MacNivens Scottish Pub

Celebrating our anniversary, we decided to try a place we couldn't take Ozzy. Since we seem to have noticed a preference of suds-soaked eats, a new pub sounded perfect. Located on Mass. Ave in the heart of Indianapolis, this dark, yet airy downtown hotspot offers "authentic" Scottish food along with an extensive and exotic beer selection.

Since this is a food blog, we decided to order the more obviously Scottish fare. After ordering a tasty beer each, we started with the Scotch Eggs. In a word..... Fried. Lets just take the relatively boiled healthy egg, cover it in a spicy, fatty sausage, coat it in breadcrumbs and deep-fry it. Our hearts quivered in fear. But when dipped in the equally heart-healthy mayo based sauce, we hate to say it was quite tasty.

Libby decided to go with the haggis. Yeah. You heard it right, haggis. The traditional hodge-podge of organ meats and barely, served with mashed potatoes and mashed nips (turnips). To be perfectly honest, it wasn't half bad. She expected to verp, but found herself satiated quite quickly with it's heartiness. This, of course, must be a very americanized version as it was not served in a sheep's stomach (thankfully).

Fred, somehow not satiated with the sausage in the Scotch Eggs, went with more of the same. More sausage, but this time encased in dough, baked and served with beans and steak fries. Talk about belly bomb overload. Not a fan of traditional English food, this was not a palate pleaser. Full bellies with little flavor.

Other items on the menu included the usual bar sandwiches and salads. Upon our next visit (for the beer!), Fred intends to try the only other Scottish/English offering, a chicken curry.

Wrap-up
Price-$$ - $$$
Atmosphere-***, Wood as far as the eye can see. Adds a touch of nostalgia for our old college days in Bloomington
Service-**, The staff were accommodating and knowledgeable.
Overall
Fred - C+, Great beer, nice atmosphere. But maybe just have a drink next time.
Libby - B-, Satisfactory, and saved by it's beer selection.
Ozzy -N/A

BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse

Attention Indianapolis restaurateurs. This is how a first night can be performed, with the right planning and know-how. You would never have known that this was BJ's first night in full operation.

Look forward to art deco decor and an open floorplan, extremely attentive and experienced staff(some flown in from the CA locale), and a menu to rival the Cheesecake Factory...just add BEER! Although our waiter, Michael, had mentioned never "carding" anyone before(Thanks, Sweetie!), he had an experienced shadow. There were many tenured waitstaff roaming about keeping a tight ship in the dining room.

With our knowledge of an actual BJ's brewery involved, we opted for the sampler...strangely, we had to ask as it was not on the beer menu nor mentioned by our waiter. Seven 7 ounce delights before us, we set about to our chosen task! We found that both extremes were quite impressive, but the "Jeremiah Red" and "Nutty Brewnette" options were weak and rather flavorless. Surprising since they are two styles that we normally enjoy. Even more surprising, was that we found their IPA to be pleasant, fruity, and only the hoppy after taste to be against our grain. Favorites would be the "Brewhouse Blonde," "Harvest Hefeweisen," and the "P.M. Porter." After perusing their website http://www.bjsrestaurants.com/, it became clear as to why we might like them more...the brewmaster's tended to favor IPA's and Belgian ales!!! Yay!

On to the food...an enormous menu, seemingly styled by the same marketing team as the Cheesecake Factory...a binder, beautiful pics, and well organized. This place started in 1978 in Santa Ana, CA as a Chicago style pizzeria. Since FLO had just had pizza the night before, we will save that review until our inevitable return! Instead, we opted for the two new chicken dishes, the Parmesan Crusted Chicken Breast and the Balsamic Glazed Chicken Breast.

While Ozzy was verbally appraising the mac 'n cheese as he ate..."That's good, Daddy!" We were doing the same. Fred was notably impressed with his dish. Of course he's a sucker for a wine sauce, but the chicken was perfectly cooked and yielded enough for lunch tomorrow! Libby, in kind, digs a good balsamic, and this one was complimented with a bloomin' onion garnish?! Okay! Both of us found the white cheddar mashed potatoes to be good, but unremarkable. Thankfully, the same cannot be said for dessert.

