Aug
1
In Search of Red Beets
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I stopped by the Bellefonte Farmer’s Market this morning. First we went out to brunch at the Café on the Park at around 10:30. I haven’t been there in months, and my mother had never been there, so we thought it would be nice to take her out.
I was looking for red beets at the farmer’s market. I did see one vendor with them priced four beets for a dollar. That seems a bit steep considering that I’m looking for at least a bushel. One of the other vendors may have had beets earlier, and since we arrived as everyone was closing up at close to noon, it is likely I missed them. I’m going to try again next weekend at Millheim since we’ll be over in Penn and Brush valleys for the annual Farm Tour.
Mar
29
Brunch, and a Closing
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We made it back to the Cafe on the Park again this morning. We arrived at around 10:15 a.m., right before a large group of people walked in. We found a table for two in the back and waited. We don’t normally make it out that early on a Sunday, but we’ve both been up early each day this weekend.
I again ordered the quiche, having the bacon and Swiss cheese quiche. I was lucky to get the last slice. If they had run out, my backup plan was to try their baked oatmeal special. (It is oatmeal with eggs and brown sugar, baked in the oven like a custard and served hot with a small pitcher of fresh cream.)
I don’t have much to offer in terms of new insights into dinning at the Cafe. It is just a simple, family-run eatery that does brunch really well. If I could, I’d encourage everyone to try it at least once, and if you like it make a regular thing of it. Local restaurants are having a tough time of it lately, with the contracting economy and people choosing to cut dining out from their budgets to try to make ends meet.
In fact, I understand the economy has claimed another local casualty in the High Street Pub. I’m not sure when it closed its doors, but it appears dark and I’ve heard from several people that they’re closed. (I have not, however, been able to confirm this with anyone connected to the Pub.)
Jan
31
Brunch at the Cafe on the Park
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We went to the Cafe on the Park today for brunch. Actually, it was more like a late lunch, but since we were the only people in the place they allowed us to order from the brunch menu.
I had the spinach and sundried tomato quiche with fruit medley and toast. It was actually one of the better quiches I’ve had, with a flaky, buttery crust and firm egg custard throughout. I’m not big fan of spinach, but I’ve been trying to eat more of a variety of vegetables since my doctor has basically told me if I don’t get some things under control soon we’re going to have a “Conversation.”
I’m glad to see the place is still open, and feel bad that I haven’t been there since this past summer. Hopefully we can make it there more often on the weekends.
Oct
10
Lunch at the Cafe on the Park
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We tried a new place for lunch today, the Cafe on the Park in Bellefonte. It is a small cafe with inside seating for perhaps two dozen diners and outside deck seating for another dozen or so. There is a long counter/bar on the right as you enter. They serve an assortment of gourmet coffees, deli sandwiches made with Boar’s Head meats and cheeses, and Penn State Creamery ice cream. They’re on the former site of Boscano’s Store and apparently have been there since 2006. The decor is contemporary with a smattering of seasonal country styling.
This was my first visit to the cafe, which does not speak well for their advertising and outreach efforts. If I, a native of Bellefonte, hadn’t heard of the place until a month ago, they may have a problem. That being said, they did a bustling business whilst we were there, serving at least three other tables inside and several more on the deck.
I ordered the Double Decker Club Sandwich on wheat bread with a side of potato salad and a glass of iced tea. The club sandwich was at least four inches thick, made with three thick-cut slices of fresh bread, generous portions of turkey, ham and American cheese, lettuce, tomato, mayonnaise, cucumber, and crispy bacon. I’m not a big fan of cucumber on sandwiches, and haven’t really had one I enjoyed since my time living in England and eating egg salad and cucumber sandwiches in train stations. The sandwich was awkward to eat at first, but the bread was fresh enough that it quickly compressed to a manageable thickness within a few bites.
The potato salad had a slightly tangy undertone to its flavor, probably owing to vinegar rather than mustard, considering how pale it was. The potatoes were firm and held their cube shape well. Overall, I’d order it as a side.
Finally, the iced tea was excellent. It was fresh-brewed and didn’t require any sweeteners. Previously, I’d have said the High Street Pub had the best iced tea in the area, but they’ve changed their blend and it no longer tastes the same. Congratulations, Cafe on the Park: you’re the new iced tea champ!
We’ll probably go back to the Cafe again. It is a little farther to walk, but well worth it. They are closed on Mondays, but they’re open Tuesday-Saturday from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., or as the sign on the door indicates, “Until the food runs out.”
