Tag: Dining Out

2023 Week 28/29 – Catching Up

What’s Going On:
It’s been busy around the IndyScan household these past 2 weeks. I’m continuing to study & take practice exams for the Amateur Rario license upgrade. It’s all starting to click, and I need to get a better handle on the electronic theory to pass the 35-question exam successfully.

What I’m Eating:
A number of new laws passed last July 1, and one that probably slipped under the radar for a lot of people allows children in Bar areas of restaurants. I, for one, think this is a HUGE mistake & have already witnessed it firsthand. On this particular occasion, the guy was trying to make a point to the wait staff as he loudly explained that he could now bring his child into the 21 and over area.

I choose to sit in the bar area of restaurants to get away from the noise little kids make. They’re kids; that’s what they do. Up until now, I could sit elsewhere, but now it looks like the area of solitude might be coming to an end at some establishments.

The linked article above also states, “Previously the law allowed minors ages 18 to 20 to sit in the bar area specifically for “dining purposes only.”  The amendment removes the age limit.” I did NOT know that was allowed previously! For now, it’s up to the individual restaurant to choose to allow it.

I had pretty much forgotten about Yats for some reason when it popped into my head last weekend. I stopped into the Fishers location and got a half-and-half Chilli Cheese Etoufe and White Bean Chicken Chili with extra bread (of course). It hit the spot!

Speaking of blasts from the past… After the Annual Corporate Challenge at the IMS, I was starving, and Hoagies & Hops happened to be on my way home. I was WAY overdue for a cheesesteak, and it was exactly as I remembered it. I recommend the potato salad if you’re looking to add a side to your sandwich.

What I’m Watching:
I watched the Greyhound (2020) movie on AppleTV+ last weekend, and it gets two thumbs up. It was 90 minutes of nonstop action. Tom Hanks stars in a WWII movie about protecting ships crossing the Atlantic Ocean while being hunted by German U-Boats.

Hijack on AppleTV+ is all about an airline that gets taken over by terrorists and a “negotiator” on the plane that tries to resolve the situation. I’m only 5 episodes in & waiting anxiously for the next episode to drop on Wednesday.

What I’m Reading:
AT&T and Verizon accused of ignoring toxic lead cabling

A Flight Attendant’s 12 Etiquette Rules for Summer Travel

This Surveillance System Tracks Inmates Down to Their Heart Rate

What Else:
Last weekend I was Interviewed by Arnolt Center for Investigative Journalism regarding Police Radio Encryption. Police and Fire agencies throughout the United States are choosing to encrypt their radio traffic, causing increased levels of distrust among the very people they are sworn to protect. In Indiana, a law was passed in 2022 that prohibits the transmission of SSN numbers over unencrypted radio frequencies. That law went into effect on July 1, 2023.

Hamilton County announced they would encrypt their radio traffic “sometime after July 1”. The funny thing is I have been in the hobby a LONG time, and the last time I heard an SSN number read over the air was back when your SSN was your Drivers License number.

In 2004, President Bush signed a law barring states from putting Social Security numbers on new or renewed driver’s licenses, identification cards, or vehicle registrations. The law took effect in December 2005. Indiana has since stopped that practice in favor of an Operator License Number (OLN).

As of today, Hamilton County has not increased the use of encryption on its radio system (they already have encryption enabled for tactical and car-to-car channels where a lot of radio traffic occurs), but full encryption is most likely coming.

And Finally…
Creating “light pictures” from Paper. This is VERY cool!

Chicago – Grand Lux Cafe

It’s the Christmas season and I found myself in Chicago for a one day project management seminar by the David Allen Company.  I drove up the night before and did a little sight-seeing before dinner.

I wanted to go to the Purple Pig but the waiting list was too long especially given the Chicago lake front weather (and the outside waiting area) so I resorted to a family favorite and our preferred dish right down the street.

The Grand Lux Cafe (owned by the Cheesecake Factory) is located on the south side of Michigan avenue right above the Ann Taylor store.  One thing I love about Chicago (and big cities in general) is how they make use of every available square inch of real estate (out of necessity).  You really have to look around or you’ll miss things.

The Grand Lux has several dining areas, one of which is a large round room overlooking Michigan Avenue.  It’s the prime place to sit and worth a short wait to experience it.

Since I was dining by myself it was easy to get a spot at the bar.  After ordering a 312 (one of my favorite Chicago beers) I quickly glanced at the menu.  Since I already knew what I wanted I decided to look for any new additions.

The bartender delivered a large basket of freshly baked multi-grain wheat bread and plenty of butter and I placed my order for the “Shaking Beef” entree.

The Shaking Beef dish contains thinly sliced Beef tenderloin, Red/Green onions, Sauteed with a spicy marinade and Served with steamed rice.  The dish, curiously enough, comes with a small ramekin of citrus (lemon?) juice.  It’s not listed on the menu but it complements the beef and onions very well.

On this visit the beef was tender and very flavorful and had a nice char on the edges.  The green onions were nicely Sautéed as well.  The red onions, however, were VERY strong.  I like onions so for me to say this tells you something.  I could taste the onions 2 hours later even after brushing my teeth.

After the beer, bread and beef i was full.  I almost ordered the New Orleans Beignets (they are OUTSTANDING) but that would have pushed me over the edge and into a food coma.

For $29.36 before tip I think that was a solid meal in a city full of great places to eat.  I’m glad I had a stand-by place because with the low temperatures  and blowing wind I did not have a lot of time to wander around looking for a place to eat.

Grand Lux Cafe on Urbanspoon