4. Restaurants

R Bistro

888 Massachusetts Ave, Indianapolis, IN, 46204
  • (317) 423-0312
  • Store is closed

R Bistro Menu

  • Starters
  • Entrees
  • Desserts

Healthy Meal suggestions for R Bistro

  • Starters
  • Entrees
  • Desserts

  • Todd B.

    Great experience tonight at R Bistro on my business trip to Indianapolis. Perhaps it was just an off night or the Justin Bieber concert downtown, but it was strange that only three of us were in the restaurant when the restaurant is so well regarded. Oh, well. I hope Indianapolis has enough good taste to support this restaurant. The service was really friendly and perfectly attentive. The server was passionate and knowledgable about the menu, which included all locally grown ingredients except the table bread -- which turns out was outstanding anyway. I enjoyed a nice California red blend wine priced reasonably, the fried calamari ($9), and the Indian spiced turkey ($23). I suppose that some people in Indy think that is expensive, but this NYC resident assures you that it is extremely reasonable for this quality of food. The calamari was interesting -- the perfect healthy portion, not greasy, and fried in a graham cracker and flour crust. In fact, the restaurant erred a bit on the side of slim portions for a $9 serving -- adding a bit more to the portion would be fairer to the customer, but the taste was unique and flavorful. I wasn't crazy about the turkey. The turkey itself was cooked just perfectly, and was presented beautifully on a bed of basmati rice with Indian puree. It was that combination of puree and rice that I found a bit bland and without much taste. I will have to say that I struggled between a 3 and 4 star on the restaurant. I had a very nice experience, and I know the menu changes often. For that reason, I gave it the benefit of the doubt. But based on this night's experience alone, there was nothing that wowed me. Interesting? Yes. Wowed? Not really. I would need to go back again. Still, I'm happy this restaurant exists here, and they are doing a very fine job.

    (4)

  • Larry W.

    My wife and I were in town for her birthday and R Bistro was highly recommended. The menu is always different according to our waiter as everything is made dress with local ingredients. My had the bison and I had the rabbit. Both were excellent choices. However the Brown Betty desert was not very good. We would definitely come back but finish our meal with a different desert choice.

    (4)

  • Kate B.

    My husband and I had dinner at R Bistro for a special occassion, and we had a perfectly wonderful experience. The restaurant was only about half full, but we went on a snowy, Wednesday evening. The main reason for the 4 (and not 5) star rating is there are a couple other top notch restaurants in town that I think beat R Bistro in atmosphere. Our waitress was knowledgable and friendly (I'd recommend asking about the menu), and our food was DELICIOUS. The chef clearly puts a lot of thought into the creative, local, seasonal dishes (which is why she typically will not make substitutions--in a restaurant like this, asking for that would be an insult.) My husband has also been for lunch and really enjoyed it. I definitely recommend R Bistro!

    (4)

  • Danting C.

    Love their roasted duck breast. Fresh local veggies combined with juicy baby duck breast. Dessert menu is interesting with name like "baked Alaska". Stuffs are always nice and polite. I have been their twice so far and this restaurant always impress me.

    (5)

  • v. C.

    Maybe the first farm-to-table menu in Indy. Thoughtful, ingredient-driven menu. Small but not cramped dining room. Nice touches but never stuffy. French press coffee. Very professional staff. I miss this place. Maybe the best thing in the city.

    (5)

  • Carrie O.

    Apparently Chef Regina doesn't believe in the saying, "the customer is always right." We went here last Friday night with my parents who were visiting town: 1. We were not allowed to place an order for an appetizer until we were ready to place our entire order. 2. No substitutions of sides because "the chef has a specific flavor profile" she was going for. Waiter wouldn't even go ask because he knew she'd say no. 3. No cheese allowed for the pasta dish my father ordered. Same thing - staff wouldn't even ask. These things would be incredibly annoying but maybe I'd let them slide if the food was phenomenal, but it wasn't. I had the pork chop, and it was unbearably salty for me. And I salt everything. A chef has to work pretty hard to over salt an entree for me. As a matter of fact, I'm shocked that Chef Regina even allows salt and pepper to be on the table, because that would mean we could alter the flavor profile! The waiter did a great job considering the conditions he has to operate under. We won't be going back. Hurrah for YATS coming in across the street, cheap, unpretentious and delicious!

    (2)

  • Michelle T.

    Once again our annual visit to R Bistro proved to be amazing! The soup of the day could easily have been named "Spring in a Bowl." It was an amazing blend of peas, spinach, asparagus, leeks and even apples!! YUM My hubby opted for the beef tongue tacos, he loved them, but they reminded me of the chicken livers I had to eat at my grandmas growing up, so I stuck my soup. For my entree I had the quail, first time eating quail and it tasted a bit like chicken :0) Good chicken... but think baby, baby chicken!! We joked when my hubby wanted a toothpick, I offered him my quail leg bone. The vegetables were crazy fresh and absolutely wonderful, the touch of smoked cheese was exactly the right amount to bring all the flavors forward. Hubby had the lamb shank~ delish!! The orzo though is what will remain in our minds forever, buttery, yummy, goodness. For dessert we had some type of rum soaked pound cake with fresh strawberries, rum yummy! A VERY enjoyable dinner with great service and even better food! One more year cannot come fast enough...

    (5)

  • Aaron S.

    I had a similar experience to the other one star reviewers. The best item on a plate was a chocolate truffle from next door. They served me a shrimp dish they disguised on the menu as something high-quality, but was really a shrimp masala that I could have gotten at any street corner Indian restaurant. The restaurant had the appearance of a trendy americana style bistro you could find in any large urban center, but would not last a week in New York, SF, Chicago or LA. Besides the mediocre-overpriced food, the waiter treated us poorly. They should beef up the wine list and fire the pretentious wait staff who were most likely hired through nepotism. I would have made this comment private, but R Bistro provides no way to contact them on the website. The online reservation system was broken. There is no way I would recommend this restaurant to a friend.

    (1)

  • Kim L.

    Excellent food and service. Chef owned and operated. Went here for anniversary dinner on December 28th. Great use of local meat and produce. Highly recommend!

    (5)

  • Katherine B.

    Very refreshing to have gourmet food from local sources! The menu is small, but there seems to be a good enough variety to please anyone. And I've spent more for a lot lower quality.

    (4)

  • Sunah K.

    I've been here twice so far. The first time I had a roasted chicken dish and my husband had a steak dish and we were very pleased with the meal. The second time we had the prix fixe Devour Downtown boeuf bourginon menu, which was hearty and decent for the event, although not exceptional. They have a seasonal menu that changes weekly, which keeps thing interesting. The ingredients are fresh and local. The nature of the menu limits choices. Service was very good. The space is "intimate", but I didn't feel claustrophobic and we didn't have to wait either time. We'll definitely be back to see what's new on the menu.

    (4)

  • J H.

    Both times we've been to R Bistro we were there for beer dinners (one was 3 Floyds and the other was Brugge Brasserie) and both times the food and beer pairings were weak. The staff was horrible, pretentious and rude. The food was nothing special and quite honestly both times we left disappointed. About the only thing that was good for both meals were the beers themselves - which R Bistro had no hand in preparing! Based on that I wouldn't come here on a regular night because of how poorly both dinners went.

    (1)

  • Tim B.

    Local ? (kind of, they talk up the tiny garden "behind the wall" ), Different? (Almost), Trying to hard to be what they are not? (Definitely) The tile floor and almost there decor is trying to be a hip yet upscale place and it just doesn't quite make the mark. The menu changes weekly which is nice, however last Friday night, everything, I mean everything was overcooked. Pork Belly, Lamb Brat, Cornish Hen were all dry (yes, dry pork belly) Decent wine list, weird servers and the Yellow shirts need to go. I really wanted to like this place but I didn't

    (2)

  • John O.

    My wife and I received a gift certificate to R Bistro for my birthday, which I promptly left at my parents house! No problem...the staff were helpful and looked up the certificate number. This set the stage for a wonderful evening. The service was prompt and spot on...I had the smoked duck & arugula salad with beet soup and my wife had the wild salmon cake atop a green tomato for appetizers and they were both delicious. I'm told the menu changes weekly. All the food was either from their own garden or local farmers/suppliers. For our entrees we had the seared ahi over turnips, red potatoes and kale and the mushroom burger, which were both outstanding. RBistro is located in a totally hip section of downtown Indy called the Mass Ave strip. The atmosphere and surroundings made for a great night. The wait staff were professional and made fantastic reservations.

    (4)

  • Hannah C.

