Jazz Kitchen

Chill out on a hot weekend at The Jazz Kitchen

The thermometers will hit 80 degrees this weekend. When it’s hot outside, there’s no better way to chill out than with great music and a satisfying meal from the Jazz Kitchen menu that’s not too heavy.

 

Our Strawberry Spinach Salad embodies summer on a plate. The caramelized pecans add a sweet crunch that complements the fresh spinach perfectly. To balance the sweet, the fresh-cut strawberries and homemade strawberry champagne vinaigrette add a tart punch to the mix. The blue cheese crumbles finish off the refreshing flavor combination with bite and creaminess.

Haven’t had the chance to clean your grill yet? We have. And our grilled salmon is always keepin’ it light. The eight-ounce filet is topped with a yellow pepper saffron sauce and served with garlic mashed potatoes or Cajun rice and fresh veggies.

Fresh tomatoes signal summer is on its way. We’ve brought in the freshest, brightest roma tomatoes, right off the vine, for our Five Cheese and Tomato Pizza. We slice ‘em up just right and put them atop a combo of mozzarella, provolone, smoked gouda, parmesan and goat cheese. Is it as good as it sound? Oh, yeah!

Stop in tonight or tomorrow! You can enjoy any of these chill-out dishes, as well as the rest of our eclectic menu, while you listen to Pharez Whitted’s trumpet trill with his Chicago-based band at 8 and 10 p.m.

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All-around great Pharez Whitted hits the JK stage this weekend

Pharez Whitted is an Indiana native, born right here in Indianapolis. (Oh yeah, did we mention he's also an educator, composer, producer...the list goes on and on). 

No matter how long his list of credentials, Whitted is proof Hoosiers can go big places in the entertainment industry. He has performed at legendary events and places, including gigs at the 1988 Presidential Inauguration, the Billboard Music Awards and Carnegie Hall. He has also hit the stage with musical legends like The Temptations, Roy Meriwether and fellow Hoosier John Mellencamp. 

Whitted has written, produced, arranged and produced two CDs for Motown's Jazz record label — "Pharez Whitted" and "Mysterious Cargo." He also co-produced the MoJazz album "People Make the World Go 'Round." His third album will be released sometime this year.

While in Indiana, Whitted studied at DePauw University and earned his master's degree at Indiana University in the Jacobs School of Music. He currently serves as director of jazz studies at Chicago State University (you know, in all the free time he has left after traveling around to perform for us with his sextet and featured saxophonist, Eddie Bayard). 

Did You Know? Pharez Whitted is the son of late singer and bassist Virtue Hampton Whitted and newphew of famed trombonist Slide Hampton.

Come groove with this Indianapolis native Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. Cover is $12. 

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More funky beats for the weekend

As promised, here's the lineup for the rest of the week!

Thursday, things heat up with our weekly Latin Dance Party. Shake your hips and kick up your feet to the beats of Marco Dominguez, our king of all things salsa, merengue, bachata, reggaeton and Latin hip-hop, from 9 p.m.-2 a.m. $7 cover charge, but free for ladies until 10 p.m. And, as always, join Cyntha Limon at 8:30 for free salsa lessons!

When the weekend hits, things don't slow down here! 

FRIDAY

C-U Jazz Crusaders

& Doug Johns

The C-U Jazz Crusaders plays a combination of jazz, blues, funk and Latin jazz through the songs of "The Jazz Crusaders" and "The Crusaders," which is an important jazz, blues and funk band from the 1960s that featured Joe Sample, Wilton Felder, Stix Hooper and Wayne Henderson. 7:30-10 p.m.

Cover is $10.

 

Doug Johns is a bassist, composer, arranger and clinician hailing from Cleveland, Ohio. After working with greats like Dweezil Zappa and Dana Rasch, Johns was inspired to mix his first solo CD, which dropped in 2006. He is known for his grabbing stage presence that will keep you entertained from his first note to his last. 11 p.m.-1 a.m. Cover is $5.

SATURDAY

Dave and Jeff Devine 

& Twin Cats

Guitarist Dave and drummer Jeff return to the Jazz Kitchen stage with their many talented friends for a night of mix-it-up music. 7-10 p.m. Cover is $10. 

