Restaurant Reviews

Restaurant Reviews --> The Meridian Restaurant and Bar

The Meridian Restaruant and Bar
A post-holiday lunch

One of our familiar dining experiences was a post-holiday lunch at Meridian Restaurant & Bar, a place where we've never had lunch, but have always enjoyed dinners. It was our first visit since the new chef, Layton Roberts, took over the kitchen in 2012 and we were happy that the food and service were as good as ever.

We were also pleased that he had kept the Smoked Corn Puree, with red pepper and bacon on the menu, and we shared a cup of it as well as a Warmed Spinach salad. The salad featured just the right level of wilted spinach, along with a nice balance of red onion, chopped boiled egg, mushrooms and tomato, with a lightly sweet smoked bacon dressing. We don't usually rave about a salad, but this one was rave-worthy.

The ceramic bottle of Mer Soleil Silver, unoaked Chardonnay was another compromise that worked out well with our entree selections. My fish tacos featured crisp fried perch, a pico cole slaw and was topped with guacamole and a chili creme. With four tacos, it could have been enough to share, and was certainly the tastiest, classiest fish tacos I've even been served. Linda opted for the Boar Bolognese served over cavatappi pasta, garnished with parmesan and a crispy crostini. We think we make a mean Bolognese, but this one competed very well. Again, a portion big enough to share, and it was still as good as a side dish at dinner the next night.

At $95 for lunch, it wasn't exactly economical, but we did order the $50 wine to celebrate surviving the holiday retail season yet again. Both of these restaurants have been around for a number of years and will remain "friends" that we continue to enjoy visiting.

Meridian Restaurant & Bar

5694 North Meridian Street,
Indianapolis, IN 46208
(317) 466-1111

January 8, 2014