartar sauce. A brisket ravioli is nicely savory, though its sauce should be scrapped for something more distinct. Salads are fresh, especially the Caesar and a house salad (choose the vinaigrette-like bleu cheese dressing). A demi baguette is welcome at the table, though the recommendation to douse a saucer of olive oil with balsamic should be ceded to the ’90s.
Among entrees, the Chicken a la Marco is overloaded with ham, cheese, and mustard cream sauce, while a slightly pasta-heavy version of lasagna is a likely treat to those who used to eat at the long-shuttered restaurant. It’s Harrison’s originals that stand apart, especially an arresting double-boned pork chop with a subtle brown sugar crust and apple-bourbon reduction. Steamed broccoli is an afterthought garnish, though, and diners should instead head for a generous platter of Brussels sprouts perfectly flash fried and gently dressed in honey-balsamic glaze, almonds, and parmesan. Tenderloin steak bites come skillfully seared with a complex red wine–shallot sauce over creamy mashed potatoes, and grilled salmon is flaky and seasoned just right. (A side of “Indiana Gold Corn,” by contrast, appeared suspiciously canned and uninspiring.)
Lunch allows Pritt’s staff to offer more daring fare such as an Italian burger with half–Italian sausage topped with shaved pastrami and herbaceous aioli. Panini, whether loaded with meats or roasted veggies, impress equally, though the bread could be heartier. Golden, aro-
matic truffle fries are worth the upgrade. Desserts, which Pritt calls a “work in progress,” include a structured tiramisu and pistachio gelato that could stand a lighter crust of pistachios and less whipped cream. An individual European Cheesecake appeared microwaved, with both juicy dark cherries and one Technicolor maraschino. Among fruitier, sweeter bar pours, a bracingly dry Vesper with gin, vodka, and Lillet Blanc is a good choice, as is the house Benjamin, an old fashioned with Bulleit bourbon.
At $21.95, Pritt’s version of the Marco’s Tuesday meat night (6-ounce filet, salad, side) may not be the bargain it once was, nor is a $26 basic chicken parmesan. But portions are generous and parking is plentiful, both reasons to give Harrison’s a try. A supporter of Indy’s LGBTQ+ business community, Pritt now owns spots throughout the annual Pride parade route. “If we know anything, it’s how to pack people in,” Pritt says. It’s no doubt he’ll be doing that on Delaware, too.
Clockwise from upper left: The Harrison’s dining room; pistachio gelato; Brussels sprouts; lasagna
Photos
HOTEL CARMICHAEL
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 10
Join us for Indianapolis Monthly ’s newest dining event, which promises a night of total indulgence. A five-course chef’s menu, welcome champagne, wine pairings, live music, and surprises throughout the evening will delight and indulge.
TOP 900+
DOCTORS
Our guide is designed to lead you to the truly outstanding doctors in our area. This year, 912 honorees represent more than 70 specialties. Each was chosen by—who better?—their peers. Everyone deserves a physician who continually raises the bar, and this is a great place to find one.
EDITED BY · CHRISTINA VERCELLETTO
PHOTOGRAPHY BY · TONY VALAINIS
STORIES BY · NIKO VERCELLETTO
METHODOLOGY
» The professionals listed herein—active physicians in Marion, Hamilton, Madison, Boone, Johnson, Hendricks, Hancock, Morgan, and Shelby counties in Indiana—were selected by their peers in a survey, conducted by Professional Research Services Company of Troy, Michigan, asking them which physicians they’d turn to for care. Professionals may be screened and selected through the verification of licensing and review of any infractions through various applicable boards, agencies, and rating services. For further information, visit prscom.com or email PRS at sshevin@hour-media.com. This list does not, of course, include every caring, knowledgeable, and responsible physician in Greater Indianapolis. Some physicians appear under more than one specialty. Not all listed physicians are accepting new patients.
Entering menopause brings unique wellness challenges. We asked some of our Top Doctors to share insight on how midlife women can stay strong, vibrant, and in control of their long-term health.
Dr. Rudo Mashindi
Primary care physician with Hancock Family Medicine–Gateway
What are the unexpected effects of perimenopause, and what advice do you have for managing them?
USUALLY STARTING in the mid-40s, perimenopause can feel like a hormonal roller coaster. As the ovaries begin producing estrogen and progesterone less consistently, menstrual cycles become irregular. Hot flashes and night sweats are common, along with mood swings, anxiety, or difficulty sleeping. Some women also experience trouble concentrating or increased fatigue. Changes in metabolism can lead to weight gain. Vaginal dryness or changes in libido can also be part of the transition. Of course, these changes are disruptive, but try to see perimenopause as a transformation rather than a breakdown. A diet prioritizing calcium, protein, and whole foods can protect bone and muscle health while stabilizing mood and supporting sleep. Meditation, yoga, and staying connected with friends can help reduce anxiety. Regular strength training and aerobic exercise helps reduce muscle loss and hot flashes while improving bone density, along with your mood. The more you understand what’s happening in your body, the more empowered you are to advocate for your needs.
Dr. Julie Tillman
OB-GYN with a specialty in menopause with Community Health Network
Menopausal women can feel like an afterthought in medicine. How can women make sure their concerns are taken seriously at the doctor’s office?
A BIG PART of it comes down to gender bias in our health care system. Historically, medical research was centered on men. Many past clinical trials excluded women, often due to concerns about hormonal fluctuations or pregnancy. As a result, many medications we use today were studied on male bodies, not female ones.
I recommend that patients document symptoms and prepare for the appointment. Write down why you made the appointment and your main concerns. Then pick two or three main issues to focus on. When you speak with the doctor, be specific and assertive, using clear language to describe symptoms and explain how they are affecting your life. Once your doctor has a picture of your concerns, ask if they can explain their plan and what improvement will look like. If you feel you’re still not being heard, it’s okay to ask to see someone else, especially a specialist in midlife or menopause care. The most important thing is to be part of the decision-making process. Trust your instincts. If something doesn’t feel right, it’s OK to find another provider.
SPECIALTY INDEX
TOP DOCTORS
ADDICTION
MEDICINE
TIM KELLY, M.D.
QHickory House Recovery 5486 W. U.S. Hwy. 40, Greenfield, 800-604-2117
AMY LAHOOD, M.D.
QCommunity Physician Network, Family Medicine Residency 10122 E. 10th St., 317-355-5717
OLAWALE OJO, M.D.
QIU Health Psychiatry 355 W. 15th St., 317-963-7300
MARIA ROBLES, M.D.
QEskenazi Health Center West 38th Street 5515 W. 38th St., 317-880-3838
EMILY ZARSE, M.D.
QCommunity Fairbanks Behavioral Health 2040 N. Shadeland Ave., 317-355-5009
ADOLESCENT
MEDICINE
LANETTE BROWNJONES, M.D.
QAscension St. Vincent Indianapolis-Joshua
Max Simon Primary Care Center 8414 Naab Rd., 317-338-7510
REBEKAH WILLIAMS, M.D., MS
QRiley Physicians Adolescent Medicine 1002 Wishard Blvd., 317-944-8812
ALLERGY & IMMUNOLOGY
WILLIAM BAKER, M.D.
QRichard L. Roudebush Veterans’ Administration Medical Center 1481 W. 10th St., 317-554-0000
Dr. Pooja Singal
Endocrinologist with Hendricks Regional Health
Women are much more likely than men to have thyroid dysfunction, especially as they approach their 50s. What are the types and symptoms of this condition? Is it difficult to detect in midlife women?
THERE ARE two main categories of thyroid dysfunction: hypothyroidism, or underactive thyroid, and hyperthyroidism, or overactive thyroid. The former most commonly presents itself as an autoimmune condition known as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Generally, women will experience fatigue, lethargy, weight gain, hair or skin changes, and sometimes an enlargement of the thyroid. In the case of hyperthyroidism, although it’s also caused by an autoimmune condition, the symptoms are different. Those women may feel hot all the time, have rapid changes in energy, and have an increased metabolism. Unfortunately, many of those symptoms are similar to what women commonly experience during menopause, so they can easily be dismissed as normal. However, thyroid dysfunction symptoms will present more dramatically. For example, sudden bursts or drops in energy over a short period of time, thinning hair, or feeling hot or cold more often than with hot flashes can be signals that something is wrong. Thankfully, testing for thyroid dysfunction is extremely simple. One blood test can confirm or rule out the condition and is by far the most objective, accurate, and sensitive detection method. Women should talk to their primary care doctor if they would like to learn more.
Dr. Anthony Bashall
Cardiologist with Franciscan Alliance
What should midlife women keep in mind when it comes to their heart health? Are there any differences between men and women when it comes to cardiac care?
AS WOMEN TRANSITION through menopause, they experience a lot of changes. Many of them are well-known, but cardiovascular risk is much less talked about. During this time, arteries become more vulnerable to disease, getting thicker and stiffer. Weight gain may also occur at this point, which only increases the risk for high blood pressure.
Sadly, heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in the United States. Many women don’t even know they have a different cardiac anatomy and symptoms than men have. For example, a heart attack does not always look or feel the same. While women also experience chest pressure, they are more likely to report nausea, sweating, and pain in the neck, jaw, and back. Also, compared to men, women have smaller hearts and narrower blood vessels, which means heart disease can progress differently between the sexes. It can be beneficial to look at menopause as an opportunity to make lifestyle changes. Some of the most effective ways to prevent heart disease—and manage many menopausal symptoms at the same time—is to not smoke, eat a healthy diet, consume little, if any, alcohol, and monitor weight gain. The biggest bang for a woman’s midlife buck is physical activity, which reduces heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure risk and can improve sleep quality and mental health.
TOP DOCTORS
JOHN DUPLANTIER, M.D.
QAllergy Partners of Greenwood 965 Emerson Pkwy., Greenwood, 317-608-2487
TOLLY EPSTEIN, M.D.
QAllergy Partners of Central Indiana 9002 N. Meridian St., 317-542-3961
ANN ESQUIVEL, M.D.
QFamily Allergy & Asthma
4400 Weston Pointe Dr., Zionsville, 317-732-4046
NABEEL FAROOQUI, M.D.
QAllergy Partners of Fishers 11501 Cumberland Rd., Fishers, 317-983-7717
GARRICK HUBBARD, M.D.
QAllergy & Asthma Care of Indiana 11590 N. Meridian St., Carmel, 317-708-2839
QAscension Medical Group St. Vincent-Fishers Breast Care 13914 Southeastern Pkwy., Fishers, 317-415-9404
LISA KORFF, M.D.
QIU Health General Surgery 1001 W. 10th St., Outpatient Care Center, 317-880-6029
SUSAN LOTTICH, M.D., FACS
QCommunity Physician Network, Breast Care 1440 E. County Line Rd., 317-497-6920
KANDICE LUDWIG, M.D.
QIU Health Joe & Shelly Schwarz Cancer Center 11645 N. Illinois St., Carmel, 317-688-4800
ANNE MATTINGLY, M.D.
QHendricks Regional Health Breast CenterDanville-Hancock Health 100 Hospital Ln., Danville, 317-718-9000
JULIANA MEYER, M.D.
QFranciscan Physician Network Breast & Melanoma Specialists Indianapolis 8111 S. Emerson Ave., Cancer Center, 317-781-7391
Dr. Stephanie Stahl
Neurologist with a specialty in sleep medicine with Indiana University Health
Many menopausal women fi nd it difficult to get a good night’s sleep. Why is this, and what can they do?
TWO NOTABLE sleep issues in middle age for women are insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea. In both cases, changes in hormones are the primary culprit. Declining estradiol, estrogen, and progesterone levels play a role. Non-biological factors that many women experience during this time can also contribute to poor sleep, such as caregiving responsibilities, financial worries, and other psychosocial factors. But it’s possible to reverse this trend. Start with general steps to improve your sleep hygiene, such as going to bed and waking up at consistent times, avoiding electronics within an hour of bedtime, getting natural light exposure during the day, and avoiding alcohol and caffeine in the evenings. If you’re still feeling tired throughout the day even when you get enough sleep, your partner witnesses you snoring or waking up gasping or choking, or you’re simply waking up frequently without a clear reason, then it may be time to speak with your physician. Depending on the disorder, the treatment approach will differ. For instance, the first-line defense against insomnia is cognitive behavioral therapy. This involves sessions with a behavioral sleep medicine specialist who will essentially teach you how to sleep properly. In the case of obstructive sleep apnea, a CPAP machine is still the gold standard. All middle-aged women should know that poor sleep does not have to be their new norm. There are absolutely things that can be done to help.
Dr. Michael Guzman
Colon and rectal surgeon with Eskenazi Health
What should menopausal women know about their colorectal cancer risk? How does lifestyle play a part?
COLORECTAL CANCER obviously affects both men and women, but women may experience unique challenges when it comes to recognizing their risk factors. Their risk increases after reaching 50 years old, but genetics—if a woman has a close relative with a history of the disease—and lifestyle factors play the biggest roles in developing colorectal cancer. For example, a diet high in red and processed meats, alongside excessive alcohol consumption, can increase a woman’s risk.
Colorectal cancer does not usually present with symptoms early in the disease. Instead, when a woman is experiencing changes in bowel habits, such as persistent diarrhea or constipation, frequent rectal bleeding, unexplained weight loss, and/or excessive fatigue and weakness, those are possible signs that the cancer has already progressed. This is why early detection through screening is so important.
Women should start being screened for colorectal cancer at age 45, possibly sooner if they have certain risk factors. This usually involves a colonoscopy. While it may not sound fun, the average individual has to be screened only once every 10 years, assuming they receive a clean bill of health. For every woman, it’s worth it to be screened for the peace of mind.
TOP DOCTORS
JAMIE MURPHY, M.D.
QFranciscan Physician Network Breast & Melanoma Specialists
Indianapolis 8111 S. Emerson Ave., Cancer Center, 317-781-7391
ERIKA RAGER, M.D.
QFranciscan Physician Network Breast & Melanoma Specialists
Indianapolis 8111 S. Emerson Ave., Cancer Center, 317-781-7391
TARA SPIVEY, M.D.
QCommunity Physician Network, Breast Care 19800 East St., Westfield, 765-298-4767
NATE THEPJATRI, M.D., FACS
QCommunity Physician Network, Breast Care 7120 Clearvista Dr., 317-621-7780
ERIN ZUSAN, M.D.
QCommunity Physician Network, Breast Care 1440 E. County Line Rd., 317-497-6920
CARDIAC SURGERY
ANDREW BARKSDALE, M.D.
QCardiac Surgery Associates, S.C. 8051 S. Emerson Ave., 317-528-2331
DANIEL BECKMAN, M.D.
QIU Health
Cardiovascular Surgery 1801 N. Senate Blvd., 812-334-5081
LOLA CHABTINI, M.D.
QIU Health
Cardiovascular Surgery 1801 N. Senate Blvd., 317-923-1787
JOEL CORVERA, M.D.
QIU Health
Cardiovascular Surgery 1801 N. Senate Blvd., 317-923-1787
JEFFREY EVERETT, M.D.
QIU Health
Cardiovascular Surgery 1801 N. Senate Blvd., 317-923-1787
MARC GERDISCH, M.D.
QCardiac Surgery Associates, S.C. 8051 S. Emerson Ave., 317-528-2331
DAVID HEIMANSOHN, M.D.
QAscension Medical Group St. VincentIndianapolis
Cardiovascular Surgery 10590 N. Meridian St., Carmel, 317-583-7800
SCOTT HITTINGER, M.D.
QAscension Medical Group St. VincentIndianapolis
Cardiovascular Surgery 10590 N. Meridian St., Carmel, 317-583-7800
MANESH PARIKSHAK, M.D.
QCardiac Surgery Associates, S.C. 8051 S. Emerson Ave., 317-528-2331
YOGESH PATEL, D.O.
QCommunity Physician Network, Heart and Vascular Care 8075 N. Shadeland Ave., 317-621-8500
JOHN STOREY, M.D.
QCommunity Physician Network, Heart and Vascular Care 8075 N. Shadeland Ave., 317-621-8500
PETER WALTS, M.D.
QAscension Medical Group St. VincentIndianapolis Cardiovascular Surgery 10590 N. Meridian St., Carmel, 317-583-7800
GIORGIO ZANOTTI, M.D.
QAscension Medical Group St. VincentIndianapolis
Cardiovascular Surgery 10590 N. Meridian St., Carmel, 317-583-7800
CARDIOLOGY
MIR ALI, M.D.
QCommunity Physician Network, Heart and Vascular Care 8075 N. Shadeland Ave., 317-621-8500
QAscension Medical Group St. Vincent-Heart Center 8333 Naab Rd, 317-338-6666
FRANK CONTE, M.D.
QCommunity Physician Network, Heart and Vascular Care
100 Hospital Ln., Danville, 317-718-9040
NOEL DASGUPTA, M.D.
QIU Health Cardiology 1801 N. Senate Blvd., 317-962-0500
SAI DEVARAPALLI, M.D.
QCommunity Physician Network, Heart and Vascular Care
100 Hospital Ln., Danville, 317-718-9040
THOMAS FAILINGER, M.D.
QAscension Medical Group St. VincentHancock Heart Care
300 E. Boyd Ave., Greenfield, 317-462-5112
JASEN GILGE, M.D.
QAscension Medical Group St. Vincent-Carmel Heart Care
10590 N. Meridian St., Carmel, 317-338-6666
WILLIAM GILL, M.D.
QIU Health Cardiology
1115 N. Ronald Reagan Pkwy., Avon, 317-944-5330
JAMES HERMILLER JR., M.D.
QAscension Medical Group St. Vincent-Carmel Heart Care
10590 N. Meridian St., Carmel, 317-338-6666
JASON JAYROE, M.D.
QAscension Medical Group St. VincentHancock Heart Care
300 E. Boyd Ave., Greenfield, 317-462-5112
SANDEEP JOSHI, M.D.
QAscension Medical Group St. VincentIndianapolis Heart Care 8333 Naab Rd., 317-338-6666
KIRAN KARETI, M.D.
QCommunity Physician Network, Heart and Vascular Care
8075 N. Shadeland Ave., 317-621-8500
ABHISHEK KHEMKA, M.D.
