The Results are In! 2009 Best of State College

By: Cliff White and Larry Jacobs

SCM contacted many of this year’s winners of our annual readers’ poll to see if they would share something little known about their establishments, and to find out how it feels to win.

Best Doctor – Dr. Michael Flanagan (Penn State University Physicians Group)
“I spent the past Spring Break with my wife and two children hiking down to the bottom of the Grand Canyon. We spent the night in a log cabin and hiked out the following day, making it back in five hours. It usually takes eight hours, but my 12-year-old son was setting the pace.”

Volunteer of the Year – Larry Snavely (Snavely Associates)
“I wear red ties in memory of my dad. Through his example, I learned that it was important to give back to the community in which you live.” (Editor’s Note: Larry Snavely is also known as one of the founders of State College Magazine back in the day!)

Favorite Local Media Personality – Jeff Brown (Classic Rock, 93.7 WBUS)
“No one believes it, but I’m incredibly shy. Put me in front of a microphone and I’m fine. But at a party or a public function where I don’t know anyone, I’m a total wallflower.”

Best Happy Hour – The American Ale House

Best Residential Real Estate Company – RE/MAX© Centre Realty

Best Real Estate Agent – JoAnn Lew
“When it comes to storytelling, I could give Mark Twain a run for his money.”

Best Dentist – Dr. John Kelly (Kelly, Klareski & Kremser: Pediatric Dental Care)
“Things people might not know about us are that all four docs block 50 percent of our appointment book for low-income families with Medicaid or referred from Centre Volunteers in Medicine. We have also built two clinics in the Dominican Republic to provide comprehensive care to the poorest people in the Western Hemisphere. Our docs and staff travel there to give free care between two and four weeks a year and train Dominican dentists to run the clinics in our absence.”

Favorite Local Writers – TIE! Jeff Rice (Centre Daily Times)
“I’ve never driven a car with a manual transmission.”
Steve Biddle (SCM)
“I have to say I’m genuinely thrilled about this. It’s sort of a sad irony that I’m not actually there anymore. And, of course, I’d like to genuinely thank the readers who voted for me. It’s a real spirit-booster!”

Best Gourmet Coffee – Saint’s Café
“What sets Saint’s Café apart is a love of coffee and an attention to detail. For instance, our staff knows about the farms where our coffee comes from.” – Craig Avedesian, owner

Best Wine List – The Gamble Mill

Most Romantic Restaurant – Alto Italian Restaurant & Bar
“Between all four restaurants [which also includes Zola New World Bistro and the Mounthill Tavern in Harrisburg], we serve over 20,000 pounds of seafood in a year.” – Paul Kendeffy, executive chef/proprietor, Alto and The Gamble Mill

Best Beer List – Otto’s
“Our burgers are made with locally grown, pasture-raised beef with some spent grain from our brewery added for good measure!” – Roger A. Garthwaite, owner

Best Breakfast – The Original Waffle Shop (W. College Ave.)
“Most people don’t know that John Dimakopoulos, the original owner and operator of the Original Waffle Shops, has been in the breakfast business since he arrived in the USA in 1966.” – Lisa Dimakopoulos

Best Place to Picnic – Spring Creek Park
“…it’s hard to beat the 34-acre combination of the landscape, the flowing water and the handy location of Spring Creek Park for a picnic! While we can’t count each park user, so far in 2009 (April through September) CRPR has issued group permits for 730 pavilion events across the park system. Spring Creek hosted 190, or 25 percent, of those events.”  – Ronald J. Woodhead, director, Centre Region Parks & Recreation

Best Retirement Community – The Village at Penn State
“We are tremendously proud to have been chosen as the Best Retirement Community in State College, especially considering the high quality of the competition. This is due, in no small part, to our wonderful residents and staff, whose passion for The Village is contagious.” – Marianne Hogg, executive director, The Village at Penn State

