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OT: Hotel/Restaurant suggestion in State College

CFLion

CFLion

Senior
May 11, 2023
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I'm doing a tour of our sites next week with two work colleagues, one from Australia and one from Ireland who are flying to the states for the week. State College just happens to be smack dab in the middle of two of our sites so thinking of booking the Nittany Lion Inn for us for a night. Will need a decent restaurant for dinner. Has anyone had dinner at the restaurant at Lionne or 1855 at the Inn? Other suggestions? Doesn't have to be over the top but suitable for a business dinner.
 
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Patterson825

Junior
Jan 28, 2016
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CFLion said:
I'm doing a tour of our sites next week with two work colleagues, one from Australia and one from Ireland who are flying to the states for the week. State College just happens to be smack dab in the middle of two of our sites so thinking of booking the Nittany Lion Inn for us for a night. Will need a decent restaurant for dinner. Has anyone had dinner at the restaurant at Lionne or 1855 at the Inn? Other suggestions? Doesn't have to be over the top but suitable for a business dinner.
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I would go to Kelly’s steakhouse in Boalsburg and Pump Station Cafe good for breakfast sandwiches.

The Corner Room, Allen Street Grill, and Federal Taphouse are also good. The original waffle shop also good for breakfast but lines are long. I randomly tried a place called Deans Hot Chicken last time I was up for lunch and I thought it was real good .
 
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CFLion

CFLion

Senior
May 11, 2023
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I forgot to mention that the Australian is vegetarian, so need a place that can satisfy that.
 
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LB99

Heisman
Oct 27, 2021
9,964
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I would avoid The Corner Room. I haven’t gone there in a few years based on the last few visits there. The menu shrunk and the food is average since they changed ownership several years ago.
 
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TheBigUglies

All-Conference
Oct 26, 2021
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I have heard the new restaurants in the NLI are good. I second the Hublersburg Inn but it is about 20-30 mins from State College. Just ate at Kelly's in Boalsburg and it was very good(never had a bad meal there) and they did have some vegetarian offerings. Since you are on the company dime and it is close by maybe try the Grace Restaurant at the Carnegie House out in Toftrees but it is a bit pricey. The Tavern is always a staple and you can walk across campus to get there from the NLI. Downtown State College has become filled with a bunch of chain restaurants other wise. Corner Room is mid and wouldn't consider it for a business meal. Central Reservation had some good food last time I was there but not sure about veg meal. Another option would be the Allen Street Grille above the Corner Room, last time I ate there was a few years ago on a busy Friday night before a football game, service and food were good. We have been having some good meals lately at Barrel 21 Distillery out on N. Atherton.
 
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T

Tgar

Heisman
Nov 14, 2001
6,258
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LB99 said:
I would avoid The Corner Room. I haven’t gone there in a few years based on the last few visits there. The menu shrunk and the food is average since they changed ownership several years ago.
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CFLion said:
I'm doing a tour of our sites next week with two work colleagues, one from Australia and one from Ireland who are flying to the states for the week. State College just happens to be smack dab in the middle of two of our sites so thinking of booking the Nittany Lion Inn for us for a night. Will need a decent restaurant for dinner. Has anyone had dinner at the restaurant at Lionne or 1855 at the Inn? Other suggestions? Doesn't have to be over the top but suitable for a business dinner.
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Hi CF. Given you are traveling and staying at the Nittany Lions Inn you want to stay close to where you are staying.

Ubers are abundant in State College. Show your guests Downtown, take in the vibe, have some fun. Everyone at this point serves a vegetarian option. Look up these restaurants to plan your visit.

Central Reservation. It’s on the block that is the busiest. It’s fun. Next door is Local Whiskey, also fun.

The Allen Room down on the Corner of Allen and College has a great vibe and will also meet your vegetarian needs. This would be my choice for business travel and entertaining. You want to see the town And enjoy good food on the company dime.

The Tavern is always an option as well but we have had a wide range of experiences there in the past year or so. Food can be great, food can be Not great, same for service.

The food has improved at Lionne, we were there recently for lunch and the asparagus dish was fresh and delicious. Lionne will be perfect for breakfast, no need to stress with the college crowd after going downtown the night before.

