Fuji Japanese Restaurant

5942 U.S. 6, Portage

(219) 763-4131

If you're into authentic nori-wrapped rice rolls, you can watch them being made at Fuji Restaurant in Portage. Not a sushi fan? Then let owners William and Amy Wang dazzle your taste buds with teriyaki, yaki tori (kebab), gyoza (pot sticker), yaki meshi (fried rice), harumaki (spring roll), tempura and more. The menu is comprehensive and features udon and soba noodles and build-your-own bento boxes ($10.95 to $13.95) in which the food is presented in their own compartments like the little jewels they are. All dinners come with miso soup and a small fresh salad with ginger dressing. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., you can't miss with the lunch box for $6.95. It includes one selection from among 20 entrée choices, including teriyaki and tempura, four California sushi rolls, salad, white rice and miso soup. Such a deal! The emphasis in Japanese cooking is on vegetables and lighter, nonspicy foods, but in a nod to American tastes, William Wang will kick it up a notch if you're so inclined. He

makes everything from scratch, including the sauces. Check out the sake-spiked teriyaki. It's out of this world. For dessert, there's green tea and red bean fried ice cream ($3.50). Fuji offers a pleasant dining room or carryout services. The owners are delightful, the flavors are bright and fresh and the prices are right. There may be a language barrier but pointing to pictured menu items works. Barring that, there's usually an English-speaking server who'll get you through. Hours are 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Mondays to Thursdays; 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and noon to 9:30 p.m. Sundays.

Cuisine: Japanese

Reservations: No

Smoking: No

Kids menu: No

Price: $$

Bar: No

Tip: The lunch box, available between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., is a deal for $6.95.

Gamba Ristorante

455 E. 84th Drive, Merrillville

(219) 736-5000

Nobody does white-tablecloth dining like Benny Gamba. Merrillville's 10,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art restaurant has a piano bar and lounge and banquet seating for up to 200. Rabbit with pancetta and creamy polenta ($12), and foie gras with brioche, apple and applewood bacon ($13) are on the menu. So are a 20-ounce porterhouse steak ($33) and veal in many guises. Starters include Carpaccio of Kobe Beef with truffle and lemon oil ($13), Sashimi of Fresh Tuna with wasabi and pickled ginger ($9), Shrimp Cocktail with Cognac sauce ($10), and specials like the Grilled Scallops with arugula-artichoke pesto. Lunch fare includes a recent special of Pan-seared Halibut with Pernod sauce over Northern beans, spinach and carrots ($13), gnocchi, lamb shanks and more. Look for scrumptious desserts -- tiramisu, cheesecakes, panna cotta, cannoli cake, chocolate pistachio cake, and crème brûlée. If you visit the restaurant at night, you're in for a dazzling experience with light

reflected in the many windows, chrome and marble (don't miss the avant garde sinks in the restrooms). And when the weather gets warmer, dine in the brick courtyard, patterned after a square in Gamba's hometown of Altamonte, Italy. Dressed business casual or to the nines, an epicure or novice, you'll get the same treatment. When you book a table, it's yours for 2-1/2 hours if you care to linger that long. Gamba's three restaurant tenets are taste, hospitality and service. And he delivers. Gamba racks 95 different wines, over half of them for less than $40 a bottle all the way up to a $700 1997 Chateau Margaux. Not sure what to eat? Let Benny take your palate on a magic carpet ride. Lunch: $7 to $12; Dinner: $17 to $33. Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for lunch Mondays to Fridays; 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays; 5 to 9 p.m. for dinner Mondays to Thursdays and 5 to 10:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Closed Sundays.

Cuisine: Fine Italian

Reservations: Recommended

Smoking: In bar

Kids menu: No

Price: $$ lunch; $$$ dinner

Bar: Yes

Tip: Outdoor dining when weather permits

Gaucho's Brazilian Steakhouse

597 W. U.S. 30, Valparaiso

(219) 759-1100

Mmm. Who can resist the aroma of grilling meats. And that's just in the parking lot.

Once you step inside Gaucho's Brazilian Steakhouse in Valparaiso, it just keeps getting better. But that's no surprise, because Gaucho's isn't just a restaurant, it's an experience. Have you ever dined out and agonized over what to order because everything sounded so good? Well, here you get to try 15 different spit-roasted meats brandished on 3-foot skewers and carved tableside in whatever quantity you want. A carnivore's paradise. The AYCE dinner runs $34.95 starts with a basket of deep-fried polenta (yum!) and even yummier Brazilian cheese bread (it's kind of like French gougères, which are savory cheese cream puffs without the filling). Then it's a trip to the extensive salad bar, or you can just dive into the main course. There's no ordering or waiting for your food. Just flash your green "More" sign and the servers will bring you picanha (Brazilian sirloin steak), bacon-wrapped filet mignon, alcatra (top sirloin), fraldinha (bottom sirloin), turkey, lamb, lombo (pork loin), pork

