I won’t mislead you, I love Italian food so trying to be objective while have plate after plate of deliciousness placed in front of me is just not going to happen.  So I will share with you my favorites of the day and also some of the family history.

My taste buds happiness started with the Meatballs and Sauce.  The meatballs are made with four types of meats, hand rolled and slow cooked for over an hour, served with a homemade marinara sauce.  The meat comes from grass fed free range animals.  I also had the family style Clam Chowder, which has become a favorite of mine and I will be heading back soon to get my fix.  Be sure to ask Mabelle, one of the owners, what she adds to make it so special. 

Mabelle and her husband Franco came to the United States in 1993 from the port city of Genoa in the Liguria region of northern Italy.  Franco and Mabelle are the two family chefs who create the wonderful menu items for lunch and dinner and their son, Alberto handles breakfast and the desserts, which I will get to in a few minutes.

My entrée consisted of Carbonara, Seafood Pasta, Pesto Pasta, Chicken Marsala, Mushroom Risotto, and Lasagna.  Wow!  The Carbonara was a very simple carbonara that was rich but not heavy.  The Seafood Pasta, using their homemade marinara sauce has very crisp defined flavors including New Zealand mussels, shrimp, and clams.  The Pesto Pasta was presented with a wonderful aroma and full use of the pesto.  The chicken Marsala reflects the recipe of the Genoa region, especially the sauce.  Do not be surprised when it does not arrive with the traditional cream sauce you are used to, instead embrace the sauce made with the Marsala wine.  It has a strong flavor and a generous use of mushrooms. The one I left for home with extra was the Mushroom Risotto.  I do love a good risotto and this one was one of the tops.  Very simple, not overcooked or mushy, and with a good use of the mushrooms and garlic to bring the flavors together in a great presentation.  Not to be forgotten is the lasagna.  It is a little different than the traditional lasagna and is a family recipe.

Dessert was presented by Alberto and I must say, did not disappoint.  If you only come to Franco’s to try one thing I would suggest the desserts, as hard as that is to say, because I don’t know why you wouldn’t want to be adopted by Mabelle so you could eat her cooking every day.  My two desserts were Chocolate Ganache Mousse and Tiramisu.  The mousse was light in texture and a nice play against the home made berry glaze of blackberries, blueberries, raspberries and strawberries.  The richness of the mousse and the tart tang of the glaze harmonize for a light dessert.  Now the Tiramisu is much like several other dishes here, not what you would expect in the traditional sense of a tiramisu.  The frozen crème is served in a scoop style with organic fair trade cocoa powder and with a lady finger cookie dipped in a coffee amaretto mixture.  It is sure to please any sweet tooth.

Located in downtown Madison, Indiana on the historic Main Street, I am sure you will enjoy your visit to Franco’s and be sure to tell them Angie sent you…..you never know what Mabelle may bring out of her kitchen to the delight of your taste buds!

Please pass the Persimmon Pudding…..say that three times and you must be eating at the Historic Broadway Tavern.

Just down the street from the Historic Broadway fountain in downtown Madison, Indiana is the Historic Broadway Tavern.  It is in the same location it was 175 years ago, which makes it Indiana’s true “Oldest Tavern”.  Now I am not looking to get in the middle of who really is, but I think I will side with the Broadway, after all, they are feeding me and also make some award winning ribs.

The Historic Broadway Tavern has a great old time, comfortable feel as soon as you walk in.  You can feel the history all around you and just wish the walls could talk; you would hear some amazing stories.  From the bar area with the carved antique three sided bar with plenty of TV’s for watching the game to the dinning section, broken into the different rooms to the outside patio which features live music during the season, you know you are at a place where friends gather and new friends are made over great food and drinks.  The menu is varied, offering everything from pasta to steaks to ribs; you will find something to please everyone in your group. 

Signature dishes include the award winning tender hickory smoked pork Baby Back Ribs with Larry’s homemade sweet BBQ Sauce and the Persimmon Pudding.  If John Wilkes Booth (who really did stay at the tavern) had dined on the Ribs he never would have left and found his way into history.

Now if Ribs aren’t your thing, the prime rib special on Friday and Saturday night or the Chicken Marcela will get the bases covered in a tasty way.  The Prime Rib is served with their homemade horseradish sauce and the Chicken Marcela, which is a house favorite, is served with fresh mushrooms and a creamy Marcela wine sauce. 

