Iechyd Da

As you drive North on Main in Elkhart you will see a sign with a dragon that says Iechyd Da, and you will no doubt ask yourself, "how do you say that?" Well, you say "yacky da," but you drink Iechyd Da; it is an old Welsh toast which means "good health!" Owners Chip and Summer Lewis have been brewing their beer at home, and just this last year decided to share their goods with the community, and in came Iechyd Da Brewery. First thing you will notice, is that parking isn't great, but I presume, for the location, there wasn't much parking space to work with, therefore, you will probably end up parking behind the restaurant in an open lot. Past the parking lot and in the door, you will find a wonderfully decorated bar that put me in mind of a modern Pub, with some large rustic tables, and walls covered with pictures of old England. You will find a simple chalk board menu of pub snacks, pizza, and sandwiches, you'll order at the bar where they have 8 beer taps, and two hand pulls, and have a seat in their unique dining room while your food is made fresh. As two people who don't drink beer we ordered the house brewed ginger beer and root beer, neither of us loved the ginger beer, but I have to say if I should ever be pregnant again, this brew will be my best friend if battling morning sickness, because it is definitely teeming with ginger! Now, on the other hand, the on tap root beer was delicious, not made with sarsaparilla, but still delicious none the less, and for a couple bucks, you will never drink root beer from any other tap again; I mean, how can you go back to commercially manufactured after you have had homemade?

What you may or may not know about me, is that I love pizza, well, I love GOOD pizza, and Iechyd Da definitely delivered. The crust was the thinnest, crispest I have ever had which is exactly how I like it, the red sauce was fairly simple, but I like that it wasn't overpowering or over seasoned,  the toppings were great quality; the bacon was smokey, ham was salty, sausage a little spicy, and the pepperoni perfectly seasoned (yes, I love a little cholesterol on my pizza!), and the mozzarella was just delicious. For $9-10 this was definitely well worth the price!

Iechyd Da is perfect for my Hubby and I, because while I hold a deep fondness for pizza, he is a lover of sandwiches, and that is precisely what he got tonight; salty ham, sweet honey roasted turkey, crispy bacon, mild cheddar cheese, juicy tomatoes, fresh lettuce and creamy mayo on a crusty toasted roll, paired with salt and pepper kettle chips, and my husband's true love, a pickle. Despite the fact that husband is not a fan of honey smoked meats, he still loved the Conway Club, and at around $8 it was a good deal.

We may not be fans of beer, but we are fans of Iechyd Da; the dining room and atmosphere are fantastic and unique, the food is delicious, and the brews are fresh. Next time you think Elkhart has nothing to offer on the big cities, get yourself down to main street, and try one of the Lewis Family's house made brews.

Mod Mex

Elkhart County is certainly not in short stock of traditional Mexican restaurants, but tonight we had a Mexican dining experience with a modern twist that definitely sets it apart. Mod Mex on Old US 20 in Elkhart doesn't serve your ordinary tacos and burritos, they are taking the old favorites, fuzing them with modern cuisine, and serving you a fresh meal that is made to order. Since my husband's family hails from California, he cannot pass up an opportunity to eat some good guacamole, and Mod Mex did not disappoint with their smooth, subtly seasoned, skimpy on the onions version; since this was our first time try we opted for the traditional, but I am anxious to try their bacon guacamole next time. And if bacon isn't your thing, you can always add mango, pineapple, crab, goat cheese, or bleu cheese and if these unusual takes on guac don't get you excited the in house cut and fried tortillas that you will use for dipping will!

Mod Mex has a substantial list of taquitos, that you build on your own. I was tempted with fillings such as guacamole, pork tenderloin, beef brisket, honey chipotle mojo, but opted for a combination of shrimp (camarones) in garlic and cooking wine, sauteed corn, and cilantro lime rice. This was a fun meal, I love that I got to build my own tacos, it had a good flavor, not a strong Mexican flavor, but still good, unfortunately the cilantro lime rice was overcooked and mushy, but it wasn't bad enough to ruin the meal for me.

