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Name: Oakleys Bistro
Address: 1464 W 86th St, Indianapolis, IN, 46260
Telephone: (317) 824-1231
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 4.23

Oakleys Bistro

1464 W 86th St, Indianapolis, IN, 46260

(317) 824-1231
Store is closed

Oakleys Bistro Menu

Small Plates

Shrimp Corndog

Bacon Wrapped Apricots

Deviled Eggs "Chicken Cordon Bleu"

Crispy Oyster Lettuce Wrap

Black Bean Artichoke Hummus

Spring Crab Cake

Suckling Pig

Sea Scallops

Lobster Waffle

Potato Gnocchi

Butchers Board

Housemade French Boule
Large Plates

Amish Chicken Breast

Stanley’s Meatloaf

Idaho Ruby Trout

Beef Short Ribs

Pork Tenderloin

Duck Duck Goose

Fettuccini

Tilapia

Study of Vegetables & Grains
Soups and Salads

Butternut Squash Maple

French Onion

Bistro Soup of the Day

Spinach & Frisee

Seven Greens

Spring Harvest

Toad in a Hole
Bistro Sides

Mashed Potato Purée

Asparagus

Creamed Spinach

Mac-n-goat Cheese

Fried Brussel Sprouts
Lunch Combinations

Soup & Salad

Soup & Entrée Salad

Soup & Tart

Soup Entrée Salad & Dessert
Soups

Butternut Squash Maple

French Onion

Bistro Soup of the Day
Salads & Tarts

Baby Iceberg

Farmers Greens

Prosciutto Caprese Tart

Salmon Tart
Entrées & Sandwiches & Burgers

Meatloaf

Fettuccini

Risotto

Lobster “Pot Pie”

Crab Feta Melt

Short Rib Panini

Fish Tacos
Desserts

Crème Brûlée

Double Chocolate Torte

Lemon Cake Terrine
Dinner Desserts

Crème Brûlée

Chocolate Flourless Cake

Chocolate Brownie

Flavors of Fall

Citrus Cake Terrine

Caramel Apple Cheesecake

Sorbet & Ice Cream Tasting
Coffee & Tea

Coffee

Espresso

Cappuccino

Lattes

Tea Temptations

Loose Teas brewed tableside
Lunch Desserts

Crème Brûlée

Double Chocolate Torte

Lemon Cake Terrine
Specialty Cocktails

Gingerale Cocktail

Aviation Cocktail

Dark n’ Stormy

Corn n’ Oil

Manhattan

Old Fashioned

Basil Gimlet

Moscow Mule

Prichard’s Key Lime Mojito
Beers

Clausthauler N/A

Amstel Light

Coors Light

Heineken

Pranqster Belgian Style

New Castle

Fosters

Stone IPA India Pale Ale

Fat Tire Amber Ale

Mad Anthony Auburn Lager

Breckenridge Brewery Oatmeal Stout

Bells Oberon

Brugge Tripel de Ripple
Beverages

Panna .5L

San Pelligrino .5L

Coca Cola

Diet Coke

Sprite

Cranberry Juice
Coffee & Tea

OAKLEYS bistro’s Special Blend Coffee

Espresso

Double Espresso

Cappuccino

Lattes

Seasonally selected loose teas brewed tableside

Iced tea

Healthy Meal suggestions for Oakleys Bistro

Small Plates

Shrimp Corndog [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bacon Wrapped Apricots [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Deviled Eggs "Chicken Cordon Bleu" [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Crispy Oyster Lettuce Wrap [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Black Bean Artichoke Hummus [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spring Crab Cake [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Suckling Pig [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sea Scallops [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lobster Waffle [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Potato Gnocchi [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Butchers Board [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Housemade French Boule [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Large Plates

Amish Chicken Breast [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Stanley’s Meatloaf [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Idaho Ruby Trout [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Beef Short Ribs [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pork Tenderloin [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Duck Duck Goose [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fettuccini [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tilapia [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Study of Vegetables & Grains [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Soups and Salads

Butternut Squash Maple [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

French Onion [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bistro Soup of the Day [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spinach & Frisee [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Seven Greens [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spring Harvest [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Toad in a Hole [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Bistro Sides

Mashed Potato Purée [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Asparagus [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Creamed Spinach [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mac-n-goat Cheese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fried Brussel Sprouts [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Lunch Combinations

Soup & Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Soup & Entrée Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Soup & Tart [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Soup Entrée Salad & Dessert [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Soups

Butternut Squash Maple [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

French Onion [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bistro Soup of the Day [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Salads & Tarts

Baby Iceberg [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Farmers Greens [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Prosciutto Caprese Tart [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Salmon Tart [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Entrées & Sandwiches & Burgers

Meatloaf [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fettuccini [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Risotto [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lobster “Pot Pie” [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Crab Feta Melt [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Short Rib Panini [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fish Tacos [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Desserts

Crème Brûlée [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Double Chocolate Torte [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lemon Cake Terrine [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Dinner Desserts

Crème Brûlée [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chocolate Flourless Cake [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chocolate Brownie [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Flavors of Fall [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Citrus Cake Terrine [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Caramel Apple Cheesecake [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sorbet & Ice Cream Tasting [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Coffee & Tea

Coffee [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Espresso [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cappuccino [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lattes [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tea Temptations [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Loose Teas brewed tableside [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Lunch Desserts

Crème Brûlée [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Double Chocolate Torte [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lemon Cake Terrine [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Specialty Cocktails

Gingerale Cocktail [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Aviation Cocktail [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Dark n’ Stormy [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Corn n’ Oil [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Manhattan [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Old Fashioned [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Basil Gimlet [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Moscow Mule [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Prichard’s Key Lime Mojito [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Beers

Clausthauler N/A [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Amstel Light [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Coors Light [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Heineken [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pranqster Belgian Style [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

New Castle [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fosters [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Stone IPA India Pale Ale [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fat Tire Amber Ale [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mad Anthony Auburn Lager [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Breckenridge Brewery Oatmeal Stout [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bells Oberon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Brugge Tripel de Ripple [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Beverages

Panna .5L [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

San Pelligrino .5L [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Coca Cola [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Diet Coke [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sprite [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cranberry Juice [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Coffee & Tea

OAKLEYS bistro’s Special Blend Coffee [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Espresso [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Double Espresso [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cappuccino [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lattes [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Seasonally selected loose teas brewed tableside [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Iced tea [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Visit below restaurant in Indianapolis for healthy meals suggestion.

Indianapolis Colts Grille ( 110 W Washington St )

Buffalo Wild Wings ( 1442 Spann Ave )

Subway ( 4088 Pendleton Way )

Subway ( 1950 Kessler Boulevard W Dr )

A&W Restaurant ( 10815 Pendleton Pike )

A&W ( 45 S Illinois St )

Visit below restaurant in Indianapolis for healthy meals suggestion.

Buffalo Wild Wings ( 1442 Spann Ave )

Subway ( 4088 Pendleton Way )

Subway ( 1950 Kessler Boulevard W Dr )

A&W Restaurant ( 10815 Pendleton Pike )

A&W ( 45 S Illinois St )

Write An Anonymous Review

A V.

Wow! Came here for dinner on a Thursday night and was blown away. I love their creative takes on traditional foods. They come up with combinations of flavors I have never heard of before and everything was spectacular and plated beautifully. I got the garlic and basil waffle topped with lobster and it was stunning. Then had the tilapia with corn risotto and fresh veggies and it was lovely! My mom enjoyed the salmon and my dad loved his pork. Dessert was the strawberry dome cake. All heavenly.
(5)
Michelle K.

Maybe this rating is due to the fact that, (trying not to sound snobby..) i have had the luxury of regularly experiencing real fine dining, bc i live in NYC. This restaurant was a complete and utter disappointment, on ALL levels. First, they need to edit their food... way too much and too many flavors going on at once. My dish was a nightmare... A 20 dollar fettucine that was a far cry from what the menu described. Namely, it was very spicy, and ironically that wasnt stated on the otherwise overly busy menu. I could forgive that, if it was responded to appropriately .... I literally took 3 bites before abandoning the dish. When the server came to clear the table, he didn't say anything. As he grabbed for my plate, I expected him to do what any valued waiter does at any restaurant that values its customers - to ask me if there was something was wrong with the dish, and apologize. I didnt expect this, but in most places, theyll even take the dish off the bill. I didnt care about the money but it was the principle. My partner's fish special was over cooked and tough to cut (fish is NEVER hard to cut). Again, there was way too much going on in the dish. Taste wise, the dessert wasn't bad - Id say average. The appearance and taste, yet again, way too busy. It was presented as a deconstructed dish. Tried both the peanut butter and the chocolate dome.... The tastiest and highest quality item of the night was the small scoop of ice cream in the chocolate dish. I would happily have eaten a bowl of that! The blue cheese in the salad was also fantastic. I wanted to like this place, I really did. Id been looking forward to it, was hungry, and had good expectations but overall, I would summarize this place as being in the midst of an identity crisis. Everything about it gave me the feeling that they were trying to be something they're not. They seem to be struggling with who they're trying to market to customer wise. Worst, their menu and food is that of a top chef wannabe. It all felt very contrived and was as if the owners/chef studied a truly fine dining and modern establishment and tried to copy it... but failed in doing so. They need help. The rave reviews here mystify me. My party of four were all dissatisfied. .. though none as much as me, bc they were at least able to eat their entrees. Maybe we were there on an off night, IDK... An earlier night in Indiana, at a casual bar/restaurant downtown, where you wouldnt have thought they were focusing on putting out great food, I was so impressed. I forget the name (on a corner, next to a mural of a man on the brick) but in comparison to Oakleys, it was ten times as yummy.
(1)
Theresa J.

A different dining experience from the chain restaurants that are on every corner. My husband was not overly impressed with the meatloaf, not flavored enough. I kinda felt the same way about my salmon, actually needed to salt it. Presentation of all dishes was excellent. Sides were delicious and had wonderful flavors. Large selection of cocktails and after dinner coffees. A bit pricey to be a regular stop but maybe a special occasion location.
(4)
Wade H.

I came here for dinner while attending a conference and was thoroughly pleased. The pinot wine was delicious, the butternut squash soup incredibly tasty, and the lobster waffle outstanding! I hope to dine here again when visiting Indianapolis.
(5)
Ashley D.

