Let's face it: when you're on vacation, you want things to be laid-back all the time. You can get a meal that feels dressed up, but minus the pretention of a big city dining experience, at Elkhart Lake's Back Porch Bistro. If you're visiting the Midwest this summer, you'll be able to relax at dinner there. There are no secret dining rooms or tiers of treatment. You might just find yourself eating al fresco right next to the likes of Michael Jordan, but the prices still remain quite modest. It's part of the vintage and quaint Victorian Village Resort. I'm glad I had the opportunity to experience it!

There are several ways to sample local flavors here, including Wisconsin cheese plates, pan-seared walleye and bratwurst pizzas.

For the classic Continental cuisine that was the historic mainstay of the area, you'll go for pork Weinerschnitzel with creamed spinach spaetzle and lemon caper beurre blanc. More American classic tastes can get tender steaks with a variety of chef-designed traditional sauces: bordelaise, sautéed mushrooms and onions, béarnaise, blue cheese butter or roasted garlic horseradish butter.  

On New Year's, the restaurant opens with a tiki bar, serving Bloody Marys, cold beer and polka band to help start the new year off right.