The Midwest’s Best New Holiday Foodie Destination: Lake Erie Shores & Islands

SANDUSKY, Ohio - Dec. 2, 2014 - PRLog -- There’s no need to be ashamed of wanting to go out on the holidays.  Spending countless hours roaming the aisles of your local grocery store and laboring in the kitchen isn’t exactly enticing all the time.  Luckily, the Lake Erie Shores & Islands region is in the midst of a restaurant renaissance and has seen an explosion of new establishments offering an array of fantastic fare.  From waterfront bistros to speakeasy themed cocktail bars, there’s something for even the most discerning palates.

The Vault Wine Bar (http://www.vaultwinebar.com/home.html) (Vermillion) - Extravagantly unique and quaint, this old bank turned restaurant offers up a wide variety of fine wines next to delectable entrees made from scratch.  Be certain to ask for a dime tour of the wine cellar that’s housed in the old bank vault.

Zinc Brasserie (Sandusky) - The French-inspired restaurant that started the food revolution in Sandusky, focuses on their seasonal, ingredient driven menu. Visitors have grown accustomed to Chef Cesare Avallone's personal take on dishes like their Duck Wellington or Berkshire Pork.

Chez Francois (Vermillion) - Located on the banks of the Vermillion river, Chez has long been a fine dining staple in the region with it’s signature Cantonese seafood and truffle dinners.  For a refreshing libation, try Touche’, a small cocktail lounge located upstairs.

Small City Taphouse (Sandusky) - With over 45 beers on tap and some the best sushi and Vietnamese food in Ohio, Small City is the brain child of Kha Te Khet.  The newly renovated hybrid restaurant brings in fresh sushi everyday, serves up family secret Vietnamese dishes and washes it all down with a phenomenal beer list.

Canoe Club Wine Bar (Marblehead) - An intimate, cozy spot that serves handcrafted, naturally leavened wood fired pizza, fresh imaginative salads, and signature wines for a relaxed come-as-you-are experience.

Marconi’s Italian Restaurant (Huron) - With more than five decades of experience, the 50 seat breakfast and coffee spot eventually grew to 120 seats of homemade goodness.  Using only the freshest produce and finest imported cheeses, Marconi’s is perhaps the best Italian the region.

Mekong (Sandusky) - Well known for their fantastic craft beer selection, the authentic Vietnamese food somehow trumps their expansive brew list.  The clay pot dishes are among local favorites, but if you don’t know what to order be sure to seek out advice from Chucky, the very helpful owner and operator.

Bierkeller Pub (Bellevue) - As German as German gets, the Bierkeller whisks patrons across the pond with hearty authentic cuisine and 28 German and Belgian beers on tap.

Catawba Island Brewing Company (Port Clinton) - What they don’t have to eat, they certainly make up for in craft brews.  Featuring an ever-changing rotation of hand crafted beers, hop-lovers will find their hands full.

Hearth Tavern (http://www.hearthpizzatavern.com) (Sandusky) - A very cozy spot situated right next to Zinc Brasserie, Hearth serves up fresh, oven fired pizzas made fresh with homemade dough, cheeses and toppings.  For a take on a traditional veggie pizza try the Fun Guy or the Mom Says Eat Your Veggies", but meat lovers will skew towards the Great White Clam or the Chicken Coupe de Ville.

Chateau Tebeau Winery (Helena) - This 36 acre estate is the perfect place to relax, grab a delicious panini and sample some of the region’s finest locally made wine.

Volstead Bar (http://volsteadbar.com) (Sandusky) - This high-end cocktail joint takes patrons back to the fascinating days of the speakeasy by artfully crafting classic cocktails.  Combining these intriguing historical remnants with the speakeasy practices of the aforementioned years, Volstead Bar harkens back to the days of Old Sandusky amidst the New Sandusky renaissance.

The Orchard (Catawba) - Serving heavenly sea scallops and outrageously delicious pecan encrusted trout, The Orchard is a fantastic spot to do what they themselves recommend.  Eat. Drink. Gather.

Tin Goose Diner (Port Clinton) - This vintage 1950’s restaurant is located in the Liberty Aviation Museum, letting patrons sip on old school malts while listening to air traffic communications and watching restored planes come in for landings.

Nagoya Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi (Catawba) - Whether it’s the amazing hibachi chefs dazzling both your senses and tastebuds or finely hand crafted sushi, Nagoya provides visitors the chance to experience both.

Fun Travel Tip: If you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind New Year’s Eve experience, try heading out to the harbor town of Port Clinton for their extremely quirky annual Walleye Drop.  With the normal New Year’s ball replaced by a 600 pound fish, themed walleye garb everywhere you look and thousands of people having a blast, it’s definitely worth a bucket list checkmark.

For lodging options please visit www.shoresandislands.com.