Heartland Supper at the Patchwork Quilt Country Inn (from cookingvillage.com)

The aroma of Buttermilk-Pecan Chicken, buttered broccoli and homemade rolls quickly confirms you’ve come to the right place for a good meal. It’s this kind of family-friendly fare that is a trademark of the Patchwork Quilt Country Inn, located in northern Indiana and owned by John and Adrienne Cohoat. Guests return to the inn year after year for a fix of country cooking and a tour of the local Amish sites and markets that make the area one of the state’s top tourist attractions.

Surrounded by pastures and thickets of beech trees, the oldest part of the inn dates back over 100 years. Although named for its collection of Amish quilts, the inn gained renown for its restaurant, which is open to guests and nonguests alike. The dining room is charmingly decorated with siding from one of the old barns on the property, and its big windows overlook a majestic field—but anyone eating there tends to focus on the bountiful food. (For more about the inn, including reservation information, check out Planning a Trip to the Patchwork Quilt Country Inn.)

Supper is Served
Homemade dinner rolls and a pot of the inn's own Strawberry-Rhubarb Jam or a locally made apple butter await diners at each table. The meal usually begins with a generous helping from the salad bar. One of the best-loved items pays homage to the region’s Amish influence: Potato Rival Soup, which features small dumplinglike noodles and whets the appetite for the hearty meal to follow. "People come from across the country to order our Buttermilk-Pecan Chicken," says Treva Swarm, the restaurant’s manager. But regulars know enough to leave room for dessert—a favorite treat entails a trip back to the salad bar for the sweet Date-Nut Pudding and a dollop of whipped cream.

After dinner, a game of checkers by the fireplace might be in order. Sweet dreams are sure to follow, with visions of making your own meal, using the inn’s recipes.

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