Best Place to Work – Penn State University
“I’m pleased that your readers have chosen Penn State as the ‘Best Place to Work.’  I’ve always said that one of our top goals is to humanize the university, and we have a theme of ‘Putting People First.’ “One little known fact is that we have a ‘Special Assistance Fund,’ created with private funds to help employees through financial emergencies. This fund has helped scores of employees over the years. Another little known fact is that employees can contribute sick days to another employee who may have used up his/her sick leave due to extraordinary medical circumstance.” – Dr. Graham Spanier, president, Penn State University

Best Fine Dining, Best Wait Service – The Carnegie House
For a true fine dining experience, look no further than the Carnegie House. Expect refined cuisine served in an elegant setting, with impeccable service – rated the best in town by readers. General manager Sam Glasgow says the three-course prix-fixe menu and early dining specials are worth taking advantage of. “Chef Justin Leiter and his talented culinary team have kept Carnegie House favorites while adding new and exciting value-priced dishes to our menu.”

Best Outdoor Dining – The Autoport
 “Over the past two years, we have put a great deal of energy into our outdoor patio area,” owner Greg Mussi says. “Our goal was to create a festive, friendly environment that was both welcoming and comfortable. From our unique outdoor fire-pit to our daily happy hours, our mission is to be the gathering place for friends, family, coworkers and business associates.”

Best Kids Menu – Baby’s Burgers & Shakes
Swathed in regalia of the 1950s, Baby’s hearkens back to a more innocent time, when satisfying burgers and classic milkshakes were frequent, guilt-free indulgences. Offering up a kid-friendly menu, Baby’s offers “the best hamburger for the price in State College,” according to owner Denise Wood. The restaurant also provides a fun atmosphere for all ages. “My husband traveled to diners all around California for inspiration, trying to get that old-time, authentic diner feel,” Wood says.

Best Family Dining, Best Steak, Best Seafood, Best Burger – Kelly’s
Kelly’s great food and stylish décor have earned the restaurant a loyal following, which may explain Kelly’s win in the category of “Best Family Dining.” “It was a bit surprising to win in that category,” Sean Kelly, owner and chef, admits. “But we have really focused on creating a family-friendly atmosphere here, providing a kids menu that doesn’t just have fried foods. We have grilled chicken and salmon, and mandarin oranges as opposed to French fries.”

Best Health Conscious – The Green Bowl
That Green Bowl customers can construct their own bowls out of a bevy of ingredients, and that they can keep going back for more, is a well-known fact around town. But what many people don’t know is The Green Bowl now does breakfasts on Saturdays and Sundays. “It’s also create-your-own meal, all-you-can-eat, but with omelets, breakfast wraps, pancakes and French toast,” manager Monica Gillen says.

Best New Restaurant – Inferno
“We had a very successful first year,” says Jennifer Zangrilli, director of operations for Inferno’s parent company, Dante’s Restaurants Inc. “It exceeded our expectations in terms of what we thought we could do.” Pizza is the restaurant’s specialty, baked in a brick oven and loaded with the customer’s choice of an interesting assortment of toppings. The cleverly named eatery expects an even brighter future. “We’re happy with where we are, but are continually trying to improve,” Zangrilli says.

Best Pizza, Best Italian – Faccia Luna
“Our pizzas are a little different,” Faccia Luna general manager Mike Corbett says. A lot of thought has been put into the creative and delicious combinations offered on the menu. Not in the mood for pizza? Try one of their Italian specialties – another ‘Best Of’ winner for 2009. “We use the freshest ingredients, including locally grown green peppers and tomatoes throughout summertime, and we have someone who comes in overnight to make fresh pasta.”

Best Asian – Cozy Thai
If you want a brief escape from Central Pennsylvania, check out Cozy Thai, where international flavors are served up with a metropolitan vibe. “We serve true Thai taste here,” co-owner Peeranee Musigchai says. The restaurant has proved so popular that it has outgrown its current location on College Avenue and plans a move this month to 232 South Allen Street, where it will offer more private, corner seating as well as an outdoor patio.

