How to Buy Gourmet Foods in Indianapolis

Indianapolis foodies who needed gourmet ingredients, such as white truffle oil or caramelized violets, used to order those items from afar. Not anymore. Several local stores now offer a wide variety of gourmet dry goods, meats, cheeses and other items. Here’s how to buy gourmet foods in the heart of the Midwestern bread basket.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Visit Goose the Market for hard-to-find meats, luxury dry goods, gourmet cheeses and many Indiana products. The store, located in downtown’s revitalized Fall Creek Place neighborhood, occupies two levels, so be sure to check out the wine, beer and dry goods downstairs. (That’s where the white truffle oil is hiding.)
2. Head to Frasier’s Gourmet Foods on East 96th Street. The store is divided evenly between gourmet grocery items and cookware, and the cheese counter is well-stocked. The store also offers cooking classes taught by local celebrity chefs.
3. Moving farther north, go to Vine & Table Gourmet Market in Carmel. This store, which is part grocery store and part liquor store, offers an amazing selection of cheese. It also has the city’s largest selection of luxury dry goods, outstanding party trays and a good deli, which serves lunch and has the best hummus around.
4. Try the Cheese Shop, located in the Fashion Mall at Keystone. The Sicilian cream cheese dip is usually available for free samples. The store carries many gourmet dry goods, such as spices and oils, as well as some wines.
5. Now that you’re armed with so many great ingredients, attend a cooking class. Frasier’s Gourmet Foods is one option, or you can take classes at Ivy Tech Community College, through Lawrence Township Community Education or at the Chef’s Academy, a division of Indiana Business College.