I’m back. This past week, I was spending time in Orlando and eating my way through Walt Disney World. It is always hard to come back after a vacation, especially when you are eating some great food (I’ll be posting a few posts here and there about my eating adventures soon.) One of the good things about returning home is that you are not only returning to your own bed, but also to the restaurants and chefs that you know and love in your own city.
With that being said, an update on one of my favorite Indy Executive Chefs, Steven Unrue. Unrue and Tastings: A Wine Experience, located in the Conrad downtown, are going separate ways. Though no information is being released to why, I know I will surely miss Unrue’s innovative plates on Wednesday evenings. With hubs and friends, I spent many Wednesday nights at Tastings, enjoying the culinary delights Unrue prepared to match the wine offered for the evening. Much of my focus was on the food, enjoying bites while Unrue’s passion was shown through his description and explanation of the plates.
Like the basil crusted duck or the veal ragout. Stuff doughnut bread pudding or the wonderful Thanksgiving piefecta. Unrue always prepared delicious meals that had many of the patrons eating out of their comfort zone and enjoying every minute of it. As for the foodies, we were getting comfort food with a gourmet twist leaving us wanting more, raving to friends and family as our reservation numbers grew each week.
One Gastro Gnome said it perfectly. I had actually canceled my reservation earlier in the day before I heard the news of the departure on hand. But I have to say, I’m glad I did. I would have been beyond disappointed with a few menu offerings and cheese samplings. And trust me, this Wisconsin girl likes her cheese.
Knowing that Unrue is no longer serving up the Wednesday evening dishes, I doubt we will be return if the establishment continues to serve small menu offerings rather than creative dishes. Yes, the experience of tasting wine throughout the room is unique in Indy (and I do love potato chips covered in bleu cheese), but the wine bar turned into a weekly foodie experience for me – it won’t be the same. I may stop in for a sip here and there, but I won’t be making the trek from Carmel on a Wednesday night in the near future.
Unrue will end up somewhere spectacular (if I had the money to open a restaurant or needed a chef, I’d put my money on him. If anyone is looking for one brilliant chef, Steven is your guy!), I’m looking forward to seeing where I and the public can enjoy his food in the future. Best of luck to both Steven and Tastings as they part company.
citynomnoms.wordpress.com 