Aglow Marketing's Blog

Organic food delivered to your door in Indy......

After watching the movie Food, Inc., Laura signed up for the new local organic food delivery service called Farm Fresh Delivery.  We also happened to watch the movie shortly thereafter and also signed up.  The service is fantastic - for only a $35 minimum order you can your pick of great organic and often local food delivered to your door.  We've already been enjoying salmon, turkey, vegetables, fruits and more.  Each week you select what's in your happy green bucket that's delivered to your door. (Can you tell I like that feature?!)

This week we selected some organic gourmet popcorn from Riehle's Select based out of Sunman, Indiana.  We've heard microwaveable popcorn isn't good for you so we're going to try this and air pop it.  Perfect for watching the new release Men Who Stare at Goats that just came from Netflix...

Biodegradable bags at Cafe Patachou....

As if I needed another reason to love Cafe Patachou!  After I got home and devoured their delish egg salad sandwich, I noticed this cool little message on their take out bag.  It's not only recyclable - which I've seen - but will also start biodegrading in 9 months. 

The full message reads: "Please re-use or recycle this bag! This to-go bag is made with recycled materials that are 100% recyclable and has a biodegradable additive that starts biodegrading in 9 months.  Patachou, Inc, is committed to the environment by using 100% compostable to-go packaging and offering our customers a better plastic bag."  The bags were sourced via RestaurantBags.com.  I hope to see other area restaurants follow suit with this great trend!

A bar that serves great vegetarian food?

As Laura and I were preparing to have a meeting with a client on Mass. Avenue downtown, we thought we'd have a lunch meeting of our own beforehand.  We decided on the Scholars Inn only to discover they were closed for lunch.  However, next door was a restaurant and pub called Chatham Tap.  Short on time, we gave it a shot.

Now, when I think food at a restaurant and pub, I expect your standard items like hamburgers and wings.  I was pleasantly surprised with menu items like Smoked Gouda Apple Melt, Gorgonzola Pear Melt, Pesto Sandwich, and Spinach Avocado and Feta Salad.  I'm not even a vegetarian and these items sounded so good, I had to try one.  I was not disappointed.  The sandwiches even come with a few slices of fresh apples and pears. I also enjoyed some delicious Cream of Artichoke soup.

Since then we've been back a couple more times and each time have found the staff very friendly and the food equally tasty with each new menu item.  Decor definitely lives up to the English Pub feel and is always neat and clean.  Next time you're visiting the Mass. Avenue area, stop by Chatham Tap for a great bite to eat.

The New Board Room

As I was wrapping up a productive working meeting with a few volunteers for the Indy AMA at the local Paradise Bakery, I did a quick glance around the room.  Tables were filled with business people conducting similar meetings - reviewing proposals, sketching out ideas, and typing on laptops.  In addition, I saw several groups of people who appeared to be either networking or interviewing for a job.  It occurred to me that the Paradise Bakeries, Panera's, and Starbucks of the world are quickly replacing the traditional office meetings room.

Why? Is it that many of us are now home-based and these locations provide a professional meeting environment?  Or do people slate meetings at a neutral location to make the conversation easier and a little more like meeting with a friend?  (I could see this being an interesting sales tactic.)  Perhaps it's the free wi-fi and great coffee - I know I enjoyed both as I conducted some Aglow business during my last stop at Paradise Bakery as I created a strategic marketing planning session agenda while sipping a delightful Hazelnut blend.

Regardless of the reason, there is no question that these locations are becoming the meeting place of choice for today's business professionals.  So now the question is, do we meet for coffee or lunch? 

Food for thought...

Every holiday season, people share many lovely gifts with one another.  This year, my family received a beautiful standout in a modern fruit basket from Edible Arrangements.  The local store that prepared ours is in the Broad Ripple area, near Macy's.  There are other locations in Fishers & Greenwood. 

The fruit was succulent, the chocolate covered strawberries and apples were divine and the overall presentation was outstanding.  The picture is a close up of our actual arrangement.  It was almost too beautiful to eat.  Almost.

A thumbs up for Second Helpings....

I was driving in traffic the other day and spotted a large delivery truck for Second Helpings, an Indianapolis charity. I became familiar with their organization at a wedding for one of my LBS Photography clients. Featured at left is the requested bride and groom cheesecake - both adorable and delicious.

What makes Second Helpings so amazing is they meet three goals - rescue food (not for catering, though), train disadvantaged adults for jobs in the culinary field and feed the hungry.

I remember when I worked HR at Target the amounts of good food that had to be thrown away in the deli and bakery because it was 2 or 3 days from expiration. It made me sick to see all that food go nowhere.  However, now Second Helpings takes that food, makes it even more delicious and gets it to the people who need. All while providing training for people who need it, too.

Read more about their mission here. If you'd like to donate to Second Helpings, click here.

Rick's Boatyard Cafe never disappoints....

Okay, I'm already beginning to worry that you'll think all I do is go out to eat and work! However, eating out is a treat for us because we work at home. We need to get out of the house (to help us from going crazy) so eating out is a natural part of our weekly mix. And, yes, I do love to eat good food.

So, last night I was in the mood for Rick's Boatyard Cafe, which sits just off Eagle Creek Reservoir. I had my personal favorite dish of Pesto Linguine with Scallops and Shrimp. Except these shrimps are HUGE - it's more like Godzilla shrimp. And the dish is always good for leftovers the next day. I also highly recommend the Parmesan Artichoke Crab Dip appetizer and the Mile High Chocolate Cake for Dessert. Oh, and their seafood chowder is the absolute best!

If you're looking for a great brunch place on Sunday, definitely make the trip to Rick's. I'm a huge fan of their quiches and everything else is amazing, too. You'll never be sorry for going out to Rick's. Unfortunately their website doesn't do the best job of reflecting what a great place they are and the menu wouldn't download, but don't let that deter you from giving it a try. Maybe I need to go talk to them....marketing in exchange for food? Hmmm....

Lunch at Urban Elements

Yesterday I met a friend who's moving away for lunch. She suggested Urban Elements, downtown on Pennsylvania Avenue. Quaint little spot with eclectic decor. We both ordered the Turkey Florentine sandwich, which came on sourdough bread and with a side of fries. We both enjoyed the food as much as the conversation. The sandwiches were hand delivered to us by Steve, the owner, who was friendly but not intrusive. As we left he let us know that they also have live bands from time to time. I'd like to go back in the evening sometime, as I'm sure it's a whole different vibe.

A note about parking, you can use the meters in front or park a short block away for free. It was a nice walk on a sunny day but on a cold one I'm sure I'd be paying to be a little closer.

Dining out at Avon's Charbono's

Last night we ate out in the Avon area at Charbono's Restaurant. We frequent it every once in a while and it never disappoints. Probably one of my favorite house salads - the house dressing is a must have - and some of the best bread and dip around. It's hard not to get full before dinner arrives. I went with the Chicken Scaloppini and it was wonderful. I even had plenty leftover for lunch today - doubly delicious! We also tried the Carrot Pineapple Cake for dessert - YUM. It was quite tasty with several layers of frosting and one serving was plenty for two people. It's rather unassuming from the outside but is very nicely decorated inside, very warm and cozy. You can dress casually or dress up, which is always nice. I also love that they have a sign out front letting you know if immediate seating is available. Price is mid-range. Great for a special occasion or just a nice dinner out.