On any given Saturday, you can bet you will find most of South Bend’s farm-fresh lovers strolling the walkways of the South Bend Farmer’s Market. Incorporated in 1924, the Farmer’s Market is now the largest indoor market of its kind in the Midwest – and with good reason. Not only will shoppers find the expected variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, meats and plant life, but they will also discover everything from homemade pet treats to jewelry and a cafe offering up some of South Bend’s most delicious and coveted recipes.

While visiting the Farmer’s Market for this blog post, I could not help myself, and ended up snatching up several freshly picked (and in one case, freshly shaved) food items that caught my eye. While it is impossible to talk about all 97 vendors that call the Farmer’s Market home, I can certainly outline my experience with the vendors I was able to interact with, and in some cases purchased some fresh treats from.

I first stopped to purchase a bundle of fresh asparagus from the Klug Family Farms table. The Klug Family has held their spot at the Market since 1970 and carry seasonal produce throughout the year. In the spring they feature asparagus, rhubarb, strawberries and flowers. In the summer raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, apricots, nectarines, peaches, plums and assorted vegetables can be found spread across their vendor station, and in the fall they sell apples, pears, Michigan grapes and fall vegetables.

As I strolled through the Market, a table full of fresh and very unique looking mushrooms caught my attention. This table has belonged to Hovenkamp’s Produce since 1952, and also features gourmet veggies, homemade dressings, and hydroponic tomoatoes, cucumbers and lettuces.

Large coolers full of meats and cheeses, plus another full of gelato were next to draw me in. Oh Mamma’s Italian Deli offers over 75 varieties of cheeses, 25 varieties of olives, plus rustic breads, sweets, antipasto trays and plenty more! I couldn’t help myself from sampling the goat cheese, made fresh at the family’s goat farm in Walkerton, Ind., along with some crusty bread and olives. YUM! All of the items found at Oh Mamma’s are hand picked, and most are imported from Italy, Holland, France and other European countries. However, the Deli also offers plenty of domestic and local options that work with every budget. The freshly shaved prosciutto I bought went perfectly with my Klug Family asparagus when wrapped in bundles and roasted in the oven!

A ten year staple at the Farmer’s Market is the Ali Oesch Jewelry table, which features handmade jewelry in every style and color imaginable. Ali’s station is one of the better known vendors at the Market, with South Benders who have never even set foot in the Market knowing her name and probably having been gifted one of her creations in the past.

As you round the corner in the U-shaped Farmer’s Market, the smell of roasting nuts and sweetness fills the air. Then you see the display case of Sweet Street, and you can’t help but stop and stare. First is a case full of various nuts, some still roasting on a spinning plate. The second display case is full of caramel apples, some with chocolate and nuts, as well as other sweet confections like Tiger Tails and Tiger Paws, Bear Claws, Turtles and much more.

The Farmer’s Market also boasts a cafe that has been there for over 85 years and serves breakfast and lunch, prepared daily from seasonal produce and fresh market meats and cheeses. Customer favorites include: swiss steak, beef and noodles, meatloaf and homemade cakes and pies.

Like I mentioned before, it is impossible to give every vendor at the South Bend Farmer’s Market the time and space they deserve in this blog post. However, making your way to this unique – and totally locally- grown - market is the best way to experience this truly great FRESH PICKS option in the heart of South Bend.

Not all vendors are present at the Farmer’s Market every day it is open, so make sure to visit the Vendor page of the South Bend Farmer’s Market website to find out when is the best time to catch your favorite vendor.

For those looking for an authentic and unique place to dine, look no further than Moser’s Austrian Café. Nestled quietly in a long strip of historic buildings on Michigan Street in New Carlisle, Moser’s is the real deal. Owned and operated by Werner Moser, a transplant from the Austrian Alps, you won’t find a more authentic, and absolutely delicious, restaurant anywhere else.

It may be the small town atmosphere, or the homey décor, but Moser’s Austrian Café makes you feel like you could cozy up and stay a while, and the food only adds to that appeal. Austrian and German classics litter the menu, as well as a multitude of imported beers and wines.

