Penn State Hospitality: Old World Charm & Contemporary Elegance

Inside Legends

Whiskers Pub

The Gardens

The Dining Room at the Inn

When it comes to making special occasions special, elegant dining elegant, and comfort food comfortable—and delicious—no one does it better than the hospitality staff at Penn State.

“I think one of the great misconceptions about our properties is that we are only here to take care of our overnight guests,” explains James Purdum, general manager of Penn State Hospitality Services. “But it is our great desire to serve local guests with the same quality dining and hospitality experiences. We offer a level of service that is unmatched anywhere in the region.”

Both The Dining Room at the Nittany Lion Inn and The Gardens Restaurant at the Penn Stater are delightful destinations for a special celebration or quiet gathering.

“Both places have found their niche in the area,” adds Purdum. “They have loyal followers who resonate with what we do.”  

One of the truly unique aspects of the Penn State Hospitality dining properties is the student-centered mission that runs throughout the organization. Students find an array of opportunities to hone their hospitality skills.

Purdum describes the restaurants as a working laboratory that offer real-world experience.

The Gardens’ Executive Chef Kenneth Stout presents innovation and diversity in his cuisine. “We catch people off guard in a very favorable way,” he says. “We are taking classic dishes and making them comfortable. We call it ‘Pennsylvanian’ dining. An example of this is Jameson Lamb, a well-known Pennsylvania product.”

Top sellers at The Gardens Restaurant include Stout’s legendary crab cakes with roasted corn, Delmonico steak, potato salmon, and pretzel chicken.

Kimberly Snyder, who runs the front of the house at The Gardens, says the staff works diligently to offer a welcoming environment and an engaging experience.

“We have a highly professional group,” she says. “Especially on the culinary team. They have dedicated their lives to consistent quality.”

Legends is a richly appointed pub next door to The Gardens. It won’t take long for it to climb to the top of your list for a casual lunch or an escape from the hustle and bustle for a relaxing glass of wine.

At The Dining Room at the Nittany Lion Inn, Executive Chef Tom Schilling, along with Sous Chef Andrew Monk, offer a cuisine that is best described as “classic French with flair.”

“Food trends used to start on the West Coast,” says Schilling. “But that’s no longer true. We are finding that we are ahead of the curve in many ways.” A major reason for this, he explains, is the worldly exploits of Chef Monk.

Monk explains: “I have tried to incorporate a sense of different cultures in our food, not in a trendy way, but in an honest way.”

“For example, Monk backpacked through Peru, and uses this experience in his cooking,” adds Schilling. “I call it ‘Monk Flair.’ We offer the kind of food that is bursting with flavor, surprising, and fulfilling.”

Whiskers Pub, just a short walk from The Dining Room, is another great place to relax and unwind surrounded by all that makes Penn State great.

Wine Spectator magazine has taken note of the world-class wine list offered by Penn State Hospitality too, and has presented to the operation its “Award of Excellence” for seven consecutive years.  

“We have a very diverse audience,” says Purdum. “We feel we can offer anything for anyone, anytime, anywhere. We are here to serve the university community and the public.”

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