Best Ethnic – Herwig’s
When football isn’t being played in Beaver Stadium, the most entertaining place to be in State College is Herwig’s Austrian Bistro. Owned and run by Herwig “Brandy” Brandstatter, along with his wife, Gundi, and son, Bernd, the restaurant offers an interactive dining experience, with appearances by puppets, funny hats and large wooden spoons. However, it’s the outstanding food that keeps so many people coming back. Both Brandy and Bernd are trained chefs, having graduated from the same highly regarded culinary school in Austria. “Practically everything is made fresh every day, and we use as many local products as we can get,” Brandstatter says. “The bottom line is, we both love to cook, and if you come to the restaurant, we’ll treat you as one of the family.”

Best Sandwich – Honeybaked Ham
Honeybaked Ham is a full-service café and popular lunch spot offering a wide range of soups, sandwiches and salads to eat in or takeout. “We’re known for having the world’s best ham, but we have so much more, including catering. The quality of our ingredients is very high, from the bread to the meats,” State College store co-owner and operator Joe Beddall says. “We thank readers for recognizing us the second year in a row; we aim to keep it up and keep the title for many years to come,” Beddall says.

Best Salad, Best Wings – Champs
 “Champs has offered only the very best to local and visiting diners for 23 years. This is due to the successful teamwork of Scott Lucchesi, Thomas Walker and their top-notch staff. We look forward to bringing you many more years of ‘not your usual’ sports-bar fare,” says General Manager Victor Mastalski.

Best Grab & Go Lunch, Best Bread, Best Food Market, Best Customer Service –Wegmans
Offering everything from a bakery to a deli, to a carving station, pizzeria, sandwich shop and beer sales, Wegmans goes beyond the traditional definition of a supermarket. Locally, Wegmans provides a wide range of groceries for any palate and budget and, according to our voters, the best customer service in State College. In the bigger picture, the family-owned company is committed to its communities, donating more than 16 million pounds to food banks in the areas it does business. Its push for renewable bag use has helped save 880 million plastic bags from circulation.

Best Jewelry Store – SJ Miska
Locally owned and operated, SJ Miska offers a large collection of fine jewelry, as well as custom design, repair, appraisal and restoration. “We have access to over 350,000 loose diamonds from cutters all over the world,” owner Stephen Miska says. “We can find any diamond at the most attractive pricing.” Miska will be opening a new store in mid-November in Boalsburg.

Best Kennel – Mt. Nittany Veterinary Hospital
“I am very pleased to learn that Mt. Nittany Veterinary Hospital was voted ‘Best Kennel in State College,’” Kennel Supervisor Mary Glincosky says. “I have always taken great pride in providing a clean, safe, and loving environment for pets to stay while in our care. I think it is very important for owners to know their beloved pet is being well cared for and in compassionate hands. It’s a very rewarding feeling knowing that owners entrust me with a member of their family and recognize the quality care that we provide.”

Best Dessert – The Deli
“We’ve been using the same from-scratch recipes, developed through trial and error, since we opened in 1973,” says Jennifer Zangrilli, director of operations for Dante’s Restaurants Inc., which operates The Deli. “Our thought is, why change when the result is so good?”

Best Sunday Brunch – The Nittany Lion Inn
Pick an upcoming Sunday morning and sit down to dine at the historic Nittany Lion Inn, and you’ll agree with the SCM readers who voted it the best Sunday brunch in town. Chefs Tom Schilling and Andrew Monk add an attention to detail while laying out a fabulous array of food. “Our Sunday brunch evokes warmth, tradition and satisfaction,” says the Inn’s director of sales and marketing, Fran Levin.

Best Conference Center – The Penn Stater
Cozily tucked into the scenic environment surrounding Innovation Park, The Penn Stater hosts a wide range of events, from international groups to local events. “The services we offer run the gamut,” says Fran Levin, the hotel’s director of sales and marketing. Proving the center’s popularity, Levin says The Penn Stater brews 30,000 gallons of coffee per year, moves an estimated 45,000 chairs a month, and hands out 60,000 to 80,000 pens a year.