    It seems R Bistro is part of the community (Mass Ave and Indy's restaurant scene.) Their menu always lists which local businesses/farms the ingredients have been plucked from; the chef guests on Indy Style with a dish or two; they always have a Devour menu. It makes you feel good to eat there, like you're boosting the Hoosier economy - nullifies the higher $$ a bit. R Bistro is nice for its breakaway menu - always trying new twists and updating weekly. Don't get me wrong. It's good, but I'm always left feeling like I wish the dishes were a *little bit*... different. The scallop salad a little lighter; the marinara a little richer; the dessert a little sweeter. These are never dealbreakers, though. In fact, if anything, it might be a tease. I go back to see if they might just be a *little* better the next time around. Nice atmosphere - laidback with good service for groups or couples.

    (3)

  • Betsy A.

    I've been to R Bistro a handful of times and while I loved it on my first visit, I was mildly disappointed during our most recent outing. Let me begin by stating that my food was excellent, as was my sister-in-law's (we had exactly the same things). However, the selections made by my guy and his brother left a little something to be desired. We girls chose the warm goat cheese salad for our starter - nice greens, blood-red flavorful tomatoes and a perfectly breaded and browned goat cheese disk nicely rounded out with a hint of dressing. Our entree consisted of spit-roasted goat (yep, goat!) tacos with sweet corn and avocado salsa...unbelievably delicious - a perfect marriage of textures, tastes and definitely generous in portion. Now for the boys, who decided the goat sounded too exotic. One chose the salmon dressed with "summer"....which ended up being lots of those yummy tomatoes on top of a small portion of grilled Coho, supported from underneath by roasted potatoes. The other decided on the quail - while the bird was seasoned and cooked to his liking, the "side" was a large helping of field greens sprinkled with a few green and yellow string beans. Oh, and I neglected to mention that both of the guys had a starter of scallop ceviche. This item was delicious by both their accounts. For dessert, the girls had Ginger Apricot cake that was moist, dense and deeply satisfying. The boys? Sour cherry soup for one - which came out more like sour cherries folded into yogurt and served in a cocktail glass. I was hoping for a real, honest-to-goodness cold fruit soup (and so was he!) The other brother opted for the chocolate truffles - despite being mildly advised by the server not to as they are available just a door or so down and not made in-house - and was given two Godiva-sized morsels on a plate. There was nary a small side of sliced berries or whipped cream to accompany the chocolates and for $5.75....well, we got a lot of mileage out of joking around about this dessert. Our server was great and our wine selection, a California Gewurtztraminer, was a nice surprise and better than our personal wine snob (not me, btw) had anticipated. Unfortunately, we girls learned that this is not necessarily a good choice for two strapping "meat & taters" lads, mainly because portions here are delicate where they are concerned, though just right for us. In fact, they stopped on the way home to get McFlurries at McD's.

    (3)

  • Matthew F.

    One of the best if not the best restaurant in Indianapolis. The menu changes weekly and with the seasons. I like the vibe of the restaurant, its small and cozy. Wait staff is fantastic and always the same people. The menu is interesting and always well executed. It makes sense that she is one of the very few Indiana chefs who gets nominated for James Beard awards year after year. Some of my favorite entrees have been: pan seared duck breast (in all of its various preparations), shrimp and grits, pork belly, and lamb loin. My favorite starters have been the beef tongue and oysters poached in horseradish sauce. Favorite desserts are sticky toffee pudding, tres leches cake and churros con chocolat. What surprises me most about this place is how some of the less-exciting sounding items on the menu can sometimes surprise me and be one of my faves. Always ask the advice of your server here for that reason. Also impressive at how many different desserts they can crank out and not repeat items that often. Most restaurants have the same list of 6-8 desserts. Great dinner spot! We are lucky to have a place like this in Indy.

    (5)

  • Tara M.

    My friends threw me a birthday dinner at R Bistro last night. I had walked by it before and was eager to try it out (that little corner of Mass Ave has a bunch of gems, by the way). I admire that R Bistro maintains their own little garden on a patch of land next to the restaurant. Which of course was covered in snow last night :) I agree with the other reviewers who have written about the warmth and beauty of the space. We were seated around a large round table in the cozy-yet-spacious back corner of the restaurant. We were served some delicious warm rolls with soft butter. I had a bowl of butternut squash soup (flavorful yet surprising in its lack of sweetness), a pear/pomegranate/blue cheese salad (wonderful), and shared the vegetarian spinach, goat cheese and mushroom frittata (beautifully presented, though a little on the bland side). And then a slice from the gorgeous red velvet birthday cake they had brought in for the occasion. The service was friendly, accommodating, and attentive. Regina stopped by to say hello and check in on us. Overall it was a lovely experience and I have warm memories of last night. It should be noted that the prices are steep. My frittata was $18.75, which is in line with the the other entrees (non-veg entrees were in the $20-$26 range). When compared to Recess, which charges $50 per dinner, maybe it is reasonable for the fine dining experience.

    (4)

  • Jason D.

    This place has almost everything going for it. I love the atmosphere inside, the service was great, and the concept of the restaurant is exciting. Each week the menu changes, focusing on seasonal local ingredients. The food is creative and the quality is high. Chef Regina Mehallick is extremely friendly as well and seems to look forward to the opportunity to share her thoughts. The only drawbacks that I experienced, which were enough for a 4 star review even though I want to give it 5, were the price and taste of the food. Like I said, it is pricey, although I am willing to pay especially when it is fresh local food, but our dishes were not spectacular like we were expecting. Don't get me wrong, it was still very tasty and a great experience, but not to the level it should have been. So, for this one experience, it was a 4, but I hope next time it can be a 5.

    (4)

  • Brad K.

    I'd heard lots of great things about R Bistro so naturally I wanted to see if my friends actually had good taste. The space itself was beautiful. The exposed brick wall and the funky corner lot made for a cool atmosphere. The tables are a bit close to each other because of the small space so you might hear the conversations around you (or others may hear yours). The menu, which changes every week, was excellent. There were 5 dishes for each course, including at least one vegetarian plate. But the place is really more than just a cool space and good food. It's genuinely enjoyable. The waitstaff is properly nice and attentive, the food -- served in reasonable portions - was delicious. The dessert (we had a homemade ice cream) was awesome. In other words, a great spot for a date or a classy night on the town.

    (4)

  • J I.

    Very delicious, local, and seasonal, but the lunch portions are small. I found that I needed two (salmon dish plus sandwich) in order to be full. For example the salmon dish I ordered had a salmon filet about the size of a kid's fist on a little bed of cous cous ($13). The bacon sandwich had a few strips of bacon between two pieces of bread with a homemade spread, and then a little salad.

    (4)

  • John H.

    The R Bistro space is a well designed brushed chrome, brick and light colored wood. In the main dining room there is a window into the kitchen, cunningly designed to allow a view without overwhelming the guests. We were seated promptly by a friendly hostess for a 7:00 reservation. We split two appetizers--the elk served over a bed of leeks and a duck confit topped with a poached egg served over a cornmeal griddlecake. Both of the appetizers were exceptionally tasty. The elk was delicately cooked and matched the leeks and the light sauce exceptionally well. We've been on a duck confit rampage here lately, and this certainly made the grade--and was really perfect with the poached egg and cake. For entrees we had a spiced port tenderloin and the grilled cobia. The tenderloin was served on a bed of lentils with a honey-vinegar sauce. The meat was perfectly cooked and the pairing with the lentils and honey was surprisingly tasty. Generally I'm not enthusiastic about fish, but the cobia was a mild whitefish that was flavored well and matched perfectly with the mashed sweet potatoes and the green beans. The highlight of that dish, though, was the red pepper and onion relish that was served on top of the sweet potatoes. It wasn't a combination that I would have considered, but it will be a combination that I will not soon forget. For dessert we had butternut squash stuffed crepes. The sweet-squash had a buttery and cinnamony flavor and was a nice way to finish a sweet-potato based dish. I liked R Bistro quite a bit and would unhesitatingly recommend it to someone visiting Indianapolis.

    (4)

  • jason y.

    I came here during the Devour Downtown Winter Festival. I glance through the menu while waiting at the bar for 30minutes even with a reservation. I understand cause it was a busy night. All the items are the menu seem reasonably price, I lucked out and got a three course meal for thirty bucks cause of the event going on. The salad was dressed nicely and light. The soup was a bit over seasoned and the dessert was okay. Afterwards, I was still hungry and ended up driving to the grocery store and made hamburgers. Bottom line: it is good food, but it isn't good a place to go when you're starving.

    (3)

  • Mark W.

    Second best restaurant in Indy (Oakley's in the best) Menu changes week to week, lovely Talapia with Lentils Shrimp and grits Scallops and slaw with macadamia nuts

    (4)

  • John R.

