Douglas "The Mayor" B.'s Profile

I went out on a late, snowy, cold December night looking for a place just to chill and have a drink.  When you're on Mass Ave you kind of expect a certain kind of feel when you go into a venue.  Ball and Biscuit delivers.  It is a hybrid modern lounge/old school speakeasy.  How does that happen you may ask?  

On the lounge side, the decor consists of a number of classic (very comfortable btw) older style chairs and couches and tables.  The exposed brick walls look like the contractor forgot to wipe away the extra filling, but it gives it a texture that you don't see often that is actually pretty cool.  The exposed ceilings finish the industrial New York feel.  There is low lighting, I can't remember, but there may have been candles too.  Either way, it was enough to see who you're talking to without straining at all.  

On the bar side, you'll find a number of high tables and a small, but comfortable bar space that was very well put together and efficient.  I liked the food menus being written in chalk for some reason.  I guess it's because that means it changes and you never know what you'll get.  I have yet to eat there, but the selections sounded perfect for the venue and looked pretty good from the plates I checked out.

Bartenders and waitstaff were all easygoing and friendly.

Ball and Biscuit is good for groups (probably no larger than 8) or one on one date spots.  I almost forgot the thing that impressed me the most...the music.  They played Cody Chestnutt and The Roots!  While it's background music and not at a volume that you're going to get up and break it down, the fact they played a diverse range of music was appreciated.  Thumbs up!

So I wasn't sure I wanted to let this hidden gem out, but it wouldn't be fair to keep something like this to myself.

Carniceria Guanajuato is one of those simple, very unassuming places nestled right off the grid.  The place is a literally a Mexican grocery store.  The don't speak much English, but that's really unnecessary because the menu consists of 4 choices.  Tacos, tortas and burritos and this really great corn with cheese and pepper.  Of course you have options on what meats you choose (chicken, steak or pork) and there it is.  

The eating area is like a diner that you find on diners, dives and drive-ins.  You can sit at the counter top tables and see the 3-4 workers chopping the meat, putting your order together and presenting what will be some of the most authentic tasty food you can get this side of the border.  It's really fast and sooooo fresh.  You'll probably never want to eat chain Mexican restaurant food again after this.

It's really close to Lucas Oil Field, so if you're going to a Colts game and want to grab something quick and filling.  This is your spot!

On a hot day like today who wants to be outside? I took my son and his friend to Woodland bowl this afternoon. They have a program where kids can bowl free. All we had to do is sign up to recieve the coupons, print them and take them in. I bought them both lunch for less than $10. It was nice to have a cheap indoor activity today.

I really enjoy working with Key  Graphix.  Shelly and Tom are two of the easiest people to work with and always produce high quality results.  Key Graphix did business cards for me and are putting a vehicle wrap on my BMW for my business.  Now I have to say that my car is my other child and I wouldn't just trust it with anybody, but I have all the confidence in the world that the finished product will be great.  

I have seen banners, vehicle wraps, decals, stickers, roll out banners, window treatments for other companies and they are impressive.  

The creativity and ideas allow your imagination to run wild and they give realistic time lines for work to be completed and consult you on a plan of attack.  If you do any advertising for your business, Key Graphix is a great place to consider to help.

Marco's is a pretty nice restaurant...if you can find it.  But that's part of the charm.  Most people pass by it all the time on the busy intersection of 54th & Keystone and don't know it exists.  

Marco's has a great $10 Tuesday special that comes with filet, a greek house or ceasar salad and a side.  I usually get the baked potato.  I'm a pretty big guy, but the portions are a good size to fill you up without feeling like you can't move afterward.  

On any other night, you'll find a pretty interesting menu with items that you won't normally find at your average steakhouse.  The fish is always surprisingly fresh and the Chicken Oscar is a winner winner chicken dinner.

The venue itself is cozy and dark.  It reminds me of a place where the Rat Pack might hang out and smoke cigars at the bar after a show.  The decor has a lot of wood and leather that gives it a 1950's feel.  If you're going with a group of more than 6, I would suggest making reservations (definitely make reservations on a Tuesday) as the seating is somewhat limited.  During the warmer months, the patio is a nice place to hang out and have a glass of wine and spend a few hours.  

