After acquiring Powers Hamburgers this year, Salvatori’s Hospitality has purchased another longtime Fort Wayne restaurant. This time, it’s seafood staple Paula’s on Main, 1732 W. Main St. 

Salvatori’s managing partner Joe Sirk vows nothing will change. They’ll keep the hours, the menu, and its traditions, including the focus on high-quality ingredients and service. 

Meanwhile, Salvatori’s is close to opening their seventh Italian eatery at 8601 Bluffton Road, which is in the EZ Gas Shell station complex at Airport Expressway and Bluffton Road. The restaurant will serve the same menu as their other locations. 

They will serve wine and beer, including Salvatori’s Cooper Lager, but it will not have a full-service bar. 

Salvatori’s also has locations in New Haven, Leo Road, West Jefferson Boulevard, Washington Center Road, Warsaw, and Auburn.

Country Heritage distillery nears opening

Country Heritage Winery’s latest project, a distillery, may be open as early as next month.

Owners Jennifer and Jeremy Lutter gave a progress report last week for what is now officially called Backroads Distilling Company. It will share space at the winery on County Road 68 in LaOtto. 

The Lutters are aiming for a grand opening celebration in October. Visitors can enjoy cocktails and other drinks at the Backroads Stillhouse, an on-site lounge. 

As with the wines, they’ll use ingredients grown on their family farm in their creations. 

The Chop Shop set to open downtown

Work continues on The Chop Shop in downtown Fort Wayne and is expected to open this fall.

The company with fresh-cut meat, house-made brats and sausage, baked goods, and produce, posted on social media that they are expanding to a second location in the Metro Building at 202 W. Berry St.

They currently have a store in downtown Woodburn, 4422 Bull Rapids Road. 

LC Nature Park host Fireside Friday

LC Nature Park is hosting Fireside Friday on July 26 and Aug. 23. 

Set against the backdrop of their 200-acre preserve with elk and bison, this is a relaxing night around the campfire with wine and beer, music, and s’mores. 

It’s $20 per person and $15 for members and runs 7:30-9:30 p.m. 

They say to bring lawn chairs; they’ll have blankets. Pre-register for limited spots at lcnaturepark.org.

Nothing Bundt Cakes open second location

Nothing Bundt Cakes has opened its second Fort Wayne location at 1726 Apple Glen Blvd., joining the store at 6409 Lima Road. 

The store is open 9 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. on Saturday, and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. on Sunday. 

Something for everyone at Indiana State Fair

Elephant ears are great. But how about going one step further and stuffing it with blueberry cheesecake?

Well, the Indiana State Fair will have such an offering,as well as much more when it runs Aug. 2-18 in Indianapolis.

There’s a cotton candy margarita with sugar crystals, tequila, lime, and cotton candy. Look for the chili cheese empanada featuring chili and cheddar cheese with onions, scallions, and corn chips. 

How about pickle pizza? Or a mix of jalapeño ranch sauce and mozzarella cheese on pizza dough with sprinkled Cajun dust. There are potatoes fried with duck fat from Indiana-raised ducks. 

The Bratzilla is a third-pound pork behemoth on a pretzel bun with queso, pulled pork, onions, and jalapeños. 

Let’s not forget the All-American Mary; nothing says ’Merica like this. It’s a drink and a dish. Start with the classic Bloody Mary, then include a mini corn on the cob, a cheeseburger slider, mac and cheese, pickles, fries, a hot dog slider, and apple pie. Did you get all that? 

There are also more subtle offerings like the classic Bison Smash burger taco or Amish Peanut Butter Pretzel bites.

There are also several low-cost food options. More than 20 vendors are offering at least one value-priced item on their menus. That includes ice cream, milkshakes, grilled cheese sandwiches, veggies, nachos, hamburgers, hot dogs, corn dogs, macaroni and cheese, and rib tips. 

Maps for the concession areas and bargains are available at the fair information booths. You can also find information on the unique menu items and the bargain menu at indianastatefair.com. 

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.