I really loved this place! Amazing pesto-goat cheese Mac and cheese. It is in a strip mall, but once inside, it is a very nice restaurant. Very interesting food, everything we had was delicious. We will definitely be going back.
(5)
Caryn A.

Oakleys is consistently excellent, with interesting and innovative food. It's pricey, and reasonable serving size, so if you want to stuff yourself, go elsewhere.
(5)
D J.

Each dish had its own wonderful presentation. My taste buds exploded with new found territory. Fresh and rewarding dinner with friends. We had a group of 10 and they took care of us with no problem. It was all yummy good.
(5)
John G.

Great food. Good beer selection. Sat at the chefs table and got to watch the cooks all thru their dinner service. Great friends good atmosphere and an entertaining kitchen makes for a good nite. It was a slower night so we had the table all night. If you get the chance try to sit at the chefs table you will not regret it.
(4)
Gene C.

I am always impressed with the menu choices at Oakleys Bistro, and it's always changing. In fact, just writing this review made me click on over and set some reservations for tonight! The restaurant is on the smaller side, so it's quite intimate. I recommend reservations, as it tends to fill up quickly. I can't think of a better place to go on the northwest side of town. Don't let the location fool you.
(5)
Margo F.

Third time at Oakleys and might be even better this time. Great welcoming hostess on phone and in person. Extremely knowledgeable waiter without being overbearing. Get the "jar of pickles" appetizer. Oh my. Onion soup just perfect. Who knew pork tenderloin could be so flavorful? Short ribs outstanding. Duck...well if you like that sort of thing...which my husband does. He's adventurous, she not so much. Oakleys prepared for all palates. Lovely.
(5)
Stephanie S.

Oakley's is an unassuming restaurant nestled in a strip mall behind an Applebee's. Thanks to positive Yelp reviews, we gave this place a try. Fantastic meal all around! The menu was full of unique dishes and each plate that came out was refined and elegant. The service was attentive and warm. Highlights of the night: deviled eggs starter, Duck entree, Pork and Waffle, Creme brÃ»lÃ©e dessert Least favorite dish: bacon wrapped apricots- the apricot was not sweet or sturdy enough to hold up to the bold tequila flavor. This place is a little bit off the beaten path, but definitely worth the trek!!
(4)
Quynhmy R.

Food here is always "fun" for your mouth to eat. Never have had anything bad to eat here. Always leave extremely satisfied and looking forward to coming back in the future. Get the shrimp corn dog and duck for entree.
(5)
Kathy V.

My husband and I had a gift card so decided to try oakleys. We have been here before. This visit was a bit of a disappointment. Our appetizer of Tennessee egg rolls was delicious. Our wine selection would have been wonderful if they had not chilled a Malbec. My husbands meatloaf was average in taste with box mashed potatoes and a very large broccoli stalk. My special of pork chops was extremely expensive at 34.00 for a small chop covered in corn and bacon succotash. Overall not impressive and way too expensive for the amount of food.
(3)
T.j. K.

Wow is easily the first word that comes to mind on our first trip to Oakleys. My wife and I went here to celebrate both out anniversary and my birthday and we couldn't have been more pleased with our evening out. When we arrived we were promptly seated at the chefs table over looking the kitchen which was an extremely awesome way to experience our meal. Then only difficult thing of the evening was trying to narrow down what we wanted to eat off of the actual menu. For starters we got a few different items which were bone marrow(which was a specialist for the evening), duck confit almonds, and Tennessee "Eggrolls". All three of these were outstanding with the Bone marrow possibly being the shining star of the three. With that said I would be happy to have a giant plate of all three at any time. After that we had a spicy lentil soup which was the only thing that didn't jump out as amazing on the first bite. This is probably because we were expecting more spice based on the name which wasn't really there. This is not a problem overall however as the soup had great taste and texture and got better with every bite. For entrees my wife was going on get the lobster and waffles of of the starters menu but ended up getting a Cobia special because of the ham and cheese polenta that was to be served with it. I don't know how the lobster and waffle would have taste but the polenta really stood out, I'm not a big polenta fan, as being excellent and made us both happy that that is what she choose. My choice of entree was the shrimp and wild boar which was served with rigatoni in a tomato based sauce. Again this was another excellently prepared dish that was full of flavor and differing textures that's a pleasure to eat. Finally for dessert we had the Caramel Apple Coffee Cake which continued the trend of excellence for the evening. Despite its name and the cake and apple topping being delicious the star of the dish was the green apple sorbet. I don't know if anyone makes a green Apple sorbet that I can get at the store to eat at home but if they do then I will. All in all this may have been the best meal I've ever had and it makes me sad that I haven't made the time before now to eat at Oakleys.
(5)
April K.

My husband and I had a perfect evening at Oakley's recently. We went there to celebrate our 15th anniversary and my husband's birthday. We were seated at the Chef's table ( a pleasant surprise for sure) so we had a nice view to the kitchen. Watching their team work together made us love the food more for sure. It was quiet and like a ballet-everyone knew exactly what to do and when to do it. Food was perfect-every bite. Oakley's menu changes periodically so you can try something new every time. I got an off-menu special - Cobia and Polenta. It was a good amount of food - not too big but enough for dinner. The polenta was cheesy and creamy and Cobia was beautiful. This place is pretty classy- I'm not sure if I would feel comfortable wearing jeans in here. Plenty of parking so no issues there. A few shops around too in case you arrive early. Definitely check Oakley's out. It's been around for several years and we've never tried it- such a shame!
(5)
Deirdre G.

Wow, what a gem. My dad and I have birthdays very close to each other's, so we all went out to celebrate yesterday. Our server Duncan was very attentive. I settled on two small plates: the bacon-wrapped apricots (so good!) and escargot (a little gritty...). For my medium course, I had the sweet corn gnocchi, and creme brulee for dessert. Who'd've thought there'd be such a lovely place so close to where I live?
(5)
Jenna G.

I'm going to get right to the point. If you have yet to try this place (or haven't been here recently) do yourself a favor, drop everything you are doing and go! Now let's get to the specifics: Service- phenomenal. Our server was extremely helpful, knowledgeable (without being pretentious), personable and was there when we needed but didn't hover. Food- I must say we couldn't choose one appetizer so we decided to order several of them and skip the entrees. Our server said the entrees are very large, so we stuck to several smaller portions. The food is very well seasoned and executed and the menu offers a wide variety. There was not one dish of the 8 we had that we did not devour to the last drop. A big thanks for the staff and chefs for such a delicious and enjoyable evening!
(5)
Trey R.

Wonderful food, a little pricey. We had a group of eight and were easily accommodated for. Service was fine, but any lack of geniality was certainly made up for by the food quality.
(4)
DeAnna P.

I am so sad to have to write this review. I have heard of so many people having wonderful meals and experiences here, but I just didn't. I met up with a friend for an early dinner and found the inside charming and the tables comfortably spaced (sometimes smaller restaurants really scrunch you in there!). The initial service was good and even though the restaurant was deserted, I was still surprised at how fast the food was served. They have a respectable, if a bit pricey, cocktail menu. I forget the name of my drink, but it had maple rum and ginger beer. Just now in writing my review I realized that it was supposed to be garnished with a dried apple slice, but did not have one. Nevertheless, it was delicious. The food was disappointing. I ordered French onion soup so that I could splurge on a big dessert. The soup was deconstructed with the cheese and bread on the side. The bread wasn't fully toasted and the butter and cheese were not fully melted, so you couldn't eat them alone, they had to go in the soup. Again, since they were not fully toasted, the bread immediately became a soggy mess. The soup was ok, but nothing special and not super flavorful. Now to the dessert. Oh, dessert, you really let me down. I ordered the fresh baked brownie and got ready to dig into some melty, chewy, gushy goodness. The best brownie is one that is just this side of underdone and doesn't need frosting or toppings because it is moist and fudgy on its own. This brownie was none of those things. It was dry, overcooked, and powdery. I offered my friend a bite (it is easy to be generous with food when you don't like it) and she agreed it was really dry. I had another bite and decided I did not want to pay $9 for a dry and bland brownie. When our server came over, I told her I did not want the brownie. She asked why. But it wasn't a "oh I'm so sorry, what wasn't to your liking?" It was more, "What?!?! What is wrong with you that you didn't enjoy this delicious brownie?" I thought maybe I was misreading her reaction until she came back with our checks. She let me know that she had taken the brownie off my bill but very curtly said, "The chef wanted you to know that the edges are only dry because the brownie was fresh baked. If you would have had a bite in the middle, it would have been fine." Um, he might be a chef and all, but I'm a hot blooded American woman slash brownie lover. I know dessert and I know good brownie. That was not it. My husband still has not been to this place and there are so many positive reviews, so I feel like I need to go back and give it one more chance. Hopefully my next experience is a lot better. Review to be updated accordingly!
(2)
Ann L.

I went here last week for a special occasion dinner with family and we had a wonderful experience! We had cocktails to start off; my key lime mojito was absolutely wonderful! Loads of fresh lime and mint and just sweet enough! Do not miss the starters here! We had the shrimp corn dogs, bacon wrapped apricots and duck confit almonds. The shrimp corn dogs are so good, and at only $2 each a really amazing deal! The bacon wrapped apricots are an absolute must if you like the sweet-salty combo, and the almonds, which are roasted in duck fat, are absolutely delicious! My entree featured trout and a variety of delicious accompaniments including bacon spaetzle. Everything is presented beautifully; do not expect that an entree will stuff you here or that the accompaniments are full "side" portions. The flavors of everything together on the plate are just amazing and this trout entree was no exception! We did get a side of the fried brussel sprouts which are not to be missed!! The desserts are all deconstructed, and again, the presentation is beautiful! I had a smores dessert that included chocolate ganache, toasted marshmallow ice cream and graham cake squares. Service was excellent; attentive without being intrusive. Courses were timed beautifully; we did not feel we were being rushed through, but also never felt we were left waiting. This is definitely a special occasion type place, but for such events, well worth the price!
(5)
Cynthia E.

My husband and I ate here on Saturday night. The service was great, the food was unique and beautifully presented. Most importantly, everything was very tasty. We had the cordon bleu deviled eggs, toad in the hole salad, the chipotle meatloaf, macaroni and cheese, and for desert the peanut butter and jelly. I would definitely go again and highly recommend it.
(5)
Miu A.

