restaurants


Exploring Williamsport PA

thomas t taber museum williamsport pa

Pictured above: Thomas T Taber museum. Example of what a parlour room would have looked like during the Victorian era in Williamsport, PA.

Williamsport is a small city in central Pennsylvania known as the birthplace of Little League, the “Lumber Capitol of the World” at one time, and also the city with most millionaires during the Victorian Era. There is a long “Millionaire’s Row” in downtown Williamsport which features mansion after mansion from the Victorian era. It’s quite amazing.

Once a thriving lumber town filled with the lumber industry, Williamsport has many treasures. You can view the history and learn more about the city at the Thomas T. Taber Museum which features the history of the area dating back to the ancient Native Americans. The museum includes the history of the lumber industry, life from the Victorian era, military history, art treasures and also an incredible train museum. We really enjoyed learning about the area and seeing works of art from artists such as Severin Roesen on display. One painting on display is pictured at the bottom of this post.

In addition to the once-thriving lumber industry, Williamsport is the birth of Little League Baseball! So, if you are a baseball fan, be sure to check it out!

Now, you might be wondering why there is a photo of macaroni and cheese below. Well, let me fill you in.

sheetz vs wawa which is better

People in Pennsylvania love to argue about which convenience store is better, Sheetz or Wawa. Yes, you heard that right, convenience store. Sheetz and Wawa are both really nice convenience stores often attached to gas stations in Pennsylvania. Here in California, we have similar stores in places like on highway 5 where trucks and drivers need to stop, but in Pennsylvania, these are right there in town. My daughter hears arguments all the time at school about which is better, Sheetz or Wawa? So, we decided it would be fun to taste both places and make our own, unbiased decisions. After all, a lot of times there is geographical bias over whether Sheetz or Wawa is better.

Oftentimes, an area will only have Sheetz or Wawa since Sheetz is usually located on the Pittsburgh side of the state while Wawa is located on the Philadelphia side of the state. But, we found a place where they are one block from each other! Williamsport, PA.

We decided to order from both Sheetz and Wawa so we could compare and contrast the food. This helped us determine which one we liked better. Unfortunately, the Williamsport Wawa location didn’t have hot dogs, so we compared the Macaroni and Cheese and also the chicken sandwiches.

When it came to the chicken sandwiches, we both agreed the Sheetz sandwich had more flavor. But, when it came to the macaroni and cheese, we were split. I preferred the Wawa Mac and Cheese because the pasta was cooked properly, and the cheese was tasty. My daughter preferred the Sheetz Mac and Cheese because it much creamier. So, while we were split on the Mac and Cheese, we both agreed they were both good, but we preferred Sheetz.

So, there you have it. The opinion of two California girls. Both places are good, and I would be happy eating at either one, but overall, we chose Sheetz as the winner.

What I wore to Williamsport:

Next time you visit Pennsylvania, be sure to check one out and see which one you prefer!

Thanks for stopping by,

XOXO

Cathy

severin roesen painting williamsport pa

Night out at the Tonga Room

wearing: statement earrings / black sweater / suede bucket bag / black skirt / gemstone bracelet / spring nail polish / boots /

If you are local to the San Francisco Bay Area, chances are, you have been to, or at least heard of, the Tonga Room in San Francisco. Located inside the Fairmont Hotel, the Tonga Room is part of San Francisco history. It has been there since 1945 and has attracted celebrities, politicians, dignitaries and more. The Tonga Room is more than a fun place for dinner, it is an iconic experience.

The Tonga Room offers both dinner and a lounge/bar experience. Since I still have one child still living at home, we went for the dinner experience. Built over a 1920’s era swimming pool, the floating stage offers lounge music, and the decor surrounding the pool and throughout the venue is tiki themed. The restaurant has tables set up around the floating stage with the bar area on one side of the pool. Our table was opposite the bar which gave us a quiet location and a decent view of the live music on the floating stage.

It was really fun to enjoy good food, live music, tiki decor, and fancy drinks-mine is a non-alcoholic citrus soda, isn’t it fun! If you plan to go, I recommend making reservations. The Tonga Room is very popular, and the tables fill up ahead of time, so making reservations is the way to go. You can make them through OpenTable.

