Broad Ripple Random Ripplings
search menu
The news from Broad Ripple
Brought to you by The Broad Ripple Gazette
(Delivering the news since 2004, every two weeks)
Subscribe to Broad Ripple Random Ripplings
Brought to you by:
VirtualBroadRipple.com Broad Ripple collector pins EverythingBroadRipple.com

Everything Broad Ripple HomearrowRandom Ripplings Homearrow2007 05 18arrowColumn

back button return to index button next button
Converted from paper version of the Broad Ripple Gazette (v04n10)
The Wine Scene - by Jill A. Ditmire
posted: May 18, 2007

Wine Scene header

Play It Again Sam

For those still mourning the loss of the Pawn Shop Pub at the corner of College and Kessler (It's Brinkley's Bar and Kitchen today), I've got some good news and some bad news for you.
Most everything old is new again at the new site of one of Broad Ripple's favorite hangouts. You can drink, smoke, laugh, watch TV, drink, smoke, eat and find PLENTY of parking space outside for your car - and when weather permits, for your body - as THIS Pawn Shop Pub offers umbrella-topped tables on a small deck outside the building (that last housed a business that sold fried fish).
The inside space is much more limited than the old haunt, but that Pawn Shop Pub spirit of "come on in and grab a seat, a drink and a smoke" remains.
Rum Boy arrived before me securing a spot at the bar. Remember, this is an old Long John Silvers, so the place is square. The three-sided bar sits in the middle of the tables, most of which are four-tops, but I spotted a few for two.
Adult beverage-inspired mirrors and pictures from the last century decorate the walls, which adds more of that homey touch. This Pawn Shop Pub offers 4 TV screens for those who would rather watch than chat with the people they came with or those strangers seated next to them. The night of our visit the flat screen TV's featured NBA basketball, local news with political race updates (it was Primary night), ESPN, and "Everybody Loves Raymond". There was something for everyone or no one. At one point in the evening, a regular showed a movie in which he acted. It is still like being at your neighbor's house. Well sort of.
The bartender gave me the wine list verbally. It's short but nice, and MUCH improved since the last glass of wine I had at the old Pawn Shop. I chose the Clos du Bois Pinot Grigio, a light, tangy, dry white wine from California that offers soft aromas and flavors of honeydew melon and lime.
Rum Boy sampled and puckered - too dry for him. So guess what he ordered?
The Pawn Shop didn't have his first choice, the spicy Sailor Jerry Rum, but the bartender offered several others and he chose the Malibu Rum. Not being a rum gal, I asked Rum Boy why he chose that one.
"Nice smooth coconut flavor," he replied. He took it "neat", which he told me means with a splash of water. The Pawn Shop does barely a splash, which I guess for those who enjoy their spirits is a very good thing. Rum Boy thought so, and my glass of wine was a healthy pour.
We noticed 8 tap pulls including Guinness, Bass, Newcastle, and Coors Light. Friendly waitresses seemed to be delivering a lot of bottled beer to the 4-top tables, most of which seemed to be the expected offerings at a local pub.
Our conversation and observation seemed to sate any hunger, as neither Rum Boy nor I wanted to see what was on the appetizer list. That's unusual, but then again, we were there to do the Drinks Review. For the food review look to the next page.

In My bin

Chateau Ste Jean Riesling, California- Crisp, dry, silky. Lovely fresh aromas of honeysuckle rose petals and wet stones give way to smooth, lush, yet crisp flavors of apricots, white peach and honey. Great value, and a fantastic food wine.
Black Opal Traminer/Riesling, Australia- This screw-cap topped blend of two fresh and fruity grapes results in the perfect chilled drink to enjoy after a day in the garden, mowing the lawn, or shopping at Girly Chic or Marigold or Ginkgo. Soft, succulent flavors of Pink Lady apples, clover honey, and spiced peaches makes this 10-buck bottle worth finding.



Jill A. Ditmire is an Omnimedia wine specialist, AWS certified wine judge, freelance broadcast journalist and 20+ year home owner in the Warfleigh neighborhood of Broad Ripple. Send your questions and comments to Jill at jill@broadripplegazette.com
Also on INSTAGRAM @jaditmire




jill@broadripplegazette.com
back button return to index button next button
Brought to you by:
BroadRippleHistory.com Broad Ripple collector pins EverythingBroadRipple.com
Brought to you by:
EverythingBroadRipple.com RandomRipplings.com Broad Ripple collector pins