Pennsyltucky Veggie Awards 2011 – Best Appetizer

4th Street Grille Nachos in Williamsport

Thinking about mainstream vegetarian appetizers in our area brings to mind a lot of heavy and fatty nibbles. Jalapeño Poppers, Nacho Chips smothered in beans and salsas, Spianch Artichoke Dip with little bread wedges are all regular chain restaurant foods and they feature prominently in a lot of locally owned places too. Lighter fare includes things like Moo Shu Wraps, Fresh Veggies with Hummus, and sometimes Fruit & Crackers along with a Cheese Plate.

Mad Mex's Pennsyltucky Tofu

Vegetarians can, and sometimes are forced to, make their entire meals out of a restaurant’s selection of appetizers and sides when dining out. This can be just fine if the dishes are not too heavy, prepared in a healthful way and the diner is not hoping for an entrée. One impressive exception to that is the second runner up for this award, Mad Mex’s Pennsyltucky Tofu. It comes out like a full sized potion of Genral Tso’s Tofu and is a big enough appetizer for at least 4 people to split.

Luna 2"s Tomato Bruschetta

This year I give my Pennsyltucky Veggie 2011- Best Appetizer award to Luna 2 Woodgrill in State College for their Tomato Bruschetta. The fresh and healthy portion of 5 bias-cut slices of crostini are covered in fresh basil, garlic, balsamic vinegar, olive oil and tomato. Even in the middle of winter this appetizer is garden fresh and a bargain at $5.50 ($7.00 if you add mozzarella).

What, you might ask, makes it any better than the same priced appetizer at the related location Faccia Luna?

Faccia Luna's similar bruschetta

The price is identical, portion comparable, fresh toppings almost the same but the presentation and preparation of the crostini is better at Luna 2. The bread is merely toasted at Faccia Luna and becomes easily saturated and breaks in two upon handling. Luna 2′s crostini handle the toppings better and are more firm, we are assuming they may be wood fired, grilled or at least coated a bit with olive oil, and are a more resilient nosh.

I highly recommend all of Luna 2′s vegetarian appetizers and if eaten at the bar Monday – Thursday from 5-7 they are half off! That is some great food for rock bottom prices. The Artisan Mac & Cheese comes out quickly, piping hot and scrumptious. The Tuscan Hummus with Veggies & Grilled Flatbread serves a voluminous portion of creamy hummus with toothsome dippables.

Luna 2 Artisan Mac & Cheese, Bruschetta, Hummus Plate

Luna 2 is doing quite a few things right, this is their second Pennsyltucky Veggie Award for 2011, they also scored for Best Portobello in the region.

Congrats Luna 2 Woodgrill (restaurant review in full here) for being awarded Pennsyltucky Veggie 2011 Best Appetizer.
Do you know of a Pennsyltucky restaurant whose Appetizers can beat this one in 2012? If it’s in central PA (see map here) and is a regular vegetarian menu item, let me know and I will include it in the judging next year! Drop me, Pennsyltucky Veggie, a line or feel free to leave a comment!

The Waterfront Tavern

I have had some really wonderful times at The Waterfront Tavern in Lewistown. The restaurant and its outdoor deck is situated with a very nice prospect of the Juniata River. Because of the location on 6398 Belle Ave., just off the bridge (Rt 103) that crosses the Juniata, the main approach from Lewistown has you driving past the restaurant and turning left at the light onto Belle Ave. Parking is in front, beside and behind the building.

Roofed area of the outdoor deck.

The deck is only hospitable in the best of warm weather so don’t count on it being open at any other time. One weekend, Jim and I visited on a lovely summer’s day and there were still only a couple of patrons taking advantage of it. There was a sign directing us to go inside to arrange seating even if we wanted to be on the deck. I assumed so that they would know people were in need of attention.

We once took our mothers to the Waterfront Tavern for a Mother’s Day lunch. I wouldn’t say the restaurant is “kid friendly” but I frequently see older patrons enjoying meals there. Actually, the 55 and older crowd seems to be more the demographic of The Waterfront than the 30-something crowd, even when there is a game on the 2 televisions at the downstairs bar.

Table by the window int he downstairs dining room

The moms enjoyed the special menu that day and most of us lingered and enjoyed coffee as we watched the full banks of the Spring run off fill the lazy Juniata. We have never felt rushed to leave and are encourage to enjoy dessert and another round of coffee every visit.

Sadly, it’s the downstairs bar and its worn floor that keeps the cute interior of the main dining area smelling like stale beer. If the downstairs is starting to get full, make sure to ask to sit upstairs. The view is even better because you don’t have to look through the furniture on the deck and it looks down onto the Juniata, quite pleasant in any season.

