Road Trip: North Country Brewing, Slippery Rock, Pa.

Just wanted to share some pics of this great microbrewery in Slippery Rock, Pa., -- North Country Brewing. NCB brews here on site of the former Lawrence County Morgue. My girlfriend and I stopped here Friday for some appetizers and a few brews. Heather sampled the Firehouse Red, still on special from St. Patrick's Day, and the Scotsman in me (and amber lover) downed a couple pints of the McLeod's Ewe.

We got there early enough to beat the crowd, because by 5:30 there was a wait to be seated. More of a 40+ crowd and some college students. The woodwork here features some Druid-like carvings by a local artist. The photo of the outside of the brewery is from NCB's website. Enjoy!

Road Trip: Williamsport - Le Jeune Chef, Penn College Campus

Didn't I just mention... ROAD TRIP season has begun!!!

A workshop on Green Building sent me eastward to Williamsport, Pa., this week to the campus of Penn College technical school. When we broke up around 12:30, I was asking for directions to the nearest Subway, when some of the attendants and speakers, knowing I had a long drive home, invited me to join them for lunch at Le Jeune Chef. Translated, "the young chef" is a 5-star on campus dining experience run by Penn College's culinary students. Each day features a new menu!

I chose a marinated salmon salad with grapeseed viniagrette dressing and a cup of vegetable bisque soup. The salad was served in a cucumber cylinder, which made for great presentation. Others in our party chose an eggroll ravioli salad (topped with an over-easy egg), an Italian meats grilled panini, and a falafel-stuffed pita. Nice variety and a cross-section of ethnic tastes.

Check it out next time you're on campus!

Road Trip: State College - Pickles Tap Room

I cannot believe February is almost over! It brings us closer to that season of year I love -- road trip season! I have always loved my long weekends and day trips. Yesterday my husband, Pat, and I took a trip an hour east to State College, Pa., where we did a little mall shopping and a Sam's club trip (on hungry stomachs!)


Then we headed downtown for a bite. My first pick, Baby's, I decided did not suit my diet -- milkshake, burger & fries in a 50's diner is just too tempting. My second pick, Cafe 210 West, was closed (!), so we landed at Pickle's Tap Room on Allen Street. Pat stuck with the burger and I got a turkey grinder. The 60 miles we traveled must cross over the virtual continental divide where "submarine sandwiches" are no longer called HOAGIES, but GRINDERS.