    I had a smilarly disappointing experience, with one big add-on: I got to meet the chef/owner. It wasn't fun. Our food was pretty bad - underseasoned and overcooked, across the board - so when the incredibly pretentious server asked, we told her. She looked shocked. A few minutes later, the chef was at our table and asked what was the matter. I told her the food was underseasoned and overcooked. She rationalized the underseasoned part (local tastes? OK, say so on the menu) and denied the overcooked part. So now I'm srguing with the owner when all I want to do is pay my bill and leave. I was embarrassed. For her, mostly, but also my wife. Needless to say, I'll never eat there again. Too bad - Indy really needs good local restaurants. This isn't helping.

    (1)

  • Linda R.

    I am writing a review after several visits to this restaurant over the years. We don't dine out much, usually just for special occasions as we did last Friday night for my 49th birthday. It is a very small place and we always see Chef Regina come out and talk to regulars. In all my visits she's never even made eye contact or spoken to us, which really was only a mild irritation until last night. Her total disregard ensured that we will never be back. We sat at our table for several awkward minutes with her backside within inches of our faces as she stood between our table the one with regulars next to us whom she was making feel very welcome. I would have at least expected a greeting or apology for interrupting our dinner but it was like we weren't even there. It's sad because the food here is always excellent. I'm a supporter of the concept but will be finding a new local place to support with my hard earned money!

    (1)

  • Nic I.

    My boyfriend and I have been to R Bistro three times now. The first time for lunch, the second time for a very special dinner, and the most recent time just for dessert. The last two times were absolutely splendid and the third nothing short of awesome. We had just come from dinner down the street, and we were a little worried that we were not dressed to par. Rather than leave, we decided to take our chances and head in for a tasty dessert and wine. The staff remembered us, and were, on top of that, very conversational even though we sat at the bar. The Guiness cake and the dolce de leche crepes were outstanding. Regina even came out and introduced herself and gave us some insight into what goes into the Guiness Cake. I loved the dessert and the staff is so friendly. This is by is far my favorite fine dining establishment in Indianapolis and will always return when we have the chance. We never feel that the atmosphere is stuffy or snooty and have always received great service. R Bistro, you've got two loyal customers who will continue to return and recommend your establishment to all of our friends. Keep up the good work!

    (5)

  • Caramel B.

    Amazing restaurant with a menu that changes frequently (perhaps weekly). Yesterday I had the Sicilian-style cauliflower sauce tossed with saffron, pistachio & gigli pasta. Yummy. Perfectly seasoned. I also had the vegetable soup puree, which was also really good! And for dessert I had the a small portion of the Sticky toffee pudding with whipped cream. It is super rich and great for sharing. I'm definitely going back!

    (4)

  • Areeba F.

    The food was just amazing, especially for Indianapolis standards. I felt like I was eating things that were cooked on the Food Network and then sent directly to me. I love going outside of my box, and eating here truly made me appreciate beet soup. The duck salad was tasty, and the lamb brat was pretty good too -- adding that grilled cantaloupe and the corn/beans was a good call, I never thought those ingredients blended together could pan out so well. I will definitely be back (whenever my budget allows!)

    (5)

  • Tristan S.

    It's a decent place until the owner/head chef makes her presence known. After hearing about the local ingredients and independent mindset, my wife and I were eager to try R Bistro with friends. We won't go back - Regina, the owner, was so independently minded that she acted like she can do just fine on her own, without new customers. The evening with a few other couples started off okay. The server seemed impatient to get our drink orders, and when we asked about whether a fish was wild-caught, she had to be reminded to ask the chef. But we didn't pay these matters much mind, and we got our orders fairly quickly. The appetizers (salads and soups) were great, and then our entrees arrived. They were so-so: the elk was said to be delicious, but my salmon was drastically undercooked even though the menu claimed it was barbecue-style. Granted, I didn't want a jerky-dry salmon fillet, but the warm edges,cool center, and warm lettuce underneath left much to be desired for the price, and the preparation reminded me of something Red Lobster would offer. Dessert was amazing: the angel-food spice cake was to die for. But the temporary high was cut drastically short by our request to separate the check three ways. The server told us the menu said this wasn't possible. After a brief bit of grumbling by one of our friends, we did the math and separated the check ourselves. The irritated server came back, took our calculations, and returned 10 minutes later, accusing me of faulty math, even though I'd calculated it several times. She made a scene about it, but it turned out the difference was only $5, which I would've simply said "that's fine" to, had she let me know how much it was off in the first place. Not wanting to wait another 15 minutes for her to try the math again, we and our friends quickly agreed to split our portions of the check 50/50. By this time, the server could have split our check several times over, but because of the restaurant's policy, she wasted her and our time. We understood the policy, and by the time we agreed to separate the checks equally, we were ready to go, but still in good spirits. Then things went downhill quickly for no reason, and the single star was earned. Regina, the owner, stepped up to our table as if we'd been throwing bottles across the room and threatening people. She looked down her nose and sternly informed us that she was the owner/head chef, and the policy was to not separate checks, and it was clearly written on the menus. She didn't acknowledge the fact that we'd realized this fact long before she came to us, and instead emphasized that this policy has been in place for years, and a system to change it would cost thousands of dollars, and that most people attending dinner in her restaurant agree to payment division before they eat. That's fine, if you were a) planning on going to dinner in the first place and b) going with people you know well. But we joined our guests at the last minute, and didn't know them well enough to split a check evenly all ways. One of our friends asked her if she'd encountered this problem before, and she said many times. Refusal to change in business is not always good. But that's besides the point. Regina acted as if she could care less if we ever came back. She asked repeatedly "Have you dined here before?" I expected her to follow this up with "I don't want your first experience to be negative," a polite response which would've been appreciated and would have left us with a feeling that she cared about her guests. Instead, she used the question as a means to imply that if any of us had been there before (one of us had), we should know how strict they are about their policy of not splitting checks. The point of this review is not to consider the merits or hassles of splitting checks. The point is that an independent restaurant owner today cannot afford to cop a better-than-thou attitude when people are paying her hundreds of dollars for so-so meals. It's great that she tries to get local ingredients for unique dishes. But when the dishes can't prop up a failure in the adequate treatment of customers, it doesn't matter what the restaurant's serving. Until that interaction, 6 of the 7 people dining that evening enjoyed a decent dinner at a local restaurant they'd never been to before. But because we were treated like it didn't matter whether we come back, we probably won't. And we won't bring our friends or family, either.

    (1)

  • Doug O.

    Food was spectacular with good wine selection and knowledgeable staff.

    (4)

  • Stefanie E.

    I met my date at a karaoke bar. He has long hair, several piercings and a goatee. He's used to tequila shots and chili nachos. Why, then, did I take him to R Bistro? Because I had a feeling it might just rock his world. Though I live in St. Louis, my family is from Indy and I'm there often. I keep up on all the restaurant hotspots and R Bistro has been on nearly every list I've read for several years running. Besides, if it were truly meant to be, our palates would collide and we'd find a harmonious chemistry somewhere around the second course. When the spaghetti squash fritters arrived, all golden and crisp, I had a good feeling. Served with a side of mizuna bathed lightly in olive oil, pepper and honey, the dish was magnificent. Sweet and crunchy, with an eggy, silken finish, the fritters practically melted in my mouth. For dinner I ordered the turkey involtini - a turkey breast pounded until tender, filled with pancetta, onions, garlic, currants, pine nuts and parsley, then rolled and sliced into medallions. It was served over a bed of creamy polenta and housemade tomato sauce. You can tell chef Regina Mehallick is farmers market savvy. Because it was a very cold February night, it was clear the tomatoes had been picked at their peak, and frozen for use at just the right time - the night we were there. The rocker had veal served over creamy celery root puree and a red cabbage slaw. He ate every last bite. We vowed to share at the outset, but once the food arrived, we both got a little possessive. Which was fine. I mean, it's not like we were coveting a plate of chili nachos or something. This was real food. Star quality food. The menu is positively tiny, but I like that. It changes weekly and I like that even more. It's completely seasonally based and mostly local. At the end of our meal, the rocker was starting to talk about the future. Our future at R Bistro, that is. "When you come back next month, who knows what they'll have?" he said, his face beaming. I can't wait to find out.

    (4)

  • JR J.

    Without a doubt one of the best and most uniquie restaurants in town. The menu changes weekly and the chef tries to use as many local ingredients as she can. I've been to the R Bistro several times and have always went away happy. I often look at the menu items and wonder how these flavors will go together and they always do. Make sure you save room for dessert. I rarely eat dessert out but always when at this fine establishment. I would suggest this place to anyone going out for a night on the town.

    (5)

  • Gregg S.

    The actual 3.5 average of all the reviews is appropriate. Like many reveiwers are initial reaction a few years ago was that we would never return. The Prussian mentality of the wait staff was entirely unacceptable and the no substitute policy just added to the insult. We returned at the invitation of friends and things have improved, but only marginally. The staff is friendlier, but is reluctant to split checks, good restaurants do this with a smile. They were out of the special by 7:30 on a Friday. The food is good ,but not that good and still no substitutions. Not our first choice when we are in Indy.

