Marcie "The Beach Bum" M.'s Profile

Well, I don't typically do buffets (I pronounce it: boof-et) unless I'm at an all-inclusive resort in the Caribbean, but there is something about Chinese that screams, "you must eat buffet!"  It's like you can't get enough or something.  While visiting my in-laws this weekend, we decided to hit up Janbo's a local Chinese buffet.

Upon entering, I was pleasantly surprised to see a nicely decorated, simple clean restaurant.  It wasn't too smelly (like some Chinese places).  The servers got us our drinks quickly and we dug into the buffet.

I tried EVERY kind of chicken dish - sweet and sour, chicken w/broccoli, fried chicken legs, cashew chicken, honey chicken, general tso's chicken.  They were all delicious except for the chicken w/broccoli.  B/c this is my favorite Chinese chicken dish I was sad, but all the other options made up for it!  :)  

I also love crispy crab rangoons and these too, hit the spot.  It was a good balance of cream cheese in the middle to crunch.  For a sweet tooth, there was a variety of fried treats, pudding and soft serve ice cream.  What is it with Chinese buffets and soft serve?  I don't know but I'm happy it exists!

The buffet was well-stocked, replenished quickly and all the food was steamy hot, fresh and delicious.  I enjoyed it very much, especially b/c I could go back for more more more and of course, try as many chicken dishes as I wanted! :)  

For a non-buffet fan, I would definitely go back.  I only give it three stars, b/c...well, it's a buffet (how good can it be?) and how do you screw up chicken w/broccoli? Sad times!

If you live in the Ville, it's definitely worth checking out this West side eatery.

This is still one of my fave places for a good (not overly expensive) meal.  Lately, my new faves on the menu are the fresh taco salad - it is seriously wonderful and comes out with crisp chips, fresh veggies and homemade ranch!! I may have to run over there and get one today!

I also had their wings last weekend and they.were.incredible.

This is definitely a "go to" when my hubs and I can't decide where to go for dinner b/c there is something on the menu for everyone and we can always find something enjoyable to dive into. :)

I will continue to go back - I think the staff is starting to recognize me.  Could I be a semi-regular?

Well, I have to say, I am disappointed.  The last time I was at Scholar's was for brunch before a showing of Lion King.  Yes, my review is a bit delayed.  I was about 30 weeks pregnant and looking VERY forward to an incredible brunch with my mom, sister and grandma before heading off to a fantastic Broadway show.  

Our waitress was new...clearly (though she didn't say this).  On Sunday mornings, they typically offer a half priced mimosa menu, but low and behold the TRUE mimosa (orange juice and champagne) is NOT included in the "half priced options" so even though our waitress knew my sister wanted to get something half off, she didn't bother to clarify when my sister ordered the basic mimosa.  She was forced to pay $8.50 for OJ/champagne.  LAME.

On top of that, she didn't bring my fruit plate and charged me for it and genuinely was uninterested in our table. I am not a fan of someone else delivering my food and our waitress never coming to check on us until it's more than halfway eaten.

I did enjoy my $9.00 french toast, but there was something cold about my entire experience that really turned me off.

This is incredibly disappointing b/c Scholar's used to be a fun, unique treat!  Now, it's just an overpriced, badly staffed, horribly decorated (who came in with the millions of yards of velvet!?!?) restaurant.  

My affair with this Mass Ave. institution is O-VER.

I had been wanting to try Oakley's for months (since I read about it on Yelp, thank you, Yelpers!) and about three weeks before Max was born, we headed out the whole 2 miles from our house (yes, this little gem was hiding out just around the corner for the entire five years we have lived here!) to experience the fabulousness that is Oakley's Bistro.  Tucked in a small strip mall (I know, right?  Not ideal but...it works!), it doesn't have a ton of curb appeal, but once inside, the trendy, romantic atmosphere prevails.  Don't let the parking lot scare you away or trick you into thinking this is a cheap dining (as bistro might let on).

My husband and I were seated promptly on a Friday night on a cool summer evening in early August.  It was a great location with a view of the whole dining room AND the kitchen (like that!).  Our waiter (I can't remember his name but his girlfriend had just recently had a baby) was prompt, polite and recommended incredible choices from the menu.

I do remember arguing with hubs about which appetizer to get, but we settled (and by settled, I mean, I got my way) on the Lobster Waffle.  We had to try it, after all - who puts lobster in a waffle?  All I can say is ...wow.  Heaven in my mouth (I am writing this review SOLELY for the waffle, I won't lie - you MUST go there now and get it).  It came in a skillet, hot out of the oven, full of a deliciousness I cannot fully describe!  Large chunks of lobster, an incredible sauce all mixed together with some amazing veggies IN A WAFFLE!! Who knew?!?!  I certainly did not, but let me tell you, I could have eaten another for my entree.

