Cerulean Indy | Private Preview Dinner

Indianapolis finally has a legitimate food scene. Spots like Bluebeard, Black Market and Recess are teaching this town how to eat. Each has my very vocal, financial and fully-sated gratitude. Apparently this gratitude has gone well-noticed. 

Cerulean, Indy's newest entrant into our burgeoning restaurant scene, asked to host a private preview dinner at Atomic Indy HQ for eight of my closest friends + four social[media]ites. With an emphatic yes, the table was set. 

Cooking in my kitchen, Cerulean treated us to a seven course culinary experience. Dishes like hay-smoked quail with wood stock (made from oak, maple and hickory) were expertly paired with unique wines. Each dish sparked thoughtful dialogue, followed by complete silence as we processed the complexity of every flavor. For full details on each course, check out this post at Solid Gold Eats. 

Meanwhile, click on images below for a closer, appetizing look. 

Mid Century Modern was the setting. Innovative cuisine was the context. Both delivered. The Cerulean crew was fantastic. The food was amazing. Great times shared among the best of friends. Success.

Cerulean officially opens in downtown Indy at City Way on 11/23/12. They're currently accepting reservations here. You're gonna wanna go ahead and click that link.

Cheers,

-Baz

Bike-itecture | Chicagoland

Chicago. Home to a few of my favorite things. Architecture. Food. Bikeability.

These three elements were continuously, and vigorously churned into an epic weekend.

Adventures began in Hyde Park, chasing the season with a fall-colored, ivy-clad ride across the University of Chicago campus in search of a Frank Lloyd Wright masterpiece. I was jaw-dropped at every turn.

The essence of architectural iconography. Robie House.

After lingering long, it was off to Oak Park to witness the world's densest concentration of Frank Lloyd Wright designs. I also found unexpected pleasures in structures from other architects. Felt the sun's warmth juxtaposed against the wind. Got slightly giddy at stumbling upon Ernest Hemingway's childhood home.

Along the way, a few things were learned. Like, old love > young love.

With open head and open heart, I took in Frank's Unity Temple. There are, in fact, angels in the architecture. 

After making my peace, it was time for a long, meandering ride across Bucktown, Wicker Park, Lincoln Park, then down Lake Shore for some sky scraping.

Plenty of, "oh-hey-bright-shiny-object" detours ensued.

Ample bike lanes combined with slow, congested car traffic made peddle navigation through the city's heart a quick and nimble ease.

Sun setting, and appetite brewed; it was time for a ten-course tasting at Blackbird.  

Concluded by night-ride shenanigans across Chicago's hipster havens. 

Have bike. Will travel. Where should I go next?

Cheers,

-Baz

Bike-itecture | Columbus, IN

Fall days. The ones spent chasing the sun's final fleeting rays. The brisk air. The turning leaves. The sights, the smells and the inevitable presence of change. This was the setting. A backdrop of epic Mid Century Modern Architecture, taken in by bike. Perfection was personified this day. 

Now, ride with me. 

Columbus, IN ranks 6th in the nation for architectural innovation. This place has modern architecture at the core of its being. In a small, Southern Indiana city, you'll find multiple structures by the likes of: 

• Eero Saarinen

• Eliel Saarinen

• Harry Weese

• I.M. Pei

• Richard Meier

Couple these names with an extremely bike-friendly community, add a dose of fall foliage, and you've got a recipe that'll keep you warm across the impending expanse of winter. 

It all began at the Columbus Visitor Center for a map and tour insights. Friendliest people ever.  

Right behind the Visitors Center, you'll find an I.M. Pei library, a Henry Moore sculpture and an Eliel Saarinen church. 

Ride a block or two in any direction and you're struck by the density of modernism.

Eero Sarrinen designed bank on the main drag.

Ivy covered mod-ness at the Kevin Roche designed Cummins HQ.

Public art for days.

Impressive cantilevered public buildings.

Popped off at the Bicycle Station along the way for supplies and a handy bike map.

Then I stopped at Eero Sarrinen's "Miller House". Just for a peek. To get a closer, sanctioned look, you can schedule proper tours here.

I'm not a religious man, but this Eero Saarinen designed church makes me believe. In something.

One final stop to pay some respects.

Columbus, IN is worth the pilgrimage, regardless of the distance. Bring a bike, pack a lunch and revel. 

Cheers,

-Baz