Fourth Street restaurants offer ethnic appeal

Salutations to the famished and road-weary!

As another frenzied year in Bloomington picks up, students are trickling in, trying to familiarize themselves with and remember important Bloomington hot spots. One of the more important locations in Bloomington is Fourth Street.

Fourth Street is the home to many of the ethnic restaurants that Bloomington is known. You can find nearly any kind of ethnic food nearby, including Ethiopian and Thai.

Italian — Puccini’s La Dolce Vita is well-known by most students and faculty on campus for being one of the better Italian restaurants in the area.

Founded in 1999, the restaurant has also expanded into a catering company.
La Dolce Vita is a great restaurant to take families after move-in or new romantic interests with a love for garlic and olive oil.

Indian — Having just celebrated its first year in business on Fourth Street, Taste of India provides an extensive and delicious selection of authentic Indian food. Samosas, curries, masalas and many more can be found here at a reasonable price.

Speaking of price, one of the benefits of dining at Taste of India is the affordability. The owners boast of discounts for IU students and seniors, as well as a discount if customers pay with cash. Between saving money and savoring the flavors of India, it’s hard to go wrong.

Thai — If you want the most authentic Thai food found in the Midwest, Siam House is the place to go. Voted “Best Ethnic Restaurant in Bloomington 2008” and one of the “Favorite Restaurant Recipes” by Bon Appetit Magazine, Siam House provides an overwhelming number of choices for Thai food, from gently mild to painfully spicy.

Most people stick to foods they know well, such as satays or pad thai, but some venture out and try more exotic dishes like their curried fish or vegetable dishes. Sampling any of their meals will more than satisfy customers taste buds
and curiosity.

Moroccan — Casablanca is ideal for students who are breaking into the ethnic food scene or only want a light dish, like hummus or crepes. And while they provide a wide variety of lighter selections, no dish holds back on flavor.

Casablanca has a varied array of dishes, varying from Mediterranean to Middle Eastern. People of all palates can easily enjoy and appreciate the many flavors provided here.

Ethiopian — If you don’t like using utensils, Ashenda Abash is a great place for you. Located right next to La Dolce Vita, this Ethiopian place encourages customers to scoop up their foods and stews with traditional injeria bread, instead of using knives and forks.

Because of the size of platters and the old habit of breaking bread, Ashenda Abash is a great place to go with a few friends to split a dinner and play with your food too.

Turkish — Anatolia is by far one of the best known Fourth Street restaurants in Bloomington. This restaurant provides many little Turkish delights that can be shared with friends for appetizers or full meals.

One of the big draws at Anatolia is the wide pide selection, which consists of bread “boats” filled with sauce and vegetables and/or meats. Share with a friend or take the leftovers home for another day.

This is just a brief overview of the many Fourth Street restaurants. The city is yours to explore and taste. Go out and find delicious adventures!