COMPILED BY BARBARA ROLEK

Times Features Writer

brolek@nwitimes.com

219.933.3256

Winey Beach Café

1350 119th St., Whiting

(219) 659-1466

www.wineybeachcafe.com

A taste of the islands awaits you at this storefront restaurant in the regentrified area of Whiting. Bright, seasonal flavors abound in chef John Sopko's Floribbean dishes -- fusion of Carribbean and Florida -- such as the fresh pineapple salsa with black beans and rice spiked with green onions, cilantro and Key lime pepper. Soups can be crab bisque or black bean and the seafood ceviche served in a grilled corn tortilla is a popular appetizer. Wraps, panini and sandwiches highlight the lunch menu. Signature dinner items are sea scallops flambéed with dark rum and finished with vanilla paste, an excellent grouper with mango sauce and other seafood items. Grilled citrus chicken marinated in lemon, honey, orange juice and garlic, jerk pork chops, baby back ribs and new York strip are other house favorites. French-pressed coffee and housemade Key lime pie and mango tart round out the menu. The full-service bar features specialty drinks, including mojitos, red, white, sparkler and dessert

wines and five beers. Lunch range is $5.95 to $9.95 and dinner is $6.95 to $21.95. Hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, closed Sundays and Mondays.

Cuisine: Caribbean/seafood

Reservations: On weekend

Smoking: No

Kids menu: Yes

Price: $$

Bar: Select drinks, beer and wine

Tip: Occasional weekend entertainment.

(Barbara Rolek)

Woodhollow Bar & Grill

221 S. U.S. 41, Schererville

(219) 865-0900

A large attractive venue good for couples and families with enough youthful attraction in the horseshoe bar for singles. Reasonable prices, a wide variety of menu choices and friendly help. Starters include potato skins with melted white Cheddar. Best jumbo beer-battered shrimp in the region. Interesting sandwiches include a portobello mushroom with Gorgonzola. Chicken Vesuvio, fresh fish of the day and grilled steaks round out the menu. Adequate selection of wines and beers and a full bar. Dinner only 5 to 9 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays; bar open until 3 a.m. Entrées range from $8.95 to $19.95.

Cuisine: Upscale casual

Reservations: Yes

Smoking: Yes

Kids menu: Yes

Price: $$

Bar: Full bar

Tip: Dinner only; entertainment on weekends.

(Jane Dunne)

Akropolis Restaurant

275 Joliet St. (U.S. 30), Dyer (in the Galleria of Shops at Hart Street)

(219) 864-1889

If you like authentic Greek food, I mean Greek-Town authentic (if not better), you have to try Eleni and Pete Panagiotopoulos' Akropolis Greek Restaurant in Dyer. They bring 21 years of experience from Grecian Corner in Worth, Ill., the restaurant they sold last year to retire. Lucky for us, they couldn't stay away from the kitchen. They assumed ownership of Akropolis in January -- Pete works the savory side and Eleni is the diva of pastries. The spotless restaurant is awash in handpainted murals and the blue-and-white napery evoking the colors of the Greek flag will transport you to the Mediterranean. The food is nothing short of fabulous. And it's all made from scratch. That means hand-rolled dolmades (grape leaves stuffed with ground meat, rice and herbs) napped with a lemon-egg sauce that raises it to a gift from the gods. You've got to try one of the lamb dishes that come with Greek oven-roasted potatoes -- barbecued and rack (still pink as it should be) were both tender

and seasoned to perfection. Try the combo plate -- the aforementioned dolmades, pastitsio (baked macaroni) with a savory custard the quality I've never had before, moussaka (a kind of eggplant lasagna), gyros meat and roast lamb, accompanied by that glorious Greek rice and tomato-herbed veggies. You'll find all the old standbys -- flaming saganaki cheese, spinach pie and shish kebabs -- plus seldom-seen cold appetizer spreads like skordalia (garlic), taramosolata (fish roe), tirosalata (feta and olive oil) and egg plant, among others. Chicken for a Princess is one of the specials Pete says he created to appeal to American tastes. It's kissed with the bright, sunny flavors of Greece -- chicken, shrimp and artichoke hearts in a rich, olive-oil-wine-based sauce. Eleni's desserts are as spectacular as Pete's offerings. Look for ekmek, galaktoboureko, baklava, nougatina, cheesecake, crème caramel, kourabiedes and

koulourakia (cookies), kataifi (a baklava-type dessert), and more. There's a full bar, outdoor dining, smoking section and children's menu ($5.24 to $6.95 includes cup of soup, beverage and ice cream). An average dinner tab without alcohol is $15. Private party accommodation and catering are among the amenities. My experience was superior. How can you miss at a place where the Panagiotopouloses say "we cook in our restaurant the way we do for our children." Hours: opens at 3 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, noon Sundays, closed Mondays.

