In Oxford, PA: Morning Glories

My good friend Clare is leaving tomorrow evening for a semester in Madrid, so we decided to have a farewell lunch today. Both of living in Oxford, Pennsylvania, our choices for dining establishments are rather limited, but we decided to give Morning Glories on Market Street a try. And actually, I was pleasantly surprised.

They don't have a consistent menu for food; the dry erase board just inside the door is where you'll find the day's selections. I went with the tavern ham and Swiss cheese sandwich on an onion-chive scone, which was deliciously savory and so crumbly that I had to cut it up with a fork after the first bite. Clare opted for a daintier hot sandwich of cheese, pear, and fig spread. Both our dishes came with miniature pretzels, and slices of pineapple and cantelope.

Daily offers also include homemade soups and a variety of hot and cold drinks courtesy of the baristas. There is also a daily dessert, fresh bagels, and an absolutely scrumptious-looking array of scones that nearly had me drooling on the counter. I'll be headed back for a cinnamon raising one.

The decor is probably closest to shabby chic- faded wood tables, wood paneling, and a changing display of local art on the walls. But still, it was cozy, and I nibbled my sandwich and sipped my hot tea in perfect contentment. You place your order at the counter and have a seat. Your drinks and food are brought to you, and you pay at the counter when you leave. A slightly different system than your average cafe, but it works. The place was full, so apparently it's one of the only establishments in Oxford that is doing well. Thank God something is.

We finished off the day with a quick trip to Neuchatel Chocolates. If you are in the area and have never been here, remedy the situation immediately. Their chocolates are made on site and they are to DIE FOR. The truffles are especially delicious, and come in a variety of flavors. The shop also sells chocolates molded into all sorts of fun shapes, from Pennsylvania staples of cows, horses and mushrooms, to music notes, golf clubs, and crosses. Clare was picking up some as gifts for her host family, and she was totally overwhelmed by the selection.

Now if it would only start snowing some of those five inches I was promised, I will be a very happy girl! If not, I'll have to begin a vendetta against these misleading weathermen.