Rune Finesses the Fuss Out of Fine Dining

One of Fort Wayne’s newest eateries, Rune, is modernizing fine dining with a close-to-home flavor that will have curious Indianapolis residents planning a road trip. The flavorful offerings of this neighborhood eatery are, in their words, guided by food and familiarity. The result? Colorful, one-of-a-kind dishes that speak to the culinary influence of midwestern tastes.

With over a decade of experience and a James Beard nomination under his belt,  executive chef and owner Sean Richardson was ready for something new. Rune opened in March of 2024 with a mission to deliver bold flavors through menus influenced by hometown eats and memories of standing at his grandmother’s stove.

“I typed up some menus, bounced around different concepts, kept my mind active, and stayed in touch with what was happening in the culinary world,” said Richardson. 

The restaurant keeps things fresh by cultivating partnerships with local agribusiness owners, as well as culinary specialists like certified foragers. A recent tasting dinner went to support Acres Land Trust, an organization dedicated to preserving natural habitats in the region of northeast Indiana. Their next Tasting Dinner on November 10th will feature 5 courses from guest chef Kaelan McGlade, of another Fort Wayne favorite, Bravas Food. 

On his Instagram event announcement, Richardson said, “Collaboration is always a priority to me. What is the point of having a space if you are unable to share it with your friends? Cooking with other chefs is a source of motivation and inspiration.”

These partnerships take the meals beyond the plate, but they also open avenues for Rune to connect to the surrounding community. Rune plans to continue engaging with the community through a series of tasting dinners, “Taco Fights” with other local chefs, and focused efforts to embody the beloved neighborhood eateries Richardson remembers. 

“I have fond memories of the place I worked at as a teenager being the hub of the town’s happenings…I would love for Rune to take that sort of place. Once we get into more of a flow state, I know there will be lots of fun things to follow.”

Rune’s a la carte rotating dinner menus are inspired by Richardson’s striking imagination and the seasonal produce headlining local farmstands. Following Rune’s debut, guests have enjoyed pillowy parmesan gougeres, crispy tempura oysters, and beef tri-tip steak, drizzled with nectarean demi glace. However, the innovative food is not a solo act. 

Paired with Richardson’s culinary concept is a cocktail menu that can shake up any diner’s appetite. Bar manager Mae Strubel’s technique is emblematic of Rune’s core principles. 

“I really try to let the ingredients guide my decision-making and keep the rest simple,” Strubel said. “It has also been really exciting to me to use savory ingredients that could seem intimidating or unusual in drinks and transform them into cocktails that feel familiar and approachable.”

Rune Restaurant can be found at 2725 Broadway, Fort Wayne, IN. and is open for reservations and walk-ins from 5p.m. to 10p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. You can find upcoming events and exclusive tasting menus by following them on social media @runerestaurant.