Cuisine: Upscale Greek

Reservations: Parties of five or more

Smoking: In bar

Kids menu: Yes

Price: $$$

Bar: Yes

Tip: Outdoor white-tablecloth dining

(Barbara Rolek)

Aladdin Pita

3750 W. 80th Lane, Merrillville

(219) 736-5204

www.aladdinpita.com

A restaurant that provides some of the freshest Middle Eastern food in the region at reasonable prices. The family recipes, from Jordan and the East Bank, are authentic and carefully prepared. Hot, fresh pita bread with hummus and three other appetizers are served as you are seated. No alcohol is permitted on the premises but the iced tea, orange juice and hot teas are delicious. Entrées, all of which come with a cup of light, flavorful soup, consist of various charcoal-broiled kabob plates or combinations thereof, stews, stuffed grape leaves and daily specials. There also are sandwiches served in heated pita bread. Desserts include hareesah, thin farina cake flavored with coconut, almonds and syrup, and muhallabiah, traditional vanilla custard. Open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

Cuisine: Middle Eastern

Reservations: No

Smoking: Yes

Kids menu: Yes

Price: $

Bar: No

Tip: Pita baked on premises in the attached bakery.

(Jane Dunne)

Anthony's Café

2936 Highland Ave., Highland

(219) 923-2075

www.anthonyscafe.com

A well-designed interior and al fresco dining patio make this Highland charmer a pleasant stop for either a relaxed lunch or dinner. With owner and chef Anthony Fenyves at the culinary helm, and the restaurant's ninth anniversary celebration expected in June 2006, this is an ideal time to visit. Menus change every week and the kitchen takes full advantage of the seasons. Fenyves' repertoire is eclectic with many Italian and European overtones. Try the excellent bruschetta made with toasted Labriola bread, extra-virgin olive oil and fresh basil ($5); cellantani pasta with grilled chicken breast and mushrooms in a spicy rosemary-garlic butter sauce ($7.50) or the outstanding grilled steak salad ($8) among many other menu items. More than 50 domestic and imported specialty beers and more than 100 wines, many offered by 1- or 2-ounce taste, a 6-ounce glass or by the bottle. Open Mondays through Saturdays 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., until 9 p.m. Sundays.

Cuisine: Upscale casual/Italian

Reservations: For dinner

Smoking: No

Kids menu: Accommodated

Price: $$

Bar: Beer and wine

Tip: Great Labriola bread, menus change weekly.

(Jane Dunne)

The Baker's House Bakery, Café and Catering

6004 Miller Ave., Gary

(219) 938-9931 or (866) YUMMY-SCONES

Owners Angela McCrovitz and Ramona McCrovitz have taken St. Mary of the Lake's former convent-turned residence and transformed it into a yellow fantasy cottage of culinary delights. If the McCrovitz name rings a bell, it's because they also own the Merrillville Florist Shop and Tea Room at 7005 Madison St. Yep, that means all the great scones (touted to be only 90 calories each), mile-high quiche and chicken pot pie you've come to know and love. But, oh, there's so much more. The pastry case is amazing -- Chocolate Velvet Moon, Mountain Torte, Lemon Charlotte Royale, Cognac Pumpkin Cheesecake, to name a few -- and everything is made from scratch. Oh, all right, the breads, doughnuts and croissants are from region-favorite Labriola Bakery. Soups ($2 to $4), salads ($4.95), sandwiches ($5.50), entrees to go, hors d'oeuvres, catering -- it's all here. The White Gull (smoked salmon, cream cheese, tomato, red onion and capers on a bagel), the Beechwood (grilled seasonal vegetables, tomato,

Swiss cheese and olive pesto on grilled marble rye), and daily soups like Lobster Bisque (with a free dill-Cheddar scone) are said to be sell-outs. Whipped cream and buttercream celebration cakes, mousse cakes and specialty items like tiramisu, dobosh torte, cannoli cake and more are yours for the asking. Private parties up to 25 are accommodated upstairs. In the cozy downstairs rooms, don't expect china and fancy linens. The effort is solidly placed in the taste and appearance of the food. There are 52 varieties of scones, albeit not offered at the same time. Hours are 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays.

Cuisine: Upscale casual

Reservations: No

Smoking: No

Kids menu: No but accommodated

Price: $$

Bar: No

Tip: Don't pass up the Cape Cod Cranberry Scone with mango and pineapple.