QIU Health Cardiology 1801 N. Senate Blvd., 317-962-0500
RICHARD KOVACS, M.D., FACC
QIU Health Cardiology 1801 N. Senate Blvd., 317-962-0500
Dr. Kristen Govert
Breast surgical oncologist with Ascension St. Vincent Hospital TOP DOCTORS LIST CONTINUES ON P. 90
Breast cancer risk increases dramatically after age 50—but why? And what are the latest detection advances?
BREAST CANCER most often develops later in life because 90 percent of new cases are caused by environmental and lifestyle factors such as obesity, poor diet, smoking, and inactivity. These risks accumulate over time, and it takes years for them to weaken the body’s natural defenses against cancer. That’s why we typically see breast cancer diagnoses rise significantly after age 50. In contrast, only 10 percent of cases are linked to genetic causes. BRCA (breast cancer susceptibility) genes explain why breast cancer can sometimes occur at younger ages. When it comes to detection, the gold standard remains mammography. Current recommendations are for women to begin annual mammograms at age 40. While some organizations recommend screening every other year, annual mammograms are encouraged because breast cancers can appear in the year you don’t receive one. For women with a family history or other risk factors, earlier screening or supplemental imaging may be advised. Breast MRI, for example, is especially useful in patients with dense breast tissue or those at higher risk, as it provides clearer imaging alongside a mammography. Looking ahead, one promising technology is contrast-enhanced mammography, which involves injecting contrast dye during the mammogram to better visualize dense tissue. Though not yet widely available, it is expected to become more common in the next several years and could simplify screening by reducing the need for both mammograms and MRIs annually.
SAVING GRACE
Once eyed for demolition, a former church and American Legion outpost in the heart of Zionsville takes on a new life as a wellappointed village home that makes the most of its historic lineage and character.
by JEANA HARRIS
photography by
TONY VALAINIS
As part of the exterior renovation, the homeowner
real wrought iron for the fence to add an authenticlooking frame to the property.
IRONCLAD
chose
fOR AS LONG as they can remember, Mattie Tomb and her daughter Katie Longman have enjoyed walking around the Village of Zionsville—a charming enclave of nearly 300 historic homes that forms the original core of downtown. They would point to houses and say, “I’ll choose that one, and you can live next door.” Eventually, Longman and her husband, Rudy, purchased a home in town. Little did they know that fate had plans for Tomb to follow suit. In 2020, Tomb lost her home of nearly 30 years in a devastating fire. Through the heartache, she salvaged what little she could and forged ahead. As she began to search for a new home, her wish list was straightforward—she wanted an old house in the village. While her former home sat on several acres just outside downtown Zionsville, she was ready for a change, looking to join the front porch community with its vibrant shops and restaurants within walking distance. Tomb lived with the Longmans during her real estate search. The experience provided a taste of life in the village and confirmed her feelings that she would be happy there. Even with a simple list of requirements, the search was long. “Nothing spoke to me,” Tomb says. Everything changed when her Realtor mentioned a property that wasn’t on the market but already had multiple offers— including one from a buyer who wanted to tear it down. The structure was so buried by overgrown weeds and weathered by Mother Nature that it was easy to miss when walking past. A rusted sign in front proclaimed its identity as the Christian Union Church, erected in 1867 or 1870, as reported by different sources. Its time as a church was short-lived but included a dark period when it served as a house of worship for Southern Confederate sympathizers, according to historian Allie Seibert, who wrote a book on the church’s storied past. It was also an auditorium, temporary schoolhouse, and printing office over the years, additionally becoming home to Boone Post No.
ART IMITATES LIFE
Right: A fan of local artists,
Tomb commissioned painter Austin Pittman to create St. Joseph’s, Morning After A Rain, a 48” x 72” landscape view of Lake Michigan that hangs above the living room sofa. Opposite page: A large canvas in the adjacent dining room bears a nostalgic reminder of the wisteria grown by Tomb’s father at her childhood home in New Jersey.
Mattie
202 of the Grand Army of the Republic (1898 to 1926) and Francis Neidlinger Post No. 79 of the American Legion from 1920 into the 1970s. Serendipitously located a few doors from Longman’s house, it was easy for Tomb to pop over and tour the site with her Realtor. She asked a trusted contractor from Cedar Street Builders to join them. While the main portion of the building was one big, congregational space, untapped potential waited overhead. Tomb recalls that Cedar Street owner Dan Porzel climbed up a ladder to investigate a small crawlspace and discovered a pleasant surprise. “We can fit a lot up here,” he called down.
Tomb made an offer the same day.
After a slow process of acquiring the necessary permits, renovation began in September 2021. Cedar Street’s project coordinator Anne Rendaci says, “The existing church structure was a large, open space with a small addition on the back that housed a kitchen and bathroom. ... In order to transform it from an uninhabitable yet sturdy shell, we hired an architect to design a plan that would both honor the history and original structure, as well as provide our client with the beautiful living space she desired.”
That architect was Melissa Iannucci of Trade Design Studio. “When I talked
with Melissa, I said, ‘Well, I want a little foyer, a front hall closet, study, bedroom with en suite on the main floor, laundry room on the main floor, and second laundry room upstairs,’” Tomb recalls. The tricky conversion was welcomed with open arms. “The challenge of transforming a voluminous church into a cozy, intimate home was really fun because that’s the opposite of how a church usually feels and was true of this one as well,” Iannucci says. “We created two stories inside the building. The first floor features 12-foot ceilings, but the spaces aren’t large, which gives it the feel of a typical house in the Village of Zionsville. On the second floor,
SPECIAL EFFECTS
Top: The sunroom features a unique limewash finish on the walls. Accessories in the room came from Art in Hand, one of the homeowner’s favorite Zionsville galleries.
Right: In the space-efficient study, “no inch was wasted.”
The study even includes a closet for the Christmas tree for easy access each winter. Opposite page: Bookshelves in the basement family room conceal a door to the secret “pub”—a cozy spot for an evening cocktail.
we used space from the attic to create sloping ceilings in the bedrooms and bathrooms.”
What was essentially a big, drafty box—there wasn’t a lick of insulation— transformed into a 4,300-square-foot, five-bedroom, four-and-a-half-bathroom triumph.
Paramount significance was placed on preservation and historic authenticity when possible. “There wasn’t a whole lot to save, but I think what we did save was perfect,” Tomb says. That includes the original front door and the wavy glass windows. A local historic restoration contractor handled
this delicate but rewarding work. As any old house lover can attest, there’s something enchanting about the way sunlight dances across the ripples of a wavy glass window.
Some of the less glamorous but equally critical work led to unexpected rewards, like increased square footage and reclaimed materials. “We made the decision to reinforce the structure by supporting the perimeter and digging a basement below that would both serve as added living space and provide a stable foundation for the historic structure to endure another century or more,” Rendaci explains. To achieve this, Cedar Street worked with a specialized “house-lifting” contractor.
During this process, old-growth timber from the original floor joists, beams, and rafters was salvaged. The wood was later turned into shelving, a fireplace surround, interior beams, and two dining room tables—one for the home and one for the carriage house.
Accents like these infuse the elegant, sunshine-filled spaces with just the right amount of earthy, timeworn texture. In the kitchen, a brick wall was preserved but improved. Instead of a standard square doorway, the opening in the wall leading into the new addition was arched.
The reddish-brown hues of the brick play beautifully with the kitchen’s color palette. The cabinet color came straight from the iconic Devol Kitchens showroom in London. On a work trip, Longman visited the showroom to ask for a paint sample, fully expecting the typical card stock square. “Devol makes their own paint, but due to paint laws, they don’t ship it. So, they bring out this carved, wooden piece. When I got back, Dan and Anne lovingly divided it into pieces,” Longman recalls. “It was so helpful to have that exact paint match. It went to the cabinetry, to the drapery, to Mom.”
Kline Cabinetmakers near Greenfield matched Devol’s Mushroom hue from the swatch for the kitchen cabinets.
Although she didn’t hire an interior designer and all the selections were her own, Tomb was never overwhelmed by the multitude of choices. It was helpful, however, “to get input from trusted people,” she says.
Nearly everything in the home is connected, like the custom design for the staircase newel post. The design, which reappears on the kitchen island legs, was inspired by a plant holder in her sunroom that came from a newel post in France, where Tomb lived when Longman was born. Some of the art also comes from that era.
Tomb drew inspiration from her East Coast childhood home built in the 1600s. It was filled with all sorts of little rooms, and her mother took immense pride in its appearance and upkeep. “My mom changed curtains and pillows every season. She ironed constantly, took care of everything they had, and people thought it was like a little dollhouse,” she recollects. A large painting of wisteria in the dining room serves as a subtle, nostalgic connection to the flowering vines her father grew in Chatham, New Jersey.
Tomb also found herself embracing a new color palette. “I’ve never had blue, specifically, so there’s a lot of blue and green,” she says. The symbolism of the hues, which represent growth, renewal, and serenity, aligns with her journey of transforming the church into a home.
All the bedrooms feature wainscoting,
abundant natural light, and tastefully vibrant window treatments. “There’s a lot of detail without being in your face,” Tomb says.
Some of her bigger design choices were made with family and friends in mind. The basement is built for hosting and recreation for Longman and her husband and includes a playroom for future grandchildren.
But the most wow-worthy feature of the basement is hidden in plain sight. A secret door nestled within the green bookshelves leads to an astounding wine cellar. With brick walls and flooring, handsome wood cabinets and soapstone countertops, the vibe leans
SUITE DREAMS
Opposite page: The primary bedroom overlooks the backyard pool, which has a UV system with smart maintenance and temperature adjustment capabilities via remote app. The carriage house behind the pool has a full bedroom, full bathroom, kitchenette, and its own laundry area. It also includes beams, shelving, and a dining table made from the church’s reclaimed wood.
vintage speakeasy. Longman recalls, “The original plan was a standard door with storage behind it. I had to do a little begging with Mama, because she didn’t want to give up any of her storage room.” Looking around the room, Tomb admits, “It’s kind of perfect.”
After living in the church for nearly two years, Tomb still finds herself walking around with a smile on her face. “It’s a very happy place,” she says. While Longman loves having her mother as a neighbor, there’s an overwhelming sense of admiration. “I’m so proud of my mom for doing this. It gives my soul rest, knowing she’s in a place she’s dreamed of for so long.”
SO FAST that fans of his podcast, Get IN., regularly beg him to slow down. But talking slowly—especially when he’s talking about Indiana—is probably impossible for the 28-year-old, Broad Ripple–based podcaster. “I’m just an energetic, excited person in general,” Spangle says. “It’s who I am, and it’s cool to get to be myself on the internet and have people want to watch it.”
Besides, his current work schedule would likely grind a more laid-back person to dust. He and his crew regularly crisscross the state, profiling one tiny Hoosier municipality after another. They air three new podcast episodes every week and perform one-off stunts like running the entire 31-mile length of the Monon Trail in one go and consuming four tenderloins from four different eateries in one day.
Spangle isn’t sure which of those last two ordeals was the most physically taxing. “The next day after eating the tenderloins, I basically had to fast,” he recalls. “But if I’d eaten just one tenderloin, that’s not viral content. Four in a day has the potential to go viral. People are going to like that.”
Spangle, who’s very much in “founder mode,” is more than willing to sacrifice both his knees and his GI tract to focus more eyeballs on his nascent media company, Get Indiana. The Get IN. podcast is its flagship project, but the company also maintains a website featuring stories about little-known Indiana gems and oddities and puts out countless short-form pieces on platforms from Instagram to YouTube.
All the small-town visits, personality profiles, and publicity stunts have one thing in common—they celebrate Indiana, whether it’s a thing, a place, or a person who’s done something great (or at least quirky). Think of Spangle as a regional Mr. Beast dedicated to encouraging Hoosiers to take greater pride
STAR SPANGLE BANNER
From his Broad Ripple podcast studio to his YouTube channel, Nate Spangle shines a spotlight on Indiana’s small towns and local heroes.
in their state. “I think a lot of us undersell this place,” he says. “If you go to Chicago and someone asks you where you’re from, you’ll say, ‘Oh, I’m just from Indiana.’ You’re humble about it. That’s in our DNA. But I get to be the hype man for other people’s successes— the things that make this state amazing.”
The Bourbon, Indiana, native didn’t become Indiana’s human bullhorn until recently, however. His last regular job was at the local tech company incubator Powderkeg, where his podcast began. It drew little interest until Spangle staged a live event during which he tried to become the first person to drive his truck into the infield at the 2024 Indianapolis 500. The stunt earned the show roughly 15,000 new followers. A few months later, Spangle bought the rights to the podcast from Powderkeg and set out to create his own Indiana-centric media company. “I’d always wanted to build something,” Spangle says.
“I didn’t call it entrepreneurship back then. I just knew I wanted to make an impact.”
The gamble seems to be paying off. Within three months of taking over Get IN., Spangle secured enough advertisers and sponsors to allow him to turn his side gig into a full-time job. By early 2025, he’d acquired 20,000 monthly podcast listeners, 14,000 newsletter subscribers, and thousands of hits on his Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube videos and reels. He has three full-time employees and another four part-timers.
That team is spread out across Indiana, with a core group working out of the company’s Broad Ripple office and contributors feeding Spangle stories from all over the state. “I get way too much credit,” he says. “I’m the face, but there’s a system and a machine behind the scenes pumping out all this content.”
Much of that information focuses on people Spangle calls “Hoosiers by birth or Hoosiers by choice.” He defines an ideal subject as anyone connected to the state who’s doing something interesting, inspiring, or just plain strange. A recent episode featured Stephanie Daily of Send a Friend Lasagna, who
SUPPORT SYSTEM
“I get to be the hype man for other people’s successes—the things that make this state amazing.”
quit her digital marketing job to launch a hyper-specialized lasagna delivery service. He’s covered professional athletes, grassroots entrepreneurs, and small-town festivals with equal, sometimes over-the-top enthusiasm. “The coolest thing I do is travel around the state, meet hundreds of people, and figure out how to deliver their stories,” Spangle says. “It’s not, ‘Look at us, we’re a big media company.’ It’s, ‘Look at this person who built something amazing.’ That’s what people connect with.”
In addition to churning out podcasts, two newsletters, and around a dozen social videos each week, the company also shoots Small-town Breakdown—a series of shorts taking a microscope to communities such as Ferdinand, Huntingburg, and Jasper to document the local history, food, and attractions.
one, my mouth was going to fall off,” he says. “I’d rather run the Monon again than do that.”
At least he suffered for a good cause. He pounded all those shrimp cocktails during a fundraiser called Bourbon for Bourbon after his hometown of Bourbon was hit by tornadoes last April, teaming up with Rare Saint Fine & Rare Whiskeys, which is owned by St. Elmo’s parent company Huse Culinary. The event raised $27,000 to help rebuild the town’s Little League stadium. “The entire town showed up,” Spangle says. “People drove 30, 40 minutes to be part of it. That’s when you realize this platform can do more than entertain. It can make a difference.”
On another occasion, a Get IN. video about the Marengo Tavern, a small Crawford County bar, racked up more than 500,000 views on social media. Within days, the owners were swamped with phone calls and carryout orders. “Marengo’s in one of the poorest counties in Indiana,” Spangle says. “To see one video drive that much business there is pretty cool.”
Not surprisingly, about 85 percent of his audience lives in Indiana. Much of the rest is composed of snowbirds, expats, and a smattering of out-ofstaters who for some reason enjoy an occasional slice of Hoosier-flavored, small-town goodness. Spangle wants his audience to grow, but he remains focused on the central mission of boosting Hoosiers’ opinions of their state and themselves. “The goal is helping people in the city appreciate the countryside and people in the countryside appreciate the city,” he says. “We’re trying to build that connection.”
“We’ll tour the downtowns, talk to business owners, eat at restaurants, and package it all so that when you go, you already know what to check out,” he says.
And then there are the one-off stunts. In addition to his epic Monon Trail run and the tenderloin extravaganza, he spent four hours downing eight orders of St. Elmo’s famously incendiary shrimp cocktail in one sitting. “I thought that by the fourth
Spangle says he wants to keep expanding the platform and its reach while holding on to the storytelling ethos that got him here. For now, though, his attention is on the next podcast, the next video, the next trip. He has another stack of stories to tell. “This doesn’t feel like work to me,” Spangle says. “I get to travel the state, meet amazing people, and tell their stories. I’m so fortunate I get to wake up and do this every day. And if I have to eat four tenderloins or run 31 miles to get you to watch, well, I’m probably going to do it.”
Spangle’s easygoing curiosity fuels his weekly on-air conversations with local icons such as Indianapolis restaurateur Martha Hoover (above).
Holiday Cheer !
Every season, Central Indiana comes alive with fun and festivity, from brilliant visual displays and mesmerizing live performances to cozy train rides and interactive events. You can buy authentic, handcrafted gifts at a
surrounded by millions of twinkling bulbs. Mark your calendars and make the holidays merry and bright with time-honored traditions and exciting new experiences.