Then we welcome some hometown favorites, the Twin Cats. Why the funky name? Because they're twin brothers, Adam and Seth Catron, with a love of jazz/funk sounds. 11 p.m.-1 a.m.;$5 cover.

You had to find something to spark your interest in that impressive collection of talent. So pick what you like, and join us! Our door is always open to newcomers and familiar faces alike.

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Find your funky side this week at the Jazz Kitchen

Beat these April shower blues with some sweet jazz! As always, we start of the week with two of our favorites: the Frank Glover Quartet and the Midcoast Swing Sextet.

Every Monday, the Frank Glover Quartet takes the stage for a night of high-energy jazz standards from one of Indy's best jazz groups. With Claud Sifferlen on piano and Frank Glover on the saxophone, this group of four helps cheer up anyone's Monday blues. The best part? This great performance is free! Come from 6:30-10:30 p.m. and check it out!

The Midcoast Swing Sextet keeps things hoppin' every Tuesday. The six-piece band takes listeners back to the 1930s and '40s with their dedications to the greats like Count Basie and Duke Ellington. Their fans were in a similar boat with money that we are all now. If it brightened their spirits and kept them hopeful for a brighter day, it definitely will in these times. The Sextet plays from 7-10:30 p.m. Cover is $10. 

Wednesday is a night of funk at the Jazz Kitchen! Root Movements, presented by Old S.O.U.L. Ent. and Twin Peaks, is no stranger to the Jazz Kitchen stage. Hear saxophonist Rob Dixon mix jazz and funk for a night of good music, good people and good food from 6-10 p.m. Cover is $5. 

After Dixon tears it up, stay for a special Hump Day treat! The dynamic bassist Michael Houston returns with his crew to College Avenue with his funky, soul sounds. Cover is $5 for Houston, as well.

That should get you through half a week nice and easy. Check back to see what's on deck next later this week!

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No weekend plans? Come visit us!

No plans for the weekend? We’ve got you covered!

FRIDAY

Uptown Quartet: 7-9:30 p.m.; $10 cover

Chicago Afro-beat Ensemble: 10:30 p.m.-1:30 a.m.; $12 cover

Onstage tonight are the Uptown Quartet and Chicago Afrobeat Project.

Led by drummer Arthur Haan, Uptown Quartet pays tribute to the hard-bop world we all know and love. Let their smooth sound relax you after a busy workweek.

Chicago Afrobeat Project combines Chicago sound with afro-beat rhythms. The seven-piece group got their start playing parties in the Chicago loft scene and has been touring the country for the last six years. Their sound encompasses a wide range of influences and styles, including jazz, funk, rock, afro-cuban,West African highlife and juju. With the group’s upbeat and catchy style, you’ll be tapping your toes and snapping your fingers along with the music for the entire set.

 

SATURDAY

Cynthia Layne: 7:30-9:30 p.m.; $10 cover 

Check out the vocal ventures of Cynthia Layne and her band, drummer Kenny Phelps, pianist Reggie Bishop and sax player Rob Dixon. The band is perfect if you have music ADD (and, really, don’t we all?) Their sound combines jazz, R&B and soul for a sound any listener will love.

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Techno piano-jazz sounds featured tonight

Marco Benevento, a 30-year-old keyboard player, will tickle the ivories at 7 p.m. with bassist Reed Mathis and Simon Lott. But don’t expect to hear any of that Old Hollywood nightclub music. Benevento’s music isn’t written to be an undertone.  His piano-jazz styling adds an attention-getting laboratory of instruments to spice up the sound. It’s modern-techno jazz to the fullest. Cover is $15 for Marco’s show.

After Marco finishes his set, the night will continue. At 10 p.m. various DJs will bring the best beats in hip-hop, funk, soul and neo-soul for you to dance the night away. Cover is $5 after 10 p.m.

Thursday, a special treat hits the Jazz Kitchen stage: a fashion and hair show! See the latest styles en vogue from head to toe. The runway starts at 8 p.m. with amazing door prizes given out during the show!