    (3)

  • TOMMY o.

    out of my budget, & we dropped in after a walk down Mass window shopping (dressed Low Casual),but we were professionally served the bartender was fun & friendly the food Excellent the dessert DIVINE i've heard they use local organic farmers i would suggest Lunch

    (5)

  • Jennifer L.

    Possibly the freshest and most creative food in the city. Chef Regina Mehallick revamps the menu weekly to reflect the freshest fruits and veggies available to her. A good selection of wine and beer, too. You'll step out of your comfort zone with foods like sour cherry soup or bourbon and peppercorn braised quail, but you'll be rewarded for it. If prices are a bit steep for you, wait until the summer and winter "Devour Downtown" specials, where you can get three-course meals for $30 at popular downtown eateries each year.

    (5)

  • Marc K.

    I had heard so much about R Bistro. Before trying it for ourselves, it came with rave reviews from so many friends. We were not disappointed. The place is chef-owned and operated and their hours are a bit funky as they're closed Monday and Tuesday. The menu changes weekly and usually features local produce and meat. There are always 5 starters (one of which is usually vegetarian), 5 mains, and 5 desserts for the dinner menu. We had two starters, one of which was spectacular. (The other was meerly excellent). The spectacular starter was a root vegetable salad, which was served warm. It was comprised of turnips, potatoes, carrots, and onions which were roasted to perfection. These were dressed with super tasty high-quality olive oil and topped with a small round of broiled goat cheese. The dish was nothing short of amazing. The ingredient quality is something that we seldom see while dining out. For mains, we had 1) Pomegranate Mint Quail and 2) Coconut vegetable curry. The quail was spectacular. The sour pom and light mint brought out so much flavor in the dark quail meat. The vegetable curry was good, but not spectacular. Dessert was a "banana split" with caramelized bananas and in-house made vanilla ice cream, which was amazing. R Bistro gets 4 stars because the vegetarian entrees just aren't up to the same standard as the other dishes. On the other hand, most of the other restaurants in this town make no effort to provide for the non-meat eaters out there, so that may be a little harsh. The service was attentive without being intrusive. The servers definitely knew the menu and were able to answer questions and give good suggestions.

    (4)

  • Matthew E.

    We went here on the recommendation of a friend, taking several people visiting from out of town. We were not disappointed. I started with the beef tongue appetizer and greens, and it was delicious. Main dish was quail, which was arguably one of the most enjoyable dishes I can remember eating. The apple tart was a little underwhelming, especially as it was our server's recommendation. That said, the meal overall was simply terrific. Fresh ingredients and appropriate portion sizes (but not overwhelming, but certainly enough). I can't wait to go back!

    (5)

  • Richard H.

    I had not been to R Bistro for some time, frankly because of an unpleasant past experience, but a friend treated me to a dinner. It's a lovely space -- really the perfect size for a restaurant -- and the wait staff was very friendly and attentive. The wine was yummy, and the entrees were quite good: how can you go wrong with brisket, mashed potatoes and roasted carrots and radishes? That being said, the brisket was quickly running out at 7 p.m. on a Friday evening when the restaurant was not full. Dessert was supposedly a pumpkin flan, and although it was good, there wasn't much pumpkin to it. I think it may have brushed up against a pumpkin. Decent local fare.

    (3)

  • Chris W.

    I went here with pretty high expectations as I had heard from multiple people that this was some of the best food in Indy. I started with the portobello soup which had a great texture and flavor, unlike many of the heavy cream mushroom based soups I have had over the years. My entree was the pork which was coked to perfection and came with a side of mashed potatoes veggies which were both forgettable but not so awful that they ruined the meal. Overall I would say this is an okay place for a nice meal out but wasn't the memorable experience I was expecting. It's not stuffy and pretentious at all, though the prices are a bit on the higher side for what you get.

    (3)

  • Simon K.

    A solid good choice in Indy. Haven't tried it for dinner yet, but would very much recommend it for your next business lunch. The food is delicious and definitely a bit of a change-up from the usual lunch spots around town. Service has always been very good and the changing menu keeps things interesting.

    (4)

  • L. R.

    I experienced R Bistro for the first time with a group of women. There were 10 of us going there for lunch. We ranged in age from 20s to 60s. We made reservations and they were ready for us and we were seated immediately. There wasn't a table to fit all of us, so they kindly moved two round tables together and we all got to sit together. The waiter we had was fabulous! He took the time to explain all the specials and some of our group had questions about the food (gluten free? vegan? vegetarian?). He was so thorough we all remarked at what a great asset he was to this restaurant. We promptly received our food and everyone of us loved it. I had the vegetable curry over brown rice - delicious. Another had the bacon and eggs, another the BLT, and still others just had salads. Some of us had wine, others had water. None of us had dessert (the chocolate shop is right next door!). When it came time for checks - our checks were split without a problem and we each got our bill. The tip was added because it was a large table but that was appreciated by all. The waiter deserved every cent. Plates were cleared away promptly, drinks were refilled regularly and we were asked how everything was. All in all, this was such a great place I purchased a gift certificate on the way out for a friend. The restaurant is quite lovely and modern looking with paintings on the walls and some sculpture work. Trying hard to be something it's not? I don't think so. The little garden in the back - well, that's all the space they have where would you have them put it? There is a raised garden actually to the side of the building and you can clearly see the compost bins they use. They serve as much local food as possible including wine/beer. Why would you begrudge a restaurant the kudos for having a garden, no matter how small? I know I'd prefer to have the stuff out of there than the stuff shipped in from God knows where. I plan on making a return trip soon!

    (4)

  • Christian B.

    Since I moved to California after growing up in Indy, I got a little snobby when it came to food. I complained to my mother coming home that Indy simply didn't have good local cuisine. So, she took me here to prove me wrong. My wife, mother and I all got something different for lunch and it was all exquisite. Very light and flavorful. Probably not the best for a hearty meal, and you could spend a decent amount to get your fill. But having a constantly changing menu will always make it interesting. On a side note, Indy has a lot of great restaurants. The problem is it has way more chains and it's easy to grow up there not seeing that side of it.

    (4)

  • Dave H.

    We enjoy fresh local sourced ingredients. R Bistro is very fresh and local sourced. The restaurant even has it's own herb and vegetable garden next door. We enjoyed then tomato chic pea soup, signature applewood panini and the Wednesday special toffee cake. Everything was great. Service was fast and attentive. We highly recommend.

    (5)

  • Scott M.

    QUALITY SERVICE. QUALITY RECIPES. R Bistro was a pioneering eatery at the Northeast end of Mass Ave. in downtown Indy when others feared to risk the area. Quality service and quality recipes made the trendy restaurant a popular spot for locals and visitors. Those standards continue. The chef-owner travels the world and returns with new dishes she shares with diners not concerned about price as much as value. R Bistro is a nice, small place for a special occasion or late-night dinner. Expect to pay top dollar for smaller, high-caliber portions.

    (4)

  • David V.

    Not a great experience. As with others our friends had a good experience the first time they went. The second time did not go well. We had a similar experience to other diners who had issues with the food which was poorly handled. The staff can be innattentive which can make small issues larger. It did not help that there was old food on the table when we sat down--not a good start. Our server was just plain weird as it seemed he was in love with everything about the place and oblivious to any issues we were having. My wife hardly touched her $23 dollar hamburger and our waiter was oblivious. We had a bottle of wine between four and despite the fact we discussed ordering another, he never came back to check on us so we never ordered it. When at the end of the meal my wife suggested her food (which was practically untouched) was too salty the waiter did NOT know what to do and just sort of left her complaining. Eventually the chef came out to essentially argue with her (ironic since she started by saying she would comp the entree) and she just could not apologize and move on. Instead, the conversation escalated and ended up being a scene. The topper was when our friend who took us out for a special dinner was paying and the waiter complained to him that it could have been avoided if we had just made the effort to tell him (rather than him actually attending to our table). Cannot recommend this to place to anyone as the risk of a poor experience seems to be 50/50.

    (2)

  • J Z.

