The Town’s Best-Kept Secret Rediscovered

February 2017

Writer / Janelle Morrison

What many people may not realize is that the downstairs Tap Room hosts adults over 21 and offers 100 different varieties of whiskey, one of the largest in the area. The tavern boasts a massive, hand-crafted bar made in the 1800s that was brought in from Cleveland, Ohio. The downstairs is handicapped accessible with an on-premises elevator.

Tap Room guests may order from the menu that includes a daily special created by Chef Martin Gorham and his staff. A favorite is the Thursday special—the buttermilk-soaked, fried boneless chicken breasts with mashed potatoes, home style gravy and sautéed garlic green beans and yeast roll. Another popular signature dish that Gorham has created is the Chili Lime Brisket Crepes dish. It includes his braised, shredded brisket rubbed in a special blend of spices and tossed in a chili lime sauce folded into three crepes and topped with melted cheese, corn relish, and cilantro.

“My staff and I take pride in the fact that we share ideas and our creations,” Gorham said. “We also are proud to use local purveyors whenever possible. For instance, we bring in the freshest and best meats and sausages from Saint Adrian Meats and Sausage, which are raised and produced in Boone County. We want our guests to have an enjoyable meal that is priced just right while supporting our local farms and growers.”

Patrons will enjoy a variety of ten craft beers on tap featuring a rotation of Indiana breweries. Tap Room manager David Hiner delights guests with special attention to the presentation of the drink that he serves. “The presentation is as important as the actual drink,” Hiner said. “For me, it is important to get to know my customers’ preferences and personalities and build their cocktails from that. I stay in tune with what is trending on the beer, wine, and spirits lists so that we can offer all of our drinking- age guests some of their favorites.” Hiner’s variations on the trendy “Moscow Mule” are brilliantly mixed and balanced. The Tap Room’s wine list is impressive without the pretentious prices. Look for the “Whiskey of the Week” specials on the Tap Room Facebook page.

Carolina Grill manager Matt Taylor emphasized that the upstairs restaurant (where lunch and dinner are served) and Tap Room are places where guests can feel as relaxed as if they were enjoying an evening in their living room. Just in time for the patio dining season, the debut of additional seating in the General Store/Ice Cream Parlor and introduction of a deluxe salad bar makes the restaurant an ideal location for daily lunches and business meetings.

“It is important for our guests to enjoy themselves, whether it’s a family night out or a group of locals enjoying an evening out with friends downstairs,” Taylor said. “We also offer our guests the ability to rent out our Stable Room, which is located downstairs in the TapRoom, for a private party or business meeting for up to 50 people. For larger parties, we offer the ability to incorporate some of the TapRoom

dining area to accommodate their guests. We also provide a catering menu offered exclusively to large, private parties for up to 185 guests. It is important that our guests who are looking to book their special celebrations, reunions, and work related events with us, to know that we are here to make the experience remarkable, and we’ll do all of the work so that they can sit back and enjoy their special event.”

7629 West Stonegate Dr # D, Zionsville, IN 46077
Tap Room is open Tuesday-Saturday at 4pm.
(317) 769-3743

Follow The Carolina Grill and Tap Room on Facebook for daily specials.

For hours of operation and reservations visit, www.mycarolinagrill.com.