NORTHERN LAKES COUNTRY CUISINE & other diversions

Waterfront restaurants are as prevalent as homemade pie in the northeast corner of Indiana, thanks to Steuben County’s impressive menu of more than 100 lakes. Meals of aged steaks and flown-in seafood fuel visitors for swimming, hiking and sight-seeing adventures. It’s time to fill up and explore.

FROM THE EDITORS OF ®

Spaghetti at Caruso’s, Angola.

VISIT Northern Indiana Lakes Country

Play a round on Zollner Golf Course on AngolaFremont the campus of Trine University, Angola. lakes101.org CARUSO’S

Things have changed since 1976 when Joe and Barb Caruso bought their pizzeria, but not their passions— food and family. Back then, Joe worked the kitchen, Barb out front. These days, all three generations of Carusos work some nights cooking up the family’s recipes of pizza and pasta. The extensive menu also lists trendier versions of Italian fare. Parmigiana comes layered with tender chicken, veal or eggplant. Guests with gusto opt for the too-big-to-hold sausage roll, a concoction of meat, mushrooms, sauce and cheese baked to a golden brown. House-made blueberry ice cream accompanies the mascarpone cake. That freshness extends to the look: Gone is the red, white and blue siding. Now, stone and stucco hint at the Tuscan decor of rustic-color walls lit by wrought-iron chandeliers above guests warmed by a stone fireplace.

2435 N. 200 W. ANGOLA (260) 833-2617 CARUSOS-RESTAURANT.COM CLAY’S FAMILY RESTAURANT

The white clapboard exterior of Clay’s could be mistaken for someone’s home. In a sense, that’s what it’s been for diners over the past 65 years. Wooden tables and plaid curtains are homey touches, and there’s plenty of delicious homestyle cooking to keep the parking lot full. Dig into plates of tenderloins and fish, or opt for the reasonably priced soup-and-salad bar. Rookies may fall into the trap of eating too much before dessert; regulars save room for slices of from-scratch fruit and cream pies. The specialty Oops! pie is a dense treat with pecans and chocolate chips. On weekends, employees fuss like mothers at Christmas to make sure the buffet chafing dishes are full of scrambled eggs, corned beef hash, link and patty sausages, bacon, pancakes, French toast, and biscuits and gravy. Even if Fremont isn’t home base, you’re always welcome here.

7815 N. OLD 27 LAKE GEORGE FREMONT (260) 833-1332 KPCMEDIA.COM/CLAYS MAD ANTHONY’S LAKEVIEW ALEHOUSE & RECEPTION HALL

The phrase “Peace, Love and Hoppiness” graces the front of the menu; it’s a fitting motto for this laid-back pub. Three friends with a passion for craft beer and food share the love in this fourth iteration of Mad Anthony’s, which has a reputation for pub grub with a twist. A 10-inch baked tortilla forms the crust for Unwraps, pizzas topped with spicy jambalaya, Philly steak or a garden of veggies. Whatever you have piled on your Unwrap, there’s a perfect house brew for pairing. Can’t decide? Order a sampler of six 3-ounce pours, including the refreshing Raspberry Wheat. During your pursuit of hoppiness, enjoy lakefront views from a picnic table in the beer garden on the bank of . A peaceful experience under the string lights includes an indulgent slice of turtle cheesecake or triple-layer chocolate cake.

4080 N 300W ANGOLA (260) 833-2537 MADBREW.COM THE CAPTAIN’S CABIN

A classic date-night atmosphere flows throughout this two-story log cabin on the southern bank of Crooked Lake. Wood-paneled walls, candlelit tables and a stone fireplace with flickering logs set the tone for an intimate evening. Diners toast the romantic waterfront view with classic martinis served in stainless-steel glasses while perusing the menu of old-school surf and turf. What’s not to love about options like tender shrimp in a kicky cocktail sauce, single or twin rock lobster tails and New York Strip steak with house-made steak sauce? Sides of mashed potatoes made zippy with horseradish and signature blue cheese coleslaw pair beautifully with the artfully prepared entrees. Experienced waitstaff check in regularly to make sure guests are enjoying every savory moment at this special-occasion destination.

3070 W. SHADY SIDE RD ANGOLA (260) 665-5663 CAPTAINSCABINRESTAURANT.COM THE HATCHERY

Change is in the air at downtown Angola’s fine-dining establishment. A 2014 rebranding of The Hatchery CITY CENTER turned the place from a more exclusive establishment THE MOUND Two blocks from The Hatchery, a Civil War with strict dress code into a place where everyone’s monument rises from The welcome. Don’t be mistaken: The two-story redbrick Mound, which sits at the center building still houses a quality atmosphere with white of a roundabout. The monument tablecloths and a fireplace. But now you can choose anchors a public square your level of formality, from a casual deck and lounge populated with historical theaters, to the upscale dining room. No matter where you sit, stores and eateries. Plenty of free a refreshed culinary lineup will satisfy you. Starters two-hour parking encourages include an addictive pairing of bacon-wrapped scallops lingering, so grab a sandwich and and sweet potato fries. House sauces elevate dishes like brownie at Sutton’s Deli before wine-cherry glazed Indiana duckling and the dill-caper spending an afternoon exploring antiques and crafts stores. Don’t sauce that marries a French baked potato. Hand-cut miss a photo op in front of the steaks and flown-in seafood round out the new menu architecturally stunning redbrick that adds a dash of spice to Angola’s dining scene. Steuben County Courthouse.