They have a very nice wine selection and the bartenders are friendly and pour good drinks.  I've always had good experiences here.

The first time I attended an event at The Mavris building, I immediately fell in love with this venue.  It happened to be the 4th of July and it just happened to be a perfect place to see all the fireworks.  Building is set just southeast of downtown, and you have full line of site to the downtown skyline.  

The first floor resembles an art gallery, but it is such a functional space that it can be used for just about anything.  I've seen pool tables brought in, DJ booths, artwork and stages set up. The high beamed ceilings and the beautiful wood flooring throughout give any event held there instant credibility.  The view is great and depending whether you're on the second or third floor, the view just gets better and better the higher you go.  

This was definitely on my short list for wedding venues and the wedding planner you work with over there was very thorough.  I always look forward to seeing John Mavris when I go in as he is a really personable guy and generally in attendance at the venue.  

The pictures right now don't do the venue justice. This place is DEFINITELY a place you have to go to if you get the chance.

The great thing about Chateau Thomas Winery is that you can taste most of the wines before you buy them.  The staff there all seem like they went to Wine college as they are extremely knowledgeable about what kinds of wines you'd like after telling them what you have a taste for.

I typically like sweeter wines, but I'm open for anything good and I was pleased to discover some new, more bitter reds that I ended up enjoying.  You can find a lot of the wines in the local liquor and grocery stores if you you don't need the full on winery experience.

If you do go, you'll find the tasting room is very open and inviting and like most wineries, they have a very homey, rustic appeal.  The place is actually really big and has all kinds of different rooms for you to wonder around in and take a stroll as you peruse the extensive wine selection.  

The place is a nice 20-30 minute hike from Metro Indy, but really easy to get to as it is right off of I-70.  With that being said, they do have a location in Fishers, so it's convenient for the north siders.

Every time I've been to Morty's I've had a good time and had a pretty good laugh.  I mean, it's a comedy joint and you don't really go into a place like that and expect to have a bad time.  

The venue itself has a good, cozy set up and it's always been clean and a nice atmosphere.  I haven't been for a show since they have been under new ownership, but the layout is still the same.  A big plus is the fact that it's a non-smoking venue.

The food and drinks are pretty decent and what you would expect although I was impressed with the fried calamari.  I was leery about ordering it, but the waitress said it was solid, so I gave it a try and it did the job.

The acts they bring in are mostly regional, but I have seen some national comedians perform there as well.  They must have some kind of "funny or not" screening for their comedians because I've never left feeling like the acts just weren't funny.

The IMS is an experience everybody should have at least once in their lives!  The whole month of May pretty much is dedicated to the Indy 500 and it is truly the greatest race in the world.  Join the 500,000 race fans that flock to Speedway, Indiana every year to share in the electric atmosphere.  

I have been to all the races many times over the years and every year I see something new.  The IMS is the premier track in the world and home to Nascar's Brickyard 400 and the International bike race the Moto GP.  All unique experiences and crowds in themselves.  

I would highly recommend bringing a cooler and bringing your own food and drinks if you don't want to be limited to the gourmet track options.  Those generally consist of hot dogs, corn dogs, popcorn, pretzels, soda and the not so healthy end of the food spectrum.  But then again, it's all part of the experience.  

Some people camp out for the weekend or take buses into the track and some take their cars into the infield which is always nice for shade and a place for cover.  Bring sunblock and an umbrella because it's either going to be blazing hot or rainy...sometimes both in the same day!  

Avid race fan or not, this is something to see and with the admission to the infield only being $20 it's something that can fit any budget.

If the wedding bells are on your mind, or you're just looking for some bling to spice up your life, you need to make a stop into Kirles Jewelers.  Jewelery is pretty much jewelry anywhere you go, but at Kirles you get the customer service that makes you feel like what YOU want is important.  

I had the pleasure of meeting with Pete, the owner, and if he's there, you'll get why they've been in business for so long.  There was no pressure to buy anything and it seemed more like a jewelry consultation.  This is not a Jared, or Kay Jewelers kind of place where they just give you something that everybody else has.  I loved checking out all the custom pieces and the watch selection was really something you wouldn't expect from a store this size.  

While I was there just checking things out, they cleaned my Tungsten wedding ring and it really made a difference.  Take your ring in for a cleaning and just see what they have to offer.