Cindy Tonelli, who ran an Tavern Tonelli, an Italian restaurant in downtown Michigan City until closing it in 2022, has opened—on a limited basis—a new spot on Highway 12 next to Swingbelly’s, in the former Trip’s Treehouse space (before that, The Blind Pig).

Tavern on 12 soft-opened Memorial Day weekend (so soft it was cash-only and a tag was still on that plant in the photo above) with a small menu of Italian standards including meatballs in marinara (husband loved); a grilled seafood platter of tender octopus, squid and shrimp with a balsamic drizzle and arugula (terrific); prosciutto and burrata, panna cotta, orecchetti in a tomato cream and sausage; a Caesar wedge; shrimp cocktal; sausage and peppers. Many of the Taverna Tonelli favorites will make an appearance.

The menu will be filled out when the restaurant officially opens (perhaps next week; it’ll be a soft-open, cash-only situation again Friday-Sunday 2pm-10pm but you might want to call ahead). One standard offering will be a house white or red wine for $6; $20 for a bottle. We sampled the white Monday and were pleasantly surprised; super tasty, especially if you, like me, prefer crisp clean whites without oak or tang. Of course I forgot to snap a photo of the label. A friend had the red; she pronounced it just fine.

The restaurant’s regular hours will be 3 pm to 10 pm every day except Tuesdays. Once summer is in full swing, the plan is to open at 11am.

Tonelli is working on opening a cigar and bourbon patio sometime this summer, plus a market featuring to-go items such as sandwiches and wine. Also in the works: a deejay on the expansive patio, which still has a volleyball court and cornhole games.

Tonelli has freshened up the decor, but the place will still seem familiar to those who frequented the other restaurants that occupied the property.

Tavern on 12, 3103 US 12, 219-243-7103, Michigan City/Long Beach