Take this as just a rumor at this point, but possibly breaking news over the next few days if the rumor is indeed true. Sources wishing to remain anonymous, have reported that IU Basketball Junior A.J. Ratliff has left the IU Basketball Program. No word as to what factors may have been involved in his departure (if true) but the former Indianapolis North Central High School Star has struggled to find consistency in his game under new IU coach Kelvin Sampson, is averaging 9.5 points per game.
Again, at this point there are no details and this should be just considered a rumour. Any further details that are uncovered will be posted as soon as possible.
Indiana's current record stands at 8-3 with their next opponent at home against Ball State on Saturday.
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Thursday, December 21, 2006
Longhorn Steakhouse
The Longhorn Steakhouse (721 South College Mall Road; 812-334-1600) is one of Bloomington's newest restaurants. Having finally had the opportunity to visit the restaurant, I was looking forward to checking it out. First, I must stress that we took a large party (about 20 adults) on this particular visit as this was more of an annual Christmas party for us.
It is important to note that we wouldn't recommend the Longhorn Steakhouse for large party visits. We were unfortunate enough to be there on a day where there was another large party dining in. Although we had reservations, we were the smaller party and they just don't have the seating for more than one large party at a time. We were kind of shoved into the back corner and unfortunately had to be spread out a bit from each table since they couldn't really be combined into one as it would have virtually cut off the bath rooms. The restaurant wasn't extremely busy, being a week night and straight up 5:00pm the dinner rush hadn't really kicked in. We were spread out over 4 tables (2 were combined giving us 3 actual seating spaces) and divided off in three groups and ordered our food. They gave us two servers to handle our service, but the service was incredibly slow although very pleasant and friendly.
In total, we ordered many different items and I can say we got a pretty good sampling of the menu. There were no complaints about the drinks that were chosen (about half of us ordered alcoholic beverages) and the drinks arrived relatively quickly after being ordered. We sampled several appetizers including their "Texas Cheese Fries" and "Firecracker Chicken Wraps". The appetizers arrived and there were no complaints, everyone was hungry and they all were good eats. Dinner orders were then taken, and the real wait began, because dinners arrival was incredibly slow.
When the food finally arrived, it wasn't complete. Dinner basically arrived in waves and it was disappointing because basically 12 of each table got their dinners and were half-way finished before the other half received theirs. The wait was almost worth it as the food was really good, no one reported an unsatisfactory meal. The only complaint about the food that is recalled was that a table favorite the steak with lobster tails were a tad small for the price, but apparently the flavor made up the difference fairly quickly. One guest meal arrived and was incorrect and had to be redone, that took quite sometime and they ended up taking most of it to go. Deserts were also ordered by a few and again no complaints. The one bright point about the service, the manager complimented the deserts which was about a $30 savings I would guess.
All in all the food was excellent and I suspect that a smaller party would have had a better experience. It was just a shame that the service was very slow and there were a few other minor problems added on. All in all the experience was fair, and wouldn't deter me from visiting again.
Overall Rating: 2
Rating Scale: 1=Poor, 2=Fair, 3=Ok, 4=Good, 5=Excellent
It is important to note that we wouldn't recommend the Longhorn Steakhouse for large party visits. We were unfortunate enough to be there on a day where there was another large party dining in. Although we had reservations, we were the smaller party and they just don't have the seating for more than one large party at a time. We were kind of shoved into the back corner and unfortunately had to be spread out a bit from each table since they couldn't really be combined into one as it would have virtually cut off the bath rooms. The restaurant wasn't extremely busy, being a week night and straight up 5:00pm the dinner rush hadn't really kicked in. We were spread out over 4 tables (2 were combined giving us 3 actual seating spaces) and divided off in three groups and ordered our food. They gave us two servers to handle our service, but the service was incredibly slow although very pleasant and friendly.
In total, we ordered many different items and I can say we got a pretty good sampling of the menu. There were no complaints about the drinks that were chosen (about half of us ordered alcoholic beverages) and the drinks arrived relatively quickly after being ordered. We sampled several appetizers including their "Texas Cheese Fries" and "Firecracker Chicken Wraps". The appetizers arrived and there were no complaints, everyone was hungry and they all were good eats. Dinner orders were then taken, and the real wait began, because dinners arrival was incredibly slow.