    Crushing disappointment and the torpor of mediocrity. My wife and I first went to this restaurant a few months ago, and as soon as we tasted the mussels with Thai curry sauce, we thought, "HOW HAVE WE NEVER BEEN HERE BEFORE?" We got the braised beef short ribs, and we talked about them for weeks. So when we decided to have dinner with friends tonight, naturally I suggested R Bistro. I made a huge mistake. I don't know what happened between last time and this time, other than that maybe R Bistro's many (and formerly well-deserved) accolades have gone to its head. Or maybe Devour Downtown is a bad time to go. Or maybe not getting the Devour Downtown menu when it's Devour Downtown time is a bad idea. We started with the duck empanadas, which tasted...like Costco empanadas. We also got the scallops (by mistake; they brought the wrong dish). Those were quite nice, actually, and the celery root salad that accompanied them was very flavorful. Here's where things went terribly wrong. We both ordered the braised beef short ribs, which is, if you recall, the dish from our previous visit that we loved more than Rose loves Ten. (If you don't get that joke, I am sad for you.) It took a long time to arrive, but - OH! Wait! I forgot to tell you the funny part about our reservation! So we made a reservation for 6 on OpenTable, and then the next day we got a call: "Hi, just want to confirm that 6 people are coming." Then, yesterday, we got another phone call from them. "Hi, we just wanted to know if you are planning to do anything after your dinner, like going to the theater?" Like, "Do you have any post-dinner appointments, because we are going to take forever to get your food to you, and we don't want you to yell at us for it." It was just weird. Isn't that kind of weird? That wasn't as funny as I thought it'd be, sorry. Anyway. So the food took awhile, which was okay, we were having a great conversation about gender norm reinforcement because we are Those People, but then when it finally arrived, it was... Fat. Lots of fat. Like, two and a half inches of fat. I realize that short ribs are fatty. But I picked it apart, because to be honest it was kind of grossing me out, and I came up with a piece of meat that was three inches by one inch by maybe a half inch; and a pile of fat that was as big as two decks of cards. (There is totally a place for another Doctor Who joke in here, something about adipose. YES.) This is a $26 plate, man, and it was all fat, and I don't know about you, but I can't eat straight-up fat. I may be a Hoosier but I have some pride. I have never sent a dish back to the kitchen, but I called the waitress over, and I said (as nicely as I could, because I've seen that movie Waiting), "Um, excuse me, I was just wondering...this is a lot of fat..." She said, "Yes, it's supposed to be that way, that's why [the portions] are so big." So I said, "I can't really...it's not a lot of meat..." (I get nervous when I confront people) "...could I maybe...get a different entrée?" (I'm not adequately expressing how awkward I was being. I felt bad for my wife and our friends. I was SO AWKWARD.) She said, "I'll ask the chef, I'll have her come talk to you." She took my plate away, and was gone for like 5 minutes, then came back and said, "The chef would like to offer you a different entrée. It's supposed to be like that, with lots of marbling, but you can have something else." I think this was the part where they lost me. Because what was the point in telling me "it's supposed to be like that?" Couldn't she just have said "I am so sorry you didn't like it, let me get you something else"? Why did she feel the need to add in that little "You are wrong, but I am generous and will forgive you"? Anyway, long story short, I didn't get another entrée. I thought dessert would redeem them for the fat fiasco. Sadly, the dessert was...bad. I got the chocolate beet cake, which the server said had a cream cheese frosting but that was a LIE and madam, do not lie to me about cream cheese frosting. That business was vegan or something, because I definitely sensed vegetable shortening or an equally tasteless base. Also, when I asked if it came with ice cream, the server said "It can...for a small extra fee." Anyway, I am super disappointed because I fell in love with this place before, and now I feel...do you remember that part in Who Framed Roger Rabbit when Eddie Valiant goes looking for Jessica Rabbit, and he thinks he finds her in that apartment because he sees the sexy silhouette, but then the scary cartoon hag lunges at him shrieking "A MAN!" That's how I feel. I haven't decided yet if I will give this place another chance. Maybe I will. As my friend pointed out, I have two data points, and you really need 3 data points to make a reliable line. Don't worry too much about me, though. I'm going to Cracker Barrel for breakfast tomorrow.

    (2)

  • Sacha B.

    The Huz takes me to a surprise restaurant for dinner on my birthday each year and this time he chose R Bistro. The place was hardly busy--it was a Thursday evening--and our server was friendly. He put candles in our desserts for my birthday, too! We started with Indiana watermelon, Parma ham, and blue cheese ($10.95). There were a few little basil leaves on there too and a little oil drizzled on top. The fruit was sweet and went really well with the salty, savory flavors of the meat and cheese. We really enjoyed this. I asked the waiter which were his favorite entrees and he said, "That's easy!" and named two: the roast leg of lamp ($25) and the yellow perch BLT ($20.13); I ordered the latter. I mentioned considering the Southern deviled crab cakes ($24.95) and he steered me away. I appreciated the insight. Huz asked about the farmer's market stew ($19.25), which we saw at another table, but ultimately ordered the jerk chicken legs ($22). The yellow perch BLT was on housemade bread and dressed with a delicious, tangy aioli (parsley?). The perch was breaded & fried and the bacon was crispy & plentiful. The sandwich had mixed greens and a big slice of ripe tomato. On the side was slaw that tasted very fresh and had dried currants in it. A very good choice overall. I didn't really sample Huz's dish other than a bite of the fried plantains. He seemed to enjoy it but mentioned that he wished he had what I was eating. For dessert we ordered lemon curd mousse with toasted coconut & blueberries ($6.75) and black mission fig beignets ($6.95). I loved the the lemon curd mousse dessert, which was a perfect balance of sweet and tart and just wonderful with the coconut and blueberries. I was not a big fan of the beignets, which were filled with some sort of thick pastry cream and garnished with fresh currants, but Huz really liked them.

    (4)

  • Anne T.

    Great food, wine and service. They have a limited menu but it's things they make very well with local, fresh ingredients. I had the vegetable baklava, and the other folks at my table had the duck and pork belly. Both of which they loved. We had outstanding service and everyone on staff was very friendly.

    (5)

  • Lucy M.

    The food is excellent, no doubt about it. And it's reasonably priced for what you're eating. My only complaint is that the servers and/or bussers clear plates before everyone at the table is done. It's a minor detail but when I'm out at a nice place where I'm *dining* it's a bummer to feel like you or your dinner mates are being rushed.

    (4)

  • Jenny S.

    R Bistro is simply delicious. Due to the price, it is probably not a place you will go regularly, but when you do decide to splurge, it is well worth it. At our last visit there, we had the best scallops I've had in my life. Perfectly cooked and flavored. The menu changes regularly, as much as possible is home made or locally purchased. If you are looking for a destination for a special evening, this is it. That said, the atmosphere is relatively casual, not at all stuffy.

    (5)

  • Niki U.

    It was fine. Not what I expected from what I have heard about this place but it was OK. I had the duck with Guiness sauce and my husband had the corned beef hash as this was St Patricks day and they had a special menu. It was fine. We both thought it was underseasoned and underwhelming. Love the french press coffee. There was a mix up with our desert and we were given it free without asking. Service was really, really good! Probably wont be back.

    (3)

  • Eric M.

    As many have said, it's just fine. The atmosphere is slick, contemporary and comfy; the service is caring; the overall aspirations are commendable. And, after stating the above, it's impossible not to continue with a sentence that begins with "but..." For all the emphasis on natural and local ingredients, it seems that spices have gotten completely omitted from the equation, despite the widely visible little spice garden next door. Nothing really zinged, particularly the artichoke-tomato soup at the beginning. It was fine, but a veggie soup at Denny's can be just fine too. I know...OUCH, that was mean. But is putting a highbrow vegetable like an artichoke in a soup all it takes to make it fine dining? Shouldn't it include some sensitivity to how the veggies interact with the base, or compensating for the unadventurous texture of simply cooking vegetables? I understand that portion sizes of fine dining should leave you comfortable and not stuffed, but one of my dining companions had the soup appetizer, the halibut and two rolls, and was still hungry afterwards. Not a big guy, but the Halibut #1 was about six bites. His meal was dwarfed by the plate. And quail is small, I know, but for mine to be gone in eight tiny bites? And both of our meals totaled about $40, each. I understand that rotating menus will drive up the price because of greater unpredictability and economies of scale, but the real dissatisfaction was inequity in sizes of meals. One of the other guests also had the halibut and it was twice as big as Halibut #1. But even Halibut #2 said she was just comfortable--nothing more. The final frustration is the air of smugness that pervades in both the menu, the ownership and the service. They're professional enough, but they seem to think they are the only thing keeping us from squandering our paychecks at the Cheesecake Factory. Maybe it was that way in Indy when R Bistro first opened over a decade ago, but that's not the case anymore. The restaurant is perfectly good enough to go back to again...a year from now. But in just a few more years, at the way things are going, Indy will have enough good local fine dining options that people won't need to make even an annual visit to R Bistro.

    (3)

  • Mel V.

    This is my all time favorite restaurant. R.Bistro is incredibly, in every way possible. Incredible service, with quirky waiters (in a good way). The dinner menu changes each week, but whether you get Alaskan Halibut, quail, or a veggie dish, it is all absolutely fantastic. Hands down the best place to eat in Indy for the price you pay.

    (5)

  • Chris W.

