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.

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.

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.)

http://www.flipsidepa.com/ci_28760702/mont-altos-supernatural-thriller-coming-hershey-harrisburg-film

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. 

Deadlines, deadlines, deadlines

Because I've had a jam-packed week full of deadlines, my blog post on the latest two "Try the World" subscription boxes from Paris and Spain will have to take a backseat, unfortunately. I am looking forward to describing a dish I made with one of the ingredients and expounding a bit more on the products I received. I will also be asking for feedback on how to use some of these ingredients, as well--especially one that arrived in a tube.

This past week I reviewed a local restaurant, wrote about the opening of a new grocery store, reported on Pennsylvania Lyme disease task force findings, informed local Sentinel readers about an upcoming Fall Harvest festival in our area and penned a preview on tonight's Big Brothers/Big Sisters benefit in Hershey (I'm a "Big" and my experience has been very rewarding).

On Monday and Tuesday I am scheduled to take a culinary tour of Gettysburg and am looking forward to staying in a boutique hotel located in the heart of the historic district called the Federal Pointe Inn. I can't wait to share some of the pictures of dishes on the Savor Gettysburg food tour and learn a little more about the inn, which dates back to 1896--first operating as a high school, then, in 1909 as an elementary school. 

Be sure to check back mid week for an update.

Visiting Amish Village and Rainbow's Comedy Playhouse in Lancaster County

Visiting the Amish Village was a little “touristy” I suppose, but because it was open on Sunday and something new to explore, we signed up.

 

The tours are conducted every 15 minutes, so we took some time to browse the gift shop filled with standard Amish goods like homemade soaps, jams, jellies and gifts. When the guide called us, we were led to the front room where we relaxed on benches and listened to a short history on the Amish. 

 

After a question-and-answer session, we were led through the authentic 1840s Amish farmhouse to the spacious kitchen, with the propane lamp/heater and old-fashioned appliances. What caught my eye as a reporter, was the newspaper placed on the kitchen table called “The Budget,” where the Amish learn the news of the week from around the country. The paper is longer in width than our standard newspaper and Amish from around the country pen details on family life from the weather, to plantings, marriages, births and deaths.

 

Amish Kitchen

After viewing the kitchen, we followed our guide upstairs to get a glimpse of the bedrooms and learn more the various modes of dress.  The last stop of the tour took us outside to the back stairs and down to the “summer” kitchen situated beneath the farmhouse. There we viewed a wooden butter churn and canning equipment for “putting up" the summer’s harvest. I thought about how great it would be to have such a place to go to prepare my blue-ribbon bread-and-butter pickles at the end of the summer.

 

After the tour, we walked the grounds and petted the goats, horses and cows and gawked at the peacocks—yep, there were a few of those there too. If you enjoy feeding animals, remember to bring along plenty of quarters to operate the dispensing machines along the way. The baby goats were my favorite and I successfully managed to keep the adults from getting almost all the food.

Other stops along the way included a barn full of various farm tools and an Amish school house where students of all ages learned together. Another shop marked the end of the tour, where I purchased a copy of The Budget. 

Amish Classroom

 

A young writer from the New York Times paid a visit to the offices of The Budget back in 2009. To learn more about what she thought of the enterprise, visit:  

Exploring News by the Amish Online

 

For those who want the full experience, an additional 90-minute bus tour is also available. Busses depart on the hour and traverse the back roads, stopping at Amish businesses along the way.   

 

Visiting the Rainbow's Comedy Playhouse 

 

Just a few minutes’ drive from the Creekside Inn B&B is Rainbow’s Comedy Playhouse. Operating since 1984, the Rainbow’s Comedy Playhouse was founded by David and Cindy DiSavino, two working actors who lived in New York City and decided to relocate to the area.

 

The playhouse first operated from the banquet room of the Strasburg Inn before that business was sold and the couple was forced to move. They found a new home at the historic Revere Tavern before relocating once again to support their growing popularity—this time to a brand new facility at 3065 Lincoln Highway East, not far from the historic tavern.

 

Rainbow's Comedy Theatre

We enjoyed a Sunday matinee, along with a buffet dinner, which included roast beef, stuffed shells and various side dishes, like mashed potatoes, corn and green beans. We ordered wine at our table and although standard desserts were free, we opted for a delicious crème brulee, which cost just a little extra.

Creme Brulee

 

Waiter and waitresses, who provide drinks, appetizers, salads and desserts tableside, can often be seen acting onstage after the lights dim. 

You can keep up to date with Rainbow's latest offerings by visiting their website here.

 

Fine Dining at Carr's and a Stop at Dutch Haven

Our Lancaster getaway was short, but sweet. As I mentioned in my previous post, the proprietress at our B&B at the Creekside Inn not only served delicious breads during breakfast, but she also slipped them on a plate and put them on a dresser near our bed, lest we might be a tad under the 3,500 calorie mark for the day.

The first night of our stay we returned to the LancasterCentral Market area and enjoyed a delicious meal at Carr’s. I ordered the steak and cake, which came with a small filet topped with crab, creamy scalloped potatoes and a crab cake topped with a remoulade sauce. My steak was done to perfection, but you have to make a very special crab cake to warrant a rave from me. I prefer mine made with very few breadcrumbs. My husband very much enjoyed his lamb trio, which consisted of a leg, burger and sausage. He said the sausage was unbeatable, the burger was moist and flavorful and the leg slices were enhanced by a top-notch tzatziki.

Dinner at Carr's in Lancaster

Service was attentive and our waitress was pleasant. When the bill came, Mike acted surprised, so of course I couldn’t stop laughing at this face.

On to the Touristy Stuff

After another wonderful breakfast at the Creekside Inn, we made our way to Dutch Haven in Ronks, a kitschy Amish Country landmark, best known for its shoofly pie and its oversized, illuminated windmill that rotates, beckoning visitors to stop and have a look.

Dutch Haven in Ronks is a Lancaster County landmark

The minute we set foot in the door, we were presented with another sweet treat by a helpful staffer. Can you guess what it was? Why, shoofly pie, of course—with a side of whipped cream. My mother made quite a few shoofly pies back in the day and those unfamiliar with the popular Pennsylvania Dutch dessert have likely been spared the yawn-inducing wet bottom vs. dry bottom debate and ’ll kindly spare everyone the details. 

Let’s just say I’ve never been a fan of either, but I have to admit that this one was exceptional, with a nicely balanced flavor, which is to say it wasn’t as cloyingly sweet as I remember.

Prepare to spend about a half hour browsing the variety of merchandise from Amish furniture, to souvenirs, jewelry, jellies and jams. I purchase a jar of pepper jelly to pair with cream cheese for my holiday entertaining.

Here’s a great video of what visitors can expect at Dutch Haven from my friends over at Retro Roadmap:

Next Stop: Amish Village