COMPILED BY BARBARA ROLEK

Times Features Writer

brolek@nwitimes.com

219.933.3256

The Quest

1204 W. Lincoln Highway (U.S. 30), Schererville

(219) 322-4812

If finding a great family restaurant is like the search for the Holy Grail, then The Quest in Schererville should fill the bill. With the help of her daughters Becky Carnagey and Beth Cox, Sabena Poore's American classic recently celebrated a 15-year anniversary. Snuggle up to the fireplace in the white-tablecloth dining room or cozy down in the horseshoe-shaped bar. Poore takes pride in an extensive menu (the appetizers alone take up three-fourths of one page) that features large portions of home-cooked meals at bargain-basement prices. Nearly everything is made from scratch, including the mile-high cheesecake ($4) in plain, turtle, Key lime and carrot cake flavors. Start with one of the terrific soups like stuffed pepper, lasagna, cheesy potato or clam chowder, to name a few. Move on to the Stuffed Mushrooms appetizer ($5.75) -- deep-fried mushroom caps filled with cheese, bacon, tomato and green onion and crowned with bubbly mozzarella. If you're a seafood fan, try the

Parmesan Shrimp ($14.95) -- six lightly breaded and butter sautéed shrimp served over parslied rice. You can't go wrong with the Beef Eater sandwich ($7.50) -- a full 8 ounces of house-roasted Italian beef on garlicky Texas toast with melted mozzarella served with jus, housemade steak fries, pepperoncini and banana pepper rings. There's all-you-can-eat lake perch ($18.95) and shrimp ($16.95) on Fridays, all-you-can eat crab legs for $26.95 after 4 p.m. Wednesdays, prime rib on Saturdays ($16.95), seldom-seen Steak Diane, and daily specials like a recent 8-ounce Black Angus butt steak dinner for $11.95. I have it on good authority that the meat loaf lunch ($5.50) served with mashed potatoes and gravy is a must-try. There's a decent wine list and live jazz 6 to 9 p.m. the first Wednesday of the month by reservation only, wireless Internet access and no-cover charge entertainment Fridays and Saturdays. The small-fry menu features dinner and drink for $3.95, and carryouts, catering and

private parties are on The Quest's amenity list. Sundays mean 25-cent chicken wings and 75-cent drafts. And who knows what they've got cooked up for the Super Bowl. Hours are 11 a.m. to midnight Mondays through Saturdays, until 11 p.m. Sundays

Cuisine: American steak and seafood

Reservations: On weekends

Smoking: In bar; after 10 p.m. in dining room

Kids menu: Yes

Price: $$

Bar: Full bar

Tip: Weekend entertainment, no cover charge

(Barbara Rolek)

Rodizio's Argentine Steak House at Meyer's Castle

1370 Joliet St., Dyer

(219) 865-8452

www.meyerscastle.com

A unique Argentine steak house with a romantic ambiance and no ordering or waiting. Dinner begins with a cocktail and a visit to the center table where diners select from the delicious South American salads and savories. Then comes waiters brandishing swords of sizzling Argentinian beef, poultry and pork, arriving regularly at each table. For vegetarians, there is a pasta station as well. This largesse is followed by the dessert cart bearing authentic Latin American confections of chocolate, caramel, fruit and whipped cream. The wine list is extensive and reasonable. Brazilian coffee finishes the meal. Tango music plays softly in the background and dancing is not discouraged. Dinner is served from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays by reservation only. There is a set price of $28.50 per person, excluding wine, dessert, tax and gratuity.

Cuisine: Latin American

Reservations: Yes

Smoking: No

Kids menu: No

Price: $$$$

Bar: Full bar

Tip: Kids 10 and younger are half price

(Jane Dunne)

Santiago's Mexican Restaurante

124 N. Lincoln St., Porter

(219) 926-6518

Attractive, colorful and friendly restaurant serving fresh traditional dishes. Exceptionally good guacamole served with warm tortilla chips or crowning platters of nachos. There also is a whole series of shrimp appetizers including one called a vuelva a la vida ("Come Back to Life") cocktail that includes oysters and octopus. The eight soups at $7 each are meals in themselves. The platos and combos are about $8 and a fun way to get a sample of everything. Flautas are some of the best we have had anywhere. Open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Appetizers and combo plates $2 to $9.50; meat, chicken or seafood with rice and beans $8.50 to $14.50.

Cuisine: Mexican

Reservations: No

Smoking: No

Kids menu: Yes

Price $

Bar: Beer and wine only

Tip: The guacamole and chips are excellent.

