Table of contents for February 2023 in Indianapolis Monthly

STEPHEN GARSTANG As a creative services director, Stephen Garstang is a big believer in the power of good lighting. “February, for me, is about brightening the darkness,” he says, so the theme for Trending (p. 25) was an obvious choice. A favorite lamp among his picks? The rechargeable “Pina Pro.” “It has the quality of candlelight with the design of a sculpture,” he explains. PHYLLIS CODLING MCLAUGHLIN While the living can be entertaining, Phyllis Codling McLaughlin, who wrote the investigative feature on one of Thomas Jefferson’s potential descendants (p. 50), prefers to work with the dead to tell their stories. Using her impressive skills as a genetic genealogist, she has discovered that modern DNA testing means that even centuries-old family secrets are no longer safe. BERNIE SCHMITT The former editor…

First rule: Don’t do it. But if you have your heart set on the sentimental perfect storm, consider taking a knee in front of the proposal-ready Robert Indiana LOVE sculpture at Newfields. In case you haven’t been in a while, the museum moved the sculpture inside in 2016. There are equally LOVEly al fresco spots aplenty in the Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park. The Scottish Rite Cathedral’s candlelight Tchaikovsky concert on February 14 is a classic romantic mood-setter. Get a balcony seat. St. Elmo Steak House will arrange the shrimp cocktail in the shape of a heart. Don’t hide the ring in the sauce.…

HOW DID YOU GET INTO SELLING VINTAGE CLOTHING? My own vintage shop has been a dream since I was 13. I started out casually selling secondhand items online. After a pop-up at The Garage food hall, I opened Nuova Vita Vintage in March 2022. WHAT’S ON-BRAND FOR YOU, PERSONALLY? Leather jackets; loafers; big, thin gold hoops; Converse high-tops; layered gold necklaces; and any classic silhouette in a neutral color. DOES YOUR STYLE AESTHETIC CHANGE? At this point in my life, not really. I have a clear understanding of what colors, styles, and fits I like. People might be surprised at how streamlined my closet is.…

IT USED TO BE THAT video games were the last thing associated with getting in shape. But now, in the age of the metaverse, there’s Sandbox VR. No one is taking you into the (active) virtual world like this new Bottleworks District studio. Virtual reality devices like the popular Oculus Quest 2 have immersive fitness apps. Sandbox, though, takes it to a whole other level with its Hollywood-grade productions where your body itself is the controller. Developers of Sandbox games, including creative director Michael Hampden of Assassin’s Creed fame, are known for superb cinematography. Now, you and your crew of up to six can get thrown into one of four private rooms, called “holodecks,” for VR gameplay in one of six surprising worlds, such as the adrenaline-pumping zombie thriller…

Chantell Kayyod trained for six months at Le Cordon Bleu Paris before launching Beurre Sec, her sweet tribute to viennoiserie. Customers who show up for the monthly popups at Lulu’s Coffee and Bakehouse get their pick of tarts fringed in torched Italian meringue, tiny galettes, tricked-out brioche, and other laminated beauties—but only if they get there before the dainty inventory sells out. The December offerings were gone in 40 minutes. “I usually get there at 2 or 3 in the morning,” says Kayyod. “When 8 a.m. comes around, I see people at the door. I’m like, Oh boy, here we go.” For February, she threw her heart into this Valentine’s Day collection that includes a strawberry dark chocolate heart—strawberry compote, ßdark chocolate mousse, and soft vanilla sponge atop a Sablé…

NATURAL STATE PROVISIONS A layer of sea-salt kettle chips lends textural interest to the Momwhich, a fried bologna sandwich embellished with American cheese, red onion, bread-and-butter pickles, and Smoking Goose ’nduja mayo. Mercy. 414 Dorman St., 317-492-9887, naturalstateprovisions.com CRAFTERS PIZZA AND DRAFTHOUSE A piquant dust of crushed Grippo’s chips tops the Small Town chicken-bacon pizza. 2430 E. 146th St., Carmel, 317-798-2056, craftersdrafthouse.com HIROSAKI JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE & SUSHI BAR Sushi chefs fill the Dynamite Roll with shrimp, avocado, red snapper, and cream cheese before deep-frying the whole thing and crowning it with a scattering of crispy potato chips. 9086 E. U.S. Hwy. 36, Avon, 317-273-8866, hirosakisteakhouse.com MOCHI JOY A pillowy chocolate mochi doughnut sprinkled with potato chips makes occasional appearances on the rotating lineup of chewy, rice flour–based treats at this…

