In our defense, we thought it was in Continue ReadingCarnegie. My partner, Jenn, agreed to tag along as I checked out the dining and accommodations at Carnegie Inn & Spa (an invite from PR guru Christina Dickerson). However, I was booked in meetings until almost dinner time, and we hadn’t even thought of calling a dog walker when TABLE ad rep Catherine Vogel Emanuel texted me with a “Carnegie Spa is in State College, toots.”

We loaded into my SUV and hightailed it to Central Pennsylvania, speeding to make it before dinner was over — but not so fast that we weren’t in awe of the silver fins of wind turbines, and stunning Pennsylvania drive through the dusk (Gah, that was gorgeous).

We were still breathless as we ducked into the Inn. Inside, the buzz of a local networking happy hour was dying down. Beautiful people in silk dresses and suits were setting down wine glasses and exchanging business cards. We spotted a smart-looking, spiky-haired woman in an olive chef’s coat. It had to be Lisa Palermo.

Chef Palermo has a five-star background, having served as Executive Chef at the Grand Bay Hotel in Florida and the Sonny Bono Restaurant in Palm Springs. She was a “Critics Choice Award” and “Best in Show” recipient in Miami. And I couldn’t wait to try her food. To my dismay, upon meeting her, she informed me that I missed the lamb chops.

“I’m sure I can whip something up,” she said, with a wink.
The wait staff and the Inn’s manager looked nervous. Someone hinted that the party had literally cleaned out the kitchen. “Nothing is prepped,” I heard a server say under her breath. Still, Palermo disappeared.

We were sipping red wines in the dimly lit dining room (and feeling a little like jerks for being so late) when Palermo reappeared with the world’s fair of cheese trays. It was a feast! On a cheese board as large as a butcher’s block, the chef had prepared a warm donut-sized round of Brie, pilled high with walnuts in a pool of honey. The Taleggio softened in candlelight and was delicious when speared onto the end of the fresh fruit skewers. We loved the crystal crunch of Parmesan, and the heady crumbles of Roquefort. We took turns tearing apart a husky baguette and sampling it with each cheese — we were mini sandwich-teers.

We slept like babies. Which, of course, made us late for breakfast (we’re the worst). Still, Palermo fixed fluffy eggs, saltly ham, savory potatoes, and warm toast to be eaten on the veranda. The food was as dreamy as the view: rolling greens, all misty in the morning.

In the spirit of true indulgence, Jenn and I booked appointments at the full-service ESSpa, tucked away in the most relaxing wing of the Inn.  We flipped through food magazines while our feet enjoyed a buffing, bubbly pedicure and then ooohed and aaahed over massaging manicures. The experience was heavenly.

We polished off the afternoon with a light lunch in a private dining room: grilled chicken over field greens, with grilled asparagus and raspberries. Our lovely hosts even surprised us with dessert: a fresh mint and cookie ice cream sundae and a decadent crème brulee.
This experience was so worth the unexpected road trip… we swore we’d never leave.

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