What I wore to the Tonga Room:

Have you been to the Tonga Room? If not, what are you waiting for? This is a bucket list item for San Francisco!

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO

Cathy


Places to eat in State College PA

Ham and cheese omelet from The Waffle Shop

Heading to State College, PA for a football game or any sports match, game, tournament, meet, etc.? Or perhaps you have a high school senior touring Penn State and are looking for a nice place to eat. Or maybe you are just passing through central PA and need to stop for a nice meal. Whatever the case, you have stopped in the right place!

Since Penn State is a globally recognized, prestigious University, the area attracts a diverse range of restaurants who cater to the sophisticated palettes of visitors to the area as well as students and residents. This means when you visit, you will be able to find a fabulous meal comparable to what we enjoy here in the San Francisco Bay Area. Love that!

So, without further ado, here are a few fabulous restaurants to enjoy in the State College area!

Allen Street Grill

Allen Street Grill is a famous go-to for parents to bring their students to for a nice meal when they visit. In addition, students view it as the perfect place for a fancy date! They have a seasonal menu which always includes a delicious risotto and a Bolognese dish. These are my favorites!

Allen Street Grill is located at 100 W College Ave. I recommend making reservations on Open Table on busy weekends such as move-in, football weekends, Parent’s Weekend, Graduation, and move-out.

Rey Azteca

As a west coaster, it is really hard to find Mexican food on the east coast. They just don’t make it like they do in California. There are several Mexican restaurants in the State College area, but Rey Azteca is the closest to authentic you will find.

Rey Azteca is located at 485 Benner Pike, you do not need reservations and there is plenty of parking.

India Pavilion

India Pavilion is tucked away at 222 E Calder Way and can easily be missed. Make sure you don’t walk past it! They have an amazing lunch buffet which is what we enjoyed on our recent visit. This is hands-down one of the best Indian restaurants you will find. Seriously, here in the Bay Area we have tons of Indian Restaurants, and this one could easily thrive in the San Francisco Bay Area where we have a large Indian population. The food is delicious! So, make sure you pop in for lunch or dinner when in the State College area. Love it!

Mercato Mio

The mushroom risotto at Mercato Mio is something I crave. This delicious restaurant is located inside the Hilton at 1221 E College Ave and offers a fabulous Italian menu. Also, the tiramisu is something dreams are made of. Highly Recommend! You can make reservations on Open Table. Love!

Tadashi

Tadashi has two locations across the street from Penn State University. The original location offers ramen and don. You can find it at 206 W College Ave. It is the ultimate comfort food on cold, snowy days, and for homesick students. The second location at 100 S Atherton offers sushi and Udon. Yum! Both locations are delicious and must-visits on your next trip to the State College area.

The Corner Room

The Corner Room is a Penn State staple for visitors and students alike. If you haven’t eaten at The Corner Room, you haven’t been to State College. We recently visited on Thanksgiving and enjoyed a delicious holiday meal. They make the best brussels sprouts on the planet and the Grilled Stickies for dessert are a must. The Corner Room is located at 100 W College Ave.

The Tavern

The Tavern is a special place. It is located in an historical building and the interior is cozy, upscale, and inviting. Of course, the food is something out of this world. This is a fabulous restaurant for celebrating a birthday, special occasion, and your student’s graduation. Everything on the menu is outstanding, I am partial to the mushroom risotto. The Tavern is located at 220 E College Ave and reservations can be made on Open Table.

The Waffle Shop

The Waffle Shop is a Penn State staple. This is where student line up on the weekends and wait a long time for a delicious brunch meal. Across from campus, The Waffle Shop offers a large brunch menu and is very addictive. I recommend going very early or on off days to avoid the line. Otherwise, it is worth the wait in line. You will enjoy your meal. The Waffle shop is located at 364 E College Ave across from the Penn State campus. Highly recommend!

In addition to restaurants, there are plenty of faster food options if you are in State College and would like something quick. Halal Cart offers delicious halal meals. I highly recommend the combo plate with chicken and falafel. Yum! Although the official address is 137 E Beaver Ave, the cart is right in front of the Pugh Street garage.

So, the next time you visit Central PA and find yourself in State College, check out some of these delicious restaurants! Enjoy!

Thanks for stopping by,

OXOX

Cathy