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July 11, 2007
Expect something different - and get it - at innovative L'Explorateur.

It's easy to miss this single story frame house with a picket fence separating it from the parking lot. With its charming exterior, who would guess that inside some of the most innovative and inspired dishes in Indianapolis are being served? It's a true foodie haven with preparations that are unique and fun, from the ever-changing amuse-bouche that greets diners to the trio of chocolate desserts. Some work wonderfully in the pairings of ingredients and some don't, but chef/co-owner Neal Brown proves even the ones you don't love still will not be forgotten. Remembering them, however, doesn't mean that you'll get to try them again; the menu changes twice a month. Game and seafood are prominent among entrées, and they're teamed with fresh and locally grown ingredients. The trio of scallops, artistically arranged on the narrow platter, is lovely in taste and appearance. And while roasted chicken sounds mundane, forget that. Brown's version is impeccably prepared. Stop at the adjoining raw bar before dinner, or order a flight of oysters or the hamachi on the rocks or carpaccio-style. Whether dining in the bar or in one of the nooks, you'll find the service professional and the atmosphere uptown even though it's only a stone's throw from trendy Broad Ripple Village.