Best of Southern Indiana
Best Fine Dining

The Red Geranium Restaurant in New Harmony was voted Best Fine Dining in Southern Indiana by our readers

Red Geranium Restaurant, New Harmony - Our Readers’ Choice for best fine dining in Southern Indiana is the Red Geranium in New Harmony. It has one of the tri-state’s best menus, which boasts regional as well as continental favorites. One reader commented that they served “The best filet mignon I've ever had”. Another specialty of the house is the Char Prime Rib, a cut of roasted prime rib which is then char broiled to create a unique dining treat. The Red Geranium is also known for its lemon shaker pie, which is a double-crusted lemon pie made on-site with whole lemons. All the breads and deserts are homemade in the bakery. For a fabulous desert for two, be sure to try the Chocolate Delight. This scrumptious desert has chocolate-dipped strawberries, and samples of chocolate mousse pie, turtle cheesecake, chocolate vinegar cake and German chocolate cake. Other special deserts are baked Alaska and cherries jubilee. There are three dining areas: the main dining room, the Garden Room and the Tillig Room. There is also a bar area called the Grapevine bar, where dinner can also be enjoyed. The main dining room is warm and gracious with a 19th century style and a large fireplace. The Tillig Room features the Tillig Refectory, or one long dining table. This room is long and has a glass front which offers a broad pastoral view overlooking the lake. The Garden Room has a hand-painted ceiling mural. We're sure you'll agree that New Harmony's Red Geranium deserves the distinction of "Best Fine Dining", as chosen by our readers. Located at 504 N. Street, New Harmony. Hours are Tuesday-Thursday 10a.m-10pm; Friday & Saturday 11am-11pm. Sunday 11am-8pm. Closed Monday. 812-682-4431.

Runner Up

Company's Coming Dining House, Brazil - Company's Coming offers a wonderful dining experience in a beautifully decorated, late 1800s home in a quiet Brazil neighborhood. Guests are treated as special “company” when they arrive. The beautifully wallpapered dining rooms, natural woodwork and ornate fireplaces all greet hungry guests with a most tasteful charm. The tempting menu speaks for itself when the aroma of fresh baking bread wafts through, and the scrumptious meals make company glad they dropped in. Since acquiring their home in 1991, the Stapp family has redecorated and filled each room with nostalgic family treasures. Even your table with its mixed-matched chairs is set with old linens and china of various colors and types. Company's Coming offers a wide array of simple traditional dining that will please even the most fussy. Some of the summer menu items include angel hair pasta with tomatoes and herbs, chicken pecan pie, chilled salmon loaf with dill sauce, homemade soups, sandwiches and salads. One reader says, "I have only found one drawback to Company's Coming - the first dish I tried there was so good I can't resist ordering it again every time I visit! I have branched out in the desert category and found them all to be delicious." Company's Coming is open for lunch Tuesdays through Saturdays 11am-2pm and evenings by reservations. Located at 303 N. Forest Ave. 812-443-7963.

Other Nominations

The Beechwood Country Inn Restaurant in French Lick
Beechwood Country Inn Restaurant, French Lick - The Beechwood Country Inn Restaurant also offers some of the finest dining in the state in a fabulous setting. Dominique Adraun, who manages the French Lick Springs Resort, is a master chef who oversees the Beechwood’s kitchen. The Beechwood Country Inn was built in 1915 as the home of Charles Ed Ballard, a wealthy local entrepreneur. The dining room of the Beechwood Inn was designed to resemble the Club Car of a train. Each person who works in the kitchen is a culinary school graduate, and together they present a remarkable meal. The Beechwood’s Signature Dish is the Golden Halibut, which followed by a desert called the Napoleon is a meal you won’t forget. The Napoleon has three layers of puff pastry with strawberries, chocolate, kiwi and raspberries. The Beechwood Country Inn also offers luncheons, afternoon teas, high teas and special events such as weddings in the gardens. Hours are Tuesday through Saturday 11am-2pm and 5:30-10pm; Sundays 10:30am-2pm. Reservations recommended, at 812-936-9012. On the Boulevard in French Lick.

Buckhead’s Mountain Grill, Jeffersonville - Enjoy the feel of being in a mountain ski lodge while taking in an outstanding view of the Louisville skyline. This full service, casual restaurant offers a wide variety of menu items, from ribs to pot pie, steak to meatloaf. The signature desert is the Pike’s Peak Pie, made with peanut butter and chocolate and vanilla ice cream - “An outstanding finish to any meal”. Buckhead’s Mountain Grill seats approximately 350 inside and 250 outside. They are open Monday through Sunday, for lunch and dinner. Lunches begin at 11:00, with closing at 9:30pm Sunday, 11:30pm Fridays and Saturdays, and Monday through Thursday 10:30pm. They are located at 707 West Riverside Drive, Jeffersonville. 812-284-2919.

