It seems that people are just plain scared of the Collier House.
It took this reporter three years to finally step foot in there, and I don’t personally know anyone else who has. I imagine there are many who walk by the beautiful and historic yet ominous old house in the middle of campus and wonder what it even is. I bet they wonder whether it is open to the public and whether people can actually eat there.
Well yes, people can eat there, and, in fact, they do it every day. And although the Collier House doesn’t attract a lot of students — I was the only person under age 30 when I had lunch there Tuesday afternoon — it is open to them every day for lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Once you get past your fear of the Collier House, you’ll be glad you did. It may feel at first as if you’re walking into someone’s house (University presidents from 1900-1941 resided there), but the friendly staff will quickly put you at ease.
Just reopened after a nine-month hiatus, the Collier House offers a variety of beautifully prepared gourmet-style continental dishes, including pastas, salads, sandwiches and various entrees, vegetarian included. The prices are higher than most places on campus (ranging from $4.50-$10.50), but the food, the elegant, fine-dining atmosphere and the change of pace make it worth the extra couple of dollars.
For $7.50, I had a delicious five-cheese ravioli, served with a choice of basil pesto and pine nuts or garlic burgundy marinara. I chose the spicy marinara. Also included with the meal were a choice of soup or salad, bread and a fresh vegetable. With no limit to the soup, salad or bread, any lunchtime hunger can be satisfied.
For a lighter meal that is easier on the wallet, the buffet lunch is a good choice. For $4.50 you can help yourself to two soups, a green salad, a salad du jour (it was a creamy pasta salad on Tuesday), a fruit salad and bread. Tuesday’s soups were a thick chicken noodle and a spicy, vegetable-laden minestrone.
The Collier House offers an alternative to the everyday campus eateries (Hammy’s, Sam’s on Campus, etc.)
It’s an elegant restaurant, serving classy, flavorful dishes from the heart of campus, and is a great place to break the monotony of lunchtime or impress a lunch date.