Business lunch spots to savor

Cerulean
339 S. Delaware St. | 870-1320
www.ceruleanrestaurant.com/indianapolis/

Lunch options:

■ Panko chicken bento, honey, cranberry-ginger: $13

■ Chipotle prawns bento, rice, cauliflower: $15

■ Chocolate mousse bomb, espresso custard, caramel: $5

“The food from Executive Chef Alan Sternberg and Pastry Chef Peter Schmutte is delicious and sophisticated, with plenty of client-pleasing variety. The space is modern and urban. A biz lunch at Cerulean says innovative, forward-thinking, creative and aware.”
Jolene Ketzenberger, editor, EatDrinkIndy.com

Duos
2960 N. Meridian St. | 927-6810
www.duosindy.com/

Lunch options:

■ House roast beef sandwich with blue cheese, chimichurri sauce, arugula and roasted eggplant on ciabatta: $7.50

■ Becky’s quinoa bowl, tofu, garbanzo, tahini dressing, sunflower, carrot, red bell and Harvestland spicy greens: $7

■ Julia Child’s skinny burger, local beef (80/20) from Fischer Farms: $6

“It’s casual, but that’s what I like about it. The food is always great and even though the cafeteria-style set-up isn’t your usual business atmosphere, it lends itself well to getting work done.”
Kate Oberreich, artist, cultural concierge at Arts Council of Indianapolis

Fire by the Monon
6523 Ferguson St. | 252-5920
www.firebythemonontrail.com

Lunch options:

■ Carnivore flatbread, pulled pork, applewood smoked bacon, pepperoni, fresh mozzarella and red sauce: $9.95

■ Garden veggie portabella cap marinated in balsamic and olive oil, grilled and topped with roasted peppers, caramelized onions, fresh mozzarella and basil pesto: $9.95

■ Pan-fried lake trout with lettuce, tomato, red onion and chipotle mayonnaise: $9.95

“Fire by the Monon is one of my favorite stops for a business lunch. Menu selection is large enough to please everyone. My favorite: the grouper Reuben. Quiet atmosphere is perfect for talking business.”
Mickey McBride, referral consultant, RE/MAX at the Crossing

Meridian Restaurant & Bar
5694 N. Meridian St. | 466-1111
www.meridianonmeridian.com/

Lunch options:

■ Smoked corn puree, red pepper, potato, bacon: $8 bowl, $4 cup

■ Jambalaya, shrimp, pulled chicken, andouille sausage, trinity vegetables: $14

■ Pastrami Reuben, fermenti artisan garden kraut, Swiss, Thousand Island, marbled rye: $12

“This gem on historic North Meridian Street is becoming the go-to spot when you’ve got people coming from downtown as well as the north side. It’s a place to do a serious deal—white tablecloths, attentive service, good wine, plenty of gravitas—but it’s not another downtown steakhouse. The vibe? Confident, serious and substantial.”
Jolene Ketzenberger, editor, EatDrinkIndy.com

Santorini Greek Kitchen
1417 E. Prospect St. | 917-1117
www.santorini-greek-kitchen.com

Lunch options:

■ Dolmades, grape leaves stuffed with ground beef, rice and spices: $8

■ Athenian Greek salad, crisp mixed spring greens and iceberg lettuce with tomatoes, kalamata olives, cucumbers, onions and crumbled feta topped with oil, vinegar and oregano house dressing: $10, with gyro or chicken: $15

■ Santorini special combination, moussaka, pastitsio, gyro meat, tiropita and spanokopita: $19

“Santorini Greek Kitchen is an ideal spot. Jeanette and Taki turn out great food and make you feel like family. They have been the heart of Fountain Square for a long time and they give back to support neighborhood development.”
Michael Marker, senior partner, Vox Global

Sawmill Saloon
1313 N. Sherman Drive | 602-4156

Lunch options:

■ Breaded tenderloin, hand cut and breaded with special batter, chips: $5.95

■ Triple-decker club, three pieces of Texas toast piled high with ham, turkey, bacon, cheese, lettuce, tomato and mayonnaise, chips: $6.95

■ Chili dog, open-face with diced onion and cheese, chips: $4.75

“It has good food, offers total anonymity, and is lit by a blue neon catfish.”
Bill Oesterle, former CEO, Angie’s List

Shoefly Public House
122 E. 22nd St. | 283-5007
www.shoeflypublichouse.com/

Lunch options:

■ Cuban pork pretzel flatbread, capocollo, pickle, mozzarella, grain mustard: $11

■ Arugula salad, apple, blue cheese, hazelnut, cider and molasses vinaigrette: small, $5; large, $8

■ Walleye tacos, jerk rub, honey cider slaw, tomato: $12

“It’s downtown, it’s local and it’s a nice neighborhood spot. It’s great for a quick business lunch and it’s actually great after work as well.”
Steve Campbell, vice president of communications, The Mind Trust

Skyline Club
1 American Square | 263-5000
www.clubcorp.com/Clubs/Skyline-Club-Indianapolis

Open only to members

Lunch options:

■ Crispy calamari, smoked chipotle aioli: $10.75

■ Applewood bacon burger, fire-grilled Angus burger with cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato and onion served on a toasted bun: $13.25

■ Vegetarian frittata, basil pesto, parmesan, fingerling potatoes, cherry tomatoes, baby greens, feta and balsamic vinaigrette: $11

“It’s nice to take guests there because the staff makes a point of knowing all the members. You walk in and they greet you and I think that’s impressive to guests.”
Kevin Brinegar, president, Indiana Chamber of Commerce

The Workingman’s Friend
234 N. Belmont Ave. | 636-2067
www.facebook.com/pages/The-Workingmans-Friend/284537191374

Lunch options:

■ Giant double cheeseburger: $5.75

■ Mexican-style chili: $4.25

■ Beer-battered onion rings: $3

“No ties allowed. That’s the unwritten rule at Working Man’s Friend. It’s a casual business lunch atmosphere with great cheeseburgers. State and local political leaders are frequently there, too.”
Mike Roeder, vice president of government affairs and president, Vectren Energy Delivery North

Weber Grill
10 N. Illinois St. | 636-7600
www.webergrillrestaurant.com

Lunch options:

■ Blackened tilapia sandwich, lettuce, tomato, onion, lemon aioli, cornmeal-dusted bun, kettle chips: $10.50

■ Grilled-chicken chopped salad, mixed greens, bacon, avocado, cucumber, tomato, blue cheese, fire-roasted corn vinaigrette: $13.50

■ Filet mignon, 7-ounce, hand-cut, aged 28 days, roasted garlic mashed potatoes: $32

“When the weather is bad, Weber Grill is a nice spot for meeting because you can get there [from the chamber offices] without going outdoors. It’s good for legislators because it’s close to the Statehouse and legislators can get there without going outside.”
Kevin Brinegar, president, Indiana Chamber of Commerce •