There are some things a frog knows and other things that enter into the realm of the unknown. Recently, I visited Puccini Restaurant in Cumberland, Maryland and was surprised to find out that it just might be haunted! If you’re into that stuff, you have to wonder why it wouldn’t be. The beautiful building that houses the restaurant was built in 1819, and during the Civil War it served as a makeshift hospital for both union and confederate soldiers!
Do you believe in ghosts?
I loved this window!
Whoever built the house didn’t believe in wide open spaces. There are several small, pleasant dining rooms throughout the building that make for a cozy culinary experience, but I was attracted to the staircase that leads up to the fourth floor.
In one of the back rooms, there is an old drawing on the wall that was done by one of the soldiers as he recuperated from his injuries. As elegant as the building may be, it does have a certain feel to it–if you know what I mean.
Paranormal investigator Joe Iannetta of the City Lights Paranormal Society in Easton, Pa. recorded two Electronic Voice Phenomena (EVP) during an overnight stay. Reluctantly, I read a newspaper article at the desk which stated that he believes the restaurant to be haunted. If frogs had teeth, mine would have been chattering! But that’s enough of the unknown! I’d like to tell you what I do know about Puccini!
This house served as a hospital during the Civil War!
The restaurant specializes in pizza cooked over a wood fire, and it is nothing less than delicious! My traveling companions (Tom & Candee) can also vouch for the tempting S.P.O. (sausage, peppers, and onions) appetizer, the portabella mushroom sandwich, and the marinated vegetables.
I, however, have a bit of a sweet tooth and would highly recommend saving a little room for the bee sting cake! It’s a moist, elegant yellow cake topped with a thick custard icing and crushed walnuts. Does it get any better than that?
In all, I give Puccini Restaurant the Polly #5 seal of approval and a four-ribbit rating. It’s true that they didn’t offer flies and aquatic insects, but a frog’s diet wouldn’t jibe well with most humans. It doesn’t really matter if you come for the pizza or the ghosts, but I would certainly suggest a visit to the restaurant the next time you’re in Cumberland.
It was so good, we had to go back! And this time we took pictures of the food! Pictured: Tomato and Mozzarella Salad, Mixed Vegetables, and Spaghetti with Meatballs.
Have you ever heard of Blueberry Pizza? It's delish!
I'm standing right next to history!
Tags: Polly 5
February 22nd, 2011 at 6:50 am
You don’t really believe in ghosts, do you?
February 22nd, 2011 at 12:31 pm
i would be scared if i ate lunch in a haunted restaurant.
February 22nd, 2011 at 6:25 pm
Berry J.,
I’m a frog and I typed up this post. Anything is possible.
Polly #5
February 22nd, 2011 at 6:43 pm
lms,
It’s a good thing the ghost didn’t try to eat my bee sting cake! I’m really feisty for being a frog.
Polly #5
February 23rd, 2011 at 7:27 pm
Did somebody say pizza?! You’re not jazzin’ me about the ghosts, are you?
February 24th, 2011 at 1:17 am
There’s a review of the restaurant on YouTube…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6-gJh1emOA
It sounds like a good place to eat!
February 24th, 2011 at 4:11 pm
That’s not haunted.
February 24th, 2011 at 7:18 pm
Al,
There’s nothing wrong with a little healthy skepticism, and I honor your opinion. Thanks for the great comment! I hope Jazzy Jeff reads what you’ve said. It sounds like he might believe in ghosts.
Polly #5
February 24th, 2011 at 10:26 pm
Hank,
Good stuff. The guy gave the restaurant a 4.2, but I’d actually go a little bit higher. He definitely got the atmosphere part correct. It’s a great old building.
Polly #5
March 1st, 2011 at 10:50 pm
I like your pictures, but I would be even more impressed with a look at the pizza and the cake. Do you think you’ll go back to the restaurant anytime soon? SHOW ME THE PIZZA!
March 4th, 2011 at 9:29 pm
Pizza Fan,
Sorry. I’m ashamed to admit that I ate the cake before anybody could snap a picture. The restaurant is only about an hour away, so we should get some food pictures in at some point.
Polly #5
March 7th, 2011 at 5:48 pm
I’m very impressed with the presentation of the tomato and mozzarella salad.
March 8th, 2011 at 12:10 pm
Did Polly eat all of her food? Did you like the food?
Was Polly scared? Did she see a ghost? Were you scared? We wouldn’t be scared. We would like the food. We would like to try the pizza. We like the pictures.
Jonathan & Thomas (Mrs. Schneider’s students)
March 8th, 2011 at 5:22 pm
J & T,
I’ve been to the restaurant twice now, and there’s no reason to be afraid. A REAL ghost hunter spent the night there and may have recorded some voices. I think some of the employees have heard footsteps on occasion, but from what I’ve read, nobody has actually seen a ghost. Lots of people go there, and nobody seems to be worried about ghosts.
As far as the food is concerned, Puccini is one of the better restaurants that I’ve eaten in lately. The portions are pretty big, but I did manage to finish and have dessert! The prices are reasonable, and the atmosphere is pretty casual. I think you’d like it!
Polly #5
March 29th, 2011 at 8:54 pm
I like the looks of the salad, but isn’t there an “e” on the end of “tomatoe”? I know there’s an e on the end of potatoe. P-O-T-A-T-O-E
April 26th, 2011 at 11:11 am
Thanks for answering our questions. Mrs. Schneider is mad at me because I kept asking questions about spelling words.
April 27th, 2011 at 9:00 pm
Jonathan and Thomas,
Don’t feel bad. I’m a horrible speller, but I make up for it by being really jazzy!
Signed,
Jazzy Jeff
May 17th, 2011 at 12:48 pm
Dear Polly #5,
Were there any ghosts at the haunted restaurant? Were you a little scared? Did you wet your pants? We’re asking this because we see that you are not wearing pants anymore. Did you sleep there? That must have been creepy! Mrs. Schneider told us that you went up into the attic. Were there any lights on? Did the lights flicker on and off?
From,
Mrs. Campbell’s Charming Class
P.S. You’re freaking us out!
May 19th, 2011 at 6:29 am
Dear Mrs. Campbell’s Class,
I didn’t see a ghost when I was there. I must admit, that I was a little nervous when we went up into the attic, but I didn’t wet my pants! (I promise!) The lights didn’t flicker when we were up there either, in fact, we didn’t see or hear anything that would make us believe that the restaurant was haunted. I definitely don’t want to sleep there, because the waitress told us that she heard sounds behind her when she was alone in the restaurant one night. Now that’s creepy!
Love,
Polly #5
P.S. You really ARE a charming class!
November 21st, 2011 at 9:11 pm
Frightening!!!!
December 9th, 2011 at 1:42 pm
Yes, I believe in ghosts!
December 9th, 2011 at 1:45 pm
Was the food good?
December 9th, 2011 at 1:47 pm
I like scary stuff! Thanks for the fun post!
December 9th, 2011 at 7:35 pm
Yes,I do believe in ghosts. Was the blueberry pizza good? P.S. I liked the window piece.
December 10th, 2011 at 10:28 pm
Hello Bunker Hill Elementary students,
The food at Puccini is really good. I liked the blueberry pizza, but some of the other desserts are better, the bee sting cake in particular. I’m not sure if I believe in ghosts or not. I do know that strange things happen to most people (and frogs) from time-to time, but there’s usually an explanation. I guess I’m a little bit skeptical!