Christmas Nights of Lights
11/7–12/31 This highly anticipated 2-mile drive-thru Christmas light and music show for all members of the family—including the furry ones—returns to the Indiana State Fairgrounds. christmasnightsoflights.com
Festival of Trees 11/14–1/3/26 This annual display at the Indiana History Center features a winter wonderland of more than 75 trees representing individuals, families, and businesses. indianahistory.org
Home Alone in Concert 11/15–16 The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra brings John Williams’ score to life at Hilbert Circle Theatre, adding new dimension to little Kevin McCallister’s onscreen hijinks in the 1990 John Hughes film. indianapolissymphony.org
Reindeer Express
as model trains ramble through the Eiteljorg Museum. eiteljorg.org
Grand Kyiv Ballet Presents The Snow Queen 11/21 Drawing from the Hans Christian Anderson fairy tale, Grand Kyiv’s winter ballet at Clowes Memorial Hall is accompanied by the music of Massenet, Grieg, Mozart, and Vivaldi. butlerartscenter.org
Winterlights
11/21–1/4/26 The campus of Newfields twinkles brightly during the ninth year of its Winterlights festival. Stroll through the illuminated holiday wonderland, stopping inside the lavishly decorated Lilly House to warm up. discovernewfields.org
11/15–12/23 All aboard for this festive 75-minute, round-trip train journey along the Nickel Plate Heritage Railroad serving cookies, hot chocolate, and other winter favorites. nickelplateexpress.com
Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol 11/15–12/24 This adaptation by Tom Haas and directed by cara hinh brings holiday magic to the Indiana Repertory Theatre OneAmerica Financial Stage. irtlive.com
Jingle Rails: The Great Western Adventure 11/15–1/29/26 Immerse yourself in a one-of-a-kind holiday experience
Carmel Christkindlmarkt 11/22–12/24 The beloved annual German holiday festival takes over Carter Green in Carmel, with its Opening Bell Ceremony kicking off the festivities on November 22. carmelchristkindlmarkt.com
Jay’s Tree Farm Opening Weekend
11/23–24 Venture across 30 acres at Jay’s Tree Farm to find the perfect tree, then enjoy a bonfire, free apple cider and food truck fare, holiday items for sale, and pictures with Santa. jaystreefarm.com
Indy Pride Night
11/24 Embrace the warmth of Indy’s diverse community with a celebration of LGBTQ+ pride at Winterlights at Newfields, with electric performances by local drag entertainers. discovernewfields.org
Sankt Martinstag
11/26 Participants carry illuminated paper lanterns and sing together as Sankt Martin leads a procession around Carmel Christkindlmarkt at Carter Green, a reminder to live life with kindness and virtue. carmelchristkindlmarkt.com
Jingle Bell Rockin’ Tribute Band 11/28 Rock around the Christmas tree at the Brown County Playhouse with this tribute to Bobby Helms’ Christmas classic “Jingle Bell Rock,” with special guest, The Isaac Family Band. browncountyplayhouse.org
Béla Fleck & The Flecktones: Jingle All The Way 11/28 Head to Brown County Music Center for this reunion tour featuring the group’s beloved tunes, along with reinvented jazz-infused holiday classics and special guests Jeff Coffin and Alash. browncountymusiccenter.com
A Very Phoenix Xmas XVII: Sleigh, Queen, Sleigh! 11/28–12/21 The annual holiday sketch comedy show returns to Phoenix Theatre Cultural Centre for its 17th edition. This year, it’s directed by Zack Neiditch with music by Paige Scott. phoenixtheatre.org
A Merry Prairie Holiday 11/28–12/23 Conner Prairie gets decked out for the holidays with this annual celebration that includes an extensive light display, carousel rides, selfies with Santa, and more joyful activities. connerprairie.org
A Beef & Boards Christmas 11/28–12/31 Santa and company gather together for an evening
Newfields
of song and dance accompanied by a buffet feast at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre. beefandboards.com
Celebration Crossing
Christkind ChoralFest
12/3 Choirs of all ages lift their voices in harmony at Carmel Christkindlmarkt in Carter Green, each group performing up to three holiday songs for market guests. carmelchristkindlmarkt.com
The Big Broadway SingAlong: Holiday Edition
12/3–4 The Cabaret hosts local singer Scott Semester and pianist Sean Baker, the Music Maker for a night of Broadway-style winter’s fun. Audience participation is encouraged. thecabaret.org
White Christmas Film Screening
with merry activations hosted at the Heartland Film Headquarters in The Basile Event Center. heartlandfilm.org
Winterfest
12/4–14 Celebrate world holidays this season with a showcase of movement by Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre at The Florence. gregoryhancockdancetheatre.org
Jon McLaughlin & Friends: Home for the Holidays
12/5 Anderson native, singersongwriter, pianist, and record producer Jon McLaughlin revisits his Hoosier roots at Payne & Mencias Palladium at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts. thecenterpresents.org
Holiday magic and memories return to the Indiana State Museum. Hop on the Snowfall Express for a fun-filled train ride through a snow-filled forest where woodland characters indianamuseum.org
Vocalist Staci McCrackin heads up Fonseca Theatre Company’s holiday showcase on the C.H. Douglas & Gray Wealth Management Stage. fonsecatheatre.org
Create & Take: Victorian Feather Tree
11/29 Replicate the first artificial Christmas trees at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, where you’ll craft a heirloom-quality feather tree with expert guidance. bhpsite.org
The Nutcracker
11/29–30 The Carmel Symphony Orchestra and Indiana Ballet Conservatory team up to deliver a mesmerizing performance of this winter classic at Payne & Mencias Palladium at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts. thecenterpresents.org
Kwanzaa
12/1 Celebrate the seven principles and rich traditions of Kwanzaa with the Indy Kwanzaa committee at Winterlights at Newfields, with special decorations in the Lilly House and booths from local vendors. discovernewfields.org
12/4 The Great American Songbook Foundation presents a screening of this 1954 holiday classic starring Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, and Rosemary Clooney at Payne & Mencias Palladium at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts. thecenterpresents.org
Old Crow Medicine Show’s Holiday Hootenanny
12/4 The Grammy-winning band brings its holiday tour to Brown County Music Center for a festive night of foot-stompin’ Christmas classics, fan-favorite Old Crow hits, and songs from its brand-new holiday album. browncountymusiccenter.com
Merry Movie Nights
12/4–7 Get into the spirit with four nights of holiday movies paired
It Must Be Christmas—An Acoustic Evening with Chris Young 12/5 A professed fan of all things Christmas, Chris Young brings his first-ever holiday tour to Brown County Music Center. browncountymusiccenter.com
Victorian Candlelit Dinner
12/5–20 Enjoy a cozy holiday dinner and live music in the intimate Story Inn, offered each Friday and Saturday in December leading up to Christmas. storyinn.com
A Christmas Carol
12/5–22 Experience the redemption arc of Ebenezer Scrooge after he is visited onstage by the ghosts of Jacob Marley and Christmases Past,
A Beef & Boards Christmas
Indianapolis Ballet’s The Nutcracker
Book early and enjoy festive gifts with your holiday decor consultation!
• Book your holiday decor installation consultation by November 10th and receive your choice of poinsettias, Christmas cactus, or amaryllis, beautifully dressed for the season.
• Schedule a consultation by November 15th and receive a complimentary real flicker LED candle with your custom centerpiece.
|( 317 ) 847-5481 |
Present, and Future at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre. beefandboards.com
A Christmas Story
12/5–27 Civic Theater reimagines the classic story of young Ralphie and his desire to receive a Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas at The Tarkington at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts. thecenterpresents.org
Brown County Christmas Light Parade
12/6 Experience the enchanting sights and sounds of the holiday season as festive floats and vehicles adorned with dazzling Christmas lights glide through the heart of Nashville, Indiana. centralusa .salvationarmy.org/browncounty
Sankt Nikolaustag
12/6 Sankt Nikolaus and his roguish companion Knecht Ruprecht visit Christkindlmarkt in Carmel’s Carter Green, giving gifts to children who recite a poem or song. carmelchristkindlmarkt.com
ABBA Holly Jolly Christmas
12/6 Head over to Butler University’s Shelton Auditorium to hear tribute band ABBAFAB take on holiday classics in the style of the Swedish pop quartet. butlerartscenter.org
Holiday Author Fair
12/6 Featuring a wide range of topics, the annual Holiday Author Fair at the Indiana History Center showcases more than 60 writers. Check out the Festival of Trees exhibit while you’re there. indianahistory.org
The Singing Hoosiers Present Holiday Chimes
12/6 The IU Auditorium hosts afternoon and evening performances of the Singing Hoosiers’ holiday showcase featuring classic, contemporary, and choral tunes. iuauditorium.com
Brown County Christkindlmarkt
12/6–7 Festively decorated booths, live music, visits from holiday guests including Santa and Mrs. Claus, and more fill Coachlight Square in Nashville, Indiana. browncountychristkindlmarket.com
Winter Art Sale
12/6–13 Find one-of-a-kind gifts when the Indy Art Center fills with handcrafted works from talented artists and artisans. indyartcenter.org
Jane Lynch’s A Swingin’ Little Christmas
12/9 Join Jane Lynch and Tim Davis of Glee, Kate Flannery of The Office, and The Tony Guerrero Quintet at Brown County Music Center for a night of seasonal music and humor. browncountymusiccenter.com
Christmas with Lorie Line 2025
12/9 Lorie Line brings her piano prowess to The Studio Theater stage at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts for an evening of music and stories in the holiday spirit. thecenterpresents.org
German Sing-Along and Ornament Exchange
12/10 Don’t be afraid to join this lively sing-along featuring German carols at Carmel Christkindlmarkt in Carter Green—no language experience is required. Afterward, swap a wrapped ornament for a new holiday surprise in the ornament exchange. carmelchristkindlmarkt.com
RAIN—A Beatles Christmas Tribute 12/10 A nostalgic evening of love, joy, and timeless music at the Brown County Music Center brings the spirit of the season to life. browncountymusiccenter.com
Sleigh Bells and Snowflakes
12/7 The Indiana Wind Symphony is joined by guest vocalist Cherresa Lawson, as well as Santa and Mrs. Claus, for a sing-along at Payne & Mencias Palladium at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts. thecenterpresents.org
Preservation Hall Jazz Band: Creole Christmas
12/8 Feel the warmth of New Orleans when Preservation Hall Jazz Band brings its French Quarter sound to Payne & Mencias Palladium at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts. thecenterpresents.org
Straight No Chaser: Holiday Road Tour
12/11 The a capella singing group that originated at Indiana University returns to its alma mater for a one-night show at IU Auditorium. The following week, 12/19–21 , they take the stage of the Murat Theatre at Old National Centre for four performances over the course of three days. sncmusic.com
Jim Brickman: The Gift of Christmas
12/11 Loeb Playhouse sets the stage for an intimate evening of solo holiday tunes by pianist Jim Brickman. convocations.purdue.edu
Jessica Vosk: Sleigh 12/12–14 Pulling from her 2024 album Sleigh and 2025 single “Underneath the Frost,” vocalist and actress Jessica Vosk creates a winter wonderland at The Cabaret. thecabaret.org
Eiteljorg Jingle Rails
PHOTO BY MICHAEL DURR
The Nutcracker 12/12–14 The Central Indiana Dance Ensemble continues its annual production of the traditional holiday ballet at STAR Bank Performing Arts Center at Zionsville High School. cidedance.org
A Classical Christmas: Echoes of the Nativity
12/13 The Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra builds up to its performance of Handel’s “Messiah” with Correlli’s “Christmas Concerto” and Finzi’s “In Terra Pax” at the Indiana Landmarks Center. icomusic.org
Melchior Marionettes:
Holiday Cabaret on Strings
12/13 Sing along to holiday songs in this fast-paced seasonal cabaret for all ages, featuring handcrafted marionettes operated by skilled puppeteers at The Studio Theater at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts. thecenterpresents.org
Cereal Cinema: Double Feature Weekend
12/13–14 Get ready for the holidays with a pair of Disney winter flicks at the Tobias Theater at Newfields. The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992) shows December 13, followed by The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) on December 14. indyfilmfest.org
Menorah Aflame
12/14 Join the Carmel Jewish community at Christkindlmarkt in Carter Green for the lighting of the giant Menorah in celebration of Hanukkah. carmelchristkindlmarkt.com
“Messiah” Sing-Along & Carols
12/14 The second night of the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra’s “Messiah” weekend includes Part 1 of Handel’s oratorio, as well as a Christmas carol sing-along with audience members, at the Indiana Landmarks Center. icomusic.org
Holiday Pops with the CSO: Spirit of the Season
12/14 Maestro Kelly Kuo leads the Carmel Symphony Orchestra
through winter-themed pops works at Payne & Mencias Palladium at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts. carmelsymphony.org
Latkes and Lights
12/15 Winterlights at Newfields welcomes all to celebrate Hanukkah and munch on traditional cuisine with Indy’s Jewish community. discovernewfields.org
Las Posadas With Arte Mexicano en Indiana 12/15 Join Newfields for a seasonal
Jessica Vosk
Celebrate the warmth of the season at Dean’s. Reserve your table today.
celebration of Las Posadas at Winterlights, with local vendor booths and the Lilly House decked out for the occasion. discovernewfields.org
Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet
12/16 With a talented international cast, intricate sets and costumes, and carefully choreographed dance scenes, this winter ballet will hypnotize audiences at the Murat Theatre at Old National Centre. livenation.com
Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder Christmas
12/18 The 15-time Grammy winner and Country Music Hall of Famer and his ace backing band play all your favorite Christmas songs at Brown County Music Center. browncountymusiccenter.com
The Nutcracker
12/18–23 The Indianapolis Ballet brings Clara’s encounters with the Nutcracker Prince, Mouse
King, Snow King and Queen, and Sugar Plum Fairy to life during its annual performance at Clowes Memorial Hall. indyballet.org
Glühwein Gallop 5K Walk/Run
12/20 Wear your wackiest costume to participate in Christkindlmarkt’s fifth annual walk/run starting at Carter Green, then enjoy a complimentary kinderpunsch, beer (21+), or Glühwein (21+) after the race. carmelchristkindlmarkt.com
Military Appreciation Day
12/21 This day of special offers and events at Christkindlmarkt in Carmel’s Carter Green honors active and retired military members, with a ceremony in the Winter Pavilion at noon. carmelchristkindlmarkt.com
Basile Opera Center. indyopera.org
An Olde English Christmas
With Herman’s Hermits
Starring Peter Noone
12/21 Just in time for Christmas, Peter Noone, headliner of the iconic British 1960s band Herman’s Hermits, performs his best-known hit songs, plus holiday favorites at Brown County Music Center. browncountymusiccenter.com
Nutcracker Sweets
Amahl and the Night Visitors
12/21 With Christmas just four days away, the Indianapolis Opera performs Gian Carlo Menotti’s one-act libretto about a shepherd boy visited by three kings following a magical star at The
12/27–30 This abbreviated, one-hour adaptation of The Nutcracker from the Indianapolis Ballet Family Series gives kids a right-sized serving of sugar plums at the Tobias Theater at Newfields. indyballet.org
Winterlights Dog Night
1/4/26 Bring your puppy pals to Newfields for a special evening at Winterlights dedicated to paw-tying with a human’s best friend. discovernewfields.org
EVERY HEARTBEAT IS EXTRAORDINARY
You’re not a name on a chart. You’re the pulse of what we do.
At Franciscan Health, we listen to the rhythm of your life by understanding what makes your heart beat stronger. From the first consultation to your routine follow-up, we’re here to make sure your heart stays as strong as your spirit.
Top Doctor PROFILES
As an accompaniment to our annual Top Doctors list, we include expanded information about the featured physicians here. Learn more about the doctors’ backgrounds, education, specialties,
Dermatology Center of
Dr. Molly Kitley
Dr. Molly Kitley
Dr. Christopher Bojrab, President Board Certified Psychiatrist Recognized “Top Doc”
Leaders in blood disorder care, clinical research, and education
My
Plastic Surgery Group
Dr. John Aker and Dr. Di Beckman
Dr. John Aker
Dr. Di Beckman
As an independent county health system, we believe in caring for our community. Here, we take the time to listen — not just to our patients, but to our physicians and staff as well. We ensure they have the tools and technology they need to thrive. Maybe that’s why Witham has been named a Top Work Place in Central Indiana for the past eleven years. If you’re interested in joining our team, visit witham.org/provider-careers Looking
Dr. Erik Barrett Barrett Eye Care
Erik Barrett, M.D.
ophthalmologist with specialty training in comprehensive eye care and deluxe cataract surgery. He was born in Indianapolis and attended North Central High School. Dr. Barrett graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Indiana University, and he received his medical degree from the Indiana University School of Medicine. He completed his internship at Methodist Hospital and his ophthalmology residency at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. Dr. Barrett lives in Carmel, Indiana, with his wife Hilary and their two daughters Emma and Libby.
Facial Plastic Surgeon specializing exclusively in facial cosmetic surgery.
Indianapolis, has authored multiple publications, and has lectured globally on facial cosmetic and plastic surgery. Dr. Hamilton is consistently recognized as a “Top Doc” by his peers. His greatest priority is to provide the highest level of care and achieve the best possible results for his patients.
Dr. Annette Dinneen, M.D. & Dr. Emily Shelley, D.O. Dermatology Associates of Indiana
Drs. Dinneen and Shelley are passionate about delivering high-quality medical and cosmetic dermatology. At Dermatology Associates of Indiana, we have always made it our mission to put the excited to announce that we are expanding. We will be opening our new location in Noblesville at the end of 2025.
8 Harcourt Rd., Ste. 310, Indianapolis 317-338-9393 | dermassocin.com
Dr. Emily Hrisomalos Facial Plastic Surgery
Dr. Emily Hrisomalos is facial plastic surgeon who believes in combining skill, artistry, and compassion to help patients look and feel their best. She specializes in natural, long-lasting results in both cosmetic and reconstructive facial care for each patient like family, her practice is honored to be recognized among Indianapolis’ community of trusted and dedicated physicians.
1650 W. Oak St., Ste. 107, Zionsville | dremilyhrisomalos.com
Dr. Chris Obeime Doctors Skin Care LLC
Dr. Obeime, a board-
Midwest Colon & Rectal Sugery
The primary goal of the surgeons of Midwest Colon and Rectal Surgery is to serve their patients in a sensitive and caring manner. They are experienced in diagnosis and treatment of conditions of the colon, rectum, and anus and have expertise in the surgical management of colorectal cancer, diverticulitis, Crohn’s disease, and
Doctors Skin Care LLC | 317-334-0303
screening and early detection of colon polyps, and many procedures are minimally invasive, leading to rapid recovery, fewer complications, and quicker return to work.
13421 Old Meridian St., Ste. 210, Carmel | MidwestColon.com
Dr. Sanjay Mohindra, is a Stanford-trained, boardaccess. Repeatedly Indiana.
Left to right: Peter Davis, M.D., J. Scott Pittman, M.D., and Nikhil Patel, M.D.
Dialysis Doesn’t Have To Be Difficult
Every dialysis patient deserves care that values both their health and their humanity. At Dialysis Vascular, we designed our practice to meet the unique needs and challenges of hemodialysis because our patients deserve nothing less. swelling, pain, or a poorly functioning hemodialysis catheter, our experienced team of dedicated endovascular access specialists can help.
We believe in proactive, longitudinal care, not just crisis management. From our hassle-free "same day/next day" scheduling to our compassionate staff, unrivaled expertise, and industry-leading outcomes, we help more Hoosiers thrive on dialysis than anyone else.
Life is precious. Dialysis is a gift. Come experience the difference.