Wedding reception in the upstairs dining room.

We rented the entire upstairs for a wedding reception in November 2009. The chef catered it with wonderful appetizers of my suggestion. The bruschetta was a twist from what they have on the menu, he utilized roasted red peppers since tomatoes were not in season. The cheese and fruit platters ended up not including any of my requests and the bar forgot to purchase the champagne for the toast.

Not everything went as planned but, like every time we visit The Waterfront, the company was great and we had a sensational time in spite of the botched moments.

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Waterlogged at the Waterfront

Spinach Artichoke Dip and Pitas

Even though we make the best of our times at The Waterfront doesn’t mean it is a great place for vegetarians. There are a couple of appetizers, Spinach Artichoke Dip with Pita Chips and Tomato Bruschetta, neither of which are vegan.

The appetizers and the House, Stilton and Spinach Salads are the only vegetarian offerings on the lunch menu. Although they are very good and the entrée sized salads are generous, I really wanted to try the Greek Pasta on the dinner menu. When the river waters rose this past week and threatened to flood my parent’s basement, we took advantage of the revised less emergent cresting to have an early supper at The Waterfront.

A tree floating down the Juniata during the 9/7/11 flood.

The website WRONGLY says that Lunch ends and Dinner begins at 4:00 PM. We found out when we went at 4:30 PM that day that, as the waitress smartly put it, “Dinner has started at 5 for as long as I have worked here.” Thank goodness they have free Wi-Fi because I called up their own Website as a defense as to why I was expecting to be offered the dinner menu. This was on September 7, 2011, and when I called today they seemed in no hurry to change it even though I told them this blog would be linking to their page.

House Salad - Entrée

At the waitress’s encouragement, we ordered some appetizers and enjoyed them until the official dinner hour arrived. The hot Spinach Artichoke Dip with Pita Chips was very nice and the potion was quite generous.

It took us quite a while to make our way through the heavy bowl of dip and deep fried pita 1/2 rounds. We munched and watched the swollen river wash unknown debris swiftly by. The skies opened up again to wash more imaginary alligators down river. It was very wet out and we were just finishing our appetizer when the waitress returned to ask if we were interested to know the evening specials. It was three different kinds of pizza (which is usually not on the menu at all) one of which was a White Pizza. The White Pizza was vegetarian, not vegan, and had cheeses and garlic that sounded very nice.

Stilton Salad - side

I was still set on the Greek Pasta and got a small Stilton Salad, Jim ordered a large House Salad and Mom ordered a Spinach Salad. The waitress went to clear away our appetizer dishes and spilled my ice water all over my lap. It was fitting that for the cold and flooding day I should sit for most of our meal with wet jeans. She apologized many times but what would it help to get angry? I was glad to be with good company and hope that, for as emotional as I can be, I don’t ever come across as irrational when accidents happen.

Greek Pasta

The Greek Pasta was a bit bland, no real flavor of basil and the tiny bit of garlic I could detect tasted like it was from a powder. The feta cheese added some saltiness and the black olive slices some color contrast but the over cooked linguini made it all a little “bleh.” I couldn’t get too disappointed but it was, after all, why I was so insistent on waiting to order from the dinner menu. What a waste of effort.

I was grateful for the fine company and conversation with Jim and my parents. All of our salads had very fresh greens. Mom’s Spinach salad had a sweet homemade pear vinaigrette that she seemed to enjoy along with the caramelized onions. Jim’s House Salad looked very nice with the feta cheese and thumb sized grape tomatoes and pine nuts. My Stilton side salad was my favorite part of the meal, its tangy champagne vinaigrette and almonds were very nice with the blue cheese.

Spinach Salad - entree

Coffee and conversation were our dessert before we braved the crossing of the rushing Juniata. Not to worry, the river bridge was just fine and not one Lukens had to jump in to save anyone from the raging waters (as my Grandfather had to near Hawstone many years before my father was born). In fact, even my jeans were finally starting to dry out from the ice water mishap at 5 PM.

The Waterfront Tavern

Hey, it’s average! I had to think long and hard to find any place in Mifflin County that I could rate with consistent vegetarian options and stay within my review criteria. If I can offer a review of at least an average place, my hope is that it can empower current and new vegetarians (and hopefully vegans) to find something in whatever area of central PA they are in. Until the local vegetarian group has something more to share (other than educational fliers at Kid Connection) my review of The Waterfront Tavern is the best I can present at this time.

