I am constantly on the lookout for great new eateries that are affordable (and preferably within walking distance of our Broad Ripple chateau- please indulge our silly Francophile nickname for our home). Fire by the Monon was an excellent choice. We arrived there pretty late-9ish-and they were still busy! We already had a beer and appetizers at home on the deck (3 Wise Men 2 Lucys for me and Double IPA for Jeff), so we were looking for something with a fun ambiance and tasty food.
We were greeted warmly and shown to a quiet patio on Ferguson Street that was filled with candlelight and the buzz of intimate conversation. Our server (Diane) was lovely and knowledgeable, and we were off to a good start with pints of local brew- Flat 12 IPA for Jeff and their American Wit for me. (I should note here that you will rarely read of Jeff drinking any brew besides IPA unless it's on a boat. I run the gamut of beer choices, but usually stick toward more food-friendly choices.) We ordered the Free Range flatbread and a Black & Bleu burger. The flatbread was divine! Deliciously juicy and perfectly seasoned grilled chicken, caramelized onions that functioned as a marmalade, adding that perfect element of sweetness, the requisite veggies for crunch and texture, and a thin pizza-like crust. The burger was wonderful. I like burgers (most burgers, in fact). Rarely do I eat a burger that warrants excessive praise or excitement. This burger deserves both. The bacon was crispy, the bleu cheese was proportional and melted, the bun was soft and lightly grilled. The beef (specified to be cooked medium), was perfectly executed with a nice crispy sear to make it extra juicy. There was a lot to be excited about. The sweet potato fries were good (not great, I'm fairly sure they were previously frozen), but not a significant detractor. We also ordered blackberry cobbler a la mode, which was nice, but too much filling in the filling-to-fruit ratio. In hindsight the molten chocolate cake would have probably been a better bet. Lesson learned!
All in all, I give Fire 4/5. The service, atmosphere, and main courses were outstanding. The price point was great (our check was $36 with tax and tip: 2 pints, a burger, flatbread, and dessert). I would definitely deem it a great option for a casual date or a family dinner night. Fire by the Monon is a quintessential, unfussy Broad Ripple establishment- perfect for soaking up the village vibe. Please leave a comment after you try it! Cheers!
click here to go to Fire's website
