Mahoning Valley Eats & Treats: March 2019

Friday, March 15, 2019

PETER ALLEN INN & EVENT CENTER

It's been a while since I've posted a new review to my Dining Out blog. Truth is, we don't stray very far from home these days. Besides that, living on a relatively fixed income not only means that splurging on anything beyond a very casual restaurant doesn't happen often, but that it's rare to find us eating out anywhere unless we have a (gasp!) discount coupon.

That doesn't mean we don't get out, though, so if I'm honest, I must chalk up most of the lack of blog additions solely to my own laziness. In fact, now that I've given it some thought, I can name at least five places we've been and enjoyed that I should have written about long before this. So now I'm psyched - and looking forward to getting back to some writing about a subject I love.

One of the places I've been wanting to go is the historic

Peter Allen Inn in Kinsman; but we simply haven't gone there for several reasons, first and foremost that not straying far from home thing - and in the middle of winter that's even more of an issue. So what got us up and out? That other thing I mentioned earlier: A BOGO lunch coupon. Our Niles friends and frequent dining-out companions Jerry and Barb spotted it in the newspaper, called to make sure we clipped it as well, and the rest is history. Barb called for a reservation (recommended here, by the way, and you can do it online if you prefer). Despite the iffy weather this time of year, when the day arrived neither rain nor snow was falling, and off we went.

I will say winter probably isn't the ideal time to see the entire place; clearly, the grounds are lovely, but everything brown and dusted with snow plus temperatures in the 30s doesn't exactly make strolling around outside a walk in the park. The inside, however, is another story - and a beautiful one at that. The whole place, including the dining areas, are somewhat reminiscent of Tara-A Country Inn in Clark, Pa., and the Spread Eagle Tavern in Hanoverton. Restored by the Richard and Rhonda Thompson Foundation, the intent is to honor the architectural importance of the house as well as the contributions of the Allen family to the field of medicine. Allen, a physician, who moved to Kinsman in 1808, helped found what would become the Ohio State Medical Society, among other accomplishments, according to online reports and the Inn's website (where I snitched the gorgeous exterior photo above as well).

No doubt the overnight rooms are gorgeous, but while we looked up the beautiful staircase, our focus on this outing was on eating. We were seated in a lovely "formal" dining area that featured butcher-block style tables, plenty of sunlight, a very intriguing chandelier and a working fireplace (quite welcome on a chilly day). Classical music playing softly in the background added an

elegant touch. Later, we peeked in at other, more intimate dining areas, including one in which guests are treated to a formal tea service (Saturdays from noon to 4 p.m.). Downstairs, we fell in love with the Tavern; it's got a more modern touch yet doesn't lose the period "feel."

While I'm on that subject, I must note that just about anything anyone could possibly want in the alcohol department can be found here; an almost endless list of wine, beer and mixed drinks is at the ready and, at the time of our visit, featured winter drink specials with such enticing names as "Kiss from a Rose," "The Irish Maid" and "Green Fairy" (the latter made with Absinthe and egg whites and yes, we all passed on that one). Better still, prices are quite reasonable; my glass of Lindeman's Moscato cost just $6 - that's less than I've seen at some chain restaurants. Water is delivered automatically - always a plus (although I do appreciate being asked first - conservation of natural resources is important to me as well).

Our BOGO coupon applied only to entrees on the lunch menu - fine with us, since there were a number of enticing options. In the end, husband Jack decided on the knife-and-fork meatloaf sandwich, "signature" meatloaf topped with tomato sauce and fontina cheese on a toasted baguette ($10). I waffled a

bit, drooling over the candied bacon BLT ($11), but in the end I couldn't resist trying the sausage and hot pepper flatbread ($10). That's partly because instead of the regular fries, Jack substituted sweet potato fries (bless him - he knows how much I love them and I knew he'd share). Barb went for the grilled chicken salad ($11), grilled chicken breast, French fries, mixed greens with grape tomatoes, onions and cheddar cheese with her choice of bleu cheese dressing. Jerry opted for the knife-and-fork pot roast sandwich ($11), Heritage Hill chuck roast on a toasted ciabatta with melted fontina cheese and

fries. At our server's suggestion, Jack, Jerry and Barb added special soups of the day - Jack's tomato-based and theirs a cream base with funky mushrooms (yes, they really were -I peeked).

I tasted both soups and they were quite good, as were the waffle-style sweet potato fries. To be sure, they could have used some kind of dipping sauce - preferably something sweet, like maple syrup - but they stood well on their own. Ditto the seasoned "regular" fries; ketchup and/or vinegar don't come automatically, but our friends liked theirs just the way they were and commented favorably on the flavor.

Jack's sandwich was delicious, but impossible to eat in the long crusty roll without getting more of it on him than in him, so he just picked out the meatloaf, sauce, onions and peppers and left the roll. Jerry wasn't thrilled with his pot roast sandwich, saying it didn't taste like any pot roast he'd ever had. After taking a taste, I know what he meant; it had a unique flavor that was quite good, actually, but I'd never have been able to eat more than a bite or two.

Speaking of the flatbread, it was tasty but could have used a bit more sausage (the peppers weren't very hot, either, but then it's rare for me to meet a hot pepper that knocked my socks off in the heat department). But it was filling - I ate the whole thing - and I was happy to learn that the Inn gets at least some of its meats from Badurik's Butcher Block in Mineral Ridge (a shop just a few blocks from our home that I highly recommend, by the way).

