Prior to last week I had never eaten at RedSeven: Kitchen+Cocktail. After unsuccessfully trying to sneak a peek through the windows so many times as I passed by on my way to other plans downtown with friends, I was stoked to finally give it a try.

Location

Across from the bridge and train station on the downtown Lafayette corner of 2nd St. and Main St., RedSeven can be found easily by bike, car, or bus (a very short walk from the CityBus Center). There is nearby parking which has time limits during business hours on weekdays. Otherwise, you’re pretty much free and clear and there is usually a space within a block provided there is not an event.

Mood & Ambiance

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What a mix! Not sure if they are going for Asian fusion, technical library, or classy big city hotel, but I happen to like all of those things; so no complaints from me. Judging by a sign I must have glimpsed on the door or something—hard to recall—they are affiliated with Christos, a favorite amongst many locals for their steak and gyros. Some of the same urban vibe translated to RedSeven and I believe is even slightly more pronounced. I recommend snappy casual dress, but business casual or cocktail would not look out of place.

The Service

The maître d’ and wait staff were prompt and efficient. Our main waiter was personable and familiar enough with the menu to have useful opinions and details when asked directly. Not too helicopter-y, just there when you needed him.

The Food

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After much internal debate, I chose the Lemon Pepper Calamari and from their lunch menu, the Grilled Chicken With Avocado sandwich. The calamari were crispy, tender, and charmingly presented; the accompanying pomodoro sauce, SO good. The sandwich looked a bit lonely on its plate, but I blame that on the fact that I ordered a salad versus fries. The salad came in a separate plate with the house mango champagne vinaigrette on the side. It tasted fresh and crisp and the dressing was a delicate compliment to the greens. The chicken was juicy and flavorful, and the avocado was really rich, not sure if I just got lucky that day or they have good suppliers. I thought the pretzel bun was a nice touch, too. In fact, everything I tried tasted thoughtfully put together and generally great. There seemed to be a good variety of options to accommodate most tastes and restrictions, although I didn’t see many specifically gluten free offerings. Take a look at the menu to see for yourself.

The Drinks

There is a decent selection of wine and beer offered. They also feature a fair amount of unique mixed drinks on which I decided to focus my attention. I tried the Pineapple Mojito and Plum Martini. The mojito was very refreshing, as it should be. However, there was not a strong pineapple note—at least not as strong as one would expect from a drink with pineapple in the title. The martini was lovely, and definitely the winner of the two. The plum flavor was light but still present, and it was not overly sweet as some fruity martinis end up being. Also, it was shaken at the table and poured, which was a nice touch.

Closing Time

Is it wrong to offer empanadas, potstickers, and calamari consecutively on the same appetizer menu? I say as long as it tastes as good as what I tried, I’ll keep coming back for more. RedSeven may have given a first impression that it is undergoing a mild identity crisis, but a crisis it is not. This kitchen and cocktail bar has the sort of confidence you would find in a city far larger than Lafayette, and my entire dining experience was truly enjoyable.

I have been to La Hacienda Del Sol several times during my stint in West Lafayette. It’s a convenient spot to meet friends and classmates due to its very central location. While not exactly fine dining, the specials are hard to beat, making it a great choice for the budget-minded student craving Mexican inspired fare.

Location

La Hacienda is a little bit of a trek from campus but definitely walking distance if the weather is decent. It’s located on Howard Ave.—that very oddly angled street off of River Rd.— right across from Nine Irish. The closest CityBus stop is probably River Market or Wabash Landing, but it’s only a 10-15 min walk from the PMU/Krannert stops. There is ample parking if you are traveling by car.

Mood & Ambiance

Hmm, where to start…

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It may not look very charming on the outside, but hey, neither do I most mornings. The feel is definitely laid back. The décor is exaggeratedly Mexican but not necessarily in a bad way. The interior is dim but still inviting—sort of like a cavern where every day is Cinco de Mayo. Patio seating is cheerful, open, and as pleasant as the weather is that day. Dress is casual.

The Service

I think sometimes they are understaffed, which is not the fault of the waiters and waitresses. The people are generally friendly and accommodating, just a little hard to flag down at times when they are attending too many tables.

