Mercato Mio Serves Farm-to-Table Italian Fare

Mercato Mio Italian Market Restaurant, located in Hilton Garden Inn State College on East College Avenue, focuses on fresh, classic Italian food like Nonna (Grandma) used to make.

Their menu offers farm-to-table classic Italian dishes like lasagna with Smoked Béchamel Sauce along with signature cocktails and Italian wines by the bottle or glass.

Stop by for a dine-in experience, or enjoy a family style to-go offering that serves four and includes focaccia and chopped salad.

Mercato Mio Italian Market | 1221 E College Ave, State College | 814‑272-1221

Gigi’s is Locally-Grown, Southern-Inspired Goodness

Local favorite Gigi’s Southern Table is winning again. It was named in “2021’s Best of State College” awards, winning best wine selection, best outdoor dining and best fine dining and romantic dining.

Their ingredient-driven focus — and partnerships with nearby farms and producers — mean that their menu is an inventive, fresh, and delicious take on Southern Cuisine.

You can enjoy playful dishes like farm fresh deviled eggs with truffle and chipotle and signature shrimp and grits while sampling their seasonal craft cocktails like their Bruleed Orange & Rosemary Old Fashioned.

So make plans for brunch or dinner, and enjoy the fresh, simple, local goodness.

Gigi’s Southern Table | 2080 Cato Ave, State College | 814‑861-3463

Make Lion Country Lodging Your Home Away from Home

Lion Country Lodging is the preferred hotel partner of Penn State Athletics — a family of hotels with exceptional service, unparalleled amenities and convenient locations. Which is the right one for your next stay?

Hilton Garden Inn is located on College Avenue, and offers a heated indoor pool and 24-hour convenience shop. Onsite restaurant Mercato Mio offers farm-to-table classic Italian dishes. “The Hilton Garden Inn State College has that perfect combination of competent, friendly staff and an extremely clean [hotel],” one reviewer says.

Quality Inn, which includes free Wi-Fi, free breakfast and free parking, offers guest essentials and friendly service just five blocks from campus. Guests have given it a 4.5 star rating: “A nice experience and a convenient location. Very comfortable rooms,” one reviewer says.

Super 8 is newly renovated and offers experience, value and a central location to Happy Valley fun. “Extremely friendly staff. Very welcoming to our dog. Clean room, excellent water pressure. Highly recommend,” says a recent guest.

Nittany Budget Inn offers a practical and affordable home base for your Happy Valley adventures. It’s just two miles from campus, with Gigi’s Southern Table restaurant onsite. “This was one of the best, cleanest, friendliest motels I’ve stayed at in a long time! Bravo!” says a recent guest.

Explore your options and make reservations for your next adventure at lioncountrylodging.com.