Susqueats - Restaurants of the Susquehanna Valley

Stoney Creek Inn

noreply@blogger.com (Tom Wenger) — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 12:00:00 +0000

Located just north of Harrisburg in the sleepy town of Dauphin lies an unexpected treasure known as the Stoney Creek Inn. The restaurant lends its name from the Stoney Creek which runs along the perimeter of the property. The owners of the Stoney Creek Inn took full advantage of the view by building a large deck that feels like it is almost on top of the creek and has an amazing view of the waterfall that is just upstream. While enjoying dinner or drinks you can see egrets bathe as fish jump in the placid water above the dam while the soothing sound of falling water completes the scene. It is quite a relaxing atmosphere indeed.

A large selection of appetizers will get you started. Many (but not all) of the appetizers, appropriately enough, come from the waters. Here Mushroom Caps Stuffed with Crabmeat and Sea Scallops Wrapped in Bacon serve as two examples.

While many of the region's restaurants have owners with Greek-American descent, few embrace their Greek epicurean heritage quite as strongly as the owners of the Stoney Creek Inn. The Octopus Salad pictured here with fresh tomatoes, onions, cucumber and olives just screams Mediterranean. Other Greek appetizer selections include Stuffed Grape Leaves, Saganaki, Greek Spinach and Cheese Pie, and Bruschetta Caprese a la Stoney.

If you prefer something a little more traditionally American that won't be a problem at the Stoney Creek Inn as the menu has plenty of standard options throughout.

This Classic Chef Salad is simple yet elegantly presented and is surely filling.

For lunch a selection of sandwiches are available such as this Crab Cake Sandwich.

The daily specials are worth a read, as that is where this Pork Filettino was found. Seasoned pork is seared on the grill then served over a bed of fresh mixed vegetables with a rosemary spear.

Among a selection of Veal Specialties including Veal Ossobucco, Veal Marsala, Veal and Shrimp Piccata and Veal Parmigiana is this Veal Oscar.

These sautéed veal medallions are served over asparagus, and topped with jumbo lump crab meat in a white wine sauce.

A selection of seafood includes these Broiled Crab Cakes. These are two large crab cakes of Stoney Creek's own super lump and jumbo lump blend broiled to perfection.

Keeping with the crab theme is this Stuffed Flounder. This is fresh filets of flounder stuffed with lump and backfin crab meat.

While found in the seafood section, this Seafood Mediterranean would be equally welcomed in the Moussaka and Pasta section of the menu. This is mussels, scallops, jumbo shrimp and lobster pieces sautéed in extra virgin olive oil in a light tomato sauce with Kalamata olives, onions, spices, fresh garlic and imported feta cheese, served over your choice of pasta.

And if we piqued your interest, Moussaka is a Greek specialty casserole consisting of layers of sautéed eggplant, meat sauces, spices, onions, fresh garlic, fresh tomatoes, basil, imported wine and topped with Bechamel Sauce.

All of the steaks and chops are thick-cut in-house. Here chef Nick Kolivras slices off a Porterhouse.

A selection of steaks is offered including Prime Rib, Delmonico, N.Y. Strip, Filet Mignon, T-Bone and Porterhouse. Pork Chops like the ones pictured here are offered either two or three at a time. They also offer Lamb Chops and a Baby Lamb Rack. Rounding out the meat selection is a Souvlaki (Greek Shish Kabob) which is pork medallions marinated in their own special spice mix, grilled and served over rice with Tzatziki sauce and a Greek salad with feta cheese.

If you can't decide whether to go with steak or seafood, the Surf and Turf is always an available alternative. Here an 8oz. Lobster Tail is accompanied by an 8oz. Filet Mignon.

For dessert try the Amaretto Torte. It is not made in house, but rather brought in from New York City. Fluffy cake and amaretto creme offer your meal a light but satisfying finish.

Stoney Creek Inn
150 Erie Street
Dauphin, PA

717-921-8056

Sweet Willows Creamery

noreply@blogger.com (Tom Wenger) — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 00:43:00 +0000

"Because no one is ever unhappy when ordering ice cream." If you ask the owner of Sweet Willows Creamery Brent Lebouitz why he opened an ice cream store that is likely what he will tell you. It becomes quickly evident the passion that Brent has for his business, ice cream, and making people smile.

