Center Plate Restaurant Takes Center Stage
by JoAnn Forrester
94 Center Church
Road, McMurray, PA 15317
724-260-5300
Penny Folino
Penny’s back and are we glad!
This past Saturday,
TechnoGranny, Joanne Quinn- Smith and Nano Granny, JoAnn Forrester, took a ride over the hill and
through the woods to Penny Folino’s new restaurant, Center Plate, in McMurray
Pa. It is easy to get to, right off Rt. 19 South at 94 Center Church Road. It was a beautiful fall day and just right
for a drive. And if you had to get lost
(and we did, no matter what TechnoGranny says), it was the day for it with a brilliant
blue sky, comfortable temperatures and a full tank of gas.
It was a
great day to eat at a new restaurant. I
am so glad that Penny opened up shop again.
This lady knows how to make you feel special and serve you scrumptious
food. Hooray for Penny!
We had a great time talking to Penny Folino
and her partner, Lenny, as they told us about opening the new place. They emphasized how everything is cooked from
scratch and everything is fresh and made there under the supervision of
Executive Chef Matthew Hellen. As we
talked, we sampled the food. Oh my! It was good!
So good that both Joannes stopped talking just to eat for at least 10
minutes. Now that is some kind of record. Two Greeks and an Italian not only stopped talking but stopped gesticulating with their hands.
 |
| Penny and Lenny, Co-owners |
Center Plate
is open 7 days a week, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. We sampled a wide variety of food, from
appetizers to soups to dinner to desserts.
Every dish was very satisfying. Penny
and Executive Chef Matthew Heller have put together a menu meant to please - and
it certainly does.
For starters
you have to try the crab cakes - no breading, no fillers, just crab cakes deliciously
seasoned. Then the
Bougatza Meat Pie, another fantastic item.
The Avolegmo (Lemon soup) has just the right touch of lemon, you gotta try it.
Sausage Rustica: Pasta with fresh tomatoes with a vodka sauce, roasted red peppers and onions. A
dish you must taste.
Now the main
courses. I went for one of the great
dishes on the Mac & Cheese Board, Mac & “Balls:” Penny’s homemade meatballs, chopped up and baked macaroni and
cheese with Parmesan cheese and butter bread crumbs. Better than Mom used to
make. I also sampled the Chicken Marsalla.
For those who love Chicken Marsalla it’s a must try.
After all
this food, we tasted a dessert: Chocolate
Pie and Almond Torte. What can I say? They were the final touch of a great evening.
The menu is
reasonably priced and for those who live in McMurray, I am jealous. For the
rest of us its about 6 miles South on Rt. 19 from South Hills Village. Catering is also available for your special
holiday needs..or anytime you want to
serve a special meal.
Oh! By the way, Penny will be having a wine
dinner on November 8 from 6 to 8:30. A
good way to taste wines and the foods that go with them. Nice treat for special clients and those for
whom you wish to do something nice.
In short,
folks, make your way out to Center Plate in
McMurray Pa. It is good to say,
“Well, Hello, Penny.”
She is back
where she belongs.
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