The Places We Love To Love
Writers / Natalie & Luke Mendel
Photography Provided
Byrne’s Grilled Pizza
@byrnesgrilledpizza
5615 North Illinois Street
If you made a resolution to get thin in 2024 then Byrne’s is the date night of your dreams, because this is as thin as it gets. That’s
right, we’re talking about thin-crust pizza that you can’t live without once you’ve had the first taste. This wins our casual pizza date night, with that intimate feel we all love. What began as a beloved food truck has turned into an Illinois Street staple that has been wowing guests for over 10 years. Take our recs if you want to order like a pro. Natalie loves the Cheesus and Luke loves The Hot Chick. Next time you’re craving a pizza night out, check out our number-one spot – Byrne’s. In thin crust we trust.
Fernando’s Mexican & Brazilian Cuisine
@fernandos_cuisine
834 East 64th Street
You want to take your date to Flavortown, U.S.A.? We’ve got just the place for you! Fernando’s is new on the scene, but it has quickly become one of our favorite stops in Broad Ripple. These creative dishes marry classics from Mexico and Brazil, leaving you with flavors that will make your head spin. Favorites include Feijoada, the national dish of Brazil, and Pollo Azteca, all made fresh with local ingredients. When you combine this mouthwatering menu with a welcoming atmosphere, you will find yourself coming back time and time again. Add Fernando’s to your must-try list in 2024.
Festiva
@festivaindy
1217 East 16th Street
Festiva will forever hold a special place in our hearts. We lived on 16th street for four years and loved walking to this tasty neighborhood spot. We might not be across the street anymore, but this is still a go-to date-night spot for us. We remember our first time trying Festiva, and let’s just say it was love at first bite. We are constantly craving their guacamole, shrimp tacos, and adobo braised pork ribs. Now it’s your turn! Come sit in their all-season patio, settle in their vibrant dining room, or belly up to the bar for some of the best margaritas in the city. Whether it’s girls’ night out or a romantic date night, at Festiva every meal is a celebration.
Gather 22
@gatherindy
22 East 22nd Street
From the culinary geniuses that brought you Byrne’s Grilled pizza, Gather 22 is a brand-new concept completely centered around love for community, friends and great food. Fall Creek Place gained a gem this year with the opening of Gather. This is your neighborhood watering hole where everyone knows your name. Start your day with your morning coffee, grab brunch or lunch with friends, have a dinner date with that special someone or, heck, do it all. This is a place to try something new and yet be welcomed like family. The owners put it best when saying it’s “inspired by the places we love to visit, built for the place we love to live.”
Harry & Izzy’s
@harryandizzys
4050 East 82nd Street
When we are looking for a classy date night where we can get a little fancy and enjoy a culinary experience that is sure to impress, Harry & Izzy’s is always on the top of our minds. The atmosphere here is upscale and sophisticated, setting the tone for a romantic evening. Did you know Harry & Izzy’s is a sister restaurant to St. Elmo Steak House? They share some of the same renowned dishes like the world-famous St. Elmo Shrimp Cocktail, but have a wide menu variety, including lunch and even Sunday brunch. This year treat your special valentine to the very best with a reservation at Harry & Izzy’s.
Kan-Kan Cinema & Restaurant
@kankancinema
1258 Windsor Street
Is there any date night more classic than dinner and a movie? What if we told you that you can enjoy both in the same magical place? Kan-Kan is the only locally grown, nonprofit arthouse cinema in town offering diverse programming with something for everyone – and the dinner we mentioned is not your typical movie theater pretzels and pizza. Chef Michael Conley and his team create and recreate their menu seasonally with five-star apps, entrées and desserts. Kan-Kan also offers memberships (we just re-upped for our third year) for any budget, with which you can get your cinema fix as well as vouchers to use at the restaurant and bar. Stop in this month to enjoy special Valentine’s screenings.
Meridian Restaurant & Bar
@meridian_restaurant
5694 North Meridian Street
Meridian Restaurant & Bar is one of Indiana’s great restaurants, on one of America’s great streets. To us, this was a hidden gem in plain sight for a long time. We would drive by on a daily basis before we finally wised up and stopped in for dinner. Learn from our mistakes and stop into Meridian Restaurant & Bar as soon as possible. You will be welcomed into a refined dining environment with upscale comfort food, a perfect remedy for the winter months. You’ll savor every bite of the beautifully plated cuisine and your taste buds will thank you. Stop in soon to grab a drink at the bar, or cozy up by the fireplace for an intimate dinner date.
Provision
@provision.restaurant
2721 East 86th Street, Suite 200
You know us and you know that Cunningham Restaurant Group is our shared love language. We can no easier choose a favorite
concept than we can choose a favorite cat (Reggie and Margot are both perfect, by the way). However, Provision is one that we come back to over and over for some of our most special occasions. Enjoy an elevated setting in the stunning Ironworks Hotel while indulging in a locally sourced menu that will have you talking all the way home. Deciding what to order here is always tough, so we recommend the Chef’s Tasting Menu so you don’t have to sacrifice a single thing. Cheers!