Upstairs Dining Room - set for a reception

Instead of preaching to the choir, let my 4 decades of local vegetarianism tell you that you have to pick and choose carefully in Lewistown area. I grew up in Lewistown and the restaurants in this region seem to be some of the most at fault for thinking bacon is an herb.

The Waterfront Tavern has never been confused about meat being vegetables but they just don’t have a lot to offer. The patrons aren’t a sketchy crowd but the waitstaff can be a little lackadaisical. It’s another one of those hit or miss places, sometimes they are missing ingredients and other times the chef is bending over backward to make our experience pleasant.

Roasted Red Pepper Bruschetta - catered reception appetizer

I’ll wrap it up by reminding readers that it is a tavern and smells like it on the main floor. It has about as many pluses (free WiFi and a great view) as minuses (very limited menu and nothing vegan). It all equals out to an average vegetarian dining experience. My advice is to surround yourself with people you like being with and the mediocrity of the meal won’t matter as much.

Late Summer Food Reviews

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We had the great fortune to enjoy many meals with our family this summer. Of the places we dined out, I am sharing a few food reviews from My Thai and
Home Delivery Pizza and Otto’s Pub and Brewery in State College, J.P. Edward’s Bar and Grill in Burnham and a brunch at Elk Creek Cafe in Millheim.
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My Thai
I have had mixed luck with service at My Thai as I blogged in the past. This past visit was a good one and we all shared some Drunken Noodles, Pad Thai, Veggie Spring Rolls, Thai Basil Tofu and Red Curry Tofu. My favorite is to mix the Red Curry over the Pad Thai. The Vegetable Spring Rolls (Poh Pia Tod) aren’t bad either.
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Home Delivery Pizza
Thanks to our cat being featured in PAWSitivly Pets Magazine, he scored us a gift certificate to Home D. We all enjoyed different salads, at least 5 big entrée sized salads for vegetarians, but I can’t say any of them were outstanding. We filled up on Mediterranean, Milan Pasta and Portabella Grill salads along with fresh iced teas as a huge storm blew through the area.
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Otto’s Pub and Brewery
Oh Otto’s, I really like you but your food just isn’t something I can count on anymore. Is it the difference between the departure of your talented Chef Tim and the arrival of your friendly Chef Pete? I know you have a some salads and pastas but now even your soups that sound vegetarian (Cream of Corn) will frequently have animal stock in them. As a Pub Club member, it really stung to have the message “A Vegetarian Alternative will not be available” tacked onto the Oktoberfest Pub Club dinner. Fifty bucks for beer, Cucumber Salad and Apple Crisp? I guess I will just go back to having folks poke at me that I am not a “real” Pub Club member since I don’t go to the events.

Your Baba Ganoush and Pita Points the other night were fun but a little skimpy even as an appetizer and your Tomato Bruschetta was the sorriest we had been served in town. It was twice the price and half the portion that Luna 2 offers.

Thanks for finally bringing back vegetable of the day and thank you for using local farmers. Thank you so much for, grudgingly, listening to your customers and bringing back the Nachos with melted shredded cheese as opposed to cheese sauce. Thank you also for keeping the Cheese Quesadilla but we really miss the Black Bean Ragout we used to be able to get with both.

Other things we really miss were the Helles Batter Dipped Tofu, Hummus Platter, Asian Slaw and the never ending list of vegetarian soup specials (AND chili). Even the Kimchi Soup that we joked tasted like Mrs. Weasley’s wand broke when making it was a welcome meal.

Lovin’ your beers Otto’s but lately your vegetarian options… not so much.
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J.P. Edward’s Bar and Grill
After cruising the Belleville Farmers Market this past Wednesday, we stopped in Burnham to have lunch at J.P. Edward’s. It is a rare occasion when we stop and there isn’t an aggressive-looking element to at least one table full of patrons. I refused to allow my Mom nor Daughter-in-law to go the bathroom by themselves because this restaurant draws in an element that seems to be looking for a barroom confrontation by the slogans on their t-shirts and slanderous conversations. It’s surprising because it’s a big, open and friendly looking place with more than the normal vegetarian options, a nice outdoor area and free Wi-Fi.

The big Greek Salad has a surprising portion of mild potato salad secreted at the bottom. I have gotten it a few times and it fills me up before I get tot the potato salad!

They have Vegetable Fajitas (also huge) that says it comes with rice (mine didn’t). The veggies are served on a hot griddle flavored with a garlic ginger sauce. It’s strange they would flavor these fajitas with an oddly friendly Asian theme since a good number of their customers give any ethnically diverse patrons the hairy eyeball.

