It's not the kind of place that you'd find on your own, but I'm sure glad that we did. After a long day at the H2O water park my wife and our two small kids (6 and 3) just wanted a good meal. We ambled into Ovalon and were surprised by the nice decor and overly helpful waitstaff. They were quick to accommodate our little one with crayons and coloring books and weren't annoyed when they took apart the flower arrangement and did what little kids do. I ordered the 12 ounce Delmonico steak (medium rare) which was cooked to perfection (with just enough au jus) and rice pilaf. My wife had a salad topped with equally delicious steak. The food was amazing and the staff was polite and wasn't in a hurry to rush us out. We'll be back next time we're in the area.
(4)
K B.
Bad food, no parking, bad location.
(1)
Jennifer G.
I ended up checking this place out on my way across country. I was a little nervous. I wasn't sure what to expect. The restaurant is sort of in the basement and the town isn't the kind of place you would expect to get good food. I was so pleasantly surprised. The waitress recommended any of the specials - she said we couldn't go wrong. My husband and I both got Gorgonzola encrusted veal tenderloins. WOW!!! The best I've had in my life. They came with cheddar mashed potatoes and a veg medley - squash, zucchini, corn, asparagus - so tasty! The meal came with fresh house made bread - thick, amazing slices that if I lived there I'd take them home to make french toast and a fresh salad. The have house made balsamic vinaigrette and it was fantastic. I finished my dinner with a snicker martini that was awesome. On my next trip across country, I am going to make sure to make a stop at this gem!
(5)
Ahmed A.
Probably as good as its going to get in this small town Hazleton. This is a traditional Italian spot in the heart of this town. I came here on a week night and was welcomed as soon as I walked into the door. The bar tender was friendly, fast, and attentive. She recommended the ribeye steak, and boy was I glad that I got it. It was juicy and cooked to order. I ordered a side of pasta with marinera and it came out delicious and fresh, unlike the microwaved pasta you get in most places. I also had the side salad with the balsamic vinigeratte and it was like no other I have ever had (home made). If you are ever in Hazleton, this place is a must. It can be a bit pricey compared to other locations, but definitely worth the value.
(5)
Tom D.
Though it is a hot spot for my colleague - for me it wasn't so hot. I thought that our server was not-s-good really. Very slow and not to attentive - and that's a server who actually knew our colleague - imagine if you were just a stranger dropping in! The prices were slightly high for what I got and though they were able to give me a 6 oz filet instead of the 4 or 8 ounce cut on the menu - someone needs to learn how to cook steak - they did ask though if it was cooked ok and I said it was ok - and they did offer to cook up another one, but with me - you get one chance to get this right - I"m not the type that wants to wait even longer! Parking was on the street too - so not so good. The place was clean inside and that included the restrooms and the peak inside the kitchen I got. The bartender was much better at serving. Everything else was A-OK!
(3)
Cecil H.
Quaint, clean, and friendly. You can take your time and enjoy well made drinks from the bar as you savor well prepared appetizers. Real home made soft breads and good soups. The offerings are worth their prices. Try it out!
(5)
Jocelyn B.
This place looks a little sketchy from the outside. Admittedly, so do many places in Hazleton. I sat at the bar and the service was friendly albeit slow. I had the shrimp and colossal lump crab meat francais. Overall it was ok. The shrimp in this dish are battered and were relatively tasteless as well as the vegetables. The crab however was very good, I was not expecting that. I travel through Hazleton from time to time and I can't say I will return to this place. I definitely prefer Mirakuya.
(3)
Stephen L.
I searched the net and was in Pottsville. Humm I could goto Panevino in Reading or Ovalon in Hazleton which are about the same distance and I decided to try Ovalon. The VO Manhatten was perfect and I asked for a recommendation and Tuna was suggested. Well, a mistake. The tuna was dry, quickly deforsted and around $24 dollars. It was diner quality Tuna and certainly NOT worth the money. It was a one time visit for me. I should have gone to Panevino, the Tuna there is so fresh and prepared to the Chef's temperature, more on the rare side, it melts in your mount and is amazingly fresh. While Ovalon was nice inside the quality was high priced diner food.
(2)
Tim M.
This was a fluke visit. But an amazing one! The service was absolutely excellent. Our server/bartender was extremely pleasant and personable. I ordered a 16oz center cut ribeye. It was cooked perfectly. Seasoned to perfection. Also ordered the pumpkin pie and it was superb. I highly recommend this establishment if you're in the area.
Quite underwhelmed by the overall quality of the food. I took a bit of a departure from the norm with my entree of choice, but did not get close to what I expected. I am willing to give this place another try but will probably take the recommendation from a server.
(2)
V D.
