Lunch at Maxine's

This review was an assignment for my Creative Writing class but I thought it would be a great thing to put on my blog for those around my area that check it from time to time. I would ask of those willing to be critical of the review and how I presented it if they'd like to. Either message me, email me, or leave a comment. The assignment requires the review to be no longer than 750 words, which mine is exactly. Anyway, if you don't want to critique me then feel free to just read for your own information and use the review to decide if you'd like to try the place out!

Also important to note: I paid lunch prices. The dinner prices are higher but it looks like they have live music being played and a very upscale environment in the evenings. Here's their website if you'd like to see what they serve and how much it costs. http://www.maxines521.com/

Lunch at Maxine's

            “I’ll have the usual.” It would take me a good while to recount all the times I’ve heard this phrase on a movie or television show.  A fool and his money are easily parted but not many people are willing to be so foolish when it comes to the money they spend on the food they eat. This is my best guest at why having the usual is something that we see so often in entertainment or even in person. While I am just as guilty as the next tight fisted fellow, I was afforded the opportunity to venture out of my comfort zone and try a new place that I had seen many times but just didn’t want to chance one of my precious and few nights out on a potential bad experience. I just had lunch at Maxine’s and I’d like to tell you all about it.

            In uptown Michigan City, the 500 block of Franklin Street to be precise, there is a dainty yet inviting blue sign that hangs above the restaurants’ front door.  “Maxine’s” it reads in scripted font. I have to start off by saying that my expectations of this restaurant were exceedingly low. I expected a run of the mills Midwest Ma’ and Pa’ owned diner in what is a shrinking part of a growing city. Armed with a $20 dollar bill and an unhealthy portion of preconceived negative opinions, I opened the door. In the vestibule I was greeted with the sweet scent of coconut and a surprisingly classy look. Even so, I anticipated Pa’ Podunk behind a cash register billowing a hillbilly holler towards the back at Ma’ Podunk to herald my arrival.

            It’s great to be wrong sometimes. Before I stepped over the threshold of the interior door I was taken a vast by the scene my eyes met with.  Polished wood columns with floral arrangements mid way made a dotted line down the middle of the restaurant. A baby grand piano sits at the immediate right of the interior entrance with brochures lying on it, outlining the things to do in Michigan City and other events such as Ballroom and Latin dancing classes.  On the left, a small bar like something you’d see in a movie. I didn’t guess by its size that it was very used even outside of the time of day. At 3pm while having my early dinner/late lunch the bar sat very quiet and quaint, lonely looking with only one fellow and the bar keep providing company.

            I took it all in so quickly that the shock of reality didn’t hit me right away. This was no Podunk diner. This was a NICE restaurant. Business men and women in suits and ties were scattered around at tables behind the gorgeous dark and assorted drapery that divided the smoking and bar section from the non-smoking portion.  I have $20 dollars. Uh oh! After answering, “Booth, Nonsmoking, please” I noted a beautiful hand painted mural that ran the entire length of the wall from the front to back of the restaurant with ritzy fancy folk covered in furs and tuxedos congregating with a man in a top hat that I can only akin to the Monopoly Man.  I prayed that there was something light on the menu I could get away with and conceded that at worst case I could afford a salad.

            For the food network fans out there, Gordon Ramsey would approve of at least the aesthetics so far. I bring up Chef Ramsey because I immediately thought of him once I was handed a single page, double sided, laminated menu with little fluff on it. A final shock to my expectations came when I viewed their lunch prices. Reasonable is the term that comes to mind when I consider them with soups for 4-5 dollars, Salads for 7-8, and entrée’s from as low as 9.99 to 14 dollars. I ordered the black mushroom soup and a braised lamb shank with a cheesecake dessert.  The food tasted as good as the place looked.

            I did end up running over 20 dollars after a tip but admittedly I ordered the most expensive entrée knowing I had plastic in my wallet to back up President Jackson in the event I needed to. I’m glad I stepped out of the comfort zone on this. I’m glad my expectations were thwarted and wrong.  I found a new place to eat and a diamond in the rough of Michigan City.