But do not miss the Persimmon Pudding!  The Persimmon Pudding, which echoes a bread pudding will surprise and delight you.  If this is the only time you ever eat a persimmon, you will be hooked.  The award winning, customer pleasing, Food Guru hooking dessert is more than a pudding.  It is an argument ending, happiness bringing square on a plate.  The pudding is owner Libby’s mom’s recipe which is made by Libby’s sister, Kathy at the tavern.  The pudding is award winning, and has won at the Mitchell Persimmon Festival, which has been held for over 60 years now so they know a good persimmon pudding when they judge one.

When you visit Madison, Indiana be sure to take a walk through history and enjoy a great meal at the Historic Broadway Tavern, you never know, you might run into the ghost who roams the halls looking for his lost love, but you do know you will enjoy some fine food in a great setting.

Nothing says country like a trip to the orchard in the fall and Highpoint Orchard and Winery in Greensburg, Indiana has all the bases covered for a complete day in the country.  You can start with a wagon ride through the orchard, stop in the café for lunch, shop a bit in the gift shop, and leave a moment to sample some of the wine in the restored historic barn.

Located on historic Pleaks Hill, which is the highest point in the county, Highpoint Orchard and Winery affords the visitor amazing views of the orchards, Upland Reservoir, and the beautiful countryside.  To get into the spirit of the country, take a wagon ride through the orchard where you can see where more than thirty-five varieties of apples, peaches, and Asian pears are grown.

Head back to the Apple Barn for a delectable lunch in the café.  The chicken salad croissant is sure to please with its fresh grapes, celery and pecans.  Also a hit is the Orchard Salad made with mixed greens, seasonal fruit (and they have a great source), pecans, cranraisins, against the feta cheese and raspberry vinaigrette it is favorite for a good reason.  Two items not to be missed on the menu is the fresh baked bread, pair it with the soup of the day and any fall chill will be a distant memory. 

The apple caramel nut pie is what dreams are made of, well mine anyway.  Starting with the made from scratch crust, layers of fresh apples, nuts, and seasonings, it will be dancing in your mouth.  The crust is one of the best pie crusts I have ever had, sorry mom.  The light crust, golden crisp on the edges and not soggy on the bottom is a tough balance to hit, but they do. 

After your lunch stroll through the gift shop where you can purchase fruit fresh from the orchard, fresh made pies or frozen, or one of their sauces.  They also carry cookbooks and apple related items.

Before you head home, stop by the Old Mill Barn and relax a bit in one of the front porch rockers before heading to the basement of the restored 1850’s barn to sample some of the Highpoint Winery selections.  A wonderful selection of fruit wines for your perusal and purchase make a great take home memory of your visit.

Want to have one of the most amazing lettuce wedge salads around? Then pack yourself and your best girlfriend into the car and head to Greensburg Indiana. Greensburg is home to The Gilded Lily. The Gilded Lily is a tea house and oh so much more.

As you walk up the landscaped from to the porch on the Victorian 1890’s home you know you are in for something special. The owner, and hostess, Lettie, who is also a designer greets you into the restored home which also has a wonderful (and sparkly) gift shop on two floors. Opened in September of 2010 as a tea house and serving high tea Tuesday through Friday from 2-4pm. But don’t limit yourself to tea, besides the shopping there are plenty of other pallet pleasing reasons to enjoy The Gilded Lily.

The Lettuce Wedge Salad is a must try, if only as a side item to your lunch entrée. The smoked applewood bacon, roma tomatoes and glazed pecans play wonderfully against the gorgonzola cheese and creamy garlic ranch dressing. If salad isn’t your thing, then the French Onion soup should be on your list to try. The creamy onion soup topped with homemade bread is something dreams are made of. The Quiche with its homemade crust, bacon, spinach and cheese is a light lunch but filling at the same time. If chicken salad peaks your desire then I would suggest giving this version a whirl. The recipe originated in a 1970’s bridge group and has been resurrected in a wonderful way. The pineapple chunks, major grey chutney, water chestnuts and more are a definite pleaser.

If looking for afternoon tea (be sure to call ahead for reservations) you will not be disappointed with the Loose Leaf Tea selection. The tea service also is complimented with a delightful assortment of tea sandwiches and mini desserts. The service is great for marking a special event, mother daughter day, or just a day out with the girls. In season you can even choose an indoor or patio table to enjoy your respite.