For more than a century, The Alcove has been part of the Mount Vernon, Ohio, dining scene. Located at 116 South Main Street in the heart of downtown, the restaurant combines historic character with modern fine dining and has become one of the area’s well-known destinations for special occasions, date nights, business lunches, and celebrations.
Today, The Alcove is known for seasonal cuisine, scratch-made dishes, an extensive beverage program, private events, and unique experiences such as dinner theater and chef’s table dinners. But the story of The Alcove begins more than 100 years ago with something quite different: an ice cream and candy shop.
From Candyland to The Alcove
The restaurant’s history begins with Fred Surlas and Peter J. Francis.
Surlas immigrated to the United States from Greece when he was 19 years old. After working in Pittsburgh and later moving to Youngstown, he met Francis, a candy and ice cream maker. The two eventually became business partners and opened Candyland in Mount Vernon on December 6, 1911.
Candyland initially focused on sweets and ice cream, but the business gradually expanded as customers began looking for more substantial food.
A fire damaged the original business shortly after it opened, but the partners rebuilt. During the 1920s, the business continued to evolve, eventually adding sandwiches, soups, and salads to its offerings.
The Alcove Room was also introduced during this period, establishing the name that would eventually become synonymous with the restaurant.
A Downtown Mount Vernon Landmark
The current building dates to 1937 and continues to occupy the historic South Main Street location.
Over the decades, The Alcove has evolved along with Mount Vernon. What began as a candy and ice cream shop eventually became a full-service restaurant and one of downtown’s longtime dining landmarks.
The restaurant’s history is still reflected in its atmosphere today. The dining spaces combine traditional architectural details and historic character with a more contemporary approach to dining.
The bar area, affectionately known as “The Library,” is another distinctive part of the restaurant, incorporating vintage books and creating a cozy setting for drinks and conversation.
Fine Dining in Downtown Mount Vernon
Today, The Alcove describes its food as seasonal culinary artistry, with menus built around fresh ingredients and scratch-made preparations.
Executive Chef Jared Driesbach and his culinary team develop menus that incorporate seasonal ingredients and local sourcing. The restaurant says its menus are carefully crafted and updated throughout the year.
The dinner menu includes a selection of steaks and chops, seafood, salads, appetizers, and chef-created entrées.
Depending on the current seasonal menu, guests may find dishes such as filet mignon, ribeye, pork chop, sea bass, trout almondine, salmon, beef gnocchi, and other rotating specialties.
The restaurant also offers sandwiches, salads, soups, and other options that make it possible to enjoy The Alcove for a more casual meal.
A Restaurant for Special Occasions
Because of its atmosphere and full-service dining experience, The Alcove has become a popular place in Mount Vernon for celebrations and special occasions.
Guests can visit for an anniversary, birthday, date night, business dinner, or simply a meal when they want something a little more elevated.
The restaurant also offers private dining and banquet spaces for larger gatherings. Its event services can accommodate occasions such as rehearsal dinners, receptions, corporate events, and other celebrations.
For couples and families planning an event in Mount Vernon, having a historic restaurant with private-event capabilities right in downtown can be a convenient option.
Dinner Theater at The Alcove
One of The Alcove’s more unusual offerings is its dinner theater program.
Several times throughout the year, the restaurant’s banquet spaces are transformed into a theater where guests can enjoy a live two-act production while dining on a multi-course meal.
The combination of food and live entertainment gives The Alcove an experience that is different from a traditional night at a restaurant. The theater program has become one of the restaurant’s signature events and provides another way for residents and visitors to enjoy the downtown destination.
Chef’s Tables and Wine Events
The Alcove also hosts special culinary events throughout the year.
Chef’s Table experiences feature multi-course tasting menus designed around a particular culinary theme, sometimes paired with wines selected specifically for each course.
The restaurant also hosts wine-focused events and other specialty dining experiences. These events give guests an opportunity to experience dishes that may differ from the restaurant’s regular menu while learning more about the food and beverages being served.
Because these experiences are typically limited in capacity, reservations or advance tickets may be required.
Lunch, Dinner, and Happy Hour
The Alcove offers several different ways to experience the restaurant.
Lunch is served Tuesday through Friday, making the restaurant an option for business lunches or a midday meal while exploring downtown Mount Vernon.
Dinner is served Monday through Saturday, and the restaurant also offers happy hour Monday through Saturday from 4 to 5 p.m. Current hours and menus can change, so checking The Alcove’s website before visiting is recommended.
The current dinner menu features everything from appetizers and salads to steaks, seafood, pasta, and other chef-created dishes. Dessert and a selection of wines, cocktails, and other beverages round out the dining experience.
A Restaurant Connected to Mount Vernon’s History
One of the most interesting things about The Alcove is that its story is intertwined with the history of downtown Mount Vernon.
The business has occupied the same general downtown location for more than a century, while its purpose and menu have changed with the community around it.
From Candyland’s ice cream and candy to today’s seasonal fine dining, The Alcove demonstrates how a local business can evolve while maintaining a connection to its past.
That history makes a meal at The Alcove more than just a dining experience. It is also an opportunity to experience one of the longstanding businesses that has helped shape downtown Mount Vernon.
Visit The Alcove in Mount Vernon, Ohio
The Alcove is located at:
116 South Main Street
Mount Vernon, Ohio 43050
The restaurant is within walking distance of many other downtown Mount Vernon businesses and attractions, making it easy to incorporate a meal at The Alcove into a day or evening downtown.
Whether you’re looking for a special-occasion restaurant, a place to enjoy a cocktail, a unique dinner theater experience, or simply a locally established restaurant with a fascinating history, The Alcove offers a distinctive dining experience in the heart of Mount Vernon.
More than 100 years after Candyland first opened its doors, The Alcove continues to be part of the community’s downtown story.