Cas puts on her foodie cap

So, uh, it's been a little too long since I did any sort of blogging about Indy food items/news and some stuff I can't put off blabbing about any longer.

For one thing: Neal Brown is opening up a pizza joint: Pizzology. I should've shouted this one from the proverbial rooftops the second I caught wind of it, but frankly...ehhh, I have no excuses. Sorry. I really don't want to talk about it, I just want to stick it in my mouth. (That's what she said.) I've seen the tweets, heard the murmurs on other blogs, etc., and I'm trying to be patient, but damn it, Neal! Hurry!

If the pizza is even 1/10,032 as good as the food at L'Explorateur, I'm doomed. We all are. I will be a mammoth, more than willing to pack on the pounds. Check out Neal's tweets about the new digs on Twitter @pizzology

Other notable comings-abouts:

Upland Brewery is opening up an Indy location. An odd Indy location: Uptown Business Center at the corner of 49th and College. Right near...uh, that chicken wings place. From a few visits to their B-town home, I can attest to Upland's burgers being good about 50 percent of the time and their coconut tofu salad being exactly what a coconut tofu salad should be. Good ambiance, though. I hope they carry that through to their weird-ass location.

Good Morning Mama's is going to open...eventually. No new news presents itself as I stare lustfully at that ridiculously painted exterior. If the exterior paint job doesn't get you moving in the morning, you have obviously never stared at 80's jazzercise videos or old Sesame Street clips while hallucinating. Ahem. An old Indy Star article claims the extension of Mama Carolla's was set to open in July. It's September.

Nicole-Taylor's Pasta & Market is amazing. So far @josephjames and I have obsessed over the following pastas: Spinach, lemon-pepper, chipolte, curry and red pepper. The curry went well with a bastardized version of the curry dish I posted here a while back. They also had a real winner with the watermelon salsa they had available a few weeks ago.

I'm hooked. I am a certifiable junkie for anything that comes out of this spot. Located, conveniently, a few hops down from Locally Grown Gardens at 54th and the Monon. (Look for the yellow painted segment of the strip mall-ish building.) Special note: They also make gluten-free pastas.

Locally Grown Gardens

Locally Grown Gardens- a real gem. Located right off of the Monon on 54th street, this "farmer's market" really has a good thing going. My first experience at the market was while on a bike ride cruising through Broad Ripple. My curiosities got the best of me so I stopped in to see what this stand on the side of the road was all about.

Come to find out, they only carry locally grown fruits and veggies. The space is so rustic and really has a modern feel. After roaming around, I began studying the large chalk board behind the counter which displays every month and what fruits/veggies will be available.

The most amazing discovery of all- was when I looked down and realized they offer lunch and dinner. Chef Ronald Harris is truly talented, he makes dishes made with locally grown veggies from his market and adds a twist of his own. He offers salmon with locally grown baby greens or a pulled pork sandwich (smoker out front).

Last night - I returned to try the dinner. I ordered the salmon and baby greens-
I was literally speechless after my first taste. This was hands down one of the most amazing meals ever. The salmon was dressed with baby greens and topped off with fresh juicy grapefruit, a homemade citrusy vinaigrette and pink peppercorns.

For 12.75, you get an 8oz piece of salmon, baby greens and ... the most satisfied feeling ever. Ron even gave us a mini carton of locally grown strawberries (because we were first timers)- which were incredibly juicy, sweet and... absolutely perfect. He told us all about his summer menu plans: homemade strawberry and peach ice cream, fresh strawberry shortcake, more dinner menu items..and a whole lot more.

Ride your bike, sit outdoors, enjoy the fun reggae music and dig into a delicious summer meal. I highly recommend Locally Grown Gardens for your next summer dining experience.