The inside of Sweet Willows Creamery is whimsically decorated with children in mind. Fun house mirrors, old time candy and coloring pages keep the kids smiling. In fact, after ordering children are often given a token to put in a slot. Once deposited it usually takes a few moments for them to realize that they have sent an overhead train into motion.

The ice cream at Sweet Willows is all made on-site from fresh, unique, quality ingredients.

After making the ice cream base on-site Brent blends in the ingredients that make Sweet Willows' ice cream so special. The selection changes daily with an ever-varying array of creative flavors such as Best Chillin Nilla Batter (cake batter and nilla wafers), Morning After (cappuccino and coffee cake) or Pumpkin Red Raspberry Swirl.

Here Brent fills a quart of Vanilla Peanut Butter Swirl with Chocolate Chunk that he had just finished making.

In addition to the ice cream flavors Sweet Willow also offers Frozen Yogurt, No Sugar Added Ice Cream, Sherbet and Sorbets.

Sweet Willows also offers a variety of specialty ice cream treats such as Sundaes, Banana Splits, Shakes and Malts, Belgian Waffles, a selection of toppings and their one and only Willownator.

The Willownator is six scoops of ice cream, toppings, a whole banana, chocolate and rainbow jimmies, and peanuts. If you can finish the Willownator on site, without help you get to have your picture added to the Willownator Hall of Fame.

Not quite ready for the Willownator, this guy simply opts for a scoop of vanilla on a cone.

Sweet Willows Creamery's selection isn't limited to merely ice cream. Their Sandwich Shoppe menu offers a variety of choices.

Pictured here is a Hawaiian Ham and Swiss Melt (Ham and Melted Swiss Cheese with Pineapple on a hot pretzel roll).

For a different spin on Bar-B-Que you can try Brent's Big Bad BBQ Panini which is seasoned rare roast beef, BBQ sauce, onions and provolone that is sealed with a hot panini.

Each day Sweet Willows features a homemade soup of the day (which is shown on their website's calendar) and has cup of soup and half sandwich specials.

Pictured here is a Ham and Cheese Croissant: ham, provolone, lettuce, tomato, mayo, honey mustard on a toasted croissant.

There is also a selection of wraps like this Ranch Turkey Wrap which is smoked turkey, shredded cheddar cheese, lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes and ranch dressing on a tomato wrap.

But regardless, at Sweet Willows Creamery, it is still all about the ice cream and the smiles. With as many interesting choices as Sweet Willow offers, it may be hard not to share.

And if you are having a hard time getting to Sweet Willows, you can bring Sweet Willows to you with their Willow Ship. The Willow Ship is an ice cream parlor on wheels that can come to your party or corporate event. Check out their website for more details.

Sweet Willows Creamery
2812 East Prospect Rd
York, PA 17402

717-718-9219

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The Cellar - a BYOB Restaurant

noreply@blogger.com (Tom Wenger) — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 12:27:00 +0000

Among Harrisburg's selection of Bring-Your-Own restaurants on the West Shore is The Cellar - A BYOB Restaurant. The Cellar's menu showcases locally produced ingredients grown by neighbors who respect artisanal techniques and sustainable practices.

The Cellar adds an extra convenience to those patrons who would like to keep wine on premises. For a nominal cost they offer lockers for their patrons to store a supply of wine (or other libation) to be easily accessed when they come in to dine.

A large group table is setup inside the "cellar" and is often requested by patrons.

The menu at The Cellar changes seasonally.

Here is a fresh Mango-Papaya Salad made from mango, green papaya, crisp tofu, red onions, Thai basil, peanuts, butter lettuce and lime chili dressing.

For the lunch crowd The Cellar offers a variety of sandwiches and wraps. Some unique options include a Bleu Chicken (breaded chicken breast stuffed with prosciutto & gruyere served with pesto aioli on grilled ciabatta) or the BBQ Chicken Burrito (local chicken with pico de gallo, Spanish rice, black beans, pepper jack, sour cream and sauteed onions and peppers).

Additionally they offer a 1/2 Sandwich and Cup of Soup special. With this you can choose from a BLT, Napa Chicken Salad, Turkey Club, Triple Grilled Cheese or The Cellar Reuben pictured here.

