Johnstown-Ligonier (Greensburg?) advice sought

I would recommend Helen's, at Seven Springs.  Truly a dining experience.

"David P. Beatty"  has a problem:

>My mother will soon be celebrating one of those milestone
>birthdays, and my brother and I are both travelling back
>to western Pennsylvania for the occasion.  We discussed
>taking her to dinner, but were unable to decide on a location.

Last November my wife coordinated a 70th birthday party for her mother at Seven Springs, with the highlight being dinner for ~20 people at Helen's, the restaurant associated with Seven Springs.

The food was very good, certainly not Le Bec Fin but much above the ordinary. The restaurant has a very nice ambiance.  A newer part, around the bar, has large windows looking out to the woods, while the older part was formerly a lodge, I believe, and has open timbers and plank floors.

The arrangements and service were handled very nicely. We stayed at the resort and took a van to the restaurant, where we filled 3 tables.  They had special menus with a Happy Birthday wish to my mother-in-law printed on them, choice of 3-4 entrees I think,  and had enough waiters for us so that service didn't suffer.

If you have any questions, let me know.

Chris McGlone

Living almost 20 of my 22 years in Johnstown, I think I am qualified to tell you that your choices are very limited.

You can expect to find quite a few good, clean resturants, but nothing that would really qualify as fine dining.

Rizzo's of Windber offers very good affordable italian cuisine.  While the Incline Plane Pub & Resturant has a pretty decent view, and a more modern menu.

Typically a Johnstowner's idea of a Vegan is someone who likes Perogies with their pigs-in-a-blanket.

      --Mark

PS I'd vote for Helen's.

Someone wrote:
: My mother will soon be celebrating one of those milestone : birthdays, and my brother and I are both travelling back : to western Pennsylvania for the occasion.  We discussed : taking her to dinner, but were unable to decide on a location. : : For me, restaurants are either for convenience (fast food) or : for a formal dining experience that I could not prepare as well :                                 David

It's been about 4 years but the Brass Duck in Stahlstown had excellant food and service.  Stahlstown is just past the very southern end of Latrobe, halfway between Donegal and Rt.30 in Latrobe.

Or, just for the view and good home cooked style food, The SS Grandview on Rt.30 heading into Bedford. It had a sign outside that says "Noah's Ark", the owner had it openned and closed on and off due to "Historical Site" registry problems causing cash flow problems. Hopefully he got the grant funds and that it is still open. But, don't bet on it!

ej pratt

I found the food at the Golden Trout at the Nemacolin Woodlans Resort to be quite good.  I knew it would be pricey, but I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the food preparation.  The service was also quite good though slightly fast.  I mentioned it to the chef the next day when he was doing a cooking demo and I noticed that the pace slowed down the next day.

The area is lovely and the art at the resort worth viewing in its own right, e.g., "a copy of these are in the Library of Congress"  (I'm not kidding).

Enjoy yourselves!

Hi!

In a little town called Crabtree (just outside of Greensburg, on Rt.119), there is a nice place called Carbone's.  It is an Italian restaurant serving authentic Italian food, not like the stuff you get at the "chain-type" restaurants. It is not a dive; and the price is very reasonable.  You may want to try this, if you prefer Italian food. Hope this helps! I don't have a phone #, but you can get it from the Greensburg-Latrobe phone directory, or from directory assistance.

Try the Mountain View Inn on route 30 (the same route 30 which begins in Philly).  They cater to older clientel (I assume your mother is a senior). and the food is very good and down home, mostly served family style.
 I don't think they are too pricy but your mother I think would enjoy it

Larry
David P. Beatty ([email removed])
wrote: > My mother will soon be celebrating one of those milestone
> birthdays, and my brother and I are both travelling back
> to western Pennsylvania for the occasion.  We discussed
> taking her to dinner, but were unable to decide on a location.

> For me, restaurants are either for convenience (fast food) or
> for a formal dining experience that I could not prepare as well
> at home (like Le Bec Fin or Susanna Foo here in Philly, or
> the Frog and the Peach in New Brunswick NJ, or Red Sage in DC
> or Coyote Cafe or Santa Cafe in Santa Fe (well---I come pretty
> close to being able to do as well as those last three at home)).

> Is there anything in the Johnstown, Ligonier, Greensburg area that's
> really good and not just overpriced and overhyped?  (I recall
> a few Ligonier restaurants that were both overpriced and overhyped
> about 10-15 years ago.)

> We'll probably be bringing along some of the locals, so
> eclectic American would probably be the best cuisine.  I am NOT
> interested in these all-you-can-eat ``Italian'' dives that the locals
> rave about (food so dense that British Isle food is light and airy
> by comparison).

> I'm really looking for a place that will seem appropriately
> celebratory for the occasion.  I realize that area's largely
> a provincial cultural desert (I grew up there), but I'm hoping
> someone knows of an oasis.

>                                 David