When the food finally arrived, it wasn't complete. Dinner basically arrived in waves and it was disappointing because basically 12 of each table got their dinners and were half-way finished before the other half received theirs. The wait was almost worth it as the food was really good, no one reported an unsatisfactory meal. The only complaint about the food that is recalled was that a table favorite the steak with lobster tails were a tad small for the price, but apparently the flavor made up the difference fairly quickly. One guest meal arrived and was incorrect and had to be redone, that took quite sometime and they ended up taking most of it to go. Deserts were also ordered by a few and again no complaints. The one bright point about the service, the manager complimented the deserts which was about a $30 savings I would guess.
All in all the food was excellent and I suspect that a smaller party would have had a better experience. It was just a shame that the service was very slow and there were a few other minor problems added on. All in all the experience was fair, and wouldn't deter me from visiting again.
Overall Rating: 2
Rating Scale: 1=Poor, 2=Fair, 3=Ok, 4=Good, 5=Excellent
Friday, December 15, 2006
Update - Counterfeit Money
Some interesting information has turned up that is relevant to article we posted earlier in the week regarding Counterfeit Money that we wanted to update everyone on. Reporter-Times.com (a Martinsville, IN based news site) reported on Wednesday, that Two Camby, Indiana Brothers were arrested on charges including forgery and drug possession and were apparently caught after passing some counterfeit $100 bills in the local area. Reports of fake $100 bills have come in from several locations with in easy driving distance of Mooresville, including here in Bloomington.
Hopefully the two men arrested by Mooresville authorities, were the ones responsible locally and no further incidents will be uncovered. The suspects, 25 and 19 were apparently captured on camera passing fake $100 bills containing identical serial numbers. You can read the complete article on here: Reporter-Times.com.
Hopefully the two men arrested by Mooresville authorities, were the ones responsible locally and no further incidents will be uncovered. The suspects, 25 and 19 were apparently captured on camera passing fake $100 bills containing identical serial numbers. You can read the complete article on here: Reporter-Times.com.
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Casa Brava-Bloomington
Had dinner at Casa Brava (3482 W. Third Street; 812-339-1453) last evening. Casa Brava is my favorite 'Authentic Mexican Cuisine' in town but the dining experience is always hit or miss. The food is almost always good, my personal favorite is the Taco's Carne Asada which is a simple meal consisting of three tortillas filled with marinated, sliced steak and is served with a side of beans with cheese, and the Pico de Gallo. As I was dining with the family on this occasion, there were two adults and two children. Meal choices for the evening in addition to my choice were the children's Cheese Quesadilla meal which included Mexican rice, and beens for the kids and a dinner combination #17 for my better half which was comprised of One burrito, one enchilada, Mexican rice and beans.
Now the reason the dining experience is hit or miss depends mainly on the diners. For two adults, who are not in a hurry to be anywhere else the experience is fine. For a family with small children or someone looking for a good meal in a hurry it is a different story. Don't get me wrong, the servers, managers, and hostesses are more than pleasant to deal with. We have never had a less than friendly service from anyone on our visits to the Bloomington location. The problem is with the speed of service. When you have two small children ready to eat dinner, don't stop by Casa Brava expecting happy kids. Our experience was started off with a short wait to be seated. That was, IMO shorter than most west-side restaurants for the dinner rush. Once seated we had a couple minutes wait before our drink orders were taken. At least for the kids, the chips and salsa came quickly as the bus-boys or hostesses bring that out rather than our server. Our drinks were taken and others around us were seated. We waited approximately 15 minutes after our drinks arrived before our waiter came back to take our order. During that time our server delivered drinks and took orders from the customers who were seated later, around us. Not pleasant with 2 hungry kids sitting at the table nibbling on chips. Once the order was taken, the food didn't take very long to prepare which was good because by that time the table was getting pretty rowdy.
The quality, temperature, and flavor of the food was all great as usual. That is the reason to continue coming back with the kids, the flavor is always great. The kids took quick care of the rice, beans and quesadilla, and the adults thoroughly enjoyed their meals too. The dinning room was kept clean and tidy, which unfortunately was part of the speed of service problem as our server kept helping the bus-boy's clean and straighten tables around us rather than take our order. The bathrooms which have a tendency to be less than spotless were in pretty good shape on this visit too. Then came time to wrap it up, which brought us back to the speed of service. Our waiter removed some of the cleaned plates from the table asked if there was any deserts to be ordered and when we stated that we had finished, he left to presumably get our check. We waited another 10 minutes of him walking back and forth past us without bringing the bill. Finally one of us had to take the kids and go outside leaving one behind to show we were ready for the bill. Another 5 or 6 minutes past before the server had a 'DOH' moment (which I could clearly see on his face) and he came running with the bill. He apologized sincerely for the wait, and thanked us for coming in. As I said, always very polite and pleasant-just slow. Then needed to wait a few more minutes at the front desk for a cashier to walk by before I could pay and join the family sitting patiently outside on the bench.
