trussell

We tried 1741 on the Terrace because I received a coupon from the Hotel Bethlehem for my birthday. You too can get a coupon by going to their site and signing up. It was worth $15 towards an entree. Most entrees are considerably more expensive than this amount.
We went on a Tuesday and the place was fairly empty. The hostess (college student?) took us into the dining room and asked where we would like to sit. There was a table at the front window and I said that looked good, but alas, it wasn’t set with silverware and she asked if we would like to sit at another table. I didn’t see what was so difficult about putting two place settings on this table but we picked another table. Later in the evening someone came in and, having picked that table, asked the hostess to set it for them. Guess you have to push. Seems to be a lacking for a higher priced restaurant.
The waitress was exceptional.
She had about four tables the entire night, as people came and went.
For us we started by ordering a bottle of wine ($45 — white -- likely in the $18 to $22 range if purchased at a store). She brought it and asked if we would like to sit and sip the wine for a bit before ordering. This was very nice.
She came back after a while and we ordered the filet mignon and the smoked slamon. She would stop by every so often to see how things were and to drop off rolls or refill wine.
The food came out and it was well done and presented well.
Vegetables were crisp, food was hot and flavors were not oppressive but they were there and well balanced. The filet was done well, although the slightest bit dry. The salmon was a little crispy on the edges but moist. I enjoyed the differing textures with the salmon. I think the filet was around $35 and the salmon $26. I little high if compared to other restaurants in the area.
We finished the meal with coffee and tea. Regular fare for this part of the meal.
The room itself is very nice. They discovered a tile floor when they took up the carpeting and the tiles are something to examine. Some have various shapes in them. A Bethlehem star is in the center of the floor but was recently (2005) put there. This is the hotel that discovered marble steps when they took up the carpeting on the steps. Th is does give it some character.
The down side would be the giant cob web hanging from the ceiling. The ceiling, unfortunately, is made up of the 1950’s style sound deadening tiles. It would make the room more interesting to have a better ceiling or maybe they would find one there if they took those tiles off.
So --—
food — very good to excellent
service – waitress was great — hostess needs to be educated
prices — a little high

I would go for a special occasion or with the coupon but likely wouldn’t make this a place to visit on a whim.