Warm your bones with an artisanal cocktail in front of the roaring fire at Hotel Tango Distillery, now a Fletcher Place institution. Here, the handbuilt stone fireplace is not only a focal point, but a cozy spot around which to gather on chilly evenings. 702 Virginia Ave., 317-653-1806, hoteltangodistillery.com Sink into the leather couches and snuggle in front of the oversized fireplace at Half Liter Beer & BBQ Hall, where you can enjoy crispy brisket burnt ends, smoked wings, or hot honey Brussels sprouts, along with their very own Big Lug Brewing Co. beers. 5301 Winthrop Ave., 463-212-8180, halfliterbbq.com The seemingly ever-lit wood burning fireplace at Mama Carolla’s might not be the restaurant’s only claim to fame, but it does make for an endearing winter experience. The crackling blaze and…

Flowing through a yoga practice as moving images of Monet landscapes wash over and around you is nothing short of trippy, in a good way. On Sunday mornings, Invoke Studio instructors guide students through hour-long vinyasa sessions amid the shifting sights and sounds of The LUME Indianapolis, the Indianapolis Museum of Art’s immersive fourth-floor digital installation. Some scenes stimulate. Others soothe. All leave you feeling warm and fuzzy. BYO mat and blocks if you’ve got ’em, and plan to arrive at least 15 minutes early to snag a spot and ease in. Bonus: The $29 class fee includes general museum admission for the day to keep the glow going. 4000 Michigan Rd., 317-631-9642, discovernewfields.org…

IT WOULD HAVE BEEN THE PERFECT DAY TO exhume a body. The cloudless sky above Indianapolis was deep blue, the air warm, the humidity low, and a light westerly breeze rustled through the leaves of trees standing watch over the dead at Crown Hill Cemetery. But timing is everything, and it turned out that my companions—Nick Woods, his daughter, and his granddaughter—had traveled here from Chicago for nothing. The long-awaited exhumation of their relative Robert Jefferson was not going to happen. Nick is a direct descendant of Robert and his wife, Celia, both born enslaved in the early 1800s. The family’s oral history tells that Robert was the son of an enslaved woman in Virginia named Milley Reddiford (likely Rutherford) and our nation’s third president, Thomas Jefferson. A talented carpenter, Robert…

Neal Brown Legendary chef/owner of L’Explorateur, Pizzology, The Libertine, Stella, and One Trick Pony. Micah Frank Former chef of R Bistro, Black Market, Duos, and The Inferno Room. Ben Hardy Longtime pastry instructor and founding co-owner of Gallery Pastry Shop. Joe Kalil Former chef of Woodland Country Club and Rick’s Cafe Boatyard, as well as the current chef de cuisine at Nicole-Taylor’s. Alison Keefer Former enrollment specialist and nutrition instructor at The Chef’s Academy who is currently owner of Gallery Pastry Shop. Erin Kem Former sous and executive chef of R Bistro, Cannon Ball Brewing Company, Scarlet Lane Brewing Company, and now Small Victories Hospitality. Erin Gillum Oechsle Former executive chef of Spoke & Steele who is now a culinary instructor at Area 31 Career Center. Carlos Salazar Former sous…

AN AVANT-GARDE APPROACH. Last summer, Rokh research and design studio, led by Danicia Monét Malone, partnered with the Indy Arts Council to publish Public Art for All, a pioneering inventory and analysis that redefines public art and its role here billed as the first of its kind. STREET SWEEPERS. Malone and a team of eight scouters crisscrossed more than 6,500 linear miles of Marion County, mostly driving, but also walking, biking, skating, and scootering the more insulated paths and trails. They each covered about 3 square miles a day in search of original public art pieces. The process took almost six months to complete. AND THE SURVEY SAYS. A total of 3,090 pieces were identified, including murals, installations, roadside memorials, and more, vastly outnumbering the 616 artworks listed in the Indy Arts Council’s…

