Mill Creek Cafe Pie

Th Historic Lincoln Hotel B&B is pleased to annouce the Mill Creek Cafe now offers another delightful dining option in Cedar County.  Their chalk board menu offers delicious home made meals that change daily.  Not interested in a meal?  Stop in for home made pie and sundaes.  Patrons enjoy a warm ambiance and friendly service.  Check out this week’s menu at Mill Creek Cafe. And if you need a weekend break, take a night for yourselves at the Lincoln Hotel where gourmet breakfast and pillowtops await.

One of the most popular restaurants in the Iowa Great Lakes area is the Taco House in West Okoboji.  For over 30 years, locals and visitors to the Lake Okoboji area have made the Taco House a destination place to eat at.  There is no advertising in mid March when they open for the season, you just know it because the cars are packed in the parking lot.  At the end of the season closing in October/November (depending on the weather) has people lined up to pick up their soft shell and burrito orders to satisfy their Taco House fix through the long winter!

The founder of the Taco House restaurant is a Mexican lady, born and raised in a small town south of Mexico City.  She helped her mother cook for a large family and their workers.  This is reflected in the frijolas (refried beans) that are made fresh daily from her original home recipe and make sure to try their hot sauce!  The sauces used at the Taco House are true Mexican sauces, made with the same ingredients and recipes used in Mexico. 

The Okoboji Country Inn just happens to be right across the street from the Taco House and the innkeeper and family have enjoyed this place for years.  Our favorites are the soft shell and hard shell tacos, meat nachos, and the soft serve ice cream they offer from Memorial to Labor Day is a real treat!!  There are many other items to choose from on their menu and some of the plates going by look delicious, but we always seem to stick with these.  Next time you are in the Okoboji area, make a point to stop at the Taco House and enjoy some of their great food. 

Ready for Spring?  Make plans for the Home Expo at the Bridge View Center in Ottumwa IA.

When: Friday, March 7th,  2 pm to 8 pm
Saturday, March 8th, 10 am to 8 pm
Sunday, March 9th, 12 pm to 4 pm.

Over 30,000 square feet of exhibit space and if you are interested in a booth to display your product, contact the Ottumwa Area Chamber of Commerce. Ph: 641-682-3465

While in Ottumwa, you’ll want to stop at Nester’s Cafe for a great homemade meal.  They have specials each weekday and dessert can be one of the sides.  Our favorties are the lemon meringue pie and bread pudding with lemon sauce.  The warm rolls are heavenly. 

Make it a weekend with a stay at the McNeill Stone Mansion B&B in Oskaloosa IA.  You’ll be glad you did.

Lowden, IA  Did you know that grapes were Iowa’s major crop prior to prohibition?  The Lincoln Hotel bed and breakfast was a part of that history.  The 1996 winning restoration of the Lincoln Hotel parallels the resurgence of vinyards in Iowa.  “The Progressive Wine Trail - Planning holiday dinners around Iowa wines” is happening on November 3rd and 4th, 2007.  The Historic Lincoln Hotel Bed and Breakfast is the perfect place to begin or end the day.  The hotel is centrally located in the southern half of the trail which includes 4 of the 7 wine trail stops.  Enjoy spacious suites, beautifully furnished and treat yourselves to one of innkeeper Liz’s fabulous gourmet breakfasts.  Each winery will feature course suggestions to help you create your own seven course dinner featuring upper Mississippi River Valley wine.  Plan a weekend in the country and enjoy tasting Iowa wine with a loved one.  For more information call toll free:  877-941-7563. 

The Historic Lincoln Hotel in Lowden Iowa is a great place to settle into while touring the Lincoln Highway. Located at the junction of Hebert Hoover and Old Lincoln Highway, the hotel has served Lincoln Highway travellers since 1915. Completely restored, in 1996 the Lincoln Hotel was presented Iowa’s “Best Restoration Award” by Governor Branstad and is listed on the “National Registry of Historic Places.”

Today guests enjoy one of 5 lovely suites with queen size pillowtops and private baths. Fabulous gourmet breakfasts are available for those who want to linger in the morning. Early risers can choose a room without breakfast, enjoy coffee in their room, and get on the road since breakfast is an option here. Fall is a great time to step out and tour beautiful eastern Iowa. The Lincoln Hotel is the perfect place to stretch your legs after a day trip through the rolling hills.

The Historic Lincoln Hotel B&B in Lowden Iowa is busy hosting weary bikers on the Eastern Iowa bike trail.  At the corner of Herbert Hoover and Old Lincoln Highway, the hotel is at the crossroad of many biking trips through the state.  Our latest visitor was from Scotland and has a site to follow his journey.  You can read more about John Henderson’s coast to coast USA experience at www.mainetooregon07.blogspot.com/  All our bicycle travellers find the Lincoln Hotel to be a welcome respit on their journey.  We always look forward to meeting more bicyclers and hope we are sending them off with the wind at their backs. 

Visitors to Indianola will have more food choices very soon. Opening the first of April is the French bistro, Cafe Beaujolais. Katheryn Wright, owner and chef is a well seasoned chef and will be bringing a sophisocated touch to her guest’s dining experience. The China Express will also open it’s doors arount the first of April. Also coming to the dining scene is a Battle’s Bar B-Q (www.battlesbbq.) and an English Pub. Guests at the Garden and Galley B&B in Indianola will, in addition to the inn’s gourmet breakfast, have some wonderful food choices. YUM! www.gardenandgalley.com

The Historic Lincoln Hotel B&B is pleased to welcome Brian Corbett as the new manager of the 3-30 Club in Lowden Iowa. Brian’s brings with him 11 years of experience in the restaurant industry. The word is out that the food is delicious and the dining experience is “fine!” His menu features hand cut rib-eyes, serloin, beef medalians, shrimp, talapia, center-cut barbeque pork chops, prime rib and evening specials. He also offers wine by the glass or the bottle if you wish and a full bar. We are excited to have another lovely restaurant that our guests can enjoy while visiting the area. Come, escape at the award winning Lincoln Hotel B&B and let us show you our warm midwestern hospitality. Call for reservations: 877-941-7563 or check us out on the web at www.lincolnhoteliowa.com.

Peggy Sue’s restaurant in Mount Ayr, IA, was featured in the Henderson County Quill of Stonghurst, IL, in its February 21 issue. Virginia Ross has been writing articles about a drive along Highway 2 on the way to North Platte, NE, called “On The Way to North Platte”. The menu itself is pure “Happy Days” with “indescribably delicious homemade potato chips” and “all served up with a friendly smile,” she writes. She invites other travelers to make the place a destination on the journey to North Platte, NE. After you enjoy the atmosphere at Peggy Sue’s, rest up at Charlie Jane’s Bed and Breakfast enjoying the wrap-around porch then continue on “The Road to North Platte, NE”.

The Wash House & Annabelle’s Tea Room
1702 Terrace Park Blvd
West Okoboji, IA
(712) 332-2358
Gift Shop MS 10am-5pm Sun.1-5pm Tea Room Wed. Sat. 12 pm 4 pm
Lunch 12:00 Noon & 1:30 Reservations Welcome
Annabelle’s Tea Room offers cozy dining and serves elegant food in a relaxing atmosphere. The Tea Room can accommodate up to 40 guests.
Located South of Emerald Hills Golf Course

My family and I have eaten at Annabelle’s Tea Room on a number of occasions. It is a terrific place to meet with girl friends and chat. The menu is upscale and the desserts are out of this world delicious!  They do not publish a menu, the daily menu changes according to the fresh ingredients available locally. Best to call first: (712) 332-2358.