A true food auteur in Indy, Neal Brown has taken a turn from the molecular gastronomy of his former restaurant, L’Explorateur, turned to pizza and pasta. Pizzology, which opened Nov. 18 at 13190 Hazel Dell Parkway in Carmel, promises to be a journey into the heart of earthy Italian fare. Among other things, the restaurant features a one-ton baking oven. Info: (317) 844-2554.
If you were missing the delicacies that are dumplings, chicken feet and baby squid — well, you were missing dim sum. The local dim sum market has basically dried up since Great Garden closed, but a new place is filling the void — in the exact same spot, no less, on West 38th Street. On Time Seafood Restaurant, which bills itself as a traditional Chinese seafood restaurant, opened Nov. 21, featuring live fish, lobster, crab and oysters to be picked out and cooked to order. Dim sum will be served throughout the day. Visit the restaurant at 3623 Commercial Drive, near Saraga International Market. Info: (317) 293-8888.
Local restaurateur Gino Pizzi, who opened Broad Ripple’s popular Italian restaurant Ambrosia in 1979, recently launched a Downtown Indy location. Ambrosia Centro, 15 E. Maryland St., will focus on classic Italian dishes based on family recipes. Pizzi’s longtime collaborator, Victor Ruiz, will serve as executive chef. Hours are 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday; 4 to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday; and 4 to 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Info: (317) 635-3096.
Gourmet sliders are among the specialties at Kiss Z Cook Café, which has opened inside the Carmel cooking school, 890 E. 116th St Open 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday, the cafe features soups, salads, sides and desserts. Along with more traditional options, choices include lemon-garlic shrimp with tomato and mozzarella; pulled duck with hoisin sauce; and a vegetarian pattie with lime and aioli. Info: www.kisszcook.com.
If it’s a Victorian streetscape vibe you’re after, check out the reopened Stardust Terrace Café at the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center. It has been closed following renovations to the center, 450 W. Ohio St. Hoaglin To Go continues to operate Stardust, offering daily specials and entrees, along with signature sandwiches, soups and desserts. Hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday; www.indianahistory.org.
The Loft Restaurant at Traders Point Creamery, 9101 Moore Road, near Zionsville, is now open for dinner six nights a week. Each night has a theme: Tuesday (tapas), Wednesday (pizza), Thursday (Mediterranean fare), Friday (American grill), Saturday (continental classics), Sunday ( family-style comfort dinners). Info: www.tpforganics.com.
