posted by Shelley
Mass Ave is Indianapolis’ Arts and Theater district — a trendy area where you can find public art displays, galleries, live theater and restaurants. It’s one of the 6 cultural districts in Indy and is billed as, “45 Degrees from Ordinary.” Let me provide 2 ‘Shelley Reviews‘ — a shopping experience, and a dining one…
My son and his wife (Ben & Amber) are looking to buy their first home. What’s that mean to me? It means that I get to browse a bajillion houses and buy lunch after we take home tours. Ben calls it “hanging out” (I’m assuming that’s a bonding phrase) — I call it expensive. After the standard Starbucks pit-stop, we park the car and walk through the Mass Ave business district, thinking about food and checking out the establishments.
A zebra print dresser catches my eye in a storefront — not that I want a zebra print dresser, but simply because I love funky stuff. I figure if they have a zebra dresser, things inside might just be 45 degrees from ordinary. The name of the shop is Interior Life. The owner is a designer that will come to your home, and then shop for you — but they also have a huge selection of items for sale as well. Some things are priced at more than I would spend (a vase for $795 for example), but other items were reasonable. I liked just looking at the way they grouped different accessories, and made a small purchase (which you can see in the photo to the left.) Cool stuff – lots of fun. Shelley’s rating: A
Still hungry, we make our way to a restaurant that Amber suggested called ‘The Scholars Inn.’ She had eaten at one of these before — but didn’t know that this restaurant/lounge had recently been remodeled and totally changed. We’re in shorts and t-shirts expecting a relaxed atmosphere and a mid-priced meal. We got Chef Jake Brenchley and the choice of 9 main courses. Have you ever had celery root and pear soup? Me either!
The food was ok but not spectacular. Ben liked his selection of seared salmon on cucumber lemongrass yogurt, but along with the pork tenderloin I ordered were pods of something and we never did figure out what they were. Ben said they were potatoes and he ate them — but I don’t see potatoes on their menu.
We were seated in a dark area (probably had something to do with the way we were dressed) so the atmosphere was our sole responsibility. We were all alone and it took forever for the guy with shoulder-length hair and one braid down the back to even bring water. The waitress had her lines rehearsed and even moved her hands like a talking head. I’m glad that Ben didn’t offer to help pay the bill — it’s an extra $6.00 to split the check. Sorry Chef Jake — I’ll try someplace new next time. Shelley’s rating: D+