I have to admit, being able to feature this one-of-a-kind eatery in this blog post was a selfish decision. Moser’s is easily one of our office’s favorite restaurants, and focusing on them in a blog was the perfect excuse to head over to New Carlisle and try lots of delicious dishes. And that is exactly what we did!

Werner Moser was kind enough to sit with us during our visit, and ordered the “Bavarian Meat & Cheese Platter” as our first course. Presented on a large wooden platter, this dish listed under their “appetizers” could easily feed several people. It is piled high with imported meats and cheeses, including a cold smoked bacon and Havarti, Muenster and Gouda cheeses. A homemade veggie bread, pretzel bun, spreads and peppadews round out the plate. This a great, and very hearty way to start off a meal!

My personal favorite, as well as most of my coworker’s too, is the “Paprika Chicken.” A super tender chicken breast is served smothered in a creamy paprika sauce, and is settled on top of large portions of Spaetzle and red cabbage. DELICIOUS! The creamy sauce ends up covering the entire plate, with the Spaetzle offering a little starchy crunch and the cabbage adding a little bit of a sweet-and-sour bite. This dish is one not to be missed – trust me!

And of course, you can’t visit an Austrian restaurant without trying some Schnitzel! For those of you unfamiliar with the classic Austrian dish, Schnitzel is made up of a boneless meat that is then thinned out, breaded and fried. As part of Moser’s newly added menu items, we decided to try the Brie Schnitzel, and are we glad we did! The Schnitzel itself was prepared in the classic way, folded in half, and the pocket created was filled with Brie cheese and walnuts. This dish was the perfect balance of creamy and crunchy, and was also served with Spaetzle and cabbage.

No meal would be complete without dessert, and we opted for Moser’s famous Apple Strudel. It was definitely the tallest strudel I have ever seen, and probably one of the most unique as well. The “doughy” part of the strudel is really light and flakey, and the filling is packed full of cinnamon and apple flavors.

Moser’s Austrian Café is the truest of authentic and delicious dining experiences, and its character and charm will pull you in before you know it! The menu at Moser’s is always getting new additions, which gives us all a good excuse to keep coming back. Make sure to check out their website and sign up for the Moser’s newsletter to keep up-to-date with all the great things happening at the café. Bon appetit!

Lindsey Talboom
Communications & Public Relations Coordinator

What’s the #1 most played song on your iPod?
Definitely Gone Gone Gone by Phillip Phillips, with Suit and Tie by Justin Timberlake as a close second.

What’s your favorite indoor/outdoor activity?
Outdoor – pretty much anything when the weather is nice, especially relaxing by the pool or on my porch. Indoor – I love watching movies and snuggling with my pets!

How many years have you been in the hospitality industry?
Less than one! I was fortunate enough to be offered an internship here right after I graduated, and that luckily turned into a full time position.

Where did you attend college?
IU Bloomington, baby! Banner up! :)

Tell me a little bit about yourself…
I graduated from IU with a degree in Journalism – public relations specifically – this past summer. I was born and raised in South Bend, and I am really loving being able to start my career here! I have two dogs (Maggie and Bailey) and a cat (Murphy), and I am obsessed with all three of them. I don’t think I could have asked for a better job or group of coworkers, and I truly enjoy what I do!

If you are looking for a unique dining experience, look no further than Zing Japanese Fusion in the heart of downtown Mishawaka. Zing is a “fusion” restaurant in every sense of the word. The ambience is both sophisticated and relaxed with leather seating, carefully chosen lighting and music creating a well balanced atmosphere. The menu fuses multiple Asian cuisines from Dim Sum to Chinese, Thai and Japanese, and offers something for every palate. Zing’s sushi offerings are among some of the best in the area, with their chefs putting together interesting flavors and high quality ingredients.