This Heirloom Tomato Soup is their specialty soup that can be paired with the 1/2 Sandwich, or select from one of the soup of the days.

Other starters include choices such as Fried Halloumi Cheese, Trio of Legumes or Wild Mushroom Duxelles and Mozzarella Bruschetta.

Entrees feature a variety of daily specials as well as about an equal selection of land and sea features.

Here the Roasted Lamb Rack is accompanied by avocado and mint chutney, young radishes and Yukon Gold potatoes.

Other entrees include the Cellar Macaroni & Cheese (lobster, jumbo lump crab, gruyere, farmer's cheese, noble cave aged cheddar and panko crust) Beef Tenderloin Napoleon (grass fed beef, portobello-tomato confit, chevre and roasted leek demi glace) and Day Boat Cod End Papillote (olive tapenade, balsamic tomato salad and opal basil risotto).

The Cioppino is a treat for the seafood lover consisting of dungeness crab, littleneck clam, shrimp, scallops, calamari, PEI mussels, roasted tomato, saffron fettuccine with grilled asiago crostini.

For a light but satisfying dessert this Warm Chocolate Fondant with White Chocolate Creme Anglaise is an excellent way to wrap up your meal.

The Cellar - A BYOB Restaurant
433 North 21st Street
Camp Hill, PA 17011

717-724-2803

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Spice Restaurant

noreply@blogger.com (Tom Wenger) — Thu, 28 May 2009 12:00:00 +0000

Located on the corner of 2nd and Locust at the virtual epicenter of Harrisburg's restaurant row is the trendy Spice Restaurant.

Executive Chef Jeffrey Utzman has gotten around before planting his feet in Harrisburg. His credits include being the personal chef for none other than Mr. "Sweatin' to the Oldies" himself, Richard Simmons, the Executive Chef for the US Olympic Team, and working on the catering staff for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Now he's whipping up his eclectic and unique creations for the patrons along restaurant row.

These plates consist of a number of creatively designed and named dishes throughout the menu. Appetizers include choices like What's Up Ginger, a sesame coated Ahi Tuna, pan seared and served with wasabi, ginger & soy sauce garnished with seaweed salad. Bleu Chip Stock is Sweet Maui chips topped with crumbled bleu cheese and oven melted, and the Mozzarella Tower pictured here is red and yellow tomatoes stacked in layers with Buffalo mozzarella cheese topped with fresh basil and balsamic reduction with imported olive oil. Standard bar fare is also available, and along with most all of the appetizers is available at half off during happy hour each weekday.

Not to be outdone, the salads also offer creative presentations. With eighteen salad and wrap offerings there is plenty to choose from.

Their Signature Surf & Turf Salad is half a head of romaine rubbed with "Spices" and touched with fire, topped with juicy filet tips and char grilled fire shrimp, zested with Spice's own key lime Caesar & Asiago cheese.

The Green Light - Red Light Salad is fresh cut romaine lettuce, tossed with fresh strawberries, pistachios and a bleu cheese crumbled dressing.

Other salads that you may want to at least slow down for include selections like the Sunburst Salad which is fresh grilled chicken breast topped with a Mandarin orange glazed coating, served on a bed of mixed greens, fresh vegetables and candied coated walnuts with a mandarin orange ginger dressing. Or the Crabacado Salad which is Jumbo lump crab meat and fresh avocados topped with fresh tomatoes & mixed greens zested with fresh mozzarella in a key lime cilantro champagne vinaigrette.

Entrees offer a wide selection of pastas, meats, seafood, burgers and traditional favorites.

Sizzlin' Filet Tips leave no doubt where their name came from. They consist of tender filet tips pan seared and served sizzling hot with peppers, onions and mushrooms.

Drunken Sailors is a trio of seagoing favorites. Shrimp, scallops & crab are drunk with Chardonnay wine for this entree then topped with lemon and butter.

The Fallen Angel is one of Chef Utzman's specialties. In this dish shrimp, scallop, crab, and lobster are flamed with Grand Marnier and garnished with fresh berries and tossed over angel hair pasta.

Chicken Chesapeake is grilled chicken breast topped with crab cake and asparagus and zested with a Chesapeake remoulade.