Raising the Bar in Orthopedic Excellence
Chris Bales, MD Orthopedic Surgery
Erica Fisk, MD Foot & Ankle Surgery
Harmony Ignaut, MD Anesthesiology
Eric Monesmith, MD Orthopedic Surgery
Troy Roberson, MD
Renn Crichlow, MD Orthopedic Surgery Anesthesiology
Kosmas Kayes, MD Orthopedic Surgery
Mark Osborne, MD Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
David Schwartz, MD Spine Surgery
Robert Baltera, MD Hand Surgery
Jeffrey Greenberg, MD Hand Surgery
Gabriel Jackson, MD Spine Surgery
David Myer, MD Orthopedic Surgery
Foot & Ankle Surgery
Richard Rosales, MD Physical Medicine
Virgilio Chan, MD Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
Stephen Foot & Ankle Surgery
F. Thomas Kaplan, MD Hand Surgery
Kevin O'Neill, MD Orthopedic Surgery / Spine Surgery
Gregory Schmidt, MD Hand Surgery
Nicholas Crosby, MD Hand Surgery
Kevin Helms, MD Internal Medicine
Christy Kellams, MD Hand Surgery
Kathryn Peck, MD Hand Surgery
Stephen Shively, DO Orthopedic Surgery
Matthew Walker, MD Hand Surgery
Michael Cross, MD Orthopedic Surgery
Reed Hoyer, MD Hand Surgery
Matthew Lavery, MD Orthopedic Surgery / Sports Medicine
Greg Poulter, MD Orthopedic Surgery / Spine Surgery
Jonathan Shook, MD Orthopedic Surgery / Sports Medicine
Peter Wasky, MD Orthopedic Surgery
John Dietz, Jr., MD Spine Surgery
Philip Huang, DO Orthopedic Surgery
M. Craig McMains, MD Orthopedic Surgery / Spine Surgery
Megan Power, MD Anesthesiology
Kevin Sigua, MD Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
Timothy Weber, MD Foot and Ankle Surgery
Gregory Dikos, MD Orthopedic Surgery
Robert Huler, MD Spine Surgery
Greg Merrell, MD Hand Surgery
Sameer Puri, MD Hand Surgery
Seung Sim, MD Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
Ryan Dill, MD Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
Vince Hume, DO Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
Ronald Miller, MD Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
Peter Steiner, MD Anesthesiology
/ Hand Surgery
/ Sports Medicine
Robert Falender, MD Hand Surgery
Timothy Hupfer, MD Orthopedic Surgery
Patrick Millikan, MD Orthopedic Surgery
Greg Reveal, MD Orthopedic Surgery
Michael Thieken, MD Orthopedic Surgery
Michael Reeder, MD Internal Medicine
TOP DOCTORS
NATHAN LAMBERT, M.D., FACC
QIU Health Cardiology
13000 E. 136th St., Fishers, 317-962-0500
NAVNEET LATHER, M.D.
QAscension Medical Group St. VincentHamilton Heart Care 17525 River Rd., Noblesville, 317-773-7711
AMANDA LYON, M.D.
QAscension Medical Group St. VincentIndianapolis Heart Care 8333 Naab Rd., 317-338-6666
BENJAMIN
MAATMAN, M.D.
QCommunity Physician Network, Heart and Vascular Care
8075 N. Shadeland Ave., 317-621-8500
JOTHIHARAN
MAHENTHIRAN, M.D.
QCommunity Physician Network, Heart and Vascular Care
8075 N. Shadeland Ave., 317-621-8500
KATHLEEN MORRIS, D.O.
QAscension Medical Group St. VincentIndianapolis Heart Care 8333 Naab Rd., 317-338-6666
NANETTE
OSCHERWITZ, M.D.
QCommunity Physician Network, Heart and Vascular Care 7120 Clearvista Dr., 317-621-3130
ERIC PRYSTOWSKY, M.D.
QAscension Medical Group St. VincentIndianapolis Heart Care 8333 Naab Rd., 317-338-6666
ANIL PUROHIT, M.D.
QCommunity Physician Network, Heart and Vascular Care 1402 E. County Line Rd., 317-887-7880
ASHWIN RAVICHANDRAN, M.D.
QAscension Medical Group St. Vincent-Carmel Heart Care 10590 N. Meridian St., Carmel, 317-338-6666
MICHAEL ROBERTSON, M.D.
QCommunity Physician Network, Heart and Vascular Care 8075 N. Shadeland Ave., 317-621-8500
SCOTT SHARP, M.D.
QCommunity Physician Network, Heart and Vascular Care
8075 N. Shadeland Ave., 317-621-8500
CHARLES TAYLOR, M.D.
QAscension Medical Group St. VincentHancock Heart Care 300 E. Boyd Ave., Greenfield, 317-462-5112
SARADA UPPULURI, M.D.
QCommunity Physician Network, Heart and Vascular Care 8075 N. Shadeland Ave., 317-621-8500
SRINIVAS VALLAPURI, M.D.
QCommunity Physician Network, Heart and Vascular Care 1400 N. Ritter Ave., 317-355-1234
WILLIAM WINCE, M.D.
QAscension Medical Group St. Vincent-Carmel Heart Care 10590 N. Meridian St., Carmel, 317-338-6666
CLINICAL GENETICS
ERIN CONBOY, M.D.
QIU Health-Riley Medical & Molecular Genetics 1002 Wishard Blvd., 317-944-3966
LUIS ESCOBAR, M.D.
QPeyton Manning Children’s HospitalIndianapolis Medical Genetics & Neurodevelopmental Pediatrics
8402 Harcourt Rd., 317-338-5288
MELISSA LAH, M.D.
QRiley Medical & Molecular Genetics 1002 Wishard Blvd., 317-944-3966
MOLLY MCPHERON, M.D.
QIU Health-Riley Medical & Molecular Genetics 1002 Wishard Blvd., 317-944-3966
QHendricks Pulmonary and Critical Care 100 Hospital Ln., Danville, 317-718-4000
EMILY COCHARD, M.D.
QAscension Medical Group St. VincentIndianapolis Lung Care, Respiratory Care and Sleep Medicine 8333 Naab Rd., 317-338-5100
ROBERT DALY, M.D.
QCenter for Respiratory & Sleep Medicine
701 E. County Line Rd., Greenwood, 317-885-2860
TANYA DEVNANI, M.D.
QCommunity Physician Network, Pulmonary and Critical Care
7250 Clearvista Dr., 317-621-5676
LAURA HINKLE, M.D.
QIU Health Pulmonology & Critical Care Medicine
550 N. University Blvd., 317-962-5820
RUXANDRA IONESCU, M.D.
QCenter for Respiratory & Sleep Medicine
701 E. County Line Rd., Greenwood, 317-885-2334
EDWIN JACKSON, D.O., FACP, FAAC
QIU Health Physicians Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine
1001 W. 10th St., 317-880-6540
BABAR KHAN, M.D.
QIU Health Physicians Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine
1001 W. 10th St., 317-880-6600
FAISAL KHAN, M.D.
QCenter for Respiratory & Sleep Medicine
701 E. County Line Rd., Greenwood, 317-885-2860
ROBERT
KLINESTIVER, M.D.
QHancock Internal Medicine
1 Memorial Sq., Greenfield, 317-462-6662
SANDEEP KUKREJA, M.D., FCCP, MRCP
QCenter for Respiratory & Sleep Medicine
701 E. County Line Rd., Greenwood, 317-885-2334
MARK MASTRODICASA, M.D.
QAscension St. Vincent Pulmonary Critical Care 8333 Naab Rd., 317-338-5100
MICHELLE MILLER, M.D.
QCommunity Physician Network, Pulmonary and Critical Care 7250 Clearvista Dr., 317-621-5676
RAJAT NARANG, M.D.
QCommunity Physician Network, Pulmonary and Critical Care 7250 Clearvista Dr., 317-621-5676
ALIYA NOOR, M.D.
QIU HealthMulti-Disciplinary Oncology/OHNS Clinic 1030 W. Michigan St., 317-944-0920
MUHAMMAD RISHI, M.D.
QIU Health Physicians Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine 1001 W. 10th St., 317-880-6540
SCOTT ROBERTS, M.D.
QIU Health Pulmonology & Critical Care Medicine 1801 N. Senate Blvd., 317-962-5820
GEORGE RUBEIZ, M.D. QCommunity Physician Network, Pulmonary and Critical Care 7250 Clearvista Dr., 317-621-5676
IMAD SHAWA, M.D.
QIndiana Sleep Center 701 E. County Line Rd., Greenwood, 317-885-2334
MICHAEL SNYDER, M.D., FCCP QCenter for Respiratory & Sleep Medicine 701 E. County Line Rd., Greenwood, 317-885-2334
MARCUS TIELKER, M.D.
QCommunity Physician Network, Pulmonary and Critical Care 7250 Clearvista Dr., 317-621-5676
BRENT TONEY, D.O.
QAscension St. Vincent Pulmonary Critical Care 8333 Naab Rd., 317-338-5100
DERMATOLOGY
NIDHI AVASHIAKHEMKA, M.D.
QIU Health Dermatology 550 N. University Blvd., 317-944-7744
2025 Top Doctors
Allen, MDKaren Ehrman, MD, FSIR
Radiology of Indiana proudly serves central Indiana and today we are excited to be one of the largest private practice radiology groups in the country. Our size and subspecialty depth ensure that patient exams will be interpreted by the appropriate, subspecialty-trained radiologist.
Our board certified, fellowship trained radiologists provide subspecialty care in all imaging disciplines, including mammography, neuroradiology, musculoskeletal, body imaging, nuclear medicine, and interventional radiology.
Radiology of Indiana provides on-site, professional interpretations 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Our radiologists are a quality-driven group that work closely with our referring physicians and clinical partners to provide timely and accurate interpretations, while never losing site of the goal of helping to improve patient outcomes.
The health care environment demands that all providers of health-related services offer patients value and quality. These two traits represent everything Radiology of Indiana does. Radiology of Indiana will continue to work in the spirit of partnership with our referring physicians and clinical partners to ensure that our patients remain at the forefront of everything we do.
www.radiologyofindiana.com
Mark
Scott Gaerte, MD
Raja Ramaswamy, MD
Dennis Myers, MD
John Kindler, MD
William Scales, MD
One focus: your care
Congratulations to our 143 award-winning doctors at Ascension St. Vincent and Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital on their incredible accomplishments. But as partners in your care, the awards they win can’t compare to the lives they touch, and we look forward to continuing to grow with this community.
Explore our list of award-winning doctors in the Indianapolis area. ascension.org/INTopDocs
TOP DOCS
TOP DOCTORS
CHRISTOPHER BOHYER, M.D., FAAD
QDermatology Inc. 875 Airport Pkwy., Greenwood, 317-926-3739
RYAN BRASHEAR, M.D.
QDermatology Inc. 875 Airport Pkwy., Greenwood, 317-926-3739
ANDREW BRIDGE, M.D.
QOptum-Dermatology 13000 N. Meridian St., Carmel, 317-208-3813
BETH BROGAN, M.D.
QLaser and Skin Surgery Center of Indiana, LLC 8925 N. Meridian St., 317-660-4900
CALLIE BURGIN, M.D.
QIU Health Dermatology 1115 N. Ronald Reagan Pkwy., Avon, 317-944-7744
NICHOLAS COUNTRYMAN, M.D., FAAD
QDawes Fretzin
Dermatology Group, LLC 7910 N. Shadeland Ave., 317-516-5000
KEN DAWES, M.D., FAAD
QDawes Fretzin
Dermatology Group, LLC 7910 N. Shadeland Ave., 317-516-5000
ANNETTE DINNEEN, M.D.
QDermatology Associates of Indiana 8433 Harcourt Rd., 317-338-9393
THOMAS EADS, M.D.
QGreenwood Dermatology 92 S. Park Blvd., Greenwood, 317-889-7546
SCOTT FRETZIN, M.D., FAAD
QDawes Fretzin Dermatology Group, LLC 7910 N. Shadeland Ave., 317-516-5000
SHAYNA GORDON, M.D.
QThe Dermatology Center of Indiana 824 Edwards Dr., Plainfield, 317-406-3254
SCOTT GUENTHNER, M.D., FAAD
QThe Dermatology Center of Indiana 1100 Southfield Dr., Plainfield, 317-838-9911
C. WILLIAM HANKE, M.D., FACP
QLaser and Skin Surgery Center of Indiana, LLC 8925 N. Meridian St., 317-660-4900
KATHLEEN HANOVER, M.D., FAAD
QDermatology Inc. 725 Lakefront Ct., Carmel, 317-926-3739
ROBERT HUFF, M.D., FAAD
QDermatology Inc. 10465 E. County Rd., 317-926-3739
ANN-MARIE HYATT, M.D.
QDawes Fretzin
Dermatology Group, LLC 7910 N. Shadeland Ave., 317-516-5000
MICHAEL ISAACS, M.D., FAAD
QDawes Fretzin
Dermatology Group, LLC 7910 N. Shadeland Ave., 317-516-5000
EMILY KELLER, M.D.
QIndyDerm 521 E. County Line Rd., Greenwood, 317-215-0928
MELANIE KINGSLEY, M.D.
QMK Dermatology 12174 N. Meridian St., Carmel, 317-620-0024
MOLLY KITLEY, M.D.
QDermatology Center of Southern Indiana 340 Tracy Rd., New Whiteland, 812-339-6434
ALISON KLENK, M.D.
QIU Health Dermatology 550 N. University Blvd., 317-944-7744
SHELBY KUBICKI, M.D.
QIU Health Dermatology 550 N. University Blvd., 317-944-7744
ALISON LAUNHARDT, M.D., FAAD
QDermatology Inc. 725 Lakefront Ct., Carmel, 317-926-3739
MICHAEL MURPHY, M.D.
QThe Indiana Skin Center, PC 701 E. County Line Rd., Greenwood, 317-859-8970
JANELLE NASSIM, M.D.
QIU Health Dermatology 11590 N. Meridian St., Carmel, 317-944-7744
QDawes Fretzin Dermatology Group, LLC 1250 N. Post Rd., 317-516-5000
INGRIDA OZOLS, M.D.
QEagle Creek Dermatology 6820 Parkdale Pl., 317-329-7050
SYRIL KEENA QUE, M.D.
QIU Health Dermatology 11590 N. Meridian St., Carmel, 317-944-7744
SAHAND RAHNAMAMOGHADAM, M.D.
QIU Health Dermatology 1801 N. Senate Blvd., 317-944-7744
LORI SANFORD, M.D., FAAD
QHancock Dermatology 400 W. Green Meadows Dr., Greenfield, 317-967-7921
ANDREW SCRIPTURE, M.D.
QThe Dermatology Center of Indiana 1100 Southfield Dr., Plainfield, 317-838-9911
EMILY SHELLEY, D.O.
QDermatology Associates of Indiana 8433 Harcourt Rd., 317-338-9393
JOHN STEPHENS, M.D.
QDermatology Inc. 11580 Overlook Dr., Fishers, 317-926-3739
LAURA STITLE, M.D.
QGreenwood
Dermatology 92 S. Park Blvd., Greenwood, 317-889-7546
MATTHEW STRAUSBURG, M.D.
QGreenwood Dermatology 92 S. Park Blvd., Greenwood, 317-889-7546
LISA TRIVEDI, M.D.
QDermatology Inc. 725 Lakefront Ct., Carmel, 317-926-3739
DIANE TURVY, M.D.
QIU Health Dermatology 11590 N. Meridian St., Carmel, 317-944-7744
JAY WOLVERTON, M.D.
QIU Health Dermatology 550 N. University Blvd., 317-944-7744
TOP DOC TIP
“I meet so many women who’ve spent years caring for everyone else—kids, parents, partners. They come to me not just with medical concerns but also with the experiences and changes that occur through the continuum of aging. I want them to feel heard and know that their care is my priority. It’s important to know that you can’t pour from anempty cup.”
—DR. TARA SPIVEY, COMMUNITY PHYSICIAN NETWORK
PRIYA YOUNG, M.D., FAAD
QDawes Fretzin Dermatology Group, LLC 7910 N. Shadeland Ave., 317-516-5000
SARAH YOUNG, M.D.
QIU Health Dermatology 550 N. University Blvd., 317-944-7744
DEVELOPMENTAL–BEHAVIORAL PEDIATRICS
NERISSA BAUER, M.D.
QNB Behavioral Pediatrics 12735 Meeting House Rd., Carmel, 317-660-5205
QRadiology of Indiana 9998 Crosspoint Blvd., 317-579-2150
JOSHUA DOWELL, M.D.
QNorthwest Radiology Network, PC 10603 N. Meridian St., Carmel, 317-328-7255
SCOTT GAERTE, M.D.
QRadiology of Indiana 9998 Crosspoint Blvd., 317-579-2150
JOHN KINDLER, M.D.
QRadiology of Indiana 9998 Crosspoint Blvd., 317-579-2150
LAUREN LADD, M.D.
QIU Health Radiology 1701 N. Senate Blvd., 317-948-9729
CHARLES LERNER, M.D.
QNorthwest Radiology Network, PC 10603 N. Meridian St., Carmel, 317-844-2511
SUSAN MEYER, M.D.
QNorthwest Radiology Network, PC 10603 N. Meridian St., Carmel, 317-844-2511
DENNIS MYERS, M.D.
QRadiology of Indiana 9998 Crosspoint Blvd., 317-579-2150
AASHISH PATEL, M.D.
QIU Health 550 University Blvd., 317-963-9300
ANUJ PATEL, M.D.
QNorthwest Radiology Network, PC 10603 N. Meridian St., Carmel, 317-844-2511
WILLIAM SCALES, M.D.
QRadiology of Indiana 9998 Crosspoint Blvd., 317-579-2150
BRIAN WIEGEL, M.D. QNorthwest Radiology Network, PC 10603 N. Meridian St., Carmel, 317-844-2511
EMERGENCY MEDICINE
JENNIFER BARKER, M.D.
QAscension Medical Group St. Vincent Emergency Room-Vituity 2001 W. 86th St., 317-338-2273
ROBERT CANTOR, M.D.
QRichard L. Roudebush Veterans’ Administration Medical Center 1481 W. 10th St., 317-554-0000
ROSS HESKETT, M.D. QEmergency Physicians of Indianapolis 8111 S. Emerson Ave., 317-528-5261
TONYA HOLE, M.D. QSt. Vincent Emergency Physicians Inc. 2001 W. 86th St., 317-338-2121
JASON LITTLE, M.D.
QAscension St. Vincent Hospital 2001 W. 86th St., 317-338-2345
TARYN PAPANDRIA, D.O.