V took me to Oakleys Bistro on one Saturday night during a Northside Nights week. It might became our favorite restaurant of all time in Indy. First, their atmosphere seems to be perfect for a date night, it's rather small and intimate. Second and most importantly, we did devour our three-course meal tailored for that Northside Nights. As our appetizer, we enjoyed their cheese board, which I paired with a glass of Malbec. I'm always drawn to anything prepared with locally grown / processed ingredients, so having local cheese on our board was excellent. My main dish was Cajun-French style fried chicken, and V's was a beef pot pie. Initially, I thought mine was too salty but after all, I think I could taste every ingredient used for the dish; chicken was juicy and tender, vegetables were fresh and cooked to perfection. The presentations of our dishes were very beautiful, and that added extra to our conversation. Their service was phenomenal as well; with each dish served, they took back our used silver wares and replaced with clean ones. Small things as this made our date nigh even more special. Having a waiter who knew well what he was serving helped us appreciate our experience as well. Finally, I confirm that Oakleys is now added to our selection of fine dining, it is now one of our favorite in Indy!
(5)
Jim B.

Had a great dinner with friends at Oakleys Bistro this past weekend and I would highly recommend it when its time for an excellent meal in Indianapolis. Wait staff was excellent (including attempting to keep up with my water refills (sorry I was dehydrated!)) as usual and plenty of staff for the smallish number of tables. Luckily we arrived early since within an hour the restaurant was almost entirely full on a Saturday evening. Next time I think we'll try for a bit earlier reservation only because if the restaurant is crowded - it feels crowded. Appetizer soup was excellent and for an entree the vegetarian option worked out well. Warning on the desserts: Dessert sizes are small and it makes the price seem a bit hefty for dessert - I think next time we'll run out across the street to Baskin-Robbins! Customers varied from those dressed up to those in jeans (ya, that would be me!) along with a wide range in ages and group sizes. Almost forgot to mention there are tables available outside.
(4)
Tim R.

I felt under dressed as I walked in, there were some jackets and ties in the place, I was wearing a sweater and jeans, due to location in a strip mall behind an Applebees, I didn't expect the place would be as elegant as it was. OK - first impression, accolades on the foyer wall. Lots of them. Warm greeting on the way in, yes we have your reservation, and it did not go unnoticed that the tables were far enough apart we didn't have to squeeze by anyone. Very interesting appetizers... we chose a couple of shrimp corn dogs, (recommended) deviled eggs, (with pineapple! it works) We watched the kitchen, talked a bit, our water was not allowed to get below half full. Soup last night was shrimp and cauliflower. Hmmm, waiter called it shrimp bisque. It was a bowl of steaming hot flavor-licious. Plenty of small crunchy veggie particles, not too thick, but not at all thin. Whatever he put in there, (basil?) it had a nicely balanced mixture of hearty tastes. I was told I was not the only one that wanted to lick the bowl. My wife tasted it and came back for more, a few times. This was really good so far, looking forward to entrees. She ordered a lobster waffle. (highly recommended) and I'm normally a carnivore but I went with the study of vegetables, four small portions each on its own plate. A little veggie lasagna with polenta top and bottom, an eggplant rollup, some really tasty corn and artichoke chowder in a little bowl, and a goat cheese morel. I was surprised at how good everything tasted, looked over - gave Chef a big thumbs up, which he returned. We shared a side of brussel sprouts that were quartered and fried with bacon and I think had some honey on it. For dessert, we shared a medley of berries and sweet little dollops of creamy custard, with a little blueberry sorbet, all surrounded by cake crumbs - Will Definitely Be Back. She's going to drag me anyway... we were pleasantly full, not stuffed, spent $80 and felt like it was worth every penny. Next time I'll dress a little better - business casual at least would be my recommendation. Oh - the presentation matches the flavors. It looks good, tastes good, and since this was last night, I would call it "memorable". Highly recommended.
(5)
Phi C.

I have been stalking Oakleys on yelps for months now, finally got a chance to come in and try their lunch menu. I ordered the lobster pot pie and was kinda bummed after that I didn't try their risotto instead. The pot pie lacked.... Well.... lobster! There wasn't much in their and I also found a few tiny pieces of I believe their were crawfish. The flavors were mediocre. It was nothing to rave about or try again. However, my husband ordered their short rib panini and that was full of flavor and was delicious!! Delicious enough that I ordered one to go for my sister! Service was wonderful, there was a young lady who was serving us, but there was a gentlemen there who didn't seen to mind when we would stop him to ask for something. Kind people providing great service! I will return to try out their dinner menu!
(3)
Leslie H.

Very interesting place. It's a lil gem tucked in this indiscreet shopping complex. The decor of the restaurant itself is unassuming. However, the food is something else. The chef is very imaginative. It's like having a celebrity chef from NY in the Midwest. The deconstruction of the menu items is very unique. It's priced right as well and the plating/presentation is straight out of a Michelin star restaurant.
(5)
Michael C.

This is my favorite place for a nice meal with my wife in Indy. It's in a very unassuming place (a strip mall on 86th and Ditch Road), but inside it's nice. Somehow the food always comes quickly the people are friendly and competent (without overdoing it the way the staff at restaurants with pretences of fanciness often seem to). When it comes to the food, one of the nice things is they have a wide variety of smaller but reasonably priced plates, which means you can get a few and try them without feeling too bad about it. Not that I've ever had anything bad here, but it let's you feel like you're not taking too big a risk if you want to try something exotic.
(5)
Jeff K.

Small plates are excellent. I could make a meal of shrimp corn dogs. Entrees quite good but not on the same level as the apps. Note to restaurant. There is a reason why everyone was ordering the "patio tapas" inside. Get more of that flavor into the entrees.
(5)
Margaret S.

I don't know why this place got such good reviews. Our experience was not that great. First of all the interior decor is not upscale by any means. The only thing good about the food is the presentation. The taste is at the best average, like what you get at Applebee's. The quantity of food is embarrassingly small. Regardless of the prices I would not recommend it .
(2)
Brittani B.

My boyfriend and I just ate at Oakleys Bistro for the first time and loved it! He had the Crab Feta Melt - he's very picky about seafood, given that he grew up on the East coast. He ranted & raved over it. He also had the Wild Mushroom bisque, which we both tasted. A bit salty for me, but not so much that you couldn't enjoy it. I had the shrimp risotto which was also spectacular. It's very rich, so the smaller portion was perfect. The service was great and the environment is very intimate and cozy. Overall, a great dining experience! We will be back to try dinner.
(5)
Heather T.

Knowing that Steven Oakley was a CIA grad, like myself, I was intrigued to see what he had done in a gastronomically challenged city such as Indianapolis. I went in on Saturday for lunch and had relatively high expectations. I was not disappointed. I ordered the french onion soup and the prosciutto and caprese tart. The soup needed a little salt and lacked a little depth, but still delicious. The tart was good as well, tomatoes perfectly roasted and cheese perfectly melted. The mustard vinaigrette on the salad was wonderful. My friend got the Shortrib Panini, and if that wasn't one of the best things I've ever put in my mouth. It was tender, perfectly seasoned, rich, just like a perfect braise should be. The horseradish sauce they served in a small copper pot on the side made the real fireworks happen. It came with home made potato chips and a salad also with the interesting mustard vinaigrette. The decor was modern and inviting. The service was great and the food was moderately priced, definitely worth it for the upscale quality. Definitely a place I will be returning to, on multiple occasions.
(4)
Bob F.

Cannot believe it took us so long to get here. Have always meant to try this place but it never seemed to work out. I'll make the time in the future. Ours was an excellent well choreographed dinner experience.
(5)
Larry H.

We couldn't have enjoyed this more. Lisa was our server. Great wine. We had Shrimp Corn Dogs, Deviled Eggs, Tennessee Egg Rolls, Cauliflower & Shrimp Soup, with Pork Tenderloin and Brussel Sprouts (shared) for dinner. We could not have been happier. Plus, Lisa was a great server.
(5)
Pam-Boom C.

Gotta love their starters. Great variety of food. I ordered Lobster Waffle, Oyster Lettuce Wrap, Suckling Pig and Duck Duck Goose. They are all delicious dishes. I would most definitely recommend the duck duck goose. I personally love the different sauces on the dish and the softness of the duck meat.
(4)
Leo B.

What can I say-just an awesome experience! Started off with a shrimp corn dog as an appetizer-glad we did as the large plates portions were more than enough! Can't remember the last time I actually took food home from Oakleys. Lobster waffle was delightful as was the chicken breast and short ribs. We did manage to save room for dessert-the chocolate brownie, with a warm gooey center and surrounded by carmel corn was our favorite!
(5)
Sonya A.

Definitely a new favorite place! My friend brought me here for a birthday dinner. I had the fish special, which was melt in my mouth amazing. The portion was huge, so I only had one medallion but as very happy to enjoy the leftovers the next day. The flavor is spot one, the ingredients are well thought out. Overall I want to eat there everyday. Food: 5/5 Service: 5/5, super attentive Location: 5/5, not much on the outside, but intimate and sweet on the inside
(5)
Patrick T.

Oakley's Bistro is many things, but it all boils down to this: Oakley's is a restaurant that knows itself, and has a clear vision of the experience it wants to deliver to the customer. On to the review: Last Saturday, my wife and I, and another couple, arrived for dinner at 7:45 for an 8:15 reservation. The place was packed, in part thanks to the Northside Nights promotion. We took a seat in the small bar area, where I had a lovely Manhattan. We were seated just before 8:15, at a 4 top by the front window. It was a bit cramped but the place was bustling so we didn't mind. The Northside Nights menu looked great, as did the variety of entrees. But we were drawn to the appetizers, so we ordered just about all of them! Highlights included: - shrimp corn dogs ($2 ea); the drizzle of honey tied it all together - crispy oyster lettuce wrap ($5.50/2); lovely heat thanks to Thai chili oil - lobster waffle ($13.75; so good we ordered two of them - suckling pig ($12.75); this dish would pair with ANY wine, red or white, bravo! Our expert server delivered the food in two stages, so we were never drowning in plates. Also, he was attentive without hovering. We enjoyed our meal with a reasonably priced Joseph Drouhin white Burgundy ($42). The wine list was extensive and there were many options and price points to choose, mostly in the $35 to $75 range. Everyone ordered dessert. Chef Oakley came out and explained to us why the creme brulee was so delicious. (Basically it is cooked low and slow, which led to a much smoother mouthfeel.) The PB&J was excellent, too, and the cheese plate, and the raspberry chocolate torte. When I got home, I read more about Oakley's and what they do for the community. They participate in Second Harvest, and also deliver meals to area families in need. (And for fun, they offer a "chef for the day" experience.) They have really integrated themselves into the neighborhood. In short, Oakley's Bistro is hip without being hipster. It is fine dining without being pretentious. It is an Indy institution without feeling institutionalized. Recommended!
(5)
William D.