And don’t forget to come for free salsa dance lessons with Cynthia Limon tomorrow at 8:30 p.m. Grab a drink from the bar, loosen up and shake it with Cynthia! DJ Marco Dominguez will be there spinning the sounds for our weekly Latin Dance Party.

It’s one spiced-up week here at The Jazz Kitchen. Don’t miss out!

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Spicy dishes heat up summer menu

Summer is not too far off. As the temperature starts to warm up, so are some of the dishes on the Jazz Kitchen menu.

If you want to add a little heat to your meat, try these two dishes that each serve their own special kick.

5-Spice Teriyaki Salmon Salad

This salad combines sugar and spice to make one nice flavor combination.

The mixture slathered on the salmon before cooking includes cinnamon, cloves, fennel, anise and black peppercorns. The hints of cinnamon are pure pleasure amidst the silky texture of the grilled salmon.

This flavorful fish sits atop a bed of mixed greens to add extra crunch, texture and color to the overall plate.

Chef Victor says, “New Orleans is about jazz and the fusion of Latin, French and African traditions. This salad aims to capture that.”

 

Honey Bourbon-Glazed Pork Chop 

The 10-ounce pork chop is slathered in honey bourbon glaze that shocks your taste buds with the bourbon kick. The chop is layered with flavor, grilled with charcoal, glazed and placed back on the flame to allow the sugars in the honey caramelize. The Cajun seasonings rubbed on the meat bring out a smokey accent on the back end of every bite.

Accompanying this flavor-packed chop is ratatouille with accents of orzo.  The ratatouille combines zucchini squash, onions and red peppers for a sharp crunch in the bed of creamy pasta. It’s upscale American comfort food with a zing.

Chef Victor suggests you try the ratatouille and the pork together in one mouthful to get a truly interesting experience. In his words, this combination creates a “substantive, macho chop with a symphony of vegetables and orzo."

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Therapy with a Coltrane twist

During this time of economic dull-drums and cloudy winter-turning-into-spring days, what better way to bring some sunshine to your life than by reminiscing about your favorite things.

To help you out, we’ve dug out a video from the jazz legend archives — John Coltrane and his quartet adding their colorful, mellow flavor to “My Favorite Things” from “The Sound of Music.”

So hit play, turn up the volume and jot down your favorite things with John and his boys as your soundtrack. It’s an instant pick-me-up. 

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Food: Eggplant Tower satisfies meat lovers and vegetarians alike

Perfect for Vegetarians 

The Eggplant Tower leaves a clean plate in front of meat lovers and vegetarians alike.  The ingredients are simple, but the flavors are complex. The bulk of the dish is grilled Portobello mushroom  and eggplant slices. The hints of goat cheese and pesto accent the vegetables with a very robust flavor.  The Parmesan cheese surrounding the dish is cooked to a golden brown, adding a sharp but subtle flavor and crunchy texture to the dish. The red peppers gave just a hint of sweetness to mellow out the strong flavors of the cheeses and shallots while adding a welcome crunch to the buttery texture of the eggplant and mushrooms.  

Meat lovers not convinced they’ll enjoy this vegetarian delight? Don’t be so sure. Portobello mushrooms take on a beef-like flavor when grilled. They’re also one of the most versatile cooking mushrooms because of the large size and thickness of the caps. Meat lovers won’t miss a thing.

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Food: Walnut Crusted Salmon perfectly combines sweet and savory

Perfect for meat lovers and some vegetarians

We have a must-try dishes for the groups coming to dine with us that have meat lovers and vegetarians (fish eating ones) in their party.

The Walnut Crusted Salmon is the perfect blend of sweet and savory. The brown sugar and walnut crumble crust caramelizes as the fish cooks, creating a sweet and crunchy exterior.  The salmon is served alongside fresh greens and sweet potato ratatouille (for all you not-French foodies, ratatouille is a combination of tomatoes, garlic, onions, zucchini, eggplant, bell peppers, marjoram and basil, or bay leaf and thyme, or a mix of green herbs like herbes de Provence.)

Tasty Drink Spotlight: The Dickie

If your favorite friends are Jim, Jack and José , we’ve got a drink for you. The Dickie is a Jazz Kitchen original, perfect for any whiskey drinker. It’s especially appealing to Beam lovers who want to try something different than Jim straight up.

