City: Indianapolis, IN

Category: Restaurants

Telephone: (317) 846-8303

Address: 3645 E. 96th St.

Description: So is there a real Eddie Merlot? Well, yes and no. The story goes that Bill Humphries, founder of Eddie Merlot’s, is a well-known wine connoisseur. As a board member, it was Bill’s responsibility to choose the wine for a worldwide corporation. At one dinner, a new member named Ed asked Bill to surprise him with a great wine. Of course, Ed was mightily impressed when he tasted the wine and asked what wine had been chosen. When Bill revealed it was a merlot, Ed said, “Always order the merlot.” Replied Bill, “And from now on, you’re Eddie Merlot.” So it came to be. Great steak and wine are what have built Eddie Merlot’s reputation but the place also serves fine seafood, as well as chicken and chops. For a special finale, order the Bananas Foster. Prepared table-side in flaming glory, the recipe includes Myers’s Jamaican dark rum, banana liqueur, brown sugar, cinnamon, bananas, and vanilla bean ice cream.