My Hubby ordered the chicken chancla from the "specialties" menu, and was presented with a heaping salad covered in queso fresco, tomatoes, sour cream, honey chipotle sauce, spicy sweet grilled chicken that my husband describes as "near perfect" with a charred outside and moist inside. All of this sits atop a tortilla and black beans, and earns a rating of "fresh and delicious."

On our way out the door, we noticed a chalk board with the lunch menu, which is reminiscent of the build your own burrito fast food restaurants. Start with your choice of tacos, a burrito, a torta, or "shell-less burrito;" add meat or a vegetarian option, and finish it up with your choice of beans, salsa, sauces, rice, veggies, and many other unique options.  Mod Mex is not your typical Mexican dining experience, it is modern, it is creative, it is fresh, and it is delicious; so if you are looking for something different, a meal like no other, this is the place for you!


 

Wasabi Japanese Steakhouse

Everyone loves a good Japanese Teppanyaki meal, cooked on a flat top grill, surrounded by strangers, flying utensils, and fires; but if you are anything like me, you have seen the show enough times that, dare I say, it has lost it's thrill, not to mention the inflated meal prices just don't seem worth it anymore. No worries, Goshen has your solution, Wasabi Japanese Steakhouse off of State Road 15 in the old Gordy's Sub Pub. As you walk into the restaurant you will see the sushi chef busy rolling fresh ingredients into edible art and another chef flipping meat, veggies, and rice on the flat top grill (okay, so I may have fibbed, you CAN get dinner and a show, just not right at your table.), and will find yourself surrounded by Japanese decor, that is,thankfully, not tacky and over the top. We started our meal with the standard soup and salad with ginger dressing, and oh how I love that ginger salad dressing, can you buy that somewhere? Not far behind our soup and salad were our sushi rolls; I love a good tempura shrimp roll and this did not disappoint, and for those of you who are convinced you will never eat sushi, you can't tell me that tempura battered shrimp paired with avocado wrapped in rice doesn't make your mouth water even a tiny bit. If you are still thinking, "great, there's no raw fish, but there is still seaweed," well, to you I say, if you get sushi and can taste the seaweed, stop eating it, because the nori (seaweed paper) is probably past it's prime. My husband couldn't decide between two of the rolls, so when he asked the waiter which he preferred, the waiter promptly touted one of the rolls as his favorite, and so Michael enjoyed the Christmas roll; nori and rice stuffed with tempura shrimp, crab stick, and avocado wrapped in spicy salmon (yes, it was raw!), covered in eel sauce and spicy mayo. For the price you pay, you really won't find sushi this good and of this quality in the area. Before we even finished our sushi, our meal was on the table; we opted for the Teppanyaki dinner for two which came out in a small boat (no, really, it was a boat), filled with a bed of sauteed zucchini, onions, mushrooms, and broccoli, and huge portions of shrimp, steak, and chicken. The shrimp was cooked well, seasoned well, and delicious dipped in the yum yum sauce, the chicken had a teriyaki glaze which stood on it's own, and the steak was cooked perfectly. We each got a bowl of rice, that was nowhere near the giant portion one usually gets at a Japanese steak house, but truthfully, it was a normal serving of rice, was so good, and just enough; my hubby overheard that the secret to this delicious rice is Saki.  Wasabi Steakhouse offered delicious sushi and a great Japanese dinner that cost us, literally 52% of what we would have paid for the exact same meal at another well loved Japanese bistro in Granger. I know that someday, when our son is older, we will have to introduce him to the entertainment that is Teppanyaki cooking, but for now we will save our money while enjoying food that is just as good, if not better. Oh, did I mention that our waiter was fantastic? Well, he was, and when you visit Wasabi, you should ask for Sean!