    I was on the hunt for a lunch salad with soul and not an after thought. R Bistro doesn't do anything half hearted so I knew it would be a good choice. What I discovered instead was a lunch "stew" and I was blown away. The "stew" included rice covered with chunks of roasted butternut squash and bits of tomatos and spices. And just enough broth to bring it all together. It's been on the menu a few day and may or may not be on it when you visit. So go with the suggestions from the wait staff or any of the menu items for the week and you should never be disappointed.

    (5)

  • Caryn A.

    Scallops appetizer was fantastic. Salad was uninteresting but tasty. Veal chop was great. Lamb burger was small but very good. The side dish for the lamb burger was a cold pasta salad. Not my favorite but nothing wrong with it. I wouldn't recommend it for picky eaters or kids. Excellent service!

    (5)

  • Alex N.

    Disappointing at best. Upon arrival at this highly-touted restaurant, we waited about 30 minutes for our table, which I understand sometimes happens due to table-camping, but the additional wait, compounded my anticipation. We ordered a few glasses of wine during our wait, which were adequate hold-overs, from a great wine menu. No liquor here, wine and beer only. Upon seating, the menu was briskly explained and our orders taken post-haste, which was much appreciated. Unfortunately, what came out wasn't as good as I had expected. My simple greens salad tasted pretty standard, but the greens at the bottom were dark and wilted. My pork loin was also less than spectacular; a little over-salted, but was offset nicely with the red cabbage and fingerling potatoes. Presentation could have used a little updating, as it was served banquet style, with a slice of pork peeking out from under the other. Lastly, the dessert of chocolate pudding and cranberry was pleasantly fluffy, not heavy, but made less special when the waiter said that it looked like a Hostess cake. The space is exceptionally small, with maybe 15 tables and a 6 seat bar. Waiting seems inevitable on a weekend night. The waitstaff was extremely nice and offered tastes of wine when we could not decide. 3 stars for a decent meal made better with a good wine selection. 2 off for my wilted salad and uninspired pork loin. With such a small menu I expect flawlessness from the kitchen. Recess comes next, I hope the disappointment doesn't continue.

    (3)

  • Jason C.

    SUMMARY: For the money, the best restaurant in Indiana. I have been coming here for years. Regina and Erin do an amazing job delivering a vibrant menu (it changes weekly) using mostly locally sourced fresh ingredients and not have it cost an arm and a leg. There is a good balance on the small menu with the meat being very good and the vegetables being excellent. I will warn that this is a very small establishment and you should check that they are open on the day you want to go but it is well worth it. OpenTable Diners Choice 2012

    (5)

  • Stephen D.

    Best steak filet I've ever had in my life. Whoever does not give this restaurant 5 stars has not had their filet.

    (5)

  • Julie S.

    Very well prepared and balanced dishes using high-quality ingredients. The small menu changes rapidly, apparently, but among 4 of us, we had a large section of it. Highlights were a green tomato salad, duck breast, and a zucchini pancake. The problem is that nothing is that creative. There's no combination of ingredients that was surprising or new to me. The waiter was pretty creepy and imposing, if that kind of thing bothers you.

    (3)

  • Stephen S.

    This spot is quite quaint with exposed brick on the interior and a unique L shape. BIG PLUS: fabulous wine list (especially for Indiana). The food is solid and the chef-inspired menu changes frequently. Portions are reasonably small for the $ (which never bothers me as it keeps me from eating too much). We started with the fried risotto balls. Delish. For my entree, I had trout, which was perfectly cooked although a bit underseasoned (as were all my sides). It came with Brussel Sprouts which were disappointing since there were 3 tiny sprout HALVES on my plate. 1 and a half "sprout" to be exact. Not sure that even qualifies as a GARNISH, much less an accompaniment or side. Fingerlings were nice. Our waiter was quite pleasant. The woman who answered the phone needed a bit of an attitude adjustment ... not a very pleasant service spirit.

    (4)

  • Christina V.

    Unacceptable delivery on great concept. I wish I had checked Yelp before dining here with friends, as my experience was similar to many others who were disappointed in R Bistro. Some of the dishes ordered by our party of four were creative and delicious, but two of the salads and my entree (a $23 bison burger) were grossly over salted. My disappointment could have easily been minimized by decent service, but our waiter only checked on us once the entire evening, and then only to whiz past assuming everything was wonderful--leaving our table before I could get in a word and despite my nearly untouched entree. When I did finally register my unhappiness at the end of the meal, our waiter seemed dumbfounded and asked me what I wanted him to do about it. (Really?! Shouldn't a server in a fine-dining restaurant know what to do when a customer is unhappy?!) Eventually Regina came out of the kitchen and comped my entree, but--as other Yelpers have experienced--argued with me and tried to justify the meal by saying that the combination of heavily salted fries and Worcestershire sauce in the burger may seem salty "to some tastes." (Side note: I do not think a $23 fine-dining burger should rely on Worcestershire sauce!) She awkwardly continued the conversation, when we just wanted to pay and leave. While I compliment Regina on her concept of locally sourced food and creative dishes, the food itself was inconsistent, and the service was unacceptable. At the prices she charges, there is no excuse for the experience we had. We will not return, even though we often visit and dine in Indy.

    (2)

  • Suzie T.

    My husband I had house guests this weekend so we decided to participate in Devour Downtown. I thought we'd give R Bistro another try, when we saw the menu of roast pork salad & fruit crisp for $30!, we realized it is still nothing special. On top of that, there were no choices! -how arrogant. Guess she really didn't want to support Indy's Devour Downtown. Went to Iaria's & was fantastic and affordable. 5/3/2011 Well, I really don't get it. My son (a chef) and I wanted a nice lunch for a rare visit of ours. He chose R Bistro because he wanted to check it out. The atmosphere/room was nice but empty. The waiter seemed unattentive and more concerned with his side work in order to leave his lunch shift. We tried all, just to sample. My son had soup which I tasted, we split a mediocre salad, each had a featured lunch entree, and we split a dessert. It was the most expensive ($60) blah meal I've ever had. I'm in agreement with some reviews that I, most definitely, do a better job with preparing my local fresh organic ingrediants--all the way around. Close to the end of our meal, Regina came out to eat her lunch with some people next to us. She didn't greet any customers or ask how their experiences were. Maybe I should have asked her to dinner to show her what people want for their money. Why the magazine attention and talk of awards for Regina? So many mixed reviews but most everyone agrees about the snooty service and the arrogance of the chef to deliver to the customer. Her ad says she never changes, maybe she should. Go to Meridian, Oakleys, or even Salms for a better experience and better food for the $

    (1)

  • Natascha C.

    I LOVE this place! Whenever I'm in Indy I go to R Bistro. The food is great and R Bistro has been doing farm to table before it even had a name. The staff is knowledgeable and the food AMAZING!

    (5)

  • Bill J.

    The title of this review is - My R Bistro Experience Upon reading the reviews, it seems like everyone has had one, some good, some bad. Other than the portion sizes being on the small side, there seem to be very few complaints about the food. Maybe this should tell the owner and her staff a little something about how to treat their guests. I'm just sayin'.... I stopped at R Bistro on the way home from work, was by myself and sat at the bar. The bartender was sort of quiet but nice enough. I looked through the menu and decided that the swordfish entree was what I would go with. Except that it was served with a fresh vegetable confit and fava beans and was topped with anchovy butter. A couple of other entrees were served with mashed potatoes and that's what I wanted instead of the vegetables + fava beans. I don't like fava beans. Never have, never will. So when I ordered, I asked to please substitute mashed potatoes for the vegetables and fava beans. The bartender / server was visibly uncomfortable and told me that I "probably can't do that". I told her that of *course* I could do that and if they wanted to charge extra, that was okay. Just give me some mashed potatoes and skip the fava beans. She told me she'd have to check to see if it was okay or not...she came back to the bar and told me "The chef insists that you order the meal as she intended it to be ordered. No substitutions are allowed". Okay...seriously? I'm a grown man being told to shut up and eat my vegetables? Not a great way to make a good impression on your customers. I explained that I don't like fava beans, would not eat them and could they please make an exception. Bartender comes back and states "The chef suggests you order a different entree if fava beans are not to your liking". Really? OK........... I ordered the swordfish, asked for the anchovy butter to be on the side (was told that was fine). The swordfish was very well prepared. The anchovy butter was on the swordfish, not on the side....so I guess that request wasn't okay either. The chef / owner came out as I was paying and made a joke about not substituting menu items or changing the menu. Ha, ha, ha....it really wasn't a joke, but she laughed her way through it and said she hoped I would come back again. I've been back once since then, but with so many dining options in the downtown area, it's not on my list to visit again.

    (3)

  • Twinkle V.

