Milano Inn - Atmosphere or Food: You Decide.

Milano Inn, 231 S. College Avenue, has been in business in the same location since 1934, when Indianapolis' neighborhoods were largely defined by ethnicity.  It was originally on the border between the Italian-Danish and Irish Hill neighborhoods, although both are mere remnants of what they used to be due to downtown office and condo developments having replaced much of the produce terminals and old houses there, thus the Milano sits on a little hill pretty much by itself overlooking the Farm Bureau and Anthem Blue Cross buildings, which is good for us today in that there is ample parking available.

The first floor is all Little Italy decor, heavy dark wood with stained glass windows and a large bar with brass rails.  You can almost imagine two Mob dons having a sit down there to settle their respective organized crime territories, if Indy ever had such operations.  The atmosphere is elegant but cordial and very comfortable.  I must admit I've eaten downstairs only once, and the Italian flavors they served then were more subtle than you might expect: my Fettucine Alfredo was smoother and more creamy than the gloppy-butter stuff you get at Olive Garden.

Most of my visits to the Milano, however,  have been for the lunch buffet laid out upstairs in the 3 connected banquet rooms every weekday between 11:00 and 3:00 (I think).  For $9 you get an outrageous number of entree and side item choices, a salad bar, and a large dessert bar to boot.  If I recall correctly from my visit there yesterday, they had Teriyaki Pork Tenderloin, Fried Chicken, Eggplant Parmesan, Spaghetti with meat or Marinara sauce, Lasagne, Potatoes Au Gratin, Bacon & Chive Mashed Potatoes, green beans, corn, and Baked Potato soup.  It was all delicious, although as I said the flavors are more subtle than some folks might like, but heck, there are salt, pepper, Parmesan cheese, and crushed red pepper shakers available if you feel the need to spice things up. Get there early or late for lunch, because the Eli Lilly Co. and Anthem crowds usually fill up the noon hour.... !Quello che un affare delizioso!  !Mangia!