Indianapolis Spotlight: FortyFive Degrees

🌟 FortyFive Degrees: A Modern Indianapolis Mainstay

FortyFive Degrees is a well-known establishment on Indianapolis’s vibrant Massachusetts Avenue (“Mass Ave”), blending a modern vibe with a diverse menu of sushi and chef-inspired entrees.¹

🎨 What Makes It Unique: The Name and Vibe

• Geographic Significance: The restaurant is named for the 45-degree angle where Massachusetts Avenue and College Avenue intersect.² This unique angle is reflected in the building’s architecture, which features “uniquely angled walls, odd shaped seating areas, and tubular light pendants.”³

   

• Atmosphere: It offers a modern, elegant, yet friendly and accessible environment, often noted for its stylish seating, including an outdoor patio that wraps around the distinctive corner.⁴

   

• Menu Mix: It stands out by being known equally for amazing sushi and a selection of diverse, chef-inspired entrees (non-sushi dishes).⁵

   

• Weekly Specials: They are famous for their regular specials, such as Half-Price Sushi on Sunday and Half-Price Cocktails and Martinis on Thursday.⁶

   

🏛️ History

• Opened: FortyFive Degrees officially opened its doors on June 7, 2008.⁷

   

• Mass Ave Anchor: It brought a new mix of style and cuisine to the Massachusetts Avenue scene, helping to anchor the avenue’s subsequent explosion into a thriving culinary and entertainment district.⁸

   

• Community Impact: The restaurant has a strong commitment to the local community.⁹ Through a loyal customer base and responsible stewardship, it has contributed over $300,000.00 and countless hours to local non-profits over the years.¹⁰ The owner is a long-time supporter of The Damien Center (an organization fighting HIV/AIDS), often participating in events like Dining Out for Life.¹¹

   

🍣 Highlight Menu Items

The menu is extensive, featuring both sushi and a full selection of entrees and small plates.¹²

Specialty Sushi Rolls

• FortyFive° Roll: Spicy crab, cream cheese, cucumber, and avocado, wrapped in soy paper and fully cooked.¹³

   

• Mount Fuji Roll: Shrimp tempura, asparagus, cheesy crab, tempura fried, and topped with volcano sauce and tobiko.¹⁴

   

• Orange Crush Roll: Crab, jalapeño, asparagus, topped with baked salmon, orange slices, spicy mayo, tempura crunch, and plum sauce.¹⁵

   

• Black Widow Roll: Shrimp tempura, cucumber, avocado, topped with seared tuna, sriracha, eel sauce, and tobiko.¹⁶

   

Entrees and Small Plates

• Filet Mignon: Served with wasabi smashed potatoes, crispy shallots, and soy reduction glaze.¹⁷

   

• Bourbon Glazed Salmon: Served with Brussels sprouts and wasabi smashed potatoes.¹⁸

   

• Ahi Tuna: 5-spice rubbed with white rice, carrots, asparagus, basil, and eel sauce.¹⁹

   

• Tuna Nachos: Ahi tuna, wonton chips, pico de gallo, mexi cheese, wasabi mayo, and mango habanero glaze.²⁰

   

👍 Customer Feedback

Customer reviews are generally highly positive, frequently praising the restaurant across all categories:

• Food: Many customers rave about the quality of the food, especially the sushi and the main courses like the Teriyaki Chicken.

• Service & Atmosphere: The staff is often described as amazing, friendly, and welcoming, with the ambiance being noted as great.

• Consistency: Patrons frequently mention that the restaurant “never disappoints” and is a favorite Indianapolis spot.

• Areas for Improvement (Less Common): Occasional feedback mentions slow service during peak times or issues with takeout orders (e.g., incorrect items or delays).

🗓️ Significant Events

While the restaurant itself does not appear to host major annual public festivals, its history is tied to significant events through its community involvement:

• Dining Out for Life: The owner is a key, long-time participant in the Dining Out for Life event in support of The Damien Center, where the restaurant has contributed a generous 50% of a day’s proceeds to the fight against HIV/AIDS.²¹

   

• Weekly Specials: The established and popular weekly specials (Half-Price Sushi/Cocktails) have made it a go-to spot for regular, recurring social events in the Mass Ave area.

📍 Contact Information and Online Presence