OAKLEYS bistroOne very creative chefReally great food composition. They have so many great dishes it makes it hard to choose.6/15/2013 12:00:00 AMStrong Recommendation!!!Superb all around. Food amazingly creative and delicious!6/13/2013 12:00:00 AMOutstandingOakley's is one of our favorite restaurants with excellently prepared food, attentive service, and a pleasing atmosphere. We will always return for special occasions.6/7/2013 12:00:00 AMGood first date spotCame here on a first date. We both really enjoyed the level of casual fanciness to the atmosphere and the menu. The food selection was unlike anything we'd seen before, and made for a good conversation-starter (lobster waffle? shrimp corn dog? whaaaat). The wait staff was energetic and eager, and the prices were very fair. Would recommend6/6/2013 12:00:00 AMConsistently inventiveThis is one of our favorite spots for a reliable and creative menu. Small plates are a treasure and great for those of us with smaller appetites. Never disappoints!6/6/2013 12:00:00 AMdelicious food---we especiallydelicious food---we especially loved the bacon-wrapped apricots6/1/2013 12:00:00 AMbest Indianpolis restaurantBest food, beautiful structure of meals, a very special place to go for really fine food. 5 stars.5/31/2013 12:00:00 AMGemFinally found a restaurant in Indy that is trendy without being pretentious and delicious as well. The food was unique but not too overdone and the presentation was superb. We loved our waitress. We were entertaining friends from out of state and they were impressed and took away a great impression of Indy dining.5/25/2013 12:00:00 AMAwesome findThis restaurant in in a strip mall so I wasn't expecting much. I ordered the lobster waffle appetizer and it was unlike anything I have had before. For entrees I had the tilapia which was cooked to perfection along with a risotto served in a potato chip shell. DELICIOUS! Made me stop and savor every bite! My husband had one of the specials - Cap rib roast (?) which was also delicious. My only concern was for our seating.We were seated at a table that was somewhat squished up against the front window. I could not pulll out my chair unless we moved the table. Service was attentive and pleasant. Dont let the strip mall deter you, this place is a find!5/25/2013 12:00:00 AMbest indy restaurantI have dined all around the world and this place can compete with most of the best restaurants anywhere. The starters especially are different from what you usually see and I had to try several. I had the corn dog shrimp, oysters, pork, lobster waffle and scallops. Entree were very good as well. Even if you are staying downtown it is worth the 15-20 minute drive to 86th street.5/25/2013 12:00:00 AMOakleys OutstandingI made a reservation way out because I was going to be in town for the Indy 500. We were seated prompty. Our server explained the small bites format and guided us through the dining experience. The food was wonderful.The food flavours were well thought out and presented artsy. I own a fine dining restaurant. When I saw the menu online I wondered if the Chef could pull off such a complicated menu. The place was full on a Satururday night, the Chef did a wonderful job on timing, creativity and presentation. If you go to Indianapolis, this would be my choice, you can go to all the chain steakhouses in any city, they are all the same. Three cheers for a brother independent restauranteur!5/25/2013 12:00:00 AMTilapia was wonderful. BrusselTilapia was wonderful. Brussel sprouts great. Italian wine was superb.5/24/2013 12:00:00 AMAlways an adventureOakley's has never failed to amaze us with their creative, tasteful, and delightful menu items. Always some surprises beyond the online menu.5/24/2013 12:00:00 AMAmazing Flavors, Savory ChoicesOakley Bistro is a gem. Moderately priced but selection, original preparations and a wlne list that will please the foodie and wine lover alike. This is a five star restaurant at chain restaurant pricing. The wait staff consists of both great and mediocre servers. The manager more than makes up for anu delays. So pack some patience just in case, warm up yout taste buds and you will be returning to this gem for sure.5/17/2013 12:00:00 AMAwesome First ExperienceI wanted to take my wife somewhere new for Mother's Day. I stumbled accross Oakley's menu while Googling. The different menu options looked like something you wouldn't see everyday. When we got there, my wife loved all of the selections from the side plate menu. We dicided we'd share four different things from small plate and finish with salads. We each had an Oyster slider. Then we ordered the Scallops and Lobster waffle. I also had Gnocchi. WOW! Everything was so spectacular. We'll be going back and next time we'll dig into some large plates. The service was outstanding. If you're a fan of presentation, then you'll love this place. Every small plate comes literally on it's own uniquely shapped plate. Everything just fits.5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMAwesomeThis place was great, the food was delicious and just the right amount. The owner knew it was our anniversary so he came out personally with champagne and there delicious shrimp corn dogs on the house. Waiter was knowledgable and very friendly. Absolutely going back...5/10/2013 12:00:00 AMoutstanding food, moderate portionsOn a weekday evening we were seated and served immediately. We had one outstanding soup -- the French Onion -- and one very good soup -- the butternut squash. We passed up some excellent looking small platters -- except that my wife had the small platter scallops for her entrée. This was two wonderfully done large scallops -- crusty on both sides but perfectly cooked. I had the short ribs. Along with excellent vegetables, this consisted of two modest sized pieces of short ribs meat, They were wonderfully done... intensely flavorful. I would have liked a third piece.
