In the Mirror: New westside restaurant brings a fresh twist on European cuisine

Dear Indy,

Just about everyone on Instagram has already been following the leadup to Borage’s opening on the west side. Well, that finally happened this week and westside reporter Enrique Saenz popped in to check out.

That’s today’s lead story. Here’s how it begins:

The name of a new Speedway restaurant is also a guide for the two chefs.

Borage, at 1609 N. Lynhurst Drive, took its name from a Mediterranean herb that is used in salads or as a garnish. It attracts honeybees and other pollinators while repelling pests like hornworms.

Zoë Taylor said that she wants her restaurant’s relationship to the community to be like the herb’s relationship to its environment.

“Borage is a flower that is originally from Europe, but is considered a beneficial non-native in the states,” she said. “And that’s our goal. That’s what we want — to be a part of the community. We want to be considered beneficial, but also acknowledge our privilege and what we can do to be better going forward.”

Taylor and Josh Kline, the chefs and partners behind Borage, are veterans of Milktooth, a Fletcher Place restaurant that has been a semifinalist for some of the most respected culinary awards. Taylor worked as the restaurant’s original pastry chef while Kline was the head chef.

Now the two hope to help people on the west side grow comfortable trying new things — such as rillettes, tartines and confit — in an environment free of pretentiousness. Or, if that’s too adventurous, that’s fine, too.

“In our times as chefs, we have been the ego-driven chef that is like, ‘You have to eat this the way I make it,’ We now have two kids together, and going through life and therapy and all that, you realize that’s not the way to be,” Taylor told Mirror Indy.

Continue reading the article.

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In other news

Curren$y and Dem Franchize Boyz will headline this year’s Chreece, which will feature more than 50 artists across seven Fountain Square venues in August. “When we started the festival in 2015, I never would have imagined the impact it would have on the city of Indianapolis. As this year continues, we vow to honor the legacy and history of hip-hop culture in Indianapolis, and it’s crucial to protect and nurture the artform,” said hip-hop artist Oreo Jones, who founded the festival in 2015. Learn more here.

Last week, service reporter Sophie Young asked you for your best dad-vice. Now we’re happy to share what we learned, just in time for Father’s Day.

The U.S. Olympic swim trials are also bringing concerts, art, food and other things for Indy residents to do. We put together a quick guide to taking part in the fun.

What’s going on around the city

Tomorrow: Mirror Indy staff will start the day at the Indy Juneteenth Festival & Parade, marshaled by Geoffrey A. Gaither. At the festival, hear live music by DJ Mary Jane, platinum recording group Kut Klose, Deaon Forever and “American Idol” star Remington Hill. There will also be food trucks, kid zones, VIP areas and a vendor village. Parade starts at 10 a.m., festival at noon, at Military Park, 601 W. New York St. Free.

Tomorrow: Crown Hill Funeral Home and Cemetery, 700 38th St., will celebrate Juneteenth 4-8 p.m. Guests are invited to bring lawn chairs and sun hats to enjoy performances by Bashiri Asad, Rob “The Mayor of Music” Dixon, Tony Bryant Project and DJ EazyKutz. Food, drink and shopping vendors will also be present at the free event.

Tomorrow: From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. the Eiteljorg Museum, 500 W. Washington St., will have the Juneteenth and Jazz Community Celebration with live performances by the Rob Dixon Quartet, Cassius Goens Quartet, Dr. Tammy L. Cooper, Asante Art Institute and SITEAW Drum Circle. Free.

— Jennifer Delgadillo, arts and culture editor

Looking for other things to do? Check out Mirror Indy’s events calendar.

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What else we’re reading today

WFYI: Voters will get to decide whether to retain 18 Marion County judges in November.

Indiana Capital Chronicle: An ongoing overhaul of Indiana’s mental health treatment system has led to mobile crisis teams now working in 59 counties — up from the 16 in operation before a new law went into effect last year.

The New York Times: The U.S. Supreme Court unanimously declined to limit access to the abortion pill. But, as is always the case, those involved in the legal battles say the fight isn’t over.

Reporter’s Notebook: Peter Blanchard

While reporting on a story about a white IMPD sergeant accused of harassing Black students on a school field trip, I was struck by how long it took the Taziyah family to get their complaint in front of the Citizens’ Police Complaint Board.

Before IMPD Internal Affairs could investigate the allegations, the family had to get the complaint signed by a public notary.

Then, they had to wait more than five months before they could give a taped statement to the complaint office.

Another four months passed before they learned that an internal IMPD investigation found no wrongdoing on the part of the officer.

Some welcome news came in May, when the Citizens’ Police Complaint Board disagreed with IMPD’s findings. But despite the board’s determination that the officer violated IMPD’s rules and regulations, the officer hasn’t faced any disciplinary action.

All told, the process took nearly a year, and the family still hasn’t received a final outcome letter from the complaint office.

Many hardworking families don’t have the time, energy and knowhow that the Taziyah family had.

Have you ever filed a complaint? What was your experience like? Let me know at peter.blanchard@mirrorindy.org.

— Peter Blanchard, local government reporter

Have a question or suggestion for our reporters? Contact them here.

Reflections

Every Father’s Day I think of a few people: (1) my mom, who raised me all on her own; and (2) my uncles, who did their best to do dad-like things for me over the years. (Sorry, Uncle Keith, that I never could quite grasp how to change my car’s oil.)

So this weekend, join me in making sure we show some love for the others who step up. Especially single moms.

See you next week.

Ryan

P.S. If you liked something about today’s newsletter, or didn’t, let me know at ryan.martin@mirrorindy.org. It helps us serve you better.