a e.'s Profile

Friendly staff who know their stuff, wall-to-wall goods -- tons of bulk and descent selections of organic produce, frozen & refrigerated goods. I'm always overwhelmed by the drink selection (zico coconut water!). Watch your step -- there's a super-cool bricked staircase leading up to the shoes/cosmetics and spice room (grab a spice list while you're there)!
If you go don't forget to check out the community bulletin board overlfowing with postings right outside the back door. Since it's barely a block away from the Monon consider biking there -- it's worth it!

Lunchtime is always packed but service is quick -- tons of people behind the counter taking orders and preparing orders. There are soups, salads and custom-made or pre-wrapped sandwiches to choose from.

It's a bit pricey and portions are moderate (they won't leave you starving) but, depending on what you get, it's as good as or better than Au Bon Pain. On the plus side: they open at 6:30am for breakfast and have a meeting room and (I think) free wi-fi! One down side: they're only open weekdays.

At times the music can be so loud it makes conversation at a normal talking levels difficult, but it works wonders as a mid-day wake-up!

Definitely check out the cookies/baked goods! One thing I've eaten there but nowhere else is the tomato-pineapple pesto -- yummy!

The service is fast and friendly, albeit the staff seems a little slim for it being mid-afternoon weekend.

It was 'a la carte' all the way -- ginger carrot soup, a southwest corn muffin and fancy swedish berry soda -- so I found it rather pricey, but really tasty (even if the corn muffin was a little heavy on the oil/butter than expected) and made for a nice lunch, so it was all good.

As for the space, there's a separate conference room in back for groups, and even a pillowed window seat. All-in-all a great, bright and spacious place to relax on the weekend!

We dropped in just prior to the start of a spoken word/performance event for pumpkin ice cream -- so yummy --  and coffee. CSC would get 5 stars, but their hours are a little limited (no late night! what gives?) for my taste. Otherwise, service was great, the staff is super friendly and their offerings are diverse and good!

I asked around for a place to get my eyebrows done, and Biz On Fletcher was the recommendation. So I headed there (sans appointment -- I forgot to call ahead!). The owners, Ginger and Rob, were there. Ginger was so gracious and took care of me immediately!

She asked a few requisite questions (my preference about shape, how much arching, etc.) and I asked her to do whatever she felt would best frame my face. And she did! It was the quickest and mildest eyebrow waxing I've ever had done, and I'm super happy with the results!

I second Alison C.: The prices are great and the building IS awesome (even more-so once you flip through the album of renovation pics). There's a designated  area for each service, and the spaces are so open, calming and inviting -- and yeah, it does really smell good in there!

Can't wait to go back!!

Come for good conversation (when the band isn't playing or you're sitting outside with friends. If you arrive solo you'll make new ones pretty quick), friendly staff (patience if your friend on a busy night) and, most importantly, jazz (the ol' folk and young'uns on stage get down on a Saturday night!).

Be warned: If it's a live music night come with cash: there's a cover (generally $5), a music surcharge (yup -- the beer list indicates it's about $1 more per bottle when the band is playing) and you'll want to toss a buck or two into the duct-taped and dented tips bucket on it's many trips round the bar (but, like I said, the ol' folk and young'uns on stage get DOWN on a Saturday night!! ).

Other notes: Limited martini selection -- order a vanilla or vanilla nutty and you'll be ok. Food fare doesn't go far beyond popcorn or mini cheese pizzas but works in a pinch!

I'm surprised LRL is listed as a Restaurant. This is a Bar that offers fried foods to feast upon. But it's a Bar.

It just happens to be a newly-expanded bar boasting 3 pool tables, a stage and more indoor seating to accommodate an eclectic mix of amiable and dedicated drinkers. But it still retains that proper dive-bar feel (last time I visited it was 25 cent beer / $2 pitcher night, there's still the half-way house across the street (so I'm told) and the fact you can look through and see your food being prepared doesn't alter a thing), so it's all good.

The kitchen serves a full menu until midnight, fried foods (including the batter-dipped tenderloin and seasoned fries that fed 3 of us) from midnight until close -- if it ever closes -- because I recall ordering breakfast there at 2 am before.

As for sound: We heard great improv jazz on Thursday night and the scene was super chill. If it's summer or the place is packed, be prepared to hear one ear-splitting sound on the patio and a totally different one on the stage.

I must have been there on a tame night: a mix of movie clips (nothing hardcore) and electronica/dance/pop music videos seem to be fairly consistent. Great bartenders, descent drinks and a great place to play pool.

Loudest bar? Not quite -- at least, not on this Wednesday evening. Granted it was early (10 p.m.-ish), full of packed tables and sports-filled screens so it could have been LOUD -- instead, it was low-key, nice and laid back.

Service was fast and attentive, the spicy steak salad tasty -- a mild and pleasing mix from the organic mixed leaf lettuce, cheddar cheese, pico de gallo and sour cream ranch, then just enough heat from the spicy 4 oz. ribeye strips --  just enough to get the point across without setting your tongue ablaze.

Would get a five but for one down side: the texture of the steak. Steel teeth shouldn't be required in order to gnaw through every other bite.

It'll get a second chance -- I just won't order steak!

It's been years since I've been inside the place. Here's the Friday night wrap-up:

The space: Pack 'em in like sardines. By far the most crowded I've ever seen the Melody. Not for the claustrophobic, antisocial or antler haters.

The drinks: Order a cocktail or a PBR -- your wallet won't feel a thing and you'll still have money to do laundry.

Show the love: Stand near the stage, feel the beats, nod the head. Painful contortions in the name of dance need not apply (but there are always a few who try.)

The pool shark: Best spend those quarters on PBR, son, 'cause that there is a bench covered in green felt.

More seating?: Sure! There's what I call 'VIP Row', the bar and the 2 or 3 booths. All occupied by either people or coats...

The math: 50% conversation, 70% music, 90% blue jeans, 30% antlers, 95% 'insiders', 100% dive

The *#)%?: Hillbilly Happy Hour? Miss Kimmy & Zorba? Whatever. Just nod your head. Somebody's playing (either Pravada, Grampall Jookabox, Movie Bare, Tim Jones... or the horn from Margot & the Nuclear So and So's?) and it's gooood.

Question of the night: There's another room?