Focus is on ‘fresh’ at Pure Eatery

Amy Andrus is a woman with a mission. “We want to prove you can serve food – versus food-like substance – and you can do so affordably, fast and healthy,” she said shortly after the late-June opening of Fountain Square’s latest food establishment.

Pure Eatery, located at 1043 Virginia Ave. in the Murphy Art Center, focuses on local, organic and seasonal products, the results evident in a menu of sandwiches and salads highlighted by such items as the Caprese Panini, made of organic tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, roasted red pepper, arugula and balsamic vinaigrette on ciabatta bread.

Amy Andrus has opened Pure Eatery in the Murphy Art Center in Fountain Square.

Customers are also invited to “build your own fresh honest sandwich,” the menu states, while Andrus provides a few rotating suggestions, depending upon the food available that particular day. One day in early July, that list included the Oven-Roasted Turkey with pesto aioli and Smoked Ham with Rosemary Aioli.

Other staples include the Caponata Flatbread sandwich and the Tarragon Chicken Salad Sandwich. Salads include the Mixed Field Greens, Classic Caesar Salad, and the Salad Trio. Sides include homemade potato salad, pasta salad and seasonal fruit salad.

“This is all about doing business better – and about feeling food about the food you serve people and their children,” said Andrus, a Garfield Park resident whose past experience working for larger restaurant companies left her dissatisfied. She said customers are encouraged to ask about the food and its nutritional quality. “Ask any time, and we’ll give you a well-informed answer,” she said. (Food isn’t her only interest, by the way. A dance instructor, she is also a tap-dancer with the popular local group, The Born-Again Floozies.)

Pure Eatery is located in a spacious, triangular-shaped space next to IndySwank boutique, with a considerable amount of the wall space committed to local art. Curator Ben Langebartels will rotate the exhibits, which in July featured large pieces by popular local artist Quincy Owens.

There’s also a cozy corner featured furniture made by Langebartels, who specializes in using recyclable materials. The chairs are made with rehabilitated bicycle tires and inner tubes, while a tree trunk forms the core of a coffee table.

Pure Eatery is open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. After a successful soft opening which Andrus said “drew a really good response,” a more formal grand opening was planned for late July.