ribs, Frango chicken, linguica (pork sausage), and more until you flip up your "Stop" sign. If you've got to have a smoke, traipse downstairs to the Twisted Martini Lounge (entertainment on weekends) and come back upstairs for more chow. Desserts are $6 and the full bar sports house wines and champagne, and domestic and imported reds and whites by the glass ($5 to $8) and bottle ($15 to $34). Classy Veuve Cliquot and Moet champagne by the bottle are yours for $65 and $75. There's a caipirinha cocktail made with Brazilian rum and lime that is definitely worth a try. There's no "here's your hat, what's your hurry" attitude at this family-oriented place (kids younger than 10 eat free). Lingering until you're ready to explode is strongly encouraged. On Wednesdays and Fridays, there's an AYCE seafood spread for ($29.95) (crab legs, shrimp, ahi tuna, salmon, lake perch) and a "Taste of Gauchos' spread for $15.95 served from noon to 3:30 p.m. Sundays. Kids 12 and younger eat free on

Wednesdays and Sundays and kids 5 and younger eat free every day. On other days, children of all ages get discounts. Hours are 4 to 9 p.m. Mondays; 4 to 10 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays; 4 to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays.

Cuisine: Brazilian steakhouse

Reservations: Recommended

Smoking: In bar

Kids menu: No

Price: $$$$

Bar: Full bar

Tip: Children 12 and younger eat free Wednesdays and Sundays; 5 and younger eat free daily.

Gino's Steak House

1259 W. U.S. 30, Dyer

(219) 865-3854

www.ginossteakhouse.com

An old favorite in a new neighborhood, Gino's consistently excellent food and service has won it many new fans as enthusiastic regulars keep returning. Pleasant ambiance, mellow jazz and perfectly made dry martinis may have something to do with it. Classic appetizers like oysters Rockefeller and stuffed mushrooms (both $8.95) are savory and delicious and the house salad is fresh and lightly tossed. There are eight steak varieties from $21.95 to $25.95 and dinners come either with soup or salad. Nice lineup of pastas, seafood, veal and chicken. Reasonable wine list. Open for dinner from 4 to 10 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 4 to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sundays.

Cuisine: Upscale eclectic

Reservations: On weekends

Smoking: Yes

Kids menu: Yes

Price: $$$

Bar: Full bar

Tip: Nice lineup of pastas, seafood, veal and chicken; valet parking.

Giovanni's

603 Ridge Road, Munster

(219) 836-6220

Popular and comfortable restaurant with gracious service and a fine Italian menu. You can indulge in a traditional multicourse Italian dinner or order by the entrée. For lighter fare, soups, salads and inventive individual pizzas are served with cheerful dispatch. There also are some cozy booths in the bar, featuring music on weekends. In the past, excellent entrées have included veal rollatini with Parmesan, mozzarella and pine nuts, and grilled pork medallions in a sherry-wine sauce. Well-chosen wine list and lovely desserts. Hours are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., for lunch and from 3:30 to 10:30 p.m., for dinner, Mondays to Fridays. Open from 5 to 11 p.m. Saturdays, for dinner. Closed Sundays.

Cuisine: Upscale Italian

Reservations: Recommended on weekends

Smoking: In bar

Kids menu: No

Price: $$$

Bar: Full bar

Tip: Well-chosen wine list and lovely desserts.

Grand Kankakee Hunt Club

16766 S. 250 West, Hanna

(219) 797-2301

A rustic restaurant nestled in the Kankakee Marsh. Full bar and delicious stick-to-your-ribs fare. Entrées, which include homemade soup of the day are first rate; especially the grilled walleye fillet, the roasted quail, roast duck and baby back ribs. Other game available in season. House specialties include three sizes of prime rib, grilled steaks and pork chops, and fried perch, frog legs and shrimp. Minimal wine list. Reservations encouraged weekends. Try a Brandy Alexander ice cream drink for dessert. Open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays; 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Entrées with soup or salad run $9.95 to $21.95.

Cuisine: American eclectic

Reservations: On weekends

Smoking: Yes

Kids menu: No

Price: $$$

Bar: Full bar

Tip: Open for brunch on Sundays.

Jack Binion's Steakhouse

777 Casino Center Drive, Hammond

(866) 711-SHOE, ext. 7027

www.horseshoe.com

An elegant, serene restaurant with superb views overlooking Lake Michigan with quick, polished service. Appetizers include the colossal shrimp cocktail and the Southern-fried crab cake. All main courses are served with a generous house salad and choice of potato, including an enormous baked potato and au gratins worthy of the most exacting potato fancier. Choices include memorable petite filet mignon. An impressive wine list with varieties available by the glass. The dessert choices were also impressive. Admittedly, dinner is pricey, but for the quality of food, service and that view, Jack Binion's provides an ideal venue for your next special occasion. Open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays through Fridays for lunch, 4 to 10:30 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays for dinner; 4 to 11:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays for dinner. Prices range from $20 to $55.

