L'explorateur eyes downtown

March 26, 2008
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L’explorateurMore fuel for the local v. chain restaurant discussion: Chef Neal Brown is looking to move his popular L'explorateur restaurant from Ferguson Street in Broad Ripple to a new location near Monument Circle. He and his broker, Brian Epstein, have looked at several possible locations for the restaurant, including the former home of Nicky Blaine's at 1 N. Meridian St. Brown is looking for a location with higher foot traffic so he can also serve lunch. He opened L'explorateur, known for its innovative menu built around locally grown food, in May 2006. Brown also has been working on a new line of gourmet baby food.
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  • CorrNDMarch 26, 2008 11:54 AM
    WOW. That would be a huge coup for downtown. While I'm selfishly giddy that L'Ex could be closer to me, I feel bad for Broad Ripple.
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  • benjaminMarch 26, 2008 11:55 AM
    Local restaurants are too original and delicious, I'll pass.
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  • AblerockMarch 26, 2008 12:18 PM
    Benjamin is funny.

    I love that plate. Do they actually serve on those?
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  • all-day breakfastMarch 26, 2008 12:46 PM
    What a get for downtown Indy that would be. It's probably the best restaurant in the city... most expensive, too.
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  • GbowMarch 26, 2008 12:57 PM
    Wow that would be awesome!!! Can't wait!
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  • color me freeMarch 26, 2008 1:01 PM
    I think a downtown location will be great, more convenient to me and maybe more convenient to out of town visitors. I really hope they select a street level location with windows to the public.
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  • GbowMarch 26, 2008 1:05 PM
    I juist saw a restaurant downtown called Urban Element. Does that have any connect to Elements?
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  • ShaneMarch 26, 2008 1:05 PM
    I don't think that they need the street view as much.....the last time I dined at the Palomino, the entire restaurant was mooned by 4 kids.......the old Niki Blaine's location would be nice and intimate.......
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  • color me freeMarch 26, 2008 1:06 PM
    Cory, I don't think your clock is set right. It's 2 pm here.
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  • Brick by BrickMarch 26, 2008 1:10 PM
    That is great news for downtown! :)
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  • DaeMarch 26, 2008 1:23 PM
    Great for downtown. Bad news for Broad Ripple. It won't be long before BR is nothing but 6 square blocks of bars around BR Ave and Westfield, and the rest of it is empty.
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  • G$March 26, 2008 1:24 PM
    GBow,
    Urban Element has no connection to Elements, whatsoever. Urban is owned by this adorable lady named Shea, who uses her grandmother's recipes for dessert. Yum!
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  • cschoutenMarch 26, 2008 2:34 PM
    The timestamp should now be fixed.
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  • Marsha BrownMarch 26, 2008 2:47 PM
    That would be a great move! We've eaten at Neal Brown's restaurant and loved it but Broad Ripple is not a very handy location for us. We'd much rather go downtown to dine. And another independent restaurant in that area would be most welcome.
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  • MarkMarch 26, 2008 2:50 PM
    To Shane:

    You mean you didn't order the Moon over your Hammie special at Palomino. Come on that could have happened anywhere, you could be flashed at a street level restaraunt in Broadripple. May be more enjoyable then moonings by four kids, but this isn't an excuse to not have street level view!
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  • ShaneMarch 26, 2008 4:10 PM
    Mark:

    I didn't post the comment about the mooning due to fear of street flashing! haha I just think the old Nikie Blaines location would be great :)......a lot of foot traffic in the area...
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  • GregMarch 26, 2008 4:35 PM
    Is anyone moving into the smokey bones restaurant space?