QHancock Regional Hospital-Vituity 801 N. State St., Greenfield, 317-468-4413
MOLLY WORMLEY, M.D.
QAscension St. Vincent Hospital 2001 W. 86th St., 317-458-5207
Top Doctors DIGESTIVE HEALTH
Riverview Health is proud to recognize four of its leading digestive health specialists have been named to Indianapolis Monthly ’s prestigious “Top Doctors” list for 2025. These physicians’ inclusion in the Top Docs issue highlights Riverview Health’s growing reputation for high-quality digestive health services in Central Indiana. The honorees include:
Dr. Matthew Bohm, Gastroenterologist
Dr. Timothy Imler, Gastroenterologist
Dr. Sashi Sagi, Gastroenterologist
Dr. Samer Kawak, Colorectal Surgeon
“Riverview is proud to be the home of these Top Doctors. With the ever increasing demand for digestive health services, patients can rest assured they will receive the best care possible.”
Dave Hyatt, Riverview Health CEO
Pictured left to right:
Dr. Matthew Bohm, Dr. Timothy Imler, Dr. Sashi Sagi and Dr. Samer Kawak.
Expanding Access: New Endoscopy Center
in Westfield
In addition to this recognition, Riverview Health is preparing to open a state-of-the-art endoscopy center at its Westfield Hospital, located at 17600 Shamrock Boulevard. It aims to improve early detection of conditions like colon cancer while featuring advanced endoscopic equipment and preparation techniques. Scheduled for completion in March of 2026, the new facility will occupy 11,500 square feet on the hospital’s sixth floor and is designed to meet the increasing demand for gastroenterology and digestive surgical services in Hamilton County.
Dr. Timothy Imler emphasized the importance of timely access to care, noting that Riverview Health already offers consultation and procedures within weeks—far shorter than the three to six-month wait times common in other systems. “With the addition of this surgical facility, we will provide even more timely, high-quality care convenient to where people live,” he said.
A life saver.
Colonoscopies don’t just detect cancer –they can prevent it.
The new state-of-the-art facility will bring a new level of access to Hamilton County.
QCommunity Physician Network, Family Medicine Care
6910 Hillsdale Ct., 317-621-6337
KRISTIN BAGLEY, M.D.
QHancock Family Medicine 4055 S. Roy Wilson Way, New Palestine, 317-861-4171
JARED BASHAM, M.D.
QCommunity Physician Network, Family Medicine Care 2040 N. Shadeland Ave., 317-355-2800
ELIZABETH BLACHLY, M.D.
QHancock Family Medicine 4055 S. Roy Wilson Way, New Palestine, 317-861-4171
CATHY BRYANT, M.D.
QAscension Medical Group St. VincentIndianapolis Primary & Specialty Care 8414 Naab Rd., 317-415-6300
STEVEN BURCH, D.O.
QCommunity Physician Network, Family Medicine Care 19800 East St., Westfield, 463-622-9200
AARON CARLISLE, M.D.
QCommunity Physician Network, Family Medicine Care 8890 E. 116th St., Fishers, 317-621-1500
SARAH COLEMAN, M.D.
QAscension Medical Group St. VincentZionsville Primary & Specialty Care 10801 N. Michigan Rd., Zionsville, 317-344-1234
JASON COOPER, M.D.
QHendricks Regional Health-Brownsburg North Family Medicine 5492 N. Ronald Reagan Pkwy., Brownsburg, 317-852-3851
ALICIA DAUMEYER, D.O.
QCommunity Physician Network, Family Medicine Care 8890 E. 116th St., Fishers, 317-621-1500
JULIA DEGLER, M.D.
QHancock Family Medicine
300 E. Boyd Ave., Greenfield, 317-462-3441
MARGARET
FITZSIMMONS, M.D.
QHancock Family Medicine
8535 N. Clearview Dr., McCordsville, 317-477-6400
TODD FOGELSONG, D.O.
QCommunity Physician Network, Family Medicine Care 13121 Olio Rd., Fishers, 317-621-1300
MICHAEL GELATT, D.O.
QCommunity Physician Network, Family Medicine and Pediatric Care 8150 Oaklandon Rd., 317-621-1111
MICHAEL GIFFEN, D.O.
QCommunity Physician Network, Family Medicine and Pediatric Care 8150 Oaklandon Rd., 317-621-1111
AMANDA GOLDSTEIN, M.D.
QHancock Family Medicine
300 E. Boyd Ave., Greenfield, 317-462-3441
ERICA HUDDLESTON, M.D.
QCommunity Physician Network, Family Medicine Care 7910 E. Washington St., 317-355-7171
JIHAN HUGGINS, M.D.
QCommunity Physician Network, Family Medicine Care 7910 E. Washington St., 317-355-7171
TAMEKA JONES, M.D.
QCommunity Physician Network, Family Medicine Care 7910 E. Washington St., 317-355-7171
MELODY JORDAHLIAFRATO, M.D.
QCommunity Group Family Medicine 10122 E. 10th St., 317-355-5717
ANNE KNOX, M.D.
QAscension St. Vincent Indianapolis-Joshua Max Simon Primary Care Center 8414 Naab Rd., 317-338-7510
JEFFREY KONS, M.D.
QIU Health Primary Care 201 N. Illinois St., 317-948-6161
NASEEM LABUE, M.D.
QCommunity Physician Network, Family Medicine Care 7910 E. Washington St., 317-355-7171
WILLIAM LANG, D.O.
QCommunity Physician Network, Family Medicine Care 8890 E. 116th St., Fishers, 317-621-1500
DANYELLE
LOVELESS, M.D.
QCommunity Physician Network, Family Medicine and Pediatric Care 8150 Oaklandon Rd., 317-621-1111
RUDO MASHINDI, M.D.
QHancock Family Medicine 6189 W. John L. Modglin Dr., Greenfield, 317-866-7320
COURTNEY MCNEILL, D.O.
QCommunity Physician Network, Family Medicine Residency 533 E. County Line Rd., Greenwood, 317-957-9050
CYNTHIA MENEGHINI, M.D.
QJane Pauley Community Health Center 2040 N. Shadeland Ave., 317-934-5100
MICHAEL MOONEY, M.D.
QFranciscan Physician Network Southeast Family Medicine 965 Emerson Pkwy., Greenwood, 317-887-1060
EMMA NORDSTROM, M.D.
QWitham Family Medicine 2705 N. Lebanon St., Lebanon, 765-485-8649
JEFFREY PETERSON, M.D.
QFranciscan Physician Network North Grove Family Medicine 362 Meridian Parke Ln., Greenwood, 317-528-8760
LUKE PITTMAN, M.D.
QValiant Primary Care 262 S. 1000 E., Zionsville, 317-204-3695
CHARLES PLATZ, M.D.
QCommunity Physician Network, Diabetes and Internal Medicine Care 8205 E. 56th St., 317-621-4044
MATTHEW PRIDDY, M.D.
QPriority Physicians of Carmel 12174 N. Meridian St., Carmel, 317-688-9000
RICHARD REJER JR., M.D.
QFranciscan Physician Network Southeast Family Medicine 965 Emerson Pkwy., Greenwood, 317-887-1060
JENNIFER
ROBINETTE, M.D.
QCommunity Physician Network, Family Medicine and Pediatric Care 8150 Oaklandon Rd., 317-621-1111
KIMBERLY SMITH, D.O.
QAscension St. Vincent Indianapolis-Joshua Max Simon Primary Care Center 8414 Naab Rd., 317-338-7510
GREGORY SPECHT, D.O.
QFranciscan Physician Network CityWay Family Medicine 426 S. Alabama St., 317-528-2489
SARAH SPURGEON, M.D.
QCommunity Physician Network, Family Medicine Residency 7910 E. Washington St., 317-355-7171
MICHELE STOOKEY, M.D.
QCommunity Physician Network, Family Medicine and Pediatric Care 8150 Oaklandon Rd., 317-621-1111
RACHEL TRUPE, M.D.
QValiant Primary Care
262 S. 1000 E, Zionsville, 317-204-3695
DANICA VASILCHEK, M.D.
QCommunity Physician Network, Family Medicine Care 19800 East St., Westfield, 463-622-9200
DERRICK WALKER, M.D.
QCommunity Physician Network, Family Medicine Care 7910 E. Washington St., 317-355-7171
HOLLY WHEELER, D.O.
QCommunity Physician Network, Family Medicine Residency 533 E. County Line Rd., Greenwood, 317-957-9050
KRISTIN WOOD, M.D.
QFranciscan Health Family Medicine Center Indianapolis 5230 E. Stop 11 Rd., 317-528-8921
KIMBRE ZAHN, M.D.
QIU Health Primary Care 404 E. Washington St., 317-963-2610
Gratitude Runs Deep
To our patients, peers, and community, thank you for placing your trust in Goodman Campbell.
Having 19 of our physicians named as part of Indianapolis Monthly’s Top Docs list is an honor that belongs not just to us, but to the entire network of care that makes healing possible.
TOP DOCTORS
FOOT AND ANKLE SURGERY
ERICA FISK, M.D.
QOrthoIndy Fishers 10995 N. Allisonville Rd., Fishers, 317-802-2000
STEPHEN GREENFIELD, M.D.
QOrthoIndy at Ascension St. Vincent Carmel, 13430 N. Meridian St., Carmel, 317-575-2700
STEVEN HERBST, M.D.
QCentral Indiana Orthopedics 14300 E. 138th St., Fishers, 800-622-6575
ADAM LYON, M.D.
QCentral Indiana Orthopedics 14300 E. 138th St., Fishers, 800-622-6575
QCommunity Physician Network, Gastroenterology Care
1400 N. Ritter Ave., 317-355-1144
THAYER
NASEREDDIN, M.D.
QIndianapolis
Gastroenterology and Hepatology
8051 S. Emerson Ave., 317-865-2955
ERNEST ORINION, M.D.
QIndianapolis Gastroenterology and Hepatology
8051 S. Emerson Ave., 317-865-2955
DOUGLAS REX, M.D.
QIU Health
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
10300 N. Illinois St., Carmel, 317-944-0980
SYED RIZVI, M.D.
QHancock
Gastroenterology
1 Memorial Sq., Greenfield, 317-477-6360
JASON ROBERTS, M.D.
QIndianapolis
Gastroenterology and Hepatology
8051 S. Emerson Ave., 317-865-2955
SASHIDHAR SAGI, M.D.
QRiverview
Health Physicians
Gastroenterology
17600 Shamrock Blvd., Westfield, 317-214-5468
TOP
DOC TIP
“As a surgeon for over 20 years, I now realize that in the middle years, the true surgery is not just in the OR—it’s in carving out patience for children, compassion for parents, and grace for yourself. The last is the most difficult but also the most important.”
—DR. KIMBERLY KERR, HENDRICKS REGIONAL HEALTH
NIHARIKA SAMALA, M.D.
QIU Health Gastroenterology & Hepatology
550 N. University Blvd., 317-944-0980
NINAD SHAH, M.D.
QCommunity Physician Network Gastroenterology Care 1400 N. Ritter Ave., 317-355-1144
AMANDA SWINGLEY, D.O.
QAscension Medical Group St. VincentIndianapolis Gastroenterology 8333 Naab Rd., 317-415-6580
SWETA TANDRA, M.D.
QAscension Medical Group St. Vincent-Carmel Gastroenterology 13450 N. Meridian St., Carmel, 317-582-8931
JOHN CHRISTOPHER TANG, D.O.
QIU Health Gastroenterology & Hepatology 13100 E. 136th St., Fishers, 317-944-0980
ROBERT VINCENT, M.D.
QIndianapolis Gastroenterology and Hepatology 8051 S. Emerson Ave., 317-865-2955
GENERAL SURGERY
VINCENT DELUMPA, M.D.
QCommunity Physician Network, General Surgical Care 8040 Clearvista Pkwy., 317-621-5450
DAVID DIAZ, M.D.
QAscension Medical Group St. VincentMeridian Surgery 13430 N. Meridian St., Carmel, 317-582-8810
EDWARD DIEKHOFF III, M.D.
QCommunity Physician Network, General Surgical Care 701 E. County Line Rd., Greenwood, 317-865-8000
IAN FERRIES, M.D.
QNaab Road Surgical Group 8240 Naab Rd., 317-207-7411
TIMOTHY GLASS, M.D.
QNaab Road Surgical Group 8240 Naab Rd., 317-207-7411
JEFF HEISE, M.D., FACS
QHancock Surgical Group 1 Memorial Sq., Greenfield, 317-462-3255
J. ANDREW ISCH, M.D.
QNaab Road Surgical Group 8240 Naab Rd., 317-207-7411
QCommunity Hospital Oncology Physicians 7979 N. Shadeland Ave., 317-621-4443
NEONATAL AND PERINATAL MEDICINE
JONATHAN BUECHLER, M.D.
QPeyton Manning Children’s Hospital 2001 W. 86th St., 317-338-2345
SHAUN HICKS, M.D.
QAscension St. Vincent Women and Infants Hospital 8111 Township Line Rd., 317-415-7921
SARA KANE, D.O.
QRiley Hospital for Children
705 Riley Hospital Dr., 317-944-5000
MELISSA LEEDY, M.D.
QAscension St. Vincent Women and Infants Hospital 8111 Township Line Rd., 317-415-8111
TAHA SAAD, M.D.
QPeyton Manning Children’s Hospital 2001 W. 86th St., 317-338-2345
PAUL WINCHESTER, M.D.
QRiley Hospital for Children 705 Riley Hospital Dr., 317-944-5000
NEPHROLOGY
MIRZA BAIG, M.D., MBA, FACP, FASN
QHancock Nephrology 1 Memorial Sq., Greenfield, 317-477-6368
ANTON CABELLON, D.O.
QDialysis Vascular 2140 N. Capitol Ave., 317-644-1404
MICHELE CABELLON, M.D.
QIU Health Kidney Health 8803 N. Meridian St., 317-963-6875
MATTHEW DOLLINS, M.D.
QEskenazi Health-Sandra Eskenazi Outpatient Care Center 720 Eskenazi Ave., 317-880-0000
JAMES ELLIOTT, M.D.
QNephrology Associates of Northern Illinois and Indiana (NANI) 5510 S. East St., 317-924-8425
TOP DOC TIP
“Wellness in the middle of a woman’s life is less about perfection and more about consistency small, healthy choices repeated daily will transform your future.”
QRothbaum Eye + Vision 18077 River Rd., Noblesville, 317-773-5153
AHMAR SAJJAD, M.D.
QEye Surgeons of Indiana 9202 N. Meridian St., 317-841-2020
DEREK SPRUNGER, M.D.
QRiley Pediatric Ophthalmology 10300 N. Illinois St., Carmel, 317-688-3800
AMY WADDELL, M.D.
QRichard L. Roudebush Veterans’ Administration Medical Center 1481 W. 10th St., 317-554-0000
MICHAEL WELSH, M.D., FACS QOphthalmic Plastic Surgery, Inc. 11220 Illinois St., Carmel, 317-817-1976
WE’RE PROUD
to celebrate 43 Hancock Health physicians recognized among Indianapolis Monthly’s Top Doctors - part of a directory of outstanding physicians across 73 specialties.
Chosen by their peers, these physicians embody what matters most: exceptional care to make your best health possible.
Learn more about our team and find your Top Hancock Health doctor at HancockHealth.org.
TOP DOCTORS
SCOTT WENTZ, M.D.
Q20/20 Eye Physicians of Indiana, PC 8220 Naab Rd., 317-871-5900
QChegar Facial Plastic Surgery 735 W. Carmel Dr., Carmel, 317-818-5438
MARK HAMILTON, M.D.
QHamilton Facial Plastic Surgery 170 W. 106th St., Carmel, 317-614-0639
EMILY HRISOMALOS, M.D.
QDr. Emily Hrisomalos, 1650 W. Oak St., Zionsville, 317-854-6073
RUCHIN PATEL, M.D., FACS
QOA Facial Plastics/ Community Physician Network, Ear, Nose & Throat Care 8040 Clearvista Pkwy., 317-708-6984
TAHA
SHIPCHANDLER, M.D.
QIU Health Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery 11725 N. Illinois St., Carmel, 317-944-6467
ROBERT YOUKILIS, M.D. QOtolaryngology Associates, LLC 12065 Old Meridian St., Carmel, 317-844-7059
PAIN MEDICINE
JOCELYN BUSH, M.D. QCenter for Pain Management-Indianapolis 8805 N. Meridian St., 317-706-7246
CHRISTOPHER
DORAN, M.D.
QGoodman Campbell Brain and Spine 13345 Illinois St., Carmel, 317-396-1300
NEIL FARREN, M.D.
QIndiana Spine Group 13225 N. Meridian St., Carmel, 317-228-7000
ROBERT FUNK, M.D.
QIndiana Spine Group 13225 N. Meridian St., Carmel, 317-228-7000
Celebrating Excellence in Orthopedic Care
At Midwest Center for Joint Replacement, we are proud to announce that three of our physicians, Michael Berend, MD, Colin Penrose, MD, and Daniel DeSalle, DO, have been named Top Doctors for 2025. This honor highlights what patients across Indiana already know: when it comes to hip, knee, and shoulder care, MCJR is home to some of the nation’s most trusted experts.
Michael Berend, MD
Colin Penrose, MD
Daniel DeSalle, DO
TOP DOCTORS
LORI KIEFER, M.D.
QIndiana Spine Group 13225 N. Meridian St., Carmel, 317-228-7000
KEVIN MACADAEG, M.D.
QIndiana Spine Group 13225 N. Meridian St., Carmel, 317-228-7000
ASHWIN MADUPU, M.D.
QIndiana Spine Group 13225 N. Meridian St., Carmel, 317-228-7000
AARON NELSON, D.O.
QHancock Pain Management Center 300 E. Boyd Ave., Greenfield, 317-468-4090
TODD SCHMIDT, M.D.
QGoodman Campbell Brain and Spine 13345 Illinois St., Carmel, 317-396-1300
“Once on a tough day at the hospital, I took a few minutes to ride the elevator. As people entered, I asked them which floor, then pushed the button and told them that I hoped they had a nice day. Even short, kind exchanges can make a big difference in your day.”
Congratulations to the Central Indiana Orthopedics physicians serving our Fishers and Zionsville locations on being recognized in the Indianapolis Monthly Top Docs issue.
