Ambrosia plans downtown location

July 21, 2009
Back to TopCommentsE-mailPrint
AmbrosiaThe owner of the popular Broad Ripple Italian restaurant Ambrosia plans to open a new location downtown on the first floor of the Hampton Inn along Maryland Street. The space most recently was home to a Cajun restaurant called J. Gumbo's and also has been a Buffalo Wild Wings and BadaBoomz. The new restaurant, owned by Gino Pizzi, will be called Ambrosia Centro. The restaurant will serve lunch and dinner and is slated to open in the Fall. The Ambrosia in Broad Ripple is on Westfield Boulevard between Corner Wine Bar and Broad Ripple Steakhouse.
ADVERTISEMENT
  • shaneryan1981July 21, 2009 2:36 PM
    Great! We need more local restaurants downtown! I'm glad that another steak house didn't get the spot. We seem to have quite a few, but apparently it's what the people want.
    Reply to CommentFlag Comment
  • JoeJuly 21, 2009 3:35 PM
    Sweet! Hopefully they have a lunch menu!
    Reply to CommentFlag Comment
  • BarryJuly 21, 2009 3:51 PM
    I am a frequent diner at the Ambrosia in Broad Ripple and feel that our downtown will benefit from having a really good locally owned restaurant.
    Reply to CommentFlag Comment
  • AblerockJuly 21, 2009 3:55 PM
    That sounds good.

    It will definitely help connect the Pennsylvania and Meridian St. dining corridors, which are anchored there by Moe's, Oceanaire, etc. That block of Maryland needs more activity. The Hard Rock Cafe is there, but it's a fairly dark corridor because of the parking garage and parking lot. Too bad Penn Centre was never built, that stretch would be hopping.

    Don't even get me started on west Maryland St.
    Reply to CommentFlag Comment
  • IndyJrobJuly 21, 2009 3:57 PM
    Amen! We got steaks covered downtown but there isn't much in terms of Italian fare. The fact that it's locally owned is a huge bonus. I'll be especially happy to see that prime real estate getting some use. Now if only they could do something with that wreck of a building next door. I know...baby steps.
    Reply to CommentFlag Comment
  • BoomerJuly 21, 2009 3:57 PM
    There's especially a need for a good Italian restaurant. I like Ambrosia. What's the problem with Mike, whoever he is?
    Reply to CommentFlag Comment
  • BradshawJuly 21, 2009 4:09 PM
    Too bad it's now just another chain. (dws)
    Reply to CommentFlag Comment
  • CorrNDJuly 21, 2009 4:13 PM
    No Italian downtown? There's Vito's, Old Spaghetti Factory and Buca right in the core, plus Agio, Amici's, Iaria's, Milano Inn and Iozzo's just outside the core. And all but two of those are independents. I wish Ambrosia the best of luck, but it's not like they're filling some void in Italian dining downtown. They're entering a pretty full field with entries at many price points.
    Reply to CommentFlag Comment
  • NealJuly 21, 2009 4:15 PM
    Awesome for Gino and even more awesome for downtown! GIno is one of Indy's class act restaurateurs and will surely create an awesome experience.

    Best of Luck Ambrosia Central, we'll all look forward to it!
    Reply to CommentFlag Comment
  • shaneryan1981July 21, 2009 4:19 PM
    I think IndyJRob was referring to Italian restaurants in the core of the city.........most out of towners and convention goers do not seem to venture much outside of the mile square.
    Reply to CommentFlag Comment
  • brguyJuly 21, 2009 4:33 PM
    The interior of the BR Ambrosia is one of the nicest in the entire area. The food is good and reasonably priced. Service goes from good to OK.
    At least I hope they can duplicate the feeling of this space at the DT location.
    Reply to CommentFlag Comment
  • benjaminJuly 21, 2009 4:43 PM
    It stinks that 2-blocks away from East St isn't the core. Iaria's & Milano Inn are completely walkable (some gap filling would help) or short cab ride away if you're a visitor.
    Reply to CommentFlag Comment
  • average joeJuly 21, 2009 5:05 PM
    Yeah! Good luck Gino.
    Reply to CommentFlag Comment
  • IndyJrobJuly 21, 2009 5:10 PM
    If I indicated that there was NO Italian dining downtown I apologize. Iaria's is a favorite and I also enjoy Agio. However, shaneryan was correct that a good Italian restaurant would be a huge plus for our visitors. Plus, as someone who walks by that place everyday and doesn't like to use a car downtown, I love the location.
    Reply to CommentFlag Comment
  • The UrbanophileJuly 21, 2009 6:02 PM
    Glad to see that location filled.
    Reply to CommentFlag Comment
  • Indy RockJuly 21, 2009 6:59 PM
    If I'm not mistaken the new JW Marriott is supposed to have an organic locally grown Italian restaurant on the first floor.
    Reply to CommentFlag Comment
  • Indy RockJuly 21, 2009 7:01 PM
    If I'm not mistaken the JW Marriott is supposed to have a locally grown Italian restaurant on the first floor too...