Great mix of seasonal vegetables, lightly seasoned with an artful presentation. Wonderful flavor on the French minestrone soup. Service was prompt and attentive and the atmosphere was perfect for a business lunch on a snowy afternoon.
(4)
S S.

Had a special appetizer, grilled halibut collar over Japanese soba noodles....terrific!!! Always a great meal and great service.
(4)
Bill C.

One of our best dining experiences ever. We were celebrating our anniversary and decided to drive to Indy and find a quality restaurant. Oakley's didn't disappoint us. The tilapia was fresh and delicious (and from South America, not China, the chef assured us). The risotto was incredible. Service was excellent. The prices were upscale, but not ridiculous. Overall, we were very happy with evening at Oakley's.
(5)
Stefan M.

We went here with a party of 4 on a Saturday night. TH weather was decent so we choses to sit outside and ejoy the last warm nights of the fall. The outdoor seating was dead and we were all by ourselves, which was nice. We started off with the Charcuterie board and the Suckling pig. The charcuterie was great. Especially the Foi Gras mousse. The Suckling pig was also great. I think they should change it to an entree size...I would definitley order it. We also shared a couple of the toad in the hole salabds. The brioche was the best single piece of brioche I have had in my life. All the fixins in the salad were perfect but the suprise was the thin slices of radish, which we allfought over. For an entree I had their Duck Duck Goose (sadly no goose on the plate, just duck 2 ways). Now with Duck, I tend to like my Duck breast a little more on the medium well side as I dont really like it when its chewy. Oakleys has gotten this closer than any other Duck I have had in memory pasy. The Duck breast was also served on top of Duck leg confit which was incredibly tasy and tender. I really wanted just a huge plate of the Confit. There was however small shaved "strands" of some vefatble that I couldnt identify that was sort of "woodsy" in texture (mayber lemongrass?). This and the singular piece of brocolli were the only questionable items on my plate (for any future purveyors of food imight ingest, leave the broccoli off everything!) Dessert was a winner as well. We ordered the flourless choclate cake..WAIT. Not your moms flourless choclate cake ..OH NO! This was a board of chunks of super rich choclate flourless cake scattered among espresso mousse and bacon ice cream with candied bacon pieces. The perfect demostraiton of the whole "savory & sweet" idea. Overall I am looking to return to Oakleys Soon!
(4)
Greg F.

Walked over after work on a lousy Friday. Ordered a couple salads, a cocktail and a glass of wine. Then we ordered off the new kitchen nook small plate menu. Fun delish food. Reminded me of ordering at an izakaya bar in Vegas. Really fresh and fun. Gives any of the downtown joints a run for their money. The dessert, southern flavors, was memorable and just right. Come for inventive cooking and quality ingredients.
(5)
Megan I.

What a huge disappointment for a family birthday dinner. We were really looking forward to some fine dining and a special experience. The small plates (Tennessee Eggrolls/Bacon Wrapped Apricots) were outstanding, however the french onion soup was simply so-so. Thank heavens for the salt shaker. The highly recommended meatloaf arrived lukewarm. Seriously? We went early and the room was not crowded. Absolutely insulting. Back it went. We should have simply sent it back, as a Hungry Man Frozen Dinner would have been more appetizing. Flat mashed potatoes, and what seriously resembled Heinz 57 as "chile jam". The Fettuchini was marginally better, and I did enjoy the chicken artichoke meatballs. Stick to the small plates and cocktails!
(1)
Suzie T.

I really like this place. We've been 3 times in the past few years. I love how Steven knows how to 'mix it up' w/some of Indy's basic comfort foods. This is definitely a 5star restaurant. I think I gave 4 because I'm not wealthy. (yeah I know, it's not his fault) We were always seated promptly & the service was always good. It's casual (unless you want to wear that new strapless black dress, then you can) Located in a strip mall, it's much better than you'd think. Our first time, we had received a gift certificate with 'unlimited' value. Yep, hard to believe! We tried it all, well almost. Everything was superb! (I can use that fancy word for this place). The next time, also great. -and the last time we sat at the Chef's table, watching the chef & staff prepare & cook all the delights, along w/some random samples from Steven. -that was fun. Many times it bothers me when reviews don't name specific good or bad dishes. -but since it's been awhile, I can't remember (except for corn dogs, deviled eggs, shrimp & lamb chops). All I know is that "It was all great" and I wanted to share our experiences. The menu is constantly changing so check it out & also make sure to have reservations especially around holidays.
(4)
Lynn J.

I can go back through my life and remember some terrific meals. This may become one of them: memorably good. We were a party of 6 after Christmas on a Friday evening fairly early. It was a cold evening and we were ready to celebrate and have a good evening together around and over good food. We were not disappointed. Some of had soup and recommend both the Butternut Squash Maple and the French Onion. We adore sharing small plates and that (or indeed NOT sharing them) was an option here. We ranged though just about every small plate and there was something to delight in them all. (I admit we did not have a shrimp corndog; I just can not get past the term corndog.) Bacon wrapped apricots remain in my memory with a bookmark to try them at home. The Suckling Pig alone will draw me back when I am in town but I also remember the Sea Scallops and Lobster Waffle plates especially fondly. One pleasure of small plates is that you can still enjoy dessert without guilt. We often use certain dishes as measuring sticks of overall quality, e.g. Reubens in diners. The CrÃ¨me brÃ»lÃ©e here is a commendation to the establishment. We finished with a cheese board which may have been a special that week or season. (Full disclosure: I should admit that my years eating Table d'hote in the English colonies have left me feeling the most civilized end of any fine meal is a cheese selection.) We had five cheeses, each with a pairing of nuts or chutney, etc. These were tiny portions, almost too small a taste for sharing as we were doing, however they were probably the finest cheese pairings I have ever had. They were true taste delights instead of just some nut put beside some cheese because the cook or waiter thought it might be a good idea. This chef understood flavors to do this, I thought. My wife and daughters enjoy cocktails and there were fun options. I usually drink wine but enjoyed the fun choice of interesting beers. We were there a long time so I assure you the rosy glow we drove home in had nothing to do with the drinks and everything to do with a pleasant dining experience. I should mention attentive and pleasant wait staff looking clean and neat. Yes, it was expensive. Yes, I will go back; make no mistake! Just reviewing the menu makes me think, "I want that again," and "I want to try that next time." Ahh, now I am entering into anticipation and forming a plan to return.
(5)
Anita G.

First of all, the food was good, not to the point where I would melt away in my chair (booth), but it was a better than average meal, with very motivated intentions. I ordered escargots, magret de canard and crÃ¨me brÃ»lÃ©e. But here is my problem, when it comes to a delightful dining experience. Service! Most people I know in this country are perfectly fine with having a friendly waiter, serve them whatever they pick. They perfectly meet their expectations. They don't ask for recommendations, they mostly don't care about educated food enthusiasts like I do. Our server, a very nice and neat lady, didn't reflect much food & beverage enthusiasm on me. She was there to serve us food and drinks and that's it. Very nicely, but that was it. I am just expecting a more enthusiastic person, when it comes to food. And I am sure the owner feels the same way. I also like my server to make wine (or beverage) recommendations with the food, sell me something for crying out loud!!! I am willing to spend money and you do not want it!!! Why is it so difficult to understand your guests? As a server, you should get the feeling right away who your guests are. Servers have to understand who they are dealing with and the majority has no clue or simply doesn't care. Don't they understand, if the check grows, their tip does too? If you hear your guests talking mainly about work related stuff, you probably know who is paying the bill and you could double it by recommending great wines, mineral water, appetizers, coffee, after dinner drinks, you just have to do it. What they usually do though, is waiting for the guest to order what's on the menu. We had one bottle of the featured wine. After the bottle was empty, she told us that it also was the last one. I would have expected an immediate suggestion of another great bottle and not giving us the chance to say, that's fine. I wouldn't go for aggressive and pushy, but just give it a try and you will find out how receptive your guests are to recommendations. It's all about using the knowledge of human nature and understanding your guest's needs and expectations. This qualification would be the most important one I would look for in a server, if I would own a restaurant. I don't for a reason. It is a business after all, and people usually want to make money with it. Since a server is not a profession in this country as it is in Europe, where you do your 3-year apprenticeship, more importance should be given to educate them properly and to have them understand the business's vision and culture. We were the last ones walking out the restaurant and were not even told "have a good night", by whoever was there. I think our server was gone too, after we had paid the bill. The restaurant manager was in her back-office, already changed into her casual clothes. Unfortunately, there are a many places like this one closer to my home, offering pretty much the same food and service, so chances of returning and spending again $ 250 (which could have been easy $500) are pretty slim. I wish them all the best, because the kitchen's intentions are very good, but service shows for me a great amount for improvement.
(3)
David T.

Unexpected excellence. Presentation was perfect and the menu was exceptional. Desert menu was also a treat. Reasonable prices too.
(5)
Stephanie U.

This place just made it as one of my local favorites. It doesn't look as good on the outside as the food is. I've only been here once so far, but am definitely coming back for more. The service was great also. I heard about it from a friend and then checkout out the website before trying it out, and I just loved how you can tell the chef has a true passion for cooking. I went for a weekend lunch and did the 2 course special, and everything was amazing. I had tortilla soup, salad with salmon medallions (they were cooked PERFECTLY, and I wanted more), and the chocolate dessert was heavenly. The best part of that was their homemade kettle corn. DELICIOUS!! I would've bought bags if they sold it. They have separate menus for lunch & dessert...I want to come back and try everything on their menu!
(5)
Andy R.

It was ok - that's all. Purporting to be a French restaurant, it fell way short of the mark. It was expensive but the quality just wasn't there to substantiate the price. Fois gras mousse would have been lucky to contain 1/8 ounce of actual fois gras. French onion soup had an inviting aromatic quality but lacked significant flavor. Service was mediocre. You can do better...
(2)
Ian C.

