Cindy Larson's Restaurant Notes: April 5, 2011

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (News-Sentinel) - A column by Cindy Larson of The News-Sentinel

It was Azar's, Cosmos, Liberty Diner II, and now it's been reincarnated as Lakeside Café.

We're talking about the restaurant that sits in front of the closed Value City department store at 1040 Coliseum Blvd. E.

Lakeside Cafe opened March 28 after being closed for several weeks for remodeling. It's open 6 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday and features breakfast all day as well as salads, sandwiches, quesadillas and some dinners. There's a special menu for seniors.

John Vorvus owns Lakeside Cafe. He bought the restaurant from the Bourounis family in 2006 and continued to run it under the Cosmos name for a couple of years. Then George Smyrniotis leased it and renamed in Liberty Diner II, which closed in February. Vorvus, who owns two other restaurants in Ohio, decided to remodel, rename and reopen it.
German dinner and a show

If you enjoy German food, consider attending the Fort Wayne Maennerchor/Damenchor's dinner and spring show April 12. They'll serve Hungarian goulash and spaetzle (German-style noodles) 5-6:30 p.m. The show begins at 7 p.m. Dinner is $10, the show is $20, and dinner and show is $30. Reservations are required; call Trixie at 483-6170.
Get a bakery preview

Angie Quinn, executive director of ARCH, is leaving her job to start a new business, the Pembroke Bakery, with her husband, Steve Nagy. They will be selling their breads at the South Side Farmers Market beginning April 23 8 a.m.-1 p.m. every Saturday. They'll also sell their products at the Historic West Main Street Farmers Market and the East State Village Farm Market.

Their selection includes artisanal yeast breads, batter breads, gluten-free breads and pastries, dairy- and egg-free pastries, pies, coffeecakes, fruit crisps and more.
Wine tasting supports ballet

Fort Wayne Ballet is celebrating its move to a new location downtown with a wine-tasting event April 15. A Toast to Downtown is a fundraiser for the ballet. An exclusive VIP first pressing is at 5:30 p.m. Tickets for the VIP event are $100 per person and include heavy hors d'oeuvres by Club Soda, chocolates by DeBrand and premium wines and specialty cocktails provided by Cap n' Cork. Those who attend the VIP event can stay through 9 p.m.

General admission for the 7-9 p.m. gathering is $50 per person and $75 per couple and includes the opportunity for wine tasting and light hors d'oeuvres. A silent auction runs through 8 p.m. The event takes place at the First Source Center, 200 E. Main St., next door to the new ballet studios at the Auer Center for Arts and Culture. Reservations are required by April 12. An ID will be required at the door.

Tickets are available at some Cap n' Cork locations and through Fort Wayne Ballet by calling 484-9646.
More pizza

In addition to the Happy's Pizza going in at the corner of State Boulevard and Hobson Road, another Happy's Pizza is going in on Rudisill Boulevard between Clinton and Lafayette streets.
Nuggets

♦A Subway will open at 1518 Wells St.

♦The Bakery, 2461 Hobson Road, has closed. A sign on the door from the owners said they closed due to increasing food prices and the general state of the economy.

♦The Dairy Queen at the intersection of Winchester and Lower Huntington roads has opened for the season.
Easter hours

As Easter approaches, don't forget to send us information if your restaurant will be open Easter Sunday. Contact us via any of the methods listed below.