Tabla de contenidos para December 2022 en Indianapolis Monthly

WHAT DO YOU SAY to the guy who can eat 76 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes? Not much, right? Need a TUMS? I can’t even picture what 76 hot dogs look like all at once, so I’m hoping that world-famous competitive eater Joey Chestnut didn’t mind that I stared awkwardly when we met in our photo studio the other day. It wasn’t just the thought of all the hot dogs or chicken wings or pumpkin pies or pizzas or St. Elmo shrimp cocktails or any of the dozens (hundreds?) of foods Chestnut has shoved into his gullet that put me at a loss for words. Instead, I was dumbstruck by the size of the man’s masseter (chewing) muscles, which are striated in a way that is reminiscent of a…

Have questions? Send them to hoosierist @IndianapolisMonthly.com. Q: AN ELDERLY NEIGHBOR OF MINE THINKS SOME OF THE “FIRE-WORKS” SHE HEARS EVERY NEW YEAR AT MIDNIGHT MIGHT BE FIREARMS. IF THAT’S TRUE, HOW CAN ONE TELL THE DIFFERENCE? A: According to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, your neighbor’s concerns are well-founded. “You are probably hearing people shooting off weapons as well as fireworks,” says Lt. Shane Foley. Fortunately, it’s often fairly easy to tell the difference between, say, an M-80 and an M16. While the “pop” of fireworks is typically preceded by a hissing or whistling noise, guns get straight to business, sounding like a string of pops with no ancillary sound. The cops also have another very straightforward ID method—looking around. If you hear pops and see a bunch of…

“WINGED GODDESS” AUBURN HOOD ORNAMENT VINTAGE: 1935-1936 Resides in the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum THIS ART DECO hood ornament found a fitting home among the 6-foot tall chandeliers, elaborate Italian terrazzo tiles, and floor-to-ceiling windows of the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum. A National Historic Landmark, the Auburn, Indiana, building first served as the Auburn Automobile Company administrative headquarters. Founded in 1900, the company manufactured upscale vehicles until filing for bankruptcy in 1937. Since the museum’s 1974 opening, millions of people have traveled to view the 140 classic cars on display. Now visitors can also see nearly 200 showy hood ornaments produced between 1911 and 1957 thanks to an exhibit that opened during the summer. Brandon Anderson, the museum’s executive director, says the Auburn-made “Winged Goddess” serves as a…

Lunch Money ADDRESS 5617 N. Illinois St HOURS Monday–Saturday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. LOOK FOR for the big red apple to find Lunch Money, which opened its doors in July. A mom herself, owner Shallan Hazlewood saw that Indianapolis wasn’t exactly abounding in specialty stores selling high-quality, fashion-forward children’s apparel. So she conjured up Lunch Money. The storefront yarn-art installation encourages young artists to add their own touches. The whimsical walls are wardrobed in color-coordinated attire to make outfitting littles easy and fun. Exclusive lines like the organic The Sunday Collective provide timeless looks for holiday festivities. And standout pieces, like a Holly Hastie satin bowed dress or a vintageinspired jacket, are ready for memorable moments. Offerings go well beyond outfits. Popclox, clocks made to look like sloths, robots, and more,…

12/2022 Fan Fare During the early hours, Easy Rider Diner chef Ricky Martinez serves stick-to-your-ribs breakfasts like this plate of verdes chilaquiles at the new Fountain Square spot that shares an inside double door with its music-venue neighbor, HI-FI. Martinez made his mark on Indy cuisine in the sleek dining rooms of Delicia and Bocca. But here, he cranks comfort food up to 11, serving hash fortified with barbacoa and sticky plantains, waffle flights, and a Fischer Farms steak breakfast sandwich. Later, the menu switches to fried chicken, fish tacos, and tres leches cake that achieves rock-star status. 1043 Virginia Ave., 463-224-0430, easyriderindy.com…

REVIEW ADAM AND ALICIA Sweet permanently relocated from Arkansas to Indiana less than a decade ago and proceeded to build the much-loved King Dough pizza brand from the ground up, first in downtown Bloomington and then in a snug made-over cinderblock building in Indy’s Holy Cross neighborhood. The young couple, fans of the New York slice, focused on Neapolitan-style pies on naturally leavened dough properly blistered in a showpiece domed oven. As owners of one of the neareast side’s coolest hangouts (reinforced with natural wines by the bottle and a dog-friendly patio), they could have stopped there. But Adam, a born-and-raised Arkansan, craved something that tasted more like home. And so, the Sweets opened a follow-up restaurant around the corner, referencing an Arkansas nickname (the Natural State) when they dubbed their…