Margarita Shrimp includes sauteed jumbo shrimp flamed in tequila tossed over linguine in a garlic herb triples sec butter sauce.

The Signature Filet Mignon is a center cut filet rubbed with "Spices" cooked on an open flame to your liking. Here it is paired with a crab cake.

Spice's Land & Sea is a classical Surf & Turf with filet medallions rubbed with "Spices" and char-grilled paired with a succulent Maine lobster tail splashed with wine & butter.

A true Spice favorite is Spice's Signature Paella. This dinner for two is a potpourri of clams, mussels, sausage, chicken, shrimp and calamari, all served in a classical sophrito over saffron rice.
Spice's open air atmosphere gives it that summertime South Beach feel. And a dance floor keeps the party going late night.

Spice Restaurant
2nd and Locust Streets
Harrisburg, PA 17101

717-441-1556

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Lancaster Brewing Company

noreply@blogger.com (Tom Wenger) — Fri, 08 May 2009 11:00:00 +0000

Believe it or not, at one point Lancaster was responsible for 7% of all beer produced in the United States. While none of these old breweries are around today, Lancaster Brewing Company pays homage this rich history by producing around a dozen and a half styles of beer. Of these four are flagship brews that can be found in cases at various beer distributors, four more are available year round in the brewery, and the remaining beers are on rotation at the brewery seasonally.

Lancaster Brewery is housed in an old tobacco warehouse and the bar and dining areas feature views of the beer fermentation tanks.

In addition to their selection of beers, Lancaster Brewing Company has a full restaurant offering lunch and dinner selections. There are a number of your favorite sandwich selections and burgers. Pictured here is a Rueben with French Fries and complimented by a Milk Stout.

Here a Veggie Wrap offers a healthy flavorful alternative for the vegetarians in your group. This consists of roasted garlic hummus, crispy tofu, roasted red peppers, spinach, and sprouts served with pepper aioli.

In addition to the sandwiches an assortment of hand tossed pizzas is available for both lunch and dinner. Pizza selections include BBQ Chicken, White Pizza, Walnut Street, Margherita, Portabella & Gorgonzola and Smoked Gouda & Carmelized Onion.

Entrees definitely represent a selection that will be well complimented by beer. Whether it is the Fish and Chips, Cowboy Cut Pork Chops, Kobe London Broil or this order of Babyback Ribs you will certainly be able to find the perfect Lancaster Brewing Company beer to wash it down. Pictured here with the Babybacks is their famous Hop Hog.

Other entree selections include this Brewery Meatloaf as well as Crab Cakes, Salmon Satimbocca, Hickory Smoked 1/2 Chicken and more.

If you were just stopping in for a beer and some bar food, they have you covered with their appetizer selection which includes favorites like Brewery Wings, Nachos, Quesadillas and Ale Battered Onion Rings, but also features some unique selections like Mac Nut Ahi Tuna, Smoke Salmon Wontons and Drunken Mussels.

Lancaster Brewing Company
302 N. Plum Street
Lancaster, PA 17602

717-391-6258

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Prudhomme's Lost Cajun Kitchen

noreply@blogger.com (Tom Wenger) — Fri, 01 May 2009 11:00:00 +0000

As yet another testament to the multi-layered epicurean experience that is the Susquehanna Valley, in Lancaster County's river town of Columbia you can find Prudhomme's Lost Cajun Kitchen. Now if you are thinking that this is just some local man cooking up Cajun food because his last name is Prudhomme, have no fear, the authenticity runs much deeper. Prudhomme's is owned by Sharon and David Prudhomme and David is not only a native of Louisiana but in fact is a nephew of the famed New Orleans chef Paul Prudhomme.

You also may have seen Sharon before, she is a monthly regular on abc-27 noonday news show cooking up her Cajun goodies as part of their Midday Gourmet feature.

The Lost Cajun Kitchen is built into an old hotel and features a dining area and a bar area. Each is decorated with Louisiana flair.

The menu at Prudhomme's is extensive with a lot more than a handful of unique dishes. Take your time ordering, there is a lot to look at.

In addition to common favorites like Wings, Nachos or Quesadillas, the appetizer section has an array of NOLA inspired foods, many with David and Sharon's own spin.

