Nov
17
Dinner at Mount Nittany Inn
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I joined my mother and fiancée for dinner at Mount Nittany Inn Saturday evening. The Inn reopened on Wednesday, November 5th, and we were anxious the check it out.
It was raining as we drove up the newly-paved road over Centre Hall Mountain from Pleasant Gap. In spite of the rain, the sun shone brightly from behind. We were sure we’d see a rainbow, and sure enough we could see one from the top of the mountain, stretching to the ground in the distance over Penn’s Valley.
The best view was from inside the Inn. The new building shares a location with the former Mount Nittany Inn and little else. It still has that “new home” smell, and is beautifully appointed with vaulted ceilings, open seating areas, and plenty of windows affording an expansive view of the valley. Many of the trees still had their leaves, so the view was amazing. The rainbow topped it off and made for a delightful dinner atmosphere.
After marvelling at the decor and the view, we took our seats in the main dining room and set about perusing the menu. Gone are many of the game items for which the Inn was known by many.
We began with Caesar salads. Although the anchovies were thick and juicy like you rarely ever find around here, the Parmesan stole the show. Instead of grated or shredded, it was chipped. These larger pieces melted in the mouth, with a smooth, apple-like flavor.
For the main course, I had the Venison served with mushrooms and rosemary in a Port Wine-Dijon cream sauce. It was served with green beans and a baked potato. I paired it with a pinot noir.
I know venison pairs best with a Cabernet Sauvignon or a Riesling, but I was in the mood for a Pinot Noir. The wine list included a Concannon Pinot Noir by the glass. Concannon is one of my favorite wineries for Pinot Noir, and one of the few I like from California that isn’t in Sonoma.
The wine did not disappoint. It had the usual Pinot Noir notes of fresh raspberry and cherry with rose petals on the nose. If I hadn’t known better, I’d have thought they poured me a Burgandy. It went well with the venison in spite of its fruitiness. It wasn’t as intense or bold as a Cabernet Sauvignon, but I was happy with the pairing.
The venison itself was variable. Two of the pieces were suculent and tender, almost like the darkest of duck meat. The others were tough and rather thin. On the whole, I would recommend it, particularly if you enjoy venison and don’t hunt (or know anyone who does).
For dessert I had a lemon berry torte. It was light and rich, with a generous amount of cream cheese between its two layers. It was presented on a bed of raspberry, caramel, and cream sauces.
I understand they plan to install televisions in the near future. I, for one, think this is a poor idea. While it may attract the upscale bar patrons who spend lots of time and money on football weekends, it will have a negative impact on the dining experience. I hate the thought of the new Mount Nittany Inn become little more than a pricey sports bar with a good view.
It is nice to have another fine restaurant in the area, and is even nicer to have one this close to Bellefonte. I think we’ll be going back for many occasions over the next few years.