Pizookie, anyone? Let's just say, does it get any better than a hot, ooey gooey chocolate chunk cookie with two scoops of vanilla bean ice cream? We think not! Reminiscent of the deep dish pizza pan, this witty compliment is served pie style and easy for all to dig in and enjoy. Ozzy was in sugar heaven and was considering licking the hot pan. Touche, BJ.

http://www.bjsbrewhouse.com/

Wrap-up
Price-$$-$$$, You can easily go overboard, but it's well worth it!
Atmosphere-***, Beautiful and open, perhaps a bit loud as Ozzy was acting like he was on meth.
Service-****, Opening night off without a hitch? Our food was to the table within 10 minutes and perfectly cooked? Waitstaff totally accomodating and relaxed? Wow.
Overall
Fred - A, The chicken was perfect, the sauce was excellent and the Pizookie! Would be an A+ for not being too safe with flavors of the majority of the beers.
Libby - A, Our dishes were superb. The service, well thought out and the atmosphere condusive to much beer sampling. Dessert a delight. I look forward to our next visit!
Ozzy -B+, While Ozzy enjoyed the experience, the atmosphere proved to be too much for the boy and the time-outs, a plenty.

Pasquales

Alright. That's it. Next time we'll remember to take a gall-darned picture. It was a beautiful pie too.....

OK. That's out of the way. We decided to try a hole-in-the-wall place that we've driven by for years. To be honest, we didn't have a good reason for not trying it sooner, and we've definitely been missing out. Pasquales, for those of you not native to Indy's south side, is located right across Madison St. from Greenwood Park Mall. Don't blink. You'll miss it.

It's not much to look at from the outside. As a matter of fact, until you see the open sign, you may assume it's not. Inside, it's surprisingly inviting with it's open kitchen and non-imposing size. It's easy to strike up a conversation with the people near you as the seating is reminiscent of a diner. The jukebox, though not loud enough to hear, was actually the only piece of electronics within the dining area. No TV's. No other distractions other than the entertaining view of the staff obviously having a good time preparing pies in the kitchen.

We were happy to see that Ozzy responded very well to his surroundings and seemed more content waiting for his food than we've ever seen him in any other establishment...just humming to himself watching the cooks do their thing. The decor is definitely circa 1980's, but according to the literature, the place has been around since 1953. It was certainly full of regulars carrying out and dining in. People seemed to know each other and what they wanted before they walked in the door.

The pie was ready in 10-15 minutes(pepperoni and anchovies and a kids spaghetti for the wee-man). This was a counter pick-up with self serve beverage/utensils and bus boy set-up. The really fun part was being able to see everything made and served right from the kitchen. There's nothing like watching people in their element, listening to 80's radio and serving up the same thing they've made a thousand times before. While waiting for our food, Fred realized that every other order had contained the breadsticks...hmmm, perhaps an oversight that will be rectified at our next visit.

Now, the food. Fred was still chuckling from the reaction of the chefs once they read the order for anchovies...guess we're in the minority here, as usual. The pizza was 15 inches, their largest. Good. Great sauce, zesty with a strong hint of basil and a crust that had that great chewiness with a crispy outside....a combination that has stood the test of time. When our food arrived, we found the kids spaghetti came with two pieces of garlic bread. Ozzy was silent. He finished both pieces, then moved to the spaghetti...no complaints, no requests, no stopping. Pasquales had already won 4 chevrons from the most finicky of our team! While Fred and Libby found the spaghetti sauce to be too sweet, it was an excellent recipe for any tot.

As beer snobs, the selection was of the typical bud/michelob variety, but coke products sufficed. For those interested, buckets were available to entice patrons to sit and stay awhile.

