Blonde Bistro Brew Works takes over popular location
CHRIS MORELLI/THE EXPRESS Ciara Semack recently purchased the Old Farmhouse Eatery and Brewery. She will re-brand as Blonde Bistro Brew Works when it re-opens in late August.
CHRIS MORELLI/THE EXPRESS Ciara Semack recently purchased the Old Farmhouse Eatery and Brewery. She will re-brand as Blonde Bistro Brew Works when it re-opens in late August.
CHRIS MORELLI/THE EXPRESS Ciara Semack recently purchased the Old Farmhouse Eatery and Brewery. She will re-brand as Blonde Bistro Brew Works when it re-opens in late August.
CHRIS MORELLI/THE EXPRESS Ciara Semack recently purchased the Old Farmhouse Eatery and Brewery. She will re-brand as Blonde Bistro Brew Works when it re-opens in late August.
Trending
BELLEFONTE -- A popular Bellefonte restaurant is on the move.
The Blonde Bistro, which was formerly inside of Axemann Brewery, recently finalized the purchase of the Old Farmhouse Eatery and Brewery, 226 Nittany Valley drive in Zion. For many years, the location was the iconic Michael's Tavern.
Owner Ciara Semack -- the Blonde Bistro herself -- said that the new venture will be known as Blonde Bistro Brew Works. She is excited for the new venture and the new location.
"We closed on the property on June 29. I came here a lot when I was little when it was Michael's Tavern, so it has always been a special place to me," Semack said. "Our customers -- since our move to Axemann -- had always said they missed our location, which was in downtown Bellefonte."
Semack's first venture was along South Allegheny Street in Bellefonte. When she moved to the brewery, she had to adjust her menu to cater to the bar crowd, she said.
"While at Axemann, we adapted our menu as best we could to be more beer and bar friendly while still trying to be true to who we are. While we were at Axemann, customers would say how much they missed our own uniqueness and our decorating style, along with wanting the homemade from scratch dishes we did while at our old location," Semack said.
The Blonde Bistro was inside Axemann since it opened in 2020. At the new property, Semack has exactly what she's been looking for. As for the menu? Well, Semack said that she's getting back to her "roots."
"We are definitely going old school … back to our roots while adding some new and unique dishes. Classics with twists," Semack said.
The menu, she said, is still very much a work in progress.
"We like referring to ourselves as new wave American. The menu we are trying to craft will have something for everyone and will be made from scratch," Semack said.
The property, which has a small brewery attached, will be put to use. Semack said that Blonde Bistro Brew Works will feature several homemade brews.
"We will be brewing our own beer while serving state and local crafted spirits and wine. We've already talked to our friends at Big Spring Spirits and have plans for local wineries to help us," Semack said.
Customers, she said, will have a hand in helping select the wine list.
Semack said she is shooting for a late August opening.
"We will take reservations like we used to, have live music like we used to and have fun events like our annual ugly sweater Christmas party," she said.
The Old Farmhouse Eatery and Brewery closed its doors on June 22. Just a week later, Semack took ownership.
"I'm super excited," Semack said. "This is a big step for me. Since being in the restaurant business, I've always rented. Now, I truly have a place to call my own."