Red Horse Tavern to Reopen under New Owners

PLEASANT GAP — After a few months of being closed, the Red Horse Tavern will soon see new life.

New owners Chef Victor Visciani and Natalie Valdivia wrote on Facebook that they are excited to bring their take on eclectic homestyle cuisine to Centre County. They plan to open this month.

“Thanks to our past experiences and dedication, we are able to provide you with a vast menu of culinary delights, utilizing the freshest local ingredients to bring you eclectic homestyle dishes that are fresh, hearty and simply unforgettable,” they wrote on the restaurant’s new website.

The restaurant at 104 N. Main St. in Pleasant Gap closed its doors in April when the owner and head chef since 2012, Justin Leiter decided to move to a new opportunity.

Built as a residential house in the 1940s, the building was converted to a bar and restaurant in the 1950s.

In its new iteration, Visciani will bring his 30 years of experience with him. He received his culinary degree from Le Cordon Bleu in Pittsburgh in 2002. After graduating, he worked at several Forbes-rated restaurants under an American Culinary Federation certified master chef; and worked at Les Halles in New York, where Anthony Bourdain worked as the executive chef.

Valdivia earned her master’s in business administration while working in bars, restaurants and catering jobs. After earning her master’s degree, she worked as director of catering and events for a local event facility and restaurant.

The menu features a wide range of lunch, brunch and dinner entrees, ranging from burgers, Cuban sandwiches and brisket grilled cheese to pot roast pierogis, tavern stew and coffee-rubbed ribeyes. The bar will include a selection of unique and traditional cocktails

Red Horse Tavern will offer dine-in and takeout. For updates, check the restaurant’s Facebook and Instagram accounts.

StateCollege.com’s Geoff Rushton contributed to this report.