Michigan City's Uptown/Downtown Area is Bustling!

Michigan City's Uptown/Downtown area is bustling and if you are in the Michiana or Chicagoland areas and haven't enjoyed the City by the Lake in a while or ever, then it is time to come on over and see what the Mainstreet Association is doing to improve this gem on the South Shore. 
This brief blog is an overview of the past few days. A more in-depth analysis of the places highlighted here will come later on. You do realize that Michigan City it is only a short, affordable train ride in from either South Bend or Chicago?  So what are you waiting for? For all our Chicago readers, why pay $50 for parking and 15% or more on taxes to enjoy great music and awesome cuisine? Come on over and tell them ArtSees sent you. See you soon! 

Labor day weekend started out Thursday evening for us as we kicked it off with sushi at Hokkaido Japanese Restaurant. The service was perfect. The young woman who assisted us took the time to explain the menu. We began with the tempura chicken appetizer and hot and sour soup. Both were perfect. Our rolls were tuna with avocado, tuna with tempura vegetables and the Philly roll, which is a smoke salmon with avocado and cream cheese. All fantastic! We will be back. Friday night was spent enjoying Michigan City's First Friday event. Anyone who has ever been to Manhattan will be delighted when strolling down Franklin St., because Steve and I both felt like we were back there. So, our choice for dinner Friday night was the patio at Ryan's Irish Pub. The place was hopping! Johnny the owner was manning the grill and cooking up some great specials. Steve and I shared the pork chop dinner and the walleye dinner. We created our own surf and squeal. smile emoticon It was perfect. No complaints whatsoever. The service, atmosphere, food was like being at a family cookout, except no one had to cook or clean. Again, sitting on Ryan's patio with all the people. lights, nighttime sky overhead was like sitting outside on the streets of Little Italy. We traveled down Franklin St., stopping in at a few places along the way and treated ourselves to a nice Ksara served up by Giorgios Michael Karayannis at The Pickle & Turnipand enjoyed a little musical entertainment by Peter Nye Music with Dan Moser at bass. Next stop - Maxine's Restaurant to enjoy the music of a very nice jazz combo and pleasantries served up by Ali and company. Great night! Keep it up Michigan City Mainstreet Association you are doing an amazing job! I suggest mixing it up - how about First Friday, Second Saturdays - Third Thursdays and Fourth Friday? smile emoticon 

Johnny V at Ryan's Irish Pub Every Tuesday Night

Wonderful opportunity to enjoy great music, fine food, drinks, neighborhood fun and community every Tuesday Night! Ryan's Irish Pub is a quaint, yet grand neighborhood hang out on the corner of Franklin St. and and restaurant in an old world structure that boasts the large neighborhood pubs of days gone by. Located on the corner of Franklin St. and 4th Ave., in the heart of Michigan City Indiana only a "stone's throw" from beautiful Washington Park and Lake Michigan. The large 3 story building is reportedly haunted as it has seen many a decade of travelers and the locals who will be the first to admit that there is something very special about Michigan City Indiana. Like Ryan's Irish Pub, another regular featured icon is Johnny V., also known as John Vermilye. Local musician, acoustic guitarist, singer/songwriter. Johnny's finger picking style guitar playing and broad vocal range will capture his listeners attention and hold on to it like he holds effortlessly on to his guitar. It doesn't matter whether he is covering Dylan, Beatles, or his originals, he is a passionate, professional! Every Tuesday night beginning at 7pm, cst, you can catch Johnny play you a song, while you enjoy quality pub food, and libations served by Scott the bartender and served up by the kind spirited Christine. Click here for directions.