I think we are going to have to pass on this place from now on. Between the feeling like a fight might break out, having to look at pro Hegin’s Pigeon Shoot t-shirts and the fact the place has a veal sandwich, I am going to have to look harder to find a Mifflin County restaurant that fits my BiNaH criteria to review.
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Elk Creek Cafe
I think you can see where this is going; I saved the best for last. If you haven’t yet read either of my reviews of Elk Creek Cafe, you can find the good review here and the better review here. If you haven’t visited Elk Creek Cafe yet, put it on your bucket list.

Some of my favorite Sunday plans have included filling up on their brunch foods after a nice long run through Poe Valley. My plantar fasciitis has limited my running distances lately but, thankfully, not from eating in Millheim. This past Sunday was just delightful.

We all started of with Mango Mimosas and, good golly, I can’t believe I had lived without them for 48 years of my life.

Amy got a thick stack of pancakes and a bowl of Mushroom and Squash Soup that just a taste made my knees go week. Jim and Arron were teased by some old menus that had the tofu scramble on them but settled on some very nice eggs scrambled with local squash.

I chose a Chickpea Spread Sandwich that was blessed by Marty’s Sprouts. I was on my second mimosa when I started mentally composing an ode to Matry’s Sprouts and I think it was the former that made me not remember the poem. I thankfully I remember the multi sized and variously flavored sprouted beans and seeds that made me look like I had happy cat whiskers each time I bit into my thick tasty sandwich – so much fun with food.

I wasn’t kidding when I said I was saving the best for last. I haven’t yet mentioned the Crispy Potatoes! I dream of them. When I mumble and Jim cannot tell what I just said, 60% of the time it has something to do with these potatoes. I have tried to replicate them at home and have failed. They have ruined The Waffle Shop’s home fries for me because they fall so short of Crispy Potato perfection. Someday, when I am able to run 15k again, I am going to return to Elk Creek Cafe and order a double portion of the Crispy Potatoes and that will be bliss.

Backyard Supper

Last week, before it was too hot to eat outside, we had bruschetta, grape leaves and pickled beets by the fire pit.

Luna 2 Woodgrill & Bar

Luna 2 Woodgrill & Bar
2609 East College Avenue, State College, PA 16801
Phone: 814-234-9009
Mon – Sat: 11:00 am – 10:00 pm
Sun: 12:00 pm – 10:00 pm

In March 2010 the long closed Pizza Hut on East College Avenue in State College opened for business as Luna 2 Woodgrill & Bar. Sister restaurant to Facia Luna on South Atherton St. in State College bragged a slightly different woodgrill focused menu. Within the first couple of months of opening, many locals complained that the menus of the two restaurants were not the same. No deep-fried fare at all, some patrons didn’t like that the kids couldn’t order french fries. I was glad that Luna 2 stood on its own and feel that after a year and a couple of menu tweaks, they have settled into a groove.

Unless you are familiar with the area, you have to be looking carefully where to turn into what is a long offset row of stores and restaurants on West College Ave. It is on the north (non-Nittany Mountain) side of Rt. 26/ College Ave., just East of the McDonald’s by the Nittany Mall. Tucked between Long John Silvers/A&W and Carpet World, you may recognize the shape of a renovated Pizza Hut building but don’t let that put you off. Look at it at the ultimate way of recycling what was a crappy pizza chain into a sweet local restaurant with Italian inspired food. There is parking on either side of the building.

We have never had to wait to be seated but have been there at times when they have gotten backed up. Patrons can choose to sit or stand around the beautifully black marble-topped 10 seater bar as they wait. Those who opt not to order soft drinks or iced tea have plenty to choose from the full bar, 10 seasonal beers on tap (note the chalkboard on the wall for the list and descriptions) and many wines by the glass or bottle. Drink prices are all reasonable and, unlike some places that just have a limited pub menu, you can order from the full food menu if you choose to sit at the bar for your meal.

The interior is nice and dark, finished in wood with 12 wooden booths and 10 tables that can seat as few as 2 to as many as 8. There are 3 carefully placed televisions that most usually have ESPN broadcast. One of the tvs is at the bar at the other two are placed high enough that the interior doesn’t scream “sports bar” as you try to enjoy your meal. I cannot ever remember the volume being turned up on any except maybe once during the World Cup at the bar.

The very worst I can say about Luna 2 is that table service has not been the best and even some established wait staff can be unreliable. We have been left sitting unattended without even our drink order taken for over 5 minutes when the place was not busy. Other times we have gotten an attitude that our server is less than pleased to be working. Once she almost threw our food on the table and another time (a different waitress) answered our request to sit outside with a 20-something attitude of “if that’s what you really want”. I mostly attribute the untrained food service glitches to a pretty high turnover. That’s typical for this college town but I try to pass it on to management if it’s really bad (only the time we were ignored).

