Food cooked on a wood grill has that distinctive smoky flavor that comes from the high, dry heat that caramelizes the proteins in meats and the plant sugars in vegetables.
The former Luna 2, at 2609 East College Avenue in State College, reopened in late June as Mike’s Wood Grill & Bar. The restaurant’s name change and rebranding introduced a new menu with some familiar favorites courtesy of its sister restaurant, Faccia Luna. Locals and visitors alike quickly responded positively to the revamped menu at Mike’s, perhaps drawn to the unique flavors and aromas of meats seared on the wood grill.
Owners Bill McFadden and Mike Corbett are happy to offer diners the same wood-fired pizza menu that has made Faccia Luna famous, such as the classic margherita; Genovese, which has potato, pesto, fresh tomatoes, and basil; and pollo, which has chicken, pesto, fresh tomatoes, and roasted sweet peppers.
“While we no longer serve pasta dishes on the menu, Mike’s offers a range of other options, in addition to our wood-fired pizzas, including burgers, sandwiches, salads, appetizers, soups, and entrees, featuring fresh seafood,” explains Corbett.
Every Thursday, fresh seafood is brought in from Washington, D.C. Seafood specials include salmon, crab cakes, and sea bass.
Open daily for lunch and dinner from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Mike’s new menu offers options from the Mighty Mike burger made with certified Angus beef to the meatless, plant-based burger.
Executive chef Troy Markel entices diners with weekly specials such as a wood-grilled steak sandwich with fresh-cut fries, or the Haddock fish and chips served with house-made tartar sauce.
Other must-try menu choices include the wings served with Mike’s Alabama white sauce, a tangy white barbeque sauce with a kick of heat that is a unique twist to your familiar hot sauce.
Mike’s also has an extensive list of bottled beers, 10 beers on tap, wine, and liquor. With seating for 120 people, Mike’s can accommodate large groups with plenty of on-site parking. Outdoor seating is also available during the summer months.
Weekly specials are updated regularly on the restaurant’s Facebook page. For more information about Mike’s Wood Grill & Bar, visit mikeswoodgrillandbar.com.
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Vilma Shu is an editorial consultant for Town&Gown.
