Editor’s Note: Last year, Michael and Nicole Borrell began reviewing Lebanon Valley’s restaurants and eating attractions as the Lebanon Valley Food Critics. Since then, the couple has aimed to offer unbiased reviews of the eating and drinking establishments the Lebanon Valley has to offer. LebTown is pleased to be partnering with LVFC to share these reviews with our readers. Bon appétit!
Welcome to the first season of our highly anticipated Lebanon Valley Soup Wars. Seven entrants from across the Valley will compete to be declared the winner of Best Soup in The Valley.
Soup Wars is being run in conjunction with the Lebanon County Coalition to End Homelessness’s Soup Stroll. For $12, you get a passport and a special soup mug. A drawing will be made at the conclusion for a prize winner. You can purchase tickets online by visiting the group’s Facebook page.
Our judgement will be based upon several factors including style, quality, taste, and presentation.
We continued our stroll at Mount Gretna Hideaway. Here they have four soups on the menu: lobster bisque, French onion, tomato, and chili. All soups have an option to come in a baked crock.
Mount Gretna Hideaway
40 Boulevard Ave
Mt. Gretna, PA 17064
Website
mtgretnahideaway.com
Restaurant Hours
Monday – 3 p.m. to 12 a.m.
Tuesday – 3 p.m. to 12 a.m.
Wednesday – 11:30 a.m. to 12 a.m.
Thursday – 11:30 a.m. to 12 a.m.
Friday – 11:30 a.m. to 2 a.m.
Saturday – 11:30 a.m. to 2 a.m.
Sunday – 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Our selections for this evening meal were a bowl of lobster bisque in a baked crock ($8) and the French onion soup in a baked crock ($8).
The lobster bisque was a creamy treat. As a seafood lover, it could have come with a stronger lobster flavor, but the seasoning stood out. It was the right choice to get this one in a baked crock. The cheese and croutons stepped this soup up. On a cold, rainy night, this was a topflight choice.
The French onion soup came as a true traditional offering. Upon its first look, you expected your long sought craving would be quenched. Just like the bisque, this soup came out piping hot. We had to allow some time for it to cool. It tasted like a traditional French onion bowl. Lite on the seasoning, it lets the onion and cheese do the talking in this bowl.
Did we just have the best soup on the stroll? How will this soup compare to our other entrants?
We will next head over to the other Soup Stroll participants: DoGood’s Tavern and Quentin Tavern.
If you have a restaurant you would like us to visit or review, whether a place you like or are nervous to try, please message us on Facebook or email lvfoodcritics@outlook.com and let us know. We thank everyone for the recommendations and the kind words we have received.
