You can take a bite of Colombian and Venezuelan cuisine at Abreus Cuisine, 2242 Goshen Road. That’s where the Venice Restaurant operated for years.
Abreus is Fort Wayne’s first Venezuelan eatery after its start as a food truck. The menu includes empanadas; beef, chicken, vegan, and vegetarian arepas (stuffed corn meal cakes); cachapas (a corn pancake with meat or cheese); and patacones (a staple of Columbian dining) with black beans, rice, shredded beef or chicken, cilantro, plantains, and tomatoes.
The eatery takes on a Colombian focus in the morning and shifts to Venezuelan in the afternoon and evening.
Abreus Cuisine is open 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Thursday. You can find them on Facebook.
Acme introduces lunch salad bar
If you’re looking for a healthy option, Acme by Full Circle, 1105 E. State Blvd, is now serving a lunch salad bar.
Stuffed with options, it is open weekdays 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Acme isn’t open for lunch on Tuesdays but offers the salad bar from 5-9 p.m. those evenings.
All you can eat is $12, $5 with a meal, and a grab-and-go box is $9. Their freshly made salads are also available anytime.
Different options during Lent
It can be a challenge to find fresh options during Lenten season. Here are a couple to consider for those refraining from meat.
Smokey Bones has BBQ shrimp appetizers, Shrimp and Guts, and fire-grilled salmon.
Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken is offering fish and chips, featuring six ounces of fish, potato wedges, and tartar sauce through March 28.
Ruth’s Chris Steak House offers Chilean sea bass through March 17. Starting March 18, the menu features tomato basil grouper and scallops with lobster sauce from March 25-30.
YLNI hosts murder mystery fundraiser
Here’s a chance to enjoy a fun evening of dinner theater.
Young Leaders of Northeast Indiana are hosting their first murder mystery dinner and auction Saturday, March 23, at The History Center, 302 E. Berry St.
Tickets start at $100 and include a three-course meal, show, and giveaway. The event benefits the YLNI Farmers Market. There will be a cash bar provided by Edwin Coe.
The meal is from Out of Jam, a local nonprofit that uses the culinary arts to develop work and leadership skills in young adults.
For ticket information, go to ylnifm.mymarket.shop.
In 2023, YLNI Market was named Indiana’s best farmer’s market. It features locally-grown produce, baked goods, arts and crafts, and other products. The winter market is open Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. through April at the Olde East End Building, 1501 E Berry St.
Designated drinking area proposal passes
A proposal to create a Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area has been approved by the Fort Wayne City Council. That means patrons will have more freedom to take alcoholic beverages out and enjoy festivals and events in specially defined areas of downtown Fort Wayne.
This proposal could be in place within weeks.
Under state law, DORAs grant special permission to eventgoers to purchase alcoholic beverages from approved vendors and enjoy them within specific approved boundaries. It is ideal for outdoor events and festivals. Specially marked cups and signage will help maintain and enforce DORA boundaries.
Fort Wayne’s downtown DORA stretches from Promenade Park on the north and to Brackenridge Street on the south, bound by Calhoun on the east with portions of Harrison Boulevard, Webster Street, Maiden Lane, and Ewing Street on the west.
Jersey Mike’s donating to Hoosier Burn Camp
During March, Fort Wayne Jersey Mike’s Sub locations will collect donations for Hoosier Burn Camp. Customers have the option of rounding up their bills or giving cash to the event.
On March 27, the local stores will contribute 100 percent of sales to Hoosier Burn Camp. The organization provides rehabilitation for mental and physical trauma connected with burn injuries for young people between the ages of 8 and 18.
Off the Eaten Path is the Whatzup weekly column that covers Northeast Indiana’s restaurant and food news. Send your news items to info@whatzup.com.