Our visit to Zing for this blog turned into a office outing, with several people asking to come along because they have enjoyed their other visits to the trendy eaterie so much. This time around was no exception, and the folks at Zing made sure we had a taste of all their most popular and most creative dishes. First, we all ordered a few sushi rolls to share among the table, and before those made it to our table we were  surprised by our waiter with a plate full of crab rangoons. Only minutes later, plates of egg rolls and pork-filled potstickers were presented to our table. All of these classic Asian appetizers were cooked to perfection with crunchy outer layers filled with warm, flavorful mixes. All were served with different dips ranging from a classic sweet and sour sauce to a soy-sauce-meets-sesame-oil sauce that complimented their assigned dish perfectly.

The surpises were then topped off with a pot of Zing’s jasmine tea, which brews right in front of you, and has a really unqiue flavor that pairs nicely with the various Asian dishes offered. We were all beginning to fill up, and we hadn’t even gotten our sushi rolls or lunch orders yet…

The first sushi roll to come out was Zing’s specialty “Hollywood Roll.” Filled with spicy white tuna, and then topped with more tuna, thin slices of mango and sweet sauce, this roll is one not to be missed! The presentation of all the dishes at Zing is above par and really showcases the detail and colors of all their foods. We found this to be especially true when the second specialty roll – the “Hulk Roll” – was brought to our table. Topped with avocado and caviar, this roll was big, full of fresh flavor, and truly lived up to its name!

Our third and final sushi offering was the “Crazy Roll,” another one that lives up to the name. The first thing you notice is the pink rice paper wrapped around the outer layer of the roll. The filling was comprised of tempura shrimp, spicy tuna and a healthy slice of avocado. This roll hit the mark in every way from the spice of the tuna to the warm crunchiness of the shrimp. YUM!

As if this wasn’t enough to feed an army, we were then served our lunch order… a Teriyaki Chicken Bento Box. Zing offers one of the most affordable lunch menus in the area, and you get a lot of “bang for your buck” when ordering from the weekday luncheon specials. All bento boxes and sushi lunches – one of their biggest sellers according to owner, Jeremy Young -  come with soup and salad and a variety of foods within the bento box.

Zing Japanese Fusion is a great addition to the area, and their culinary offerings make for a tasty and exciting option when looking for a new restaurant to visit. Their daily specials like “Sushi Sunday” and Wednesday’s “Wine Lover’s Night” make Zing an easy choice – especially when wanting a great dining experience without breaking the bank.

Keep an eye out for news and promotions at Zing Japanese Fusion on their Facebook page, and visit their website to view their full menu and daily specials. You will not be disappointed when you make your way out to check out this a-ma-ZING restaurant in downtown Mishawaka. Bon apetit!

Nestled behind the South Bend Chocolate factory on Sample Street is one of South Bend’s hidden gems. The Kitchen BMX and Skatepark, the home practice site for action sports superstar Brett Banasiewicz, is one of the country’s premiere indoor BMX and skating facilities and largest indoor skate park in the Midwest.

The park, which was designed completely by Banasiewicz and his buddies, opened in the summer of 2011 with the goal of allowing kids across the community to experience BMX without having to travel hours to the closest skate park. It is safe to say Brett, and his family and friends who help keep the Kitchen running, have reached that goal, as this weekend marks their second annual Stay Strong Pro Am Competition.

A “Pro Am” competition allows both professional and amateur BMX riders the chance to show off their best tricks. Last year’s competition was a big success, attracting notable names from the BMX world like Glenn Salyers, Pat Casey and Austin Coleman. This weekend’s competition will deliver on the same with pros including Colton Satterfield, Salyers, Scotty Cranmer and many others slated to make an appearance.

Proceeds from the event will benefit Brett’s recovery. As many now know, Brett suffered a head injury in late August 2012 during a practice run in Virginia Beach, and has been on the fast track to recovery ever since. The Banasiewicz family has been actively thanking and bringing awareness to Athlete Recovery Fund (ARF), which is an organization that helps professional action sports athletes and their families pay for medical treatments for traumatic injuries.

ARF and the Banasiewicz family are also working together to help raise awareness about helmet safety and the use of Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) certified helmets, as Brett was not wearing a certified helmet at the time of his injury. Officials for the X-games, Dew Tours, and ASA Action Sports World Tour have already mandated that all participants wear a CPSC certified helmet in 2013. You can find out more about these efforts by visiting the Kitchen and ARF websites.

