Ethnic Eateries

When going to college, it is easy to get swept up in the numerous pizza and fast-food places that line the food courts and streets of Bloomington. Going away from home allows students to try new things, experience new environments and interact with other cultures. When looking to find somewhere to eat, why settle for the ordinary, pre-cooked meal when a world of unique savory dishes lies just beyond Sample Gates?

Fourth Street and the downtown area are home to a variety of ethnic cuisine to spicen up your pallet, literally, as well as offer a one-of-a-kind dining atmosphere close to the origin and hearts of those who are part of it. If students travel to Fourth Street, they can find an astonishing array of Mexican, Chinese and Italian, along with lesser-known subcategories.

European
Lovers of Italian, put Olive Garden on hold. Puccini’s La Dolce Vita, 420 E. 4th St., is a popular Italian bistro set in a multi-tiered house. The diverse menu offers more than 50 wines to chose from when enjoying an intimate dining experience in the elegant eclectic dining room or outside on the garden patio. Prices range from $15 to $25 for entrees, and the restaurant provides a romantic atmosphere.

“Enjoy a bit of France – In Bloomington” is the motto of Le Petit Café, 308 W. 6th St.

Owned by husband and wife Marina and Patrick Fiore, the restaurant aims to bring French provincial cuisine to rural Indiana. “Every night we have steak and chicken, seafood and fish,” Marina Fiore said. “We always have a vegetarian option, and we can always come up with something.”

Recently celebrating their 30th year as restauranteurs in Bloomington, the duo strives to bring the taste of their home to anyone who wishes to dine in the cozy cafe setting and maybe top it off with a pastry, mousse or fresh-fruit tart.

The Irish Lion, 212 W. Kirkwood Ave., offers traditional Irish items such as corned beef and cabbage, and “pub grub.” The restaurant has an authentic “pub” atmosphere along with an extensive wine and beer menu.

Indian and Turkish
Bloomington has at least two Indian and two Turkish restaurants that cater not only to those who are from those regions, but also to students wanting to try something more exotic.

A favorite Indian hot spot, Shanti, which is the Sanskrit word for peace, has been open since 1997 at 221 E. Kirkwood Ave. The atmosphere is serene and calming with instrumental music playing. The menu, with most items ranging from $7 to $15, has many options to choose from. It includes chicken, lamb and seafood, but also features vegetarian and vegan dishes to satisfy all who dine.

“People enjoy Indian food because there are different spices we use from India like cloves, ginger, turmeric and cinnamon,” said Sheri Parab, a manager at Shanti.

A popular Turkish restaurant is Anatolia, 405 E. 4th St., owned by Osman Cekic, a Ph.D. student. With Turkish music surrounding the dining area, patrons can choose from table dining or can enjoy their meals from the floor with lavish cushioned seating.

“We used the elements of floor seating because it is more traditional in Turkey,” Cekic said. “It is not just a place to eat. It is a place to relax.”

Asian
Asian food is also prevalent in Bloomington. With a wide range of Chinese and Japanese options, there are also options from lesser-known Asian countries when it comes to food.

The Snow Lion, 113 S. Grant St., owned by the Dalai Lama’s nephew Jingme Norbu, is filled with Nepalese decor and features mirrors placed throughout the building.

“The owner’s wife sells items within the store,” said employee Roy Waterford. The menu still holds some familiar items for food connoisseurs, yet “It is much different than Thai food,” Waterford said. “The Jasha Thupka, which is chicken with egg noodles and vegetables, is the most popular (dish).”

With a comprehensive menu for meat-eating and vegetarian diners, most of the restaurant’s items are spicy. This allows visitors to customize their dish’s spice intensity from one (the least spicy), to “chef’s challenge,” the most spicy.

For students who enjoy Thai food, there’s Esan Thai, 221 E. Kirkwood Ave., a restaurant that is smaller but always full of people. Esan brings the cuisine of Thailand to Bloomington with a large array of meat and vegetable dishes that also allow the patron to customize how spicy the food is. The pad thai, thin rice noodles stir-fried with eggs, bean sprouts, chives and tamarind sauce, is always a favorite among guests.