These 16 outstanding providers are representative of all our CIO physicians, who continue to serve our patients the same way we have for over 75 years—delivering expert, personalized care to residents of Anderson, Elwood, Fishers, Marion, Muncie, Winchester, Zionsville, Indianapolis and surrounding areas.
Patients can expect to receive comprehensive orthopedic services from our Walk-In Clinic and surgery center, as well as diagnostics, physical therapy, state-of-the art technologies like Mako SmartRobotics™ robotic-arm assisted technology and more.
QCentral Indiana Orthopedics 14300 E. 138th St., Fishers, 800-622-6575
Caring for family members at home can take an emotional and physical toll. The result for Nancy was stress-related diabetes. That’s when she was introduced to LaTanya, a certified community health worker. Learn more or join the movement at EskenaziHealth.edu.
QIndiana Health Group 703 Pro-Med Ln., Carmel, 317-843-9922
CHARLES CLASS, M.D.
QAscension St. Vincent Stress Center 8401 Harcourt Rd., 317-338-4850
MELINDA COBB, M.D.
QHancock Counseling and Psychiatric Services 120 W. McKenzie Rd., Greenfield, 317-468-6200
BEN MCALLISTER, D.O.
QHancock Counseling and Psychiatric Services 120 W. McKenzie Rd., Greenfield, 317-468-6200
DELYNN WILLIAMS, M.D.
QHancock Counseling and Psychiatric Services 120 W. McKenzie Rd., Greenfield, 317-468-6200
EMILY ZARSE, M.D.
QCommunity Fairbanks Behavioral Health 2040 N. Shadeland Ave., 317-355-5009
RADIATION ONCOLOGY
SANDEEP BHAVE, M.D.
QCancer Care Group, P.C.-Franciscan Health Indianapolis Cancer Center 8111 S. Emerson Ave., 317-865-5171
JULIA COMPTON, M.D.
QHancock Health-Sue Ann Wortman Cancer Center 801 N. State St., Greenfield, 317-325-2273
THOMAS DUGAN, M.D.
QCancer Care Group, P.C.-Ascension St. Vincent Oncology CenterIndianapolis 8301 Harcourt Rd., 317-415-6760
JESSICA DURK, M.D.
QCancer Care Group, P.C.-Ascension St. Vincent Oncology CenterIndianapolis 8301 Harcourt Rd., 317-415-6760
MICHAEL EATON, M.D.
QCancer Care Group, P.C.-Franciscan Health Indianapolis Cancer Center 8111 S. Emerson Ave., 317-865-5171
TIM LAUTENSCHLAEGER, M.D.
QIU Health Radiation Oncology 535 Barnhill Dr., 317-962-3172
CHRISTOPHER LEAGRE, M.D.
QCancer Care Group, P.C.-Ascension St. Vincent Oncology CenterIndianapolis 8301 Harcourt Rd., 317-415-6760
ROBERT LIEBROSS, M.D.
QCancer Care Group, P.C.-Ascension St. Vincent Oncology CenterIndianapolis 8301 Harcourt Rd., 317-415-6760
MARK LOBO, M.D.
QCancer Care Group, P.C.-Franciscan Health Indianapolis Cancer Center 8111 S. Emerson Ave., 317-865-5171
CHANDRIKA PATEL, M.D.
QCommunity Physician Network, Radiation Oncology Care 1440 E. County Line Rd., 317-497-6270
TRACY PRICE, M.D.
QUrology of Indiana 11380 Illinois St., Carmel, 877-362-2778
PRISCILLA STUMPF, M.D.
QHancock Health-Sue Ann Wortman Cancer Center 801 N. State St., Greenfield, 317-325-2273
WILLIAM TURCHAN, M.D.
QCommunity Physician Network, Radiation Oncology Care 1500 N. Ritter Ave., 317-355-5347
DANIEL WEED, M.D.
QCommunity Physician Network, Radiation Oncology Care 7979 N. Shadeland Ave., 317-621-2628
SHIH WEI, M.D.
QCommunity Physician Network, Radiation Oncology Care 7979 N. Shadeland Ave., 317-621-4300
REPRODUCTIVE ENDOCRINOLOGY/ INFERTILITY
BRADFORD BOPP, M.D.
QMidwest Fertility Specialists 12188-A N. Meridian St., Carmel, 317-571-1637
JOHN JARRETT II, M.D.
QIndiana Fertility Institute
10610 N. Pennsylvania St., Carmel, 317-575-6565
KATE O’LEARY, M.D.
QMidwest Fertility Specialists 12188-A N. Meridian St., Carmel, 317-571-1637
MEREDITH PROVOST, M.D.
QIndiana Fertility Institute
10610 N. Pennsylvania St., Carmel, 317-575-6565
MATTHEW WILL, M.D.
QMidwest Fertility Specialists 12188-A N. Meridian St., Carmel, 317-571-1637
RHEUMATOLOGY
ANAN AFANEH, M.D.
QCommunity Physician Network, Rheumatology Care
6905 E. 96th St., 317-621-1510
GREGORY BELL, M.D.
QAndHealth LLCRheumatology 1107 N. State St., Greenfield, 614-362-0546
SHWETA KISHORE, M.D.
QCommunity Physician Network, Rheumatology Care
6905 E. 96th St., 317-621-1510
GABRIEL KOUSOUROU, D.O.
QIndiana Internal Medicine Consultants 701 E. County Line Rd., Greenwood, 317-885-2860
RANDALL REED, M.D.
QRheumatology Associates, P.C. 8902 N. Meridian St., 317-844-6444
METHEE SRIVATANA, D.O.
QCommunity Physician Network, Rheumatology Care
6905 E. 96th St., 317-621-1510
ELLEN STOESZ, M.D. QIU Health Rheumatology 6820 Parkdale Pl., 317-944-1000
KATHLEEN THOMAS, D.O.
QRheumatology Associates, P.C. 8902 N. Meridian St., 317-844-6444
SARAH THOMAS, M.D.
QRheumatology Associates, P.C. 8902 N. Meridian St., 317-844-6444
Weight Loss | Aesthetics | Hormones
For over 20 years, Dr. Christy Watson, an expert in bariatrics and internal medicine, has helped people transform their health, personalized, science-backed care. At BodyBarMD
Why Choose Us
Experienced Care
Communication
Personalization
Transformation
TOP DOCTORS
CHRISTOPHER WU, M.D.
QRheumatology Associates, P.C. 8902 N. Meridian St., 317-844-6444
SLEEP MEDICINE
ADAM LENET, M.D.
QNew Directxone, LLC 8802 Madison Ave., 317-672-8599
MUHAMMAD RISHI, M.D.
QIU Health Physicians Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine 1001 W. 10th St., 317-880-6540
ABHINAV SINGH, M.D., MPH, FAASM, D.ABIM-SM
QIndiana Sleep Center 701 E. County Line Rd., Greenwood, 317-887-6400
STEPHANIE STAHL, M.D.
QIU Health Physicians Sleep Medicine 714 N. Senate Ave., 317-963-0555
JAMES ZHANG, M.D.
QHancock Neurology & Neurodiagnostics 1 Memorial Sq., Greenfield, 317-477-6387
SPINE SURGERY
BARRETT BOODY, M.D.
QIndiana Spine Group 13225 N. Meridian St., Carmel, 317-228-7000
JOHN DEPOWELL, M.D.
QGoodman Campbell Brain and Spine 13345 Illinois St., Carmel, 317-396-1300
John D. Langford, M.D., FACSScott R. Hobson, M.D., FACS
Richard A. Burgett, M.D., FACS
Michael G. Welsh, M.D., FACSAustin L. Gerber, M.D.June Z. Geng, M.D.
Readers’ Choice
Photo by TONY VALAINIS
BR 2025
key NEW
Named one of IM’s Best Restaurants in 2025
Kid friendly Solo dining Cocktails
New addition to the guide
$$$$ $50 and up
$$$ $30–$40
$$ $20–$30
$ Under $20
Restaurants included in this guide are selected at the discretion of the Indianapolis Monthly editorial staff based on food quality, innovation, atmosphere, service, value, and consistency. IM does not accept advertising or other compensation in exchange for dining coverage. Price symbols indicate the average cost of a meal per person (without tax, tip, or alcohol). Due to limited space, this list does not cover every evaluated restaurant. For a more comprehensive guide to Indianapolis dining, visit IndianapolisMonthly.com/Dining Feedback? Please email ebatey@IndianapolisMonthly.com
9th Street Bistro
BR 2025 CONTEMPORARY Samir and Rachel Firestone Mohammad’s tiny seasonal innovator continues to delight diners who secure a coveted reservation. A standby at collaborative wine dinners and dining festivals, its take on globally inspired Midwestern flavors has served as an influence for a number of other restaurants on this list. A community dinner series focused on local farmstead ingredients continues to sell out, which adds to the mystique. 56 S. 9th St., Noblesville, 317-774-5065, 9thstbistro.com $$$$
1933 Lounge
STEAKHOUSE
This St. Elmo spinoff serves a similar core menu of steaks and seafood to its sister spot, then widens its scope to encompass sushi, sandwiches, and sliders. It also boasts a slightly more contemporary and glitzy style to its dining room, making it a place to see and be seen. An ambitious cocktail menu has a speakeasy vibe, and well-portioned desserts lend themselves to sharing. Multiple locations, 1933lounge.com $$$$
Aberdeen Social House
BOURBON BAR This bar and restaurant feels like a bit of Kentucky transplanted to the north side, with a reserve spirit menu as long as your arm. Lunch, brunch, and dinner menus rely on Midwestern classics with an upscale twist (the shrimp and grits also boasts lobster, for example); wise diners will stick with those items over some of the more experimental-sounding offerings. 150 W. 96th St., 317-324-5000, aberdeensocialhouse.com $$$$
Abyssinia Ethiopian
ETHIOPIAN
This spot—where diners use a spongy sour flatbread known as injera in lieu of utensils—provides a thorough introduction to Ethiopian cuisine. Aficionados of East African food will be impressed by the seasoning of the stewed lamb, beef, and spicy chicken; vegans and vegetarians will appreciate the greens, lentils, and chickpeas. 352 W. 38th St., 299-0608, abyssiniaindy.com $$
The Alchemist
COFFEE AND COCKTAILS Red Lion Grog
House owners Nicole and Cody Neville also own a coffee equipment company called Espresso Enterprises, which makes their Monon-adjacent cocktail bar and coffee shop a happy marriage of passions. Take a morning stroll with one of the caffeinated drinks made with beans from Chicago-based Philosophy Coffee or a twilight Monon Trail walk capped off with a boozy craft drink such as the Blood & Sugar made with bacon fat–washed High West Double Rye, maple syrup, three types of bitters, and a quick puff of smoke.Flatbread pizzas and gluten-free pastries for the win. 1660 Bellefontaine St., 317-683-0957, thealchemistindy.com $
Ali’i Poke
POKE Follow the IU and Purdue students to this delightfully fresh fast-food spot just off the now-separate schools’ Indianapolis campuses. The scooped-to-order poke bowls have a rice base (sticky or brown) over which customers layer their protein of choice and a rainbow of add-ons. Fresh mango, edamame, avocado, pickled ginger, seaweed salad, and unagi sauce are just a few of the available toppings. Go wild ladling them on, or get the Hawaiian Style with just rice and fish. Multiple locations, 317-602-3632, aliipoke.com $$
Anthony’s Chophouse
STEAKHOUSE The interior of this swanky heavy hitter has the polished gleam of a Vegas hotel, with an upper-level lounge containing the salvaged mahogany bar from The Glass Chimney, another fine dining legend. The food has equal flourish. Lobster bisque with a hunk of tempura-fried meat begins a meal that might include a cowgirl ribeye, a flight of filets, or a domestic wagyu burger. Take note—the steak menu also lists a spinalis. You may never eat another steak this perfect. Black-suited servers and wellcomposed cocktails keep the high-dollar meal running smoothly. 201 W. Main St., Carmel, 317-740-0900, anthonyschophouse.com $$$$
Antilogy
BRUNCH This snug corner spot divides its energy between the morning meal and evening libations. Early birds can choose from thoughtful combinations of fat biscuits, sunny eggs, bourbon-candied bacon, and Belgian waffles, with plenty of Bovaconti Coffee–based lattes and mochas to kick-start the day. In the evening, the menu shifts to shareable plates, such as a panko-crusted crispy burrata, parmesan truffle fries, and a molten spinach-Gruyere dip. 5867 N. State Rd. 135, Greenwood, 317-530-5312, antilogycg.com $$
Ash & Elm Cider Co.
CIDER Ash & Elm’s array of complex and quaffable ciders gets broader all the time, with funky cocktails demonstrating a flavor profile well beyond sweet apples. The food pairs beautifully with the drinks, from the now legendary elote fritters made with Indiana corn and cilantro crema to the crispy fried Brussels sprouts flavored with, of course, cider vinaigrette. A thick-cut Cuban and an Italian hoagie with all the meats are great choices among sandwiches, though the pimento cheeseburger with pickled green
tomato is hard to beat. 1301 E. Washington St., 317-600-3164; 525 N. End Dr., Carmel, 317740-1991; ashandelmcider.com $$
Baby’s
BURGERS This playful, family-friendly joint limits its menu to smashburgers, chicken, milkshakes (spiked or not), and cocktails. Housed in a former drag bar, it also has fun with the building’s artsy legacy— the house burger is called a Strut Burger, and all of the cocktail names come straight from the RuPaul meme factory. Sip a Tongue Pop or a Sashay Away as you polish off the last of the Talbott Street Style fries dressed with bacon, cheese sauce, white barbecue sauce, and pickled jalapeño. 2147 N. Talbott St., 317-600-3559, babysindy.com $$
Beholder
BR 2025 CUTTING EDGE Jonathan Brooks patterns himself as a renegade, but the consistent excellence of his restaurant suggests the chef/owner is becoming Indy’s fine dining standard-bearer, not its outsider. Between the urban chic dining room and the two glossy bars (one by the mixologist, the other at the kitchen), there’s a rock-star gloss to the restaurant that makes you feel cool just for showing up. And when you do, the alwayschanging fixed-price menu is a great place to start, though the a la carte dish list offers intriguing surprises daily. Its award-winning wine list is calculated to pair with the seasonal food offerings, and its cocktail lineup is witty and strong. 1844 E. 10th St., 317-419-3471, beholderindy.com $$$$
Bluebeard
BR 2025 CONTEMPORARY A fine dining lunch isn’t easy to find in Indy, making Bluebeard a go-to for a power midday meal. Chef Alan Sternberg brings as much attention to his noontime dishes as he does to a daily afternoon snack menu and a seven-days-aweek dinner. Favorites like the house-made chips and dips are always on deck, while entrees, salads, and desserts are switched up based on what’s in season. All this happens inside an ancient brick building once dedicated to industry then abandoned. By rehabilitating a beautiful old structure, Bluebeard helped kick off a transformation that changed the face of a neighborhood. That gives the spot a significance well beyond its excellent food. 653 Virginia Ave., 317-686-1580, bluebeardindy.com $$$$
Bodhi
THAI This family-owned restaurant bills itself first as a “craft cocktail bar,” and for good reason: Its drinks are some of the prettiest in town. Its vaunted menu also shines, with prettily-plated takes on Thai and pan-Asian classics. 922 Massachusetts Ave., 317-941-6595, bodhi-indy.com $$$$
Borage
BR 2025 ONE-STOP SHOP Josh Kline and Zoë Taylor’s expansive Speedway spot hits all the craveable notes: One side is all coffee and pastries, while another is a specialty market with fresh food, rare condiments, and gorgeous little things. Its other wing is for brunch, lunch, and dinner, with comfy chairs and table service. It can be a lot to get your head around—especially when you’re trying to figure
Trust is earned.
That’s why we at STAR Wealth Management listen, advise and manage your wealth as if it were our own.
Our comprehensive, personalized approach lets you make the most of your finances, without taking time out of your busy schedule to manage them.
So that you can leave time for what matters most, leave the investment management to us.
