I warmly remember my visit to BRAVO! Cucina Italiana, as it was to celebrate a sorority sister’s wedding engagement.
My Alpha Kappa Alpha sisters and I gathered at BRAVO! near Castleton Square Mall, a charming building, which resembled Mediterranean and Spanish style homes found in Florida and California. All 13 of us were escorted into a private party room just off of the main dinner area.
Scanning the menu, I found pizza such as the Sicilian Pizza and the Prosciutto & Fennel Pizza. By the time I thought about ordering a pizza, our waitress was already bringing one to our table courtesy of a sorority sister. I was quick to steal a bite of the Margherita Pizza before ordering my main dish.
As more food continued to arrive at our table, I just kept sneaking bites. I tried the Calamari Fritti and the Crispy Mozzarella Ravioli, delicious and filling.
Finally it was time to order and I was already full. “I could always take home the leftovers,” I thought. The Chef Specialties included entrees like Crab & Shrimp Cakes with creamy horseradish dressing, crispy potatoes, seasonal vegetables; Veal Parmesan with breaded Strauss veal, pomodoro sauce, Mozzarella, herb linguine; and the Chicken scaloppini with sautéed chicken, roasted Portobello mushrooms, Provolone, lemon caper butter sauce, Feta, tomatoes, herb linguine.
I skipped to the pasta section where I settled on the Pasta Fra Diavolo. I’ve always loved spicy foods and pasta is usually my go-to order at a restaurant. The meal included spicy tomato cream sauce, campanelle pasta, chicken and shrimp, which I added. With just enough spice and seasoned chicken and shrimp, I was stuffed after about four bites. What a shame!
As I predicted, I had food to take home but it was great to be able to try so many dishes at once as a result of dining with a large group.
While it is said that Italian food isn’t the healthiest due to its floured pasta and creamy sauces, BRAVO! makes its food tasty and healthy with its “Light Menu.”
The menu includes 13 dishes in the variety of appetizers, salads and entrees. The Grilled Chicken and Spinach Salad has only 580 calories made with mixed greens, Tuscan slaw, grape tomatoes, cucumbers, basil, crispy pasta, Feta, and lemon garlic vinaigrette; and the Broiled Tilapia with Spicy Tomato Sauce has 500 calories with zucchini, sugar snap peas, grape tomatoes, cous cous, and arugula among other dishes.
BRAVO!’s upscale Italian food definitely deserves some attention and if you’ve already been once, you may want to pay it a visit on your next night on the town. Upon walking out of the door, I heard from another diner that they have an amazing brunch. Well…I know where I will be dining next time!
BRAVO! Cucina Italiana
BRAVO! Willow Lake
2658 Lake Circle Drive
Indianapolis, Ind. 46268
(317) 879-1444
Hours:
Mon-Thu: 11:30 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Fri & Sat: 11:30 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Sun: 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Brunch- Sun: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
BRAVO! Castleton
8651 Castlecreek Parkway East Drive
Indianapolis, Ind. 46250
(317) 577-2211
Mon-Thu: 11:30 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Fri & Sat: 11:30 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Sun: 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