I visited this place on several different occasions and I was never let down. I'm a huge fan of there salads just due to there Balsamic dressing. If your not a fan of a sweet Balsamic then stay clear. Although there Italian dish (red sauce) needs work they are somewhat enjoyable. Will Visit again
The Ovalon is one of the better fine dining locations in the Hazleton area. I found the food and presentation to be satisfactory. The level of service was not on par with their prices. I would expect much greater attention to detail from an establishment that has entrees starting at 20 dollars. Be prepared to park on the street, not fun when it is snowing or raining.
(3)
Lou C.
I decided to go to PA for a three day weekend, and ended up picking Jim Thorpe, PA, nice place, but little if any motel offers "pet" friendly rooms. I ended up staying 14 miles in Hazleton PA. Not really a nice place, it appears to have had better days and so, the Mayor there, who has been in office for more than 6 years really deserves a feather in his cap! (no, really, they need a new mayor!) Anyway, there is a joint that I would recommend - no thanks to that Mayor - and it is Ovalan, located on 252 N Wyoming St Hazleton, PA 18201 (570) 454-0853,. A small, old, well established, Italian restaurant off to a corner of Wyoming and Rte 309 in Hazleton, PA. Try the watermelon, cantaloupe, pear salad! It was dressed with raspberry vinaigrette. The pasta was a bit over cooked, but I should have told them "adente." Next time, I will. But, it was dressed with fresh, robust vegetables. The veal Marsala was very tender and dressed in light brown gravy. The waiter service is very personable and caring and they do NOT RUSH YOU OUT of the restaurant. So, plan an hour or so meal. Drinks are OK, the Wine list a little sparse, but it covers all areas, dry, sweet, desert, night cap, etc. A good place to eat; in fact, I think it is the only good place to eat (read my Damon's review...).
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : No Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Intimate Noise Level : Quiet Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Best Nights : Wed, Thu, Fri Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
JD O.
It's not the kind of place that you'd find on your own, but I'm sure glad that we did. After a long day at the H2O water park my wife and our two small kids (6 and 3) just wanted a good meal. We ambled into Ovalon and were surprised by the nice decor and overly helpful waitstaff. They were quick to accommodate our little one with crayons and coloring books and weren't annoyed when they took apart the flower arrangement and did what little kids do. I ordered the 12 ounce Delmonico steak (medium rare) which was cooked to perfection (with just enough au jus) and rice pilaf. My wife had a salad topped with equally delicious steak. The food was amazing and the staff was polite and wasn't in a hurry to rush us out. We'll be back next time we're in the area.
(4)K B.
Bad food, no parking, bad location.
(1)Jennifer G.
I ended up checking this place out on my way across country. I was a little nervous. I wasn't sure what to expect. The restaurant is sort of in the basement and the town isn't the kind of place you would expect to get good food. I was so pleasantly surprised. The waitress recommended any of the specials - she said we couldn't go wrong. My husband and I both got Gorgonzola encrusted veal tenderloins. WOW!!! The best I've had in my life. They came with cheddar mashed potatoes and a veg medley - squash, zucchini, corn, asparagus - so tasty! The meal came with fresh house made bread - thick, amazing slices that if I lived there I'd take them home to make french toast and a fresh salad. The have house made balsamic vinaigrette and it was fantastic. I finished my dinner with a snicker martini that was awesome. On my next trip across country, I am going to make sure to make a stop at this gem!
(5)Ahmed A.
Probably as good as its going to get in this small town Hazleton. This is a traditional Italian spot in the heart of this town. I came here on a week night and was welcomed as soon as I walked into the door. The bar tender was friendly, fast, and attentive. She recommended the ribeye steak, and boy was I glad that I got it. It was juicy and cooked to order. I ordered a side of pasta with marinera and it came out delicious and fresh, unlike the microwaved pasta you get in most places. I also had the side salad with the balsamic vinigeratte and it was like no other I have ever had (home made). If you are ever in Hazleton, this place is a must. It can be a bit pricey compared to other locations, but definitely worth the value.
(5)Tom D.
Though it is a hot spot for my colleague - for me it wasn't so hot. I thought that our server was not-s-good really. Very slow and not to attentive - and that's a server who actually knew our colleague - imagine if you were just a stranger dropping in! The prices were slightly high for what I got and though they were able to give me a 6 oz filet instead of the 4 or 8 ounce cut on the menu - someone needs to learn how to cook steak - they did ask though if it was cooked ok and I said it was ok - and they did offer to cook up another one, but with me - you get one chance to get this right - I"m not the type that wants to wait even longer! Parking was on the street too - so not so good. The place was clean inside and that included the restrooms and the peak inside the kitchen I got. The bartender was much better at serving. Everything else was A-OK!
(3)Cecil H.
Quaint, clean, and friendly. You can take your time and enjoy well made drinks from the bar as you savor well prepared appetizers. Real home made soft breads and good soups. The offerings are worth their prices. Try it out!
