Straight From the Slopes
Chalet Brings a Ski-Inspired Aesthetic to Patrons
Writer / Scott Soltys-Curry
Photographer / Michael Durr
There may not be any snow-covered slopes for skiing in Indianapolis, but that is not stopping guests from warming up inside Chalet, an après-ski-inspired cafe and wine bar nestled amongst the softly rolling hills of the Butler-Tarkington neighborhood.
Chalet is the newest concept from Small Victories Hospitality, which also serves up warm cups at Provider, Coat Check Coffee, Landlocked Baking Company, and Strange Bird. The vintage, Swiss-chalet-inspired cafe opened in February of 2022 and is making the most of its first real Indiana winter by keeping guests cozy in two big ways – its design and its menu.
The building hosting Chalet at 56th and Illinois streets sat empty for several years before the cafe settled in. It was previously home to Indianapolis Fire Station 16 before it melded with the Broad Ripple station in 2016. Though it now serves a very different purpose, the design and architecture of the building remain mostly unchanged. Red brick walls inside and out, soft archways, beautifully weathered doors, and vintage-style signs invite guests into a space filled with ample organic wood features. Two large garage doors let in plenty of natural light, and the layout and cozy arrangements offer plenty of warmth and intimacy.
The few updates to the space, aside from the furniture and service equipment, include art reminiscent of a 1970s ski resort (both vintage and newly commissioned), a subdued neon sign signaling an easy ski course, lush-but-intentional greenery, and a fresh coat of paint in choice areas.
The Small Victories shops are known for their design intentionality, and they knocked it out of the (ski) park again with Chalet.
Guests are also invited to warm up with the cafes menu, which features coffee and pastries during the day, and transitions to wine and stinky cheese at night.
The keep things familiar, coffee aficionados can expect similar drink menus from Chalets sister shops, including the creamy and smooth pistachio latte, the spicy and sweet ginger latte, and many other signature favorites. The Small Victories team at Landlocked in Irvington makes all the sauces and syrups for the drinks. The espresso and drip coffee are from Certain Feelings, which is also a Small Victories operation. The milk (grass-fed Jersey milk, to be exact) is from Sheridan-based Dandy Breeze Creamery.
The Chalet staff also stocks its pastry case with savory and sweet goods from Landlocked. Perfectly flaky and buttery croissants, melt-in-your-mouth chocolate chip cookies, and an assortment of vegan goods pair perfectly with any drink. Also available is a selection of warm, savory, made-to-order bialy breakfast sandwiches similar to bagels.
The coffee drinks, pastries and breakfast sandwiches make up a sweet combination that has been winning locals over in all of the Small Victories shops since 2017.
As the warm sun descends in the afternoon sky and beams through the west-facing garage doors, the drink and food menus (not to mention the vibes) shift. The coffee menu is replaced by a list of unique wines and beers that are as curated as guests should expect.
Chalets wine list features a selection of bottles from biodynamic and organic growers. Natural wines represent a growing trend in the wine world that focuses on sustainable and ethical farming and production methods. Many of these natural wines have unique and vibrant characteristics while maintaining traditional notes and profiles.
Just as the coffee menus are curated, the wine list features palate pleasers for all wine drinkers. Most bottles are available by the glass, and all bottles are available for dine-in and carry-out. The beer menu is also tailored with a rotating selection of draft and bottled brews to warm up guests from the inside.
Nothing pairs better with an adult beverage than Chalets small plates and charcuterie selection. The highlight of the menu, though, is the stinky cheese.
Raclette is both a type of cheese and the method by which it is prepared. The popular alpine cheese is revered for its pungent smell and also the way it melts. When it is heated, the melted part is masterfully scraped off and served. Chalets is carefully placed over fries or on a sandwich. Carmels Christkindlmarkt has made raclette popular with locals throughout the last few years, and now locals can enjoy it year-round.
Its true that Chalet was designed to whisk customers away to a warm ski lodge wrapped in snow, but their mission of keeping things wholly local will always be present. The team sources hyper-local ingredients as often as possible, whether through local partners, their sister kitchens or even their own garden. They also treat everyone who comes through their door with warmth, like a regular. Some other places might tend to overlook this essential part of being local.
As its name suggests, stepping into Chalet is like stepping into a cozy ski lodge that makes guests believe they need to zip up their snowsuits and don their skis before heading back out into the quiet of snow-covered slopes. Maybe your dream ski lodge is in the Alps, or perhaps it is a cafe and wine bar in the quiet hills of Butler-Tarkington.
Chalet is located at 5555 North Illinois Street in Indianapolis. For more info, call 317-207-2127 or go to chaletindy.com.
