Mar
29
Brunch, and a Closing
Filed Under Uncategorized | Leave a Comment
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.)
Nov
17
Dinner at Mount Nittany Inn
Filed Under Uncategorized | 1 Comment
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
Filed Under Uncategorized | 1 Comment
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.”