(5)Jocelyn B.
This place looks a little sketchy from the outside. Admittedly, so do many places in Hazleton. I sat at the bar and the service was friendly albeit slow. I had the shrimp and colossal lump crab meat francais. Overall it was ok. The shrimp in this dish are battered and were relatively tasteless as well as the vegetables. The crab however was very good, I was not expecting that. I travel through Hazleton from time to time and I can't say I will return to this place. I definitely prefer Mirakuya.
(3)Stephen L.
I searched the net and was in Pottsville. Humm I could goto Panevino in Reading or Ovalon in Hazleton which are about the same distance and I decided to try Ovalon. The VO Manhatten was perfect and I asked for a recommendation and Tuna was suggested. Well, a mistake. The tuna was dry, quickly deforsted and around $24 dollars. It was diner quality Tuna and certainly NOT worth the money. It was a one time visit for me. I should have gone to Panevino, the Tuna there is so fresh and prepared to the Chef's temperature, more on the rare side, it melts in your mount and is amazingly fresh. While Ovalon was nice inside the quality was high priced diner food.
(2)Tim M.
This was a fluke visit. But an amazing one! The service was absolutely excellent. Our server/bartender was extremely pleasant and personable. I ordered a 16oz center cut ribeye. It was cooked perfectly. Seasoned to perfection. Also ordered the pumpkin pie and it was superb. I highly recommend this establishment if you're in the area.
(5)Akash J.
Traveling through the area, came to this restaurant based on favorable yelp reviews. Believe the hype: Ovalon delivers solid, hearty American classics in a snazzy retro setting. Don't be put off by the exterior or entrance--inside the restaurant is stylish, well lit and comfortable. Everything my party ordered was great: started with broccoli soup (not from freezer or can), mains were very good salmon and veal and outstanding steak and crab dishes. A good steak requires more than putting a hunk of meat on the heat for a couple of minutes--my Delmonico steak had a delicious brown crust and a juicy pink interior. (Take note, Outback and Longhorn, this is what a medium steak is supposed to be.) Vegetable sides were fresh and well seasoned. Desserts were peanut butter pie (!) and creme brûlée, both fabulous. Service was friendly and prompt. Complaints? Could be a bit cheaper. But the food was so satisfying all around that I really can't say anything bad. Locals should come here for a nice night out. Travelers should make it a point to stop in (especially considering lack of other top notch options in town).
(5)Matthew M.
Quite underwhelmed by the overall quality of the food. I took a bit of a departure from the norm with my entree of choice, but did not get close to what I expected. I am willing to give this place another try but will probably take the recommendation from a server.
(2)V D.
I visited this place on several different occasions and I was never let down. I'm a huge fan of there salads just due to there Balsamic dressing. If your not a fan of a sweet Balsamic then stay clear. Although there Italian dish (red sauce) needs work they are somewhat enjoyable. Will Visit again
(4)Lovedabu B.
I'm a real picky eater, not many choices for me here but my friend told me about the lumps of chunky crab meat sautéed in butter, I ordered it and loved it...I ordered steamed veggies and my friend ordered the homemade potato chips, I ate her chips and ordered another for me... if you eat bread this is the place it's made fresh daily... We brought our own wine cause we are picky with our wine as well...
(5)G M.
The Ovalon is one of the better fine dining locations in the Hazleton area. I found the food and presentation to be satisfactory. The level of service was not on par with their prices. I would expect much greater attention to detail from an establishment that has entrees starting at 20 dollars. Be prepared to park on the street, not fun when it is snowing or raining.
(3)Lou C.
I decided to go to PA for a three day weekend, and ended up picking Jim Thorpe, PA, nice place, but little if any motel offers "pet" friendly rooms. I ended up staying 14 miles in Hazleton PA. Not really a nice place, it appears to have had better days and so, the Mayor there, who has been in office for more than 6 years really deserves a feather in his cap! (no, really, they need a new mayor!) Anyway, there is a joint that I would recommend - no thanks to that Mayor - and it is Ovalan, located on 252 N Wyoming St Hazleton, PA 18201 (570) 454-0853,. A small, old, well established, Italian restaurant off to a corner of Wyoming and Rte 309 in Hazleton, PA. Try the watermelon, cantaloupe, pear salad! It was dressed with raspberry vinaigrette. The pasta was a bit over cooked, but I should have told them "adente." Next time, I will. But, it was dressed with fresh, robust vegetables. The veal Marsala was very tender and dressed in light brown gravy. The waiter service is very personable and caring and they do NOT RUSH YOU OUT of the restaurant. So, plan an hour or so meal. Drinks are OK, the Wine list a little sparse, but it covers all areas, dry, sweet, desert, night cap, etc. A good place to eat; in fact, I think it is the only good place to eat (read my Damon's review...).
(4)