Biz
Age: Newly 30!
Job: College Admissions
Hobbies: Watching TV and movies, living vicariously through others
Phil:
Age: 28
Job: Computer Programmer
Hobbies: Beer brewing and barbecuing
The Restaurants:
Lunch at Iron Hill in Lancaster
781 Harrisburg Ave.
Lancaster, Pa. (717) 291-9800
Breakfast at The Inn and Spa at Intercourse Village (deep in the heart of Amish County)
3542 Old Philadelphia Pike
Intercourse, Pa. (717) 768-2626
First Impressions?
Biz: I need to start by stating that this getaway was a TOTAL surprise! When I got into the car I thought we were headed to my dear friend’s birthday pool party. Therefore, I was wearing a swim-suit, a wrinkled beach cover-up, and 1/2 of a “Best Friends Forever” necklace (other half presumably worn by said friend). Thankfully, Phil had packed for me… two dresses, three bras, two of the most uncomfortable pairs of underwear I own, a t-shirt and shorts, and some PJ’s. He also packed my completely unpacked travel bag of toiletries. This was going to be interesting…
Phil: Orange t-shirt and shorts for me. Swimsuit and orange cover-up for her; she thought she was going to a pool party. I was thinking how great it was she had no idea what was about to go down!
The Date:
Biz: Phil did surprise me with a first stop at Iron Hill in Lancaster! This is one of my favorite restaurants and somewhere we used to go a lot in West Chester at the beginning of “Phiz.” It was a the perfect beginning to a great trip. I had my all-time favorite, their hummus platter!
Phil: Surprise getaway for Biz’s 30th to Intercourse, Pa. I incorporated a stop at Iron Hill in Lancaster, as the Iron Hill in West Chester was a frequent stop when we started dating.
The Restaurant:
Biz: We shared appetizers like, my favorite, the hummus platter. We also got lettuce wraps and sweet potato fries. All of them were delicious. I didn’t feel like having a brew so I had a root beer.
Phil: Iron Hill was excellent, as always. The service was great and had some shared plates. I love their sweet potato fries with the three dipping sauces. I had their Weizenbock beer, good stuff.
The Accommodations:
Biz: The Inn and Spa at Intercourse Village, Stolzfus Suite in the Hay Barn. When we arrived on Sunday for check-in Phil described the Victorian-era main house best: “this place looks like a funeral parlor.” The owner was a nice man whose hair resembled a coonskin cap without the tail. After registering us for our stay he showed us the fridge where we were welcome to grab sodas whenever we wanted, and also commented that there were pretzels and fruit in the front parlor (aka where you wait to view the bodies). I do want to say that our suite (The Stolzfus) was actually perfect for Phil and me, and not connected to the main house! I really liked our room! It had wooden ceilings and a separate sitting room and little kitchen.
Phil: The Inn & Spa at Intercourse Village. We had a suite, the Stolzfus, in the Hay Barn. It was like being in a cottage or perhaps a log cabin. That appeals to me, so I was pleased.
The Breakfast Table:
Biz: I love breakfast! I did not love THIS breakfast. Since there was a $10 fee if you missed the breakfast along with the warning of “breakfast is served at 8:30 sharp!” Phil and I knew to be on time. We beat the people staying in the suite next to us when they stopped to tie their shoes. Rookies. I’d never had breakfast at a Bed and Breakfast, so I had no idea what awaited me. Do people know that when you eat at B&B’s they make you sit with complete strangers!? Phil seemed to think this was normal and not at all awkward. “Hello, I just woke up and have pillow creases on my face and ran past you while you were bent over tying your shoe. Now we will sit together and eat and talk awkwardly.” At least I didn’t have to talk to Phil. Or apparently the mother of our fellow diners, because she only spoke French. Conversation was exactly what you would expect from a Frenchman, his foreign fiance and his 100% French mother. Oh wait, you’ve never had that experience? At breakfast? On your 30th birthday? In Intercouse?
Phil: Apparently, Biz and I had different expectations of breakfast. I fully expected to be seated with other guests and to engage in conversation with them. She was thinking it would be a little more private.
The Food at the Inn:
Biz: Andrea was our server, and I’m pretty sure she’s the same person who had to change the sheets on our bed and replenish the toilet paper in our room. Phil made sure to leave a nice tip in the room. First we had a strawberry muffin that was a bit on the oily side, but the strawberry seemed fresh. The next course was yogurt with fresh fruit and granola on top. This was okay, but very filling. Even the French mother made a comment, which was translated to us as “she says these berries are very big!” For the next course, which was the main, the chef came out and explained that these were pancakes with blueberry syrup and cinnamon honey butter. The pancakes and the homemade syrup were very good and were accompanied by fresh fruit. The next course was cereal and everyone at the table turned that down right away. They finally brought out white chocolate mouse with a strawberry on top, which was pretty good. I can see what they were aiming for, but that was not my definition of a satisfying breakfast (in food or ambiance); not by a long shot.
Phil: Our breakfast was tasty! As someone who usually eats a granola bar at 10 a.m. after ingesting a pot of coffee prior, breakfast seemed huge to me: five courses and I only finished two. We started with a muffin. Then we moved on to yogurt, granola and fruit. This was followed by pancakes with blueberries and an apple cinnamon butter with more fruit. A cereal that I passed on was next. We finished with a white chocolate mousse. It was all very fresh and I enjoyed it.
Conversation and Chemistry:
Biz: I never thought that by going on a surprise birthday getaway with my boyfriend of seven years I’d end up on an awkward first date.
Phil: About none; I can’t see this going anywhere. Kidding, we will at least start talking online. AIM, GoogleTalk, maybe even Skype!
Did you exchange numbers?
Biz: With the three foreigners, no. But I’m thinking about letting Phil sleep in bed with me tonight.
Phil: I paid for her cell phone. Does that count?
Was it a Match?
Biz: Although I may never go back to Intercourse, there’s always Blue Ball and Paradise.
Phil: Confirmed.
Was there a kiss?
Biz: I know the French like the ‘kiss kiss’ on the cheeks, but none was offered. Phil was fairly compensated.
Phil: Just a firm handshake out of respect for the locals.
Will there be a second date?
Biz: My guy pulled off a great surprise that I will be talking about for a long time. I’m lucky that Phil makes everyday feel like a second date!
Phil: Probably not of this caliber for awhile.
How did you leave it?
Biz: As quickly as possible. Didn’t I mention he packed my two most uncomfortable pairs of underwear?
Phil: I was really pushing for horse and buggy, but we decided to just leave in my car.