Selections include such items as Jammin' Jambalaya Rolls, Rocky Mountain Oysters, Hushpuppies, Gator, and their Crab Ring pictured here. The Crab Ring is a HUGE batter-dipped onion ring loaded with crab and melted pepper jack cheese.

Another creative appetizer is this fun twist on the Amish Whoopie Pie. Their Cajun "Whoopie Pie" is Atlantic crab claw meat sandwiched between two pieces of cornbread with a side of mushroom sauce.

Their Soups N' Such section has some Louisiana favorite soups like Seafood Gumbo, Snapper Soup and non-soups such as Crawfish Etouffee, Red Beans and Rice and Jambalaya.

The sandwiches are too numerous to mention, but include various burgers, chicken sandwiches seafood sandwiches and of course Po-Boys.

Again, the entrees are numerous with a mix of local favorites as well as Cajun inspired dishes. This section includes Big Salads, Pasta, Meat Lover Delights, Fish, Basket Cases (baskets of such things as Clam Strips, Cajun Fried Pork, or Fried Fish with French Fries) and their Signature Dishes. Signature Dishes include unique choices like this Shrimp Sunny which is farm raised Carolina catfish over a mound of Atlantic crab claw, topped with crawfish etoufee with blackened shrimp.

Pretty much every night Prudhomme's has some kind of special running, including All You-Can-Eat Fish Fry on Mondays, Kids eat free Tuesday nights (this is also Pasta night), Wing Night Wednesdays, NY Strip Thursdays, Chef Choice on Fridays, and their Sunday Rib Special pictured here which includes 1/2 rack of big batch country style pork ribs slow cooked in a homemade bar-b-que sauce for 7 hours and served with potato, vegetables, homemade jalapeno onion bread and garlic bread, coleslaw and frizzled onions.

Prudhomme's Lost Cajun Kitchen
50 Lancaster Ave (Rt 462)
Columbia, PA 17512

(717) 684-1706

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Sasha's Hideaway

noreply@blogger.com (Tom Wenger) — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 11:00:00 +0000

For a step away from the everyday Sasha's Hideaway may appeal to your untamed side. Sasha's has design reminiscent of lands far away from the Central Pennsylvania. The large A-frame design features a large stone fireplace, lots of bamboo, and a large bar with animal print accessories. Additionally, Sasha's has a large deck overlooking their country setting and a banquet room for your private parties.

The menu echoes their exotic atmosphere. Appetizers include selections such as Lobster Black Bean Spring Rolls (two hot crispy spring rolls filled with chunks of lobster, rice noodles, kimchee and black beans, served with chili dipping sauce and Asian cucumber slaw), Black Magic Olives (Asiago cheese and black olives, breaded and deep fried, and served with ranch dressing), and a PuPu Platter (one lobster black bean spring roll, two coconut shrimp, two panko scallop skewers, and fried plantains, served with sweet chili sauce and mango sauce).

Their entree menu continues with the exotic theme and is broken down into the categories of Primal Cuts, International Seas and Vegetarian.

Pictured here is a Grilled Duck Breast which is a marinated skin-on duck breast pan-seared and roasted in the oven to medium-rare temperature. It is then finished with blackberry-zinfandel sauce and sided with mashed sweet potatoes with crushed pineapple.

Sasha's Hideaway has plenty of choices for the less adventurous also. This image features their Chicken Saltimbocca which is a thinly pounded boneless chicken breast roulade stuffed with Italian fontina cheese, prosciutto, and sun dried tomatoes, lightly pan fried then baked and served with pan juices and chef's marinated grilled vegetables.

If your tastes are for the more extravagant Sasha's has you covered. What could be more decadent than a Filet Mignon with Lobster Tail? This 8 oz., tender, grass-fed Herford beef cut is grilled to your liking and draped in wild mushroom demi glace then paired with a 7 oz. broiled Canadian Lobster tail with drawn butter and sided with Yukon Gold mashed potatoes.

Vegetarians will delight that the menu has a section set aside specifically for their enjoyment, but the dishes are aimed to please vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike. The selection includes dishes such as Black Bean Lasagna, Butternut Squash Ravioli, and Vegetable Strudel.

Desserts at Sasha's are all homemade by Sasha herself and worth a perusal. Pictured here is a white chocolate cake w/ raspberry filling and butter cream garnished with a white chocolate butterfly.

