An interior view of Evergreen in Rochester. All photos by Shari Benyousky and Antony Garza.

By Shari Benyousky
And Antony Garza
Guest columnists

ROCHESTER — Tony and I sit back simultaneously, utterly sated, and unable to lift another spoonful of dessert. We are sitting in an unexpectedly charming restaurant in the friendly little town of Rochester, Indiana.

But I’m ahead of myself. Let’s back up to the gray winter Sunday, and us needing something to do. A quick check online found an acquaintance giving a book reading in a new art gallery in Rochester. Rochester? Is that the Rochester south of us? All we knew of Rochester was round barns and the beginning of the Trail of Death for Potawatomi Indians in 1838. Rochester sits in Fulton County, about 40 minutes from Warsaw, the perfect drive through farmland and long, sweeping roads beside the Tippecanoe River.

THE NATIVE NOOK – Tucked away around the corner from the Fulton County Courthouse is a quirky art gallery brimming with jewelry, paintings, and pottery from “mostly” Hoosiers. The building occupies a brightly painted corner and describes itself as, “a dynamic art gallery … venue which helps to foster the creative side of local and nationwide artists and is a directory of art projects and organizations to link creatives together.” We purchased autographed books from our friend.

Tip: Around the corner from the store look for the painted murals including a hidden tiger and a lemur peeking from a broken shutter.

Our main errand finished, we wandered towards downtown, passing under an antiquated movie matinee with curling paint and a sign notifying the public that it was in the process of being renovated. Rochester downtown is expected, a collection of bail bonds, thrift stores, attorneys, and empty storefronts. So, it was with surprise that we rounded another corner to find a charming and well-tended pocket park.

CENTENNIAL PARK is the site of a former building called Balcony Hall, which held plays, concerts, and dances. Through the years it became various businesses and apartment rentals until it fell victim to a huge fire in December 2011. It sat like a gaping black wound on the square until Indiana’s Bicentennial year 2016 when someone brilliant turned a weakness into a strength. The place is perfect for a stroll or to begin perusing our new book from The Native Nook on a comfortable bench. Why there aren’t more pocket parks in little Indiana downtowns?

Tip: Go on a warm day. If you forgot your book, and didn’t buy one at the Native Nook, stroll up the street to a Free Little Library at 1030 Monroe St and check out the ones offered by BlueEyedMama.com.

It wasn’t warm the day we were there. In fact, a few stray snowflakes drifted to melt in the street, which meant that it was time to find dinner. We didn’t expect much past the regular fare of hamburgers or tenderloins, but Google pointed out an interesting restaurant. We walked a few blocks the other way, the sun breaking through the clouds and warming our shoulders.

EVERGREEN EATERY – Enormous windows fill the place with light, and the walls are exposed brick with colorful paintings of cows and dimply boys eating apples. But the real charm is the menu. We ordered appetizers and main dishes. By the time we realized our error, it was far too late. The waitress arrived balancing long white dishes holding enormous appetizers of southwest eggs rolls and bruschetta topped with tomatoes, curls of parmesan and balsamic vinegar. We saw that we didn’t need the rest of the meal, but a succulent chicken with pineapple and apple salsa arrived, and the waitress pointed out coffee cordials. Our stomachs bulge, but there’s this tantalizing chalkboard list of desserts on the wall. We bravely attempt a cherry crisp and a slab of dense flourless chocolate torte with raspberry sauce. The meal has been amazing, the more so because it was totally unexpected.

Tip: Get the bruschetta. But share. For goodness sake, share.

Some appetizers from Evergreen restaurant in Rochester.

It’s hard to miss the round red barn in the wintertime.

You know you’ve arrived when you see this sign.