Reside at Grouseland in Vincennes THESE STERLING-SILVER SPURS were worn in 1811 by William Henry Harrison during the Battle of Tippecanoe at Battle Ground, Indiana. The battle was a precursor to the War of 1812, and Harrison’s ensuing reputation as a war hero is widely regarded as the key factor in his landslide victory in the 1840 presidential election. The spurs were initially loaned to the Grouseland Historic Home Museum in Vincennes, Harrison’s residence during his tenure as governor of the Indiana Territory, by John Scott Harrison V, his great-great-great-grandson, to be “returned on demand.” The spurs, along with other items belonging to Harrison, including the bicorn hat he also wore at Tippecanoe, were ultimately purchased to become part of the permanent Grouseland collection. “The little star roulettes still spin,”…

It seems apropos that the home of Robert Indiana’s iconic LOVE would be where you can find the Alessi Big Love Coffee Spoons. The Italian kitchenware company, known for its striking mix of functionality and aesthetics, had them designed by Miriam Mirri. The gleaming, gently curved stirrers are made of mirror-polished stainless steel in Italy. Who needs a gift for their galentine? Set of four, $45. The Museum & Garden Shop at Newfields, 317-955-2320, ext. 281, shop.discovernewfields.org…

IF YOUR look needs zhuzhing, talk to the stylists at French Pharmacie in Fountain Square. They’re specialists in modern shags, rocked by Jennifer Affleck, Malin Akerman, Zendaya, and Anne Hathaway. The key is modern. “1970s and ’80s shags were often permed, so they were rounder and bulkier,” says co-owner Danny Cheshire. “And with stylists now using razors, we achieve customized shapes.” The beauty of a modern shag is that it flatters most hair types and lengths. “It’s all about how you sculpt the fringe around the face,” says Cheshire. “It adds volume to fine hair; it can eliminate too much density in thick hair. I love a shag and bob mashup, with Bardot bangs that melt into face framing.” Plus, it’s low-maintenance. “My clients are wearing it air-dried, starring their…

DAN CAGE and Zoë Hayes are aiming to turn Nowhere Special into something pretty fabulous. “The name was something we workshopped, and we just thought it was fun,” Cage explains. “We chuckled at the thought of people jumping into an Uber and asking where they should go, then having the driver tell them he’s taking them to nowhere special.” The team behind Bocca and the Commodore is currently working to bring the subterranean Libertine on Mass Ave back to life as a newly reimagined cocktail hotspot, with tentative plans to open in April. Kaitlyn Barrett of Noblesville’s Parallel Design Group has been tasked with creating a whole new look and vibe for the 70-seat space, moving in the direction of a relaxed basement escape elevated by a little bit of…

EVERY FOUR years during the Winter Olympics, the world once again becomes infatuated by curling. Luckily, after years of renting ice at area hockey rinks, the Circle City Curling Club just opened its brand-new facility in Anderson late last year, where it offers learn-to-curl workshops so potential athletes can try out Canada’s second-best export. A sport where a schlubby, middle-aged person like me could potentially become an Olympic athlete? Sign me up! So How Do You Play? Teams have four players who take turns delivering a 38- to 44-pound curling rock down an approximately 150-foot sheet of pebbled ice toward the 12-foot bull’s-eye called the “house.” A player can put a bit of rotation on the polished-granite stone, causing it to curve or curl, hence the sport’s name. (Fun fact:…

From its cozy Fashion Mall digs, Tilly’s Tea Room at Saks Fifth Avenue puts on a proper English tea service that includes a dainty selection of assorted finger sandwiches and scones with real-deal clotted cream. The Fashion Mall, 317-816-0171, tillystearoom.com Warm your belly with a West Fork Whiskey flight on a leather sofa in the Stave Cocktail Lounge. Pick pours of high-proof Hamer bourbons, the distillery’s core spirits lineup, or exclusive single barrel offerings. 10 E. 191st St., Westfield, 317-763-5400, westforkwhiskey.com Set to banish winter doldrums, Ash and Elm Cider Co.’s fruity Orange Creamsicle cider of the month is sure to evoke fond childhood memories of chasing the ice cream truck on sunny summer days. 1301 E. Washington St., 317-600-3164, ashandelmcider.com The Chatterbox Jazz Club tempers cool jazz with its…

Veal’s Ice Tree As the days below freezing mount, so does the everchanging masterpiece (pictured) in the Veal family’s southeast-side backyard—a fairy-tale ice sculpture that reached 80 feet tall in 2014. What started as a hobby back in 1961 has become an annual tradition garnering a cultlike following, with folks flocking to the creation for photo ops every winter. Continuous sprays of water and powdered food coloring are all it takes to grow the magical ice tree you really do have to see to believe. 6445 Mimosa Ln., vealsicetree.wixsite.com/vealsicetree Cataract Falls Beauty and power churn through Mill Creek at Cataract Falls every season, but if you’re willing to make the trek to the Spencer attraction during a cold snap, you’ll catch a rare glimpse of the water—free flowing any…