    Seriously can't say enough good things about this little gem at the end of Mass Ave. Was in love with the waitstaff immediately, knowledgeable, friendly and funny. The food- uh-mazing. Our wine was paired perfectly with the most tender sauerbraten I've ever tasted. Matched well with roasted roots vegetables, the color and the flavor were fantastic. We will definitely go back again and again. Cheers to Regina for a truly amazing meal.

    (5)

  • Diana K.

    I would give R Bistro 2.5 stars. I have eaten dinner at the restaurant twice. The first time I thought the appetizers, dishes, and desserts were a 4-star level. I went with a friend who is very particular about food and the chef was willing to accommodate his requests (no salad dressing, entrees with sauce to the side). Specifically because of this quality service (which can be hard to find), we returned a second time. However this time they would not accommodate these requests. We were disappointed given the expense of the meal.

    (3)

  • Jim W.

    We heard that R Bistro had some of the best food in Indy, so we decided to check it out for ourselves. Our waiter was gracious, knowledgeable, and loves his job. The flavors were carefully paired to create a culinary treat. Our salad was tossed in a chardonnay vinaigrette that danced on the tongue, and we also had a butternut squash soup that was a wonderful opening to the meal. My wife an I each had the duck breast, which was paired with caramelized onions and a sweet potato puree. This was nothing short of magical - perhaps the best duck breast I've ever had. It was properly cooked and paired beautifully with the vegetables, although the flavor was all about the duck (locally produced of course!). The cranberry pear cobbler was also amazing. The chef even accommodated my father (who wanted a dessert without added sugar) by pairing some sliced fruit with yogurt. I will say the ambience was a little quiet for my tasted, but R Bistro proves Indy should be on the map for culinary excellence.

    (5)

  • Rob E.

    This was my second visit to R, having last been there nearly six years ago. I haven't been back because we had such a horrible experience the first time. Brief recap of issues from back then: in a party of 8, we had a vegetarian; the vegetarian entree was sold out when we ordered (we had been there for 30 min before ordering and told they had just sold the last one...no warning?) and when he asked to just have some asparagus and zucchini (already on the menu) the chef refused...none to spare. The night continued with a bad bottle of wine they refused to replace and no help in splitting the check. To put it kindly, the staff was rigid and rude, the food good but not fabulous, the experience not needing to be repeated. Some friends who were there last night recounted similar previous experiences. Fast forward to last night. Friends invited us for a birthday dinner, and we decided since everyone still raves about it to this day that we should give it another chance. Another large party (10), so we had some trepidation. The service was professional and friendly if not terribly engaging or personable. The wine was good. The food was very good, and I appreciate that they use local, in-season ingredients. I had the pork belly, which came with mashed potatoes and some bitter cooked greens that were over salted, was tender, fatty and rich. Delicious. My companion had trout with a mango salsa. It was good, but we make better at home. Just like last time, we were on our own to split up the bill, which took a while, though our server was gracious in accepting 5 separate payment methods. Overall, that sums it up for me. It's good but not outstanding. I make equally good or better food at home with ingredients I purchase from local farmers, just like they do. The impersonal service and ho hum atmosphere with horrible music (like Lion King rip-off cheesey crap) doesn't give me any sort of bond with the place. And for the price, I'd rather head to Recess, Northside Social, Harry & Izzy's, or any number of other spots. We both agreed that there is no good reason to return.

    (2)

  • Neal L.

    The food, in truth, merits five stars. The sirloin with shiitake mushrooms was fabulous, as was the pork belly appetizer. The zucchini chocolate cake was fine, but not the melt-in-your -mouth variety you typically expect. And they always have the best coffee. It's the service that knocks it down one star. I used to go at least twice a month, but I just couldn't take the service anymore; it's so snooty! The service is a distraction from the wonderful food. And it's not just one time with one server; it's been many servers over the years. They tend to be humorless and self righteous in their interactions. At this point I only go to R Bistro if the other party insists, which is less often now that Indianapolis has so many good restaurant options. R Bistro isn't the oasis it used to be. I think Regina is probably a genius, but 75% of the people at my table said the same thing, which was essentially, "We don't come here very often anymore; the servers make us feel small." I'm guessing Regina wants this kind of service, as it's been so consistent all these years; but I also think it's a mistake.

    (4)

  • Ann L.

    I had dinner here Saturday night with a friend; we had been meaning to try R Bistro for awhile and finally managed to do so! I had heard reservations were a must since it is a small place, so never even tried coming on the spur of the moment, but when we arrived for our 6PM reservation, there were only two other tables occupied. By 7PM, things were busier, but there were still empty tables, so it is likely worth a try to just stop in without a reservation if you are in the area. The menu changes weekly, and as of now, it looks like dinner is only served Wednesday through Saturday nights. The menu is posted to the website if you'd like to check out the options for the week. Everything is seasonal and many ingredients are locally sourced. The menu actually lists where many of the ingredients are produced which is really interesting since the most I've seen elsewhere is the farm where the meat comes frome; this is the first time I've seen the source of the vegetables. This would not be a good place for someone who is a picky eater, but if you like interesting food, you will likely enjoy R Bistro. I had a hard time deciding among the five entrees on the menu, but went with the lamb brat which came with grilled vegetables, mixed greens and a blue cheese vinegarette. The lamb brat was seasoned nicely and was lean, flavorful and delicious. The vegetables were wonderful! Acorn squash, portabello mushrooms, corn, onions, etc. all grilled to perfection! Dessert meant another hard choice, but I opted for the peach cobbler and was not disappointed. It was not overly sweet, so the flavor of the peaches came through beautifully. French press coffee rounded things out nicely. The wine list is nice, with many reasonably priced options by the glass and bottle. Service was quite good; everyone was attentive, friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. Again this would not be a good place for a picky eater. Substitutions are not allowed, and the menu is limited to what is fresh that week. If you have a bit of an adventurous spirit when it comes to food, and are willing to trust that the dishes will be great as prepared, definitely give this place a try!

    (5)

  • Tiffany B.

    Always high quality food, creative, and changing. Love the stability of quality and the variety of options. Had a delightful arugula salad with cherries and shaved parmesan recently, and a sweet potato soup that had a fun little kick to it. Zuchini bread w/ orange glaze: super-yum. Petite, quaint, charming, and always quality. Love.

    (5)

  • Ashley M.

    We recently visited R Bistro to celebrate a friend's birthday! The server was very courteous and helpful in answering my questions and speaking with the kitchen about my food allergies. I was able to share the duck appetizer which included a cherry chutney and was absolutely delicious! For my main course I had the Salad Nicoise which was excellent, though a tad saltier than I expected. The tuna was cooked perfectly! The ambiance was great, the music soft enough to enjoy conversation and wine in addition to dinner. Everyone was pleased with their meal. My friend's raved about their soups and I have high hopes that the next time I visit there will be a gluten free soup of the day!

    (5)

  • Leo B.

    The Irish menu was excellent! My wife and I had the Lamb Stew with barley-Lamb was cooked to perfection-just the right balance of seasonings. A very generous portion of soda bread accompanied the stew-great comfort food dish. Cod was flaky and delightful. Didn't try the starters or dessert. As always the bread was to die for-served warm not too hot and just the right size.

    (4)

  • Simon M.

    This is a restaurant that has received many accolades for its food, and the ego of the owner has been inflated accordingly. This is reflected in their policy of not providing separate checks for each couple in a party of four. No other restaurant I know of has this policy.It is sort of insulting and is why many of our friends will not dine there. We were here only because we had a gift certificate. We like the food and the table service but will never return.

    (2)

  • Tony J.

    Our first time last Saturday and I kinda understand now all the rave about the place. They sure know how to cook. The mussels in a coconut broth was perfection. Just enough coconut creaminess/sweetness with tad heat compliments the mussel/seafood taste of the broth. The wife's fish fillet was perfectly fried, crispy outside yet flaky and moist inside. The potato cake that came with the cake was fried in the same perfection, crispy outside yet soft in the inside. My cornish hen was nicely roasted and the glaze wasn't overpowering. Rhubarb cake we had for dessert wasn't too shabby either, flavorful and perfectly baked. No fancy/artsy food presentation, but they surely score high in flavor and execution. No full bar though, so got to stick with some beer and wine. Service was pleasant, and price ain't that bad.

    (4)

  • Piper J. D.

    Fresh, locally sourced veggies and some meats. The menu is challenging and interesting, combining strong flavors from various regions successfully. I particularly enjoyed the beef tongue. This is a wine and beer only establishment at this time.

    (4)

  • Angie W.

    Fantastic, fresh, unique dishes. Everything my husband and I had was absolutely delicious. I had peach caprese starter... A fun summertime spin on the traditional caprese... Just swap peaches for tomatoes. Light, sweet and salty, perfect. I also had a vegetarian entree of roasted veggies that was simple, yet heavenly. Our server, Ben, was fun and friendly and made great recommendations. We look forward to seeing him again next time... We made reservations in 2 weeks while we were still sitting at the table!!