(Barbara Rolek)

Bamboo Blue

18147 Harwood Ave., Homewood

(708) 799-4700

www.bambooblue.biz

This charming Homewood restaurant is one you don't want to miss. Owners Jeanne McInerney and Tami Mizrahi, and chef Jerry Binford, have crafted a delightful menu that blends authentic with Asian-influenced American dishes. If you want the real thing, there's a crispy, sweet-and-salty Korean short ribs appetizer masquerading as Very Feng Chewy Ribs ($7.50), Pad Thai ($8.95 to $9.95) spiced to your tolerance, and Chap Chae ($8.95 to $9.95), a Korean dish of cellophane noodles with vegetables in a sweet, dark soy sauce. On the fusion side, you'll find nachos with Thai peanut sauce, fried wontons with black beans and cheese, and Asian Quesadillas ($7.95 to $8.95). Fish dishes include Tempura Halibut, Wasabi Pea Crusted Salmon and Red Snapper in Hong Kong Vinaigrette. And if you're into sushi, no need to look further. It's all here. From classic sushi rolls (Spicy Tuna, California, Veggie Maki, New York, Unagi, Mexi Maki, Negi Hamachi) to more unique combinations like the Caterpillar Roll

with eel and hamachi. The full-service bar features imported and domestic beers, hot sake, cocktails and martinis like the Hanoi Jane made with gin, blue-cheese-stuffed olives and seedless cucumbers. The tea offerings are nearly as extensive as the wine list (by the glass or bottle, $4.50 to $32), which includes a plum wine from Japan. Don't miss the Pineapple Upside Down Cake ($6) with hot caramel sauce, vanilla ice cream and a dollop of whipped cream. The portions are large, the presentation is beautiful and the prices are affordable. Just go already. Hours are 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays, until 9 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, until 10 p.m. Fridays, noon to 10 p.m. Saturdays, 2 to 8 p.m. Sundays. Range from $3.50 for appetizers to $23 for most expensive entrée.

Cuisine: Asian fusion

Reservations: On weekends

Smoking: In bar

Kids menu: Yes

Price: $$

Bar: Full bar

Tip: The tea offerings are nearly as extensive as the wine list.

(Barbara Rolek)

Benny's Home Cookin'

Horseshoe Casino

777 Casino Center Drive, Hammond

(866) 711-SHOE

www.horseshoe.com

Benny's Home Cookin' at Horseshoe Casino Hammond is the property's newest 60-seat eatery featuring hearty portions of comfort food at affordable prices. The à la carte sit-down and to-go restaurant serves up down-home offerings that hearken back to Mom's kitchen and warm fuzzies. Consider lightly cornmeal-breaded catfish ($6.99), St. Louis BBQ ribs ($8.99), fall-off-the-bone-tender braised beef short ribs, mammoth buffalo chicken wings, and rotisserie chicken, the last three ringing in at $4.99. Sides ($1.99 each) are four-cheese mac 'n cheese, fingerling potatoes, and mashed and baked sweet potatoes. Vegetables ($1.99 each) include buttered sweet corn, broccoli and cheese, sautéed spinach and delicious sweet-and-meaty baked beans. Nine cold salads ($1.99 each) run the gamut of creamy cole slaw to country potato salad to pickled beets and more. Desserts ($3.99 each) easily can serve three. The slab of mile-high coconut cake is to die for. Also look for carrot and chocolate cakes,

bread pudding, Boston cream pie and fruit cobbler. The restaurant is open to the public. Gambling is optional. Open noon to midnight daily. Entrées range $4.99 to $8.99, sides are $1.99 and desserts are $3.99.

Cuisine: Southern

Reservations: No

Smoking: No

Kids menu: No

Price: $

Bar: No

Tip: Drinks from other parts of casino can be brought into restaurant.

(Barbara Rolek)

Billy Jack's Café and Grill

2904 N. Calumet Ave., Valparaiso

(219) 477-3797

A well-matured menu with a lot of Southwestern accents. We say matured because it avoids any of the awful blow-your-brains-out hot clichés found in so many attempts to bring the Tex-Mex, Native American and Southwest culture to diners. For example, the black bean soup with chorizo sausage has been made into a silky smooth purée with a simple cross of sour cream decorating the top. The sides to the grilled meat and chicken dishes have distinct textures and tastes, needing only a touch of the homemade sauces. Although the place is informal and the bar is a most relaxed spot for lunch, the wine list is pretty aristocratic and almost worth the visit alone for some vinous exploring with very modestly priced wines by the glass. Open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, until 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays.

Cuisine: Upscale Southwest

Reservations: On weekends

Smoking: In bar

Kids menu: Yes

Price: $$

Bar: Full bar

Tip: Modestly priced wines by the glass.

(Jane Dunne)

Bistro 157

157 W. Lincolnway, Valparaiso

(219) 462-0992

A delightful storefront American bistro with French overtones serves up consistently excellent, imaginative dishes from chef-owner Nicole Bissonnette who earned her stripes with a Cordon Bleu degree and time in French restaurant kitchens. Seasonal menu. A signature starter that never disappoints is the crab cakes. Mains run the gamut from an authentic cassoulet in winter to perfectly grilled fish in summer. Many menu choices, including sandwiches and main course salads at lunch, reasonable wine list with many by the glass. Efficient, friendly service. Lunch 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays; dinner 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays; until 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Dinner 4 to 8 p.m. Sundays. Entrées $14 to $27.

Cuisine: Upscale eclectic

Reservations: On weekends

Smoking: No

Kids menu: Accommodated

Price: $$$

Bar: Full bar

Tip: Open for lunch and dinner.

(Jane Dunne)