Featured Restaurant: Oh Yumm! Bistro

By Karen Kennedy

Take a drive (or better yet, a walk) down the hopping stretch of Illinois Street just south of Westfield Boulevard in Butler-Tarkington, and you’ll find beautiful homes, a couple of adorable boutiques, the legendary Kincaid’s Meat Market, a Starbucks, and some really good Graeter’s ice cream.

But nestled under an unassuming, quaint red awning sits a tiny restaurant that is worth a trip to the area all on its own. Oh Yumm! Bistro, owned and operated by Patti Crahan, has been serving creative and eclectic bistro fare to Midtowners for fourteen years.

The menu features a delectable array of small and large plates. Stand-outs include:  Crab cakes with zippy sambal aioli on a bed of crunchy fennel and apple slaw, duck confit and pecan waffles with orange maple butter and flaky Basa (a mild Asian white fish) with a delicate white wine-butter sauce.

And then there’s Brunch… glorious Brunch.  On Sundays, from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., revel in the choices of salads, sandwiches and yummy breakfast dishes such as eggs Florentine topped with a crab cake or crispy fried chicken, blueberry-stuffed French toast or Belgian waffles. Of course, the rosemary black pepper bacon is a must no matter what else you order.

With Easter just around the corner, now is the time to make your reservations for Easter Sunday brunch, when the offerings expand even more to include frittatas and special desserts. After brunch take a stroll along the Canal and then take a family photo in Holcomb Gardens.

Executive Chef Brian Krespach changes the menu with the seasons and is committed to sourcing meats and produce locally whenever possible. The service is warm, efficient and friendly, and you’ll most likely find Patti chatting up newcomers and regulars alike.

The cozy outdoor café will soon be in full swing for the summer season, and there’s no better place to watch the endless parade of students and locals as they walk dogs, push strollers and enjoy the summer days.

Hours:  Tuesday-Saturday for lunch and dinner, and brunch on Sunday.

Address: 5615 N. Illinois Street