    On another note, they really blew it considering the JW could've had a rooftop dining area with breathtaking views of downtown Indianapolis.
    Reply to CommentFlag Comment
  • IndyxtopherJuly 22, 2009 12:56 PM
    Yeah for Gino & the Pizzi family. I have long been a fan. Anyone remember cafe Luna in the old converted gas station in Broad Ripple (SW corner of Winthrop & BR Ave.)? That was a Pizzi restaurant too, and it was certainly a hit in its day. I wish the Pizzi's well in their new Ambrosia Central endeavor.
    Reply to CommentFlag Comment
  • IndyxtopherJuly 22, 2009 1:02 PM
    Correction to previous post. The other Pizzi restaurant in BR was called Mezza Luna . . . one of the early Tapas style eateries in Indy.
    Reply to CommentFlag Comment
  • DWTNINDYJuly 22, 2009 1:04 PM
    Great news for downtown! Should be a great location, especially for lunch crowds.
    Reply to CommentFlag Comment
  • Jim BJuly 22, 2009 2:18 PM
    This is good news. Downtown needs a really good Italian restaurant - more that Old Spaghetti Factory and Buca. I'll be happy to see it open.
    Reply to CommentFlag Comment
  • Sandra JarvisJuly 22, 2009 2:21 PM
    Awesome for Gino, LOVE to see the local restauranteurs come downtown! Speaking of the JW Marriott, does anyone know the 411 about their retail lineup?
    Reply to CommentFlag Comment
  • American DirtJuly 22, 2009 2:27 PM
    Has anyone been to the Vito's on Penn downtown that CorrND mentioned? It's an offshoot of a restaurant that's been successful for many years on the south side. Can anyone compare the two?
    Reply to CommentFlag Comment
  • shaneryan1981July 22, 2009 3:10 PM
    I didn't think JW was going to have anything aside from the Italian restaurant and a bar call Veloctiy.
    Reply to CommentFlag Comment
  • CorrNDJuly 22, 2009 3:19 PM
    I got to Vito's on Penn fairly regularly. My guess is that they make most of their money from the lounge/bar side of the operation but the restaurant serves great stuff, usually about $15/entre. Love their warm garlic bread. Compared to others, I think Agio is hair better, but you pay a bit more for it. Both provide a very solid dining experience, but my impression is that neither is trying to be REALLY high-end.

    Unfortunately, I've never been to Ambrosia in Broad Ripple so I can't directly compare those. But if Ambrosia is truly high-end Italian, there's definitely a place for that downtown.
    Reply to CommentFlag Comment
  • dfgJuly 22, 2009 3:32 PM
    Wasnt Simon going to put some fancy italian restaurant where Bertolinis was? What downtown really needs is a Fatburger. Whats the latest on Jack in the Box and Del Taco?
    Reply to CommentFlag Comment
  • ShouldbeworkingJuly 22, 2009 3:37 PM
    Oh, Cory! I wish you would have warned me on the tag line from my IBJ Daily -- now I have 70's soft rock classics in a perpetual loop. Aaugh! :-)
    Reply to CommentFlag Comment
  • shaneryan1981July 22, 2009 4:42 PM
    Yes, Circle Centre was supposed to have an Il Mulino that was to open by September of this year. Unfortunately they never signed a lease and have not been returning the mall manager's phone calls due to the recession.
    Reply to CommentFlag Comment
  • fat dudeJuly 22, 2009 5:14 PM
    THEY WILL BE BROKE IN 1YEAR and that is as true as life is short.
    Reply to CommentFlag Comment
  • average joeJuly 22, 2009 5:36 PM
    fat dude: That's not nice to wish on anyone.. I have mentioned here and there how tough this business is but at least root for the home team....! That's not my favorite location - as evidenced by previous tenants but is this business, that means nothing. Go Ambrosia!
    Reply to CommentFlag Comment
  • JGJuly 22, 2009 6:00 PM
    I typically find the restraunt news on Property Lines pretty dull. (I could not care more if another Quizno's opens in Castletown.) This is excellent news however - nice place to add to downtown. I desparately hope a nice project will go in on Maryland and Penn to polish up what is right now a rather dreary block.

