Today, I took a trip to Austria via College Avenue.

Herwig's (Hair-vig's) Austrian Bistro, 132 W. College Ave., "where BACON is an herb," makes Happy Valley even happier.

Willkommen! The sight of this word always reminds me of Cabaret and the kooky character of the Emcee Interestingly enough, Herwig himself sort of plays the part of the restaurant's emcee - without the creepy element. This guy's got enough personality and pizzazz to make you want to stay for two meals. But it's unlikely you'd have room.

If you aren't immediately in love with the owner, Herwig "Brandy" Brandstatter, something is wrong with you. And he'll be happy to tell you something's wrong with you.

This is an awesome dining experience - an adorable atmosphere with funny staff and authentic Austrian cuisine. State College Magazine readers voted it the #1 ethnic restaurant in State College five years in a row.

Herwig and his son, who also works with him, studied at the same culinary institute in Austria, he said.

The menu changes every day based on local ingredients, Brandstatter said, but always serves the staples like wienerschnitzel, "a hand-breaded, lightly pounded cutlet which is pan-fried," according to Herwig's Web site. It is traditionally made from veal but can also be made of pork loin, and I'm pretty sure chicken was also an option today.

They even make their own sausages from scratch - 450 to 600 bratwursts each week, made without fillings or flour, "crumbly but very tasty," Brandstatter said. The food is made fresh each morning.

"Everything is fresh every day. Even if local [produce] is more expensive, it's still worth it," Brandstatter said. "It helps the local economy and is fresher. Then people have more money to spend in here!"

I chose the daily special of curry with tilapia. It had an interesting blend of spices - not as spicy as Indian food but definitely similar. There were bites of tilapia within the curry, so that the bland fish took on the curry's bold flavors. Served with a deliciously dressed salad on the side, the meal was huge for one person - but you risk getting scolded for not cleaning your plate. It's just like home, except here you might be threatened with a huge red stick, and I don't think my mom ever went that far.

The restaurant serves up a "big ass" bowl of soup for ½ price every day between 3 and 5 p.m., Brandstatter said, a popular special for students. The soup is served with fresh local bread.

I will be returning next time I have a sweet tooth for a taste of the Chocolate Bacon Cheesecake. This place is just too interesting to pass up.

(Note: Herwig recently trademarked the line "Where BACON is an herb" for about $750, he said.)

Herwig's opens at 11:45 a.m. Monday through Saturday, and the latest they'll seat customers is 8 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and 9 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.

But if you want to meet Herwig himself, come before 3 p.m.

"I usually leave at 3 'cause I'm brain-dead by then," he said.

If the restaurant runs out of food it closes earlier. To ensure you get what you want call ahead and place your order!

I can't wait to go back.

-Beth

"The more I consume, the more I gotta have it."

India.Arie recently released her fourth album, Testimony: Vol. 2, Love & Politics. Not only does she delve into matters of the heart and societal issues, but India journeys deep into a box of chocolates. Her song "Chocolate High" features Musiq Soulchild and is bound to make you crave a kiss or two from someone you love - in the form of a passionate smooch or a Hershey's morsel.

Warning: this candy's not for kids.

India compares some good old-fashioned lovin' to tasty chocolate treats.

"Tasty like Hershey's and Nestle, you're rich like Godiva boy you're just so sexy."

On her first album, Acoustic Soul, the track "Brown Skin" makes several Hershey's references, including "You make me wanna Hershey's Kiss your licorice" and "I'll be your Almond Joy, you'll be my sugar daddy."

Is India.Arie, who's "not the average girl from your video," secretly working for a big bad candy corporation? Is she a chocolate fiend?

There's more to it than that, and she isn't secretly plugging product placements into her music. India recognizes the sensual side of food and uses it to describe passion and affection for someone.

Chocolate and passion are two things people crave in life. So putting them together is a no-brainer; that's why chocolate is such a popular Valentine's Day gift.

"Your flavor is the sweetest thing in life; I'm addicted to your chocolate high."

