Michigan City's North End on the South Shore is Alive and Ready To Serve!

Restaurants New To Michigan City, #mymichigancity:
Hum Hum Mediterranean Cuisine 
Dough Boys Sandwich Shop 
Today's post focuses on a recent visit to two of Michigan City's newest restaurants. Included are the best places to grab a bite to eat on the North End of Michigan City. The North End on the South Shore - we love it!

Steve and I just finished up an amazing lunch compliments of the Michigan City North End! Both new restaurants are located next to the South Shore Train Line's 11th St., depot.
We love this place! We enjoyed sandwiches from Dough Boys and I stopped in at HUM HUM Restaurant as well. ‪ #‎DoughBoys‬ you were firing on all cylinders! The place is quaint, friendly and I loved watching the "boys" preparing sandwich masterpieces! Steve ordered the Struben with German potato salad. I had the beef brisket sandwiches (forgot the name) with German potato salad. We also ordered the hummus. All three items were absolutely outstanding! The bread was superb. Next door to ‪#‎HumHum‬ and tried out their grape leaves. PHENOMENAL! What a special treat to have so many options all in one place! I look forward to going back for the falafel as well as gyro, chicken shwarma. Riders of the ‪#‎SouthShoreTrain‬ to ‪#‎Chicago‬ need to be aware of this hotspot! Chicago Food Bloggers this is a must stop! It really was so cool - while I was waiting for our order the train pulled up to the 11th St. Station. Immediately ‪#‎mymichigancity‬ became a whole new world and I wasn't missing the bustle of Manhattan quite as much! AMAZING!

Chicago - it is important to know that the tax rate is extremely low, the cost of libations equally so and there is NO cost to park your car! All is within walking district (aside from Shady Creek Winery and Burn'em Brewing) of the 11th St. South Shore Train Depot.

Other Favorite Places To Dine Out, Hang Out and Enjoy the North End : Overboard at the Marina - 12 On the Lake American cuisine, great views of the lake and live music.
Trattoria Tonelli's World class Italian cuisine with a superb ambiance.
Galvestons Steak and wonderful libations.
Shore Line Brewery Chef inspired bar food - in house brewery, live music.
Fire and Water Washington Park On the Lake - opening soon for the season The same owner/chef of Pickle and Turnip brings a breathtaking view of the lake, beach side service, fast food with a Moe-esque twist.
Maxine's French - American cuisine, high-quality libations with a mixologist flair, live music
Mucho Mas Tex/Mex food, huge portions, high quality - great location.
Cool Runnings Jamaican Catering and Restaurant Jamaican cuisine, phenomenal jerk chicken and more.
Hokkaido Japanese Restaurant Exquisite sushi, fine Japanese cuisine.
Ryan's Irish Pub Most beautiful outdoor patio in entire Northwest Indiana corridor. Great drinks, live music, outstanding pub food.
Shady Creek Winery Although this is no located in the North End district, it is on the North End of the South Shore. Great wine made in house - fun environment with live music, food and special events.
Burn'em Brewing Great place to hang out for that special brew - although it is not located in the North End district it is also on the North End of the South Shore. Blue Chip Casino - Nelson's Deli (BEST Reuben!) William B's (BEST bartender and service - phenomenal Steakhouse!) Its Vegas Baby (Nightlife) Options Buffet (traditional buffet) The Game (great bar food, drinks and sports!)

Galveston Michigan City; What a Pleasant Surprise!

Steve and I moved to Michigan City in May of 2008. After living in Indianapolis/Carmel area for a year we became very accustomed to some really good food and even better food choices. Moving to a new place and a much smaller place than the biggest city in  Indiana would mean fewer choices. Thus far we have not been disappointed. Michigan City knows its food and hospitality. Actually the entire route 12 corridor knows its food and hospitality!

We happened upon Galveston a couple times in the past. Once because we heard there was an open mic, and with Steve and I being musicians, this seemed like a nice way to get our foot in the musical door of the community. Another time it was a host to a back to school kick off. One other time we were there to actually dine. We haven't been back, because, well, we just haven't...until last night. In all honesty we were lulled by the 2 for $22 special that happens to be  their Tuesday night mainstay. 

Stepping back for a moment; Galveston's claim is that "Our community is the heart and soul of Galveston," and I couldn't agree more! 

