Ooo-La-La, Maxine's Restaurant & GastroBar a Little Francois on the North Shore

Maxine's Restaurant and Bar, located at 521 Franklin St., in uptown Michigan City, successfully captures the ambiance and flair of a cafe on a tucked away street in Paris. Recently, I took members of my family to the restaurant for a late Saturday evening supper. Now, this was not my first visit,being a local and all, but, it was the first full-meal experience. We were delightfully  met by the restaurant Dining Room manager, who cheerfully remembered me from the time before. (Even remembered that I am a radio show host and intend on having Maxine's as a featured guest!) It was close to a year ago that I visited Maxine's with a friend. We enjoyed a simple salad, soup and a small plate. It was delightful, but, the full-on dining experience would have to wait to a later date and believe me it was spectacular!

The menu boasts traditional French cuisine, with a blending of North American favorites. Let's call it French fusion. We kicked it off with a couple cocktails as it was close to impossible to settle on an entree for the evening. The selection was outstanding. So wonderful that it made the choice close to impossible. The custom made cocktails were very tasty and had a wonderful boutique flair to it. I chose the spiced pear martini, which was chosen off of their specialty martini menu. It was indeed special. The featured appetizer for the evening was a Yellowtail Tuna-cake with Sirachi aioli, pictured below and borrowed off of Maxine's Facebook page.

It was the perfect beginner. My dining companions enjoyed a crock of the signature French onion soup. Unlike many French onion soup creations, this was cooked perfectly with the perfect consistency and quantity of onions present. The broth was rich, dark and not overly cheesy. Perfection!
For our entrees we selected: Cioppino: a tomato base, mussels, crab, cod, scallops, shrimp, garlic, dish, served with French bread to dip the delectable gravy. One of my party chose the Maxine salad with salmon (cooked to order) while,  I chose the house ribeye steak topped with blue cheese. Each dish was delicious and served with your choice of sides as well as fresh, warm bread.

It is important to note that the $$ was very reasonable, almost shockingly low. Truly a value for the quality and overall atmosphere. A couple of items to note: Live music would have been a wonderful addition on a Saturday night. Maybe a cocktail pianist, acoustic musicians, anything more than that would totally steal from the sequestered feel of this quaint Saturday night getaway. Additionally, and this is not a reflection on the restaurant management, was the clamor of children at a table nearby. Now, I love children and have 3 of my own grand-babies, but, somehow on a late Saturday night, an all adult vibe is greatly appreciated. Again, this is a plus to the owners as they welcome any and all, it is merely an observation. Which brings me to this very important aspect of Maxine's and the restaurants of Michigan City, Indiana. All are welcome and encouraged to come on in! 

 It is important to note that there was seating near the bar and tucked away in lovely alcove seating. (this is where I sat with my friend the first time we visited Maxine's) We did not request private seating. A great deal of our recent conversation was about the incredible mural that covers the wall from ceiling to floor and along the entire length of the restaurant. (Make sure you look for the rabbit in the fine silk hat!) Another item to note, and again, it doesn't take away from the fabulous food was that either Maxine's really love Christmas and left Christmas decor up among the frogs, or it was a seasonal oversight. Because my family was so taken by the overall decor and feel of the place, they were in sensory overload. (They recently spent a very romantic vacation in France, so you can imagine)

Maxine's is truly one of the high points of Michigan City, Indiana. As the North-end, Uptown area of Michigan City continues to expand and develop, we are sure to see Maxine's continue to be one of the best places to dine in the City By the Lake. The independently owned and operated restaurants throughout the "route 12 corridor" are among the best, from Chicago to South Bend. Make a point of stopping in soon. It is truly worth the train ticket in from downtown Chicago, or a leisurely drive along the Lake Shore. Locals should give it a try as well, especially during the week when they have fabulous mid-week $12 Special.

Menu
Maxine's Restaurant and Gastropub, located at 521 Franklin St., Michigan City Indiana. 219.872.4500

Jackie's Cafe, Saturday Morning Splendor!

For me Saturday mornings are the "treat ME right," kinda morning. Traditionally Saturday mornings have been the one morning where laziness rules the roost. When there are little to no plans and therefore making plans on a spontaneous whim is aprapo. It all began when I was a child. Getting up and going to school was never my thing. Saturday meant, you don't have to go anywhere! Then as a young mother and Saturday was the first day after a 5 day work week. It was when my sisters would come over or someone else was there to help me get the babies ready. It was the one morning when a "true breakfast" was made and enjoyed. When coffee was slowly sipped. The tradition has continued. There is nothing like a Saturday morning.

This particular Saturday I woke up with a mission in mind. I was not going to cook, make coffee or putz around the house in my robe. Rather, I was setting out to find the perfect place to make me feel like royalty for the morning. It had been a long, exhausting week. I requested Steve's presence, but, he had some writing on his mind. So, well then, I will go it alone! I had my sights set on a nice little cafe we had stopped at during the summer months. The place; Jackie's Cafe, The mission; Experience the best!

I do not mind going it alone. I have done it many times in my life and I have found that I gain clarity, I am expressive, comfortable, at home with myself. I don't make it a habit, but, it isn't bad either. So, why was Jackie's a good place for going it alone? Because it feels like you are in a breakfast room of a cozy house, that's why. My server was very attentive, friendly and took the time to talk to me about her favorite breakfast dish. I took her advice. She was right! I enjoyed Egg's Benito. Poached eggs served on top of jalapeno corn bread with a slice of ham and topped with jalapeno cheese sauce. Delicious! It is a bit spicy, but, no complaints here. I ate half and brought the other half home for Steve. He also enjoyed it. The corn bread in particular was the best I have ever eaten out. Brava!

Following my meal I had a bit of a conversation with my server about the catering end of the business as well as the "back door bakery." Her exuberance about the place and passion for Jackie came very natural. There is something about being served by someone who really believes in the chef and the nature of the restaurant. How could I possibly resist such enthusiasm?

Around to the back door I went. It reminded me of an old time movie where the children would go out back and sneak a cookie before dinner. The bakery is small, quaint, but filled with sunshine and glorious aroma's of fresh baked, sweet treats. It was only a few seconds before Jackie made her way from the kitchen to welcome me. She moved from behind the bakery case to speak to me face to face on the "patron" side of the case. That immediately struck me as true hospitality. No wonder why the service was so wonderful, Jackie is wonderful! She took the time to tell me a little about her history, background and how she came to New Buffalo Michigan. Within a few moments of explaining why I was out on a Saturday morning brought about a very friendly exchange over sweet treats. She made a "goodie" box up for Steve so that he would know exactly what he missed. She even called him by name after I had only mentioned it once.

Jackie Shen and Jackie's Cafe receives 5 gold Saturday morning smiles for food quality, atmosphere, good service, going the extra mile and for representing what true hospitality is all about! Mission accomplished! I experienced the best!