Amici's Italian Restaurant, Indianapolis

It's the mid-1980s. In the farmers’ market off South Street, a group of friends discuss a fondness for Sicilian food. The good stuff is hard to come by outside of Sicily or Mom's kitchen. So in a spark of inspiration, the group begins tossing around ideas for Amici's—the Italian word for friends. Today, a central dining room evokes thoughts of marinara with vibrant red walls and burgundy tablecloths. Another dining room decorated with orange angel paintings and deep green walls silently awaits the dinner rush. Over cheery conversation, tables populate with gooey pizzas, calzones, house-made ice cream, and hearty pastas dressed in pesto, pink caper cream, and alfredo sauces. Guests can also retreat to the fenced-in outdoor patio laden with twinkling string lights, which replicate views of the Italian night sky when blinking rapidly.