Jean Bonnet Tavern

HenryKDuff

Pennsylvania

4.05/5  rDev -6.5%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4 | $$

I try to visit here at least once month but don't always get a chance. This place is really great. The draft beer selection, which changes pretty regularly, usually features products from Victory, DFH, Bell's, Ston. Stoudt's, Erie, East End, Penn, Troeg's, Bar Harbor Blueberry (like a refreshing glass of cold juice on a hot summer day), Marzoni's (local BP) and recently have been carrying Anheiser Busch's seasonal craft beer offering. The atmosphere is terrific, the food is good and the staff is friendly and sometimes knowledgeable.

04-09-2007 18:12:14 | More by HenryKDuff

Kegatron

Pennsylvania

4.06/5  rDev -6.2%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | $$

Located at the intersection of PA-31 and Rt. 30, between Bedford and Shellsville, lies this pre-colonial homestead that while not only acting as a restaurant, bed & breakfast, and gift shop, also has a pretty darn nice tavern upstairs. The tavern's atmosphere is a mix of old and new. Wood rafters and stone walls meld with a modern era bar and other accoutrements to make for a historic yet comfortable vibe. Plus it's pretty cool to sit at the bar and peruse their book on the buildings ghostly history while sipping on a beer.

They have a very nice tap list here with 12 being craft and 5 being macros. We were pleasantly surprised to find that the micro list was a fantastic mix of PA breweries, from the likes of Penn, Erie, Troegs, Lancaster, Victory, Weyerbacher, Yards, and Straub. They also had a few micro bottles, including a 2003 World Wide Stout. Prices seemed fairly reasonable with most pints being $4-5 and the Straub being $2.25. Service from our bartender was fine and although we didn't eat, the food menu looked very good, so that will be something to look forward to on our next visit. This was a really interesting place to check out on the last stop of our recent trip out to Pittsburgh and one that we look forward to visiting again.

02-06-2008 16:52:32 | More by Kegatron

soilguy

Pennsylvania

4.2/5  rDev -3%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 3.5 | food: 4

I have traveled through Bedford at least once a year for the past few years and I cannot beleive that I have never stopped at this gem of a tavern before! The tavern is on the National Register of Historic Places, and was built in the 1760's. It also serves a bed and breakfast. The current owners purchased it about 6 years ago, and I had a chance to talk with one of them during my visit. The appreciation for and dedication to craft brews is readily apparent, and while they don't have a great number of taps like some of the big city bars ( I can't remember the exact number, but I would guess around 12 to 15), they have done an excellent job of putting the best quality products on from regional brewers. With the exception of Guiness, all of the taps were from Mid-Atlantic breweries, and most were from PA breweries. Yards, Troegs, Victory, Erie, Stoudts, and Dogfish Head were all there. I love that philosophy. The atmosphere is what you would expect from an 18th century tavern - rustic and charming with a fire burning in the huge fireplace. The food was fantastic - we had a party of over twenty people and I did not hear one negative comment. My Chicken sandwich was one of the best I'd had in a long time - fresh grilled breast on a delicious roll. The service was top quality - friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable about the beers. I give this Tavern my highest recommendation.

04-02-2005 14:52:33 | More by soilguy

treehugger02010

Pennsylvania

4.2/5  rDev -3%
vibe: 5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4 | food: 4 | $$

I stayed here for a family reunion in Berlin, Pa.
Atmosphere: A great rural atmosphere, both the bar and the inn. Apparently the place is haunted (I had on run in with a ghost, but that's another story).
Quality: Besides the fact that the place looks on the inside like a drunken farmer built it, nothing fell or broke, and it certainly did add to the atmosphere. All said and done, the place was clean and nice.
Service: The wait staff was very nice and the bartender was great. An employee backed into my car while I was drinking (at the bar) and came up to me right away and confessed, very responsible and curtious staff.
Selection: For the area (actually for most bars) they had a great selection. I didn't see many if any of their 10-15 taps having AMC.
Food: The food was awsome, if you hit this palce up, make sure you eat too.
Value: Very reasonable, beers ranged from one at $2.75 up to $12.00, but most were around $4.00 - $5.50.
Don't drink and review.

07-01-2007 23:54:45 | More by treehugger02010

ggaughan

Pennsylvania

4.22/5  rDev -2.5%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4.5 | $$

What a surpise this place was. I have visited a few times over the last 3 years or so as my wife's grandmother lives in Bedford and this is her favorite restaurant. I found out on our first visit that they have a very nice craft beer list and it is mainly PA and regional. We just visited over the weekend and they had a few offerings from Erie, Troeg's, Victory, DFH (including some vintage WWS from 2003 and 2004). The prices are very reasonable as well. The food is alo very good here. They always have good specials that tend to be seafood based but they also have good chicken and beef dishes. Definitely give it a try if you are passing near Bedford in the PA turnpike.

