Half Bottle Bistro opens on Bloomington's south side; Pinoy Garden food truck operating

Carol Kugler, The Herald-Times
Half Bottle Bistro opened on Bloomington's south side on May 20, 2024.
Half Bottle Bistro opened on Bloomington's south side on May 20, 2024.

Half Bottle Bistro opened its doors on Monday, May 20. The new bistro, at 3155 S. Sare Road, Suite 101, is open 4-10 p.m. daily, offering wine, beer and cocktails alongside shared plates and cheese boards. Abel Garcia, owner and chef at Hoosier Bistro, is chef and Jonathan and Rachel Odell, back in Bloomington after living in Southern California, are owners.

Garcia said the fare will begin with local, seasonal options that pair well with the wines (half bottles of expensive vintages are available) as well as beers and cocktails created using high-end selections. Once the bistro has settled into a routine, Garcia anticipates adding three or four dinner options to the menu.

Jonathan Odell said the vibe for the bistro is a "little breezy, a little tiki," with a wine-forward approach but with selections of bourbon, beers and spirits as well. The food will have salad and vegetable options with large plates for sharing available.

Odell anticipates adding lunch soon, which will eventually allow Half Bottle Bistro to be open 11 a.m.-11 p.m. He hopes to add a brunch menu in time for Indiana University football in the fall.

Half Bottle Bistro is in the Porto Flats apartment complex on Bloomington's south side and has seating for 50 people inside with an additional 50 seats outdoors, including in a pavilion that can be rented for private events.

The interior of Half Bottle Bistro has a casual Mediterranean feel that will pair well with the wine, beer, alcohol and food that will be served at the restaurant that opens to the public on May 20, 2024.
The interior of Half Bottle Bistro has a casual Mediterranean feel that will pair well with the wine, beer, alcohol and food that will be served at the restaurant that opens to the public on May 20, 2024.

Pinoy Garden's food truck now in service

Last year Pinoy Garden served its Filipino food from a booth at Bloomington Food Truck Friday. On May 17, Pinoy Garden was part of Food Truck Friday, but for the first time in its new food truck. Customers at Bloomington Community Farmers' Market may remember purchasing food at the booth on Saturday mornings as well.

Pinoy Garden's food truck is now open and serving fare at Bloomington's Food Truck Friday and elsewhere. Chicken hibachi with fried rice and chicken lumpia are shown here, on May 17, 2024.
Pinoy Garden's food truck is now open and serving fare at Bloomington's Food Truck Friday and elsewhere. Chicken hibachi with fried rice and chicken lumpia are shown here, on May 17, 2024.

For the first Food Truck Friday, owner Maria St. Clair offered chicken hibachi with fried rice, chicken lumpia, crispy pork belly with fried rice, pork barbecue skewers with or without fried rice, ube Halo Halo overload and banana corn yelo, which has sweetened banana, crushed ice, homemade creamed milk and jackfruit.

For the latest, check out Pinoy Garden Cafe on Facebook.

New drink food truck, Sip It, to be part of Food Truck Friday

People enjoy various foods and drinks during Food Truck Friday at Switchyard Park on May 10, 2024.
People enjoy various foods and drinks during Food Truck Friday at Switchyard Park on May 10, 2024.

Sip it, a food truck offering a variety of beverages (nonalcoholic), made its first appearance at the May 17 Food Truck Friday in Switchyard Park. The food truck is based in Lawrenceville, Illinois, just across the Wabash River from Vincennes. It provides more drink options including tea, lemonade, sodas and Lotus Energy drinks. The truck offers more than 70 flavors that can be added to drinks, including the popular plant-based energy drinks.

Contact Carol Kugler at ckugler@heraldt.com

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Half Bottle Bistro and Pinoy Garden food truck open in Bloomington

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