The Glass Gazebo, Greenwood - The Glass Gazebo is a favorite among the ladies, with its very delicate, country Victorian decor. But since “real men do eat quiche”, they too can enjoy the food and the lovely surroundings. The restaurant is housed in one of Greenwood’s oldest homes, and is named for the Gazebo Room, which seats four at a table encased in a gazebo with crystal walls. Decorative items grace the tables and all of the dining areas, and these items are all for sale. The main dining room can be reserved for as many as 48 people, and two private dining areas are also available to seat from four to eight people. The small rooms can be reserved at no charge. There is also a full service bar. Luncheon and dinner menus offer fine foods and excellent wines, with lunch prices averaging $5.95 and dinners averaging $14.95. They serve the “best chicken salad in the whole world!” Two quiches are offered each day, and are served with a croissant and fresh fruit. Appetizers include shrimp cocktail, French onion soup, and broccoli cheese soup. All of the food is homemade. The house is said by some to be haunted, so diners may occasionally hear "strange noises" above the soft music! The Glass Gazebo is open every day at 11am through dinner, on Fridays and Saturdays until 10:00pm. Reservations are strongly suggested. 385 North State Road 135, or SR 135 at Fairview Road, Greenwood. 317-887-2697.

Peter’s Bay, Columbus - Enjoy fresh seafood or other specialties in the elegant decor of Peter’s Island. They specialize in fresh seafood, which is flown in twice weekly from Boston. Diners are treated to the soft sound of running water from a fountain, and the decor is reminiscent of Prince Edward Island off of Nova Scotia. Peter’s Bay is also loved for the hand-cut steaks, nightly pasta specials and prime rib on the weekends. The Executive Chef on staff at Peter’s Bay is a graduate of The Culinary Institute of America, in New York. There is also a Sushi chef on staff, who offers sushi and sashimi. Diners can enjoy their meals outside on a patio, and also live music every Friday and Saturday during the spring, summer and fall. There are two banquet rooms available, and Peter’s Bay also does outside catering. Peter’s Bay is located in The Commons Mall in Columbus, and is open for lunch Monday through Friday and dinner Monday through Saturday. They are closed Sunday. 812-372-2270.

Schnitzelbank Restaurant, Jasper - From southern German dishes to seafood and steaks, dining at the “Schnitz” is wonderful! Since January of 1961, Larry and Betty Hanselman have been the proprietors of The Schnitzelbank Restaurant, a well known landmark in the predominantly German Jasper area. The original Schnitzelbank Restaurant was built in 1903. Three generations of the Hanselman family are proud to carry on the tradition and provide you with an authentic atmosphere along with tantalizing German dishes. The original Schnitzelbank song can be heard on the hour on the musical Glockenspiel, high above the restaurant. Delicious entrees like Beef Rolladen, Sauerbraten and hickory-smoked pork chops are some of the specialties of the Schnitzelbank. Side dishes of marinated Sauerkraut, Red Cabbage, Potato Glaze and more are perfect accompaniments. The salad bar, known as “Wunderbar” has an assortment of marinated vegetables, kraut and pastas, as well as toppings, homemade breads and herring. They also serve a German wheat beer, known as Schnitzelbnk Weiss, brewed especially for them. Authentic decor plus prompt, friendly and efficient service make The Schnitzelbank a dining experience you will always remember. The Schnitzelbank Restaurant is located at 393 3rd Ave., Jasper. 812-482-2640.

Smith’s Row, Columbus - Another nominee for fine dining is Smith’s Row, which specializes in steaks, seafood, pastas, lamb, veal, duck and pork dishes. Housed in a renovated historical building in downtown Columbus, diners may enjoy lunch or dinner on the patio or in the balcony. They offer fine foods, wine and spirits. Lunch is served Monday through Friday, and dinner Monday through Saturday. Lunch hours start at 11am and dinners start at 5pm. 418 4th St.. 812-373-9382.

Stables, Terre Haute - Originally home to the delivery horses for the old Terre Haute Brewing Company, Stables now offers visitors an elegant dining experience. Stables serves some of the finest steaks in the Wabash Valley in unique surroundings. Diners are seated inside the actual wooden stables, which provide a sense of privacy. The woodwork and decor are beautiful. Stables is located across the street from the Bleemel Building, once the home of the Terre Haute Brewing Company. Despite its origins as a home to the brewery's work horses, Stables is one of Terre Haute’s finest restaurants, and even the most discriminating diners will appreciate the delicious steaks in this distinctive atmosphere. Open 5-10pm Monday through Thursday, 5-11pm Friday & Sat., Sunday 5-9pm. 939 Poplar St. 812-232-6677.

Stoll’s Country Inn, Linton - Stoll’s features Amish cooking and homemade pastries. “The homemade breads and fried chicken to the homemade apple butter” make Stoll’s one reader’s favorite restaurant. Hours are Monday through Thursday 7am to 8pm Monday through Thursday, Friday and Saturday 7am to 9pm. Closed Sunday. 812-847-2477.

Wellington's in the Grand Victoria Casino Pavilion in Rising Sun. Photo by Pat Rahe

Wellington's, Grand Victoria Casino Pavilion, Rising Sun -Wellingtons offers diners not only great food, but a memorable dining experience. Head Chef Ken Barnes has been at Wellingtons since its creation three years ago. He attended the Pennsylvania Institute of Culinary Arts and had worked mostly in country clubs. "But I found out my style was a little too much for that environment. So when I was given the chance to come to Grand Vic, I jumped on it with no hesitation." Ken explains the menu is based around great steaks and fresh seafood. All of the steaks are aged and hand-selected, and the seafood is flown in twice a week to ensure freshness. He describes the menu as "Progressive International, with influences from Asian to Italian." He offers daily features to keep the menu fresh and new, and the menu changes with the seasons. The service at Wellingtons is said to be unbeatable, and the room has a very relaxing atmosphere that is uncommon today. Call 812-438-1234.

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