Weekend Eat-Away

Just around the southern curve of Lake Michigan, 80 miles away, is a string of towns ripe for exploration--and an excellent daylong eating adventure.

Start at Froehlich's, a gourmet shop in sleepy downtown Three Oaks. Sandwiches and salads can be eaten at the handful of tables inside or on benches out front, and shelves overflow with house-made jams and pickles. Take roasted cherry tomato sauce, olive relish and a mason jar of lemonade to-go. 26 N. Elm St., Three Oaks; 269-756-6002

Spend the afternoon tasting wine, beer and grape-distilled vodka at The Round Barn. Buy a wine glass ($7.50) and taste five wines, one dessert wine, one vodka and one beer (all made on the winery's idyllic property), or a beer glass ($5) to sample the local suds. Tours aren't offered in the summer months, but the vineyards are open for wandering. 10983 Hills Rd., Baroda; 800-716-9463

End the day at Soë Café, a charming restaurant serving city-worthy food in the country. Deviled eggs with capers and lemon zest ($3), snap peas with warm mint and shallot vinaigrette ($5) and butter bean bruschetta with caramelized onions and Wisconsin blue cheese ($8) will make you wish Soë was closer to home. 12868 Red Arrow Hwy., Sawyer; 269-426-4878