Indianapolis is in the middle of a full-on pasta moment. Two family-rooted Italian restaurants have landed in the city this summer, dishing up old-country recipes and fresh pasta programs in two very different neighborhoods. Balena brings the Pizzi family's traditions to the north side, while Monti anchors an aperitivo-and-pasta concept in Fountain Square.
North-side debut from the Pizzi family
Balena opened this spring at 1454 West 86th Street and marks the debut of Manuela Pizzi's Balena Cucina Italiana. As reported by the Indianapolis Star, Pizzi said, "I was almost born in the restaurant," and Balena leans on family recipes including a house bolognese and dishes such as cozze and tonnarelli. Reservations and hours are listed on Balena's website.
Aperitivo-focused Monti anchors Fountain Square
Monti Aperitivo & Cucina opened in Fountain Square at 1110 Shelby St., led by executive chef and general manager Francesco Settanni, who oversees a vermouth-forward bar and a seasonal small-plates menu. The restaurant's site lists its location and contact information, and a review in Axios Indianapolis praised its house-made focaccia and pasta. Monti leans on aperitivo traditions such as spritzes, amaro and curated vermouths, alongside scratch pastas and gelato.
Family recipes, old-school sauce
Manuela's father, longtime restaurateur Gino Pizzi, the founder of Broad Ripple's Ambrosia, helped develop Balena's menu and lent the family's bolognese sauce, according to the Indianapolis Star. Ambrosia's history in the city is documented by the Indianapolis Business Journal, which traces Pizzi's restaurant back to 1979. Monti's Francesco Settanni told the Star he is focused on "food that is honest, food that is prepared well, food that is prepared with love," underscoring the scratch-and-family emphasis at both spots.
Both restaurants are taking reservations now. Balena lists bookings on balenaindy.com or by phone at (317) 567-0078, while Monti accepts reservations via monti.us or at (317) 602-2037. Whether you are craving a vermouth spritz in Fountain Square or tonnarelli on the north side, the two openings add fresh options to Indy’s neighborhood dining map.
