Lennie’s
1795 East 10th St.
Bloomington, IN 47408
http://www.lenniesgourmetpizza.com/
Facebook Page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bloomington-IN/Lennies/156042808737?ref=sgm
If you live in Bloomington, are an IU student or alum, you have probably been to Lennie’s. Located across from the Ashton Dormitory that is being completely rebuilt, it is a meeting place for family, friends and professors in the heart of the Indiana University campus. Lennie’s is one of the many countless restaurants in Bloomington that adds to making it one of the greatest college towns in the United States. Recently, I had a chance to visit Lennie’s to see how little things had changed since I graduated from IU eleven years ago.
What I Got:
Drink: Vision Weiss (Imperial Pint 22oz. $4.75). Lennie’s and the Bloomington Brewing Company are owned by the same owner and the beer selection adds to make the Lennie’s experience even more unique. The Vision Weiss is a summer ale with a banana, clove and vanilla flavor. You may be thinking it sounds weak, but it provides a lite summer taste with punch and comes highly recommended. For only $9.75, you can order the half gallon Growler unique to Lennie’s and the Bloomington Brewing Company. IU was not named the #1 party school for nothing.
Roasted Garlic Focaccia ($6.50): The focaccia is homemade and is baked with garlic, rosemary, caramelized onions and kosher salt. It is served with marinara sauce, a roasted garlic bulb that is so soft that you can smear it across the top of the bread and some extra virgin olive oil to top it off. It’s a great appetizer for four people to split and share at the table.
Stromboli: ($10.25): There are five different versions you can order, but I went with the Supreme including Italian sausage, pepperoni, green pepper, white onions and mushrooms. I am not sure why it is called a Stromboli because it is constructed as a calzone. The “Stromboli” was baked to perfection and I enjoyed the pocket it created to hold all of the filling. Unfortunately, it was a bit dry and needed some cheese. Although I still enjoyed it, I was disappointed in the fact that I was looking forward to a true Stromboli and not a calzone.
Mushroom & Chicken Tortellini ($15.00): This dish is extremely rich with the cheese filled tortellini and alfredo spinach sauce mixed with fresh mushrooms and a herb roasted chicken that was tender and retained its seasoning through the richness of the dish. It is baked and the cheese on the top creates a crust that tops the dish off. A great choice for a main course and you will get two meals out of this $15 portion.
Would I Buy It Again? Yes, 100%. I have only nominated one restaurant, another Bloomington favorite, Dagwood’s Sub Shop for the WIBIA Hall of Fame and Lennie’s comes close to earning a nomination. Everything I have had there I would buy again, including some of their salads and excellent pizzas that I did not review. Saving room for their homemade dessert is a must and I just did not have the room this time.
I like my coffee strong and Lennie’s delivers a stout tall cup of Joe that goes well with any of their desserts, making Lennie’s a meeting place for many student groups and professors. Service is usually excellent provided by some of IU’s best students. Lennie’s is small and long waits can occur during peak meal times.
If you are visiting Bloomington, want to support local business and are having a difficult time choosing a place to eat, Lennie’s has a little bit of everything for everyone.
-EatHSE
