Scholars Inn Gourmet Cafe
(317) 536-0707
725 Massachusetts Ave
Indianapolis,
IN
46204
39.7767
-86.1464
Neighborhood: Chatham-Arch
What People Are Saying About Scholars Inn Gourmet Cafe
The Editor
Contributor
Citysearch
The Scene
The historic and recently revamped Massachusetts Avenue arts district is home to this modern two-story gem. The 310-seat dining area is unique and bold with two fully-stocked custom bars, two expansive and well decorated dining areas, plasma TVs hanging from the walls and an outdoor patio that draws heat from a towering 17-foot multi-directional fireplace.
The Food
An eclectic menu featuring intricately flavored twists on American fare has patrons lining up at the doors. Sundays are particularly busy, as the Inn opens for its well-received champagne brunch. Start with the cinnamon roll--garnished in blueberries, raspberries and sprinkled with powdered sugar: It is a sweet work of art. The scrumptious scramble blends eggs with your choice of select meats, fresh cheeses and garden vegetables, and is accompanied by challah toast and sweet potatoes. Mouth-watering multi-layered, baked French toast rises high from your plate and is drenched in sticky maple syrup. Wash down brunch with a glass of bubbly or choose from the over 150 select wines.
User Reviews
jurczak1
February 16, 2009
I have been waiting to visit the new Scholars Inn in Indianapolis for some time and Valentines Day seemed the perfect excuse. The food was excellently prepared and the dishes thoughtfully conceived but the service lacked polish and the seating was dreadful. Because the food was so good the service had much to live up to and it appears the bar was set too high. The table provided was at the end of an empty row of three tables on the isle near the kitchen. When I asked to be reseated, I was told by the waitress that my 8:00PM reservation was not enough to allow me a better table. While I believe the waitress was mistaken (the couple who eventually did sit down in the other table would not have known a bad seat from a good one) I was still stuck by the inappropriateness of the rejection. The service did improve slightly but I had to repeatedly ask for silverware and my coffee came ten minutes before the desert. If that seems like nit picking it is because the food was good enough to deserve flawless service. The Valentine?s Day menu was a slightly altered and limited version of the daily menu with a few notable surprises. The American caviar parfait could confuse with it?s simplicity but it is clear the chef used a deft hand in assembling the components. The balance of the dish relied on a potato fritter and sauce to tie the creme fraiche, caviar and smoked salmon together. My wife?s lamb and chutney pastry was a study in how to balance spicy, sweet and savory components to produce a wonderful overall effect. These courses were indicative of the overall meal to come. It is difficult to write enough good things about the food presented. All of the dishes were well conceived and executed. An understanding of the fine nuances of the cuisine was apparent in each. I only wish I had not ordered the filet which was too simple a preparation for this menu. The Scholars Inn, Indianapolis provides excellent food but the service need some work.
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Stephanie987
January 10, 2009
I went to "SI" last night for dinner, which was very tasty. However, we were seated next to the noisy kitchen. The place was empty and for some reason we were stuck there!! The Sicilian flatbread appetizer was good, but not $12 good. I ordered the roasted chicken and my husband had the pasta. Both were quite tasty. But again, the whole time, all we heard was the kitchen staff joking around and talking. I had my leftovers to go and to my dismay, they didn't box the whole meal! I had tons of mashed potatoes, chicken and a creamy sauce. When I went to reheat it, I only had a piece of chicken! C'mon people!! I suggest a door to the kitchen and more thought when boxing up the $20 meal.
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ninjaaaaa
November 20, 2008
Honestly I don't care how much I spend, but if I am going to spend a fair amount it's because I'm hoping to have my palate satisfied. Not so much...... Service was not bad not great, but the food was boring. Anyone could make this stuff. Toooooo much oil and butter or salt. When I was young and couldn't cook I would pour hot sauce on everything. I feel like they live by the same theory
read full reviewThe Details on Scholars Inn Gourmet Cafe
Save Money:
Champagne cocktails are half-price during brunch on Sundays.
The Extras:
Book your next business meeting or social gathering in one of the private rooms. The rooms are fully equipped with state-or-the-art audio-visual equipment including LCD projectors, plasma TVs and wireless microphones.
Category:
Payment Methods:
American Express, Visa, Discover, MasterCard
Restaurant Special Features:
Late Night Dining, Private Rooms, Romantic Dining, Brunch, Outdoor Dining, Theater District Dining, Historic Setting, Business Dining, Group Dining, Fireplace, Dine At The Bar, Notable Wine List