I've been here twice now - the first time a few years ago, when I honestly didn't have any idea what I was getting into. I remember being struck by the creative presentation of the food and the marvelous depth of flavor in a relatively simple dish, but the experience was probably wasted on me at the time. I definitely knew what I was getting into this time. Oakleys does not disappoint, and in fact exceeded my admittedly lofty expectations. Since this was a birthday dinner, we decided to go big and not worry too much about splitting entrees and pinching pennies. If you want to do Oakleys right, be warned: you're going to have to drop some cash. We started off with a pair of cocktails and the cheese board. The cheeses were mostly excellent, with ingenious little pairings of fruit compote or nuts. We followed that up with a phenomenal gnocchi with pickled jalapeno and porchetta. For the entree, I set aside the vegetarian diet I had been following for the past six months in order to have the Duck, Duck, Goose. It involved smoked duck confit and foie gras, with little corn bread squares and quinoa. Every bite was an excellent marriage of flavor and texture. For desert, we had a tasty lime cake with excellent, fresh-tasting peach sorbet. Of note here was the birthday candle in the cake. We didn't tell anyone in the restaurant it was my birthday, the waitress just managed to notice my date of birth when she carded me. The service was at that level throughout the meal - the wine recommendation was excellent, and her knowledge of the menu was extensive. At this point, I've been to most of what you could consider the "best" restaurants in Indianapolis, and I think Oakleys edges out all of them. The service is impeccable, and despite the highfalutin nature of some of the dishes, you still feel completely welcome as a diner. Oakley's is absolutely worth revisiting.
(5)
Benjamin R.

We went back again, and I confirm my original impression. It's weird that its in a strip mall, but the inside is definitely going for upscale elegance. The menu is interesting, but we've found the small plates to be a much better bet than the entrÃ©es. Once again pretty underwhelmed by the main course. However the lobster waffles and the gnocchi small plates were delicious. Next time we'd probably just stick with those.
(4)
Scott M.

Whoa, flavor kick in the face! The fall "pizza" was spectacular (4.5 stars of 5) and I'd absolutely order it again. My wife went nuts over the spinach salad (5 stars) and I have to agree that it was REALLY good. While we did enjoy the lobster waffle, it was almost too rich for us to handle (and I never, ever say food is "too rich"). It gets 3.5 stars because it was ultimately tasty and the waffle was cooked perfectly ...but it was so crazy-filling that I likely wouldn't get it again. As for the butternut squash gnocchi, the portion size was smaller than expected but the flavors were big! When eaten without the pork belly, it was delicate and light, but with the pork belly, heavy and bold (4 stars). Lastly, the chocolate opera cake was delicious and really playful with different textures (4 stars). Oakley's was a huge hit on our first visit. Excellent food, ambiance, service. Inventive menu that has items that I will definitely come back to try. Prices were maybe a bit high but overall, we felt like we got a pretty good value for the money. If tonight's experience was any indication, I have a strong feeling that I might be giving up that 5th star after our next visit.
(4)
Alexandra G.

Favorite restaurant in Indy, no questions asked! Love everything about Oakleys, except for the fact that more people don't know about it, and that it's usually not too busy after 9PM (I enjoy late dining, and not being the last one to leave!) Other than that...GO! You'll be glad you did!
(5)
Jessica S.

Excellent lunch today, with a creamy, sweet and subtly spicy artichoke shrimp bisque, salad with grilled asparagus, fennel, red onion, raspberries and shrimp, finished with a peanut butter cheesecake in a jar. Service was excellent, patio seating was pleasant on a warm and sunny day. Perfect.
(5)
David S.

Great presentation, food is thoughtful and delicious. Limited menu. I had pork loin which was great. my wife had Talapia which was not as good. Have been there before and had an excellent meal. Surprisingly good atmosphere ( in a strip center).
(4)
Matt F.

Wow, how did this become such a highly rated restaurant in Indy? The dishes are average and a bit dated. Any restaurant striving to be upscale should not be serving garbage Chinese fish like tilapia. Leave that to Applebee's. We ordered a chocolate molten cake (again, not very original) and it was as salty as the Dead Sea. I'm guessing the pastry chef mistook the salt for the sugar.
(2)
Laurel R.

I do not normally rate anything a five star, but the lunch experience was superb. Although there is a bit of a French ambience, decor is clean and not cutesy. Staff recommended the crab feta melt...wonderful. Feta did not overpower the ample amount of crab and texture was moist and firm. It was served rapidly and I was able to easily remove top bread todo open face as I knew I would want crime brÃ»lÃ©e, also a winner. I was very pleased with service, presentation, noise level, atmosphere, etc. The strip mall setting did not add anything, but once inside, one never noticed. I will return to try dinner soon. This would be a nice surprise anywhere, but especially in Indy !
(5)
Tony J.

Ended up having dinner here last Friday. Didn't think we could get a table without making a reservation, but fortunately they were not that busy that evening. Talk about food presentation, as the wife put it 'too pretty to eat". I was a bit skeptical at first after seeing the menu listing dishes with way too many ingredients. But it turned out great for the most part. Started with 3 small appetizers, shrimp corn dog, deviled eggs, and some fruit warp in bacon. They were all ok but the deviled eggs stood out quite well. They mixed the yolk I think with some pesto which made it green and gave it a different flavor to your typical deviled eggs. The wifey had the veggie plate which according to her is excellent while I had the short ribs. The ribs were tender and flavorful and the roasted veggies and mash potato made excellent sides. But my favorite part of my entree was the potato chip tube filled with mash potato, that was just awesome. They could put that in their menu as appetizer and I'd order it. Didn't care much for the other sauces and oils and dressing on my plate, the meat and veggies by themselves were good. For dessert, we chose the cheesecake in a jar. It's no junior's cheesecake but its still good and the ice cream on the side was quite tasty and the plate presentation was quite clever. Overall, it was an excellent dining experience, service was excellent, food taste great, food presentation was excellent, and price was pretty reasonable.
(4)
Jenny K.

I've been dying to go to Oakleys after reading all the wonderful reviews from Yelp. I finally got a chance to go tonight. The restaurant is in a shopping center like everyone says, but the decor is very cute. When you walk in, you are greeted by the hostess, whom quickly seats you. The menu is simple and changes depending on the season. The portions aren't huge, but enough to fill you up. We started out w/ the famous shrimp corndog, and it was amazing! We then ordered the calamari, which also came with lobster salad and corn potato salad. It was amazing and delicious!!! Our main entrees were Stanley's Meatloaf which came with a cauliflower puree and broccoli. My entree was the spring vegetables, which included a veggie lasagna, wild ramps & corn souffle, artichoke fritter, and mushroom wellington. We also ordred a side dish of asparagus with parmesan cheese. All the dishes were beautifully prepared and tasted wonderful. Everything was wonderful. The reason I gave them 4 stars instead of 5 is because our server was not the best. The other servers were very attentive by refilling our water and clearing our tables. Our actual server was very soft-spoken and very hard to hear, and she did not seem happy to serve us at all. I would still go again; however, I'm going to make sure I request one of the other servers. This place is definitely one of the nicer restaurants I've been to in Indy.
(4)
Paul C.

If you have a chance at the smoked vanilla sorbet, you absolutely have to try it. Smooth vanilla start , then out of nowhere Bam! the smoke hits you. Fabulous and unexpected- even with repeated sampling.
(5)
Marcie M.

I had been wanting to try Oakley's for months (since I read about it on Yelp, thank you, Yelpers!) and about three weeks before Max was born, we headed out the whole 2 miles from our house (yes, this little gem was hiding out just around the corner for the entire five years we have lived here!) to experience the fabulousness that is Oakley's Bistro. Tucked in a small strip mall (I know, right? Not ideal but...it works!), it doesn't have a ton of curb appeal, but once inside, the trendy, romantic atmosphere prevails. Don't let the parking lot scare you away or trick you into thinking this is a cheap dining (as bistro might let on). My husband and I were seated promptly on a Friday night on a cool summer evening in early August. It was a great location with a view of the whole dining room AND the kitchen (like that!). Our waiter (I can't remember his name but his girlfriend had just recently had a baby) was prompt, polite and recommended incredible choices from the menu. I do remember arguing with hubs about which appetizer to get, but we settled (and by settled, I mean, I got my way) on the Lobster Waffle. We had to try it, after all - who puts lobster in a waffle? All I can say is ...wow. Heaven in my mouth (I am writing this review SOLELY for the waffle, I won't lie - you MUST go there now and get it). It came in a skillet, hot out of the oven, full of a deliciousness I cannot fully describe! Large chunks of lobster, an incredible sauce all mixed together with some amazing veggies IN A WAFFLE!! Who knew?!?! I certainly did not, but let me tell you, I could have eaten another for my entree. My entree ...while good, was not as delectable as the lobster waffle (but I suppose, I may have blown the load on the appetizer!) :). I got the Fettuccini with veal meatballs. It was good, but a bit on the salty side and I am a HUGE fan of this particular spice, so I was a bit overwhelmed. I thought the sauce lacked SOMETHING, though at the time, I could not place it. I would not get it again. My husband got the Duck and Duck and he thought it was great. I went to try it and he nearly stabbed my pregnant paw with his fork before allowing me a (small) bite. It was mouth-watery and delicious. I was incredibly jealous of his meal. We skipped dessert. Our bill was still out of our pre-baby budget at right over $100 with tip but I absolutely enjoyed my "last supper" and would definitely go back!! I recommend Oakley's for anyone looking for something unique, original, small and intimate in Indy. Great for a small group (maybe 4-8 people), a third (hello - home run, boys!) date, or a nice girls' night out. They have a wine list that I did not partake in but was very interested, and I think that if you have the money, you should spend it here instead of a typical chain hell hole that encompasses the roads of Indianapolis.
(4)
Kia E.

Absolutely amazing. Our serve Jaclyn was very soft spoken and informative, never to invasive or pushy. We ate every one of the small plates, had a wonderful Orin Swift wine, the Abstract, and never left a scrap of left over food. Next time we come in we will move to the entree side if the menu, there were just too many mouth-watering options to turn away from on the small plates.
(5)
Christine B.

