Strangers quickly become friends at Chef JJ's Backyard

Strangers quickly become friends at Chef JJ's Backyard.

That seems to be the mantra whenever I attend an event at Chef JJ's Backyard in Broad Ripple. My most recent experience was no different. We attended the "Country Mouse, City Mouse" event and have an extremely enjoyable time.

I mentioned in a blog post, prior to the event, that I had never sampled any of the food creations by "County Mouse, City Mouse" so I felt this was a great opportunity. Chef JJ's Backyard always delivers tasty food in a fun environment. This night was no different.

We were able to sample a variety of the sauces and dressings that CM/CM creates.

The products that we sampled included, Mama J's Romesco, Nyona Lake Jezebel, Chimichurri Pesto, and the Tally Ho! Dressing and Marinade and Chef JJ paired them perfectly. We bought a bunch of it as we were leaving and I'll be sure to order them with my upcoming Farm Fresh Delivery orders.

What I love most about Chef JJ's Backyard is how warm and welcome the team, JJ, Jenna, and Staraya, make you feel. They are always excited about the menu that they've created for the night and eagerly help you choose the right beverage to accommodate you meal. But even more importantly, they make everyone feel like friends.

By the end of the night, you and the other participants end up sharing recipe ideas, ingredient suggestions, and how to source various foods...just like you've known everyone for years.

With Thanksgiving around the corner, Chef JJ also shared tips for the perfect bird. He mentioned that you could buy a Turkey Bringing solution at Goose:The Market and answered any questions that people had. I have to say that thanks to Chef JJ, my first turkey came out amazing.....and the turkey soup afterward was some of the best I've ever had.

Our next Chef JJ event will be a Sun King brewers dinner, and I hear these are a blast! We can't wait!

Strangers quickly become friends at Chef JJ's Backyard

Cadillac Ranch, Sushi at Lulu's, N

notable news items:

The Cadillac Ranch plans to open at 39 Jackson Street on December 11. The Cadillac Ranch is a western themed restaurant and bar and is opening in Union Station. It's always exciting to see more businesses moving downtown, and this chain is still small enough that it will still feel unique.

Second, in what I call, "New to Me", is sushi at Lulu's. I had a work event at Flemings and I noticed a sign on the window of Lulu's so I drove by to check it out. Lulu's, which to me has always been a late night Cougar hangout, now has a sushi bar called Makoto. Makoto opened back in the early fall and I have yet to be there. Have you? Is it any good?

Finally, Napolese, the pizza restaurant by Martha Hoover has received the variance it was seeking to allow for outdoor seating....and while this doesn't seem so interesting in December, we'll be loving it next spring!

Cadillac Ranch, Sushi at Lulu's, N

New Lounge at Taste of Tango

Hello Indianapolis.

I saw this delightful little tidbit on Facebook today and I thought I'd pass it along to my readers.



It looks like it will be a very fun space and while I'm not sure I can make it tonight, I will make it soon!

New Lounge at Taste of Tango

Pizzology - Open Wednesday, November 18

Neal Brown just posted a brief message through his Pizzology Twitter account.

It stated simply:

Pizzology Hi. We're open tomorrow. You know, if you like pizza and stuff.....

I may have to have pizza tomorrow. (And Sun King beer - Yum)

I can't wait to see how it compares with other local pizza places. Next up will be Martha Hoover's place on Pennsylvania.

Pizzology - Open Wednesday, November 18

Yuki Sushi and Thai

Thanks to "Go Indy Go!" I have learned that Yuki Sushi and Thai has opened at the Castleton Square Mall.

Read more here.

Yuki Sushi and Thai

Notable openings and happenings

Upland Brewery Tasting room has opened just south of Broad Ripple at the southwest corner of College and 49th. I haven't been yet, but I'm sure it won't be long. I've always liked Upland's beers and now I could almost walk to get a growler filled.

Pizzology in Carmel is showing all of the signs of opening soon. Last night there was a bunch of Twitter communication from Neal Brown, owner, regarding a private launch party. He was raising money for Gabe Jordan and his family and offering 2 tickets to the party. It's too bad that I couldn't make it, I wonder how high I would have bid for Neal's food. Pizzology is located at 13190 Hazel Dell Pkwy in Carmel. If you see that it has opened, please tell me. It will likely be my meal that night! NEAL'S FOOD IS THAT GOOD!!!

If you don't know the story behind Gabe Jordan, it is important to note on this blog. Gabe is a partner at the, soon to open, Recess and has been very involved in the success of "Goose The Market." Sadly, Gabe was shot in the back a week ago while walking his dog. The robbers escaped with Gabe's $20 and left him paralyzed from the waist down. Donations can be made on a website devoted to Gabe's story. Please consider donating to his aide.

The Indianapolis Monthly's The Dish newsletter pointed out a bunch of places opening in Fountain Square:

• Calvin Fletcher's Coffee Company - opened October 16 - not for profit cafe.
• Imbibe - Opened November 6 - Small-plate bar/cocktail lounge.
• The Red Lion - opening soon - English Style Pub - Yippee!
• White Rabbit Cabaret - open in a few months - a vaudeville dance/food experience
• La Revolucion - opening next year - full service restaurant

Fountain Square is really shaping up to be a dining mecca with local favorites like Naisa, Siam Square, and others.

Martha Hoover's pizza place, Napolese, seems to be coming along. I drove by on Friday and construction was in full force. She really knows breakfast with her Cafe Patachou and Petite Chou concepts. I'm sure her pizza will also be fantastic. Napolese will be located at 49th and Penn.

Any other news of note that you'd like to share?

Notable openings and happenings

Chef JJ's Backyard brings together great tastes

If you recall a while back. I'm a big fan of Indy-based, Farm Fresh Delivery. Not only do they have foundations in the SLOW food movement, but everything is delicious and delivered to your door.

Farm Fresh Delivery offers local and organic produce, but they also offer a variety of local kitchen and farm products. You can get fresh breads from "Farm to Kitchen Foods" or "Scholar's Inn Bakehouse", pastas from "Nicole-Taylors" or "Local Folks Foods", etc...

At this point you may be wondering what this has to do with Chef JJ's Backyard. Well, on November 19th, Chef JJ's guest supplier is "Country Mouse, City Mouse."

CM/CM is a local supplier of dressings, sauces, pestos, etc... I've always been afraid to order any of the CM/CM products on Farm Fresh because if I didn't care for the taste, I would have wasted an entire container of sauce. (This same trepidation goes for mass-produced store-bought dressings & sauces as well.)

The event on November 19th will be a perfect setting for tasting these items in their element, with recipes and dishes that will highlight how they could be used. I'm sure I'll find some gems amongst the choices.

Chef JJ's Backyard also supplies beer from local brewery, Sun King Brewing Company (quickly becoming one of my favorite beers)

Organic, local, grass-fed, sustainable, fresh - these all describe the ingredients that Chef JJ Boston strives for when creating his dining experience.

If you haven't been, I encourage you to taste the great tastes that Chef JJ creates!

Chef JJ's Backyard brings together great tastes