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The Enchanted Kitchen - CLOSED
Categories: Restaurants Vegan Food Juice Bars & Smoothies Restaurants Live/Raw Food Vegan, Juice Bars & Smoothies, Live/Raw Food [Edit]
127 S. Pugh StState College, PA 16801
(814) 231-0111
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Garage, Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
6 reviews for The Enchanted Kitchen
6 reviews in English
-
Review from Patrick S.
Glendale, CA
12/17/2010
Business traveler who find far too many chain restaurants all producing the same bland, horrible for you, poorly constructed food. In the absence of the chains, I find many local establishments who have done all they can to copy them.
I was on my way to the airport in State College, PA and had literally half and hour to grab a bite before a trip back to the West Coast, yelped and found The Enchanted Kitchen.
I almost didn't go. I am not a vegetarian, not a vegan either but I do love good food and unique takes of good food are even better. The concept here sounded great and even though there was a lack of reviews at the time it seemed they were recent and positive so I decided to live a little and go check it out. After all I figured a salad is always good for you no?
First of all the place is hard to find, you have to look for the yoga studio sign and head into it, down the stairs and into the basement. Once there, you will find a really neat atmosphere and a converted hipster bar that has become what I consider a mecca for people looking for something delicious, different and good for you. The adjusted atmosphere is now modern beatnik, cool, calm, spacey and just the type of place you would want to hang out in. Something special without a doubt.
I expected salad, maybe some fruit, not much more.
I had:
Yamnoodles with a rich balsamic vinaigrette and a walnut pate' on the top (salad on the side, I knew there would be salad here somewhere) - this was amazing, rich, fresh and I wish I could eat it all the time
I also ordered another complete meal in a warm sandwich constructed of some delicious cheese spinach, another type of pate and on the most delicious, chewy walnut bread ever.
I had a cayenne based herbal tea - really good and on the way out my new best friend April asked if I was up to try one of her smoothies. I wasn't, I was stuffed but I couldn't help it, everything was so good I had to go for it and let her choose what type.
She made me her newest concoction which was a Pecan Pie smoothie. I would have never picked it off the menu I admitted to her but I tell you, don't miss the Pecan Pie smoothie.
Fresh pecans, ginger, almond milk and several other things that make the smoothie so much more than anything I have tried before. The biggest letdown was it didn't last me all the way to the airport.
Chrissie Hynde (of the Pretenders) has a similar place in Akron, OH of all places. Far more funding behind it and really good also. I can guarantee that if Chrissie tried The Enchanted Kitchen she would love the food.
In Akron? Try The Vegiterranean. In State College PA? Don't miss this place. Ask for April, I will bet you also find a new best friend. -
Review from Julianne G.
Richmond, VA
7/13/2011
The Enchanted Kitchen is good. With seasonal, (mostly) raw, and (many) vegan options, it's a rare treat in State College. I highly recommend the fresh juices--I think my favorite is called the Lotus (ginger, carrot, and apple).
The good: they've expanded their menu since first opening. This means that you can have sandwiches/wraps, and plenty of cheese to fulfill your non-vegan appetite. The owner and staff are very dedicated to creating tasty dishes; ask for recommendations or clarifications if you're confused about some dish or ingredient. Last time I was in, the owner had created a new vinaigrette with fresh herbs straight from her garden. So. Good. My body feels good after eating/drinking here.
The not-so-good: I'm hungry about 1-2 hours after leaving this place for lunch. I don't know if I'm just not doing a good job of picking dishes with sufficient protein (I'm a vegetarian) or if the raw/veg fare I get simply just isn't too filling. It's pricey. For one juice and a lunch entree, plus tip, I typically spend close to $20. Service is also slow, but there's typically only one or two people working here (owner + another counter staff).
The E.K. is really solid food with a fresh (haha) food perspective for State College. I hope it stays around. -
Review from Natalie N.
Portland, OR
9/16/2010
Let me start with this disclaimer: I don't like raw food. I have been to two raw food restaurants over the past 5 years or so and spent way too much money for mediocre food that didn't make me feel good afterward.
That being said, hopefully this review will hold more weight. I LOVE THIS PLACE!
I first moved to State College in mid-July from Southern California. I have been vegan for 10 years, so I did some searching online for restaurants with vegan options in the area. The Enchanted Kitchen came up and I was sad that the only purely vegetarian restaurant in the area was also raw.
Then I was at the Boalsburg Farmers Market a few weeks ago and the gentleman who runs the Fasta Ravioli Company suggested I hit up The Enchanted Kitchen when he found out I was vegan. I said, "I don't like raw food." and he explained that he works there part-time and not everything is raw, plus it's super good. He had me convinced that I should at least try it.
Today my boyfriend and I decided to have lunch there after seeing the daily specials on the restaurant's Facebook page: Nori filled with Yemaya's Delight, mango, avocado, cucumboodles and greens, and a side of Wasabi Ginger Slaw. I was sold.
It's a rainy day, so we began or meals with two different locally blended Chai teas. YUMMY! I had the Creamy Basil Zoodles topped with Sage/Dill Sunflower seed pate and a side salad. I was worried the raw "noodles" would be crunchy or weird, but they tasted like actually pasta! They were soft, creamy and delicious. The side salad sounds boring, but the balsamic/maple vinaigrette dressing, heirloom tomatoes and avocado slices made it competition for my favorite part of the meal.
My boyfriend had a veggie/hummus sandwich on Kalamata Olive bread baked fresh today from Gemelli's bakery upstairs. He was nice enough to share with me, because that sandwich was INSANE! Huge slices of warm, soft bread packed to the brim with fresh veggies and yummy hummus! He also ordered a side of Wasabi Ginger Slaw. Now, I hate spicy food, so I was nervous to try it. He encouraged me to take a bite, as it actually wasn't spicy. And thank goodness I did because it was DELICIOUS!
The smoothies The Enchanted Kitchen is known for looked delicious, but we were definitely full. We'll be back to check them out though!
Last but not least, the customer service was great! We were told they change the menu daily, but are working on a fixed menu with daily specials. The are currently only open for weekday lunch, with a few special dinner/weekend events. Eventually they will also be open for dinner, and the romantic lighting and eclectic decor will make for a great casual date spot.
I absolutely can't wait for my next meal at The Enchanted Kitchen! -
Review from Cort K.
Greenwich, CT
10/21/2011
despite a less than reassuring entry, the warm inviting space held good, wholesome food and friendly service. raw friendly!
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Review from e r.
State College, PA
2/14/2011
Really yummy and accommodating of your diet. Friendly service. Don't go if you are in a hurry -relax and enjoy!
-
Review from Shawn W.
Pittsburgh, PA
10/13/2010
Well there's not exactly much competition for veg/vegan/raw fare in the area, but even if there were this place would stand out. Let me first say that the owner and staff are wonderful people who not only prepare and deliver fantastic healthy food, but also were more than willing to advise us on other local places to check out during our trip to the state college area.
The menu is very small, but delicious. The place has an interesting vibe to it as it is half yoga studio half "cafe" style restaurant. The smoothie was amazing, the maki were absolutely delicious, and our cashew chipotle wrap was great. They even gave us a free dessert after finding out we were just recently married.
Again, the staff really stood out here and made us feel very welcome. If you're a veg in town, you must go here, or if you are curious about vegetarianism, etc, this would be a great place to start.