Best Storefront, Best Gift Shop – Gift Adventures
Gift Adventures is a great source of entertainment for pedestrians on Beaver Avenue. The store, which ranks as the best gift shop in State College by our readers this year, features constantly changing, creative and interesting storefront displays. In addition to the menagerie of stuffed animals that are the stars of the show, the store also offers “an extensive selection of jewelry and handcrafted gifts from local artists,” says owner Steve Artz.

Best Caterer, Best Hotel Dining – Harrison’s Wine Grill

Best Health Club – The Fitness Circuit
“One thing you may not know about The Fitness Circuit is that you don’t have to be in great shape to come here,” Scott Ludwig says. The club offers fitness professionals at every session to help guide you through appropriate exercises tailored to your individual plan.

Best Late Night Restaurant – The Diner
“The Diner is a Penn State tradition,” said Dan Rallis, owner. “The kids that are coming here now often have parents that came here 25 years ago. It’s all about tradition.”

Best Fundraiser – THON
The largest student-run philanthropy in the world, THON has more than 15,000 volunteers annually contribute their efforts towards making the event a success. THON culminates in February with a 30-hour dance marathon on the floor of the Bryce Jordan Center. The event has grown every year since its inception in 1973; last year THON raised $7.49 million for the Four Diamonds Fund, an organization dedicated to fighting pediatric cancer. “[THON] brings together the university…it’s amazing to know that Penn State is making a difference in the lives of children, today and in the future,” says Overall Chairperson Caitlin Zankowski.

Best Community Event – TIE!
Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts™ and Central PA 4th Fest

Best Downtown Restaurant – Spats Café & Speakeasy
 
Best Furniture Store – Wolf’s

Best Business Lunch– The Corner Room
The Corner Room was founded in 1926, making it the oldest hospitality location and restaurant in town still operating. The restaurant’s menu has tripled in size over the last 20 years, and the long-time businessman’s hamburger can now be substituted with a turkey or bison burger, or grilled chicken – perfect fare for a quick lunch. “The Corner Room was the site of the first bank, the first wagon stop and the first Western Union in town,” owner Mike Desmond says. “It’s nice to know that although the community has evolved over the years, that businesspeople are still meeting at the Corner Room.”

Best Ribs – Clem’s
“I strive to keep things simple, but it’s getting harder and harder every year.” – Clem Pantalone, Clem’s Wood-Fired BBQ

Best New Car Dealership – Dix Honda
“I have been wondering why an auto dealership has not been included in the ‘Best Of’ yearly survey. Now that it is, we at Dix Honda are just blown away at receiving this honor! Our team has been working hard at retaining our customers, and gaining new ones by embracing a Honda initiative focusing on customers’ needs as well as expectations,” says Dave Dix, owner.

Best Bar/Lounge, Best Martini – Bill Pickle’s

Best Value, Best Ambiance – The Tavern

Best Used Car Dealership – Joel Confer Auto Outlet

Best Home Improvement Store – Lowe’s

Best New Retail – Riley on Main
“I recently overheard some people from New York City say my store was ‘just the right amount of cool,’” says Patricia Gordon, owner of Riley on Main in Boalsburg. “This [win] spurs me on to work even harder!”

Best Sub/Hoagie – Subway
“The 8 State College Subway locations employ approximately 150 people and are owned and operated by longtime State College residents and Penn State graduates,” says Ben Farahani, vice president, Fara Inc.

Best Day Spa – Designer’s Denn
Kindness is the first quality Melinda Hooper, owner of Designer’s Denn, looks for when hiring employees. “We supply all our employees with advanced training, but they need the base of being nice people. You can’t teach that.” Clearly, Hooper is doing something right – Designer’s Denn has won this category every year since 2003. “Our culture is very customer service-oriented,” Hooper says. “We strive to make sure all the details are covered all the time.”

Best Burger (franchise) – Backyard Burger