TAKE THE A-TRAIN
TAKE THE A TRAIN: Amtrak, that is. It is a mystery to me why Elkhart folks will drive over 20 miles to pay to park at SBN airport, to take the South Shore to Chi-Town. Amtrak has 2 daily trains to Union Station from Elkhart, with two nightly returns. And parking here is FREE - for as long as you like. It's only $17 each way and there's a dining and snack car (and a bar car on the return. )
Morning trains depart Elkhart DAILY at 7:24 AM (Capitol Limited), arriving Chicago at 8:40 AM. Next train is at 8:25 AM (Lakeshore Limited), arriving in Chicago at 9:45 AM. Scenic double-decker cars give you great views, comfortable seats and FOOD. www.amtrak.com
Evening return trains depart DAILY from Union Station to ELkhart at 6:50 PM, arriving ELkhart @ 9:39 PM. Next departure is at 9:00 PM, arriving Elkhart at 11:52 PM.
Go for the day. Take the kids. Next time you get the urge to "blow town," go Amtrak. Right from DOWNTOWN ELKHART. Can't beat it.
McCarthy's on the Riverwalk just opened (near the Elkhart Ave bridge). Friday, Oct. 23 was their ribbon-cutting and open house. This long-admired, gorgeous building overlooking the Elkhart River now has an interior to match its commanding exterior. The dark wood-panelled, cozy bar is "pub-themed" with some Irish overtones (Smithwick's on tap; corned beef; "Irish nachos" - they use sliced potatoes instead of tortilla chips). The spicy, savory whitefish dip with flatbread is a great pub item and compliments any beer and most cocktails ($7). The large and beautiful wrap-around terrace will surely be a popular spot in warmer weather. Warm-toned, understated dining and banquet rooms are lovely with floor to ceiling windows. The dining room and pub bar have slate floors and tufted burgundy leather booths that offer a feeling of richness, but not stuffiness, to the pleasing decor. The best filet mignon ($26.50 for 9 ounces) I've had in a long time has a distinctive spicy caramelized rub, reminiscent of Minelli's "back in the day." Melts in your mouth. Staff members who smile, know what's going on, who greet customers immediately are an evident asset that will be key to McCarthy's success. Check their web site under our "Fine Dining" section.
OKTOBERFEST - The "Downtown Tour" saw imaginative food & drink specials offered by 8 downtown establishments. From 5pm until Midnight on Saturday, Oct. 10, over 400 hearty souls traversed the mean streets of our downtown. Owners and managers were ecstatic; participants got great deals, tried spots they'd never been to or hadn't patronized in years. And everyone behaved. Nary a bar-smoking, noise violating pit ball in sight. Thanks EPD for patroling to make it safe. THANKS everyone from all over Michiana who came out to have fun and take our Oktoberfest tour.
It was way cool. We'll do it again.