118 S. ELIZABETH ANGOLA (260) 665-9957 THEHATCHERYRESTAURANT.COM THE LAKEVIEW GRILLE

Full-size hang upside down from the ceiling, and miniature ones top tables at this home-style restaurant LAKE COUNTRY within The Inn at . POKAGON STATE PARK Known The playful atmosphere caters to park-going families, for its ¼-mile-long tobogganing run in the winter, this lush some of whom make the Grille a tradition thanks to its property makes for a prime outstanding Sunday brunch buffet. Navigate a culinary outdoor destination year-round. river of fried chicken, biscuits and gravy, crispy bacon, Glaciers formed the lake-dotted made-to-order omelets and pillowy DIY waffles. Guests landscape, which contains nine can also order from the extensive menu of aged steaks, hiking trails that weave through regional fish (lake perch, walleye and blue gill), meat scenic hardwood forests and loaf and burgers. While you’re waiting for the food to marshland. Up North-themed arrive—or if you just need a break between plates— Potawotami Inn makes an ideal bring out your inner child by coloring the paper table base for days spent fishing, coverings with provided crayons. You’ll leave happily full, swimming, biking and horseback riding. Park entrance fee is per car, but calorie-burning activities abound here, including per day: $5 for Indiana residents hiking, biking and, of course, canoeing. and $7 for out-of-state visitors.

6 LANE 100A LAKE JAMES ANGOLA (260) 833-1077 INDIANAINNS.COM TIMBERS STEAKHOUSE AND SEAFOOD

A sign billing steaks and seafood hangs on the A-frame log building just off Angola’s main drive. And mounted animal BACK TO heads inside complete the hunting lodge look. But the CAMPUS menu offers more than your stereotypical American foods, TRINE UNIVERSITY Well-kept it’s a world tour of surprises. Tried-and-true appetizers brick buildings and thoughtful include loaded cheese fries alongside rumaki (bacon- landscaping keep this private wrapped chicken livers) and balls of sauerkraut, ground college looking young for its beef and sausage. Order your catch-of-the-day one of five 131-year-old age. It’s worth ways, including Japanese-style, with sesame and pickled exploring for the architecture, ginger, or Timbers Style (charbroiled with garlic butter). but if you’re lucky, you can also catch one of the music Mexican specials reign on Wednesdays, and Thursdays department’s free concerts at feature all things Italian. Want a good steak? Timbers has T. Furth Center for the Performing you covered with five varieties, from an 8-ounce ribeye to Arts. Looking for a place to hit the a 20-ounce porterhouse. Still hungry? They serve hearty links? Bring your clubs for a round breakfasts—pancakes, waffles, three-egg omelets, steak at the 18-hole Zollner Golf Course and eggs and more—until 2 p.m. across the street from Timbers.

1212 W. MAUMEE ANGOLA (260) 665-7487 TIMBERSANGOLA.COM TIMBUKTOO’S

Like most mothers, Connie gave her son a solid start. It was her 15 years in the restaurant business and SAFARI ON time as owner of the Herb Garden that provided chef THE PRAIRIE Tim Barry the organized base he needed to build his WILD WINDS BUFFALO PRESERVE successful, unique place. In 2008, Tim took over the Five miles from Timbuktoo’s, rustic-chic log cabin, where model airplanes hang adventurers board a tractor-pulled from the ceiling and baskets perch on wooden beams. wagon for a 45-minute tour that Tim’s love affair with cooking began with fish, so it’s no provides encounters with the surprise that the menu features a wide range of seafood, preserve’s 160 shaggy beasts, which including seared ahi tuna, chili-glazed mahimahi, can reach more than 1,000 pounds. Guides welcome questions and almond-crusted walleye and New England-style crab provide factoids along the way. (Did cakes with homemade remoulade sauce. Steaks, you know buffalo eat 20 pounds chicken sandwiches and build-your-own burgers leave of grass a day?) Back at the farm, a meat-lovers satisfied. Most satisfying for Barry: Mom gift shop sells handcrafted jewelry, still prepares Timbuktoo’s soups and desserts. inspirational books, bison meat and even mounted bison heads.

215 E. STATE RD 120 FREMONT (260) 495-1658 TIMBUKTOOS.COM