    (5)

  • Rebecca T.

    R Bistro is one of my very favorite restaurants in Indy. The menu is always new with seasonal, often local ingredients. Tonight, I had a light appetite so I had the celery root, apple, fennel soup (vegetable stock with a touch of creme and fresh rolls) along with an herb and leaf salad dressed with raspberry vinaigrette. This was all followed by a perfect brown sugar topped rhubarb pie with a Frech-press decaf. Delicious. Visitors to Indy: Do not miss Chef Regina!

    (5)

  • Lea G.

    I liked the farm- to-table selection however the food was not great nor was the service. Nevertheless I will give it another shot because I love the ideas on the menu as well as the fact that the menu changes quite often.

    (3)

  • Kati F.

    Hands down, Indy's best farm to table restaurant. This place doesn't even own a freezer, that's how fresh the food is! The left side of the menu tells you exactly where every single one of their ingredients is sourced from. I got the arugula, almond, and feta salad for a starter, and the chicken fetti as my entree. I would go back every day if I could afford it! My mouth was still watering as I left. Highly, highly recommend R Bistro! Also, the menu changes every week based on what ingredients are fresh in Indiana right now, so each dining experience will be different!

    (5)

  • Joe I.

    My wife and i visited R Bistro for dinner on Saturday evening 10/4/14. For the main entree, I ordered the Bouillabaisse and my wife ordered Duck breast, My wife raved about how much she loved the duck, and I thought that the Bouillabaisse was excellent. We enjoyed the food but the service was sup-par. Our waiter, Nathan, was rude and almost ruined our evening. When my wife asked questions about the menu, his answers seemed to imply that she was stupid. I wanted to say something to Regina as we were leaving, but she was busy talking with another customer. If you like fresh, unique, local food that is very well prepared, R Bistro should be given a try. Usually, service is very good.

    (4)

  • Skip M.

    Was super disappointing. Over priced for quality and service. Had a party of 3 and got a song and dance about not being able to divide checks.. I ordered a dish that sounded so good only to have it not have any of the ingredients in it. It was a mashed potatoes and cheese filled roll. All 4 were empty of anything ... the server assistant filled my water glass to full it overflowed onto table and my sleeve super annoying...we ordered coffee and got exactly one ONE cup.. I have worked on Ave for years and was reluctant to try R BISTRO but after both Mimi and Black Market were packed it was our only choice. It was really disappointing .. I tipped 20%, the server was pleasant, but I won't be going back it was just a disappointment all the way around...

    (2)

  • Mandy D.

    Went there this evening 11/12/14. All of the staff were warm and welcoming. We had the Korean salad, lamb and vegetable curry and coconut almond pie for dessert. Everything was perfectly done. Have to put in a good word for our great waiter, Ben. Thanks for a wonderful evening!

    (5)

  • Kathleen S.

    We finally made it to R Bistro after wanting to make it here for a while. We were sorely disappointed with the service and the food. Since the menu is seasonal, I asked what our server recommended of two different salads for a starter. He told me neither and told me the gazpacho calamari salad was to die for. So I went with his recommendation seeing as it did seem to fully embody the farm to table concept and my husband ordered soup. Or starters came out and my husband had a bowl of bland dirty tasting broth with some vegetables hanging out in it and I had a plate of warm rubble calamari and luke warm veggies from the calamari heating it up. It wasn't cool, it wasn't refreshing, and it wasn't edible. I tried it, my husband tried it (just so I wasn't crazy) and then we didn't touch it. Our waiter never came to check out us. When he finally did come to clear our plates he asked me what I thought and I told him I didn't like it because the temperature was wrong and the protein was rubbery. He proceeded to make me feel bad for not liking the dish, told me that he couldn't believe it and didn't offer to do anything to remedy the situation. When our entrees came out, duck confit for me and a pork chop he again told me I was the only one to not like the dish and he couldn't believe it. The duck confit was somehow dry but the sides that accompanied it were delicious. My husband's pork with spatzle was very good All in all it was a very disappointing experience. Luckily we were able to walk over to the mass ave wine shop after and drink our dessert.

    (1)

  • Marcia R.

    I don't know if she revamped but amazing dinner - staff was attentive but not overly invasive. However - I am alone tonight at the bar but THE FOOD - O.M.G (afterall that is what I am here for)!!! Cornish game hen with polenta and fresh green beans on a whiskey-herb-citrus glaze w haricot vett - don't know what haricot is but seriously, I am inspired to go home and make some magic using chicken (the cheaper cousin). I am hard to please when it comes to desserts - take that into consideration before reading this section! To end warm rhubarb cake w their ice cream - ice cream was vanilla it was good but a tad sweet for me (I typically indulge in daily Greek yogurt so this is probable my personal preference). The cake was spiced but not overly so with a crispy sugar topping for my own tastes it was not 100% something I would prefer again but a nice ending to the meal. Given the current dessert options I would order it instead of the other offerings (BUT, my opinion, this could use something to make it extraordinary vrs an acceptable ending - maybe a gooey center as a contrast and texture change).

    (5)

  • Matt H.

    Just had one of the better dinners I have ever had at R Bistro. I couldn't be happier that we passed up countless other restaurants on Mass Ave on the way to this one, as it did not disappoint. Being from California I had heard all kinds of horror stories about the food in Indianapolis, but this was well beyond most nice restaurants we have been to in other big cities. From the mushroom & white bean soup to start to the locally roasted coffee when we finished, everything was great, including the service. Hope to have time to make it back there again this trip.

    (5)

  • Rob G.

    I can't say that I go to R Bistro as often as I'd like, something I will endeavor to change soon! Just because of my budget, R Bistro is probably more of a special occasion restaurant for dinner, but lunch is a perfectly reasonable treat to myself. Yes, you kind of have to take the restaurant for what it is, but in my mind that's a good thing. Note that you can only eat lunch there Tuesday through Friday and dinner is Wednesday through Saturday. The dinner menu changes every week and the ingredients are sourced locally. So this isn't the kind of place you can go at any hour of the day and order from a laundry list of items. When you are committed to using products from local farmers, there is a lot of planning and creativity involved. We had Indiana Canadian bacon with poached eggs and fried potatoes. Potatoes were crispy, the eggs were perfectly poached. We also ordered a panini, one that our server said "Has been on the menu since we opened and for a reason!" He was right...the bacon, avocado, and watercress would have been great on their own, but there was a delicious tomato chutney to accompany the rest which just made the sandwich! Also know this is a "good food takes time" kind of place. There aren't 15 line cooks in the back busting out the same mass produced dishes day after day. So plan on having a lunch meeting or visit with an old friend where you won't be staring at your watch waiting on the plates to arrive. If you want a plate of well executed, creative, and delicious local food, and trust the chef to create great flavor, go to R Bistro. If you tend to want to dictate what goes in your food or on your plate, then there might be other choices that are better.

    (5)

  • Julie W.

    Very cute and cozy restaurant. They have a rather limited menu - I would check online before going to make sure there is something you like. My husband had a wonderful fish - tender and tasty. I had the pork dish, and it was also well prepared and delicious. They have a nice selection of wines and beers. Parking hint - this area is HOT right now and parking is at a premium. However, there is a free lot east of the restaurant, and it was almost empty on a Saturday night.

    (3)

  • Matt S.

    Chef Regina is great. She has wonderful seasonal food items, and uses the philosophy of bring out the natural flavors of the food. Leaving you to season it with salt and pepper the way you would like.

    (3)

  • Morgan M.

    Not bad, but certainly not great........ We're leaving Indy and because I knew my husband really wanted to try Chef Regina's place before we were gone I took him for lunch during the week...we were both underwhelmed and underseasoned! *Sidenote: I may have been biased going into the lunch. I tried her dish at the Dig In festival a few weekends earlier and quite frankly thought it was the worst at the event. We do really appreciate the seasonality of the menu at R Bistro and the trout I had tasted good. The problem was both of us kept reaching for the tiny salt shaker on the table for our soup and both of our lunch entrees... Unfortunately, this will not be our most missed restaurant in Indy.

    (3)

  • Tim W.

    Made a late reservation with Yelp on my iPhone on a Wednesday night and they had no problem serviing good food at that late hour. The appetizer of three hard-boiled eggs, each with different delicious fillings was a little pricey, but very good. The swordfish could have been a little fresher, but what can you do when you're in the midwest. Excellent service

    (4)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Tue

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : Yes
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : No
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Dinner
    Parking : Street
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Good for Kids : No
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Dressy
    Ambience : Classy
    Noise Level : Average
    Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
    Outdoor Seating : No
    Wi-Fi : No
    Has TV : No
    Waiter Service : Yes

R Bistro

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