The Food

I have tried many of the dishes and some of the specials. Specials are unabashedly based on the principle of quantity not quality, which is perfectly fine for the hungry student. However, there is an extensive menu for those who have other priorities. The fajitas are on par with pretty much everywhere else if that’s your go-to. My personal favorite is the seafood enchiladas. Just the other day I tried the chorizo nachos. I really appreciated that they used actual cheese and not “nacho cheese”, but for the price, I do wish that they had layered it a little so that there weren’t so many naked chips at the base. If you are there for Taco Tuesday, I would recommend the steak but skip the barbacoa (unless you like the flavor of barbecue sauce). Overall, the dishes I have tried met my expectations.

The Drinks

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You’ll be hard pressed to find a deal that beats $3 margaritas all day Monday through Wednesday! However, for all you folks harboring some irrational, deep-seated marg hate, there are plenty of other specials throughout the week to quench your thirst. If you and your crew are feeling extra adventurous (or if you already know you like micheladas), why don’t you give the Six Amigas a try? Hehe.

Closing Time

Ah, speaking of closing time, Monday-Wednesday they close at 9, so plan accordingly. There aren’t too many Mexican Restaurants on the west side of the Wabash, so I consider it fortunate that La Hacienda del Sol is around to dish up decent plates. It’s a fun and festive spot to grab an impromptu bite and drinks with your besties, your coworkers, or your favorite grandma. Not once have I left hungry or dissatisfied, and I hope to continue that tradition for as long as I have the opportunity.

I was lucky enough to snag a reservation for the soft opening of The Tap this week. The Tap has already established locations in Bloomington and Indy, and chose West Lafayette to host their newest outpost. This long-awaited sports bar/brewpub mashup is trying to get on their feet during a difficult time (lookin’ at you COVID-19), but I think they are definitely on the right track.

Location

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The Tap has chosen a prime location on the corner of State St. and Chauncy Ave. within very easy walking distance from campus and a few major bus stops. For those travelling by car, parking in that area is always a little bit of an issue; but risk (or walk from campus) and you shall find. 😉

Mood and Ambiance

I would describe the mood as relaxed, friendly, and easygoing. There are plenty of sufficiently sized flat screens for watching your game. At this time, only patrons 21 and up are permitted to enter The Tap, so I wouldn’t really describe it as “family friendly”; I’ll let you decide for yourself whether that is an advantage or disadvantage. Attire is casual, but you wouldn’t look out of place with a “real” shirt or summer dress. Everything is crisp, clean, and new, but not in an uninviting way. I would say that the focus was 55% bar 45% restaurant. For those with local experience, if you enjoy Lafayette Brewing Company, The Pint, Chumley’s, or BRU Burger Bar, there is a solid chance you will enjoy The Tap.

Service

It was extremely chaotic at peak dinnertime on their soft opening, but they handled the situation with more composure than I anticipated. Our wait staff, while just a teeny bit overly-attentive, was very prompt and professional and generally did a great job.

The Food

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The Tap follows usual brewpub menu guidelines with an Apps, Burgers, Pizza focus. No complaints here. The burgers looked delicious, so naturally, I had to have one. I chose the Beer Cheese Burger, because it felt like the dish most representative of their offerings. It was so good, cooked to the level of doneness that I requested, smothered in cheese dip, delightfully seasoned fries, and aioli for dipping included. What more can one ask for? I was also able to sample the burger of the month, the Bacon Jam Burger. The slight sweetness of the bourbon bacon jam, also available on non-monthly sliders, was an excellent addition to the flavor complexity, and a nice alternative for those not in the mindset to have their burger doused in cheese (it happens?). The menu appears diverse enough that it would suit those seeking gluten free and vegetarian options, as well, but you can check it out yourself right here.

The Drinks

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Where to start? So, obviously as a brewpub, the house beers were a prominent feature. They had nine to choose from at the time that and a very helpful description packet to accompany them, which I felt gave a fair idea of the actual product. I highly recommend ordering a flight of four so that you can identify your favorite. After sampling 8/9 of their beers, the favorites of the table were Midnight Fuel (Coffee Stout), Bionic Dragon (American IPA), and Staycation (Honey Beer). They also have a multitude of guest beers on tap, several local favorites and plenty that I wasn’t familiar with (yet!). There is much left to explore. The full drink menu can be found here.

Closing Time

I look forward to seeing how The Tap adapts over time. It is a welcome addition to the tried and true Chauncy favorites—one geared more to those who drink to taste rather than drink to waste and has tasty food, to boot, a niche that I felt was previously unfilled.

If this post has put you in a beer-y mood, check out my easy Beer Bread Recipe! It’s flavor-flexible and requires only basic ingredients.