Two weeks ago, I decided to call it quits with India, removing her from my daily repertoire. I would listen to her in the morning. I would sometimes listen to her to fall asleep at night. If I was at my computer in the day, I'd pop on her Pandora station. Once I heard her soulful crooning from my computer and I hadn't even turned anything on. When Ruckus was still up and running, I managed to download every possible version of "Brown Skin," and they would all play in a row. I didn't even realize until my roommate intervened; I had gone too far, and it was time to regain control of my life. I love India's music, but I needed to branch out and find new material. Then she burst back into my life with this album, and again I'm addicted to her chocolate references and other meaningful lyrics. At least it's a healthy addiction.

"I be trippin' in so many ways if I
Go a single day without a taste of your love
The finest cuisine of today's world
Five stars, oh you're so gourmet girl."

India, welcome back to my life. It was a rough two weeks without you.

The music video

-Beth

College teaches you a lot of things. Today, I learned I'm not Irish.

After two green-clad celebrations and too many green beers, I'm ready to put the green gear in my closet until next year.

It's a beautiful sunny day, but luckily my struggling self only had to venture a block or so for sustenance to cure my post-holiday ills. Margarita's Pizzeria, 222 W. Beaver Ave., offers pizza, calzones, stromboli, subs, salads and specialties like lasagna and baked ziti. Owner Juan Cruz said everything is popular, and he comes in every morning at 8:30 a.m. to prepare pizza for the day.

I opted for a slice of plain cheese pizza and one with pesto and fresh tomatoes. The plain slice tasted like a bigger version of Chuck E. Cheese's pizza, which I loved as a kid and last enjoyed on a random outing in high school. The pesto slice was fresh-tasting and seems like a healthier choice without the sugars of a rich tomato sauce.

Normally, I'll drain pizza when there's visible grease. But today's grease was the remedy for last night's epic fail: forgetting to follow the liquor-before-beer rule during St. Patrick's Day festivities.

The pizza isn't too thick or too thin, and each bite has that great light crunch from the oven. I still think Faccia Luna Pizzeria, 1229 S. Atherton St., has the best pizza in town, but it's away from campus and doesn't have the warm smiles of Margaret and Juan Cruz greeting you each time you enter.

Margarita's is perfect for a lunch date or early dinner during the week; they close at 8 p.m. and are closed Saturdays.

-Beth

After four years of walking by and trying to sneak a peak, I finally walked into W.C. Clarke's Freshly Roasted Coffees in The Cheese Shoppe, 234 E. Calder Way.

This was a serious outing.

I hadn't been up before 10 a.m. in State College in quite some time, so I bulked up on clothing to fight the 8:30 a.m. chill. Decked out in a thermal tank top (yes it's awesome), a long-sleeve thermal, a hoodie, a long coat and boots, I trekked down to the coffee shop for a fresh-brewed taste of heaven.

My destination was toasty and welcoming. The small, 32 year-old shop is dark inside with wooden walls and friendly folks who lighten it up with cheery chitchat. It also has a huge roaster in the front.

"It's a different kind of place," employee Mary Zuccato (junior-communication arts and sciences) said

I served myself a cup of "Uncle Willie's Blend," a medium roast, and a blueberry muffin.

The price: $1.25 for the smaller sized coffee and $1.50 for the muffin = $2.75 total. Pretty reasonable, eh?

Price I paid: $3.25

Okay, I haven't had a math class since sophomore year. W.C. Clarke's accepts payments on the "honors system," meaning you just leave your cash flow on the counter in the payment pile.

I don't mind; the way I look at it, the 50 extra cents I spent means two less drinks I'll be consuming. (Yes, you can get a drink for a quarter here if you play your cards right. See the Den Tuesday nights for quarter drafts.)

Anyway, the coffee was great, and it was a special blend created by the owner, Bill Clarke, Zuccato said. The muffin was moist and bursting with berries. It was also less greasy than the mass-produced ones at Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts.

Dunkin and Starbucks fiends, be aware: W.C. Clarke's has the best coffee in town at a great price, especially if you're good at adding.

Nine varieties are brewed fresh throughout the day as needed, and separate coffee makers are used for each kind, Zuccato said. Also, with Mary's merry smile and pleasant demeanor in the a.m., the early morning coffee process was less robotic than it is at places like Starbucks. While you can grab your own coffee and go, the staff also makes cappuccinos to order.

The shop also sells cheese, teas and gourmet foods, including a plethora of chocolate varieties and sauces.

Stop in this delightful place between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. for the tastiest java boost in town.

--Beth