Given its coveted Circle Centre location and close proximity to the State House, Palomino's swanky downtown digs are often filled with Indy's titans of business and government. These daily lunchtime wheelings and dealings over rigatoni Bolognese give way to elegant, quiet, romantic evenings and weekends. Palomino's power-red interior, which works so well for those home court business lunches, is muted come evening, as softer light radiates from the hand-blown glass light fixtures. Floor-to-ceiling glass walls afford excellent street vistas in both the bar and dining areas.

While the name screams Italian, the menu reflects a hint of the Mediterranean with ingredients of the American Northwest, plus a special flair for presentation. Decorative Palominos -- in full stride -- can be found decorating many a dish including the homemade soups. Main course favorites include the rosy rotisserie chicken, tomato kalamata relish and oven-roasted salmon. -- Mark Erickson