No offense to the owners or the chef, but I'm just not a fan. That's not to say that my mother in law and husband weren't raving about their food because they totally were. THey both were talking about how great their food was and how good the steak was the next day. As for me, I had a chicken dish with hush puppies that just didn't impress me. It's my own fault, though, the waiter told me to order the meatloaf that had beef, pork, and duck in it, but I was too scared to because as soon as we walked in the door, I smelled something gamey. If you've tasted something gamey, then you know what a gamey smell smells like. I was too concerned that th duck would taste gamey and that taste is something I can't stomach. Overall, it just semed like the place was overly-hyped. For what we got, I just felt like this places was way overpriced. It was about $150 just for three people for dinner, one drink per person, and a salad. I'd be willing to give it another try. I just wasn't impressed. The same thing happened at Late Harvest Kitchen. Everyone else liked their food, but I didn't.
(2)
Peter D.

For some strange reason we had avoided Oakleys for many many years. We now have been there twice in the last 3 months. Either our palates changed, which is entirely possible, or they have gotten dinner service down to a science. The food is excellent, the service is excellent, the decor and ambiance is quite nice. I have one very small oddity to report: the clientele. So this is the part of the review in which I appear shallow, despite the fact that I assure you that I'm not. Oakleys has style. It really does. The food has style. The servers all are wearing rust-colored Chuck Taylors. The wine list is even stylish. But the clientele doesn't match any of this. Look, I'm not going to say that I'm stylish, but we were the youngest (at age 33) people in the restaurant on both recent visits by 20 years. Whereas Recess, down on College Ave, has a hip and stylish clientele, Oakleys doesn't. What does all this mean? Nothing. It's just really odd. Go there, eat the amazing food, get great service, drink well thought-out wine selections, and then look around at your fellow diners. It's like a Cosby sweater convention. Like I was saying earlier, I promise I'm not shallow. Don't call me out on this until you go into the restaurant and see for yourself.
(5)
Jane M.

I often have to recommend restaurants for my clients as we manage programs all around the country. My incredible research staff found Oakleys Bistro. Who knew this gem was hidden in Indianapolis. The client spoke of 'the best thing they ever put in their mouth' only to be surpassed by the brilliance of the staff in describing and recommending dishes. Toad in a hole? Seriously?? They loved it!! Thanks for the memories!
(5)
Scott W.

Great food and a great place to take the parental units. Not the best place to enjoy a casual evening chatting up people at the bar - total of five chairs that have you staring in to the kitchen. It is elegant and the service was superb. The bartender was very generous with the pours and keep my partner and me entertained and talking. However, I would chalk this place up for a mother's day dinner, close the deal with your date, or a good place to impress your older relatives from Britain.
(4)
Theresa L.

Oakley's Bistro is the restaurant equivalent to a trophy wife--so beautiful you believe it's worth every penny. The dining room has a french country feel and the food presentation is beyond artistic--it's stunning. You really can't help but "ohhh and ahhh" over the plates as they come out. But the over-the-top presentation and menu prices caused me to have very high expectations. While the food and overall dining experience was good, I left feeling disappointed. My meal at Oakley's was rather enjoyable and most of the food was quite good. In fact, one dish was outstanding. The suckling pig starter, served with a ricotta crepe and mango puree was heaven. The meat practically melted in my mouth and the mango flavor was bright and pure. French onion soup is a deceptively simple dish to make and one that is often not executed well at restaurants. After the pig starter, I had very high expectations. I was a little surprised by the presentation. Instead of the traditional crouton and bubbly cheese on top, the broth was "naked" and served along-side a small quesedilla-like grilled cheese sandwich. While I prefer the traditional presentation, I can appreciate that they were doing something different. Unfortunately, something went horribly wrong with this soup. My first bite was more fat than broth and left a greasy feeling in my mouth. Further inspection revealed a large oil slick on top of the soup. I don't mean a teaspoon or two of truffle oil, I mean a large quantity of oil. It was so bad that I'm convinced this is not the way the soup is meant to be served, but rather some sort of mistake. For the entree, our server recommended the meatloaf. I've had some really upscale meatloaf dishes recently (such as the Filet Mignon meatloaf at Tavern on South) so I had high hopes. I was disappointed again. The flavor of the meat was bland and the chile jam and white cheddar were overpowering. Even with the accompanying potatoes and vegetables and the artistic presentation, this quite simply was not worthy of the $22 price tag. The tilapia with sweet corn risotto was one of the better tilapia dishes I've had. I really enjoyed the sweetness and texture of the risotto, but it was just a bit undercooked. And the flavors with the tilapia--sun dried tomato puree, morels and hazelnuts were pure genius. I could have loved this dish if it weren't for the fact that the tilapia was a bit overcooked. The whole thing left me feeling like Goldilocks with nothing being "just right". Taking the french onion soup out of the equation, the food at Oakley's is quite good, but not good enough to justify the price.
(2)
Marianne L.

I usually split my meals in half at most restaurants to take home because the portions are too large for me. However, I left Oakleys spending at least $75 on myself and still hungry. The portions are tiny, and though the food is ok, I just can't justify the cost with that so-so taste of food. I won't be back - it's definitely not worth the hole in my pocketbook for this place. Sorry - I know that it's much loved by many locals here, but it's not delicious enough to justify the price or tiny portions!
(1)
Joyce C.

The food, for Indy, is 5 star. Our server, Samantha, was top notch. We did a bunch of small plates, some of the favorites being the bacon-wrapped apricots, gnocchi, and the lobster waffle...which was sublime. Those crazy shrimp corn dogs are a real treat, too. I took a high school friend, who has had a very rough go of it lately and whom I haven't seen in decades. I made reservations to sit at the chef's table, as I wanted her to have an experience that would lift her spirits. Well, we could have sat anywhere and had the same experience. $170.00 later, plus tip and not one single spoon of other offerings, but even worse? The chef was 8 feet away from us for almost 2 hours and not even a look or a nod in our direction, let alone "Are you ladies enjoying your evening?" Nothing! His table-side manner is non-existent. I was embarrassed that I had made the extra effort to give my friend a once-in-a-lifetime experience for what her sad experiences have dealt her... and it was as if we were treated with disdain from the Chef. I was NOT impressed. Actually, it really put a damper on the entire experience (for me-my friend didn't know any better)! One other thing: either thoroughly clean the large silk planter in the women's restroom or, better yet, throw it away. Disgusting.
(4)
Elee W.

Finally visited Oakley's and I think it is pretty safe to say that this is a decent, very good, foodie place for those who live in the borderlands between Carmel and Indianapolis. Two major points to help you put this idea in some bizarre Hoosier-worldview. 1) They have to tell you that the food is plated "artistically". 2) They served espresso with a side of cream. Now, I'm not really a food snob, but I think that these two things are more attributable to the clientele than anything else. Whilst celebrating my 40th birthday, it was pretty clear we were among the youngest in the place. So there you go--this is good food for aging baby boomers who think they are hip. It is also a nice place to eat if you are looking for something on the north side of town and need a new spot. The food is a bit pricey for what you get (after all they are doing "ART" with their food you know), though the portion sizes are exactly what you need so at least it feels like you get what you paid for. We started with the shrimp corndog--somehow this is their signature "amuse bouche' but really it is pretty blah. Not amusing for this bouche. We started with salads--fairly sizeable actually and generally good. I had the heritage beet salad, and while I thought it _looked_ a bit scant on the beets, the overall composition was appropriately balanced. The other salad was romaine greens with nicoise olives and other fancy bits. Big, but tasty. Entress were the duck and duck, and meatloaf. Both, again very tasty--a bit pushy with the presentation, but not over the top. (IWhich leads me to wonder why the "warning" from the server at the outset....then again we are in Indiana). I'd say all things cooked well and appropriately. Desserts--again somewhat of an attempt at art that just didn't quite need to be. The "deconstructed" lemon tart was nice, as was the creme brulee, but the "pop rocks and corn pops" along with the strawberry compote were respectively non-existent and soggy It just didn't' need to be that foo foo.. Service was very attentive, lots of water every three seconds. Food comes quickly and so forth. For an Indianapolis food scene, this is among the better, but it is trying too hard to be something that doesn't necessarily let the food shine.
(3)
Shawn S.

I took my fiance here for his birthday. We both LOVE different types of food. When I reviewed the menu online, I saw duck was an entree option. Both my fiance and I have enjoyed cooking/experimenting with duck. I ordered the Duck & Duck and my fiance ordered the Pork Chop. Although, we enjoyed sharing both entrees, the Duck & Duck was our favorite, coupled with a bottle of Etude Pinor Nior. My fiance was a Sous Chef for many years and appreciates great food with an excellent presentation. That being said, we sat at the Chef's table and he didn't come over to talk to us. That's the only reason I didn't give Oakleys Bistro five stars. I was disappointed just because my fiance would've enjoyed talking to Chef Oakley about his creations. We'll be back. Especially since we've heard about his rabbit dish!!
(4)
Karl L.

Lobster and waffles was the hit of the meal. My wife really scored with this one..... a small, homemade waffle over a generous piece of lobster swimming with a creamy butter sauce that was to die for! Charcuterie was ok, but some of the flavors were a little off. Having had similar at other places it didn't put me off, but I am not sure I would order it again. The foie gras mousse was phenomenal though! I had a salad called the "Toad in a Hole". I couldn't tell you what was in it and, because it seemed to be a seasonal addition it probably won't be there when you go, but it was fantastic. Dinner was duck. Perfectly prepared. I really enjoyed it as a change from the usual fowl. Meatloaf. My wife's main dish. Very tasty, jazzed up, but still meatloaf. I liked it, but the duck was much better. We ordered dessert, but being a savory fan, I have to say that I would order more dinner in the future. The desserts were good, but nothing spectacular. Our only problem was the wine. The bottle suggested by the manager didn't meet the palates of anyone in our party, but they were happy to take it back. We made it up by ordering two more expensive bottles.
(4)
John H.

I know one thing about Chef Oakley after eating here - he knows how to cook and run a restaurant. This is my number one place for the north side of Indy. The presentation and menu choices are interesting to say the least. I received Oakley's Chef for a Day as a gift. I don't think they make much $ off of this but Chef took time to explain to me a little about how he runs his business, cooking in general, and his approach to things. Chef Oakley is very dedicated to his craft and shares his love of food with his customers. I love the kitchen being open to the dining room - something you usually find in California. I highly recommend Oakley's Bistro.
(5)
Raina R.

