A bit of r&r and ramen
Happy Thursday readers!
This time last week, I was sitting under the veranda at Café Du Monde in New Orleans's French Quarter sipping on coffee, stuffing my face with beignets doused in powdered sugar and enjoying a bit of r&r. For four days, I indulged in history tours, antiquing and, of course, the food — crawfish boils, chargrilled oysters, blackened alligator and a Muffuletta salad at the Napoleon House restaurant, named after the building that was once meant to be a place of refuge for the exiled French military leader.
It was a hot, lively and exhausting trip that I'm happy we took but am also happy to be back.
But less about New Orleans and more about what happened in the South Bend area.
Here's what's happening at home
🍜 After three years, Okasan Ramen has opened along S. Bend Avenue near Notre Dame. The ramen shop features four different kinds of ramen, plus bao buns, pad thai and Boba tea. Read what owners had to say about finally opening the long-awaited restaurant.
🍦 Fat Boys Creamery opened May 9 in the Keller Park neighborhood on South Bend's northwest side. The ice cream shop, located at 1239 King St., next to Bob's Pub, features soft-serve ice cream and loaded dessert waffles. It is open Tuesdays through Sundays from noon to 9 p.m.
🥕 Outdoor farmers market Portage Farm Stands opened for the season on Saturday, May 28, and will operate every Saturday morning through October 29. Formerly known as the Urban Garden Market, the market will feature local producers offering seasonal produce, pastured meats (like pork, beef and chicken), flowers, honey and baked goods. It will be located directly across from the Near Northwest Neighborhood building at 1007 Portage Ave. and will be open from 10 a.m. to noon.
🚗 New tire mechanic company RNR Tire Express has opened at 1033 W. McKinley Ave. in Mishawaka, near the corner of Logan Street. This is the 11th location for the company in the Hoosier state. It is open Mondays through Fridays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and offers different financial payment options.
🚧 If you're curious about what's become of the demolition at the former Gates Body Shop on Ireland Road, you're not alone. Subscribers can read here what's going on, plus details about construction plans across the street near the Menards.
As always, if you see something around town you're curious about and want me to check out, you can email me here.
Your favorite outdoor eating spots
For this Sunday's column, I am working on a list of restaurants, bars and eateries that offer outdoor dining. While my current list has about 130 locations so far, there's always one or two that get overlooked. So I want to know ... what's your favorite outdoor place that should make the list? Let me know here.
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Cheers 🦞
Mary
Still want to know more of Michiana's eating and shopping news? Keep up to date by checking out the Market Basket website, 'like' the column's Facebook page and follow me on Twitter at @maryshownSBT or @marketbasketSBT.
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This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Market Basket newsletter, June 2 2022