08-31-2006 19:07:00 | More by ggaughan

maltydog

Pennsylvania

4.33/5  rDev 0%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4

A must stop for any craftbrew lover visiting central PA! The atmosphere is right out of colonial times and the beer selection is top notch. The owners try to feature PA microbrews along with other hard to find (at least in this part of PA) offerings like Stone's and Bell's. The service is always friendly and accomodating. The food is hearty and delicious. Check out their website www.jeanbonnettavern.com for an insight into the history of the tavern and a list of food and taps. Give 'em try when you're here in lovely central PA!

03-19-2005 15:55:15 | More by maltydog

Kolsch

Pennsylvania

4.33/5  rDev 0%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4 | $$

Stopped by for lunch and a couple of pints on a Saturday afternoon.

Atmosphere: Old time tavern with lots of wood and colonial décor. Very charming and warming, I could easily enjoy sitting here all afternoon.

Selection is very good. 20 Taps with mostly Micros. Emphasis is heavily from PA, which is a good thing! Troegs, Marzoni's, Victory, Weyerbacher, East End, Erie, Penn and Sly Fox. 2 of the most interesting beers were from Weyerbacher and Marzoni's. The Weyerbacher was one of their one off beers called "Bravo". Very tasty and extremely malty but not sweet at all. More of a dry malt. Marzoni's was an excellent hoppy Saison. I really believe Marzoni's beer is underrated and wish the Restaurant in Pittsburgh did not close.

Service was good. Samples were freely available.

Food was very good and reasonably priced. Had a Bison Burger, cooked just right and pretty tender for Buffalo. My wife had the Oyster sandwich. We both enjoyed our lunches.

Also they sell growlers to go. Price was $3 for the growler. Price of the fill was dependant upon the beer.

I have been here several times and always make the stop when I am passing thru on the PA Pike.

01-18-2009 15:05:07 | More by Kolsch

jockstrappy

Pennsylvania

4.38/5  rDev +1.2%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5 | $$

Located at the intersection of routes 30 and 31 in Bedford, visible from the turnpike. Old colonial atmosphere which is very inviting and warm. Large fireplace that operates in the winter time....very warm, even from a distance. Staff is very friendly, and very knowledgable of the menu. Menu consists of various regional favorites such as crab, and a few different kinds of fish, with great chicken and beef as well....crab cakes kick serious ass!! The beer selection is the main reason I come....usually 14-16 taps, with most of them coming from PA. Typically, they have brews from Troegs, Stoudts, Victory, Yards, Lancaster, East End, Erie, DFH, Marzoni, Penn, and usually one or two from a little farther away, like Bell's, or Stone. Pints are between $3.50 and $4.50, with the BMC stuff at $2.25. Bartenders are very knowledgable about what they're serving, and very friendly. Great place!

08-05-2007 23:52:21 | More by jockstrappy

OneDropSoup

Pennsylvania

4.38/5  rDev +1.2%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4.5 | $$

First of all, nice background. Out in the country, with the pleasant bustle of a few highways around, I love the rural surroundings & open air. It didn't hurt that it was a beautiful September afternoon. Classic stone mansion, I entered through the first floor, a cozy stone dining room with warm lighting & a hearthside kind of feel. A walk upstairs reveals a wood-furnished tavern room with a nice bar & plenty of natural light.

Sitting at the bar, one can see a nice taplist of local offerings. The large majority are from PA, including a house pale ale. Prices are decent & the bartender was a very friendly gal.

After a few pints, the decision was made to adjourn to the second story porch/deck for some dinner. The menu had some pretty tasty offerings, with a surprising amount of seafood for mid-state PA. I got the shrimp & crab scampi, which was very good & well-portioned. Food was a little on the pricy side, but definitely quality &, in my opinion, worth it.

The food was great, & the sun was setting as dinner wrapped up. The porch faces away from the turnpike & it was a peaceful, gorgeous evening for outdoor dining. Service was friendly & helpful, & one more beer rounded out the evening well.

Took a few minutes to browse the gift shop in a detached building, as well as check out some of the history of the tavern itself. This kind of place is definitive mid-state PA: rural backdrop, traveler-centered, proudly displaying its history, both sophisticated & modest with a very welcoming vibe. This is a great destination, I'd love to go back.

EDIT: In the time that I first reviewed this, my wife & I stayed in the B&B & had a great time, were treated with such hospitality, & really loved the experience. I can't wait to do it all over again, what a great place.

09-20-2010 00:32:17 | More by OneDropSoup

lsummers

California

4.39/5  rDev +1.4%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.25 | $$

A amazing historical tavern that dishes out some great craft beer and food. The home like feel and quaint rural setting make this an easy spot to unwind. They have regular weekly tapping of craft beers along with growler fills of any beer on tap. I make this tavern a must visit every time I return to my hometown. Some of their food can be pricey but their craft selection is fairly priced when compared to other parts of the United States. Sure there are cheaper places around, but definitely not as pleasant.

05-12-2013 19:53:55 | More by lsummers