Dec
15
The Governors’ Pub is Open
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The Governors’ Pub is now open! They reopened on November 21st, and I went there for lunch the following Monday. I’ve been there for lunch twice now, including this afternoon for lunch.
The Centre Daily Times ran a brief item on the opening this weekend.
I often judge a restaurant by the quality of the iced tea it serves. On that basis alone, Governors’ Pub is a hit! It isn’t the best restaurant tea I’ve ever had (that title is still held by the former High Street Pub, whose tea required no sweeteners and was delightfully smooth and had a hint of fruitiness), but is is a far cry from the teas I’ve had that taste like they’ve been filtered through cigarette butts.
Our waitress, clearly new at the job, held her own while managing at least six tables of lunch customers.
I very much enjoyed my Hasting’s Stacker, a sandwich made with turkey, provolone cheese, tomato slices, coleslaw, and french fries, all on generously thick slices of what appeared to be a cross between pumpernickel and white bread. Served with a side of fries or coleslaw (I had fries), it is a bit pricey for Bellefonte at $8, but was well worth it.
I’m looking forward to trying the Governors’ Pub for dinner sometime soon. I’m particularly interested in seeing their wine list. I’m hoping we’ll see great things from Governors’ Pub. For now, I’m glad to have a nice place to eat lunch downtown again.
Sep
4
High Street Pub Reopening?
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Not necessarily, but today at lunch I saw a bright orange sign in the window of the former High Street Pub. I was across the street and couldn’t read the names, but it seems it will soon reopen as The Governors’ Pub. The new proprietors have applied for a liquor license transfer. I’ll try to stop by this weekend and check out the details.
I’ll post more information as I find it. As of now, I can’t even find a website for the new venture. Nonetheless, I’m hoping for good things. I’m so optimistic, I’m creating a new tag for this post, The Governors’ Pub.
Apr
3
A Possible New Restaurant
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Developer Izzy Sky says he is looking for a locally owned restaurant with ties to the community to place on land adjacent to his new Best Western hotel on Shiloh Road.
It is nice to see such strong support for locally owned businesses. I hope Mr. Sky finds a suitable local tenant for his restaurant space, and that whomever that is brings another unique dining experience to our area.
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.
Jan
15
1921 Restaurant at the renovated Philips Hotel in Philipsburg began service this week. I’m hoping to make it out there soon to try Chef Ava Selepack’s fare. I’m thrilled to be able to add another fine restaurant to the list here in Centre county, and I’m even more excited that it is in Philipsburg. After everything that has happened to the town in the last few years — from the hospital closing to the fire on Front Street and the rash of foreclosures — that community is due for a break.
Unfortunately, the drive to Philipsburg this time of year is… harrowing. I’m definitely penciling it in for the spring, however, and it may happen sooner if the weather breaks for a weekend.
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.
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.”
Aug
25
Mount Nittany Inn to Reopen
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I am very much looking forward to the return of the Mount Nittany Inn this October. It has been six years since I’ve been there, and five since the first fire destroyed the property. It wasn’t at all clear they’d return, but they have. Centre County is about to get one of its better restaurants back and I couldn’t be happier!
