Indianapolis - Rehearsal Dinner Suggestions Please?

[rachelb]

My son is getting married in Indianapolis in August, and we're looking for a nice spot for the rehearsal dinner in the downtown area, for about 30+ people. Any suggestions are much appreciated -we're from the Bay Area, and have never visited Indy.

[huiray]

Hello, just wondering what you decided on?

[huiray]

Assuming you would want a private space, a search on Open Table for places in Indianapolis that have private dining rooms for a “larger party”/21-50 diners show the following results: http://www.opentable.com/info/banquet...

Of the 14 shown, the following are in the downtown area:
14 West
Buca di Beppo - Indianapolis
Creation Cafe
Harry & Izzy's
Lorenzo's
Osteria Pronto
Morton's The Steakhouse
Rock Bottom Brewery
Santorini Greek Kitchen (not really downtown)
Skyline Club
Weber Grill

More details about all these places can be accessed through that OpenTable webpage posted above. Most of the entries also show the capacities of the rooms they have available, but one should call them and enquire further.

14West has decent food, at least when I dine a la carte.

Buca de Beppo has ho-hum red sauce Italian-American food. Chain restaurant. You must know what it is like, there are lots of them in CA too including SF.

Creation Café’s private dining space on their 2nd floor – Euphoria – was once a full-service restaurant of the same name with decent to good food. It's a nice space. soaring wooden cathedral ceiling, smaller private rooms off the main room, patio with a nice view of the downtown skyline. Room capacity might be either too small or too large for you, but call if interested. It’s also right next to the campus of one of the local hospitals. At its conversion to a private dining space the last chef left and I suspect the food may be run-of-the-mill nowadays. Perhaps someone else might chime in here.

Harry & Izzy’s is a decent steakhouse w/ other menu options as well. “Little Sister” of Indy’s St. Elmo’s Steakhouse (but has a large space); both on the same block. [H&I has another location on the northside of Indy]

Lorenzo’s – I don’t know much about it.

Osteria Pronto – Restaurant within the JW Marriott hotel. Menu has a somewhat “Northern Italian-ish” bent. OK but not exactly the best “Italian” food you will eat.

Morton’s; Rock Bottom – dunno.

Santorini – not really downtown; it’s in an area called Fountain Square SE of and just outside of downtown proper. Food has had mixed reviews, some Indy CHers like it.

Skyline Club – at the top of the 2nd tallest building in downtown Indy. Nice views. Slightly corporate-like but modern-ish décor. Decent food though not too exciting, but the whole experience can be quite pleasant especially at night.

Weber Grill – nothing exciting there.

[rachelb]

Thanks so much for all the info - it's very helpful for someone who has never visited Indianapolis, much less eaten a meal there! If you had to pick one of this group, would there be a clear choice for best atmosphere + food?
Thanks again!

[huiray]

Personally I would skip Bucca, Santorini and Weber Grill. As for the others I either don't know enough or couldn't say whether the catering standards are different from a la carte (though one would hope not). I also don't know what Creation Cafe's food is like nowadays as I wrote about, although it and Skyline Club would offer the most expansive views - but that may or may not be what you would want.

Other Indy hounds might chip in here?

[HoosierFoodie]

I've been to a couple of events at the Skyline Club and they have been very well done. If you want something less formal, and don't mind a steakhouse, St. Elmo's has private rooms, but don't know their size limitations.