The Renovations of the Restaurant and Bar “at the Sutter”

Sweeping changes took place last summer to the restaurant and bar off of the General Sutter Inn’s Colonial-style lobby on the square in historic Lititz. Designed by Beers & Hoffman Architect and constructed by Benchmark Construction, both local firms, the rooms have been vastly renovated and have a clean and contemporary feel with an understated warm caramel and camel color palette. Open panels similar to shadow boxes between the elevated bar and dining room keep things airy but also create distinctive spaces between the two. The look is refreshing, not pretentious.

In the forty seat dining room, starched white tablecloths give way to chic bare-clothed tables that are simply ornamented. Retained are the expansive windows with the original tulip stained glass crowns, that allow light to shine in and visitors to look out over the attractive outdoor patio. A long baguette hugs the opposite wall and adds a bit of sophistication. Three eclectic portraits hang above the banquette in honor of our renowned triumvirate founders of what is now known as Rock Lititz - Gene and Roy Clair (Clair Bros., Clair Audio and Clair Global), Michael Tail (Tait Towers and Tait) and Tom McPhillips (Atomic Design). These portraits will stay up until the first anniversary of the renovations and then each one of the subjects will nominate their successor. 

It does not matter which area you are seated in at the Sutter, the full menu of offerings from the kitchen are the same. Having inventive appetizers, charcuterie, classic pub fare, seasonal salads, bison burgers, and American entrees with a twist, there is still something for everyone.

The tiny bar area has been reinvented the first time in over thirty years having twelve seats at the bar and the space for twenty-six patrons at high top tables. The bar itself was enlarged and shifted west to create a more social and enlivening atmosphere that will engage folks coming in and going out of the summer patio dining area. The mirrored bar back with subtle lighting showcasing some extraordinary bottles features a design as strong as the cocktails. Creative cocktails are abundant focusing on flavor and high quality ingredients. There are unique, varied and interesting signature cocktails, vintage and classic cocktails, Scotch flights, select wines, and whatever you may want at the Sutter bar, where many new and old friends greet, meet and eat. And, speaking of old friends, The Old Friend cocktail is their most popular hand-crafted cocktail. Overholt Straight Rye Whiskey is stirred with Sweet Vermouth, chocolate bitters, and garnished with a flame-charred orange twist. Adding the burning orange at the end presents some excitement at the bar.

All of the great craft beers on an ever rotating tap that are carried by the “Best Beer Bar in the US by USA Today,” the Bull’s Head Public House on the lower level of the hotel, are available at the top bar now which has many more taps than before. Bottle selections and cask conditioned ales from the Bull’s Head will be happily fetched if requested.

Management has introduced a six-bottle wine optimization system whereby the bartenders can serve higher end wines by the glass at the perfect temperature while maintaining freshness, elevating and enhancing their customers wine drinking experience. A one-ounce sample pour and a three-ounce half pour can be ordered if a patron does not want to commit to the six-ounce full pour.

With all of these positive changes, many things remain the same – the friendly, knowledgeable staff who cater to their patrons and treat them as friends and their commitment to hospitality – all of this is, at the Sutter.

General Sutter Inn
14 E. Main Street
Lititz PA 17543
717-626-2115
www.atthesutter.com