Showing posts with label Adam's County. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Adam's County. Show all posts

Friday, October 30, 2015

Culinary Tour of Adams County--Final Day

On the third and last day of our culinary tour of Adams County, we visited Cornerstone Farm, a beautiful old home once owned by Isaac M. Bucher and now operating as a Bed and Breakfast.

According to historical records, the Confederate troops occupied both this and neighboring properties from June 19 through July 10, 1863. Christian Shank, Bishop of the Mummasburg Mennonite Church, was Bucher's closest neighbor and his barn and house were commandeered by the Confederates as a field hospital during that time.

Records show that Bucher filed a claim with the Auditor General requesting reimbursement for "two horses and cattle taken by the 'dirty Rebs' July 1-3 from my fields."

Today, guests who stay at the property can choose from among five unique rooms, each with its own gas fireplace. Visitors wake up every morning to a delectable breakfast and a bucolic view.

A view of the horses from the breakfast table at Cornerstone Farm in Gettysburg
Front view of Cornerstone Farm in October

During our visit, we were treated to a breakfast which included homemade English muffins, granola, a rustic apple tart with walnuts and cranberries, a light, spinach/mushroom/leek frittata and an asparagus squash pancetta medley, expertly prepared by culinary student extraordinaire Taylor Bevard.

Squash, asparagus, pancetta medley, spinach, mushroom, leek frittata and rustic apple tart.



One unique, noteworthy aspect of the "Cornerstone Farm" is that it also operates as a non-profit organization called "Patriots Place," where veterans, their spouses and family caregivers can stay free of charge for relaxation, equine activities and more.

Off to Hollabaugh Bros.
Family owned and operated, Hollebaugh Bros., Inc., located in Biglerville, is a favorite stop for locals seeking a variety of products fresh from the onsite fruit and vegetable farm.

During our visit, we tried our hand at apple dumplings while visiting their on-site kitchen, then toured the farm via hayride while they baked. During the ride, we learned all about what it takes to keep four generations motivated to maintain a thriving family business. 

Apples at Hollabaugh Bros., Inc.

They even carry apple candles

Learning to make apple dumplings at Hollabaugh Bros., Inc.
Before heading back to the hotel, we stopped at  Mr. Ed's Elephant Museum & Candy Emporium, a perennial favorite of children all around the region. 

A giant elephant at Mr. Ed's Elephant Museum & Candy Emporium

Mr. Ed made national news one holiday season when his hot-air balloon took an unfortunate detour and became stuck in the trees above Caledonia State Park
Be sure to visit Mr. Ed's website to learn more about the colorful entrepreneur. His family owned and operated business is located on the historic Lincoln Highway, otherwise known as Rt. 30.

Now that Adam's County is a wrap, it on to more about Try the World," an update I promised before and failed to deliver--my apologies. 
The food box subscription service features a different country each month. Stay tuned for more on the Spain and Paris boxes and instructions on how to make a dish with one of the ingredients contained therein.

Tuesday, October 27, 2015

Adams County Culinary Tour--Part II

After our Savor Gettysburg Tour, we visited the site of the future Mason Dixon Distillery located at 331 E. Water Street and set to open in 2016. From the early 1900s to 1950, the sprawling property was home to a furniture-making business where many Gettysburg residents were employed.
Mason Dixon Distillery--Where the magic happens

Owner Yianni Barakos, who has been working on the project for six years now, is finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel and anticipates celebrating a grand opening in a short few months. 

The spacious interior maintains many of its original features, like old wooden beams and exposed brick. Guests who enter the large tasting room can indulge in rum, vodka and whisky crafted in small batches and an outside area will be used for live musical entertainment. 

Barakos' vision for the distillery is to promote communication, as if the spirits themselves won't sufficiently grease those wheels. The kitchen will specialize in small plates for sharing, and Barakos is contemplating banning cell phones. "I want people to talk to each other, not stare down at phones," he shouts fervently. "Maybe we'll see how that goes," he adds later, with a laugh.

After our visit, it was time to check in to the Federal Pointe Inn. Located in the Gettysburg Historic District, the Federal Pointe Inn was built in 1896, serving first as the Meade Elementary School, then later as a high school. 
Federal Pointe Inn Meeting Room


Front of Gettysburg's Federal Pointe Inn

Federal Pointe Inn Pub Area


Today the building serves as an 18-room boutique hotel, pub and meeting facility.
Owners Pete and Liz Monahan have taken pains to preserve the architectural integrity of the structure. Artifacts like old classroom doors, chalkboards and pictures of students can be seen throughout the property. Ranked number three by TripAdvisor for Gettysburg hotels, the Inn is known for it's spacious and comfortable accommodations and has received a Certificate of Excellence from the site.