Registration for the Kitchen’s Stay Strong Pro Am Competition will be open until the day of the event, and spectators are welcome – and encouraged – to head out to the Kitchen to check out the competition! Whether you are a fan of BMX, of Brett’s, or just some one looking to take in a unique sports event this weekend, the Kitchen BMX and Skatepark is definitely the place to be!

Meghan Huff
Sports Sales Manager

What’s the #1 most played song on your iPod?
Girl on Fire by Alicia Keys, Diamonds by Rihanna and Suit and Tie by Justin Timberlake.

What’s your favorite indoor/outdoor activity?
Indoor: playing games – board games, card games, ping pong, pool, etc. Outdoor: going to the lake and laying on the beach!

How many years have you been in the hospitality industry?
Full time 3 years. I’ve spent 3 additional years doing internships and working for a catering company.

Where did you attend college?
I attended the best college in the world – Purdue!! Boiler Up!!

Tell me a little bit about yourself…
I grew up in Bremen with my parents, two sisters and twin brother always cheering on IU basketball! It’s only ironic that I attended Purdue University and enjoy going back to visit campus a few times a year. My husband Chad and I have been married for three years and recently added a very rambunctious puppy, Mackey, to our family. I truly enjoy what I do and am excited to be working with such great co-workers and industry partners!

With Winter Restaurant Week in full swing, it only seemed appropriate to showcase one of downtown South Bend’s most beloved dining establishments – Fiddler’s Hearth. Nestled into a cozy building on Main St.  in South Bend, Fiddler’s Hearth is a ten-year-old restaurant that prides itself on representing the cuisine of the seven Celtic nations.

The menu at Fiddler’s houses Celtic specialties such as fish and chips, shepherd pie and steak and Guinness pie, as well as more modern dishes that are inspired by the owners’ travels to the Celtic nations.

The atmosphere at Fiddler’s Hearth can be described in one word: homey. Every detail reminds you of a quaint cottage from the arm chairs surrounding a warm fireplace, to the couch that serves as seating at one of the tables, and the corner full of children’s toys and games. The folks at Fiddler’s Hearth have perfected the balance between family-friendly and fun dining.

Chef Tony Nafrady is responsible for some of the new and very interesting additions to Fiddler’s menu, including the current Restaurant Week menu with its most popular choices being added to the regular menu. The folks at Fiddler’s were kind enough to offer us a few items to sample, and we were more than pleased to accept!

We were first brought the Roasted Beet and Spinach salad, featured on the current Winter Restaurant Week menu. This unique salad also included feta cheese, tangerine, fried turnip, warm rutabaga and a homemade sherry vinaigrette – YUM! This salad is the perfect start to a delicious meal, and the roasted beets will be sure to convert anyone who is not a fan of the root vegetable (including myself!). There was a good mix of textures with the creamy feta and different vegetables, and the sherry vinaigrette has the perfect tart-to-sweet ratio.

Then came the “Molly Malone Stew,” which has been on the menu since the restaurant opened its doors ten years ago – and for good reason. This traditional seafood stew is packed with shrimp, bay scallops, mussels, clams, crab, cod, mushrooms and barley, and is served with lots of bread for dipping! This stew has a sweeter taste than the typical tomato-based-broth soup or stew, but it complements the flavors of the various fish and shellfish so well that it is hard to stop eating! This stick to your ribs dish is one not to be missed.

And finally, another long time offering of the restaurant made its way to our table: the White Chocolate Bread Pudding and Sweet Whiskey Cream. Yes, you read that correctly – and it is divine! The bread in the pudding is the day-old remnants of Fiddler’s homemade “brown bread” and scones, and the raisins have been soaked in whiskey before being baked off. This dessert is described on the menu as “insanely rich” and we couldn’t agree more. Be careful if the kids are indulging, and ask for the sweet treat without the Whiskey Cream finish.

