Dune Billies Beach Cafe: Open and already transforming the Canada Park Area of Michigan City!

In 2008 I moved into this neighborhood and have loved living here since. One of the fascinations was the building at the corner of Fogarty St., and Center St., in Michigan City Indiana. It is the perfect location and the point at which the lakeside community and the rest of Michigan City meets. I have adored this building and believed that some day it would be the perfect spot for whatever enterprise would snag the "great find!" Well, that moment has happened and after a few months of primping, perfecting and developing, Lisa Murray and crew has brought to this sweet, up and coming neighborhood, the quintessential corner deli. It is the Dunes meets Greenwich Village. Maybe in place of Dune Billies it should have been called Dunewhich. No,Dune Billies suits it just fine, as it is at the base of Bismark Hill, really a collection of three dunes that protects the neighborhood from the fervor and frenzy of Lake Michigan located just on the other side of "them, thar" dunes.

Guests can enjoy tasty sandwiches and wraps inside the quaint cafe, on the umbrella adorned deck, or they can carry out to their homestead or better yet, the beach which is less than 2,000 feet away. Ultimately patrons will be able to get basic staple items,as the menu and offerings expands. Until then the mix of breakfast and lunch sandwiches and wraps are more than to feed the locals and hungry beach-lovers. Current hours are 7a to 3p, 7 days a week. Dune Billies Beach Cafe 201 Center Street Michigan City, Indiana (219) 809-6592

Fiddlehead Restaurant, a New Addition to the North End

We made it over to Fiddlehead last night and I was surprised that it did not live up to the hype shared here on a local restaurant review page. While it is a new restaurant and that is great for the north end of the City By the Lake, it wasn't really what I expected. I don't want to get too critical and I could discuss the amazing brick wall and tin press ceiling (not sure if it is faux or authentic but still nice) juxtaposed to an almost cafeteria vibe. Nor do I want to focus on sloppily dressed staff, however, I will focus on the food itself.

I ordered the Beet and Goat Cheese salad, with a small side of the mac and cheese. Steve ordered the Spaghetti and Meatballs. Let's begin with the Beet Salad. I am a lover of fresh cooked, roasted beets. I anticipated such on my salad. I was disappointed to have pickled beets. Had I known I would not have ordered the salad. It is not indicated on the menu. Increasingly  I am becoming frustrated with restaurants not serving what is actually on the menu, or switching it up in a way that leaves me frustrated. I am not prone to rejecting a meal as I know that is a big waste to the new upstart restaurant, but, come on. Tell it like it is!  The green goddess dressing was very good and the greens were superb, but, like the juxtaposition of decor, in this case the pickled overpowered everything. A little pickled with fresh roasted maybe, but beautiful deep purple beets and golden ones all pickled? Steve and I shared it, he focused on the pickles I focused on the greens and candied walnuts. He likes a strong pickled taste. The mac and cheese was good, the bacon used flavored it just enough, but, didn't over power it.

Steve's spaghetti? Not impressed. The sauce was mixed into the pasta and served more "cucina contadina italiana" which isn't bad when it is done well. In this case the sauce was a little bland and the meatballs were served on top with no evidence of sauce on the meatballs. Needless to say, Steve ate it all but he also ate spaghetti-o's as a kid. I sampled it but, it is clearly not worth $14.99. The highlight of the meal was the dark bread with raisins served as a welcoming treat.

When looking at Fiddlehead I saw some great potential, the place is a little too large in my estimation for that location and for the north end. However, I can see large events, weddings, and it has the potential for a great live music venue with the right management. I will go back again and try some other standard offerings, such as a cheeseburger. Nothing sells a local pub better than a good burger.

What confused me was the claim to use local meat? I was a little concerned when I discovered that shrimp is raised in Valpo. :) Oh well, we will be back because let's face it; eating local is what it is all about. There are a couple other items that I would like to try.

Fiddlehead
422 Franklin St.
Michigan City, IN
219.210.3253

2 Thumbs Up AYCE Walleye Barker Inn

2 thumbs up and a mega high five to the amazing staff at Barker Inn, Michigan City. Thank you Toni for the out of this world Long Island Ice Tea. Spectacular service and wonderful walleye. "Steve's favorite dish."

Hell’s Kitchen Art Festival with Founder Mike Felber, Guest Musician, William Rottman

It is gonna be a Hell of a good time! If you cannot make it to Hell's Kitchen May 16th to the 18th for an amazing nonstop party, then listen in to the plans by CEO Mike Felber and check out the organization line.
6th Annual Hell’s Kitchen Art Festival with Founder Mike Felber 05/01 by ArtSees Diner Radio | Entertainment Podcasts

Also take a spell and listen to music by William Rottman one of NYC's Favorites. Special thanks to Douglas C. Rapier of BoPoMoFo, for the closing Blues tune.

The Lazy Perch, Another Great Catch!

Congratulations to The Lazy Perch, one of Michiana's newest additions to the fine dining community. After 6 years driving between Michigan City and New Buffalo down Rt12, an empty restaurant graced the side of road. For 6 years I hoped that there would be a restaurant would open. Between the building capturing the beach side flair, it also intrigued me as it was the first business on the Michigan border! Well it is NOW OPEN! Lazy Perch found a home!

Tonight Steve and I enjoyed a casual dining experience. The service was friendly, energetic, and knowledgeable about the offerings of Chef Cheryl Bernacchi. Owners Pat Kowalski and his wife Rhonda have many years in the business and it shows in their presentation. Knowing the area and the people has proven to be the perfect marriage of venue, food and atmosphere.

On to the food! We enjoyed a signature jalapeno popper stuffed with pimento cheese and bacon. FYI, when you place an order, you really only get "one" popper per order! While it was a large pepper it may cause a couple to fight over their share. But, it was worth fighting for. We also enjoyed a Lake Perch dinner with fingerling potatoes, which were to die for. Whatever you do, do not neglect the potatoes! The pork sandwich was quite unique. It was without a doubt the best pork sandwich ever! A think ground pork grilled and topped with sauerkraut.

We could not ignore the recommendation of Russell, Tres Leche cake was the perfect topper to a wonderful night. A highlight of the night was the conversation with some of the other patrons on the way out. Lazy Perch gets 5 stars for location, 4.5 stars for food, and am ArtSees Diner, "Third Place" award as The Lazy Perch represents exactly what every community needs, a community gathering place. We will be back!

ArtSees Diner , Champagne and LaLuna, ArtSees Diner Radio, The Lazy Perch, 19799 US Highway 12 New Buffalo, Michigan 49117 Phone (269) 469-8001