If you are looking for casual, go to Faccia Luna for pizza and salads. The Kelly’s suggestion is also good but downtown is more fun for people watching And energy.

Shoot me a PM if you are looking for anything specific. Happy to help.
 
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step.eng69

step.eng69

All-Conference
Nov 7, 2012
3,548
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CFLion said:
I'm doing a tour of our sites next week with two work colleagues, one from Australia and one from Ireland who are flying to the states for the week. State College just happens to be smack dab in the middle of two of our sites so thinking of booking the Nittany Lion Inn for us for a night. Will need a decent restaurant for dinner. Has anyone had dinner at the restaurant at Lionne or 1855 at the Inn? Other suggestions? Doesn't have to be over the top but suitable for a business dinner.
Click to expand...
I would listen to advice from the fellows that live in or around State College since they are probably knowledgeable of the local restaurants.

If you're staying @ The Nitt Lion Inn try the dinning and give us a review. 🧐
LINK:
Lionne - The Nittany Lion Inn Restaurant - State College, PA | OpenTable

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TheBigUglies said:
I have heard the new restaurants in the NLI are good. I second the Hublersburg Inn but it is about 20-30 mins from State College. Just ate at Kelly's in Boalsburg and it was very good(never had a bad meal there) and they did have some vegetarian offerings. Since you are on the company dime and it is close by maybe try the Grace Restaurant at the Carnegie House out in Toftrees but it is a bit pricey. The Tavern is always a staple and you can walk across campus to get there from the NLI. Downtown State College has become filled with a bunch of chain restaurants other wise. Corner Room is mid and wouldn't consider it for a business meal. Central Reservation had some good food last time I was there but not sure about veg meal. Another option would be the Allen Street Grille above the Corner Room, last time I ate there was a few years ago on a busy Friday night before a football game, service and food were good. We have been having some good meals lately at Barrel 21 Distillery out on N. Atherton.
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We've eaten at two of the restaurants TheBigUglies suggested, they were very good.
 
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T

Tgar

Heisman
Nov 14, 2001
6,258
14,122
113
step.eng69 said:
I would listen to advice from the fellows that live in or around State College since they are probably knowledgeable of the local restaurants.

If you're staying @ The Nitt Lion Inn try the dinning and give us a review. 🧐
LINK:
Lionne - The Nittany Lion Inn Restaurant - State College, PA | OpenTable

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View attachment 1182892


We've eaten at two of the restaurants TheBigUglies suggested, they were very good.
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As a local, Grace is very good but “ stuffy” lol. It is the one place to go for quiet conversation. The food is excellent.
 
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94LionsFan

Junior
Sep 27, 2023
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309
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CFLion said:
I'm doing a tour of our sites next week with two work colleagues, one from Australia and one from Ireland who are flying to the states for the week. State College just happens to be smack dab in the middle of two of our sites so thinking of booking the Nittany Lion Inn for us for a night. Will need a decent restaurant for dinner. Has anyone had dinner at the restaurant at Lionne or 1855 at the Inn? Other suggestions? Doesn't have to be over the top but suitable for a business dinner.
Click to expand...
I agree with what others have said here. The Lionne restaurant in NLI is good and should have veg options. Triplett’s also has good food and is more casual.

If going downtown, I would imagine Allen St Grill may have the best veg options. If they like Japanese, you might try Tadashi.

I’d second the suggestion of Barrel 21. You might also consider Flour and Stone in Pine Grove Mills.
 
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nittanymoops

All-Conference
Feb 4, 2004
750
1,316
93
I refuse to give PSU any money on top of tickets. Stay at the Hyatt for the downtown experience.

Eating on the company dime?

Casual: The Field, Ale House, Otto’s, Champs on Atherton, Marzonis.
Downtown higher class: The Tavern

Waffle House on West College or North Atherton for breakfast, but if you can drive a little further, Breakfast on Boal on South Atherton in Boalsburg, Pump Station cafe or Kitchen Garden as well also along South Atherton would be great choices.
 
