eat up
wine down

1st Thursdays

Take an evening stroll down Valparaiso’s Lincolnway Avenue every 1st Thursday of the month and treat yourself to the tastes of global cuisines all within walking distance of one another! Valparaiso Downtown Dining, a collection of five of the most sophisticated restaurants in Valpo’s lively downtown dining district, is pleased to introduce “Eat Up, Wine Down 1st Thursdays” – an event that is hosted on the first Thursday of every month. Five downtown restaurants will open their doors from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. and offer guests five of their most “famous” drinks and/or dishes...for a cost of only $5 per selection.

Whether you want a taste of French, Asian, American, Continental European, Spanish, or Italian, the restaurants featured in Valparaiso Downtown Dining – Bistro 157, Bon Femme Café, Don Quijote, Paparazzi, and Pikk’s Tavern – offer exceptional cuisine, distinctly different ambiances, and impeccable service.

Try one…or try them all. “Eat Up, Wine Down” is sure to enliven your senses, please your palate, and, for only $5 per selection, go easy on your wallet.

About the Restaurants

Bistro 157
Voted the number one caterer in Northwest Indiana by Northwest Indiana Business Quarterly, Bistro 157’s Chef Nicole Bissonnette brings her passion for food and flawless culinary skills straight to your table. Trained at the world famous culinary arts school, Le Cordon Bleu in France, Chef Bissonnette has cooked up a mouth-watering French and Asian inspired menu. Each tantalizing dish drawing you back for another visit. 

Bon Femme Café
Elegance in a casual setting” is the motto that drives the succulent cuisine at the posh Bon Femme Café. One of Chicagoland’s most gifted industry leaders, Executive Chef Eddie Luick has prepared an exquisite menu blending American and Continental European with an French accent. Regulars and newcomers are enticed with luscious seasonally-changed menus.

don Quijote
Discover the essence of Spain at Indiana’s only authentic Spanish restaurant – don Quijote. Owners and Spain natives, Carlos Rivero and Elena Jambrina have created an elaborate menu with varied flavors and aromas of Iberian cooking. Choose from 25 amazing tapas (Spanish appetizers), including calamares (squid) and empanadas (Galacian meat pastry). And no Spanish restaurant is complete without the national dish of Spain – paella; don Quijote offers two versions of this amazing, multi-flavored dish. 

Paparazzi
Paparazzi is one of downtown Valpo’s newest dining editions. Offering an Italian modern faire, enjoy delicious gourmet pizzas or their famous butternut squash ravioli. Signature dishes include the Filet Mignon and Lobster Tail and Blue Cheese Stuffed Filet Mignon –frequent favorites.  Paparazzi’s elaborate menu and full service bar are sure to impress.

Pikk’s Tavern
American dining at it’s best. You can’t miss at this comfy, “kick back and hang” atmosphere.  Paul LoDuca brings his booming Chicago-style Adobo Grill to Valpo’s Pikk’s Tavern.   Indulge in the mouth-watering 32-oz Porterhouse or savory hickory-smoked barbeque ribs.  From steaks to savory seafood, enhance your meal with house made dipping sauces. The Pikk’s menu is sure to please and stun your taste buds.