    Why did the other places fail in that spot? Never went to one. Were they lousy or is this a bad location?
    Reply to CommentFlag Comment
  • Indy Visitors ChannelJuly 23, 2009 9:46 AM
    It's great to see a local favorite open up for our downtown guests and residents. The area they are locatating in is showing healthy growth. Best of luck to the venture and the marraige.
    Reply to CommentFlag Comment
  • neindyguyJuly 23, 2009 11:23 AM
    This is great news but why hasn't any restaurant gone in the vacant spot at the southeast corner of Merdian and Georgia across from the Spaghetti Factory. This is a prime location that has been vacant for some time now.
    Reply to CommentFlag Comment
  • JulyJuly 23, 2009 11:48 AM
    Why did the other places fail in that spot?

    Because the guy that ran those places had no clue how to run a restaurant.
    Reply to CommentFlag Comment
  • Scott PerkinsJuly 24, 2009 11:00 AM
    Perkins VonDeylen Architects is providing the interior architectural services for Ambrosia Centro working with Gino Pizzi.

    We're looking forward to great Italian food downtown!
    Reply to CommentFlag Comment
  • Indy RockJuly 24, 2009 11:52 AM
    Mr. Scott Perkins, how is your Fletcher Place Arts project coming along? Hopefully well because I am really looking forward to it! :)
    Reply to CommentFlag Comment
  • fat dudeJuly 26, 2009 12:32 AM
    I do wish them well...I was just recalling how my locally owned business suffered just around the corner. Downtown is not for the mom and pops, it is for the multi location franchise operators. They will fail for so many reasons......1.lousy location,one way(the wrong way)street. 2.lousy hotel lease with too many restrictions and too high rent.3.lousy lunch croud south of washington street. 4.lousy time to open even a well known restaurant, it will take three years for convention croud to take notice of them and field house croud will have no use for them.5.They will get tired of doing everything right and losing money. I am a fan of all small operators and I wish them the best and I will spend my money there. p.s. I hope i'm dead wrong.
    Reply to CommentFlag Comment
  • CrystalJuly 27, 2009 1:41 PM
    I was downtown sunday and noticed that they(Ambrosia) have actually started to do the renovations. I hope they make it.

    That is too bad about IL Mulino though I was looking forward to that mall space being filled.
    Reply to CommentFlag Comment
  • JoshJuly 27, 2009 1:43 PM
    Very nice. I worry about Italian because it makes for such a heavy lunch, but I hope it goes well!
    Reply to CommentFlag Comment
  • SE-GuyJuly 27, 2009 2:03 PM
    Gino Pizzi is a fantastic restaurateur and runs a very tight ship. I have never eaten at one of his restaurants and had a bad experience or felt heavy afterwards. I cannot wait until he opens, and will be there often.
    Reply to CommentFlag Comment

Post a comment to this blog

COMMENTS POLICY
We reserve the right to remove any post that we feel is obscene, profane, vulgar, racist, sexually explicit, abusive, or hateful.
 
You are legally responsible for what you post and your anonymity is not guaranteed.
 
Posts that insult, defame, threaten, harass or abuse other readers or people mentioned in IBJ editorial content are also subject to removal. Please respect the privacy of individuals and refrain from posting personal information.
 
No solicitations, spamming or advertisements are allowed. Readers may post links to other informational websites that are relevant to the topic at hand, but please do not link to objectionable material.
 
We may remove messages that are unrelated to the topic, encourage illegal activity, use all capital letters or are unreadable.
 

Messages that are flagged by readers as objectionable will be reviewed and may or may not be removed. Please do not flag a post simply because you disagree with it.

ADVANCED SEARCH
Sponsored by
ADVERTISEMENT

  1. Saw the Indy Men's Chorus "Music of Gilbert & Sullivan" at the Indiana Historical Society on Sunday evening.

  2. Temporary workers are not "tools" they are people and companies that keep large amounts of temp staff are cheating.

  3. I miss having them around. I hope one of their stores is in the general Meridian/86th Street area. I will make good use of it.

  4. The Fringe! Plus, the simple fact that there are so many local faves in such close proximity to each other.

  5. I remenber, watching the toll road, being built, through South Bend, when I was 10 years old. I believe, back then that it was estimated, that the toll road, would be paid for in 20 years and then it would be free. I am now 71, what happened? Since the power is in the people, by that, I mean that, we the people are in total control of everything. I, suggest that no one ever use the toll road again, let it go broke. We the people can control the price of everything, from groceries to gas, if we would just do it. If we don't pay the asking price, the sellers will lower the price and if we wait awhile, they will lower the price to what we accept as reasonable. I would like to know why a highway like interstate 94, is so well maintained, a much better highway, than the toll road, but has no tolls. I would also like to know why, a sitting governor, with a term limit, maximum of eight years, can lease, public property, for 75 years. Even though I have transponders in both of my trucks and will not be affected by the increase, I have been and will contine to avoid using the toll road. I make many trips from northern Indiana to Chicago, every year, and I prefer the better highway, I94!

ADVERTISEMENT