Sasha's is open for dinner Tuesdays through Saturdays 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM.

Sasha's Hideaway
6791 Linglestown Road (Rt 39)
Harrisburg, PA 17112

717-651-9493

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Tasty Links - April 22, 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Tom Wenger) — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 21:16:00 +0000

A continuing series of interesting links from around the world wide web.

If your Shrimp Fried Rice is a little skimpy on the shrimpy do you need to call the local PD? That's just what one woman did: http://www.nbcdfw.com/news/weird/Woman-Calls-Cops-Over-Skimpy-Shrimp-Order.html

Though I see where this woman is coming from, calling 911 three times just because McDs ran out of McNuggets is a little extreme: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,504125,00.html

Police were justifiably called however, when a carload of custumers upset that McDs had switched from the lunch/dinner menu to the breakfast menu fired their sawed-off shotgun into the drive-in window: http://www.sltrib.com/News/ci_12026391

Could North Korean dictator Kim Jong-Il be any more of a characature of himself? Now he decided that his starving country should at least have the option of going out for pizza: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/us_world/2009/03/14/2009-03-14_north_korean_dictator_kim_jong_il_wants_.html

Finally, in honor of earth day, here is an article listing books on eating locally: http://www.bclocalnews.com/lifestyles/42921572.html

Arooga's Grille House and Sports Bar - Camp Hill

noreply@blogger.com (Tom Wenger) — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 11:00:00 +0000

As the second move in what appears to be a quickly expanding sports bar chain, Arooga's complimented their East Shore location with one on the West Shore located on the Camp Hill bypass.

For a full feature on their food, please visit the Arooga's Grille House and Sports Bar - Route 22 posting as this article will mostly be a short highlight the new location.

So of course a sports bar should have a lot of TVs, well this Aroogas has pretty much nailed that, boasting the most HD TVs in the state of Pennsylvania. Like the 22 location, the Camp Hill Aroogas also features a Blizzard Beer System. This system pours beer at a frosty 29.1°, as opposed to the approximate 34° standard. Finally this location is also certified "green" by the Green Restaurant Association. So whether it's the food or the other amenities, Camp Hill's Aroogas offers what you've come to expect from their original location.

Arooga's Grille House and Sports Bar - Camp Hill
1300 Camp Hill Bypass
Camp Hill, PA 17011

717-730-9464

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Suba

noreply@blogger.com (Tom Wenger) — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 11:00:00 +0000

In recent years, Tapas have gained popularity in the United States. Tapas have come to mean "small plates" here in the States, but the exact origin of this type of dish is up for debate. Some argue that the literal translation comes from the Spanish verb "tapar," which means "to cover," and that the original tapas were slices bread or cheese that tavern-goers covered their glasses of sherry with to fend off fruit flies. Others say that there once was a far-away king who needed a small bite of something to stomach his drink, and so he decreed that everyone order and eat "small plates" with their drinks.

Not only the first tapas bar to open in Harrisburg, Suba also claims to be the only authentic tapas bar in the city. Suba is located on North Street above Mangia Qui.

Today, tapas in the United States have become a meal in-and-of themselves; diners order a variety of small dishes to create a full meal.

Pictured here is an order of Gambas, which is sizzling shrimp, garlic, parsley and lemon.

For a snack with some flair, try the Queso Flambeado. Literally translated, "flaming cheese" is a plate of house-made blue tortillas accompanied by queso fresco and chorizo melted together and lit ablaze.

Suba's menu has over 25 tapas choices in all, so there is plenty of variety.

In fact, some of its menu items you'd be hard pressed to find anywhere else, such as this Jamon Serrano ham. This is a lean ham, which is cured in the mountains of Spain for 12-18 months, has a rich nutty flavor.

In addition to its selection of tapas, Suba has over half a dozen specialty tacos. Tacos include offerings like the Coco Loco (lightly battered shrimp, fresh pineapple salsa, coconut chutney, Viatnamese cilantro, and nopalitos on a warm flour tortilla) or the Cordero (roasted lamb shish, hummous, apricot chipotle glaze, and watercress on a warm flour tortilla), or this Suba Taco (fried crispy tilapia, salsa rosa, avocado, mango cilantro salsa and shredded cabbage on a warm flour tortilla).