• Investment and retirement planning
• Tax optimization
• Estate management
• Risk mitigation
Connect with our experienced team. starfinancial.com/investments
Looking for guidance on your journey? Download our Roadmap to Financial Planning
Medina Habibic Investment Officer
Tim Annee Investment Officer
Jeff Coil Senior Investment Officer
out what menu to order from—but that’s also part of the fun. While a dish you’re attracted to might not be on offer during one visit, it gives you a built-in reason to come back. Dishes pull from the owners’ backgrounds at some of the region’s most popular spots but are played out with their specific vision. 1609 N. Lynhurst Dr., 317-734-3958, borageeats.com $$$
Brooklyn Char
FRESH FACE
Matthew Williford, a recent Purdue grad, is the new owner of Butler-Tarkington cafe Illinois Street Food Emporium
PIZZA Benjamin Butterworth’s Zionsville pie and slice shop was born out of a desire for legitimate New York–style pizza in Indy, a pursuit that sent the Camby native to Brooklyn and beyond. His studies have resulted in light yet substantial pies with just the right amount of leoparding and heft. He also serves up glistening garlic knots made with a special compound butter and TikTokworthy stuffed breadsticks ripe for the cheesepulling. Nostalgic candies and shakes made with Crystal Springs Creamery ice cream offer a sweet ending to the meal. 14765 Hazel Dell Crossing, Noblesville, 317-564-0660, brooklynchar .com $$$
Cafe Babette
“We’re going to keep it the way it is,” says the 23-year-old, who is also the founder and president of Broad Ripple’s Primrose Village-Northdale Neighborhood Association.
which is sold by the jar, as well as its churros and specialty Argentinian shortbread cookies. And don’t overlook the cook-athome sausages, from Spanishstyle chorizo to Argentinean black sausage. 3124 W. 16th St., 317-737-2012, chechori.com $$
Cheeky Bastards
BR 2025 BRITISH With crumpets, scones, and a jawdropping breakfast fry-up, not to mention afternoon teas and plenty of benedicts and bacon and egg baps, Hope Lane and Robert Carmack’s homage to all things British has long been a daytime destination. In recent years, it’s also evolved into a place for a rib-sticking, mid-evening supper. Golden, lightly fried halloumi with an especially smooth and refined aioli, as well as a house salad with blackcurrant vinaigrette and a less-heftythan-expected Scotch egg are all reasons to stop in any time to practice your Cockney or Geordie over a pint. On Sundays, watch for weekend roasts and high teas during certain hours. 11210 Fall Creek Rd., 317-288-9739, cbindy .com $$$
Claypot Coffee House
BR 2025 BAKERY This Garfield Park bakery has graduated from a run-and-gun sensation to a full-on hit, expanding from over-the-top pastries into custom cakes, sandwiches, slushies, and even ice cream. Loyal patrons know Thursdays are the restaurant’s cheat code, as that’s when lines are the shortest and the spot’s outdoor seating is easiest to secure. Those with superior planning order boxes in advance and skip the line completely. 2627 Shelby St., cafebabette.com $$
Cafe Oztara
COMMUNITY The public-facing cafe for Indy’s Damien Center serves as on-the-job training for its employment services operation, but it’s also a great place to grab breakfast, a cup of joe, or a midday meal. Salads, sandwiches, and soups are on offer, as are baked goods and grab-andgo items. Everything is made by its staff, some of whom are career food service workers and others who are learning on the job. 1446 E. Washington St., cafeoztara.com $
Cafe Patachou
CAFE The so-called “student union for adults” continues to draw in the morning crowds and has inspired citywide offshoots. The wait for a weekend table can be brutal (but is worth it), as the cinnamon toast remains as thick as a brick; the produce is still locally sourced; the massive omelets continue to have cheeky names; and the broken-yolk sandwiches are a perennial lunch favorite. Multiple locations., 317-222-3538, cafepatachou.com $$
Che Chori
ARGENTINEAN Marcos Perera-Blasco’s colorful restaurant offers a selection of traditional butterflied-sausage sandwiches and warm empanadas filled with seasoned meats. Make sure to pick up the house-made dulce de leche,
COFFEE Claypot’s airy, design-forward seating area encourages diners to linger, as does its menu of sweet and power-packed Southeast Asian–style claypot coffee drinks. The Dark Delight, made with strong coffee and both evaporated and condensed milk, is so thick it feels like a meal, while the Cafe Delight—which trades the condensed milk for sugar syrup—is perfect for those who need even more sweetness. Fresh-squeezed juice, teas, and a food menu of spring rolls and roti round out the experience. 1551 E. Stop 12 Rd., 317-300-1346 $
Commission Row
BR 2025
UPSCALE Indy’s pervasive Cunningham Restaurant Group is behind this glossy fine dining spot, which is positioned to benefit from crowds headed to or from Gainbridge Fieldhouse. That makes game nights quite a scene at the baller-level restaurant, which gilds the lily with caviar service or foie gras and lobster tail for your steak. The wine list is heavy on the bubbles, apt for celebrating a big win at work or play. A three-figure seafood tower is a showy special occasion order—or just an average Tuesday night if you’re living the courtside seat life. 110 S. Delaware St., 317-550-2500, commissionrow .com $$$$
Cooper & Cow
SPEAKEASY Louisville-based Endeavor Restaurant Group is behind this Fishers steakhouse, which seeks to reinvent the popular format as a Prohibition era dining experience. That means a mix of rustic touches and bourbon-infused accents set off by USDA Prime cuts larded with add-ons like crab and truffle wagyu tallow. Desserts stick with the bourbon theme, with bananas, cake, and ice cream all laden with the spirit. 8626 E. 116th St., Fishers, 317-288-2801, cooperandcow.com $$$$
Corridor
BR 2025 LUNCH At the end of 2024, Erin Kem and Logan McMahan briefly shuttered SoBro favorite Nicole-Taylor’s Pasta + Market + Backroom Eatery, which they had purchased a few years before. After a remodel, they reopened the space as Corridor, a lunchtime restaurant dedicated to the flavors of the Mediterranean, North African, and Arab worlds. The handmade pasta Nicole-Taylor’s built its fame on remains, as does a tightly edited market of specialty goods. Also intact is the restaurant’s chef’s table, a four-figure group reservation that’s one of the hottest dining tickets in town. 1134 E. 54th St., 317-257-7374, corridorindy.com $$$
Diavola
PIZZA Pies emerge expertly bubbled and charred from a centerpiece brick oven. Ingredients are simple but top-shelf, with herbs and produce grown in the owner’s nearby garden. Gluten-free pizzas, made with a house blend of flours, are spectacular. 1134 E. 54th St., 317-820-5100, diavola.net $$
Fernando’s Mexican & Brazilian Cuisine
BR 2025 MEXICAN AND BRAZILIAN This Mexican and Brazilian restaurant built a loyal following in Broad Ripple, then in 2025 expanded to Mass Ave, allowing the business— known for sharp, upscale takes on standards— to come into its own. An order of Sinaloa Tacos at the bar remains one of the city’s greatest treats, and the Crawfish Quesadilla is a brilliant marriage of Midwestern and Latin flavors. 834 E. 64th St., 317-377-4779; 888 Massachusetts Ave., 317-771-6653, fernandosindy.com $$$
Field Brewing
BREWPUB This Westfield addition to the local craft brewery scene would be dazzling enough for its mod fixtures and bocce ball court that spans the family-friendly outdoor space, but the menu is as daring as it is easy to pair with the house brews. Its event space is simple-chic and full of natural light, available (with reservations) for special receptions and birthdays—or just for big family and friend gatherings. 303 E. Main St., Westfield, 317-804-9780, fieldbrewing.com $$$
Fire by the Monon
PATIO DINING A restaurant that shines during the summer months, Fire by the Monon is the perfect spot to let the kids run around outside while the adults quaff a craft brew. The food menu spans flatbreads, variations on mac and cheese, and salads; affordable mains are also on offer for those with a heartier appetite. 6523 Ferguson St., 317-252-5920, firebythemonontrail .com $$
The Fountain Room
SUPPER CLUB This glitzy art deco restaurant is arguably the crown jewel of the Bottleworks area, with enough marble, terrazzo, and chandeliers to outfit Jay Gatsby’s West Egg mansion. Like Fitzgerald’s doomed millionaire, the Fountain Room speaks to the aspirational crowd with a showy lineup of steaks, seafood, and cocktails, as well as Midwestern stickto-your-ribs sides. Ask to be seated by the windows for maximum clout, like Jay would. 830 Massachusetts Ave., 463-238-3800, thefountainroom.com $$$$
SMALL BITE
Freeland’s Restaurant
EURO FUSION Tinker Street’s Tom Main says this heritage-based restaurant is his last, making it worth a visit for the farewell tour aspect, alone. But the setting also compels: A massive renovation has turned an 1890s mansion into a glossy place to drink and dine, complete with vintage china and a wildly patterned bar. The oft-changing menu defies easy categorization, with influences from across Europe as well as Indiana’s colonizer class. Desserts are clever and adventurous without being cloying, while a full bar mixes excellent cocktails and pours wines from a well-curated list. 875 Freeland Way, Carmel, 317-400-0436, freelandsrestaurant.com $$$
Futuro
PIZZA Fans of this downtown-ish charmer crave Futuro’s thick Detroit-style slabs characterized by a cheesy exoskeleton and sauce spooned over the toppings. Followers quickly learned to make a play for the corners for maximum crispy-crust payoff, though the single-sided squares are hardly a compromise thanks to house-made ingredients, like ground pepperoni and chickenand-ranch fixings. The thinner tavern-style and gluten-free pizzas are just as impressive and generously loaded. 19 Cruse St., 317-360-4725, futuroindy.com $$
Gather 22
BR 2025
BREEZY VIBES Indoor/outdoor living is the name of the game at Gather 22, which marries co-owner Pablo Gonzalez’s California roots with life and business partner Adam Reinstrom’s Hoosier upbringing. A stylish dining room makes way for a sweeping bar, backed by a huge outdoor (and dog-friendly) area. The menu is equally vibey, with a global menu of dishes backstopped by a list of Byrne’s grilled pizzas (Adam Reinstrom’s parents own that Meridian-Kessler spot). True to its name, the couple has also made their restaurant a social center for the neighborhood, with public events and gatherings multiple times a month. 22 E. 22nd St., 317-258-2222, gather22.com $$$
Goose the Market
BR 2025 SANDWICHES Indy’s best sandwiches might be at this unassuming fish counter and butcher shop. The key may be brevity, as only three sandwiches—the ham and mozzarella Goose, the three-meat Batali (which could benefit from a name change), and the vegetarian or vegan Gander (mozzarella, romaine, pickled onions, and giardiniera)—are in regular rotation. Typically, there are two or three more chef’s specials, which are also posted to its website. That laser focus makes for sandwiches that beat the competition between high-quality ingredients and attention to fat/ acid/heat balance. Indoor and outdoor seating are available, or you can grab your treats to go. 2503 N. Delaware St., 317-924-4944, goosethemarket.com $$
Heidelberg Haus
GERMAN BAKERY This longstanding taste of home for Indiana’s German immigrant community follows its sausage-centric cafe menu with freshly baked old school pastries, traditional cookies, and tortes layered with butter creme. 7625 Pendleton Pike, 317-547-1230, heidelberghaus.com $$
His Place Eatery
BR 2025 SOUL FOOD The packed tables at both locations of His Place Eatery tell you everything you need to know about this soul food institution. Married co-owners James and Shawn Jones ensure their business runs like a well-oiled machine, with orders of comfort food standards moving from kitchen to table in lightning speed. That said, you can also taste the care put into every dish; spices and seasonings are calibrated in a way you’ll rarely find in Indianapolis. Smart diners ask their server what they recommend on any given day—with a staff this dialed-in, they’ll always steer you in the right direction. 6916 E. 30th St., 317-545-4890; 1411 W. 86th St., 317-790-3406, hisplaceeatery.com $$
Hoosier Roots
MIDWESTERN Don’t miss this gem serving family-style mains and side dishes in a roadhouse setting. Buttermilk fried chicken is the signature dish, and a generous eight pieces is served family style with hot sauce and local honey. Desserts are meant to be shared, but you won’t want to—there’s a honey lavender cake with bauchant icing that’s worth keeping for yourself. 26 E. Main St., Pittsboro, 317-892-0071, hoosierrootscatering .com $$
The Inferno Room
TIKI The menu at this bar goes well beyond the typical snacks, and its roster of tropically inspired cocktails is truly next level. All the classics are there, as is a long list of inventive original concoctions. 902 Virginia Ave., 317-426-2343, theinfernoroom .com $$
Josephine
CONTEMPORARY FRENCH
confidence Julieta demonstrates with its tight and excellent list feels especially refreshing— your executive function is saved for bigger decisions, like if you want to eat your taco at the restaurant counter, outside, or with a drink at Turner’s next door. 1060 N. Capitol Ave. $$
Juniper on Main
LOW COUNTRY This Southern coastal charmer’s lunch and dinner menu offers the standard seafood, salads, and boils—then surprises us all with a lineup of tacos that are a lot of fun. High chairs and booster seats are in abundance, and a kids menu moves well beyond the standard grilled cheese and nuggets. 110 E. Main St., Carmel, 317-591-9254, juniperonmain.com $$$
Kountry Kitchen
SOUL FOOD This cozy soul food spot hits all the classics, including greens, mac and cheese, and deep-fried mains. Its engaging servers, all who are happy to linger and chat, are what keep us coming back. 1831 N. College Ave., 317-635-6000, kountrykitchenindy.com $$$
Late Harvest Kitchen
EVEN STEVEN
Sports bar TieBreakers is set to open this fall at 339 Massachusetts Ave. in the former home of Raw Bar by Slapfish. Expect “every sport possible” across slews of screens, says owner Rob Strong, and a menu that includes deepfried ribs and cuts of alligator meat.
Ambrosia Hospitality Group might be best known for its Italian ventures, but for their newest restaurant, Dan Cage and Anna Pizzi Cage looked back to their newlywed days spent in France. The result is Josephine— named after Emperor Napoléon Bonaparte’s first wife—a modern take on bistro fare. Chef Andrew Popp has built a menu that balances out classics of the genre (yes, escargot and steak tartare are on the list) with twists on French onion soup—lightened here with chicken broth and sherry—and a citrus and fennel salad. Standout desserts include pot de crème topped with amaretto cream and an individual goat cheesecake topped with syrup-soaked cherries. For a breezier experience, ask for a seat at the bar, soundtracked with French jazz and dotted by quirky pendant lighting. 110 W. Main St., Carmel, 317-548-3589, josephinecarmel.com $$$$
Julieta Taco Shop
BR 2025 MEXICAN Esteban Rosas and Gabriel Sañudo’s taqueria sticks to the classics: tacos, quesadillas, or tortas offered with a short list of toppings and add-ons. But that doesn’t mean their place is boring, as items like broccolini or deep-fried trumpet mushrooms vie for your attention alongside suadero or carnitas. In this era of War and Peace–length menus, the
CONTEMPORARY A luscious comfort food menu delivers topshelf versions of dishes such as mushroom-stuffed half chicken under-a-brick, tagliatelle pasta loaded with pork Bolognese, and crispy chicken-fried oysters. Fully loaded potatoes Minneapolis is the essential side dish, as is the sticky toffee pudding for dessert. 8605 River Crossing Blvd., 317-663-8063, lateharvestkitchen.com $$$
The Loft Restaurant
FINE DINING With its pastoral setting on the grounds of an artisanal dairy farm, Traders Point Creamery’s farmstead restaurant (housed in one of several restored historic barns) feels like a working model for farm-to-table dining. Some of the ingredients on the menu are grown on-site, and grass-fed Niman Ranch steaks, seasonal fish and seafood, and house-made yeast rolls are always solid choices, as is the burger made with 100-percent grass-fed beef. For dessert, grab a scoop of ice cream, perfect if you just want to go a la mode. 9101 Moore Rd., Zionsville, 317-7331700, traderspointcreamery.com $$$
Lone Pine
BR 2025 STEAKHOUSE The first solo effort of Beholder partner and award-winning sommelier Josh Mazanowski is a culinary innovator that promises to take Carmel’s dining scene in a new direction. Beef is sourced from nearby farms, and its dining spaces are dotted with edgy art. Fun starters present vegetables with as much care as their meatier counterparts. This isn’t your average upscale pleaser; this is a longtime restaurateur finally expressing his full culinary viewpoint. 710 S. Rangeline Rd., Carmel, 317-907-0177, lonepinecarmel.com $$$$
Love Handle
BRUNCH This Mass Ave breakfast and lunch
SMALL BITE
spot is as well-known for its fabulous fry-ups as for its eccentric and oft-changing menu. A selection of 16-bit arcade games and a wall of scary clown art either make this a family destination or a place kids will discuss with their therapists as adults. 877 Massachusetts Ave., 317-384-1102 $$$
Macizo
BR 2025 LATIN If there were an award for the cheeriest eatery by first-time restaurateurs, this Peruvian-Mexican charmer would win hands down. Owners Luz and Omar Gonza have created an atmosphere of bright colors and hip beats that align perfectly with the fruit-forward beer and wine cocktails at the cozy bar. The vibrantly plated food completes the scene: Tiradito, luscious slices of tuna with citrusy leche de tigre, is a must for fresh seafood fans, and Sopa Criolla with beef and a runny egg, along with creamy Pasta Huancaina with hearty lomo saltado sauce are perfect Peruvian comfort foods. 6335 Intech Commons Dr., 463-202-2853, macizorestaurant.com $$$
Magdalena
BR 2025 NEW ORLEANS This funky New Orleans–inflected bar and bistro from spirits enthusiast and restaurateur Nick Detrich reflects his experience running spots in the Big Easy, with expertly mixed elixirs, including perhaps the best Sazerac in town, and dazzling seafood towers, ultra-fresh oysters from the Alabama Gulf, and a tidy menu of mains with Lowcountry influences. 1127 Shelby St., 317-691-8021, magdalena.bar $$$$
Maialina Italian Kitchen + Bar
ITALIAN Straw-wrapped chianti bottles, wooden cross-back chairs, and family photos give a throwback trattoria feel to this addition to the city’s Italian scene. Meatballs from a family recipe with a solid house marinara are always a good choice. Pastas range from a straightforward toss of rigatoni with sausage and broccoli rabe to a rich, three-meat Bolognese lavished atop plump gnocchi. 1103 Prospect St., 317-982-7676, maialinaindy.com $$$$
Main & Madison Market
Cafe
Tilly’s serves traditional pub classics such as cock-a-leekie soup and mushy peas alongside house-baked scones, spotted dick, and Bakewell tarts. It’s the fried offerings that transport you to a cozy mystery mindset, especially the Filthy Fries with hot shredded roast beef and, of course, the golden planks of beer-battered cod over hand-cut chips. 8701 E.116th Street, Fishers, maxandtillys.com $$
Mesh
CONTEMPORARY This Mass Ave restaurant has settled into veteran status as one of the most consistently solid dinner spots downtown. The seasonal menu changes constantly, but past hits have included fork-tender lamb chops, house-made garganelli with sherry cream and wild mushrooms, and duck confit with black rice. The steak frites and any plate that includes Ora King salmon are always great choices. 725 Massachusetts Ave., 317-955-9600, meshrestaurants.com $$$$
Milktooth
BR 2025
BRUNCH A Saturday table at the indoor/ outdoor restaurant is a true score, even a decade-plus after Jonathan Brooks launched the spot in a former auto shop. Now under the care of Julie Brooks Komsiski and her daughter Em Elise, the rotating-menu brunch and lunch spot is still going strong—and has managed to retain its cutting-edge cool (along with its rep for next-level Dutch baby pancakes). And if you think Milktooth during the day is a scene, check out its regular nighttime pop-ups for a full slice of the cream of Indy’s creative class. 534 Virginia Ave., 317-986-5131, milktoothindy.com $$$
Mochi Joy
LAST DAYS
Fried chicken and live music destination Duke’s Indy will shutter on November 22. The six-year-old dive inside the former Ice House bar navigated the death of its founder and the coronavirus crisis, but deferred maintenance for the building was too great a burden to bear.