I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the wire basket of soft, fresh-baked rolls with honey-garlic butter; we loved those so much we ordered a second round. Truth be told, those - and the wonderful, relaxing atmosphere - were the highlight of our meal. We'll be back for sure, although next time our outing will be when the weather is nicer so we can enjoy the outdoors (and maybe take a closer look at the overnight rooms - they look beautiful in the website photos - and for sure have a drink or two in the Tavern).

If you go:

Peter Allen Inn & Event Center
8581 State St.
Kinsman, Ohio 44428
(330) 355-2100
Peteralleninn.com

Open Monday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and Sunday noon to 6 p.m.

Why This Blog?

The Mahoning Valley region of Ohio is perhaps most often thought of as part of the so-called "Rust Belt" -- if it's thought of at all. Tucked up in the northeastern corner of the state about 15 miles from the Pennsylvania border, it's arguably best known for a former U.S. Representative who spent time in jail, the "Mob" and shuttered steel mills. I know that how? Because every single time we travel to another state -- any other state -- and tell folks we meet where we're from, it's guaranteed that we'll get a question about one or all of the above.

Add in a reputation for somewhat lousy weather, and it's enough to make a body wonder why anyone would want to visit, much less live here. But I don't see it that way. I've been in this part of Ohio for close to 50 years now, and while I'd love to see more sunny days, I firmly believe this is a great place to be. The cost of living is remarkably low compared with other parts of the country. It brings together the best of the city and country; cornfields and other amber waves of grain dot the landscape right along with interesting museums, shopping centers and parks.

Oh sure, the weather can be iffy -- if you don't like what you see, just wait 5 minutes, we're fond of saying. But on the other hand, it never gets boring, and not much compares to walking along a tree-lined path amid brilliantly colored foliage on a crisp fall day. Besides that, within an easy hour-or-so's drive we can be walking barefoot on a sandy beach, climbing an historic lighthouse or trolling for wildflowers in one of at least 15 state and national parks.

Then there's the food. My husband Jack and I travel as much as we can, and when we do, we love to eat. We've had dinner at some pretty well-known restaurants in quite a few states, and you know what? Every single time, we say to each other, "This is great, but there's nothing here that's better than what we can get back home every single day."

Of course, I can't discount the familiarity factor and learning to love what you're used to; there's a reason they call it Home Sweet Home. Still, we've always insisted that the Mahoning Valley's cuisine is pretty hard to beat. And just for the record, we include the Shenango Valley in that sweeping declaration; just over the Pennsylvania border are plenty of other fantastic restaurants and attractions just waiting to be discovered by me and you.

I do admit to one exception to my "home" rule, though: As seafood moves inland, it tends to lose ground. Not surprisingly, absolutely nothing compares to fresh-from-the-ocean "lobstah" at The Lobster Dock in Boothbay Harbor, Maine, the huge, almost no-filler-added crabcakes from The Crab Claw in St. Michaels, Maryland, or the steamed spiced shrimp at Awful Arthur's Oyster Bar on the North Carolina Outer Banks. That said, there seems to be a direct correlation between distance from water and how long fish is cooked; by the time you reach mid-Ohio, all too often it's barely recognizable. Sorry, Charlie, but the fish is dead. No need to kill it again (and again!) by leaving it on the grill or in the oven till it's tough and tasteless.

The reason for this blog is to showcase some of the eateries and other treasures our little part of the world has to offer. There's no set schedule for updates, but the plan is to add something new every couple of weeks. For the most part, what you'll see is what we get in Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties in Ohio and Mercer and Lawrence counties in Pennsylvania. But once in a while -- especially since I'm an official "Ohio Ambassador" charged with promoting what the Buckeye State has to offer -- I'll stray into other parts of Ohio (and maybe even another state or two) to bring you a look at a special restaurant or attraction we've found.

If reading about these places entices you to come visit, that's wonderful -- y'all come on down (or up, or over as the case may be). And if you have questions about anything you see here or want to suggest a favorite restaurant of your own, zap me an e-mail. I'm always up for a new adventure!

Just for the record, I've had a bit of experience at not only eating and traveling, but writing about it as well. I wrote about local restaurants and travel for The Business Journal in Youngstown for several years (and Jack penned 100 "Dining Out" restaurant reviews for that newspaper over a period of four years). Besides that, I've posted similar "stuff" on a number of travel Web sites since then.

In the interests of full disclosure -- and the letter of the blog law -- I'll emphasize here that no one associated with any restaurant pays me, or gives me free meals, or in any way influences what I write here. As I mentioned before, I'm open to suggestions for places to visit -- but whether or not I go there or write about it is completely my choice. I'll also say, though, that while I don't mind pointing out a flaw or two here and there, my purpose is to showcase what's good about the region's restaurants and attractions. As such, I'll stick to what my mama always taught me: If you can't say something good about somebody, don't say anything at all.

I'll try to add something new here every couple of weeks, give or take, so check back often. If you want to be notified when a new entry is made, there's a place here to sign up for that as well. And finally, if you'd like to see some of my photos, you're invited to visit my galleries at Zenfolio. Enjoy!

Monnie Ryan

Mahoning Valley Eats & Treats

Friday, March 15, 2019

PETER ALLEN INN & EVENT CENTER

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