The Propylaeum

As you walk up the steps to the Propylaeum, you almost have to stop and take in this massive Victorian beauty that has been witness to some of Indiana's finest women since before the turn of the 20th century. Then, when you reach the door, you wonder what can possibly be housed in this enormous building....
     After walking through the two different sets of doors to reach the main hallway, taking a look around gives you a first hand look at how life used to be, a time before Facebook and cellphones. On the left side, there is a rather spacious room that includes several sitting areas, a variety of antiques, and an original fireplace. On the right side is a very ornate ten person dining area that is so fancy, you have to stop and admire the craftsmanship. As you continue down the hallway, you notice the incredibly large staircase with wood carvings that seems to command the attention of the room. At the foot of the stairs, we were then greeted by a seemingly grumpy old woman, who then took us back to the tea room for afternoon lunch.
     The tea room is where you will have the distinct pleasure of lunching if you do decide to visit the Propylaeum. It is by far the most ornate room in the ten bedroom mansion in my opinion. From floor to ceiling, I was extremely impressed at the old world appeal of this wonderful dining space. Accompanied by the many antiques that hang on the walls, as well as the carved ceiling and sparkling chandelier, you will be taken back to the time when even the wealthiest of people prized the simple things in life. It also has a fireplace, but I'm not sure if they run the fireplace for their lunch service, as afternoon lunch is a relatively new concept for this establishment.
     Upon being seated, we were met by a very friendly woman who then handed us our menus and took our drink orders. After inspecting the short but delightful menu, I chose the signature panini. My selection included a seemingly fresh scone and a side salad. Although I felt like the salad was a little dry, the roasted walnuts and lovely raspberry vinaigrette saved the dish. The service was a little slow in my opinion, however I was just taking in the scene and enjoying the time. If you do decide to go to the Propylaeum, you need to know that it is not a Wendy's drive thru. You need to put around an hour aside to really enjoy your stay. After lunch, you are also welcome to go up to the second and third floors to explore the Victorian beauty. That part is up to you though, just know that you will need at least thirty more minutes to see the rest of the house if you choose to do so.
     Therefore, if you want to try a new place, backed with tons of old world character, the Propylaeum is a must for the eccentric culinary lover.

Food: 4.0
Atmosphere: 5.0
Service: 5.0
Overall Rating: 4.75