BAKERY Franklin’s first hospital was reborn as a breakfast and lunch hot spot in 2018, when co-owners and cousins Amy Richardson and Stephanie Northern opened their bakery and cafe just steps from the city’s historic courthouse. With its combination of Brooklyn-cool baristas (many are students at nearby Franklin College) and Midwestern friendliness and prices, the restaurant easily attracts long lines for its rotating menu of sandwiches, soups, salads, and baked goods. 100 N. Main St., Franklin, 317-736-6246, mainandmadison.cafe $$
Max & Tilly’s
BRITISH A traditional UK-style chip shop from the owner of Tilly’s Tea Room, Max &
DOUGHNUTS Husband-and-wife restaurateurs Tom Nguyen and Rachel Burnett have gained local fame for their brightly iced Hawaiian-style doughnuts with— thanks to its primary ingredient, rice flour—a cushiony inside and crisp outside crust. Their storefront business expands on that favorite with sweet treats like a cake scoop served over a doughnut, then topped with fudge or caramel. 8664 E. 96th St., Fishers, 463-266-0021, mochijoydonuts.com $
Mr. Patakon
COLOMBIAN The name of Diana Moreno and Brenda Sánchez’s cheerful, authentic southside Colombian eatery comes from the popular Latin and South American dish patacones— flattened, fried plantains filled with everything from shredded barbecue chicken criollo to cheese, corn, and shredded beef. Or try the Super Perro hot dog, which is topped with every meat in the kitchen, quail eggs, and a special house sauce. Mazorcada (heaps of sweet corn topped with meats, cheeses, and potato sticks) is a delectable side dish. Fruit drinks and desserts, especially obleas (wafer cookies filled with dulce de leche and cheese), offer a flavor experience like no other in the city. 7415 U.S. 31, 317-692-9829, mrpatakon.com $$
My Sugar Pie
BAKERY Behind its pink door, this Zionsville pie shop has a menu of more than 40 pies to choose from, many of which can also be shipped out of town. Is there a better gift for the price than a homemade pie? No, there is not. 40 E. Pine St., Zionsville, 317-733-8717, mysugarpie.com $$$
Natural State Provisions
DOG FRIENDLY A hybrid dive bar, restaurant, and dog park, Natural State is a fun and funky neighborhood spot for wings, sandwiches, and house-made soft serve. A solid mixed crowd of families, hipsters, kids, and pups (which must remain outdoors) makes for a fun and welcoming environment. 414 Dorman St., 317492-9887, naturalstateprovisions.com $$
Nesso
ITALIAN Highly stylized seafood and meats paired with small pasta courses and shared a la carte sides add up to a sumptuous dining experience inside The Alexander hotel. The view out the surrounding windows offers prime downtown people watching. Pass around a plate of prosciutto-wrapped prunes or crab arancini, but keep the tortelloni and sea bass all to yourself. 339 S. Delaware St., 317-643-7400, nesso-italia.com $$$
Nowhere Special
COCKTAILS Dan Cage’s funky cocktail lounge and small bite spot is far from its all-too-modest name. Sleek banquettes in earthy greens and brushed brass tabletops provide an elegant backdrop to classic pours and a host of new elixirs created by the talented bar staff. 608 Massachusetts Ave., nowhereindy.com $$$
Oakleys Bistro
CONTEMPORARY Steven Oakley’s meticulously plated fare hails from a culinary era when sprigs of herbs and puddles of purees provided the flavor, and every single element on the plate served a purpose. The presentations are wild, with menu descriptions giving little more than clues as to what might arrive at the table. Heads-up on anything that appears in quotes, such as a creative “Coq au Vin.” 1464 W. 86th St., 317-824-1231, oakleysbistro.com $$$$
Oishi Sushi & Ramen
JAPANESE Thai restaurateur Kanlaya Browning (Thaitanium, Thai Orchid) expanded her portfolio with this lively Japanese-inflected spot. Chicken and veggie gyoza, spring rolls, and an especially crunchy, flavorful version of chicken karaage are highlights among starters. While classic maki features all the usual suspects such as California, spider, and shrimp tempura rolls, be sure to order at least one contemporary roll like the generously dressed Cherry Blossom with spicy tuna, avocado, fish roe, spicy mayo, and eel sauce. Just over a half dozen varieties of ramen include the comforting tonkotsu ramen with chashu pork belly, wood ear mushrooms, and bamboo shoots, as well as spicier versions and tan tan ramen, the Japanese riff on Szechuan dan dan noodles. 600 Massachusetts Ave., 317-493-1884, oishiindy.com $$
Our Table
CONTEMPORARY Chef and owner Joe Miller focuses on gorgeous, rustic plates of steak, seafood, and Old World lasagna made with fresh pasta and generous layers of beef
SMALL BITE
Bolognese, mozzarella, and creamy ricotta. The brioche sliders (containing buttermilk fried chicken or beef tenderloin with crispy onions and horseradish creme fraiche) are little bites of heaven. 5080 State Rd. 135, Bargersville, 317-8474920, ourtablerestaurant.com $$$
Petite Chou
FRENCH A little bit of Paris in Indy, this bistro and Champagne bar from the founders of Cafe Patachou offers all the casual French classics you’d like, from Croque Monsieur to crepes. Les enfants get their own lineup, which includes a very grown-up brioche French toast. 823 E. Westfield Blvd., 317-259-0765, petitechoubistro.com $$$
Pisco Mar
PERUVIAN Vibrant music and a spacious dining room provide a bustling backdrop for a hearty cuisine that pulls from both land and sea. Tangy, citrusy ceviche is a good starting point and comes in different versions, including Leche de Tigre or Vuelve a la Vida. Both pair beautifully with Causita de Pollo, a mound of creamy mashed potatoes layered with avocado and topped with a creamy chicken-based sauce. Shredded chicken with a lush yellow pepper sauce and a wine-enriched, vegetable-laden beef stew are the most classic main dishes for those getting a first taste of the cuisine. The big appetites at the table will appreciate meaty dishes such as Lomo Saltado, sauteed strips of beef with onions and tomatoes, or a so-called “poor man’s plate” that pairs two generous strips of Angus steak with french fries, rice, plantains, and eggs. 9546 Allisonville Rd.,317-537-2025, piscomarindy.com $$$
Revery
CONTEMPORARY This Greenwood bistro inside an 1800s-era drugstore offers approachable fine dining, with a more casual bar on the historic building’s back end. Small plates have included beets with whipped goat cheese and wasabi, while entrees are seasonal and skew toward seafood, with lobster, halibut, and mussels on recent menus. Whiskey drinks get priority on the cocktail menu, and their old fashioned feels fresh and new. 299 W. Main St., Greenwood, 317215-4164, reveryrestaurantgroup.com $$$
Rick’s Cafe Boatyard
SEAFOOD You don’t have to be a Parrothead to appreciate the pontoon-life allure of Eagle Creek’s waterside restaurant with its breezy dining room on stilts over the Dandy Trail boat slips. The menu gets creative with all the casual dining tropes, mixing smoked salmon nachos and chicken cordon bleu fingers in with the jumbo shrimp martinis. With a full menu of mules, tropical cocktails, and nonalcoholic concoctions, this is also a great spot for snacks and a drink or two at sunset. 4050 Dandy Trail, 317-290-9300, ricksboatyard.com $$$
Sahm’s Tavern & Sports Bar
SPORTS BAR Plastered with pennants and posters of locals’ favorite sports teams, this bar also serves familiar Sahm’s fare, such as hearty app baskets and piled-high sandwiches, as well as a short list of well-seared Pittsburgh-style steaks. A full roster of Big Lug Brewing Co. beers gets good company from top-notch mixed drinks, including Sahm’s signature Coffee Cake White Russian, which is smooth, creamy, and
full of spice and sweetness. 5632 E. Washington St., 317-388-5228, sahmstavernirvington.com $$
Sam’s Square Pie
BR 2025 PIZZA With its limited hours and three-day baking schedule, Jeff Miner’s pizza passion project still feels like an insider score when you can get it. And get it you should, given that the NFL camera operator boasts a second-place ranking at the International Pizza Expo for his painstaking Detroit pie, with a crust that’s deeply browned around the edge yet chewy and pillowy in the middle, generously loaded with tangy sauce, meats, and dollops of ricotta. Takeout is always an option, but staying in the slender dining room decorated with funky outsider art allows Miner’s fans to catch him in his element. 2829 E. 10th St., samssquarepie.com $$$
Shadow Lounge
SOUL FOOD After a major renovation, the former Marco’s Restaurant and Lounge has been transformed into a rollicking dining destination. Chef Tia Wilson, formerly of wing spot Chicken Scratch, is in the kitchen, serving Southern and soul-infused dishes such as lamb lollipops, Cajun penne, and garlic-parmesan wings. The cocktails are strong, the music is loud, and while dinner is delightful, brunch is the real scene. 2380 E. 54th St., 317-974-9288, shadowloungeindy.com $$$
Shapiro’s
Delicatessen
DELI Slide your tray along and take your pick of East Coast–style comfort foods at this familyowned downtown institution. Hot pastrami and corned beef sandwiches on rye have drawn long lines for more than a century. The Reuben is a contender for the city’s best, and heartier fare such as potato pancakes, stuffed cabbage, and matzo ball soup are perennially satisfying standbys. If you don’t load up on a massive slice of cheesecake or pie, you haven’t really had the proper Shapiro’s experience. 808 S. Meridian St., 317-631-4041, shapiros.com $$
Shin Dig
NOSTALGIC This Cunningham Restaurant Group pizza and wings spot serves Willy Wonka–level decor, including tables built over gnomes and dinosaurs that greet you at the door. The menu skews toward the midway, with a “drive through” section of dogs and burgers in addition to its headline fare. 1351 Roosevelt Ave., 317-907-6100, shindigindy.com $$
Shoyu Shop at Strange Bird
BR 2025 RAMEN Trained in Japan, chef Kyle Humpheys came to Indianapolis to eventually open his Shoyu Shop inside Irvington tiki bar Strange Bird. It’s a glorious pairing, as the thatched and 1970s-leaning interior lends itself equally as well to fun, rum-heavy drinks as it does to big bowls of hand-cut noodles. Broths are layered and umami-laden, while additions like pork belly and scallops are of peerless quality. And while it’s not apparent on the menu, many of the dishes are available as vegetarian or vegan preparations, making this a secret gem for the plant-based set. 128 S. Audubon Rd., 317-5504115, strangebirdindy.com $$$
Siam Square
THAI Soothing red and green curries—redolent
of coconut milk, Thai chili paste, and fresh veggies—play strictly by the book. The same goes for the fresh shrimp-and-chicken spring rolls packed inside a filament of rice paper, as well as the refreshing Som Tum salad, which is big enough for two. Made with crisp papaya and peanuts then funkified with a generous pour of fish sauce, it’s the ideal start to any meal. 936 Virginia Ave., 317-636-8424, siamsquareindy .com $$
Sidedoor Bagel
BRUNCH Appropriately dense and chewy with that required crackly sheen, the hand-rolled sourdough rings at Josh and Emily Greeson’s bagel shop are the stars of the show. The flavor selection varies, but flaky salt, everything, sesame, and poppy are all solid standbys. Order yours sliced and schmeared at the counter, then score an outdoor table or head back home (it’s carryout only). Don’t miss the daily sandwiches, which range from the open-faced Lox & Loaded to the Turkey Bacon Club with Fischer Farms turkey and Old Major Market bacon. 1103 E. 10th St., sidedoorbagel.com $$
St. Elmo Steak House
BR 2025 CLASSIC In a city so rich in steakhouses, can a familiar favorite like St. Elmo still hold its own? Yes, absolutely—though the restaurant is one of the city’s longeststanding, it’s never taken its foot off the gas. Shrimp cocktails, giant slabs of beef, and martinis remain the stars of the show and are prepared just as excellently now as they were the first time you visited (for a birthday, graduation, or prom, perhaps). It’s been hitting it hard since 1902 and shows no signs of slowing down. If only we could all be as lucky. 127 S. Illinois St., 317-635-0636, stelmos.com $$$$
Tapas Ñ
NEW
SPANISH A former liquor store in a Castleton parking lot may be an unlikely location for some of Indy’s best Spanish food, but past the nondescript facade, you’ll find a cozy dining room with a retro feel that evokes the supper clubs of the ’90s. Owner Saul Ramirez has been a fan of Iberian Peninsula cuisine since his youth, and with his first restaurant, he hopes to share that passion, serving up the type of classic tapas you might have enjoyed a few decades back, with occasional modern twists. The restaurant’s paella offerings are especially confident, but plan ahead, as those require 40 minutes to prepare. The menu of desserts—made in-house—is especially tempting, as is a solid list of beer and Spanish reds. 8215 Center Run Dr., 317-516-4729 around. $$$
Theo’s Italian
ITALIAN Yet another option from Indy’s Cunningham Restaurant Group, Theo’s gets its name from CEO Mike Cunningham’s first grandson. The kid must love pizza and pasta, as those are the spot’s mainstays, with a couple of chicken and beef entrees there for the adults. 2498 Perry Crossing Way, Plainfield 317-203-9107, theositalian.com $$$$
Tinker Street
CONTEMPORARY The Pedro Pascal of Indy, Tinker Street makes excellence look loose and easy, even when your brain tells you its staff must be working as hard
BR 2025
as hell. From the sip of bubbles you’re offered when you walk in to the pitch for its ricotta doughnuts you get at the end, it’s a breezy dining affair with food of the highest possible caliber. You can feel the kitchen having fun with the menu, which changes on the regular—and that fun translates into one of the warmest, most generous dining experiences around. 402 E. 16th St., 317-925-5000, tinkerstreetrestaurant.com $$$$
Tlaolli
MEXICAN There’s a reason the Food Network keeps featuring this taco shop on its programs: Owner and chef Carlos Hutchinson, who is often behind the register, might be one of Indy’s nicest residents. And that kindness extends to animals, as Tlaolli’s menu has an abundance of vegan offerings, including a vaunted plantbased birria. 2830 E. Washington St., 317-4109507, tlaolli.org $$
Trax BBQ
BARBECUE Owner Andrew Klein, who has a background in high-end steakhouses, oversees the tender headliners at this barbecue joint beside the train tracks in McCordsville. You can taste his expertise in the essential meats: brisket hacked into fatty hunks, pulled pork that melts in the mouth, and ribs by the rack. 7724 Depot St., McCordsville, 317-335-7675, traxbbq.com $$
Vicino
ITALIAN More than filling Mass Ave’s pasta needs, this modern, colorful trattoria from the owners of The Oakmont measures up to some of
the best Italian spots anywhere in the city. New seating and light fixtures add a brighter palette to the former Hedge Row location, and a nicely edited menu offers familiar classics with a few twists for the more daring. 350 Massachusetts Ave., 317-798-2492, vicinoindy.com $$$
Vida
BR 2025 PRIX FIXE Don’t be intimidated by the menus at the Cunningham Restaurant Group’s flagship spot, Vida. Though diners are restricted to a six-course tasting affair or a four-course dinner, even within that structure, options abound—there are fully vegetarian menus for both choices, and allergies and dietary restrictions are thoughtfully accommodated. Ingredients are sourced as locally as possible, with many of the vegetables coming from CRG’s garden up the street. Its wine list might be Indy’s finest, as the restaurant uses a special Coravin extraction system to open rare and unexpected bottles for a single glass. 601 E. New York St., 317-420-2323, vida-restaurant.com
Wisanggeni Pawon
INDONESIAN Aji Wisanggeni and Putri Pratiwi’s Indonesian knockout has quickly evolved into a fixture of Indy’s food community. An ever-expanding menu offers spice-forward dishes such as beef rendang simmered in coconut milk or fried duck with rice and nose-clearing homemade sambal, as well as one of the tastiest fried rice plates in the city. Those eager to try it all should opt for street food–style small plates such as martabak, vegetable fritters, and dumplings.
BR 2025
Watch for occasional prasmanan buffet dinner specials. 2450 E. 71st St., 317-756-9477, wpawon.com $$
Yokohama
SUSHI In this restored arts and crafts–style home, sushi rolls run the gamut from the traditional to the eclectic (the Las Vegas roll mingles unagi with sweet potato and lotus chips). Don’t miss the Fire Dragon roll made with tuna and avocado topped with more tuna, mango, eel, and tempura crunch, a sprawling concoction that balances the spicy, sweet, tangy, and unexpected. Purists will be pleased by its sashimi and nigiri menus. Those who eschew seafood are also well-served with a dinner menu that weaves in hibachi-grilled steak and chicken. There’s also a vegetarian menu of udon and tempura. 67 N. Madison Ave., Greenwood, 317-859-1888, yokohamagreenwood.com $$$
INDIANAPOLIS MONTHLY (ISSN 0899-0328) is published monthly ($24 for 12 issues) at 8909 Purdue Rd., Suite 130, Indianapolis, IN 46268.
For subscription orders, address changes or renewals, write to INDIANAPOLIS MONTHLY, 1965 E. Avis Dr., Madison Heights, MI 48071, or call 1-888-660-6847. Periodicals postage paid at Indianapolis, Indiana, and additional mailing offices.
Postmaster: Please send forms 3579 to INDIANAPOLIS MONTHLY, 1965 E. Avis Dr., Madison Heights, MI 48071. If the Postal Service alerts us that your magazine is undeliverable, we have no further obligation unless we receive a corrected address within one year.
Wing & Wheel
THE ODD BUILDING THAT’S PUZZLED PASSERSBY FOR YEARS—NO, IT WAS NEVER A WHITE CASTLE—FINDS NEW LIFE AS A TATTOO PARLOR. BY
JEANA HARRIS
DRIVING DOWN East 10th Street, there’s a curious little structure partially tucked into the grassy slope of the block between Jefferson and North Beville avenues. Blink, and you’ll miss it, because it’s the size of a postage stamp compared to the buildings surrounding it. Whether due to its cute stature or the fact that it’s been a fixture on the corner since the early 1900s, it is beloved by those who know it.
Over the last century, it has housed a vast number of establishments, from a home appliance repair shop and a liquor store to several burger joints and more. In 2023, it was slated for demolition due to its deteriorating condition. Luckily, a facade grant from the Local Initiatives Support Corporation of Indianapolis saved the property by providing funds for a new roof, brickwork, windows, and doors.
Dustin Leach, the owner of Great Day Tattoo in Irvington, had admired the building for well over a decade—he worked on his motorcycle next door at Cycle-Re-Cycle Part II— always thinking it’d be the perfect spot for a tattoo shop. When he learned it was available, he jumped at the opportunity. No other buildings even crossed his mind as contenders. “This was always the spot I would have chosen,” he says.
The interior required an overhaul, but Leach worked hard to ensure the exterior didn’t lose any of its historical charm.
“I’m really excited to be starting Wing & Wheel off in this building. It’s a beloved piece of Indianapolis’s east side, and adding to its history is a huge honor,” he shares. “Opening a business in such a well-loved building makes me feel really proud to be a part of this community.”
