Old World Market

If the moon were made of cheese, Old World Market would sell it, along with more than 200 others the gourmet food store carries. Wines, charcuterie, pates and fresh artisan breads create a delicious aroma wafting through the inviting shop across the street from the Porter County Courthouse. Take out sandwiches ($4) and salads ($4 a pound) are made fresh daily. To shop Old World Market is to travel with your taste buds. It's a geography-culinary lesson to read all the product labels and the accompanying staff members' handwritten commentary about what pairs well with what. Owners Dee and John Kowalski encourage sampling. Imported items include European brand crackers, prosciuttos, Parmigiano-Reggiano cream butter, foie gras ($9.99 a pound). Old World Market specializes in boutique wineries (some bottles priced at less than $15 a bottle). At these prices, it's tempting to try something a little different, such as a hard-to-find, late vintage port from Spain ($20). Wine and cheese tasting events take place here year-round, too.