All in all, the experience was ok, just need to make a mental note not to come when the kids are starving for a quick dinner. Two adults and two hungry kids ate for $36 before the gratuity.
Overall Rating: 2 (note: would have been a 3 had the service been a bit faster)
Rating Scale: 1=Poor, 2=Fair, 3=Ok, 4=Good, 5=Excellent
Now the reason the dining experience is hit or miss depends mainly on the diners. For two adults, who are not in a hurry to be anywhere else the experience is fine. For a family with small children or someone looking for a good meal in a hurry it is a different story. Don't get me wrong, the servers, managers, and hostesses are more than pleasant to deal with. We have never had a less than friendly service from anyone on our visits to the Bloomington location. The problem is with the speed of service. When you have two small children ready to eat dinner, don't stop by Casa Brava expecting happy kids. Our experience was started off with a short wait to be seated. That was, IMO shorter than most west-side restaurants for the dinner rush. Once seated we had a couple minutes wait before our drink orders were taken. At least for the kids, the chips and salsa came quickly as the bus-boys or hostesses bring that out rather than our server. Our drinks were taken and others around us were seated. We waited approximately 15 minutes after our drinks arrived before our waiter came back to take our order. During that time our server delivered drinks and took orders from the customers who were seated later, around us. Not pleasant with 2 hungry kids sitting at the table nibbling on chips. Once the order was taken, the food didn't take very long to prepare which was good because by that time the table was getting pretty rowdy.
The quality, temperature, and flavor of the food was all great as usual. That is the reason to continue coming back with the kids, the flavor is always great. The kids took quick care of the rice, beans and quesadilla, and the adults thoroughly enjoyed their meals too. The dinning room was kept clean and tidy, which unfortunately was part of the speed of service problem as our server kept helping the bus-boy's clean and straighten tables around us rather than take our order. The bathrooms which have a tendency to be less than spotless were in pretty good shape on this visit too. Then came time to wrap it up, which brought us back to the speed of service. Our waiter removed some of the cleaned plates from the table asked if there was any deserts to be ordered and when we stated that we had finished, he left to presumably get our check. We waited another 10 minutes of him walking back and forth past us without bringing the bill. Finally one of us had to take the kids and go outside leaving one behind to show we were ready for the bill. Another 5 or 6 minutes past before the server had a 'DOH' moment (which I could clearly see on his face) and he came running with the bill. He apologized sincerely for the wait, and thanked us for coming in. As I said, always very polite and pleasant-just slow. Then needed to wait a few more minutes at the front desk for a cashier to walk by before I could pay and join the family sitting patiently outside on the bench.
All in all, the experience was ok, just need to make a mental note not to come when the kids are starving for a quick dinner. Two adults and two hungry kids ate for $36 before the gratuity.
Overall Rating: 2 (note: would have been a 3 had the service been a bit faster)
Rating Scale: 1=Poor, 2=Fair, 3=Ok, 4=Good, 5=Excellent
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Counterfeit Money
Apparently there is a big problem locally with regards to counterfeit money being distributed. I overheard a bank teller, explaining to a customer in line that crooks are taking $1 and $5 dollar bills and somehow blanking and reprinting the paper to $100 bills. In speaking to a couple of retail managers this problem is bad for them in more ways then one. First the counterfeits are fairly tough to catch since they are printed on real money. The normal security checks may not be effective because the security pen's come back positive (that is indicating real money) and checking for the special strip is ineffective because at a quick glance it is easy to see the strip but hard to tell if it says 1 dollar or 100. Also as far as I know, the updated security features were not added to money until the mid 1990's. So older money may not contain some or any of the newer security features.
This has also caused a lot of paranoia amongst retailers locally because they are suspecting money of being funny, but the normal tests are proving unhelpful. Some older money may not contain the magnetic strip and if a retailer suspects a bill is phony but the security pen checks out what are they to do? Now retailers are being extra cautious with $100 bills and this results in three things:
We searched Google online to find advice for identifying and catching counterfeit bills. There were lots of sites about the subject, we weren't able to locate one that answered our specific questions. The US Bureau of Engraving and Printing offers a lot of great tips on new bill identification including this Youth Game that walks through with visual examples of some of the false prints. According to their website, the government didn't start adding the advanced security features to money until 1996. That doesn't help the local merchants and retailers who may be asked to accept $100 bills from the 1980's. We were unable to locate during our search anything concrete on what retailers were expected/supposed to do with money that tests ok, but is probably fake.