BOOK BAGS The old-school cloth totes at Indy Reads combine the nostalgia of the Troll Book Club with modern sass. Skim them all: “Books—The Original Touch Screen,” “Read Like a Girl,” and “Talk Wordy to Me.” Then fill up your favorite with bargain used novels and get to class. 1066 Virginia Ave., 317-384-1496, indyreads.org WHITE SHIRT All the cool kids have been wearing this button-down workhorse. The “Schiffer” shirt from the Indy-based label Lyssé New York has been spotted over a sports bra and biker shorts on the Monon, a tank and jeans at Newfields, and even as a coverup at the pools. At $108, it’s a smidge longer in back, has a generous boyfriend cut, and refuses to wrinkle. Frances + Parke, 20 N. Main St., Zionsville, francesparke.com NEW…

12 2022 A long roll at Sushi Maki, p. 110 DOWNTOWN INCLUDES Fletcher Place, Fountain Square, Mass Ave, Mile Square Aroma INDIAN Familiar tandoori and tikka masala staples mingle with heartier, more elevated offerings at this elegant pan-Indian spot that opened in the former Rook location in early 2021. Lunchtime lamb and chicken rolls in crispy flatbread wrappers stand out, as do hearty chaat dishes dressed up with yellow peas, yogurt, and chutneys. An impressive lamb shank is the highlight of the chef’s specialties and easily feeds two or more. A full bar and an artful array of desserts help round out a special-occasion meal. Opt for the orange pudding, a creamy, lightly sweet rice pudding served in an orange shell with a chocolate tuille. 501 Virginia Ave., 317-602-7117, aromaindy.com…

State of the Arts In our October issue, Joe Ball’s conversation with Newfields’s new CEO created some rave reviews and cynical critiques. So glad Colette Pierce Burnette is the new CEO. She used to be dean for my alma mater, Central State University, and made a true difference. Absolutely love her. COCO MICHELLE Via Instagram Great interview; I’m very excited about hope she brings. LUCY PASKUS Via Instagram She’s got her work cut out for her, but I’m sure she can handle it above and beyond what’s needed. RELL DAV Via Instagram Unless she plans to return the IMA to an open and accessible location for all, the IMA better hope its wealthy benefactors are content giving more to keep it an exclusive club. I was a multiyear member of…

Practice pronouncing (Victor) Wembanyama. He’ll be the first pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. LeBron James says the 7-foot-4 Frenchman is a “generational talent.” Watch him play for his French club, Metropolitans 92, at nba.com. Don’t drool. In the meantime, enjoy Bennedict Mathurin. The No. 6 overall pick is already rewriting the Indiana record book, scoring more points in his first games than anyone in Pacers history. Remember that a poor record improves a franchise’s draft position but a lottery determines the final order. The three worst teams have a 14 percent chance at winning the top overall pick. Cross your fingers.…

Artist SUM UP YOUR OUTFIT. Homemade. Sustainable. Personal. WHO WOULD YOU TRADE PLACES WITH FOR A DAY? A distant cousin in the Philippines. My entire immediate family immigrated to the U.S. when I was 11. I’d probably benefit from knowing how the families there live their daily lives. AS A CHILD, YOU WANTED TO BECOME A CATHOLIC PRIEST …? The allure was in the traditions, which were part of my familial and cultural identity. And I was attracted to the drama, theatricality, and camp of it all. But I definitely wouldn’t have been my true self if I had followed that path. —K.M.…

FANS OF Taria and Derrick Slack’s Black Leaf Vegan food truck no longer have to chase down their favorite plant-based dishes at local festivals and office parks. The pair pulled up at a permanent location on 9th Street in early fall and have been serving their take on dishes such as vegan lasagna and jackfruit sliders in a spacious ground-floor spot. Having a home base for the truck also means they are now able to offer full-day service, including morning coffee, breakfast bagels with plantbased bacon, daily quiche, and a knockout vegan peach cobbler. The Slacks continue to operate their truck, which over the summer was a hit for its gut-busting loaded nachos at the Indiana State Fair and made an appearance at BUTTER Art Fair at the Stutz building…

Visit IndianapolisMonthly.com to get Rangel’s recipe for a potent vegetal gin-and-mezcal Woodlawn Sling that pays homage to his heritage.…

NEW SPIRIT With marshmallow, caramelized sugar, and vanilla extract, ’Shmallow, the newest bourbon from Hotel Tango Distillery, is a far more sophisticated take on flavored spirits than the gourmand Smirnoff you drank in college. The s’moreslike profile is strengthened by subtle hints of smoke, and ’Shmallow is smooth enough that even clear-liquor fans might be tempted to sip it on its own—perhaps with a crushed-graham-cracker rim? hoteltangodistillery.com CANNED COCKTAILS Newcomer distiller Hi & Mighty nailed its first round of canned offerings by perfectly capturing seasonal flavors. Those missing the State Fair need only to crack open a Lemon Shake Up, a gin-based riff on the midway staple. And when the leaves start to change, the brandy-forward, cinnamonspiked Spiced Apple Sidekick is practically a requirement around a bonfire. drinkhiandmighty.com OUTRAGEOUS COOKIES It…

