State College cafe has revamped menu, new chef, same ‘special’ vibe for seafood lovers

Maine Bay & Berry Co. has long been a destination for seafood lovers throughout Centre County, providing the area with fresh seafood sourced straight from New England, but the retail space’s cafe recently welcomed a new chef and, with him, a new menu that takes the Downeast Cafe to new heights.

The Downeast Cafe first opened in the fall of 2018, both as a spot to show off all of the fresh ingredients available at Maine Bay & Berry, but also as a means of catering to customers’ requests for prepared foods.

“We said, why don’t we do something that will give people the feel or flair of Maine by replicating it downstairs in a not-so-fancy way?” said Maine Bay & Berry Co. co-founder Shaun Knight. “I think one thing our customers will say is, if you’ve been in Maine and had food by the docks or at a restaurant by the water, a lot of it is never fancy in terms of presentation — it comes in a foam or cardboard container — but the quality and taste is the best you could ever have. That’s what we wanted to replicate.”

So, diners will find that casual atmosphere, as well as a creekside setting, at the Downeast Cafe, paired with brews from Voodoo Brewery, which leases space downstairs. If, though, you stopped into the cafe closer to its opening and haven’t been back this year, you may be (pleasantly) surprised at some of the menu changes. After a nearly yearlong closure during the pandemic, when the cafe opened back up earlier this year, Knight said it was time to “revamp it.”

“It’s a nice growth area for the business,” he said. “We started looking for someone with some chef experience and (Chef Kenny Pridgen) has brought a wealth of change to the menu. We and our customers are thrilled with it. We love what the menu has done for the cafe. It’s been immeasurable. It’s not just the standards anymore. There’s so much that he’s come up with and it’s very creative.”

Chef Pridgen brings with him years of experience working in the culinary industry and at restaurants around the region. He also has experience working in Florida restaurants, so working with ultra-fresh seafood like what Maine Bay & Berry offers is nothing new for him. Now, the cafe’s menu is ever-changing, but the most recent menus can usually be found on the Maine Bay & Berry Facebook page. So far, new crowd favorites include the blackened mahi tacos (Pridgen’s personal favorite menu item) and seafood nachos. The menu has also expanded to include more gluten-free and vegetarian options. However, if you’re looking for some of the staple menu items that the cafe opened up with, like the Maine lobster roll, Knight affirms you’ll still be able to find it.

Beyond the food, though, both men agree it’s the vibe that really sets the Downeast Cafe apart.

“The vibe is what makes it special. ... It’s just a nice blending of different ages and groups, all sitting here next to the creek enjoying a meal,” Knight said. “It’s a special location no one else in State College has and it’s all because of the geography.”

Looking toward the future, Knight said customers can expect to see weekly oyster nights mid-week, featuring higher-end oysters sourced from both Maine and the Pacific. He also hints at some sushi offerings come spring. The cafe is also focusing more on its grab-and-go options this season, as well as catering services.

“What we do is high-end, upscale food in a very casual setting,” Knight said.

Find the latest Downeast Cafe menus and opening days and times at www.facebook.com/mainebb. Maine Bay & Berry is located at 201 Elmood St., State College.

This story was originally published October 14, 2021 at 5:00 AM.