Grace

In State College’s dining scene, Grace is best understood as an Italian-inspired fine-dining choice rather than a casual stop. It works when the goal is a more polished meal at $75 per person, with chef/owner Paul Herceg associated with the restaurant and dishes that include Grace Cacio e Pepe, Bolognese Pappardelle, Fruits de Mer seafood platter, Surf & Turf Benedict, Berkshire Pork Belly.

The strongest reason to choose it is the fit between the cuisine and the occasion. State College has many informal dining options, while Grace is positioned for diners who want a more composed Italian-inspired meal. If the night calls for cacio e pepe, pappardelle, seafood, or a richer plate rather than a quick casual dinner, Grace is the more relevant choice.

Italian-leaning fine dining that works better when the night is not rushed

Grace is easiest to recommend to diners who want a deliberate fine-dining meal. The listed dishes point toward comfort with polish: pasta, seafood, pork belly, a Surf & Turf Benedict, all within an Italian-inspired fine-dining frame.

That makes the restaurant a practical pick when the goal is something more formal than a casual dinner but still recognizable in its flavors. The tradeoff is that diners looking for a quick meal or a casual option may find better value in more casual State College dining. Grace makes the most sense when the meal itself is the plan.

Grace has received a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence in 2026. That recognition is a useful trust signal for diners who factor that accolade into a restaurant choice, though the core decision should still come down to whether Italian-inspired fine dining at $75 per person is the right fit for the night.

Smart casual dress and daily service windows

Smart casual dress fits Grace. The restaurant is formal enough to feel intentional, without requiring a more rigid dress code. The useful move is to treat the meal as the main event rather than something to rush through between other plans.

Grace lists morning-to-afternoon hours and dinner hours throughout the week: 7 AM–2 PM daily, with dinner from 5–9 PM Sunday through Thursday and 5–10 PM Friday and Saturday. Those hours make it possible to consider the restaurant during earlier daytime hours or for dinner, but the fine-dining case is clearest when planning a slower evening meal.

For one diner, the case is specific but real: Grace can make sense if the goal is an Italian-inspired meal at a fine-dining price point rather than a quick bite. For a group, it is best considered when the purpose is a polished meal, not a casual drop-in.

How to decide if this is the right State College splurge

Choose Grace if you want Italian-inspired fine dining in State College, are comfortable with a $75-per-person price point, like the sound of dishes such as Grace Cacio e Pepe, Bolognese Pappardelle, Fruits de Mer seafood platter, Surf & Turf Benedict, or Berkshire Pork Belly. Skip it for this occasion if you need a fast, casual, or low-key meal.