Some of the secret gems of South Bend are its restaurants. While eating on a dining hall plan is convenient and prepaid, there are many places south of campus to order something more than Voodoo Chicken and poutine.
Lucky for us, Downtown South Bend is hosting its Winter Restaurant Week from January 27th to February 9th. Restaurant weeks are promotional events where restaurants offer a price-fixed menu in order for customers to try foods that may normally be out of their typical budget for nights out. While most restaurants will offer specials for dinner, some restaurants include a price-fixed menu for breakfast, lunch and occasionally even brunch.
The origins of restaurant weeks are rooted in New York City, when restaurants wanted to promote tourism while also increasing the number of locals who attended their establishments. Since its initiation, the event has expanded in location and duration. Many major cities have adopted their own celebration, encouraging restaurants to participate from coast to coast. In some places, cities host restaurant weeks multiple times a year. Sometimes, restaurants extend the event to be multiple weeks at a time.
In addition to being a great deal, Downtown South Bend’s Restaurant Week is a charitable occasion. For every meal purchased, approximately 10% of the proceeds will be donated to Beacon Children’s Hospital, located downtown.
As of the time this article was written, Downtown South Bend has included 19 restaurants in its Restaurant Week this winter. The selection includes:
Café Navarre
Chicory Café
Chocolate Café
Cinco 5 International
East Bank Emporium
Fiddler’s Hearth Public House
The Hideaway at the LaSalle
LaSalle Grill
LaSalle Kitchen & Tavern
The Lauber
PEGGS
Render Kitchen & Bar
South Bend Brew Werks
Spirited
Sunny Italy Café
Studebaker Brewing Co.
Tippecanoe Place Restaurant
Vegetable Buddies
Woochi Japanese Fusion & Bar
Although I would love to try many of these restaurants, I am a broke college student. Some places I’d like to recommend include Café Navarre, East Bank Emporium and Tippecanoe Place Restaurant.
Café Navarre is described as American cuisine with European influences and it is absolutely amazing. Unfortunately, I have not had a meal there when there was a price-fixed menu (so lots of $$$) but the food, the atmosphere and the service was worth every penny.
The East Bank Emporium is located on the bank of the St. Joseph River near the newly-opened Howard Park. Their classic take on American dining is emphasized by the interior decoration. Its menu separates itself into dishes from the air, the sea and the land, each with their own special dishes.
Tippecanoe Place Restaurant was once Tippecanoe Place Mansion, and was converted into a restaurant starting in 1980. Their best dishes are the prime rib and meats, each cooked to perfection. Their desserts are to die for—especially the flourless chocolate truffle torte!
Regardless of whether or not you take my recommendations, Downtown South Bend’s Restaurant Week is bound to be a hit!
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