An Evening with my Boo Radley.

Mondays call for weekend recaps, so how about I give you one from three weekends ago?

For Christmas, I told Wheat that we'd stay a night of his choosing at the JW Marriott in downtown Indianapolis. The Saturday after Valentine's day, he decided to cash in on the gift in part because we were in town that weekend, but also because we had tickets to see To Kill a Mockingbird that night. So, with bags packed, we strolled along the canal, enjoying the 60º day, until we reached the hotel.

During last year's Final Four, there was a massive bracket on the front.

Our room, which faced downtown, was super fancy. Not only did the TV graciously greet me by name, but the shower had three shower heads, which made it feel like you were simultaneously getting a back massage while washing your hair. Nothing, however, could beat the incredible view from bed.

After changing into nicer clothes, we set off for the play at the Indiana Repertory Theater. Wheat and I had just finished re-reading To Kill a Mockingbird, so we thought the play would make a perfect date. Oddly enough, Harper Lee passed away one day earlier, so it also felt like a fitting tribute to be enjoying her 56-year-old masterpiece on stage. I'd never seen a production at the IRT before and was really impressed by what they were able to do with a limited set and cast. Aside from Scout's borderline-incomprehensible southern accent, the acting was great and, of course, the story is timeless, heart-wrenching, and provocative. A member of the cast (the actor who played Bob Ewell, ironically enough) stayed afterward to host a discussion on race, justice, morality, and other themes from the novel, but we had to leave in order to make it to dinner.

For dinner, we decided to finally check out Osteria Pronto, the Italian restaurant in the lobby of the JW. With an open kitchen, wine bottles on display in brightly lit glass cases, and candles burning on every table, the atmosphere set the tone for our romantic dinner date and the food didn't disappoint, either. I ordered the capricciosa pizza (prosciutto, mushrooms, artichokes, and onions) while Wheat devoured the branzino (sea bass), the house favorite. We followed that with the tortelli, which was basically powdered-sugar-covered beignets with chocolate and honey dipping sauces. Our waiter must have been feeling particularly nice because he convinced the chef to throw in a scoop of vanilla bean gelato, too.

After dinner, we returned to our room only to find that six chocolate-covered strawberries and a bottle of champagne had been delivered in our absence (as part of the romance package that we had booked). We weren't hungry, so we decided to take a quick, late-night dip in the pool and hot tub first. We also checked out the incredible workout facility at the hotel, which offered refrigerated towels to guests and put most gyms I've ever seen to shame. Once we were sufficiently pruney, we retired to our room where we enjoyed the strawberries and champagne, admired the beautiful view of downtown Indy, and watched Aladdin and Mulan because #adulthood.

The next morning, we were in no particular hurry due to our late check-out time (game changer). So, we leisurely made our way to the breakfast buffet at Osteria Pronto (also part of the Romance Package) and had our minds absolutely blown by the offerings. In addition to your typical breakfast food (eggs, bacon, sausage, cereal, muffins, pastries, biscuits and gravy, etc.), the buffet also featured salmon, prime rib, asparagus, and potatoes. There was also a made-to-order omelette and waffle station, which produced possibly the best waffle I've ever had. The normal price tag for the breakfast buffet is a little steep, but it's completely worth it if you're a brunch aficionado.

When checkout time finally rolled around, we waddled home with full bellies and happy hearts. I might have to make this an annual staycation...I mean, look at that breakfast.