The rush of cold air feels downright refreshing after exiting classes at The Yoga Studio (pictured), where the heat combined with Ujjayi breathing boosts endorphins and immunity. 6245 N. College Ave., 317-255-9642; Carmel City Center, 317-805-1868; indyyogastudio.com The experienced instructors at Invoke Studio crank up the infrared heat during vinyasa sessions at both locations to help students detoxify and burn extra calories. 970 Fort Wayne Ave., 317-631-9642; 1315 W. 86th St., 317-802-1374; invokestudio.com Sweat it out with chaturangas in an 85- to 90-degree room during Honor Yoga’s heated flow sessions that aim to increase strength, flexibility, and endurance. 11 Municipal Dr., Ste. 100, Fishers, 317-203-9526; fishers.honoryoga.com; 7117 Whitestown Pkwy., Zionsville, 317-768-3013, zionsville.honoryoga.com…

PPERHAPS NO NAME has been as synonymous with Indy’s food scene for the last three decades as Tony Hanslits. From his early days at the groundbreaking Peter’s in Fountain Square to jobs at some of the city’s most innovative and polished supper spots (including Something Different, Snax, Malibu on Maryland, and 14 West) to heading up his own Italian-inflected eateries and markets, Hanslits quietly had his hand on nearly every culinary trend that passed through town and trained some of our most talented chefs and restaurateurs. In the midst of all that was a decade-long stint as the director of culinary education at the now-closed Chef’s Academy, where he taught dozens of culinary professionals who went on to push Indy’s dining scene in new directions. Along with his wife, Rosa,…

DOWNTOWN INCLUDES Fletcher Place, Fountain Square, Mass Ave, Mile Square Amberson Coffee ADDED COFFEEHOUSE Modestly housed in a former Fletcher Place gas station, this tiny coffee spot with a walk-up window feels like a snug neighborhood hangout. But its curated beans and precise pourover program make it a worthy destination for serious coffee-lovers. Sip a perfect cup—perhaps a Madcap Coffee Summer Solstice with notes of lime, green apple, and berries, or a Nømad Coffee Guatemala Los Pablos from Barcelona that tastes of apricot, brown sugar, and florals. The date latte and Cool Kid mocha headline the espresso drinks. For sustenance, they whip up superb egg salad sandwiches, avocado toasts, and griddled Mexican-style biscuits with homemade jam. 401 S. College Ave., 463-230-2255, ambersoncoffee.com Aroma INDIAN Familiar tandoori and tikka masala staples…

BEING VAIN AND INSECURE, I recently Googled my name to see whether people were talking about me, and if so, what they were saying. Most of the Google entries were book reviews, the weekly blogs I post on my website (philipgulley.com), and letters to the editor from cranks who disagree with something I’ve written or said. One Google entry caught my eye: It was my name, followed by my estimated net worth, which, according to that website, is $105,200,000—roughly four times the amount Jed Clampett had in Milburn Drysdale’s bank on The Beverly Hillbillies. I was delighted to learn this, since I was under the impression I was running out of money. I told my wife our financial problems were over, then went in search of our money. I checked…

Q: I REALIZE THIS WILL START AN ARGUMENT, BUT WHO IS INDY’S HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL GOAT?  A: You can bet your Chuck Taylors that the greatest of all time is Oscar Robertson, who led Crispus Attucks to IHSAA championships in 1955 and 1956, the second title capping an undefeated season. But if you’re looking for an argument, try selecting the city’s second-best star. The roster includes Greg Oden, who took Lawrence North to three state titles in four years in the midaughts; George McGinnis, the star of Washington’s unbeaten 1969 team and the first Indiana player to score more than 1,000 points in a season; and perhaps Billy Keller, who carried the same school to the 1965 state championship and four straight city titles. I’m sure other hoops “experts” have…