Fiddler’s Hearth also offers afternoon tea from 2-4pm everyday, which includes a three-tiered display of finger foods. The restaurant also has live music every day of the week, with performances taking place during Sunday brunch so children get a chance to take in a show as well.

With their 26 beers taps featuring domestic craft and international brews, Fiddler’s Hearth is also a great place to have a drink and watch a game. And for those of you interested in pairing your drink with interesting dishes, keep an eye out for Fiddler’s special events in which Chef Tony prepares small plates that complement the flavors of featured beers or scotches.

Fiddler’s Hearth is clearly one of downtown South Bend’s most unique dining establishments, and their current Winter Restaurant Week menu showcases that to a tee. For those looking to try the restaurant in the future, check out their website and social media for up-to-date information on nightly performances and food and drink specials.

And in true “foodie blog” fashion, we will leave you with a recipe for one of Fiddler’s homemade salad dressings… Bon Apetit!

CREAMY CITRUS HERB DRESSING

Ingredients:
1 cup mayonnaise
3 Tbsp orange juice
2 tsp finely chopped tarragon
3 Tbsp malt vinegar
2 Tbsp sour cream
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a bowl and whisk well. Let sit in the refirgerator for an hour to let the ingredients “mingle.” Store in refrigerator up to 7 days.

Nicole Lawler
Director of Tourism Marketing & Development

What’s the #1 most played song on your iPod?
Call Me Maybe – Carly Rae Jepsen and We Are Never Getting Back Together – Taylor Swift; I have 3 girls – 6, 4 and 2 years old :)

What’s your favorite indoor/outdoor activity?
I love all things to do with fun in the sun – lake, boating, beach, you name it! I’ve recently picked up running within the last year and plan to continue with that…

How many years have you been in the hospitality industry?
8 years

Where did you attend college?
IU Baby, Hoo Hoo Hoo Hoosiers!!!

Tell me a little bit about yourself…
I love what I do and have a great time doing it! I am married to my high school sweetheart and we have three amazing daughters that keep us on our toes and I’m sure they will for many years to come :)

Still looking for the right shin-dig to attend for ringing in the New Year? Look no further! Here you will find all the information on South Bend and Mishawaka’s best New Year’s Eve happenings, and how you can reserve your spot in the crowd. From annual soirees featuring live music and dancing, to more intimate affairs with dinner and drinks among friends, you will find it listed here. If you are in search of fun ways to spend some time with the family over the holiday, some of the area’s best recreational facilities and attractions will be open and waiting for you to stop by.

The big dance parties:

Palais Royale – Annual New Year’s Eve Dinner and Dance Party
7:00pm
$100 per ticket
Ring in the New Year on South Bend’s most historic dance floor while dancing to the 18-piece Tom Milo Big Band. Enjoy fine dining, hors d’oeuvres, a champagne toast as midnight and party favors at this annual dance party. A special hotel package is available, featuring a discounted room rate at the DoubleTree by Hilton in downtown South Bend. More details and menu information can be found here.

Gillespie Conference Center and Hilton Garden Inn – New Year’s Eve Party
8:00pm
$60 per ticket
Live music, hors d’oeuvres, champagne toast and much more will be waiting for you at this New Year’s Eve bash. A special package is also available for this party including admission for two to the festivities, plus a stay that night at the Hilton Garden Inn. For more information and to reserve your ticket, click here.

Club Fever – New Year’s (F)EVE(R)
10:00pm
Admission is $10 at the door
Drink specials will be offered all night, and you can enter to win one of three vacation giveaways. Complimentary champagne toast at midnight and a multi media ball drop countdown are included in the night’s festivities. More details can be found here.

Big dance parties not really your thing? Here are a few suggestions for a more relaxed, but equally as fun night of festivities:

Brothers Bar and Grill
Enjoy the party near the Notre Dame campus this New Year’s Eve. There will be party favors, noise makers, a midnight champagne toast, music and much more as everyone welcomes 2013. Find out more at the Brothers website.