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LionsAndBears

LionsAndBears

All-Conference
Dec 7, 2009
2,205
3,983
113
I'll defer to the locals but I wanted to add my own experience. My wife and I ate at what is now called The Republic At Gamble Mill and thoroughly enjoyed it for taste and atmosphere. It's in Bellefonte though. Maybe a local can add their 2 cents as to whether or not this is worth the extra drive.
 
R

Roar814

Junior
Nov 18, 2025
139
226
43
Mostly redundant, but if you want something close to the NLI:
- Lionne should be fine
- Allen Street Grill
- The Tavern
- Tadashi (not my first choice for a business dinner, but if you guys are feeling like sushi/Japanese that's solid).
LB99 said:
I would avoid The Corner Room. I haven’t gone there in a few years based on the last few visits there. The menu shrunk and the food is average since they changed ownership several years ago.
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Agreed, it's not bad but if you're picking one place to go to that's not the one (also not a "business dinner" setting IMO).
Bosco2 said:
I always suggest the Hublersville Inn.
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Yeah if you're open to driving a bit - Hublersville Inn, Flour & Stone, Carnegie House, & Kelly's are all good.
 
L

LB99

Heisman
Oct 27, 2021
9,964
14,501
113
94LionsFan said:
I agree with what others have said here. The Lionne restaurant in NLI is good and should have veg options. Triplett’s also has good food and is more casual.

If going downtown, I would imagine Allen St Grill may have the best veg options. If they like Japanese, you might try Tadashi.

I’d second the suggestion of Barrel 21. You might also consider Flour and Stone in Pine Grove Mills.
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Does Barrel 21 allow patrons under 21? I seem to remember someone telling me they went there with their family and were denied entry because of having teenagers in their party?
 
M

mh-larch

Senior
Nov 20, 2019
264
597
93
Great suggestions! I haven't been to most of these and look forward to try them myself sometime. I can echo that the Corner Room is a definite NO. I ate there a few years ago and it was terrible! Bad service and food, and the place looked a bit worn to me.
 
T

Tgar

Heisman
Nov 14, 2001
6,258
14,122
113
LB99 said:
Does Barrel 21 allow patrons under 21? I seem to remember someone telling me they went there with their family and were denied entry because of having teenagers in their party?
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Just going to say, we have given Barrel 21 a try one too many times. Their food is meh.

For the Burger Gang, don’t sleep on The Field. Big burgers, solid fries, etc. same goes for Happy Valley Live, solid food, fun space.

And lastly, Happy Valley Brewing Company is still very consistent.
 
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LB99

Heisman
Oct 27, 2021
9,964
14,501
113
Tgar said:
Just going to say, we have given Barrel 21 a try one too many times. Their food is meh.

For the Burger Gang, don’t sleep on The Field. Big burgers, solid fries, etc. same goes for Happy Valley Live, solid food, fun space.

And lastly, Happy Valley Brewing Company is still very consistent.
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I’ve been to Happy Valley Brewing. It was good. I have never been to Barrel 21 but I was interested because I’m more of a bourbon/whiskey guy.
 
MtNittany

MtNittany

All-Conference
Oct 12, 2021
3,196
4,394
113
An aside, I'm surprised Miller's Ale House hasn't made it to SC yet. Seems like a natural fit. I know there's a location in Lancaster. Any others in PA? The first Ale House (locally known as the Stale House) opened here in Jupiter back in the late 80's.
 
T

Tgar

Heisman
Nov 14, 2001
6,258
14,122
113
LB99 said:
I’ve been to Happy Valley Brewing. It was good. I have never been to Barrel 21 but I was interested because I’m more of a bourbon/whiskey guy.
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Go to Local Whiskey on Beaver. If you are dining, order the South Street Cheesesteak. Make sure you get fries. Thank Tgar later. They have a nice assortment of Whiskies, Bourbons and Ryes.

Also, Big Spring Distillery in Bellefonte is fun and their spirits are excellent.
 
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kgilbert78

kgilbert78

All-Conference
Apr 9, 2013
987
1,559
93
It's been so long since I've been back (10 years, I think), I couldn't make any suggestions. Hope to change that soon, as my niece now lives in Lewistown.
 
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