Germanfest is the unofficial kickoff of Fort Wayne’s summer festival season. The week long celebration is a celebration of Essen, Trinken, und Gemutlichkeit (“Eating, drinking, and having a really good time”!) While Fort Wayne residents and visitors alike love to do all three, the festival also celebrates the German heritage many Fort Wayne residents share.  Fort Wayne is often be referred to as “A Most German City” because of its strong German ancestry.

The festival, which began in 1981, will take place June 2-9 at Headwaters Park in downtown Fort Wayne.

Throughout the week several events will take place that you don’t want to miss.  The Beer Stein Relay Race (you know you want to try it) gives you the opportunity to combine your love of running, friends, and beer on Friday night. Be sure to bring your camera and your sense of humor.

Want to embrace your inner Lucy Ricardo? Then check out the Trauben Tromp (Grape Stomp) on Saturday June 9. Grab three friends and prepare to stomp over 300 pounds of grapes.

After you’ve stomped all of those grapes, why not learn to polka? Patrick Didier and the American Styles Ballroom Dance Studio will be giving free lessons in the Germanfest Festival Pavilion.  Traditional German bands will play throughout the week as well.

Did we mention the food?  Be sure to bring your appetite when you come to Germanfest.  Traditional German food and beverages will be available for your enjoyment as well!

Germanfest opens at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday June 5 with admission of $2 from 2:00-5:00 and $5 admission after 5 p.m.  Minors must be accompanied by parents.  No one under 21 permitted after 9:30 p.m.  Parking is available in the city lot next to Headwaters Park.

Paula’s on Main, located at 1732 West Main Street, is a Fort Wayne restaurant institution.  If someone says seafood in Fort Wayne you will hear the name Paula’a shortly thereafter.

Paula’s is on the slow end of Main Street in downtown Fort Wayne. It occupies two store fronts and includes a fully stocked fish market, two bars, two downstairs dining areas and one loft dining area.  The dining spaces are airy and the lighting is thoughtful.  The walls are covered with paintings in various themes and sizes and the ladies’ restroom is filled with random vintage hats.

Paula’s is famous for its clam chowder and crab cakes. This acclaim is for good reason, both are super tasty.  If you are planning for a special dinner at home or just aren’t feeling social, you can buy Paula’s crab cakes at the fish market in the restaurant lobby. Speaking of the fish market, if you didn’t know it was there you would never detect it. The staff does a great job of keeping any “fishiness” out of the market and the dining room. It is a top notch operation.

In addition to clam chowder and crab cakes, Paula’s offers a diverse menu of options, from fried walleye to seabass to salad. If you can’t decide, there is, of course, a combo platter. The restaurant also offers daily specials written up on the chalkboard as you enter – there you can always find interesting options whether it be sushi or a nice piece of swordfish.

If you are in the market for delicious seafood, a great menu, and solid service in Fort Wayne then Paula’s on Main should be your next stop.

If you’re in the mood for great Italian food in a casual atmosphere at reasonable prices, check out Ziano’s on Covington Road at the intersection of Covington and Jefferson Blvd.

My sisters had recommended it, so when it came time to celebrate family birthdays, Ziano’s was where we headed on a recent Sunday for lunch. “The garlic breadsticks are to die for,” one sister said while the other nodded her head in agreement.

Service was prompt for our table of eight. Our orders included Appetizers, including two plates of breadsticks with five on each. Everyone in our party wanted at least one of those luscious breadsticks with garlic butter and cheese sauce for dipping. They were warm and soft and everything a person could want in a breadstick. They were also gone in 5 seconds as our table of diners quickly devoured them. Most amazing is that five of these thick garlicky breadsticks are only 99 cents!

Next came the entrees. I ordered Stuffed Shells, handmade pasta shells filled with ricotta cheese ($12.99). My plate was covered with these five large shells smothered with alfredo sauce. This was seriously some of the best stuffed shells I’ve ever had and I ate every bite.

My brother-in-law could not eat all of his very large Jimmy’s Famous Greek Salad ($7.99) and my sister took home part of her Chicken Marsala ($12.99) to enjoy the next day.

My husband smacked his lips in appreciation of his Spaghetti and Meatballs ($8.99).

The food was not the only attribute I liked about Ziano’s. The Italian décor was quaint and comfortable. The only thing better would have been a gondola ride through the restaurant!

Additional locations are at Dupont and Chapel Ridge.
www.zianos.com

Covington Location
5907 Covington Rd
Fort Wayne, IN 46804
260.444.4348

Dupont Location
702 E Dupont Rd
Fort Wayne, IN 46825
260.755.5643

Chapel Ridge Location
10520 Maysville Rd
Fort Wayne, IN 46835
260.245.0341
Store hours:
Sunday – Thursday 11am – 9pm
Friday and Saturday 11am- 10pm

Okay, okay. I’m biased. I love Japanese food, so the task of treating myself to a dinner of sushi and hibachi grilled awesomeness is pretty sweet. But I’m a professional, and I am committed to relaying my experiences at Koto Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi to you, the loyal Visit Fort Wayne reader.

Koto’s unassuming exterior belies the zen inside.