Cuisine: Steak/seafood

Reservations: Yes

Smoking: No

Kids menu: No

Price: $$$$

Bar: Full bar

Tip: Pricey but the quality and view are spectacular. Valet parking.

Keith's Bar & Grill

1872 Indianapolis Blvd., Whiting

(219) 659-4444

Lively restaurant created out of an old corner saloon. Expert mixologist works the friendly, well-stocked bar. Creative menu at lunch on weekdays and dinner Friday and Saturday nights. Daily specials. Select from several pastas, salads, steak sandwiches, burgers, chicken breasts and daily fresh fish from the grill at lunch. Dinner brings smoked salmon, sautéed mushrooms in white wine, grilled rack of lamb, steaks, shrimp Anisette. Excellent, reasonable wine list. Key lime pie and cheesecakes head the dessert list. Lunch is served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays through Fridays; dinner is served from 5 to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays only. Closed Sundays. Dinner entrées range from $12.95 to $30.

Cuisine: American eclectic

Reservations: Yes

Smoking: Yes

Kids menu: No

Price: $$$

Bar: Full bar

Tip: Key lime pie and cheesecakes head the dessert list.

Kelly's Table

U.S. 20/35 and I-94, Michigan City

(219) 872-5624

www.kellyscreekwood.com

Located in the charming Creekwood Inn nestled in its own woodlands, chef-proprietor Patricia Kelly Molden's restaurant was named in memory of the great, convivial meals served in her parents' home while she was growing up. A classic educated cook, Molder was a noted caterer before opening her restaurant. Dining room, with large, leaded windows and working fireplace, is cozy and romantic for two but a good venue as well for dinner with friends or family. Food is impressive but not fussy. Starters may include duck liver paté with toast points, croustades filled with herbed goat cheese and roasted red peppers, and signature crabmeat and scallop cakes with cilantro-mango sauce. Dinners include house salad with delicious dried-cherry balsamic vinaigrette. Main courses, which change from time to time, include dishes such as ribeye steak with a port-mushroom sauce, mustard-glazed rack of lamb, Madras curried chicken and pecan-crusted walleye with a tangerine beurre-blanc sauce. Desserts all

made on the premises; respectable wine list. Open for dinner 5 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays. Starters $4 to $7. Main courses with salad $15 to $25. Desserts $5 to $7. Reservations recommended on weekends. Full bar. Parking. No smoking, except in the lounge.

Cuisine: Upscale

Reservations: Yes

Smoking: In bar

Kids menu: No

Price: $$$

Bar: Full bar

Tip: Desserts made on premises; respectable wine list.

La Caretta Mexican Restaurant & Bar

269-275 W. U.S. 30, Merrillville

(219) 791-0119

Arnulfo Gonzalez is bringing back life to the shopping plaza anchored by Kmart off U.S. 30 in Merrillville with his bright-and-airy La Carreta Mexican Restaurant & Bar. La Carreta, which means "the cart" in Spanish, has been packing them in for lunch and dinner and without wonder. The food is made from scratch and just plain delicious. You'll start with chips and a salsa that has a little kick but isn't blisteringly hot. Upon request, guests also can try red and green tomatillo sauces, and pico de gallo. If you're up for a more substantial appetizer, try the Sampler ($8.99), which easily can satisfy three to four. A fried beef burrito, fried chicken burrito and chicken quesadilla top a half-order of Nachos Supreme smothered with Chihuahua cheese dip. Muy bueno! The chorizo sausage is made inhouse and is featured in the Pollo Toluca, an entrée of grilled chicken breast topped with the aforementioned chorizo, cheese and accompanied by rice, beans, tortillas and guacamole

salad ($10.99). The guacamole, by the way, is superior and the lettuce and tomato garnishes are impeccably fresh. You'll also find vegetarian options, seldom-seen fish tacos, and, on the weekend, menudo. I hear the T-Bone Steak & Shrimp, and Carnitas La Carreta are two more don't-miss offerings. Smoking is allowed in the cozy bar and dining area sequestered from the general dining public. For the tequila gourmand, there are about 50 brands to choose from. Ten Mexican beers, wine by the glass, and flavored daiquiris and margaritas in 16-ounce to 46-ounce sizes rub elbows with traditional bar drinks. There's another interesting-looking cocktail called a Cantarito served in a terra-cotta vessel that combines tequila, OJ and other fruit juices. Alcohol averse? Try the raspberry iced tea ($1.50). It's FAB-ulous. A children's menu for those 12 and younger, lunch combos (4.99 to $6.29), dinner combos ($6.99 and $7.29), American choices, carryout, catering, and private party accommodations

are among the amenities. Without alcohol, and eating light, a couple could easily leave the restaurant with a tab of $20. Hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, until 10:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 9:30 p.m. Sundays.

Cuisine: Mexican-American

Reservations: Parties of six or more

Smoking: Yes

Kids menu: Yes

Price: $$

Bar: Full bar

Tip: Lunch combos ranging $4.99 to $6.29 served 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.