(Jane Dunne)

Scarborough Faire Café

12 W. Joliet St., Schererville

(219) 865-4660

Combining the atmosphere of a beautifully restored turn-of-the-last-century home with professionally prepared, classic dishes has made this charming place a bright star on the local dining scene. Partners Arthur Stark and Michael Thompson have converted the historic Bohney family house with a huge wraparound dining porch into an intimate landmark in the middle of Schererville's downtown. Pretty china, wine glasses and candles add to the intimate ambiance at dinner. Starters include tomato bisque, salads of field greens, toasted pecans, dried cranberries, blue cheese and sesame vinaigrette or romaine with marinated apples, chèvre, toasted pine nuts and raspberry vinaigrette. Excellent shrimp de jonghe. Entrées include pecan-chicken with chutney sauce, pepper and maple-crusted salmon, and grilled BBQ meat loaf with roasted pepper chutney. Desserts are killer, especially the bread pudding with caramel sauce. Appetizers and salads $5. Main courses with soup or salad, potato and fresh

vegetable $14 to $28, desserts $5. Lunch menu of quiches, soups, salads and sandwiches is moderately priced. Reasonable wine list. Hours are 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays.

Cuisine: Upscale casual

Reservations: Yes

Smoking: No

Kids menu: Accommodated

Price: $$

Bar: Beer and wine only

Tip: Bread pudding is a killer; outdoor dining weather permitting.

(Jane Dunne)

Schererville Lounge

48 E. Joliet Road, Schererville

(219) 322-5660

Popular, casual spot with a cozy bar and busy dining room. Fresh seafood is what this place is about, with lake perch and frog legs in starring roles. There also is stuffed shrimp with crabmeat and excellent sea scallops among the seafood offerings. On the meat side of the menu, don't miss the char-broiled pork chops or the baby back ribs. There also are steaks, and entrées which come with choice of potato. Full bar. Ice cream drinks, cheesecake and apple pie top dessert list. Lots of sandwich combos at lunch. Open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Average dinner entrée is $13.

Cuisine: Steaks, chops, seafood

Reservations: Recommended

Smoking: In bar

Kids menu: Accommodated

Price: $$

Bar: Full bar

Tip: Well known for lake perch, frog legs and steak.

(Jane Dunne)

Sheffield's Restaurant & Sports Bar

1515 E. 82nd Ave., Merrillville

(219) 795-1005

Nick and Milton Karounos are at it again. The recent opening of Sheffield's in Merrillville marks the sixth restaurant these talented brothers own. Their newest venture, a spinoff of Sheffield's at 1027 Sheffield Ave. in Dyer, is in the space formerly occupied by Angelo's Sicilian Cart. The restaurant has a delightful split personality -- cloth-napkin family dining on one side and an active sports bar on the other. Best of all, when I was there, no cigarette smoke wafted into the smoke-free dining room, making it perfect for kids. Expect homemade soups (lemon rice, baked potato), bountiful breakfasts (skillets, potato pancakes, crêpes), seldom-seen sandwiches (Monte Cristo, open-face ribeye) and hamburgers like the 1-pound Dream Burger and 2-pound Double Dream Burger. Nick Karounos says the chicken and beef are never frozen and the burgers are hand packed. Steaks and chops rub elbows with tilapia, walleye, lake perch and shrimp on the eclectic menu. And tacos, burritos and pizzas are

not far behind. Start with their signature appetizer -- Spinach Artichoke Dip ($5.95) -- a hot and creamy blend of the aforementioned vegetables with Parmesan and cream cheeses served with tortilla chips or in a bread bowl for $1.50 extra. A good center-of-the-plate choice is the 10-ounce New York Strip & Grilled Shrimp Combo for $15.95. Stir frys ($7.95 to $10.95), sporting fresh, fresh veggies, are popular at Sheffield's and come with soup or salad, as do most entrées. A half-pint menu for those 12 and younger includes six items for $3.95 to $4.95. Private party accommodations for up to 90, carryout and catering round out the amenities. Thursday nights mean karaoke in the bar and DJ entertainment on the weekends is coming. Seniors can opt for the buy-one-get-one-half-off entrées between 2 and 5 p.m. daily. There's something for everyone at this place and the prices won't break the bank. Hours are 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

Cuisine: American eclectic

Reservations: For parties of eight or more

Smoking: In bar

Kids menu: Yes

Price: $

Bar: Full bar

Tip: Seniors buy one, get one half off 2 to 5 p.m. daily

(Barbara Rolek)

