Midwest
Elkhart Lake
WISCONSIN
SMALL VILLAGE, BIG VOICE
Culinary Sophistication in Wisconsin’s Elkhart Lake
This is one hidden gem that the foodies who devotedly visit would prefer stay hidden. Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, sparkles with one jewel after
another – a pristine lake, a European-style race track known as Road
America, a leg of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail, destination spa Aspira. And food. Chicagoans have long made a beeline here to escape
the hustle and the bustle of the city without having to compromise on
culinary and style standards. It’s just two-and-a-half hours north of the
Windy City.
The restaurant draw is quite astonishing. Some 20 acclaimed gastro
pubs, supper clubs, taverns and tiki bars all within walking distance of
one another. Not exactly what you’d expect from an easy-as-you-go resort burg in the middle of a glaciated forest.
Restaurants here pay homage to the farming way of life in Wisconsin in a
big way. Take the one acre-plus garden plot on the grounds of The Osthoff Resort that provides fresh produce to the resort’s two main restaurants – Lola’s on the Lake, the finest of fine dining, and Otto’s, a prime
spot for a.m. specialties – along with the resort’s spa café and cooking
school. At the Paddock Club, the culinary staffers are all on a first-name
basis with farmers and loyal purveyors, resulting in exquisite farm-totable dishes. The historic Elkhart Inn specializes in wild fish and game.
Lake Street Café has been a Wine Spectator award winner since 2003,
info that pairs nicely with the tenderloin shiraz. Speaking of wine, Vintage
wine shop and tasting bar is run by one of the country’s top sommeliers.
For kitschy deliciousness, there’s Off the Rail, part coffeehouse, part diner. For quirky, Brown Baer is the hands-down winner, where nothing is
deep-fried and the live music is always hot. Coziest fireplace honors go
to Back Porch Bistro, with dessert a near mandatory course here.
Food travelers, add this to your Midwest must-visit list.
www.ElkhartLake.com
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FoodTraveler l Winter 2016