Usual Suspects

Having lived in the greater Broad Ripple metropolitan area for 22 years, I have walked past many a bar masquerading as a restaurant, never giving any thought to darkening the door.  I'm not entirely sure how long it has been open but I surely have passed it hundreds of times just figuring it was an extension of the Casba.  Boy, do I stand corrected.

What got me and my family in the door was a fundraiser it was doing for area high schools.  Drinking and eating for a good cause?  Sure, we'll give it try.  Having a skeptical 10 year old in the party made the seating interesting as the place doesn't usually serve children but due to their philanthropic endeavor, they had suspended their policy.

While not particularly notable or stylish, I was nicely surprised by the decor and vibe of the place.  It's a pleasant, comfortable interior in a cool and modern kind of way.  The be age list is a bit short but adequate.

We began the evening with the polenta frites.  Wow, those were a winner -- unexpectedly creative and with a brilliant aioli.  Although there is no children's menu, the junior member of our party was quite pleased with the black angus sliders.  

The entres came and both were impressive.  As a vegetarian, it is always a relief to see a veg dish featured on the entres.  I had a risotto of winter vegetables which was simply decadent.  My wife had the Osso Bucco, which is advertised as award winning, and was raving over it.

By the time we left, every table was filled and people were clearly enjoying themselves.

To be honest,  I had never talked to anyone who had eaten here or ever heard this place mentioned as a dining destination.  It's fun and has interesting food - definitely worth a try.  Oh, it's totally reasonably priced. Far more reasonable than many of its broad ripple neighbors.

Nice place to hang out at. Nice Staff but the food is not seasoned.

I have to tell you....it's been YEARS since I went to dinner in Broadripple on a Saturday night.  Like at least three b/c I've either been pregnant or just had a kid and let's just say that the Rip on the weekends doesn't really accommodate the likes of anyone who is attempting to avoid alcohol consumption.  Not to mention that although there are lots of restaurants, most of them are just "A-OK," it's impossible to find parking in most cases and generally, I just cannot stand the hoards of people that gravitate towards this area now that I am out of my 20s.  That being said, we were celebrating and in good spirits so we took a chance on Usual Suspects....the reviews were helpful and I'm so glad we did!

8 of us easily got a table at 7:30 on a Saturday night.  As mentioned, there is a TON of elbow room and they COULD pack in the tables, but they don't.  THANK YOU!  Service was awesome-sauce.  Our server was around when needed and didn't hover....a great balance.  Food came out quickly but was timed well with our appetizers.

The menu is eclectic, original and EVERYTHING I tried (which was something off each plate, b/c I didn't order my own entree) was delectable and tasty....I was shocked at how great the food was when there was really NO ONE here.  Outside, there was the hustle and bustle of a busy Saturday night but inside, it was like a Sunday morning DURING church.  Odd.

The restaurant itself has a "cool" vibe....not too obsessed with itself and the decor...simple, sleek, grays and blacks.  Nothing to "remember" b/c I almost don't.  I did think it was funny that the bathroom door had a sign SPECIFICALLY saying that it was only meant for one person at a time.  Too many girlfriends clogging it up OR too much one night sex on a Friday night, that is the question that prompted my own laugh as a tinkled.

OK....back to the food.  We tried the Caprese salad, which was divine and light. It was a great balance of their housemade mozzarella and fresh tomatoes with a heavy balsamic that was really delish!  I enjoyed it a lot...great way to start the meal!  My hubby ordered Osso Bucco, their award winning specialty and OH - EM - GEE.  It was aaaaahhhhaaaaamazing.  It was really intimidating when it came out, with the bone sticking up caveman style and all the meat filling a three inch bowl, sitting atop a smooth risotto, but when it hit the tongue, it MELTED in your mouth.  Everyone at the table gushed over the goodness.

Another tasty entree option is the Black 'N Bleu beef tips.  My gal pals each tried this treat and I got a taste and let's just say, you DO have to eat the grits WITH the meat, b/c the grits are a bit bland but when paired in the same bite with the Cajun inspired tenderloin, HOLY COW....yummmmmmmmmy.  so so so good.

We also test ran the seafood nachos.  The cheese was wonderful but I did think the seafood was just OK.  I'm not sure that is their strength, but overall, I was very impressed.

And let's not leave out dessert!  I had the lava chocolate cake and all it was missing was a side of ice cream.  It was soft, hot in the middle with perfect sweet chocolate oozing out.....a perfect end to a great meal!

I really think right now based on the CROWDS at people at the restaurants around Usual Suspects that it is the best kept secret on Guilford Street.  I mean it sits very inconspicuously next to Corner Wine Bar, which has always seemed stuffy, pretentious and a bit overpriced to me....and there it is.  A diamond in the rough of a Saturday night out in the Rip.