    Seems like it could be built up - and also I've wanted to try this place, but was too lazy to leave my downtown neighborhood. So... if you wait things out -they'll come to you...
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  • ChristopherMarch 26, 2008 4:41 PM
    Downtown good - underground downtown bad. I would love the menu of great Mass Ave restaurants expand. Make the Ave an even better destination.
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  • JohnMarch 26, 2008 5:19 PM
    That would be awesome for downtown! I am a big fan of L'explorateur! I was looking over the chefs blog and saw a little comment about the move and was hoping to learn more so nice work Cory for bringing this to our attention. I have to admit that I worry about such deep pocket corporate competition in DT, L'explorateur IS one of the best restaurants in the city but can they compete with those sorts of dollars? I for one hope the answer is yes.
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  • braingirlMarch 26, 2008 5:39 PM
    I hope so, too, but it's going to take a lot of support from all the customers who profess to love it but never go there. Neal is very lucky to have investors -- and himself -- willing to look to the future with a move downtown. But I hope the community who loves him rolls out to make the numbers work. (And I hope he can find a whole new group of people who appreciate what he's doing.) It will be a test that I'm not sure Indy's ready for.
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  • MMMMfoodMarch 26, 2008 7:36 PM
    Braingirl, this would not be the first higher-end, innovative and independent restaurant to have a successful go of it downtown. And the residential base downtown is MUCH greater than it was even just a few years ago. I see no reason that L' explorateur can not flourish downtown. It's ironic how so many people on here bemoan the lack of vision here in Indy, then express their doubt about anything even a little innovative working here....... make up yer minds, folks!
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  • mobyheadMarch 26, 2008 9:26 PM
    Not to hijack but. Cory I meant what I said when you called Regions Bank today. I do love reading your blog. :-)
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  • Brick by brickMarch 26, 2008 9:33 PM
    Not impressed.
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  • HelenMarch 26, 2008 10:33 PM
    Brick by brick, sorry to dissapoint you that this wasn't an applebees coming downtown...
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  • JohnMarch 26, 2008 10:43 PM
    #24, please see #10 and refer back to #23. I think Brick was talking about #22. IMHO
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  • CoryMarch 27, 2008 12:01 AM
    Thanks mobyhead! In case others were wondering, I also cover banking for IBJ.
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  • The UrbanophileMarch 27, 2008 9:27 AM
    Rents downtown are very expensive. That most likely why it is so chain dominated. Moving downtown would be a potentially risky proposition, though I certainly wouldn't complain about having another top notch independent restaurant there.
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  • JimmyMarch 28, 2008 7:07 AM
    I think it is a great idea. Neal, don't count on much of your BR crowd to trek DT. But, the convention crowd will certainly support the concept. The big law firms alone will support lunch.

    The subterranean location not only worked for Nicky Blaine's, it was home (for generations) to the legendary King Cole restaurant.

    As the founder of NB's, I'll vote for the location... Neal, Qdoba 'confiscated' the existing vent - is there a practical method of venting a kitchen?
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  • NealMarch 28, 2008 11:33 AM
    Hey Jimmy, thanks for the input, would love to get some more info from you.
    Please call me at your earliest convenience at L'ex. Thanks
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  • HelenMarch 28, 2008 12:14 PM
    I've been posting on IBJ for many monthes and I've never had copy-cat problems. At first I posted using my name, Helen(short for Helena) and then my SSC name(Unionstation13). I am now having problems yet again with a copy cat and my most recent name, brick by brick. After this post if anyone posts by Helen, Unionstation13, or brick by brick is NOT me and I ask you to NOT pay attention to them. I will not be posting in my typical style or name until this issue is fixed. Thanks and ttyl.
    Sincerely the girl who hates the City-County building.
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  • CrystalMarch 28, 2008 1:05 PM
    I heard that the Irish Claddagh is closing I do not know if it is just the 96th street or all 3. Anybody else hear anything?
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  • HelenMarch 28, 2008 2:51 PM
    Whomever posted that in 30 was lying. I am me. Here.
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  • JohnMarch 28, 2008 8:39 PM
    I don't know Helen. I read your posts on www.Skyscrapercity.com and your style seems to have suddenly change. Your views also.
    Is there anyway you can prove to be Helen?
    Cory is there anything you can do?
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  • HelenMarch 29, 2008 12:08 PM
    This is getting ridiculouse. Why are all these copy cats???? What have I ever done to you?
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  • JohnMarch 29, 2008 1:17 PM
    I'm just saying that you don't seem the same suddenly with your writing style on IBJ.
    Is there a way to clarify this on SSC?
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  • JohnMarch 29, 2008 11:47 PM
    What? I think it would be best if you put a # at the end of your name so people don't confuse our posts. :)
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  • OttoBottoMarch 29, 2008 11:49 PM
    This is getting out of control with the copy-cats. IBJ needs to do something NOW about this. I read these blogs but rarely post on here and I am posting now because its getting on my nerves. Either IBJ does something or I will no longer be getting my news from thise site and I encourage others to follow.
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  • cschoutenMarch 31, 2008 7:37 AM
    Folks: Let's stay on topic and stop talking about copycats. I tried e-mailing the poster originally known as Helen, but her/his address doesn't work. Now, the same person is posting as John, OttoBotto and Lafayettegal. Pick a name and stick with it, please.
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  • andreaMarch 31, 2008 9:53 PM
    If L'ex moves downtown I'll rearrange my budget to make sure I'm a regular patron. I'd be one now except that I HATE Broad Ripple and all it's chaos and confusion. This is such good news.
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  • cschoutenApril 4, 2008 12:52 PM
    An update: Chef Neal Brown has an interesting blog post about his search for a restaurant site downtown: Check it out
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