UPDATE: The Old Arcana is now CLOSED.
What initially drew me to The Old Arcana Restaurant was their Bourbon Praline French Toast, which was voted the best by Ohio Magazine. I was also interested in visiting Bear’s Mill in Greenville, so I combined the two for a pleasant morning in Darke County, Ohio. Passing through cornfields and small country towns, my GPS guided me to Arcanum with its red brick streets and charming antique shops.
The beautiful interior was rich with exposed brick walls, dark wood furnishings and simple, yet elegant table settings. The bar is the main attraction displaying the homemade desserts in the glass enclosure at the front, while in the back, servers are ringing up orders and pouring their customer’s beverages.
The menu offered a long list of Southern-style entrees with a few healthy options as well. My eyes were drawn to the sausage gravy and biscuits, three egg omelets with herb roasted potatoes or an order of pancakes and homemade syrup.
Lunch and dinner selections included comfort foods such as the Kentucky Hot Brown and burgers of fresh meat made from brisket. All menu items are made in-house with fresh ingredients purchased from local markets and farmers.
A unique list of starters such as falafel fries, deviled eggs and Reuben rolls, and an excellent selection of salads ranged in price from $6 to $8. While each item looked delicious, I was not swayed away from the Bourbon Praline French Toast.
As Janeen brought my meal to the table, I could smell the sweetness of the bourbon praline sauce and the candied pecans. Coupled with the subtle aroma of cinnamon and homemade whipped cream, I could not wait to dive in. Taking my first bite, I have to admit it tasted more like a dessert than breakfast. This rich cinnamon creation, loaded with pecan goodness, was sinfully delicious.
All desserts at The Old Arcana are made from scratch and the selection changes on a regular basis. Behind the counter, there was the carrot cake bread pudding, devil’s food cake, their signature banana pudding, strawberry tart parfait and their chocolate cake with strawberry icing. The temptation was overwhelming, but having had the decadent French toast, I was going to have to pass and plan for dessert on my next visit.
Janeen mentioned that her brother Jeff Besecker was the owner and successful self-taught chef behind some of the most amazing menu items. Her father was instrumental in the renovations of the restaurant, adding some personal touches such as the bench seating along the wall opposite the bar. The restaurant sells some of her father’s beautifully designed walnut and brown maple cutting boards as well as sycamore rolling pins.
After settling my check, I was determined to return soon for another of the restaurant’s top sellers, the Arcana Hot Brown. The Old Arcana Restaurant ranks high on my list of restaurants in the state of Ohio and is a hidden gem located in the farmlands of Darke County. Of course, the next time, I will definitely save room for dessert.
Have you had the opportunity to dine at The Old Arcana Restaurant? I would love to hear about your experience or to recommend any restaurant items that you have tried if you would kindly leave your comments below! Many thanks for reading about my experience at The Old Arcana Restaurant and wishing you many Happy Travels!
Where to Eat:
The Old Arcana Restaurant
109 W. George Street
Arcanum, OH 45304
Telephone: 937 692 0068
The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and accepts cash only for payment. The Old Arcana Restaurant also offers cooking classes, which are provided on their webpage. In March of 2016, they began a Supper Club to bring like minded foodies together to enjoy a meal in a slow, engaging environment. This is also an opportunity to meet the chef, the staff and “hear their inspiration behind the month’s dish”. Information about becoming a member of the Supper Club is also listed on their website.
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The brick streets of Arcanum and the storefront for The Old Arcana Restaurant
Aprons for Sale at the Old Arcana Restaurant in Arcanum, Ohio
Cigar Box Guitars Available for Purchase at The Old Arcana Restaurant
A list of Bada Bing!’s beers on tap are posted on the chalk board to the right of the checkout station. There is also a generous number of wines and a cooler filled with bottled beers as well.
