The Barking Dog Cafe, Indianapolis

There is much I love about the land-locked Midwest but I must admit that I am often envious of my friends who live on the coasts. If someone held a gun to my head and told me I must move to a U.S. coast and that I must choose between the east and west, I think I would head east and most likely to the northeast - New England. One of the compelling reasons for turning right instead of left would be, of course, the food.

Fortunately, Barking Dog Cafe brings some of that upper east coast cuisine right here to the heartland so I don't have to pack up my family and move. Owners/Chefs Mary Beth and Jeff Gahimer bring us the best of New England cuisine and my favorite of their offerings is their rolls - lobster, shrimp, and scallop rolls. These are the kinds of sandwiches you find at roadside stands in places like Nantucket and other seaside communities on the northern part of the east coast.

On my recent visit, I went for Buddy's Shrimp Roll ($8.50) the market-priced lobster roll was too rich for my Midwest blood. Regardless of which one you select, close your eyes and you can almost smell the sea breeze. The sandwich is on a buttered and grilled New England-style hot dog bun and filled with delicate shrimp, a light mayo-based dressing, and lettuce. It is served with amazing "overnight" pickles and a handful of kettle-cooked chips. Wow this is a treat. The menu (available here) includes several other sandwiches, sides, and a few desserts.

The Barking Dog Cafe is located at 115 E. 49th St. (49th & Penn) in Indianapolis. They can be reached by phone at 317-924-CAFE.