I went to Oakleys on Valentine's Day with my date. We arrived and the restaurant is masked by its location in a strip mall. You walk inside and are transformed into a chic eatery! We were quickly seated, thanks to our reservation. The menu options were all very diverse and intriguing. The wait staff was very attentive and very friendly, offering to take our coats upon arrival. The food was very good, but one meal was a very small portion. The desserts were excellent too. Overall, we enjoyed our experience. The prices may have been a bit steep for Indianapolis, but it was nice for a special date night!
(4)
Rob E.

Admittedly, my expectations were pretty high for Oakley's Bistro before venturing in for my first experience, so that may have colored my overall opinion. Nonetheless, a friend with us tonight summed it up perfectly. We could overlook overcooked gnocchi, undercooked peas, oversalted salmon, and runny crÃ¨me brÃ»lÃ©e on a Tuesday night IF the proprietor and chef had not been present as a line cook in the kitchen. But since he was there and in charge, it was a great disappointment to have such a blah experience at such a critically acclaimed Indy indie restaurant. I applaud the seasonal menu that included two morrell dishes, fresh vegetables, and humanely treated meats. The service was excellent. Our server was professional, courteous, and knew each dish well enough to describe the flavors well. The overall price was reasonable considering we had a few appetizers, entrees and dessert plus two drinks per person. And the food plating/presentation was beautiful. That about does it for the highs though. On the low side, the charcuterie board appetizer was an odd mix of flavors, with some items being bland and others just having a less than appetizing aftertaste. The morrell gnocchi appetizer was beyond bland, and the peas in the dish were undercooked, and I prefer my veggies al dente. The gnocchi itself was overcooked and the mix of flavors and textures didn't work well. For the entree, two of us got the duck, which was prepared well, but the presentation got in the way of edibility. Certain garnishments, while green like the pea shoots, were totally inedible, kind of like trying to eat a limp toothpick. There were moments where the dish tasted excellent, but somehow the textures didn't all mesh. Again, the price of presentation. Our tablemate had the salmon with savory morrell waffle. The salmon was intensely oversalted and the waffle dry, chewy and flavorless. It looked great, but... Finally, we decided to have crÃ¨me brÃ»lÃ©e for dessert, which featured rhubarb jam, homemade corn pops, and pop rocks as an accompanyment. The flavor was good, but crÃ¨me brÃ»lÃ©e should be a consistency closer to custard than cream. Unfortunately, it was closer to the latter. And the jam? Looked cool. So my first trip to the other side of town for Oakley's will probably be my last. It's too bad. I hear lunch is great, mostly because of their soups. But for the price, I could have eaten something that might not have looked as great, but tasted way better. I'm sure Mr. Oakley caters to the clientele perfectly on that side of town, and I'm glad NWsiders have a place like this, but I'll stick to the restaurants downtown and the near northside, thank you. Recess or Taste can manhandle the money in my bank account any day, but Oakley's is going to remain a one night stand.
(3)
Lisa M.

After moving to Indy from Chicago I was in search of a place for business lunches that could compare to the Chicago scene. Unfortunately, because I work on the north side, all restaurant options downtown are were of the question. I found Oakleys Bistro on Yelp and thought I would give it a try. It was exactly what I was looking for. The service is fantastic and there are a lot of options on the lunch menu. It was a great environment for a business lunch and very easy to get to (right off of 86th). I highly recommend coming here for a classy business lunch if you're on the north side of town!
(4)
Tom F.

Got the best seat in the house right by the kitchen. Very fun and remarkable food. Get the pig ear salad with fried egg...you won't regret it! Can't wait to come back.
(5)
Tim H.

I will preface this review with the fact that I was once a die-hard fan of Oakley's Bistro. Every special occasion we spent in Indianapolis was completed with dinner at Oakley's. However, my last visit was just that: my last. This started the night before New Year's Eve, or December 30th. We called to make a reservation and were told the only available seating time was at 9:00. While this was rather late, we figured they were busy and made the reservation. We were greeted and seated quickly and were soon met by our nemesis...the server who can only be described as a clone of Anne Robinson, the stone-faced host of "The Weakest Link." While she is generally pleasant enough, we found that other guests were met with smiles while we were not so fortunate. The meal was absolutely delicious, as is customary at Oakleys. However, we did find it odd that we were only one of three tables dining at that time. When we questioned the hostess, she mentioned that there was no restriction on the reservation times for that night. Very odd. While enjoying our cocktails, we noticed the owner standing near his Kitchen booth entertaining someone obviously more important than we. While this type of behavior is common, in a restaurant with so few patrons, is it not customary, or at least slightly polite, to introduce one's self and thank the guest? To top the night off, the three of us ordered dessert. We shared two wonderful creations, delivered by the assistant manager. As she placed the plates down, she said "I hope those look alright...I've never made them before. The kitchen staff left for the evening." I think the service on this occasion finally caused our love of Oakleys to perish. While once a favored restaurant, the service had never been one of its strong points and put the final nail in the coffin of our relationship. I would much rather take my business to a restaurant with more changes in the menu, better staff and a friendlier proprietor.
(2)
Lisa M.

Don't let the setting of a strip mall discourage you. This place was quite lovely. I went here for lunch on a Saturday. I hope this place is more busy during dinner service, because it was dead inside. The good thing about it being so slow was that I got to check out the whole place. Upon entering, there is a small bar of about 5 stools that overlooks the open kitchen area. I wasn't sitting there, but I do think it may be fun to watch them preparing their lovely food, and the guys working in the back were nice eye-candy too. There was upbeat jazz music playing at a decent level, white table cloths, comfy yet elegant seating, and helpful waitstaff. Now to the good part, the food. It was a unusually chilly summer day when I visited to the carrot ginger soup of the day sounded wonderful. It was quite flavorful and yummy. I'm not normally a person that gets excited about soups, but it was so good, I had difficulty waiting for it to cool and not burn my tongue as I was eating it. I also had an urge to lick the bowl, but was able to hold myself back. I also had the salmon tart. It came with a small spinach salad nicely plated with the tart. The salad dressing was tart, but perfect. The tart was flaky and the salmon artichoke and spinach on top of it was great. The combo of the soup and tart was also pretty reasonably priced at about $15. I'm not a drinker, but they had an extensive wine list. I'm glad I discovered this place while I'm staying in Indy for work. I highly recommend it.
(5)
Alex S.

Two words... Lobster Waffle. These guys do everything good. Go any time of the year, they will make their ingredients make want to come back. Not as expensive as you might think.
(5)
Allison L.

Servers who take pride in the food and their service! Fantastic! This gem was a great setting for a business dinner. We arrived an hour early for drinks and sat at the service counter, which is not really a bar, but they served us as such. We got to move to our table early and enjoy the butcher's board. Pate' honey mousse, lamb, pickled vegetables, ground mustard --- all excellent. Shrimp corndogs are a must-have. Even in batter, the shrimp were clearly very fresh. Oakley's interpretation to create "Toad in a Hole" was made by perfectly cooked egg, brie and truffle vinaigrette. Everything about the tilapia picatta was wonderful except the tomato risotto flavor combination wasn't my favorite match. Indulge in the pesto mac-n-cheese, mashed potato truffle oil puree and the asparagus with spicy togarashi aioli. Skip the baked potato tater tots. Presentation of everything was gorgeous.
(4)
Kelly M.

I met my love at Oakleys in our quest to try more new restaurants to find more options for gluten free goodness. Oakleys was listed as being gluten friendly, so we decided to meet one day for lunch. Upon arrival, the place was clean and contemporary and not too busy. I asked the waiter if there was a gf menu and he said no. I asked if there were manu gf options and he said not really and left me standing at the door with a menu. I had to wait a few minutes for my love to arrive to decide where to go and a manager came over to me. I asked if there was ANYTHING i could have and she said that most items were gluten free, including the soups. I was skeptical since the waiter had told me there was nothing, but we decided to stay. We sat at a nice table and sat...and sat...and sat. Turned out the waiter who said that there wasn't anything there for me was our waiter. We eventually got a drink and were thinking about leaving when the manager came over and took our order. I got a soup and salad and both were very tasty. It was a little pricey, but it was nice to be able to have a fancy soup. I had a mild reaction to something, but it wasn't severe and i don't know for certain it was oakley's. I won't go back though. Between not feeling safe to not feeling welcome, well, no.
(2)
Mark W.

Wonderful, Wonderful, Wonderful. $50 for a perfect meal! The best restaurant in Indianapolis. Started with Squash Soup, Salad with Salmon, Shrimp tart and banana crepe for desert, great service, best of Indy
(5)
Byoung Kyu S.

This is a very cute restaurant. Very sleek and clean lines, yet still very comfy. Feels like sitting in an European Bistro. The appetizer list looked so darn good, I decided to just order a few of appetizers as my meal: 2 x shrimp corndogs, suckling pig, and lobster waffles. Just check out the website for more details on each on of these dishes. The food here is great and the service is perfect. Definitely not cheap, but the dishes are very innovative and everything is cooked perfectly. I REALLY wanted to give this place 5-stars but I decided to settle on 4 due couple reasons. I really didn't care for the lobster waffles. I wished it had more lobster and the dish just gets very messy/gooey after a few bites. The pinot was very yummy but I wished they poured a bit more. The glass was barely 1/3 full. I'd go back to try other dishes.
(4)
Beth K.

Oakley's is by far my favorite restaurant in Indianapolis. Yes, it is located in an unassuming strip-mall, but the ambiance inside is classy and romantic. It is a particular treat if you are able to reserve the chef's table, and view all of the food being prepared. The service is excellent - very consistent, orderly, and knowledgeable about the menu. The menu changes seasonally and uses fresh, local ingredients. For lunch, I highly recommend the soup and tart or salad combos - the roasted butternut squash is craveable. Every meal at Oakley's must begin with shrimp corn dogs, and either the lobster waffle or the suckling pig, which just melts in your mouth. All of the entrees are paired with sides and sauces that meld together in the most delicious, interesting ways. You can't go wrong with anything on the menu, but it is hard to not order the duck. If you can save room for dessert, they are all incredible as well. Highly recommended for a special occasion, or if you are looking to impress someone.
(5)
Richard L.

I took my niece and her roommate here the last time I was in Indianapolis. The place looks very nice and the service was very good. Most of the food was excellent; however, the duck I had was not the best.
(4)
David R.

