At the main entrance to Hidden Valley, you'll see the John Harvard Restaurant.  They brew their own beer; try the Hidden Valley Amber Ale, it's delicious.  It's right at Hidden Valley, and it's a comfortable place to come for a great meal after a day of skiing.  If you plan to do some tubing, then just come over to John Harvard's afterward, because it's right at the base of the tubing area.

JB's Roadhouse

You won't find JB's on any dining guides--it's a small building on the side of the road.  JB's is locally owned by Bonnie Sechler and Jay Shaulis. They have no tables, not even inside dining.   In warm weather, you can eat  on one of several picnic tables they have, but the ambience doesn't equal the food.  Think of them for a takeout dinner, or even a dinner to take home with you when you leave Hidden Valley.  On Sunday only, they will even do home delivery!  They have outstandng barbeque and baked goods.  They have chicken, ribs, ham, beef and pork barbeque, potatoes, baked beans, on and on.  And there's a bakery, too, for great dessert.  One of our favorite is Pennsyvania Dutch sticky buns.  They don't regularly have them, but if you give them a call they'll make them for you as a special order, and you won't regret it.  Jayne Shaulis, the owner of Sweet Jayne's bakery, is a culinary school graduate.  What you get here is very sophisticated cooking from a completely unexpected source.  You can order in advance; they can even feed a group.  They're located on Route 601 in Somerset, between Lowe's and Wal-Mart, right up the street from the Turnpike interchange in Somerset.  Call them on 814 445-8900 or visit their very nice Web site.  The Web site is often being changed so may not be accessible; a phone call will confirm that they're open  JB's Roadhouse

Stone Villa Winery

Near Donegal, just one exit on the Turnpike from Somerset, is the Stone Villa Winery.  The owner was in the construction business before opening his winery, and you can tell from the beauty of the stone buildings that he has constructed.  However, we've never taken anyone to Stone Villa who didn't like the wines and particularly the ambience of the site.  Visit their Web site; you'll see that they regularly host special events.  On a nice day, you can bring a picnic lunch and sit on their patio, buy a bottle of their wine at the winery price, and then enjoy your picnic overlooking their beautiful lake.  If you're lucky there will be a musician performing while you're there.

They offer free tastings, and winery pricing if you buy a case or more of their wine.  I think you're likely to find wines that are worth taking home.

There is another winery that's closer to Hidden Valley, but we have not been impressed with the quality of their offerings--although, of course, your taste may differ, so you might like the Glades Pike Winery although we don't.  There's always the possibility that the quality of their offerings might improve, and we haven't visited for a few years.  If you do visit and like it, please let us know by email.

Hidden Valley Golf Club

In warm weather, don't forget the Hidden Valley Golf Club as a place to eat if you don't want to cook.  Yes, it's small; but the service is good and personable, and they have a variety of excellent fish and meat dinners for just $10 apiece.  There's also a wine list and beer.  If it's a nice day, take a walk from 5112 to the golf club and have weekend brunch, breakfast, lunch or dinner at the golf club.  You'll enjoy the meal and the ambience, you can eat outside overlooking several beautiful holes of the golf club and you won't be sorry you made the short walk to get there.

The Italian Oven

The Oven was one of the first places we dined after coming to Hidden Valley for the first time, many years ago.  This restaurant was the first one of what because a franchised chain throughout several states in the East.  Sadly, the franchise got into trouble, and those problems were reflected at the restaurant in Somerset.  The founder, who opened the restaurant and then built the chain, is now out of the picture, as is the whole chain.  When the new owners of the chain threatened to close the Somerset restaurant, a group of employees purchased it and they have brought it back to its roots--a family-style restaurant with quality food, prepared from fresh local ingredients, featuring low pricews.  The food is really good, the service is good, and you will really like the prices.   

We had removed the Italian Oven from our list of favorite places to eat, but it's back there again.  The Italian Overn is located in Somerset on Route 31, about ten mintues from Hidden Valley.  They don't have their own Web site, so I've provided this link to a review that can also help you with directons.  It's across the street from the Giant Eagle supermarket, which is a good place to stock the refrigerator on the day you arrive.

Helen's at Seven Springs

If you're in the mood for fine Continental-style food, with an excellent wine list that's priced reasonably, Helen's at Seven Springs is one of the best in the area.  It's located in a separate structure, the size of a laarge house.  You'll eat in a dining room with only one or two other tables.  The menu is terrific, service is excellent, and for the (high) quality it's priced fairly.  The wine list is the best we've seen in the region, and the wine pricing is reasonable.  Reservations are a good idea.

Green Gables

Next door to a summer theater where we've seen excellent plays is the Green Gables Restaurant.  For many years, in spite of the beautiful setting and the chance to enjoy a dinner and play in the same place, we avoided the restaurant because of mediocre food.  Recently, though, the chef from one of Philadelphia's great restaurants took over the kitchen.  Yes, he fixes fine dishes in the French tradition; but he also prepares conventional American dishes for those who prefer more familiar cuisine.  The restaurant has undergone a renaissance under the new chef, and we heartily recommend it, particularly since they haven't changed the prices because of the new chef.  In addition, the restaurant is situated beside a lake, and it's great to watch the ducks on the lake as you dine.

That first pioneering chef has now left, but he's been replaced by another highly qualified chef, who is maintaining the high level of cuisine.  The wine list has also expanded a lot, and now they offer wine tastings that are interesting and worthwhile.

For a great evening, have dinner at the restaurant and then follow the walk through the grove of tall pines to the theater to see a play.  You'll find that the plays are cast with experienced professional actors who do a great job and also clearly enjoy being part of a live performance in this intimate setting. 

Oakhurst Tea Room

If you reach Hidden Valley from Somerset, on Route 31 you'll pass the Oakhurst Tea Room, and you may see a large parking lot with a lot of cars.  The Tea Room is a fixture of the local dining scene, having grown to its present size since its establishment in 1933.  They offer a smorgasbord with considerable variety.  Frankly, we don't recommend it, because in our opinion the food that's served is very simple and has little preparation.  However, if quantity is what you seek in food, of course "all you can eat" has a certain attraction, and it's just down the road from Hidden Valley.

The Brass Duck

One restaurant, the Brass Duck, has been a favorite of our for years when we visit Hidden Valley.  In Stahlstown, there's an old house that was stunningly remodeled into a spffy, modern but elegant restaurant.  Originally their chef put together a great menu featuring fabulous duck dishes.  Every visitor was given a small golden duck sticker.  There was a fire, and then a reopening under a new owner, with a good chef, and a rebirth of an old favorite.  Sadly, though, the new incarnation didn't last, and now the building houses a bar.  The Brass Duck, and its joy and elegance, are gone.  We regret its passing, and remember it here so that people who search for it on the Web can find this memory of a great restaurant and many great times spent there, and they can learn the fate of this once-happy adventure that brought great food and good times into the Laurel Mountains.  Good bye, Brass Duck, we loved you.