THE QUAINT, tranquil space at 11th and College is the result of three generations of green thumbs. With a florist grandmother and a houseplant-collector mother, a prowess for plants was in Victoria Beaty’s DNA. She bolstered that knowledge by studying urban farming, and then Botanical Bar blossomed. Each locally sourced plant has growing instructions, so first-time plant parents know how to care for their sprouts. The shop also offer an easy-care plant subscription for newbies. Unsure what kind of subscription to get? Beaty can help guide you. “When you want to add a plant to a space, choose based on three factors,” advises Beaty. “The time you have to care for it, the light, and the decor style.” Design services, where a pro customizes your space with greenery, are available.…

THE TINY building that housed Ezra’s Enlightened Cafe now hosts yet another veggie-focused establishment. Soulshine Vegan Cafe took up residence there last November. The place is as cramped as it was during Ezra’s prime, with room for a few two-seater tables and a counter where customers can order no-meat versions of diner fare, including biscuits and gravy, cinnamon rolls, steak tacos, and a Hangover Burger featuring a Beyond Meat patty, egg, cheese, “bacon,” and Hollandaise on a brioche bun. Soulshine relies on premade fake meats (but states it plainly on the menu). Coffee drinks are served in mismatched mugs, and the Gingerbread Frap comes in a jar, topped with faux whipped cream and a ginger cookie. 6516 Ferguson St., 317-974-9514, soulshineindy.com…

A FEW BITES into my short rib sandwich with its meat braised to velvety tenderness under a layer of chunky chipotle slaw, the wall behind the bar began to throb and thump with the sound of live music. The startled customers of Fountain Square’s Easy Rider Diner, a casual morning-to-night spot that opened at the end of October, looked up from their plates. Our server smiled knowingly while a kick-drum and bass boomed in the “intimate, 400-capacity” music venue next door, the Hi-Fi. “I didn’t know there was a show tonight,” she said as she refilled our waters. But no one squeezing in a late Cubano or plate of garbage-can nachos at this funky little dining room wrapped in flowered red wallpaper and thrifted art should have been surprised when…

INDIANA DAY TRIPS OUTDOOR ADVENTURES Game of Thrones fans will feel major “winter is coming” vibes at Wolf Park. Throughout the season, the research facility offers Saturday-evening Howl Nights when guests can see (and hear) the pack up close. That’s because as temps drop, the wolves become more active. It’s also their mating season, so the canines are even more chatty this time of year. 4004 E. 800 N, Battle Ground, 765-567-2265, wolfpark.org FOOD & DRINK Even the building is rich in history: The mansion that holds Lafayette’s Haan Museum was the Connecticut State Pavilion during the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair. Check out Renaissance Revival furniture and art by the Hoosier Group, or bundle up to explore the sculpture gardens and nature trail. 920 State St., Lafayette, 765-742-6449, thehaan.org…

Amid a snowy landscape that includes gaggles of igloos for dining and drinking (Field Brewing, Union Jack Pub, Urban Vines), the crop at Daniel’s Family Vineyard and Winery stands out for a couple reasons. The setting is ridiculously scenic to begin with, and each of the eight heated snow-globe structures boasts its own distinctive decor—Christmas movie themes like Elf and The Polar Express have transitioned to more winter-neutral “Cozy Night” and “Snowy Night” motifs now through March. Each igloo pampers up to eight guests with food and drink service (plus blankets), and all ages are welcome. Let the storm rage on. It’s warm and toasty in here. 9061 N. 700 W., McCordsville, 317-248-5222, danielsvineyard.com…

MORE THAN 90,000 intrepid travelers make the annual pilgrimage to Pokagon State Park in Angola to experience Indiana’s quintessential winter thrill ride down a refrigerated track. The Civilian Conservation Corps Company 556 constructed the legendary quarter-mile toboggan run way back in 1935, opening it up to public access a few years later.“The toboggan run is an iconic attraction,” says interpretive naturalist Nicky Ball. “It gives our visitors a feeling of nostalgia as generation after generation enjoys it each year.” The adventure starts atop a 30-foot tower, loading up four passengers per sled before barreling down a 90-foot drop over the course of the run. Coasting at speeds up to about 45 miles per hour, it takes just 20 to 30 seconds to complete the exhilarating journey. Expect to wait in…

BREAKFAST Keystone Deli “We just get the two eggs, potatoes, and rye toast. It’s always the same. And it’s the kind of place where if you comb your hair, you’re overdressed.” LUNCH Workingman’s Friend “Like many locals, we just love the burgers here. It’s an absolute classic in the Indy food scene.” DINNER Twenty Tap or Fat Dan ’s “When we do have the evening off to go out, we really like simple, casual food.”…