New Restaurant The Pretender Brings 1970s Hi-Fi to Downtown Noblesville

Clancy’s Hospitality welcomes the latest in their family of restaurants, and this one is built for immersive listening and curated plates. The Pretender, named after the 1976 Jackson Browne song of the same title, is a Japanese-style Hi-Fi bar in downtown Noblesville, complete with a state-of-the-art sound system and elevated cocktail menu. The intimate space is designed for intimate conversation on lush sofas and easy listening over dinner for serious audiophiles trying to experience the music with friends.

Working with Uncanned Music founders David Allen and Scott McNeice, the space will features a dedicated DJ booth which offers bar space as front row seat for guest DJs, a vintage reel-to-reel machine, and a world-class sound system powered by McIntosh amplifiers and Tannoy Hi-Fi speakers.

Fountain Room Executive Chef Ricky Martinez has designed a multi-course menu to complement the cozy atmosphere and low lighting. Starters are perfectly designed for sharing- think a bubbling cauldron of fondue, deviled eggs topped with crispy rice noodles and served on vintage ceramic, goat cheese warmed in tomato and basil and served as bruschetta. Their rock shrimp is a favorite of owner Blake Fogelsong– tempura fried and tossed in a sweet and sour siracha, the perfectly fried shrimp is crispy on the outside and perfectly tender in the center. They serve it up in a crystal goblet, a presentation befitting of a real showstopper.

Martinez also revives familiar favorites from the Bottleworks location, like the Brie Brûlée, which combines a honey-whipped brie crema, pistachios, and cocktail cherries for layers of decadent flavor. Fans of the Fountain Room will also recognize the lobster bisque, in their soups and salads section. For those looking for a little something different, the beets and peaches salad balances tangy goat cheese, tart peaches, and meaty beets that have been soaked in some mysterious way to the perfect texture. The arugula salad is topped of with sweet and crunchy pumpkin seeds that have been candied in brown sugar.

For entrees, the short ribs come served on a massive bone, if only to let the meat fall off in front of you. The snapper veracruz shows the skill of the kitchen as it comes out tender and meaty, and finished in a Veracruz sauce loaded with olives. Those in search of lighter fare should go for the ham and brie melt, which is worth the trip all on its own.

Although the full menu dances into the realm of upscale dining, Pretender is designed with casual listening in mind. To that end, cocktails and light bites are on the table, and all the drinks are chart toppers. Their Green-Eyed Lady mixes tequila with lime and marischino cherry for a twist on tequila sour. The Jesus Is Alright, named after the Doobie Brothers song, is a more floral gin-based cocktail served in a chilled nick and Nora glass. Truly, the drinks menu is extensive, so there’s something for everyone.

The Pretender team has just begun greating guests with their soft launch on July 30th. They’ve already released a DJ lineup which runs through the end of August, and have built a devoted Spotify account for folks wanting to listen along to their house playlists.

The Pretender is now open at 818 Logan Street in Noblesville, Monday through Thursday 4p.m. to 10p.m., Friday and Saturday 4p.m. to 11p.m., and Sunday 4p.m. to 9p.m.