Returning students could not help but notice some of the changes to the meal plan that were made for the 2011-2012 academic year. The off-campus additions offered both old favorites and new options.

Some of these changes may have come about because of the addition of Daniel Serafini. He was hired over the summer as the new director of dining services for Chartwells at Iona College.

LaPenta had some of the more obvious changes. The addition of the Moo Bella ice cream machine has been welcomed by students.

Sophomore Eva Renski said, “I really like it. It’s reasonably priced and I like all the options you variety.”

LaPenta has also added other items to the menu. They now serve a larger variety of sandwiches and have added chicken fingers, fries and mozzarella sticks.

One of the other major changes they have made is to add breakfast to the menu. LaPenta now serves breakfast items such as omelets, French toast sticks, breakfast sandwiches and bacon. All-day breakfast was an option at Vitanza Commons last year, but this option has been moved to LaPenta.

Vitanza Commons has also added items to their menu. A sushi bar has been added and is available for lunch, Monday through Friday.

Students with the meal plan may have noticed another change.

The money allotted to on-campus food is currently 950 dollars instead of the previous 900 dollars. Students are happy about this and much less nervous of running out of meal card money before the semester ends.

On-campus dining options are not the only changes, either. Off-campus has had some as well, including three new restaurants that have been added to the meal plan.

Applebee’s and New Roc Cafe are both in downtown New Rochelle. They provide a convenient place for students housed at the Marriott and Avalon a place to eat. They also give students more variety for off campus food and a place to go in downtown New Rochelle.

Applebee’s is a very popular destination for students. While it is expensive when compared to other restaurants that are on the meal plan, Applebee’s gives students a nice sit-down place to eat.

Posto 22, run by the owners of both the Avenue Deli and the Eatery on North, has also been added  to the meal plan. Like the other two new restaurants, it is located in downtown New Rochelle and offers a more up-scale atmosphere and Italian food.

After a semester of being off the meal plan, the Avenue Deli, located just down the street from the Iona residence halls, decided to once again accept the Iona meal card. Fondly referred to as “the Ave” by students, it was welcomed back onto the meal plan with much enthusiasm.

The new variety of options is certain to appease every student.