Right after you walk through the door, you’ll notice Koto’s intimate atmosphere, and it really helps to remove you from the busy exterior of the building which sits just west of the Coldwater/Washington Center intersection. Outside the restaurant, there’s always an abundance of traffic, but once you walk into Koto you immediately feel like you’ve been ushered into a special little world of peace and zen. Oh, and amazing food, but that’s still to come.

As the worries of the world start to fade away, you’ll probably be ready for some appetizers. The Gyoza, which are pan-fried pork dumplings, come first. Think Pot Stickers, then take a bite and quickly forget Pot Stickers were ever a thing. Another favorite of mine is the Shumai, which are steamed shrimp dumplings so there’s no fried crust like the Gyoza. No matter, still awesome. I could eat a full meal of just these little lovelies, but there’s more. Oh, so much more.

After wiping out the appetizers, it’s a good time to look around a bit more and you’ll likely notice the sushi bar right away. It’s a cozy little bar where you can watch the exceptionally skilled sushi chefs prepare your favorite rolls, and you will find a favorite. Granted, with dozens of options, it may take you a few tries to get there, but you’ll absolutely enjoy the journey. Koto serves everything from the simple and traditional rolls (the California Roll is a solid standby), to the unique and complex. The sushi menu at Koto will challenge you with exotic new morsels that might raise your eyebrow at first, but after you try a piece, you’ll probably raise your chopsticks for more. Trust me, I’m a strictly cooked food guy, and while they have plenty of raw options, I can still find great fully-cooked sushi selections too.

But wait! There’s more! The Koto menu features a variety of hibachi dishes as well. These meals feature your choice of meat (chicken, shrimp, steak) cooked on a hibachi grill along with fresh Japanese vegetables. Add a side of rice, miso soup and a green salad, and these meals will leave you full and happy.

Mmmm, miso.

Being a sucker for a great dinner show, I like to go to Koto for the full steakhouse experience and they deliver. In a separate room, several hibachi tables are available where one of their fantastic chefs will cook your meal and throw in some witty banter to keep you entertained while you salivate. In the past, you’ve had to wait for a special occasion to enjoy a similar experience and Koto allows you to enjoy it more often. Why? Because they’re open for lunch! You can reserve a hibachi table for your family gathering and enjoy the same great Japanese steakhouse experience for a very reasonable price. Well played, Koto!

I’m thinking at least a few of you are suddenly experiencing a hunger for some great Japanese food, and I can’t blame you if you find yourself uncontrollably surfing over to KotoJapaneseSteakhouseandSushi.com. I’m having a little trouble finishing this article myself. Once again, you can find Koto near the corner of Coldwater Rd. and Washington Center Rd. and their hours are:

Monday – Saturday 11:00am – 2:30pm
Monday – Friday 5:00pm – 10:00pm
Saturday 3:00pm – 10:30pm
Sunday 12:00pm – 9:30pm

I can’t be more of a Koto fan, and I encourage you to visit them so you can enjoy the experience too. Arigato!

Do you have regular Mommy/Daughter or Daddy/Daughter date nights? It’s something special my family started in the past year. If you have more than one child, I think it’s especially important for kids to get one-on-one time with each parent. If your child is a fan of quality time, then this is for you!

Visit somewhere new, and learn together!

Fort Wayne offers many options for you and your darling daughter to enjoy quality time together. These outings are excellent opportunities to try area attractions you haven’t visited before. Many places you can visit are low or no cost making an afternoon on the town very affordable.

Here are a few options that my daughter and I have enjoyed or plan to enjoy on our next date:

• Fort Wayne Museum of Art – They have a special hands-on area for kids that makes art accessible for your child no matter the age. Don’t just stay in the children’s area; enjoy the exhibit being featured and take the opportunity to learn side-by-side with your daughter. If you go on Sunday, admission is free.
• Big Girl Drinks – Make your daughter feel grown up by taking her out for “coffee” (a.k.a. hot chocolate) at a local coffee shop like Mocha Lounge, Firefly, or Old Crown.
• A Great Tale- With Barnes & Noble locations at Jefferson Pointe and Glenbrook Mall, choose the one that’s close to your itinerary. Spend some time in the children’s section picking out books and reading them on the stage. Unless you purchase a book, this stop is free!
• Sweets for your Sweetie – Does your sweetheart also have a sweet tooth? A stop at DeBrand’s for a chocolate or local bakery like Vanilla Bean or Yummee’s, will surely make her grin.
• Pretty Pedi – Many spas that feature pedicures will also have a special child’s pedicure. We have had great experiences with Cali Spa at Dupont and Lima Roads. They offer your little darling the standard juice to enjoy and add flower details to the polish, which is the perfect finishing touch. Their child’s pedicure is $22.
• Dine Downtown – Going downtown is a thrill for kids with the change in sights and sounds. Whether you enjoy breakfast at Cindy’s Diner, lunch in a booth at Calhoun St. Soups, Salads & Spirits, or dinner in the window at Pint & Slice, you’re sure to fill up on memories.
• To Market to Market – On the morning of the first Saturday of winter months, get down to Parkview Field for the Ft. Wayne’s Farmers Market. With a little cash, you can grab a homemade treat to share and perhaps something special for her like handcrafted jewelry or even face-painting.

For a successful date, I recommend selecting just a few experiences from the list for each date. That way, you can enjoy the time together and each location you’ve chosen. Please let us know if you have a favorite date spot we missed!