Our best advice to shoppers this holiday season who wish to pay cash for gifts:
Be patient. The clerks and retailers need to be as thorough as their companies require them to be when taking paper money this year. The bad apples always spoil it for the rest of us. The banks won't accept the phony money as deposits from the retailers so they have to do their best not to accept it from their customers. Retailers are people too, they are not in the business of giving things away so they are going to be extra cautious in checking to be sure the bills being used are legitimate. Everyone needs to just be patient and courteous of everyone else and so long as you aren't trying to pass counterfeit bills, you will be happily on your way as soon as possible.
This has also caused a lot of paranoia amongst retailers locally because they are suspecting money of being funny, but the normal tests are proving unhelpful. Some older money may not contain the magnetic strip and if a retailer suspects a bill is phony but the security pen checks out what are they to do? Now retailers are being extra cautious with $100 bills and this results in three things:
- The customer is left feeling abused as their money is scrutinized by sometimes more than one store clerk as they try to determine if the $100 bill they used was real or not.
- Slows down the check out process resulting in longer wait times for other customers in line while the clerk(s) check the $100 bills being used to make purchases.
- Subjects the retailer and/or clerks to criticism of being paranoid or of not trusting their customer.
We searched Google online to find advice for identifying and catching counterfeit bills. There were lots of sites about the subject, we weren't able to locate one that answered our specific questions. The US Bureau of Engraving and Printing offers a lot of great tips on new bill identification including this Youth Game that walks through with visual examples of some of the false prints. According to their website, the government didn't start adding the advanced security features to money until 1996. That doesn't help the local merchants and retailers who may be asked to accept $100 bills from the 1980's. We were unable to locate during our search anything concrete on what retailers were expected/supposed to do with money that tests ok, but is probably fake.
Our best advice to shoppers this holiday season who wish to pay cash for gifts:
Be patient. The clerks and retailers need to be as thorough as their companies require them to be when taking paper money this year. The bad apples always spoil it for the rest of us. The banks won't accept the phony money as deposits from the retailers so they have to do their best not to accept it from their customers. Retailers are people too, they are not in the business of giving things away so they are going to be extra cautious in checking to be sure the bills being used are legitimate. Everyone needs to just be patient and courteous of everyone else and so long as you aren't trying to pass counterfeit bills, you will be happily on your way as soon as possible.
Monday, December 11, 2006
Chirstmas Season
Well the Christmas season is in full swing. Visited the College Mall (2894 E 3rd Street) this morning, which opened at 9am. There were already quite a few cars in the parking lot and groups milling around inside. Is anyone else frustrated by the new trend of the kiosk's? I am talking about the ones where you can't walk past them without one of the cheesy sales people pushing hand cream or some other gimmick product at you. One in particular is located at a junction in the mall that you have to walk by. There are always two or three people working the kiosk, and pushing some kind of hand cream or finger nail treatment products. I liken this to a bad used car dealership. I am coming to the mall to do some X-mas shopping, I know what I want to get and in most cases where to get it from. I don't want these 'dolled' up pretty boys pushing nail care products to me for my wife. If I wanted to go somewhere to loose money and be assaulted by unwanted solicitors, I would just go to Las Vegas. You would also think, that this mall would have a food court of some sort. It is after all the only real (and I use that term rather loosely) mall in town. The busiest place in the mall this morning, was the Chic-fil-A.
New feature hopefully coming soon! I thought it might also be interesting and useful to add store reviews so look for some of those in the near future. If anyone has anything they would like to see added, all comments are welcome! Feel free to let me know via my Profile link, I am always interested in hearing about things that might be utilized to improve the reading experience.
Thanks and take care.
New feature hopefully coming soon! I thought it might also be interesting and useful to add store reviews so look for some of those in the near future. If anyone has anything they would like to see added, all comments are welcome! Feel free to let me know via my Profile link, I am always interested in hearing about things that might be utilized to improve the reading experience.
Thanks and take care.
TGI Fridays
The local TGI Friday's (2846 E. Third Street; 812-331-1382) is a fairly recent addition to the Bloomington restaurant scene. Affectionately known as "TGI Fingers" following a April 2006 incident where a cook nipped the tip of his finger off in a sandwich and in the confusion of rushing him to the hospital the sandwich was unknowing delivered to the customers table. Fortunately the customer noticed the finger before the incident got worse. All kidding aside, TGI Friday's has long been one of my favorite 'chain restaurants' and trips up north to Greenwood always resulted in stopping by the Greenwood location.