After a bit of down time, we were off again to the next culinary destination--Fidler and Co. Craft Kitchen in Biglerville, where we had the pleasure of meeting Chef Josh Fidler. Fidler, who is passionate about his food, paired local wines with a delightful tasting menu comprised of deviled eggs done three ways--with sriracha mousse, bacon and smoked paprika.

Up next was a selection of cured meets and cheeses,followed by mussels served in a red curry, coconut milk sauce with just a hint of lime and basil. Those of us who usually pass on the mussels, couldn't help but admit that the dish was tasty and many were seen scooping up the liquid that was left behind with the rustic bread provided on the side.

The humble pork and beans up next ended being the highlight of the meal. The hearty, earthy dish was nothing like the pork and beans of your childhood. Rettland farm braised pork was perched atop a delicious bean ragout and topped with pork gravy. Most agreed that the dish was a standout and we were quite content to stop there, but Fidler had one more savory dish up his sleeve. Tender, delicately seasoned octopus arrived next, served with chimichurri, fingerling potatoes and corn salsa.
Fidler & Co. Pork & Beans


Charcuterie & Cheese at Fidler & Co. in Biglerville, Pa

Creme brulee as the denouement


When dessert was served I was sure I wouldn't be able to finish it, but was game to take just a few bites.  With my spoon, I broke through the caramelized sugar to the creamy custard beneath and all restraint went out the window. Oohs and ahhs emanated from the mouths of my table mates as we finished our meals without the least bit of reluctance.

Fidler & Co. is open for brunch, lunch and dinner and is well worth a visit.

Next Up: The last part of the Adams County Culinary Tour, which includes a visit to a B&B, a Fruit Farm & Market, a Winery and lastly, a cozy little eatery located on the corner of Chambersburg Street in Gettysburg.






Thursday, October 22, 2015

A Culinary Trip to Adams County

On Monday and Tuesday of this week, I joined several other writers for a two-day tour of the culinary treasures of Adams County, starting with a Savor Gettysburg “Historic Downtown Food Tour,” led by Lori Korczyk, who founded the Savor Gettysburg series of tours just last year.

Our particular tour took us on a 1.5-mile walk to seven different establishments, starting with the Garryowen Irish Pub. Named after a popular drinking song in Limerick, the Garryowen Irish pub is the only Irish-owned pub in Gettysburg and dates back to 1831. The cozy little place is as charming as it is quaint and is comprised of several small rooms and a large bar area with an attractive, old bar constructed of dark wood, which has likely been privy to many secrets over the years.

Our hosts presented us with the miniature version of a house specialty—a savory Shepherd’s pie. Few of us could wait to break through the lightly browned mashed potato topping to the steamy hot, flavorful, beefy gravy, brimming with vegetables. The delicious dish warmed our insides on that brisk, October day.

Shepherd's Pie at Garryowen Irish Pub

Inside of Garryowen Irish Pub

When we finished, we followed Korczyk along the street to the next destination, learning more about history and settlers like Samuel Gettys along the way.

During our walk, we viewed the bronze Lincoln Statue located just outside the Wills House on the Gettysburg Square. Deemed the “Return Visit,” the statue, created by J. Seward Johnson, Jr., depicts Lincoln standing next to a modern-day civilian and pointing to the house as if to say, “That’s where I completed my Gettysburg Address," said our guide.

Other stops included “One Lincoln Square,” the restaurant located inside the Gettysburg Hotel. Korczyk led our group past a stunning wall of copper cookery and past diners enjoying their food with Gettysburg Address wallpaper as a backdrop.  We took our seats at high-topped tables near an oversized mahogany bar to enjoy a rich, creamy dish of crab macaroni and cheese.




Inside of One Lincoln

Later that day we  stopped at the Hauser Estate winery where we quaffed a selection of red and white wines and a delicious hard cider called “Jacks,” named after the grandfather of the owner, who was once President of Musselman’s applesauce.


We also visited “Kaitlyn’s Café on the Square,” where we enjoyed a sampling of a turkey/bacon/avocado sandwich and a tangy Reuben on rye, which one member of our group pronounced “delicious” despite disliking Reubens.


Towards the end of the tour, we paid a visit to The Ragged Edge Coffee House, the name of which I recognized from an article I wrote months before on a locally produced paranormal thriller called “Ghosting,” part of which was filmed there. (You can read my article here.)


Before arriving at our last destination of the tour, we stopped at the Shriver House and were led by a docent to the award-winning garden in the back of the structure where we learned more about civilian life during the war.

Docent at the Shriver House



Later that day we  stopped at the Hauser Estate winery where we quaffed a selection of red and white wines and a delicious hard cider called “Jacks,” named after the grandfather of the owner who was once President of Musselman’s applesauce.

Next Up: More about the Federal Pointe Inn, our divine dining experience at Fidler & Company in Biglerville, Pennsylvania and the subsequent stops along the tour.