My instinct to search out new and interesting places to dine took me to FoxGardin – Kitchen and Ale in Fortville Indiana. My husband and I had an evening without children and felt like an excursion but I didn’t want to go too far. Fortville is a much better drive than Indianapolis from where we live. I’d read about FoxGardin in Indianapolis Monthly and suggested it to my husband. (There is a similar place in Perkinsville Indiana that we like but at 7:00 p.m. on a Saturday night we knew that wasn’t an option.) If you look through my other posts you will find this was listed as number 15 out of 25 top places to dine in the magazine.
I have never been here but I knew the address was on Main Street and I figured it wasn’t that big of a town that we couldn’t find it. The downtown itself is very quaint and for me had a nostalgic feeling. Most small towns are probably are like that. I stopped into a little refurbished furniture shop before we moved on to the restaurant. There are several stores along the main street such as a coffee shop, bakery and salon. If you were looking for something to do on a lazy afternoon I think you could do it here. There was a live band set up at the end of street on this evening.
We entered the small door stoop and put our name in for a reservation. At 7:00 p.m. there was a 15-20 minute wait for first available. I don’t think that’s too bad on a Saturday evening. You can make reservations on the website. The hostess offered that we could wait in the lounge if we wanted. There is a sign leading us up the stairs…so off we go. At the top of the stairs and around the corner to the right is the lounge located on the second floor.
There were comfortable chairs, a bar and a few small tables. The waitress upstairs pointed out two chairs by the front windows and we took a seat. Now, this is a rustic place with lots of antiques and wood décor. I personally don’t mind this style. I think it gives the place charm and from what I’ve seen this is the theme throughout. Next to us was a freestanding wooden turn table (record player) and a stack of records. Eric Clapton was playing and apparently you can play any records from the stack or bring your own!
When the waitress came over to get our drink order she greeted us like she was welcoming us to a party and not just taking our order, “Hi! I’m Brittney what can I get for you?” she said while holding out her hand to shake ours. I guess you had to be there. I looked over the wine list and beer options but decided to break out of my norm and go for a cocktail. We struck up a conversation with the young couple next to us and I ordered a Main Street Manhattan. Very tasty! And just that quickly we were seated. I think it was 10 minutes. Back downstairs to the bar we went. We had the end seats which put us very close the live music. There was a gentlemen playing guitar by the front window and singing old classics such as Beatles and Beach Boys tunes. They have various performers on a regular basis.
We sat down to a set of mismatched plates and silverware in a mason jar. On the wall in the middle of the downstairs bar was the starter menu on a chalk board. I hadn’t planned on ordering anything to start but the Mussels spoke to me. They came with toasted crostini and I ordered extra crostini because those lovely little mollusks have up their lives for my dining pleasure. I wasn’t going to let any of that delicious juice get away! My husband decided on the Blue Cheese wedge salad as a start. He’s much more sensible than I. We were more than please with the first round. The Mussels were prepared well and the salad was large enough for both of us to share. Well, we shared everything…
I glanced over the menu while we were upstairs in the lounge and had decided on the Sea Bass. But when our bartender/server Phil told us the specials I changed my mind. The seafood special was grilled Corvina* which is similar to Sea Bass with a meatier texture. The manager, Zach Barnes, came by and explained that the flavor profile of the Corvina can stand alone where Sea Bass tends to take on the flavor of the sauce it’s prepared in. He said the first time they put Corvina on the menu it sold out in 2 hours. I was sold and while I was imagining how my dinner was going to taste… I was too distracted hear the steak special he was describing. I think it was a Ribeye.. which is one of my favorite cuts of meat. My husband ordered the Fortville Tenderloin Sandwich. Indiana is a hub for these sandwiches. The menu changes periodically based on what’s in season.
While we waited on the main course I soaked up our environment filled with things like old radios, wooden wall phones and tin ceilings. I asked the hostess about the tin ceiling and she believed they were original.
So, our meal comes and of course it was just as described. The Corvina was flaky and tender. It was served over a Squash Risotto and some sautéed greens with a lemon sauce. It was the perfect portion although I could have eaten much more. My husband was pleased with his Tenderloin which appeared to be hand breaded. When ordering these sandwiches you don’t want a deep fried pork fritter. The ones you find in the freezer section of the grocery. Those ARE NOT Tenderloins! If you order one somewhere and that is what you get send it back or run away… Well, maybe just ask before you order…
One of the owners/Chef Jacob Burgess was checking on customers and I was able to get a quick interview with him about the restaurant. Jacob was formerly at Prime 47 before starting this venture with his partner Toby Shelton. These two met in college when they were at Ball State University as roommates. Jacob’s initial major was Food Hospitality but eventually decided he wanted to work in the kitchen. He was a server at a popular Muncie restaurant Vera Mae’s. He said he wasn’t very good at it. One evening after he had been serving a former President of Ball State dinner … the owners of the restuarant asked if he “still wanted to work in the back.” He said “yes” that the rest is culinary history.
Jacob and Toby came up with the name FoxGardin by combining their mother’s maiden names. Jacobs mother Jane makes the pies daily. On the day we visited FoxGardin she had just made 22 pies. When Jacob asked her to do this since was busy with other duties. She commented, “No one is going to want to eat my pies.” Since then she’s made approximately 1300 pies in the last 11 months.
Jacob told us he got a lot of the décor from his father who was an auctioneer. You can’t help but feel as though this is a family (and friends) run establishment. They try to use local sourced food and labor. The carpenter that completed the new outside deck and roof dining is local. (FYI- Had I known about the roof top dining I might have requested that) They really have maximized their space.
Jacob says he’s pleased with how things are going. Being a Fortville native I’m sure they appreciate having him there. The article in Indianapolis monthly really increased traffic and they officially have been open a year. June 18th they had a Anniversary party that allowed kids. This is normally a non-kid establishment. I think Fortville has been blessed to have a progeny invest in the heart of their town. I’ll be back for a visit hopefully sooner than later …
FoxGardin Kitchen and Ale has a facebook page, twitter account and website. Check them out!Store Hours
Fox Gardin patrons must be 21 years of age or older
Mon 11 AM to 10 PM
Tue 11 AM to 10 PM
Wed 11 AM to 10 PM
Thu 11 AM to 1 AM
Fri 11 AM to 1 AM
Sat 11 AM to 1 AM
Sun 11 AM to 10 PM
P.S. I had to research Corvina…
*Corvina has a mild, sweet taste with firm, large flaked flesh which is pinkish when raw but cooks up white. The flesh resembles Snapper. In South America Corvina is regarded as a prime table fish and is very popular for ceviche.