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 

Steve and Mary Sing It Live at The Pickle & Turnip 10/24

Steve and Mary, will be kicking off Play It Again SaM Friday October 24th at The Pickle and Turnip, located in Downtown Michigan City Indiana. The Pickle and Turnip is quickly become one of "the" places to go in Northwest Indiana. The P&T is one of SaM's favorites.

Steve and Mary are currently ranked #1 on the Reverbnation charts. What music can you expect out of this acoustic duo? Well everything from the Beatles, Carole King, Ronstandt, Fleetwood Mac, The Doors, kd lange to Todd Rundgren with a few standards thrown in for good measure.

The music starts at 6p and goes until 9p. The Pickle and Turnip restaurant is located at 827 Franklin St., Michigan City, IN.

The Ladies of the Diner Shine! MERmaids know how to serve it up right!

Online Current Events Radio at Blog Talk Radio with ArtSees Diner Radio on BlogTalkRadio

Host Diane Blanchette and ArtSees Diner Radio creator/producer make up "The Ladies of the Diner" during their Monday night featured broadcast, "Midwest Mondays" lovingly known as the MERmaids, they serve up a lively helping of hospitality. This week the "Ladies" are celebrating as their recent show was chosen as a "Today's Best" by Blog Talk Radio staff. This honor is not to be taken lightly as there are hundreds of broadcasts daily and to be chosen is not an easy feat!

Tune in and listen as the Ladies bring you guests and events from Kankakee, to Chicago over to Michiana, down to Indianapolis!
The Ladies of the Diner, Mary E and Diane Blanchette celebrated the following:

• Strawberry Festival, Kankakee 
• Jack Lemmon Returns, 
• Chicago Farmers Markets, Kankakee, New Buffalo, Michigan City, Chicago 
• New Restaurant The Pickle and Turnip, Michigan City 
•  Grapes and Hops, Kankakee
• Musical guests, Champagne and LaLuna!

If you would like to be treated to the finest hospitality on radio, then kindly drop Mary E. a line at artseesdiner@gmail.com. Also be so kind as to listen live, tweet us your comments, recommendations, thoughts to @artseesdiner follow us on Facebook @ArtSeesDiner like us on Facebook at @MidwestMondays and call in to our live broadcasts at 646-595-4620

Moe Did It Again, The Pickle and Turnip

The Pickle and Turnip, located in downtown Michigan City, Indiana is the newest endeavor of Moe Mroueh. After outgrowing his prior establishment, Sahara, located south of the downtown area, it was time to move up and northward! Champagne and LaLuna stopped in last night to enjoy the new place. We were not disappointed! Moe has chosen to decorate his newest endeavor in a very bright, minimalist approach. Simple, classic, clean lines. Much like you would find in an upscale loft in the heart of Manhattan. While the decor is simple, the cuisine is not. The food is better than ever. We shared the best avocado salad we have ever had. The hummus is without a doubt the best anywhere around, and the dolma (stuffed grape leaves) are to die for! We enjoyed our favorite wine, served up right by Moe, Ksara Reserve du Couvent.

Make sure you like The Pickle and Turnip on Facebook so that you can be made privy to the wine events that are a big hit. Get your reservations now for the "First Friday" of June.

The place was quickly filling with diners, and everyone of them was having a wonderful time. With this in mind, it really is a good idea to make reservations. After all, it was a Monday Night!

The Pickle and Turnip is located at 827 Franklin, Michigan City, IN 219-871-1223