Wrap-up
Price-$, Cheap eats!
Atmosphere-**, Simple, low-maintenance, yet somehow homey.
Service-**, Self-service. But the staff were very accommodating.
Overall
Fred - B+, Darned good pizza. Wish I'd known about it years ago.
Libby - B, I will definitely be going back. And next time I must try their "famous" meatball sub!
Ozzy -A+, see above.

Shapiro's Deli

Are you ready for a serious reuben???
Well, bring your appetite for some Delicatessen! Shapiro's is the next destination!

I'm sure most of you have heard of the Indy based Jewish Deli established in 1905, famous for their meaty sandwiches on in-house bakery fresh bread. This is not the destination for the weak of appetite. When you enter the cafeteria style line-up, you are hit with about 30-50 different desserts, from lemon meringue pie to layered chocolate cake! Who says save the best for last?!

Then you have generous salads and cold sides, followed by the hot stuff...stuffed peppers, spaghetti, to die for mac-n-cheese, matzo ball soup and of course, made to order sandwiches. Be sure to not let your eyes be bigger than your stomach. Everything in this line is in the "Hungry Man" size.

This once grocery is now in it's 4th generation of leadership. There is a great website at http://www.shapiros.com/ to give you the entire history of this sensational Indy treasure. Come one and all and lets khap a nash!!!

http://www.shapiros.com/

Wrap-up
Price-$$-$$$, a little too pricey for deli food. Careful how much you put on your tray.
Atmosphere-**, Typical cafeteria feel. Normal to be a long line, but well worth the short wait.
Service-**, Self-service. Grab a tray, fill it up, pay at the register and seat yourself! Easy and they clean up tables after you go.
Overall
Fred - B, Too expensive, but what is the true value of the best reuben on the planet?! and dammit my Jewish Mother isn't in town to make matzo ball soup!
Libby - B+, Can I just say I had no idea New York had the genius to make a reuben with slaw?! Love it and must be accompanied by the mac 'n cheese...and a huge piece of any cake...I'm not picky!
Ozzy -B+, Shocking, we know, but Ozzy digs the mac 'n cheese...any dessert will do and he feels free to roam around on the floor under the table without the awkward stares of onlookers...did we mention he's 3?

The Bay Window Restaurant

Another Greenwood strip mall jewel in the rough would be The Bay Window. A quaint tea room with daily specials and a peaceful setting that is not only a family-friendly establishment, but host to many larger gatherings.

The FLO has been going for years and is always eager to hear of the daily homemade quiche choices and soups du jour. If you are looking for a unique breakfast experience, be sure to indulge in the French toast that has been so lovingly marinating in an orange glaze overnight…yeeeeum. Ozzy highly recommends this dessert-like delight. If the quiche is more your speed, be sure to include the cheesy casserole(their answer to hash browns.) Although, invariably it always seems to arrive luke warm.

One particular fun menu item is the “Thanksgiving” entree available everyday. How about some turkey with dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy to hold you off until the holidays roll back around? Not too shabby.

And then, of course, there are the teas. A basket of the pre-packaged variety come to your table…sadly, there are no homemade blends. Although, it would an awesome addition if they did, the FLO has been happy to enjoy the delicious quiches, quiet atmosphere and appropriate portions. We have never left feeling overfull. The amounts are just right and seem to satisfy the entire pallet.

http://www.thebaywindowrestaurant.com/Map.html

Wrap-up
Price-$, very reasonable.
Atmosphere-**, Quiet, no frills, just a few antiques, some tea decorations and that lovely strip mall local.
Service-**, Relaxed and the food is luke warm on many occasions. Waitstaff usually seem inexperienced. Only open for breakfast and lunch.
Overall
Fred - B-, Great breakfast spot for those long Sunday mornings. Bring a paper and chill.
Libby - B-, A dependable place to get some well cooked home style meals in a snobbish presentation. The lack of homemade teas for a very tea-room like establishment eludes me. Very relaxing.
Ozzy -A-, seems to enjoy the several baked goods he has tried. They tolerate his mood swings and always serve with a smile.