Albion Has Become A Delightful Destination
By Loren Shaum
Guest Columnist
ALBION – Albion is primarily known as the Noble County seat and the gateway to the Chain of Lakes State Park. Plotted in 1846 and like most towns created at that time, it was named after an eastern town where settlers originate – in this case, Albion, New York.
The current courthouse was constructed in 1889 and has been well-maintained since. The Richardson-Romanesque style architecture looms large in downtown Albion. The Courthouse, the Courthouse Square Historic District, the Noble County Sheriff’s House and Jail are all listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
One10 West Main
Across Main Street from the courthouse is a circa 1860’s building that has become a popular destination for visitors from Lake Country. Resurrecting this historic building is the brain-trust of owner, Jay Hayes (also the town dentist). He took what was once the Sportsman’s Bar, then the Friendly Inn, and created a modernistic, hip but comfortable restaurant and bar.
The décor is now a sleek, industrial-chic ambiance with the reconstructed original bar, and the addition of what may be the world’s largest urinal. Captured from the courthouse, it alone is worthy of a visit. I can almost walk into it!
Opening in November 2017, the restaurant’s innovative menu is littered with unusual items not typically found in Lake Country restaurants. They call it “a level above the norm”!
For starters, there are six choices, with the baked cheese blend being a popular item. This concoction is served with crusty bread and is definitely a sharable. But, on every visit so far, I’ve had to go with the fried Brussels sprouts. It’s one of my favorite Lake Country dishes! The sprouts are charred on the outside, then braised in sunflower oil. The crispy outside and soft, crunchy middle with a sriracha mayo topping make your taste buds dance!
Other interesting starters include pork wings and the forest mushroom gnocchi. My wife, Gayle, went for the gnocchi, and those little gobs of goodness served with a cheesy cream sauce were rich and exceptional! One of our friends had the pork wings, and they were slammed.
There are ten “On Bread” sandwich/wrap choices including the signature portobello Albion sandwich. These giant mushrooms are marinated, grilled then topped with roasted red peppers, Muenster cheese, caramelized onions and served on a Brioche bun. They are out of bounds!
The “Cold Plates” section offers three salads plus a hummus plate. On my first visit, Jay claimed: “We serve twelve or more at most mealtimes.” Included with the hummus are a variety of vegetables, Kalamata olives and their excellent grilled flatbread.
On another visit, I had to check out their grilled chicken salad platter. It was a complete winner! Grilled chicken breast chunks are mixed with walnuts, grapes, celery and a bit of mayonnaise. It’s served with flatbread, tomato, cucumber, red onion and Didier’s applewood-smoked bacon.
The menu’s “Main” section is available after 4 p. m., and portobello Albion remains as an entrée (The entrée version is two of these monsters.). Other options include portobello mac & cheese, two steaks, salmon, chicken Caprese, and on weekends, they offer seafood and smoker specials.
El Mariachi Mexican Grill
A couple of doors from One 10 is what I declared last year to be the best Mexican restaurant in Lake Country. Decorated with everything Mexicana, including a collection of owner Reuben Morales’ sombreros, it reminded me of a joint in Tijuana visited years ago.
The nine-page menu offers over 150 items. A popular one for a group is the Mexican shrimp cocktail. This behemoth comes in a quart glass loaded with shrimp buried in a ceviche-style, lime-based sauce of chopped onion, tomato, cilantro and jalapeno, then topped with avocado.
While you casually sip on an exquisitely prepared margarita, you are served a large basket of fresh corn chips with a mildly-spiced salsa. The margaritas, alone, are worth the short trip through rural Noble County.
On this day, the choices were from the brunch and appetizer pages. After getting a half-order of guacamole, Gayle settled on a bowl of tortilla soup while I went with the tamal lunch.
The guacamole was spot-on, and the tortilla soup incorporated a rich, chicken-based stock with a kick and was full of chicken and vegetables. My dish included a light and fluffy tamale covered with shredded beef swimming in a wonderfully prepared mole’. It was served with an interesting rice with potato chunks, which I’ve never had before in any Mexican joint, and refried beans.
If you like pure Mexican, El Mariachi is one of the best choices you can make.
Albion Ale House
Just around the corner on Orange Street is the Albion Alehouse, home to Guesswork Brewing Company. Here, you’ll find as many as thirteen house-crafted brews on tap. On one visit, I went with a flight of blonde ale, porter, cream ale and an amber. The porter was a bit pungent for me, but the other three were quaffed. Of those, the amber particularly stood-out with hoppy caramel notes and a crisp finish – great for summer drinking.
Popular at happy-hour, the kitchen serves-up small plates, subs, wraps, burgers, baskets, salads, and pizzas.
If You Go
- One10 West Main: 110 W. Main St. Phone: 260-636-8965. Hours: Monday through Thursday; 11-9 p. m.; Friday and Saturday, 11-10 p. m.
- El Mariachi Mexican Grill: 102 W. Main Street. Hours: Sunday through Wednesday, 11-9 p. m. Thursday through Saturday, 11-9:30 p. m. Phone: 260-636-1003.
- Albion Alehouse: 108 S. Orange St. Hours: Monday – Thursday, 11-9 p. m.; Friday – Saturday, 11- 10 p. m. Phone: 260-636-2446.