 

Simonton Lake Drive In

I HAVE to tell you about the best mug of root beer I have ever had! In Northern Elkhart on Cassopolis street/SR 19 near Simonton Lake sits a drive in that is wrought with nostalgia and history, and for so many, childhood memories. Simonton Lake Drive In has been serving up their house made root beer in giant frosted mugs for decades, and believe me when I say you don't want to go to your grave without trying a mug. I truthfully didn't think a thing about the "frosted mug" when I ordered my large root beer, but it made all of the difference; the root beer got this icy, partially frozen layer on top that I can only describe as slushy perfection, and then you get down to the cold root beer, and you will wish that your mug was bottomless! The only thing that would have made this root beer better would have been a giant scoop of vanilla ice cream, but with my extensive family history of diabetes, I decided a root beer AND a root beer float might just be pushing my luck! So next time you find yourself in Elkhart wanting something different, just follow 19 North, pull into Simonton Lake Drive In, order a delicious burger or tenderloin, get a basket of fried pickles, and a super frosted mug of root beer...aw, heck, make it a root beer float, and let your mind wander to a much simpler time of car hops and root beer mugs!

Pizzeria Venturi

I have put off reviewing Pizzeria Venturi on Lincoln Avenue in downtown Goshen until we have dinner there again, but after having some of their "street food" at First Fridays last night, I have to talk about them! On the first Friday of every month you can find a tent outside of their restaurant or on the courthouse lawn where they sell street food; for several months it was falafel, but the last couple months they have been serving Italian sausage sandwiches that are out of this world! The sausage is imported, the pocket bread is fresh made that day, and the tomato sauce is their own recipe, not only is it delicious, but it is the perfect food to carry around while you are checking out the shops and displays during First Fridays! I will warn that that the sausage has a kick to it, but if I can handle the spice, really anyone can (I'm a HUGE wimp!). Maybe sandwiches and street fare aren't your thing or maybe you liked the sandwiches and just need more Venturi in your life (and stomach), then get inside Pizzeria Venturi's intimate, cozy dining room and enjoy a certified  Napoletana (Neapolotan), as well as their delicious appetizers, salads, and desserts. I recommend that you start your dinner out with The garlic herb flatbread with Italian herbs; it is their delicious chewy crust drizzled with olive oil and topped with slivers of garlic and Italian herbs. The first time I ate at Venturi, I felt so overwhelmed by the Italian wordage on the menu that I played it safe and ordered the pepperoni pizza, which truthfully was delicious, but as I looked across the table at my mom's Margherita topped with tomatoes, basil, and handmade mozzarella (on the menu you will see this called fior de latte) she could see the longing in my eyes, so we cut our pizzas in half and shared. Now, I mentioned the pizza is certified Napoletana (Neapolitan), this means the restaurant has standards set for the type of ingredients they use and the style they cook there pizza, which is in a wood fired oven at 900+ degrees; your pizza will come out hot, and the crust will have this unique taste and chewy texture that is unlike any other, of course it might also be a little charred, but trust me, that will not ruin the pizza! With time and a few more visits, the menu became less foreign, and I became more adventurous, ordering different pizzas and loving every one. I was dying to try their pesto, but only saw it on a pizza with ricotta cheese, which I'm not a huge fan of, but they were more than happy to sub the fior de latte for me, this pizza by far is my favorite, as good as their red sauce is, their pesto knocks it out of the park. Occasionally I will add prosciutto (Italian dry cured ham) to my pesto and mozzarella pizza and all I can say is wow! One of my taste adventures was the Pizzicato, which is topped with soppresata (Italian dry salami), garlic, pancetta (salt cured pork belly<Italian bacon>), tomato sauce, and Grana Padano, the toppings were delicious, but Grana Padano is a hard cheese and I am not personally a fan. The pizza doesn't stop at dinner, they also have dessert pizza that will forever change your idea of dessert pizza. Imagine Venturi's chewy crust, topped with warm, gooey nutella, and fresh strawberries; now I have eaten a lot of nutella in my day, the Europeans have had the stuff decades before it became a craze here in the US, and Venturi's nutella berry pizza is by far my favorite way to eat this chocolaty treat. So if you are like me, and tired of eating pizza from a chain, get to Pizzeria Venturi where you can have a totally unique pizza experience complete with quality toppings, handmade cheese, house made sauces, and a delicious crust from fresh dough. My parents claim they have only had pizza like this in Italy, do you really want to miss out on that?