I FIRST MET Joe Saddler at St. Mary’s Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Danville in the late 1960s. Father McLaughlin was our childhood priest. Joe was several years older than me, and it was Father McLaughlin’s custom to pair younger altar boys with older altar boys, so I was paired with Joe. Despite Joe’s seasoned hand at the wheel, I was terrified at the prospect of serving at the altar, because my brother Glenn had warned me that if I made any mistakes during the Mass I would go to hell. Just before the service, Father McLaughlin told me it would be my job to ring the altar bells at the appropriate moments, the details of which I had already forgotten, but was too afraid to admit. The Mass…

12 2022 SPEED READ Full Steam Ahead The creativity behind the Eiteljorg Museum’s annual model train holiday display is off the rails. JINGLE ALL THE WAY. Watching a miniature train loop around your Christmas tree on a 40-inch-diameter circle is one thing. Seeing large-scale model trains weave through iconic landmarks of Indianapolis and the American West on 1,200 feet of track is another thing entirely. But that’s Jingle Rails or, to use its full name, Jingle Rails: The Great Western Adventure. Designed exclusively for the Eiteljorg, the annual holiday display has become as much of a family tradition as the Indianapolis Zoo’s Christmas at the Zoo. A LOCOMOTIVE WONDERLAND. Jingle Rails is one part Indianapolis, two parts American West, and three parts festive. The display includes miniature versions of Monument Circle and…

You were born and raised in Columbus, left to work at a couple of other companies, but returned to your hometown to head Cummins. What are the odds? It’s exciting, and I have to say that when I was growing up here, this wasn’t where I thought I’d end up. But Cummins played a very important part in developing me into the person I am. That was one of the reasons I wanted to lead this company during this important phase of its existence. I’ve of course lived and worked in other places, and that was a great experience that helped me appreciate what Cummins and the Midwest have to offer. Does being a “local” have any advantages for you? As we enter into the company’s next period, we’re focused…

THE THREAD Do you like handmade earrings in festive shapes and colors? Three words: KATY BELL DESIGNS. Local maker Bell creates polymer-clay jewelry. Her two most popular styles are the daisy and sparkly stone designs. You can find the fun, holiday-giftable baubles at Lux & Ivy, Retro Metro, and at Bell’s pop-ups at various locations. Follow her around town at instagram.com/katybelldesigns.…

WHEN SISTERS Kristin Patrick (left) and Andrea Marley (right) opened a beverage shop offering boutique alternatives to high-proof spirits, they didn’t imagine that the bottles of nonalcoholic gin, whiskey, and chardonnay would fly off the shelves. They simply wanted to give those abstaining or drinking less some better options. So they stocked a shop named after their late father, Loren’s AF Beverages, with the best botanicals, floral blends, and spice-forward distillates they could find. Wine is easily a best-seller, and they’re “definitely not the grocerystore alcohol-free wines that have been on the market for decades,” Patrick says. The women continue to expand their inventory to include more local beverages, and they plan to add a tasting space. 5790 E. Main St., Carmel, lorensaf.com THE FEED TAP DANCE Bloomington-based Upland Brewing…

VIDA Of-the-moment ingredients make chef Thomas Melvin’s panna cotta sing. In the winter, it’s vibrant blood orange tempered with cinnamon. 601 E. New York St., 317-420-2323, vida-restaurant.com 9TH STREET BISTRO In his Noblesville scratch kitchen, chef Samir Mohammad creates seasonal Italian cooked creams, like this wintry version layered with peppermint. 56 S. 9th St., Noblesville, 317-774-5065, 9thstbistro.com SUBITO Having picked up the recipe while living in Rome, owner Chuck Brezina constantly tweaks the flavors of his trattoria-style treat served in 5-ounce takeaway cups. 34 N. Delaware St., 317-755-1304, subitosoups.com OP ITALIAN At the JW Marriott eatery, an ultra-smooth vanilla bean base is topped with sweet strawberry preserves, bits of pistachio brittle, and fresh basil. 10 S. West St., 317-860-5777, opitalianindy.com…

AFTER-WORK HANGOUT You want to put some mental space between the work day and the rest of the evening? Cannon Ball Lounge makes you feel like you’re somewhere else—somewhere sophisticated, relaxed, and a little secret. Set on the top floor of the new Hotel Indy downtown, the midcenturymodern–inflected space has a rooftop patio and wideopen views of the city. The private elevator straight to your cocktail doesn’t hurt, either. 141 E. Washington St., 317-735-2592, cannonballindy.com KIDS NIGHT Planning a kid’s party these days takes more creativity than most of us can muster after what we’ve been through lately. One call to Circle City Sleepovers can keep you sane. The duo behind the new venture expertly brings an outer space–themed sleepover to life, complete with matching teepee tents, flocculent pillows, and…