Sip, Savor, Repeat: Inside Plat99’s Elevated Nightlife Experience in Indy

Last night, we stepped into something special—an exclusive Preview Dinner at Plat99, tucked inside the Alexander Hotel (soon to transition into a Marriott property). From the moment we walked in, it was clear: this isn’t just the old art bar that opened in 2013—it’s now an experience. It's romantic, almost Moroccan, with color and pattern popping everywhere. The second-story views are a full 270 degrees. Having spent an evening or two in the Plat after it opened, it's clearly upgraded and perfect for an intimate date night as well as an evening starter with friends.
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After we were seated, we had a curated journey through cocktails and shareable plates, guided by one of Indianapolis’ most respected culinary talents — Chef Eli Laidlaw. The new vision makes a ton of sense. They want the space to launch the night with elevated bites and world-class cocktails. Then, guests can head out on the town and return later in the evening with friends for more. After this preview, we can confidently say that vision is not just hype. The menu is all shareables, and the cocktails are acid-focused, meticulously crafted, and present beautifully. Because this was a preview, we had the opportunity to taste the entire menu (someone has to do the dirty work). We've broken down each item below.

🍽 FIRST COURSE: A Bold Beginning
We kicked things off with vibrant, flavor-packed starters paired with a stunning cocktail.

• Charred Carrots – topped with whipped feta, ricotta, pistachio, lemon, and chili crunch. Smoky, creamy, with just the right kick. These carrots fool you. It's not the typical texture or flavor profile. The pistachio and lemon help lift them up.
• Crispy Brussels Sprouts – perfectly caramelized with walnut, pecorino, and a browned butter vinaigrette that lingered in the best way. Hard to go wrong here - deep fried and friendly, these were a nice partner to the carrots.

🥃 Cocktail Pairing: Mai Tai
Planteray rum, dry curaçao, lime, and almond orgeat—balanced, refreshing, and dangerously smooth.

🥙 SECOND COURSE: Bright & Textural
This course was the evening's highlight - both perfect shareables that highlighted Plat99’s social dining concept. We loved these so much that we could go back and just order this with a drink and feel very bougie. 

• Hummus – paired with mojo verde, roasted sweet plantains, cucumber, and warm pita. Creamy with layers of herbaceous and sweet notes. Definitely not your standard hummus plate. This was exciting and inspired a playful approach to combining flavors and textures. Something no one at our table had experienced before. I mean - who orders hummus on a date night? Well, now we do!
• Burrata Panzanella – burrata with roasted tomato, cucumber, crostini, and olive. Light, fresh, and beautifully composed. Think the best parts of a summery panzanella salad, each bite curated the way you like it.

🍹 Cocktail Pairing: “Birds Aren’t Real”
Mi Campo reposado tequila, apricot, pineapple, Cynar, and ginger—complex, slightly bitter, and incredibly memorable.

🍔 THIRD COURSE: Elevated Comfort. This course leaned into indulgence with refined takes on familiar favorites.

• Burger Sliders – featuring Chef Eli's Perfect Bite Championship and World Food Championship burger design using Legacy Maker beef, bacon jam, white cheddar, pimento cheese, and green tomato. Juicy, rich, and perfectly portioned.
• Gyro Pork Belly Bites – crispy pork belly with tzatziki, cucumber salad, feta, and pita. Bold, savory, and addictive.

🍸 Cocktail Pairing: “Super Good Advice”
Appleton Jamaican rum, Leblon cachaça, lemon, oleo saccharum, and salted foam—bright citrus with a silky finish.

🍰 FOURTH COURSE: A Sweet Finale. Dessert arrived like a curated tasting board of indulgence.

• Olive Oil Cake – with toasted berry crumb and lemon curd, light yet satisfying.
• Chocolate Malt Cake – deep, rich chocolate layered with pistachio cream and cereal crunch.
• Banana Chai Tart – roasted banana, chai dulce de leche, and graham crust - warm & spiced perfection.

🍹 Cocktails to Close:

• Spring Fever – rum, watermelon cordial, basil—fresh and herbaceous.
• Lavender Mocktail – a zero-proof option with blackberry and lavender that didn’t feel like a compromise. This paired perfectly with the Chocolate Malt Cake.

👨‍🍳 The Vision Behind It All. Indulging in anything Chef Laidlaw creates always feels like a privilege, and tonight was no exception. Everything was presented with intention and creativity. His reputation in Indianapolis is well-earned, and this menu proves why. Every dish felt thoughtful, balanced, and designed to pair seamlessly with the cocktail program. 

✨ The Plat99 Experience. What makes Plat99 stand out isn’t just the food or the drinks—it’s the flow of the night. This is a place where:

• You start with elevated small plates
• Sip on expertly crafted cocktails
• Step out into the city
• Then return for round two

It’s social, it’s beautiful, colorful, stylish, and it’s exactly the kind of spot that makes downtown Indianapolis a destination.

Final Thoughts
If this preview dinner was any indication, Plat99 is about to become one of our destination choices for cocktails and shareable dining in downtown Indy. Cheers to Chef Eli and his team!

We'll be back to check up on the menu.  🍸