During the recent visit, the wait time was moderate. Nothing more or less than expected for a lunch time stop. No appetizers really today, rather I just ordered the Jack Daniels Sampler as a meal. The Sampler consists of ribs, shrimp, and chicken strips smothered in their signature Jack Daniels Sauce. The amount of food you get for the money can't be beaten. The meal plus a soft drink only totaled around $10 and I had left overs to take with me. The service was pretty good, with the hostess and server being more than pleasant to deal with. The manager was highly visible which is always a plus in my book for any restaurant, and also was very pleasant to talk to.
The food took a little longer than I would have expected to arrive but when it did so it was at a good temperature and was as described. The restaurant was clean and the tables were quickly bussed as well. The bathrooms were also in pretty good shape, considering the lunch rush that had just gone through. All in all the experience was above average.
Overall Rating: 3
Rating Scale: 1=Poor, 2=Fair, 3=Ok, 4=Good, 5=Excellent
During the recent visit, the wait time was moderate. Nothing more or less than expected for a lunch time stop. No appetizers really today, rather I just ordered the Jack Daniels Sampler as a meal. The Sampler consists of ribs, shrimp, and chicken strips smothered in their signature Jack Daniels Sauce. The amount of food you get for the money can't be beaten. The meal plus a soft drink only totaled around $10 and I had left overs to take with me. The service was pretty good, with the hostess and server being more than pleasant to deal with. The manager was highly visible which is always a plus in my book for any restaurant, and also was very pleasant to talk to.
The food took a little longer than I would have expected to arrive but when it did so it was at a good temperature and was as described. The restaurant was clean and the tables were quickly bussed as well. The bathrooms were also in pretty good shape, considering the lunch rush that had just gone through. All in all the experience was above average.
Overall Rating: 3
Rating Scale: 1=Poor, 2=Fair, 3=Ok, 4=Good, 5=Excellent
Friday, December 8, 2006
Goings on in B-town
Well it was a balmy 7 degree's this am and according to the radio station the windchill made it feel like 1 degree. Of course that is to be expected, after all it is December in Southern Indiana. Not a whole lot going on in B-town this morning. Noticed the Mall was dead as usual, except the the long line waiting outside the electronic store waiting for some silly video game system. Must mean its getting close to Christmas.
Thanks for stopping bye, I am just getting started with this blog so I welcome any and all comments. I will try and add some more later.
Take care.
Thanks for stopping bye, I am just getting started with this blog so I welcome any and all comments. I will try and add some more later.
Take care.
The Peach Garden-Chinese Restaurant
On the recommendation of a friend, visited The Peach Garden (536 South College Avenue; 812-332-3437) recently. It would seem that the majority of their business comes from delivery orders (which according to their site can be placed online or via telephone) but we chose to dine in on our visit.
The hostess was very courteous and attentive to our needs and the service was pretty good. The dining area is a bit small, but made for a cozy, family friendly setting. The soups and appetizers were all good. I would recommend the Hot & Sour Soup, Szechuan Wanton's (for those who like it a bit spicy), or the Beef Sticks to start with.
The entrees were served up quickly and were nice and hot. Table recommendations were the Mandarin Chicken, Twice-Cooked Pork, and Chicken with Broccoli. Personally I like the flavor of the Mandarin Chicken, but having sampled them all none would disappoint the taste-buds.
All in all it was pleasant dinner, with great tasting food, and all at an affordable price. Two adults and two kids were able to eat for just under $40 which included soda's and appetizers. I would highly recommend The Peach Garden to anyone seeking good, authentic Chinese cuisine in Bloomington.
Overall Rating: 4
Rating Scale: 1=Poor, 2=Fair, 3=Ok, 4=Good, 5=Excellent
The hostess was very courteous and attentive to our needs and the service was pretty good. The dining area is a bit small, but made for a cozy, family friendly setting. The soups and appetizers were all good. I would recommend the Hot & Sour Soup, Szechuan Wanton's (for those who like it a bit spicy), or the Beef Sticks to start with.
The entrees were served up quickly and were nice and hot. Table recommendations were the Mandarin Chicken, Twice-Cooked Pork, and Chicken with Broccoli. Personally I like the flavor of the Mandarin Chicken, but having sampled them all none would disappoint the taste-buds.
All in all it was pleasant dinner, with great tasting food, and all at an affordable price. Two adults and two kids were able to eat for just under $40 which included soda's and appetizers. I would highly recommend The Peach Garden to anyone seeking good, authentic Chinese cuisine in Bloomington.
Overall Rating: 4
Rating Scale: 1=Poor, 2=Fair, 3=Ok, 4=Good, 5=Excellent
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