The Restaurant at Patowmack Farm

42461 Lovettsville Rd., Lovettsville, VA 20180. Phone: (540) 822-9017

For Thanksgiving Dinner 2019, we decided to dine at The Restaurant at Patowmack Farm. Finding a great upscale restaurant that serves something vegetarian and delicious on Thanksgiving has become a quest for my husband in recent years. Our kids are grown and live in all corners the country, so we gladly sacrifice the burden of family travel on Thanksgiving so we can all be together on Christmas. In addition, I am more than happy to give up the chore of spending Thanksgiving Day elbow deep in a turkey that I won’t even eat in exchange for dining like a queen at a fine restaurant. (This new tradition was all my husband’s idea — what a guy!)

Weeks ahead of the holiday he was searching the web for the perfect restaurant and found this unusual venue. Situated on a mountain top, with a wonderful view of the Potomac River, The Restaurant at Patowmack Farm is a working organic farm that features locally grown and/or foraged seasonal produce and grass-fed organic animal products on their menu. He booked our reservation even though they warned him that they would have a special fixed Thanksgiving menu that featured a lot of meat. Well, he must have said something right, because when we arrived they gave us a special vegetarian menu created just for us. The only thing we couldn’t eat was the Seared Escolar (fish).

Patowmack Farm

The drive up the side of a mountain to the restaurant was a bit steep (I wonder what they do when it snows). At the top is a large all-glass dining room with brick floor and nature-inspired decor. Food is prepared on site, tapas size and served family style, so you can share and pass plates around the table. And there is plenty of food! At first we thought we should choose what we wanted from the menu, but no. We were served everything on the menu! I can’t even describe how delicious each dish was. The spices and sauces were unique and so flavorful — definitely gourmet cuisine.

Service was excellent. Each course was expertly timed and dishes discreetly removed, so we barely noticed. Our waitress explained each dish as it came out and met our every request with a smile. We felt as though we were her top priority even though she was serving others, too. At the end of the meal coffee and tea were brewed at the table, and the dessert platter was brought out. The only thing I would recommend is more pie for dessert. The four small portions served were so delicious that we all wanted more!

If you want to try excellent food that is minus all the commercial chemicals and pesticides, in season and fresh, in a lovely location with a view, then The Restaurant at Patowmack Farm is your special occasion destination.

Bakers Guild Café

225 Center Street

Bloomsburg, PA

570-784-2271

Bakers Guild streetshot

While in the college town of Bloomsburg, PA last weekend we found a delightfully healthy café. We just had time for a quick lunch before a family wedding started, but we didn’t want to settle for junk food either. We were so glad we checked this place out! There is seating for about 12 – 15 inside the café, but take-out is also available. We ate inside.

Bakers Guild Café is also the retail outlet for Columbia County Bread and Granola, known for their organic sprouted breads, crackers and granola. You can visit their website ColumbiaCountyBread.com to learn more about their products. Yes, they ship anywhere in the country.

I chose the sprouted whole-grain pita for my Vegan BLT. It was so good, and came with a side of organic sprouted spelt chips. The vegan bacon had all the flavor (if not the texture, so don’t expect that) and none of the fat and cruelty of bacon. All the flavors complemented each other perfectly. This was such a treat for a vegan who never gets to have a BLT! Dave ordered a grilled cheese and onion sandwich (his usual lunch order), and even though it wasn’t on the menu they didn’t blink at the request. He also ordered the Caesar Salad with greens, capers and sprouted “sprigs.” The sprigs were thin slices of their sprouted whole grain bread toasted. That salad was quite large so he shared a bit with me. I usually don’t like croutons, but these “sprigs” were just lightly toasted and still warm — not like the hard little rocks usually topping a Caesar Salad. It was exceptionally delicious. Douglas Michael, the owner, took the time to explain the process he uses to sprout the grains and his wholefood philosophy behind the restaurant’s menu.

Dave and I both had iced tea, freshly brewed and served from a pitcher, not from a can, bottle, or soda fountain. You could taste the difference. This iced tea tasted like tea, not chemicals, and our empty glasses were promptly refilled. An unexpected find was compostable straws. Ever since learning about the harmful effects of plastic straws on the environment and wildlife I have been trying to find a safer straw to use. Paper straws are no longer available, and I hate to drink an iced beverage without a straw (always waiting for the ice to come crashing down onto my face). Bakers Guild uses straws that are cornstarch-based and completely biodegradable. Doug even told me where to order them… yay!

bakers Guild owner enhanced vignette

If you are ever in Bloomsburg, and want something healthy to eat, please look for Bakers Guild Café. The prices are reasonable and the food is wonderful. You will feel like you’ve eaten real food, and know that you’ve done something good for your body and the environment.

Bakers Guild Café, 225 Center Street Bloomsburg, PA 570-784-2271

RESTAURANT REVIEW: ZOU’S GARDEN

Zou’s Garden, Clock Tower Plaza, 2846 Main St. (Rt. 23 & Rt. 10), Morgantown, PA 19543 Tel. (610) 913-0633

We discovered Zou’s Garden by accident after noticing that the neon sign in their window said “Vegetarian Chinese Cuisine” — we had to try it. What a treat! They have an extensive vegetarian menu in addition to the traditional Chinese and Japanese offerings. Zou’s uses vegetarian chicken, beef, pork, and duck (made from soy or wheat) to make almost anything on their regular menu suitable for vegetarians. The General Tso’s Chicken is excellent. The generous dinner includes a spring roll and vegetable fried rice (brown rice substituted for white upon request). The carrot curl flower garnish is a tiny work of art. Two people can easily eat for under $20.00 and be more than satisfied.

Zou’s Garden was recently remodeled to accommodate casual dining in, but everything on the menu is available for takeout, too. If you are in the mood for Chinese, try this little restaurant — you will be pleasantly surprised. It’s worth the trip.

Hello world!

Hello, Vegetarians! I have been a vegetarian for 16 years, taught healthy living and vegan cooking classes for 10 years, and I’m still learning. This blog was originally intended for vegetarians living in Berks County, PA, the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch Country. However, anyone can appreciate the recipes and pertinent information. The restaurant reviews will be especially helpful for those of us who like to eat out but are trying to live a healthy, vegetarian lifestyle. As we’ve traveled, moved, and sampled food in many areas the restaurant reviews have become more broad, so check them out– you might find one near you! I welcome any healthful information you would like to share, too.