The Phoenix Bar and Grill
This bar and grill in downtown Mishawaka is offering a polish style buffet from 7:30-9:00pm with admission of $25 that will take you all the way to midnight with a champagne toast. However, if you are looking to just stop in and enjoy the live music of Full Circle after 9:00pm, then admission in $10 at the door. Tables and individual tickets can be reserved ahead of time by calling 574-257-8876.

M.R. Falcon Club
Also offering a polish-style buffet, tickets can be purchased for the event at the venue. Ring in the New Year with live music, a DJ, party favors and an open bar at this bash. Tables and individual tickets are available for reserving by calling 574-288-1090.

And for those looking for fun ways to spend the afternoon with the kids and loved ones, some of South Bend and Mishawaka’s best attractions will be waiting for you to visit!

Studebaker National Museum
Stop in and take a tour of the Studebaker National Museum before heading out to all the fun parties on New Year’s Eve. Stroll through the exhibits, check out the great holiday decorations, and even get a family photo taken in a Studebaker! The museum will be open from 10:00am to 5:00pm on New Year’s Eve, and will be closed on New Year’s Day. You can call  574-235-9714 to find out more details.

Howard Park Ice Rink and Merrifield Ice Rink
Want to get a little more active over the holiday? Try gliding across the ice at one of South Bend and Mishawaka’s ice rinks! Howard Park will be open on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day with hours varying. Check out their website for further details and a special coupon. Merrifield Rink in Mishawaka will be open on New Year’s Eve from 12:00pm to 4:00pm and 4:30pm to 9:00pm.

Area restaurants will also be ringing in the New Year with holiday hours and special menu offerings. A list of area New Year’s Eve dining options, can be found by clicking here. (Thank you South Bend Foodies for the help).

From dancing to live music, to a quiet dinner with the family, there is something for everyone in South Bend and Mishawaka this New Year’s Eve. So get out and enjoy it all, and have a very HAPPY NEW YEAR!

 75 years ago Fred S. Carbon founded the New Carbon Company, a producer of waffle bakers and Carbon’s Golden Malted pancake and waffle flour mix. New Carbon has grown tremendously since then and now holds contracts with some pretty familiar names like:

DISNEY PARKS – New Carbon is the official waffle supplier for all Disney parks.
HAMPTON, HILTON AND MARRIOTT HOTELS – Ever make yourself a fluffy, delicious waffle at a continental breakfast? The batter, Better Batter Dispenser and waffle bakers are all courtesy of South Bend’s New Carbon Company.
DENNY’S AND PERKIN’S – These national breakfast spots serve up Carbon’s Golden Malted with every waffle they make.
DAIRY QUEEN – Not only are DQ’s sweet confections served in waffle cones made on a New Carbon waffle cone machine, but there paninis are also cooked in New Carbon machinery.

This list goes on and on, and spreads over five continents and over 25 countries from Thailand to Sweden, Mexico, South Africa and more. However, you don’t have to travel that far to enjoy some of Carbon’s Golden Malted treats. You don’t even need to go to a restaurant or hotel. You simply need to stop by the New Carbon Company’s South Bend factory… they sell several flavors of the flour mix at their front desk! You can even purchase all flavors and variety packs of pancake and flour mix on their website.

If making your own world-famous waffles at home doesn’t already have you impressed, then New Carbon’s unique creations definitely will. New Carbon has their own food truck, which they can park at any event you may be holding, and they serve up some of the most interesting waffle dishes you have ever seen.

All of these menu items are served on top of or in between Golden Malted waffles:

THE FULL MONTY: Black forest ham and roasted turkey, Swiss and American cheeses and a sprinkling of powdered sugar.

KOREAN BBQ CHICKEN: BBQ chicken topped with a tangy Korean-style slaw.

WHILLY NILLY PHILLY: Philly beef, grilled onions, mushrooms and pepper, all topped with American and Swiss cheeses.

The menu continues, and can be changed for any event, party, or picnic. The New Carbon Company is always expanding and introducing new ways to enjoy waffles, so keep yourself in the loop by checking their website and social media. And don’t forget to stop into their South Bend factory to pick up your waffle flour and get cooking!