My entree ...while good, was not as delectable as the lobster waffle (but I suppose, I may have blown the load on the appetizer!) :).  I got the Fettuccini with veal meatballs.  It was good, but a bit on the salty side and I am a HUGE fan of this particular spice, so I was a bit overwhelmed.  I thought the sauce lacked SOMETHING, though at the time, I could not place it.  I would not get it again.

My husband got the Duck and Duck and he thought it was great.  I went to try it and he nearly stabbed my pregnant paw with his fork before allowing me a (small) bite.  It was mouth-watery and delicious.  I was incredibly jealous of his meal.  

We skipped dessert.  Our bill was still out of our pre-baby budget at right over $100 with tip but I absolutely enjoyed my "last supper" and would definitely go back!!

I recommend Oakley's for anyone looking for something unique, original, small and intimate in Indy.  Great for a small group (maybe 4-8 people), a third (hello - home run, boys!) date, or a nice girls' night out.  They have a wine list that I did not partake in but was very interested, and I think that if you have the money, you should spend it here instead of a typical chain hell hole that encompasses the roads of Indianapolis.

On a nice summer day in June, I took my sister-in-law and her two kids to the Children's Museum.  Our favorite part was the dinosaur exhibit where we experienced a thunderstorm and light show that took us back in time to a place where the world changed and the dinosaurs lived and became extinct. They have fantastic replicas of T-Rex and many other meat-eating reptiles.  

They also have a dinosaur dig for the kids - though I did think it was probably a bit germy and wished they had more sanitizing areas.

Along with that, we enjoyed the Fireworks of Glass exhibit and got to see the actual costumes from the latest Star Wars movie (though I though this exhibit was lackluster at best).

There is a little something for everyone and although we missed the King Tut show, I think it would have been well worth it.  A yearly pass is affordable with all the changing exhibits offered and I think when Max gets older, we will definitely partake so we can go anytime.  I definitely recommend it for adults and kids.  Very enjoyable and a nice gem for Indy to have!

I am not a cupcake-obsessed person as so many people have become over the last couple of years.  I feel like all of a sudden cupcakes are trendy and the treat of the stars, and I have avoided getting too attached to them b/c I am more traditional and enjoy the likes of cookies and brownies (out of the box or sliced and baked in the oven) to overpriced pieces of cake.  

But...my ways are changing - mostly do to the girls I met on the Destination Weddings chat board from The Knot.  Oh yah, I said it - I have internet friends.  In either case, over the last few years, I have met most of the girls I love and adore in person and we are super close...and in that closeness, we have a shared joy and love of cupcakes.  They still love them more than me, but it's definitely becoming addicting!

With each get together, we pass out our favorite treats from the cities we live in and the last two visits from the Chicago area have brought me closer and closer to Sweet Mandy B's.  So close, in fact, that my next trip to the Windy City will definitely include a detour to this fabulous place for a one-on-one, in person visit!

I am a HUGE chocolate lover and I adore the thick, light deliciousness that is the chocolate icing, thickly layered over moist, succulent chocolate cake the size of a large man's fist.  Absolutely mouth watering!  The red velvet is also unforgettable and the vanilla cupcake is incredibly delightful!

I assume that all the other choices are equally as fabulous and cannot wait to venture out of my comfort zone and try a variety of cake in a cup. YUUUUM.  Cannot wait for my next visit to see Sarah, so we can dive into another dozen from Sweet Mandy B's.

I would like to give Taste 3.5 stars....Yelp should consider that :).

In either case, I like Taste.  If you going during lunch, get there before 11:30.  That is when the rush hits.  It's a long wait no matter what, as they make most things to order (even if it's pre-made, it takes awhile).  If you are patient, the wait is worth it for fresh deli selections and fabulous from-scratch desserts.

I am a fan of the many cookies and brownies...So fresh, soft and moist.  And, IMO, not badly priced (usually between $1.50 and $3.00 depending on what you get).  But they also have so many fruit desserts, torts, puddings and breads. Seriously, a carbohydrate lover's wet dream.

I always get the chicken salad and it's FANTASTIC!! I love the bread to chicken salad ratio and the sandwich is large...It's enough to just get the sandwich, but I always splurge on the fries with Parmesan cheese and mayo based dip.  I have no idea what's in that dip, but it MAKES the fries.  It's the only reason I get the fries - so I have something to dip in that fabulousness!

I would definitely recommend this place, but keep in mind, there is always a long line and always a wait for the food.

It's decently priced and I am a fan overall :).