The short ribs were delicious and the macaroni and goat's cheese is phenomenal. Great place to eat.
(4)
miles c.

We went on a Sat night, party of four. We were seated promptly by a very nice hostess. The atmosphere was surprisingly nice for a strip mall restaurant. I can't say that the food was bad, it was good...just not memorable. The "average" rating is mainly because of the service and not being overwhelmed. Here are the parts of our experience that stood out...our waiter seemed very unenthusiastic and monotone. My friend ordered a specific drink that the bartender would have to custom make, a grapefruit and basil martini with grey goose vodka. Waiters immediate response = we can't do that, we don't have basil. WHAT?!? Thirty percent of your menu items involve basil, I doubt that you don't have any, but flatter us and at least ask the bartender before saying no. So, she settled for a grapefruit martini, grey goose. My drink, a dirty grey goose martini. He then decided to tell us that they don't have grey goose. Why didn't he tell us that on the previous order? Not sure. Ok, we got our drinks and I got over it. Next we wanted to place our appetizer order. The waiter told us the chef doesn't like guests to order that way and we needed to place our whole order at once. That is maybe something that should be mentioned when sitting down. Something like "have you been to Oakley's before?" and then let us know how they like things done. I am just a stickler for service and hyper critical, especially when you are paying ALOT of money for dinner. It not just the food, the service is part of the experience. After 3 appetizers (get the pate), 4 entrees (get the short ribs), 2 desserts (I'm not a great judge, more of a meat and potatoes kind of girl), and 2 bottles of wine, I would say the food good. I'm not sure if i would go back, but I am glad we tried it.
(3)
Marina M.

Oakleys is hands-down the best restaurant in the Indianapolis area. I've always had an enjoyable experience at Oakleys. It's got a great atmosphere and the staff is knowledgeable and friendly. The food is amazing. It's hard to describe, but if I had to I would say the food is creative, upscale, comfort-food. They are artists at combining flavors in interesting and amazing ways. At my last visit I had the lasagna 4 ways. Of course it wasn't anything like what you think of when you think lasagna. The presentation was beautiful. As for the flavor, it was like a culinary adventure that pleasured your tongue with every bite. Interesting notes: You can get take out, purchase their salad dressings and soups, and if you buy a bottle of wine and don't finish it they can cork it for you so you can take it with you. Also, they do catering.
(5)
N M.

Well ... it is in a strip mall, but that is about the only bad thing you can say about this place. Really fantastic food and well prepared. It is an upscale midwest restaurant. Not over the top, just well done with local ingredients.
(5)
Brittany R.

Oakley's Bistro is a hidden gem for Indianapolis! The chef is AMAZING and the service is great as well. Compared with all upscale Indianapolis restaurants, this one shines above all of them by far! Not to mention they are not as expensive as many other places. I will be going back often!!
(5)
Eric P.

Just ate here last week. Can't really say anything bad about the place. Portion sizes were perfect. Food was well prepared and timely delivered. Our server was very professional. Everything that was said about the food in the previous 5 star reviews is accurate. My 4 stars may be like most persons 5 stars.
(4)
joey d.

My favorite EVER!!! The tilapia with the jalapeno risotto in a crunchy potato cylinder...doesnt get any better than that...I also love love love the creamy mushroom soup with truffle oil..mmm..truffles..Good job Steve!
(5)
Diana M.

I went here for lunch with my sister, and it was definitely a bistro atmosphere. It was very quiet, and the service was very good - waiters always checking on you and refilling water. We both had the soup and tart combo which was about $15. I had the wild mushroom bisque which was delicious. It had just the right amount of cream without tasting too heavy. I also had the salmon tart which was done very well - the salmon was moist, not dry. The puff pastry tart was golden and flaky and not soggy. I would definitely go here again.
(5)
Andrew D.

The food was amazing and the service was spectacular. The Beef "Stroganoff" was seriously the best entree i have ever had. On the recommendation of the waiter, we had Butternut Squash Maple Soup, which was unbelievably tasty. I would eat at Oakleys everyday if my wallet could afford it!
(5)
Bucky K.

Talk about a sucker punch... One of my friends told us about a new bistro in Indy and wanted to take us there during our whirlwind Holiday tour of the Midwest. Not expecting much because "hey, I live in SF damnit!!!" we were treated to one of the best meals we've had a bit. We took a look at the menu and realized they took their food seriously but had a playful approach to it. How playful? We all started off the meal with Shrimp "Corn-dogs" in a honey-mustard sauce. When I say started off I mean after the first round of drinks of course. The next round of food was our second appetizers. Lobster Waffles and Suckling Pig with a blue-cheese blintz. We split the two appetizers between the four of us and argued over which was the best. After our first bottle of Pinot was ordered we moved into Entrees: Lamb (2-ways), Salmon, Duck Breast, and Meatloaf for myself. I am aways interested in how chefs handle an update on comfort food and after hearing this was their specialty, I decided to give it a try. It was actually my least favorite of the entrees and i thought it had too much of a bar-b-que flavor but it was still damn good with everyone else's dishes falling into the excellent category. Now here is where my memory fails me... I swear we had desserts but maybe the cocktails (numerous) and two bottles of wine were impeding my synapses from firing... I can't for the life of me remember how we ended our dinner?? Pants-less maybe??? I can tell you what I do remember. We had a conversation with our dining compatriots about their last visit to Oakleys. Evidently the main chef was preparing for a competition and his dinner theme was... wait for it... BACON. Every course involved bacon with the piece de resistance being bacon that had been cooked for six days with the fat completely rendered of... how I wish I could have been there. Oh well, we had a fantastic meal of our own. Post Script: The ladies at our table kept talking about the eye-candy working in the open kitchen, if you're into the kinda thing... which I'm not... not that there is anything wrong with it... It's just not for me.... unless I've had a lot to drink... hey, I'm live in S F damnit!!!
(5)
Karen F.

This review is long overdue, from last year holiday time. Went here with DH. Location sucks, doesnt inspire confidence. Staff also sucks, on the rude side. We came maybe 30 minutes early and were told we eouldnt be seated early, but not in a nice way. We just went next-door for drinks. Not a prob. The real surprise was the waiter who told us, exactly, we could not sit and waste time waiting to order because the chef wants to get people in and out. We had to order everything NOW! On the other hand, the meal was exceptionally delicious. I had the crab cakes, he had a pasta dish, the wine we selected was expensive but great. You can't go wrong with any entree here. Just be prepared for the whole snobby staff experience. Also, it was damn crowded.
(4)
Craig R.

We have been meaning to go here for quite a while, and shame on us. A wonderful dining experience. Great food, wonderfully presented by gracious and knowledgeable servers. We started with a shrimp corn dog, just because it sounded fun! The mushroom soup was superb and the sucking pig did not suck! Desserts are whimsical and wonderfully prepared. Not to much either! Looking forward to our next visit!
(5)
Lecia L.

I have lived near the Greenbriar area for the last few years and have never noticed this place. My boyfriend made reservations and I had no clue what to expect. As soon as we walked in I felt a little under dressed (jeans, blouse & heels). The atmosphere was nice: quiet & dimly lit. The menu was more upscale than I had expected. I'm more of a meat & potato kinda girl...nothin' too fancy. Well, I was a little taken aback on what to order. We started with the shrimp corndogs. I was suprised to see "corndog" on the menu, too...not to mention with shrimp. I'm glad we ordered them, because they were delicious! They had a honey glaze on them that accented the flavors wonderfully. You gotta try'em! We both ordered the filet mignon. The presentation was nice & colorful. The filet practically melted in our mouths. The other items on the menu sounded nice, but honestly, I'm too chicken to try them! :) I wish I had a more adventerous palate, as I'm sure the other items they offered were just as good as what we tried. This is a nice "date place".
(4)
Cathy D.

One of the best overall restaurants in Indy. Don't let the shopping center location fool you - Chef-owner Steve Ockley has created a lovely atmosphere and the food is always creative, fresh and deliious. The staff is knowledgeable and helpful. This is a great place to take out-of-town business clients.
(5)
Amanda Z.

I wasn't sure what to expect from Oakley's Bistro, especially when I pulled up and saw that it was located in a strip mall, but wow, was I blown away! My friend and I went on a Saturday night and we were easily the youngest people there, but never felt out of place. It definitely is a fine dining restaurant, but has a casual vibe to it, so wearing jeans is not a problem. I ordered the Winter Vegetables- four ways, and was so impressed by every aspect of my meal. First of all, the presentation was beautiful- each vegetable dish was plated individually and they all looked like little gifts! Each one of the four was amazing and I wasted no time in cleaning my plate. My friend ordered the duck breast and he really enjoyed it also. Said that the bacon in the dish was a little overpowering but the duck itself was perfect. We also ordered dessert and again were very impressed. I had the banana crepes, which were light, delicate and full of flavor. I was really full by that point, but my friend had no problem finishing my dessert after he got done with his. His...wow! Le Kit Cat. If you like chocolate and peanut butter, you need to run out right now and get this dessert. It was amazing!! Overall, Oakley's was a great experience and gets 5 starts for the following reasons. 1) Creative, playful and absolutely delicious food 2) Impeccable service 3) It's NOT a chain restaurant!!
(5)

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Address : 1464 W 86th St
Indianapolis, IN, 46260
Phone (317) 824-1231
Website https://www.oakleysbistro.com
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Tue
Mon :Closed

Specialities

Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : No
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Dressy
Ambience : Intimate, Romantic, Classy, Upscale
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes

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Oakleys Bistro

1464 W 86th St, Indianapolis, IN, 46260

Oakleys Bistro Menu

Small Plates

Large Plates

Soups and Salads

Bistro Sides

Lunch Combinations

Soups

Salads & Tarts

Entrées & Sandwiches & Burgers

Desserts

Dinner Desserts

Coffee & Tea

Lunch Desserts

Specialty Cocktails

Beers

Beverages

Coffee & Tea

Healthy Meal suggestions for Oakleys Bistro

Small Plates

Large Plates

Soups and Salads

Bistro Sides

Lunch Combinations

Soups

Salads & Tarts

Entrées & Sandwiches & Burgers

Desserts

Dinner Desserts

Coffee & Tea

Lunch Desserts

Specialty Cocktails

Beers

Beverages

Coffee & Tea

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