Popular Indy Restaurant Has You Coming Back for More
Writer / Desmond Nicholson
Photographer / Michael Durr
Tinker to make small changes to something, especially in an attempt to repair or improve it
Lets do some tinkering around and venture inside Tinker Street the restaurant on the historical 16th Street. And while were at it, lets say hi to our neighbors across the street, Gallery on 16th.
Meet Ashlee Nemeth, she is the Sommelier for Tinker Street Restaurant. Shes been with Tinker Street Restaurant since day one of 2014 as the second employee and has been with Tinker ever since. Tinker Street opened shortly after the beginning of January 2015.
The name of Tinker came about through background research. 16th Street used to be Tinker Street in the late 1800s. The restaurant arrived first, followed by Tinker Street Coffee and Tinker House Events. Tinker restaurant was there first as an establishment.
As the Sommelier, Ashlee tries to do some tinkering around by working with vendors to bring wines to Tinker Street Restaurant that pairs well with the dishes they create, along with the vibe it represents. Wines from Amaro de Capo to Tokaji 6 Puttonyos Aszu, Tinker Street has you covered for after-dinner wines.
And speaking of dinners, Tinker Street Restaurant believes in offering a seasonal menu. How boring would it be to eat the same things, week-in and week-out? Especially when you want to eat seasonally and locally?
One of Ashlees favorite dishes at Tinker Street restaurant is The Panzanella (tomato, cucumber, castlevetrano olives, garlic, shallot, bleu cheese, pecorino Romano, herbed vinaigrette, balsamic reduction, baguette and basil), the perfect summer dish.
From Korean Fried Mushrooms to the Curried Cauliflower Steak, to the OH SO buttery, cooked to perfection that will have you licking the plate, Mushroom Risotto with Scallops. Tinker Street is serving up the best scallops in the city. I highly suggest you try them before they leave the menu. Tinker Street does offer a nice selection of vegan and gluten-free dishes.
One thing that does change frequently on the menu at Tinker Street is the soups. Sometimes, more than twice a week, if it sells well and they have the ingredients, they will sell the soup all week. For example, the Watermelon Despactio, which is selling well for the summer. Tinker Street serves cold soups for the summer and hot soups for the winter.
After sipping some wine as the sun sets and your stomach is pleasantly pleased with the meal that you devoured, you cant leave Tinker Street without dessert. Try the Red Velvet Brownie, cream cheese ice cream, raspberry, sprinkled with chocolate pearls. Or maybe you want a dessert thats too pretty to eat like the Honey Cake. Blackberry lavender jam, macerated berries, orange blossom frosting, alp blossom cheese, topped with an edible flower.
You can visit Tinker Street Restaurant on 402 E 16th St, Indianapolis, IN. For more information check out their website tinkerstreetrestaurant.com and follow on Facebook at Tinker Street and Instagram @tinkerstreetindy.