Shoreline Brewery and Restaurant

208 Wabash St., Michigan City

(219) TRY-HOPS (879-4677)

www.shorelinebrewery.com

An 1859 renovated building houses the region's latest microbrewery and restaurant. If you're lucky, at noon, you can watch a brewer's assistant feed the mash tuns with grain and water. Shoreline's six flagship beers are the Foggy Loggy lager, Don't Panic English pale ale, Benny's American pale ale, Queen Mum India pale ale, Beltaine Scottish ale and the Singing Sands oatmeal stout. Shoreline offers a sample pack of beer from the lightest to the heaviest. The beer also makes an appearance in the cooking. Stout shows up in the braised lamb shanks and French onion soup and pale ale makes an appearance in the fish and chips. The menu is seasonal and ranges from entrée salads and sandwiches to pastas, chops, ribs, filet and an 8-ounce hamburger. Signature seafood items include calamari, ahi tuna and the SSLT -- the Shoreline Salmon Lettuce and Tomato -- a twist on the classic BLT prepared with salmon lox fried crispy, lemon-dill aioli, provolone cheese and lettuce and tomato on toasted

marbled rye. Look for peanut butter pie with chocolate ganache, cheesecakes and crème brûlée for dessert. Full bar. Lunches range $8 to $12, dinners $12 to $25. Hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, bar open later.

Cuisine: Upscale casual

Reservations: Yes

Smoking: Yes

Kids menu: Yes

Price: $$

Bar: Full bar including six flagship beers.

Tip: Shoreline Brewery's craft beer has won several awards.

(Barbara Rolek)

Siam Marina

80 River Oaks Center, Calumet City

(708) 862-3438

www.siammarina.com

Filled with flickering candles, fresh flowers and intimate dining areas, this pretty Thai restaurant features an à la carte menu with emphasis on seafood and more than 100 dishes overall. Lobster and mango spring rolls, perfectly crisp and crunchy soft shell crab (in season) and unusual avocado crispy rolls are excellent choices among the appetizers. Sautéed lobster and shrimp tossed with mango, asparagus, peapods and onion in a ginger soy sauce are outstanding, as are the jumbo scallops stir-fried with white and green asparagus, peapods and onions in garlic sauce. Seafood pad Thai and pan-seared mahimahi also delight the palate. Desserts include selection of exotic fruit sorbets. Extensive wine list and full bar with special martini menu. 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Entrées range from $7.25 to $24.95.

Cuisine: Thai

Reservations: Yes

Smoking: Yes

Kids menu: No

Price: $$

Bar: Extensive wine list and full bar with special martini menu.

(Jane Dunne)

Smokey's Southern Bar-B-Que

375 E. U.S. 20, Chesterton

(219) 878-1418

Pretty cute if simple café in what was obviously a gas station. Smokey's has settled in after eight years of serving great pulled meat with a Kentucky grandfather's recipe for a tomato-based barbecue sauce and continues to entice truckers and gourmands alike to eat in their diminutive dining room or to take it out. Pulled pork on a soft bun ($3.25, jumbo $4.25) comes with choice of heat in the sauce, from mild to wildfire. Also a chicken breast sandwich with lettuce, tomato and choice of sauce on Texas toast ($4.95). Barbecued ribs also available but we've had better. The sides are freshly made at $1.75 each. Choose from baked beans, coleslaw, parsley and chive potatoes, potato salad or red beans and rice. There also is a homemade soup of the day and barnyard chili (which tastes better than it sounds). Smokey's bakes great homemade pies, especially berry and peach in season. Not the South Beach diet, but who cares when the eating is this much fun! 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesdays through

Saturdays; until 8 p.m. Sundays.

Cuisine: Barbecue

Reservations: No

Smoking: Yes

Kids menu: No

Price: $

Bar: No

Tip: Great homemade pies, especially berry and peach in season.

(Jane Dunne)

Speakeasy 220

220 S. Main St., Crown Point

(219) 661-1811

Phil and Joi Struebig's latest venture is a step back in time. If you like ambiance, you'll find it -- exposed brick, faux gas lamps, wrought iron bars, stained glass, lace and lots of dark wood. Opportunities abound for a romantic tete-a-tete in a cozy curtained booth or for small parties who seek privacy in separate rooms. It's a kitschy, fun place with murals by retired Crown Point High School art teacher Marion Kellum. Try the Cancun Shrimp Martini appetizer with avocado, cilantro and a tortilla garnish ($9). It's not only visually appealing, it's a great marriage of flavors. Blackened Salmon with mustard caper sauce, basmati rice pilaf, grilled zucchini and yellow squash, Chicken Marsala with roasted red potatoes, mashed cauliflower and zucchini medley, and Shrimp Scampi with angel hair pasta are entrées to look for. They all hover around $16. For dessert ($5), the Hazelnut-Chocolate Crème Brûlée is truly to die for. The bar is full service and seniors can expect a 10

percent discount on every meal.

Cuisine: Upscale eclectic

Reservations: Recommended

Smoking: Yes

Kids menu: No, but accommodated

Price: $$$

Bar: Yes

Tip: Ten percent discount for senior citizens on every meal.

(Barbara Rolek)