Very pleasant music played -- mostly Frank Sinatra (spelling?). I would have gone for 10% less volume.5/7/2013 12:00:00 AMVery Good as Usual!Our dinner was, as expected, very nice. Chef Oakley has a talent for coming up with imaginative dishes that work very well and are delicious. Our food Saturday night was no exception. We've been coming here for years and will certainly be back soon.5/4/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat food, too loud for special ocThe food was great, service was excellent. However, I would not recommend it for a romantic dinner. My spouse and I were out for our anniversary and were squeezed into a table that was VERY close to two other tables. We couldn't hear each other across the table. So if you want to talk while you are eating delicious food, you might have a hard time.5/3/2013 12:00:00 AMWe have been huge fans ofWe have been huge fans of Steve Oakley since he was chosen by Drew & Susan Goss to bring Something Different to it's next incarnation. His Bistro is a tribute to excellence.4/26/2013 12:00:00 AMBest Bistro in IndianapolisHaving dined in every major city in the US, as well as many high end resorts and Michelin star establishments, I would rate this as one of my top 5 dining experiences. Easily the most creative and FUN menu I have ever seen, without being too "over the top". Food quality and presentation were out standing!
I just wish I lived in the area, I'd be dining at Oakley's every week.
Put this restaurant at the top of your list when you visit Indianapolis!4/24/2013 12:00:00 AMHaven't been to Oakley's inHaven't been to Oakley's in some time - and was blown away - both my wife and I thoroughly enjoyed every course! Highly recommended.4/19/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent. Everyone in IndianapolisExcellent. Everyone in Indianapolis should try Oakley's. Been there several times, always awesome.4/17/2013 12:00:00 AMFood and service is alwaysFood and service is always top-notch: even though all the servers are good, ask to be seated in Josh's section. If you are eating there this month, the dessert special- corn cookies are fabulous: I could have taken a dozen- really they are wonderful even though they sound weird.4/6/2013 12:00:00 AMI've visited Oakley's severalI've visited Oakley's several times and always been very impressed with the service and ambiance, but the real star of this restaurant is its food. The food is beautifully and inventively prepared, delicious and exciting. It's a true foodie restaurant. I think it's the best fine dining restaurant in Indianapolis and rivals restaurants I've been to in Las Vegas, Chicago, San Diego etc. Very glad this restaurant is in Indy and kudos to Chef Oakley and his staff!!!4/6/2013 12:00:00 AMThe quality of food has alwaysThe quality of food has always been good during every visit. Service has always been friendly and helpful.
Price is good for the quality.4/6/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat food, lots of flavor depth.My only complaint is that service was a little bit slow. It seemed that they needed one more server. The food was outstanding, reminding me of what eating some of the chopped TV show food must taste like, if cooked with normal ingredients.4/6/2013 12:00:00 AMWonderful food. BeautifulWonderful food. Beautiful prep. Excellent service. Top notch!!4/5/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent high end restaurantIncredibly good food and artful presentations. I have been to a lot of expensive, high end restaurants and I put Oakley's in the "outstanding" category. I had the Lobster waffle appetizer and it was excellent. My pork tenderloin entrée was also very good and the chocolate torte for dessert was another example of beautiful presentation and complex tastes. I recommend it highly.4/5/2013 12:00:00 AMThe food and service wereThe food and service were excellent ! Took a client there for lunch and it was great.4/3/2013 12:00:00 AMOakley's Bistro is a sensoryOakley's Bistro is a sensory delight. I love viewing the various artistic food arrangements. Visually very appealing and the flavors and textures are amazing. One of my favorite restaurants in the Indianapolis area.3/21/2013 12:00:00 AMWe were there during the NorthsideWe were there during the Northside Nights and the menu was great for a meat eater and a vegetarian that comprised our party. All the items were served on beautifully arranged plates and delicious in every detail. The only negative was we had "new" server who was clearly not ready to represent a fine dining establishment like Oakley's. He could not answer simple questions like which of your chards by the glass is oaked? He had no idea what I was taking about and said he would ask. He came back with I glass of wine, and left the table without any explanation. It was oaked, but I think he should have given me a chance to choose.
The server did not spoil the night, but we were surprised that he was allowed to be solo.3/20/2013 12:00:00 AMJust an excellent restaurant.Just an excellent restaurant. Period. My only suggestion would be to expand the beer list to include more craft or micro-brews.3/16/2013 12:00:00 AMOakley's is top notch everyOakley's is top notch every time I go. Love the food, service and atmosphere!3/14/2013 12:00:00 AMThe food was amazing. ThisThe food was amazing. This was my first time and I had a few small plates which were fabulous. Recommend the suckling pig, lobster waffle. Even the spreads provided with the bread were delicious. I was in Indianapolis for a business trip and have now found my new favorite place. What a find, the food rivals that of some of the best in NYC. The layering of flavors was spectacular.3/13/2013 12:00:00 AMThis is my favorite restaurantThis is my favorite restaurant in Indianapolis. The food is always fantastic, as is the service. The menu is interesting and always delicious. Great wine selection, too. Congratulations to Steve Oakley and Staff on maintaining a consistently great product and atmosphere. And thanks for being a local gem.12/13/2012 12:00:00 AMAfter seeing the locationAfter seeing the location in a strip mall I was surprised at how good the food was. From the kimchee deviled eggs to the meatloaf, the bbq salmon medallions and the beef short ribs everything was excellent. The fried brussel sprouts were a delicious and unique side item. Desserts were fantastic especially the creme brulee with chocolate mousse and peanut butter powder. The only complaints were the restaurant was way overcrowded and people were elbow-to-elbow. Also and of less importance while the server was nice, the manager and the chef were hugely rude and unpleasant when we complimented them on how good the place was. Seemed so weird to me. Anyway A++11/17/2012 12:00:00 AM