About The Alcove
From Candyland to Culinary Excellence Since 1911
The remarkable journey from Fred Surlas and Peter Francis's original ice cream and candy shop to Mt. Vernon's premier fine dining destination—over a century of tradition, innovation, and unwavering commitment to exceptional hospitality.
What Drives Our Excellence
From 1911 to today - every aspect of The Alcove experience is guided by our core values and century-old commitment to excellence.
Farm to Table
Building relationships with local farmers to elevate flavor through fresh, seasonal ingredients sourced from weekly farmers markets.
Made from Scratch
Maintaining the 100+ year tradition of preparing every dish from scratch, just as our founders intended.
Educational Excellence
Believing in the educational process, pushing ourselves to the next level with modern plating techniques and creative exploration.
Customer Satisfaction
Our focus remains the same as 100 years ago – exceeding customer expectations and maintaining our long-standing reputation.
1911
The Foundation
Fred Surlas immigrated from Greece at age 19, meeting Peter J. Francis in Youngstown. Together they opened Candyland on December 6, 1911.
1920s-1937
The Evolution
As demand for quality food grew, The Alcove Room was added. By 1937, the present building was constructed.
Today
Century of Excellence
Over 100 years later, The Alcove continues preparing dishes from scratch with unwavering focus on customer satisfaction.
Meet Chef Driesbach
The passion and philosophy behind our kitchen - where farm-to-table meets century-old traditions.
Chef Jared Driesbach
Executive Chef
Chef Driesbach grew up next to his grandparents who were the definition of hard work. His grandfather's massive garden and grandmother's preservation techniques instilled a deep appreciation for farm-to-table cooking from an early age.
After years of culinary training under John Beck and experience with Cameron Mitchell Restaurants, Chef has found his home at The Alcove, where his passion for local ingredients and from-scratch cooking perfectly aligns with our century-old traditions.
A Message From Our Chef
"When you prepare each ingredient with intent and plate with passion, you can taste that in every aspect of the final dish."
Awards & Recognition
Celebrating excellence in cuisine and service - recognized by industry leaders and culinary professionals.