Carters Outlet is a-maaay-zing.  It has a large selection of boys and girls clothes and is VERY reasonably priced.  The quality is great, holds up well in the wash and is in a variety of colors.  For a new mom, with a very quickly growing boy, it's nice to have a place that will easily exchange for larger sizes with no issue (b/c your child never had a chance to wear it in the smaller size) and that has a lot of selection for both sexes.  As a parent of a boy, it sucks going into a department store or the likes of Target only to be sorely disappointed b/c there are only two racks of boys clothes amongst the 25 racks of girls' choices.  I know girls clothes are cuter, but give me a break!! We have to clothe our boys too!

Carters Outlet solves all my problems with one whole HALF of the store all about boy...in lots of browns, greens, blues, oranges, greys and black ...love the choices!

Also, they are super affordable!! For growing kids, this is a must!  For kids who only wear their stuff for a few weeks or months, it's nice to not break the bank on adorable clothes.  Annnd, if you sign up on their website, there are always coupons being emailed.  Not only that, but usually the store is boasting 40-50% off sales especially around the holidays.

The one thing I do wish they would do more of are the zipper sleepers, but I'm not really complaining - just suggesting :).  It's a great place.

Good for children from Newborn to 5T. It's a must go!!

I admit, I normally spend upwards of $100+ for a massage, but because I am pregnant and going more often, I thought it might not be a bad idea to check Massage Envy out and consider their "wellness plan" - $39 a month and then discounts on additional massages.  I called and made an appointment a week or so ago.

The woman on the phone was very pleasant and explained the program and I went into the first massage on Friday with an open mind.  I arrived and the Tranquility Room was set up in a nice area with a couch and two chairs.  It was not as nice as my typical spa choices, but it was OK.  

I waited for my massage therapist (they have four certified in prenatal and I was scheduled without a choice) who came in and barely introduced herself.  She escorted me to my room and told me to get ready and she would be back in a minute.

From the beginning, I was on edge.  I am 8 months pregnant.  She didn't ask me any questions about my needs.  She didn't even ask me how I was.  She asked me to lay on my back for the first portion of the massage.  I agreed only b/c this is still a comfy position for me but I am not really supposed to be on my back at this stage of my pregnancy for very long.  I didn't expect to be on my back very long but after about 10 minutes or so, I got very uncomfortable. I was CLEARLY uncomfortable and she did very little ease the discomfort.  I asked for my water so I could have a drink and sat up.  She didn't tell me I could switch positions even though I told her I didn't want to be on my back.  I was feeling VERY hot in the room and needed to switch.  She continued the massage despite that I was up on my elbows needing to roll over.

Finally, I rolled over to my left side, feeling better, but not great.  I don't expect a massage therapist to talk to me for the entire 50 minutes, but the fact that she never asked me ANYTHING, or even how far along I was, really put me off.  She was very impersonal and it came off as "uncaring".  I could not relax and could not enjoy the massage.

I got exactly what I paid for...a cheap ass, bullshit $39 massage.  I would not recommend this to a pregnant person or ANY person if this is how the massage therapists in this location act.  I really had no interest signing up for the "wellness" program after that.

Once the massage was over, she said she would meet me in the hallway and just pointed toward the exit to tell me they would take care of me out there.  Thank god it was over.  I will just suck it up and pay for a decent massage.  I suppose on some level, there is a reason Michelle works at Massage Envy and not a proper salon.

I am essentially my sister's wedding planner and have secured many of the vendors for her big event.  There aren't that many options in Indianapolis for a decent suit/tux store, so we went to the one place we knew could handle a larger order with no issue.

Unfortunately, other than our VERY first experience, the customer service has been shitty at best.

Luke, the manager of the Northside store location had to take over the order of 10 gray suits for my sister after the first woman left their store.  Andi was great, but Luke is not good at his job.

My sister was required to secure all the sizes of the suits, addresses for where they would need shipped and 50% payment in advance to order the suits.  She did all this in a matter of two-three days. The order was placed and Men's Wearhouse never bothered to tell her they were in.  She has consistently called to follow up and went into the store in person to give the information to Luke, who then was supposed to mail out the correct size to the guy in the correct city.

Whenever she is at work, I handle the small details, so I called to follow up this week to find out where the suits were.  They were still "in house".  Luke didn't realize it was "urgent" since Audra's wedding is not until September.  This is UNACCEPTABLE.  She has paid IN FULL for the suits and the guys will need to get them altered.  He said he would send them.

We just found out today that two of the guys who have gotten their suits received the WRONG size.  Really?  Is it that hard to mail the correct suite to the correct guy?  Apparently it is.  

Luke and his store of minions are idiots.  I would avoid it at all costs and would never recommend Men's Wearhouse to any bride, especially if she wants to avoid stress.