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Inaugural Chowdown Midtown event set for launch

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Taking a page from the popular Devour Downtown playbook, restaurateurs in the Broad Ripple and surrounding area are launching their own version of the dining-promotion event.

The inaugural Chowdown Midtown begins Monday and runs through June 16. Thirty-four restaurants, cafes and clubs are participating in the event, which, like Devour Downtown, offers specific menu options for the set price of $30.

“We were lucky that we had the success and the template and the basics of Devour that helped Chowdown,” said Debbie Scott, executive vice president of the Indiana Restaurant Association. “They didn’t have to start from ground zero on that.”

With assistance from the association, restaurateurs in the area—bounded by Fall Creek Parkway to the south, Keystone Avenue to the east, Illinois Street to the west, and 65th Street to the north—banded together to launch Chowdown Midtown.

The aim is to provide loyal patrons with a special deal while attempting to reach out to new customers who might not be familiar with certain eateries, Scott said.

Devour Downtown was launched in 2005 as a summer event and expanded to twice a year in 2007. This year’s second installment runs from Aug. 8 through Aug. 21.

Chowdown Midtown, meanwhile, should become an annual event and could even follow in Devour Downtown’s footsteps by being held twice annually, perhaps as soon as the fall, said Scott Tegarden of Daugherty Tegarden + Partners, who’s in charge of promoting the event.

“We don’t want a competing event, though,” he said. “We’d like the consumer to have four opportunities a year.”

Restaurants chose to host Chowdown Midtown in June as another promotion to help kick off summer, Tegarden said.

Participating establishments and their $30 offerings range from Parcha Sweets’ 9-inch black and white mousse cake with New Belgium Fat Tire beer sauce to Ambrosia’s four-course meal.

“I think the casual observer, when they take a look at the menus posted, will see an incredible variety,” Tegarden said.

For a complete participant listing, visit www.chowdownmidtown.com.
 

 

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  • Chow Down Midtown
    I think this is a good idea. I live downtown and rarely get up to Broad Ripple, but I'm making a special trip this week because of this event. I'll probably try another restaurant next week, too.
  • Apples and Oranges
    Comparing Thr3e Wise Men and St. Elmo's is comparing apples and oranges as the St. Elmo's deal is $30 per person ($60 total) and the Wise Men deal is $30 total. That $30 at 3 Wise Men will feed 4-5 people as their large pizza's are huge. You should compare St. Elmo's with the likes of Midtown Grill, Recess, Ripple Inn, Meridian, and Northside Social. Some of these menu's include libations as well. Some menu's arre better than others just like devour downtown. $60 for 2 at Recess is a deal.
  • Look again
    The comment about 3 Wisemen and St. Elmo is not a fair comparison. The Three Wisemen deal feeds two people for $30 and includes an appetizer, salad, large pizza and dessert. The St. Elmo deal was $30 per person.
  • Date?
    I don't understand why you would have event during this time of the year. Devour is so good because business is down in Aug not June. You run the chance of alienating
    regular customers.
  • nice try
    The menu offerings for this Broad Ripple affair are not even close to what is offered downtown. St. Elmo's shrimp cocktail and filet...or 3 Wisemen fried pickles and pizza. Come on, that's a joke!

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