Here’s how we do it:

2 ounces Jim Beam

2 dashes Bitters

Fill with Ginger Ale

1 fresh-squeezed lime

Tiramisu: It’s the perfect dessert for two

That’s why The Jazz Kitchen is offering it for couples on their special Valentine’s Day menu.

Tiramisu is known for its strong coffee flavor, but The Jazz Kitchen’s version is the ideal balance between extreme and light. The whipped layer of egg yolks, mascarpone cheese and sugar balances the rich dusting of cocoa powder and chocolate drizzle. With a sprig of mint and a sliced strawberry to add bright color the plate, the dessert is as appealing to the eyes as it is taste buds. And that’s important because people eat with their eyes first, Chef Victor says.

“It’ll knock people out,” he says. Which, in the case of a sugar coma, can be a good thing.

The plate is built to share and will satisfy the sweet tooth of all lovebirds.

Chef Victor's Valentine Day Menu Filet Mignon with Crabmeat

The Jazz Kitchen’s Valentine’s Day menu comes straight from Chef Victor’s heart

“Since I can’t be home with my girlfriend because I’m working, I get inspiration from thinking about her,” he says.
 
In true Valentine’s Day tradition, the entrées are designed to split between two.

 

The Filet Oscar is two pieces of filet mignon topped with crabmeat infused with garlic and Cajun spices. The meats are topped with a roasted red pepper hollandaise sauce. The plate is finished with drizzles of black truffle oil and a balsamic-honey reduction for finishing flavors. If that’s not enough food in itself, garlic mashed potatoes and grilled asparagus accompany the meat dishes.

One of Victor’s past customers came to The Jazz Kitchen to enjoy her first meal in the United States. She ordered his Filet Oscar and said it was “completely brilliant.” Lucky for future customers, Filet Oscar isn’t a February 14 exclusive. It is on the menu year-round.

A dish Victor created especially for Valentine’s Day is his surf n’ turf combination of lamb chops and lobster tail served with exotic mushrooms and fresh herbs. A risotto cake accompanies the meat and veggies to balance the plate with a denser dish.

Victor says he puts a lot of thought and love into his Valentine’s Day menu because of the nature of the holiday.

 “Valentine’s Day is meant to spoil women,” he says. “It’s the only day they can choose whatever they want, and men say nothing.”

Chocolate (and Vodka) Salvation

Warning: Not for men cultivating an overly macho image

Chocolate has long been the salvation of men and women, and lately for me as well in the form of a Chocolate Martini. I’m not one that cares about what people think of me holding an impressive desert drink. And neither should you. Certainly Dave Allee can be seen sporting a Chocolate Martini from time to time. So if you’re looking for a drink with some punch and some sweetness, here’s the recipe if you want to try at it home. Or Matt can make one for you. Might be the perfect drink for Valentines Day, especially if you're tired of all the other chocolate cliches.

Chocolate Martini

2 oz. Stoli Vanilla
2 oz. Godiva® chocolate liqueur
2 oz. Bailey’s Irish Crème
1 oz. half-and-half
Drizzle of Hershey’s chocolate sauce
Martini Glass

1.    Start by drizzling a pattern of chocolate sauce into the martini glass.
2.    Mix all the other ingredients in a shaker with ice, shake and pour into a chilled cocktail glass.
3.    Drizzle some chocolate sauce on to the surface of the drink.

You can rim the glass with chocolate if you want some extra sweetness. Frankly who doesn’t want some extra sweetness? Thoughts? How do you make your Chocolate Martini? What’s your favorite martini?

Blossom Dearie dies at 82; jazz and cabaret singer

We're saddened to hear of the death of Blossom Dearie on Saturday, February 7th. "Blossom Dearie, the singer and songwriter whose sweet soprano voice, harmonically innovative piano stylings and sophisticated performances made her a popular attraction in jazz and cabaret for nearly half a century, has died. She was 82." - L.A. Times Read the rest of the LA Times article here. Here's a couple of tracks from Blossom. The Jazz Kitchen salutes you Blossom!