 

Heinnies Backbarn

On West Lusher avenue in Elkhart sits a building that is more tradition, than restaurant; Heinnies back barn has been an Elkhart staple since 1951, and is currently being run by the original owners' grandsons. Not only has Heinnies won acclaim as the best steak and the best prime rib in our area, but they have also earned themselves a spot on the United States' Top Cheeseburger Stops (By author George Motz), so if that isn't enough to convince you to drop by for dinner, I will personally tell you how wonderful the food is! As you walk through the restaurant you might just feel like you are walking through a cattle barn as each table is in it's own stall, and every table cloth is cow print, a little cheesy? Yeah, sure, but they have the food to back it up! We started our meal with an appetizer platter, that included onion rings, zucchini, mozzarella sticks, and jalapeño poppers, it was good, but nothing out of the ordinary, but enough to be worth $9.99. We were barely done with our apps when our salads came out, they were ample, but I will warn that when your waitress asks if you want cheese, bacon, and croutons, saying yes will add a whopping $2.67 to your tab, that is $.89 for each of these savory additions. Now, when you visit Heinnies, you HAVE to go on a Monday, Friday, or Saturday because these are the only days they serve their prime rib, and you have to try the prime rib, you also have to pay the extra dollar to have it charbroiled; this thick cut of prime rib comes out perfectly seasoned on a hot plate swimming in it's own delicious juices, and every single bite will melt in your mouth. I was shocked as I looked over at my husband's famous Claybaugh; it's a double burger with mozzarella, swiss, cheddar, and American cheeses, bacon, mushrooms, onions, and of course the standard tomato, lettuce, mustard, and catsup. The only complaint about this giant burger is that it was too big! Looking across the table, my parents were sharing a sirloin that would have fed the entire table, and still left enough for a doggy bag, and to quote my dad "this is a well aged steak, it is so tender." So, next time you are hungry for a steak or burger, keep the tradition alive and try Elkhart's best, Heinnies Backbarn!

Terry's Pizza & Sub

When you think of dining in Amish country, visions of chicken, potatoes, noodles, and pie often dance in your head, but what if I told you that Middlebury has some of the best subs and hot sandwiches in the area? Surprised? So was I! If you head North on State road 13 from US 20, before you hit the vast expanse of corn fields, you will see a worn down sign that says Terry's Pizza & Subs, don't let that sign fool you, because the food will not let you down! The building is humble and very clean, and as I looked around I saw the customers were mostly business, which gave me a hint as to the quality of food (admit it, business men will rarely pay for crappy food!). The choices of subs is immense, and trust me when I say there is a little something for everyone, because if you aren't into sandwiches there are pizzas, including Chicago deep dish, as well as salads. I truly wish I could give you some examples of the subs on the menu, but I literally ordered the first one I saw, which happened to be a French dip...my new favorite hot sandwich, but I will say that there were two columns worth of sandwich choices. I won't say that my sandwich was piled high with roast beef, but there was enough there to satisfy, and the fact that my sub was served on homemade bread...well, all I can say to that is, wow! The combination of hot roast beef and crusty homemade bread dipped in salty, warm au jus was an experience my tongue won't soon forget! As I looked across the table at my hubby's plate, I saw a foot's worth of the same crusty, homemade bread piled with roast beef, ham, turkey, tomato, lettuce and mayo, and as he got halfway through his sub I heard him utter "I would love to dig into the rest of it, but I'm just too full!" Did I mention, we also had an order of crusty, garlicky, buttery bread sticks? Yes, I know, carbs and carbs, but hey, they were delicious! The whole family will agree! So next time you find yourself in the land of horse and buggies, forget the chicken and pie, and head North of town for a delicious, hot sub on delicious homemade bread!