Enjoying the Indy metro area

Mayberry Cafe

Last weekend we finally had a chance to stop at the Mayberry Cafe in Danville, Indiana.   We've talked about it for a couple of years as we passed through town and chuckled at the police car parked out front.  

 If you watched the Andy Griffith Show when you were growing up, you would enjoy this quaint little restaurant on the town square.  From the pictures of contestants in the "Opie look-a-like contest" to the TVs playing back to back episodes of the show, you feel like you stepped back in time.

The food was nothing fancy, what you might call Midwestern "plain food"  that is just simple and good!  After enjoying meatloaf and pizza, we decided our waistlines didn't need dessert though we regretted that decision when we saw the strawberry shortcake and chocolate turtle cake delivered to the table next to us.  And yes, we got a small citation for not ordering dessert...

If you enjoy small town America, you should check out this town!  After lunch we wandered around the town square checking out an art gallery, an antique store and other small shops.  Great way to spend a lazy Saturday afternoon.  And as a side note, the last time we were at this courthouse was 5 years ago when we got our marriage license...

County courthouse

We spent the next day at a huge neighborhood flea market at Woodruff Place in Indianapolis.
















Woodruff Place is a beautiful older neighborhood with wonderful boulevards and amazing older homes.  It was founded in 1872 as a 77 acre residence park, and it was originally an incorporated town and later annexed by the city of Indianapolis.    Woodruff Place is included on the National Register of Historic Places.

While Mike shopped the flea market, I wandered around the neighborhood with my camera and found a few things you just don't see in today's neighborhoods...

Huge flower pot on the boulevard

Lion guarding Woodruff Place

Mikie and Garfield at the flea market. What can I say?

Wrought iron gazebo

Our 5th anniversary!

We also had a great evening at St. Elmo's Steakhouse in downtown Indy celebrating our 5th wedding anniversary.  It was my first experience dining at this famous steakhouse, and it was awesome!  Continuously operating since 1902, you felt like you stepped into the horse and buggy days with the great photos of an older city lining the walls.

Of course we had to try their famous shrimp cocktail. For many years I heard tales of their cocktail sauce from my colleagues who ate at St. Elmo's during our company's merger with Indy Life.   I loved it!   The flavor was incredible if you just ignored the fact that your eyes were watering from the punch of the horseradish!  And of course the steaks excellent and so tender they could melt in your mouth.  And then there was the wine...All in all a great dining experience for this special occasion.  

I hope you are having a great weekend and enjoying the sights and sounds of your own city!
Diane