We were greeted by a familiar face, a student from the local high school. Our local school community was present and welcoming by way of the host staff.  I saw yet another student busing tables. Across the room I saw one of my students enjoying dinner with a friend. The other side of the room one of my student's parents. It was community and it was bustling! We discovered that Tuesday night special is a big hit and the place was packed. We were told it would be 20 minutes until we would be seated. We found that there was ample room in the bar area to wait out the 20 minutes or so and they had a $3 Margarita special! The crowd was such that we didn't get served while we waited at the bar, but somehow observing the locals and taking in the specials, etc., filled the time and overshadowed what appeared to be an understaffed bar area. In actuality, the wait time proved to be less than 20 minutes. 

Galveston's hospitality is truly one of their strong points. The wait staff was pleasant, helpful and service was with a smile. We waffled between ordering off of the special's menu or the regular menu. Having not eaten there in a very long time we weren't certain. Many places cut back on special's night and we didn't wanted to have a good impression of the place. So, we ordered two different things of the special menu so as to get a good look at the gastronomical side of Galveston. Steve ordered the chicken shish-ka-bob with rice and vegetables. The waiter said with a smile, "good choice." I was in the mood for beef, hence the other reason Galveston Steakhouse came to mind. I ordered the filet medallions with mushroom sauce and a sweet potato. We both chose the house salad with blue cheese dressing. The other option would have been a cup of cream of mushroom soup. I am now wishing one of us would have ordered soup. Soup and dessert are 2 items that, in my opinion guarantee a restaurant knows how to cook from scratch. 

Every order comes with a dark sweet bread. The bread was fresh, warm and far too tempting for someone on a low-carb diet! How we resisted eating the whole thing, I have no idea! The salad, well, it was just a simple dinner salad, which is fine, because the food that followed was very good and more than enough. 

I suffered from food envy immediately upon seeing Steve's plate arrive. It was a generous assortment of fresh, grilled vegetables, including my favorite; brussel sprouts, GRILLED! The seasoning used to bring together the myriad of flavors was perfect. The rice was maybe the best seasoned rice dish we have both had in a very long time. Perfection. 

The medallions was equally good and very tender. The sauce, clearly house made with fresh mushrooms, not canned, (thank goodness) and the sweet potato was not your typical sweet potato loaded with butter, sugar and cinnamon, but it was served with a dark brown sugar sauce (almost caramel) on the side. Again, house made and delectable. Steve and I shared plates and were still able to bring home leftovers, which is Saturday Night Stever's absolute favorite thing to do. But Wait, we are not done yet...

On Tuesday nights you not only get a fabulous meal 2 for $22, you also get a dessert to share. The waiter asked if we would like one and at first we were reluctant, low-carbs, you know. He smiled and said, it is a homemade brownie with vanilla ice cream in a very luring tone. How could we resist his desire to please our palettes? The dessert was the perfect size for a sweet treat. The brownie was warm, fudge-y and delicious. Again, perfection. 

We will be back without a doubt time and time again. Galveston's claim to be the heart and soul of the community is spoken truth. High quality food, great service and a friendly atmosphere, along with affordable prices makes Galveston a shining gem near the water's edge. 

canela chocolate y crema con tequila _ Casa Noble

Es muy delicioso! canela chocolate y crema con tequila - Casa Noble

On July 24th in honor of National Tequila Day, I interviewed Jose Hermosillo, 7th generation, tequila maker and owner of Casa Noble Tequila. Since that time, I have had the pleasure of experiencing Anejo, Reposado and Crystal Casa Noble Tequila.

Tonight I dabbled in a little mixology. Although I have taken Jose's recommendation to indulge in a clean sampling of Casa Noble and enjoyed it immensely, I am finding myself desiring a movement away from the typical margarita. Regardless how you indulge, Casa Noble is smooth, clean, fresh, alive. Casa Noble Tequila is some of the finest tequila I have had the pleasure of indulging in. Well, tonight I ventured away from clean and created a remarkable mix...Simple:

1/3 cup of half and half

1 ounce of dark chocolate

1 tbsp of vanilla

2 tbsp of simple sugar

1/4 tsp of cinnamon

4 to 5 ice cubes

2 shots of tequila, (I chose anejo) The deep caramel hue, bold rich taste and rich body holds up well to the ice

Place the chocolate, vanilla and half and half in a mug and heat for 1 minute/25 seconds. Stir vigorously... then blend all of the aforementioned ingredients into a shaker. Rapidly shake until almost all of the ice is melted. Pour into glass and let sit for about 5 minutes. The tequila when blended with the cinnamon really melds all the flavors together. Serve!

I can imagine that Sambuca and Grand Marniere would add fruit-filled essence, but, not entirely necessary.