By Loren Shaum
Guest Columnist

Finally, folks are out and about doing their holiday thing. Hopefully, I’m done traveling for the year and can now join the shopping Frenzy.  There is much going on that one can take advantage of, and it’s worth sharing.

Fort Wayne Shopping

Jefferson Pointe, especially the Von Mauer department store, is always a good place to start with their grand piano setting seasonally decorated.  A local pianist usually plays Christmas carols continually but not this year! Around the mall, there’s a variety of chains, and Eddie Merlot’s used to open for lunch during the holiday season, but not this year. So, the best choice might be Biaggio’s – a high-end Italian joint.

For lunch, there are too many choices, but one of our favorites, Tolon in downtown Fort Wayne is no longer open for lunch. Matthew and Nicky Nolot’s inspiring farm-to-table restaurant is one the fort’s best.  

Paula’s on Main, which was closed for an extended period during the COVID onslaught, but is now open for lunch.  Their fish market is spectacular!

Wabash

Being only an hour from Lake Country, we occasionally like to check out the shops, galleries and restaurants.  Poole’s Meat Market is a must-stop.  They carry a variety of unusual items.

The Twenty Restaurant inside the Charley Creek Inn is always on our agenda. Their bloody Mary’s are exceptional!  There are also a couple shops within the Inn. One is a kitchen store with exceptional choices in wines and craft whiskeys. The lobby is always beautifully decorated for the holidays and lunch at the nostalgic Twenty is always special.

Roanoke

This is another shopping hub for the holidays.  It is also an easy hour’s drive. There are multiple shops including boutiques, a kitchen store, art galleries, antique stores and Joseph Decuis’ Emporium where you can purchase their farm-raised Wagyu beef.

For lunch, there are several excellent choices.  Besides the Emporium (open Thursday through Saturday), the Roanoke Village Inn, Parker Grace and Moose and Mollie’s are all good choices.  

The town’s flagship, and perhaps the best restaurant in northeast Indiana, is Joseph Decuis, but it’s only open for dinner on Thursday through Saturday.  

If you want a real treat, contact the restaurant to schedule a tour of the Eshelman’s Joseph Decuis Farmstead where they raise the Wagyu cattle and Mangalitsa pigs.

Warsaw

Salmon teriyaki and tempura bento box at Kiyomi Japanese Cuisine in the Syracuse village.

Rua is Andrew Jones’ creative street food restaurant with a Portuguese theme, but it’s open on limited hours.  Regardless, their brunch on Saturday and Sunday is always packed. You’ll need a reservation. The tomato soup with a hint of fennel with an artisan grilled cheese is always a perfect start on a cold day.  

In Winona Lake, the Boathouse is always a good choice. This lakefront venue is a comfortable place for lunch, and they are open seven days a week.  Their grilled salmon on a bed of greens is outstanding.  

Also in Winona is the acclaimed Cerulean Restaurant.  It’s also open for lunch and features Japanese fare for the most part.

There are also a variety of shops in Winona that offer interesting gifts for the holidays.

Elkhart

There’s not much downtown shopping to speak of, except for Stephenson’s, but there are a couple new boutiques.  There are other shops north of downtown on Bristol Street.

For lunch, our favorite is Sports Time on County Road 17.  Chef Jose’s food is the best!  Also high on our list is Chubby Trout north of the toll road.  Their sushi is a crowd favorite.

Lake Country

There’s always good shopping.in the Village south of Syracuse. Pia’s Absolutely Gifts and Apparel is always a good start.  Her and husband, Dan, are living the American dream.  They immigrated from Denmark in their teens and built their lives in America.  

Just next door is The Gifts at Wawasee, which is worth a browse.

South of the railroad tracks, there are no less than 18 restaurants.  Besides the many chains, the best bar food joint is probably Chubbies Pub and Grub.  Other bar grub spots are Louie’s Bar and Grill and the Frog Tavern.

But, the best of the lot is Kiyomi’s Japanese Cuisine.  Their bento boxes and sushi are the best, and the place is owned by a Chinese couple!

Christmas Events

Most of the tree lighting events took place before or around Thanksgiving.  In Lake Country, Chautauqua-Wawasee hosted the tree lighting ceremony at Oakwood Resort and had a grand turn-out.

The Fort Wayne Philharmonic offers a more aggressive holiday agenda with eight “Holiday Pops” concerts.  You don’t have to go to Fort Wayne to witness this extravaganza.  The philharmonic has concerts scheduled at Trine University and Whitley and Noble Counties. They will also do four other special holiday concerts.  

It’s not too late to catch one of these holiday events

Enjoy this holiday season and the fabulous light displays from various locations.

A scene from Shipshewana’s Lights of Joy.