Thursday, November 24, 2011

A Tippecanoe Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving!  For years and years my mom would cook a turkey, we'd have the annual Turkey Bowl at the park in Oak Forest and dozens of family members would come over to our house for food and a game of Trivial Pursuit.  The winning team would get bragging rights for an entire year.

I like tradition.

My career took me away from the area for a long time.  I've had plenty of Thanksgiving meals on paper plates at a desk in a newsroom.  I'm not complaining.  They were good experiences with some pretty great people.

But it sure was nice to have a Thanksgiving meal with my folks today. 

They drove to South Bend and we ate at Tippecanoe Place... and what a place it is!  I tell you what... I was expecting a good meal and a cool atmosphere, but this place went beyond my expectations.  What a cool house.  We ate in the "master bedroom" upstairs.  The place is decked out for the holidays.  I took a few shots of the outside... I wish I had more from inside!


What's the history?

This is from Tippecanoe Place's Website:

"Built by Clem Studebaker from 1886-1889, the Tippecanoe Place mansion has a rich and colorful history. Today, the restaurant indulges clientele in grand cuisine and noble wine - all within an atmosphere of unparalleled ambiance at the heart of the South Bend business and social scene."

Monday, November 7, 2011

Irish Helmets Visible from Jupiter, A Great Steak... and Some Italian Too

The Irish may have been in North Carolina over the weekend, but I received several reports that the glow of the helmets could still be seen in South Bend.

A Chicago Tribune writer pointed out during the debut of the helmets during the USC game a few weeks back, that the gold was "visible from Jupiter."

They are BRIGHT, but I love 'em. 

I took in the game up at my family's lake house in South Haven, MI.  It wasn't pretty, but it was a win!  

We ate at Phil's on Butler Street in Saugatuck before the game.  If you haven't been to Saugatuck, or to Phil's, I recommend both!  

Here's what I had ... it was pretty awesome: 

Filet
8 oz. filet of beef grilled to temperature topped with gorgonzola cheese, bacon and caramelized onions with a tomato butter sauce, served with vegetable and smashed redskin potatoes.

Picture of a picture hanging at Francesco's in Mishawaka, IN
While we're talking food...

We stumbled across Francesco's in Mishawaka, IN after the last ND game at home.  What a cool place to just happen upon.  It's located in an older house.  They sat us upstairs, and we had some great Italian food.

The wine and beer list was limited, but the quality of the food made up for that in a big way.  Great fun.

Here's to a great week everyone!