If your server is on top of his or her game you are almost certain to have a nice meal. I love to choose to sit in the outdoor seating area with the 5 foot high vanity fence. It blocks out enough noise and visual distraction from the road but the southern view allows gazing at Nittany Mountain.

Attire is casual but the location is nice enough for even a pre-theatre crowd since it doesn’t draw a lot of the college crowd. Children of younger ages seeem to be well accomodated but I hesitate to call it child friendly.

Vegetarian Options
Appetizers
The current menu is about to change but has quite a few options for lacto-ovo vegetarians. They are about the drop the Wood-grilled Piquillo Peppers which, at the time of this review, I had yet to try but are adding a Cheesy Bread Sticks option. I had the advantage of previewing this new menu item today. They are served much like a 10″ pizza cut into 2″ strips and a sliced down the middle to make it 10 different sized bread sticks. The crust was olive oil coated, baked with mozzarella and sprinkled with oregano, basil, course black pepper and a little garlic powder. They came out hot, were served just as their pizzas are, on the baking pie tin and put onto a rack to ensure the bottom didn’t cool or draw moisture. They are served with a very small cup or marinara sauce or ranch dip. The cold sauce was about enough for 5 of the smallest sticks and had a fresh taste to it. I found them to be very filling (took the 6 largest inside sticks home) and just a little oily.

I think our favorite is the Tomato Bruschetta that comes with or without mozzarella. Even in the winter, the tomatoes taste fresh as they are chopped and served with balsamic vinegar and fresh basil over 5 crostini slices. We have split this with the added mozzarella and it’s a light meal by itself.

Other vegetarian apps include the Artisan Mac & Cheese (we think it’s a tiny portion) and the Tuscan Hummus with Veggies & Crostini.

Beware of what sounds like a veggie option, the Sweet Pepper Medley has anchovies in it.

Sides
Although the sides have some options I cannot recommend them because they are over priced. Pencil thin Grilled Asparagus end up costing more than a a dollar apiece.

Salads
All of the salads have the base of a course romaine lettuce and all but the Cesar salad are vegetarian. Each of the House, Misto and Aegean salads can be ordered in starter or entrée sizes.

The House Salad has red onion, green pepper, mushrooms and cheese and features their tangy house Champagne Vinaigrette.

The Misto Salad has red onion, grape tomatoes, bleu cheese, pecans, dates, sundried cranberries and Champagne Vinaigrette.

The Aegean Salad has feta cheese, roasted red peppers, artichoke hearts, red onion and is served with a Greek Vinaigrette. All three salads are nice and the entrée size is sometimes served with a homemade roll.

Pizza
The wood grilled pizzas have quite a few mix and match options and can not be odered by the slice. The smallest pizza is a 10″. The style of Luna 2′s pizzas are no sauce but hunks of tomato, not my favorite style but they do it well. Of the many toppings a veggie person can choose from the only thing I will note is that the black olives are of the salty Greek style, the kind used on the Aegean Salad.

Sandwiches
Currently the best regular vegetarian sandwich choice is a very tasty Vegetable Curry Wrap. I won’t list the ingredients because I am told it will not be on their new menu. If their promised veggie sandwich replacement of the Portobella Burger does not thrill me I will highly encourage them to have the Curry Wrap on their daily specials board or bring it back onto the regular menu. Gosh, everyone has a Porto Burger, it’s sad the wrap wasn’t popular enough to stay. All sandwiches are served with a small bag of Middleswarth Potato Chips and a pickle.

Pasta
With the exception of the Linguine Marinara the rest of the pasta entrées offered on the current menu are not vegetarian. They have, however, always been great allowing us to request the house made Garlic & Chive Linguine with their wonderful Vodka Sauce since it had been offered on their first menu.

A vegetarian can be assured a good meal at Luna 2 Woodgrill & Bar. There are enough choices on the menu, the staff is open to answering question about menu items and the rare treat of Gazpacho on the daily specials make it worth returning to try something new or to just enjoy a snack and a drink at the bar. The things that I feel are lacking are a few better veggie sides or soup and consistent wait staff service. A real plus would be the ever important vegetarian/vegan notations on the menu. Even though the staff has been great about answering questions, it can make a vegetarian dining experience most enjoyable knowing that care has been taken to examine and label each menu item. Wi-Fi would be a great addition too.

Although they don’t update it nor their homepage as often as is promised on each, here is the Luna 2 on facebook

Winner Pennsyltucky Veggie Awards 2011 – Best Portobello & Best Appetizers.