Ft Wayne, IN??

Someone wrote:
Someone wrote:
: >Subject: Ft Wayne, IN??
: >From: [email removed]
: >Date: 30 May 95 07:29:55 EST

: >Does anyone know of a good restaurant in Ft. Wayne IN?  I will be meeting : >friends there later this week and would like a nice place to meet.  Vegetariant : >is preferred, but not necessary.

: I was in Fort Wayne last month for some company training (GTE), and : the restaurant scene -- as might be expected -- is a complete zero. : Vegetarianism is a pretty radical concept there (there are lots of steak : houses!), and I couldn't find anyone who knew, or would admit to knowing of, a : veggie emporium.  There *is* a French restaurant that is supposed to be quite : good, but I couldn't convince anyone in my travelling party to go there so I : have no firsthand info...  Unfortunately, it's been long enough that I don't : remember the name of it, but I remember it was located near downtown : (important info since Fort Wayne is a surprisingly spread out town, with most : [chain] eateries located on the northern arc).

Well, I survived 2 years in Fort Wayne, and Phhil is partly right.  The restaurant scene there is geared towards meat and potatoes, mostly.  There are some welcome exceptions though:

*Cafe Johnnel - this is probably the french restaurant that Phil is talking about.  South of downtown in the 2500? block of Calhoun.  Great restaraunt, one of the best in the state (although, that doesn't say much!).  Very upscale, but also very affordable.  Great menu - be sure to try Nike's signature appetizer, suasage en croute (sausage wrapped in puff pastry, excellent).  All there sauces are first rate.  Truly a fine culinary experience.  (This restaurant is right near the Williams-Woodland historic district, where we used to live.  There is a walking tour map of the neighborhood available at the Fort Wayne visitor's bureau, I think.  Lots of turn of the century homes, some in great shape, some unfortunately not).

*Paula's - on Main street, east of downtown.  Nice relaxed seafood restaurant that does some very interesting dishes.  This place was one of our favorites.

*Munchie Emporium - Neat bar/restaurant on Broadway and Taylor(?).  Great pizza.  Good pasta.  Some vegetarian dishes.  For good food and come as you are atmosphere, this place can't be beat.

*Three Rivers Food Co-op - Obviously, Phil didn't ask the right people, as anyone in the know would have suggested this place for great vegetarian meals.  Mind you, this is a food co-op with a great deli, so it isn't truly a restaurant, but the vegetarian dishes, the great salads, and the wonderful baked goods, make it well worth stopping by.  Ask to speak to the head chef, Dave, or his wife Jain, and say hi to them for me (I used to volunteer in the deli).  Located just south of Washington/Jefferson on Broadway.

*Bagatelle's Bistro and Bar -The only place that we'd ever drive out into the suburbs to go to.  Nice bistro atmosphere with an open kitchen area so one can watch the meals being prepared. Located west of town on Jefferson(?) near Aboite township.

*Park Inn (?) - Located downtown across from Freimann Square.  Good restaurant.  Wonderful atmosphere, with Frank Lloyd Wright inspired interior.  Food is pretty good.  As close to an urban restaurant as Fort Wayne gets.

*Just Ribs - Had to toss this place in there.  Some of the best ribs I have ever had.  The guy started out in an empty parking lot with just a couple of big tank barbecues, and progressed to a real take out joint.  Located near Cafe Johnel, but I can't remember the exact street address (it is south of downtown on the main norhtbound road). Not for everyone, but I enjoyed it.

These are the only places that I would consider going to if I found myself back in Fort Wayne for a weekend.  Locals seem to prefer the prefab steak house types (Lonestar Steakhouse, Outback Steakhouse, Red River Steakhouse), so take any suggestions from the locals with a grain of salt.

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   Chris Kantzes                               [email removed]
   "Als Ik Kan"                                Minneapolis, MN
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From [email removed] Thu Jun  8 19:50:30 EDT 1995
Article: 16607 of rec.food.restaurants