Pictured with the taco is one of Suba's specialty drinks--the Firefly, which is house-made, habenero-infused silver tequila, mango, Bacardi Limon, Midori, lime and mint. The drink menu at Suba changes seasonally and includes Spanaish Sangrias, top- shelf Rums and Tequilas, Mojitos and their own specialty concoctions.

Suba
272 North Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101

717-233-7358

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South Philly Hoagies

noreply@blogger.com (Tom Wenger) — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 11:00:00 +0000

Having the City of Brotherly Love in our back yard, the residents of the Susquehanna Valley have a pretty firm grip on what a cheese steak should or should not be. With their continued popularity (they've notched over 15 years now), it appears South Philly Hoagies has zeroed in on the formula.

South Philly offers their hoagies in three sizes, Baby Small and Large where the babies will sate most appetites and a large being just plain massive. The rolls are imported daily from Philadelphia so authenticity is unquestionable. In this photo is a Baby Cheese Steak Hoagie with Sauteed Onions, Provolone and a side of Fries.

Though the Cheese Steaks are their best sellers and what they are known for, they feature a whole line of hot and cold Hoagies like this Ham and Cheese Hoagie which features two kinds of ham piled high and provolone cheese. Other Hoagies include most all of the favorites and selections likeTexas Chicken, BBQ Chicken, Sausage & Cheese, Pastrami & Cheese, an Italian Special and more.

Additionally South Philly offers a selection of eight wraps such as the Tuna Wrap pictured here. The Tuna Wrap includes freshly made tuna salad, provolone, chopped lettuce and tomato on a sun dried tomato wrap. Other wraps include selections such as a Grilled Chicken Caesar Wrap, a Steak Fajita Wrap, a Greek Turkey Wrap and a Tuscan Chicken Wrap among others.

If a Hoagie is a little more than your hungering for, they have a selection of Sandwiches to choose from. Most are served on a Kaiser Roll such as their Cheeseburgers, Fish Sandwich, Grilled Chicken and others. The Pastrami and Swiss is served on Rye, and the rest, such as this Ham and Turkey Club, are served on toasted white bread.

Finally, if a salad is more your speed, South Philly has you covered with over 10 to choose from. And just because you ordered a salad, it doesn't mean that you aren't still going to get a filling meal. Their salads come in Half and Whole sizes and include such selections as Tossed Salad, Caesar Salad, Steak Salad, a Chef Salad like the one pictured, and more.

South Philly Hoagie
4955 Carlisle Pike
Mechanicsburg, PA 17050

717-763-8100

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St. Thomas Roasters

noreply@blogger.com (Tom Wenger) — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 11:00:00 +0000

If you aren't from the Linglestown area, you may wonder as you drive through town why so many of the businesses use St. Thomas in their name. St. Thomas Roasters is one such business, and it took owner Geof Smith to shine a light on the mystery for me, but more on that later. St. Thomas Roasters is a quaint little coffee house that takes coffee to the next level by roasting their own beans.

Here freshly roasted beans are stirred to help quickly cool them off.

In this picture Geof releases freshly roasted beans from the roaster into the cooling hopper.

Roasting coffee beans is a bit of an art. Geof uses multiple indicators to help him reach the perfect roast for each batch. Time, temperature, visual color, smell, sound (of the popping beans) can all help determine when the beans are done roasting and the same beans can be roasted different amounts for a different finished product.

After roasting Geof mixes beans with flavoring agents to create the specialty coffees that they also have available.

St. Thomas Roasters sells their roasted beans both retail and wholesale and their coffee can be found in several local coffee houses and restaurants.

In addition to their freshly roasted coffee, St. Thomas Roasters has a selection of food items for breakfast or lunch.

Breakfast items include a selection of Croissants with egg, various pastries like the Danish pictured here, muffins (pictured below) and more.

Lunch includes a selection of Paninis named after levels of coffee aficionado. Choices include The Grammy, The Master Roaster, The Barista or The Apprentice (pictured here) which is ham, Swiss, baby spinach, and dill mayonnaise served with chips.

Other choices include Tuna or Chicken Salad on Croissant, Soup of the Day, and Quiche.

There is also a selection of pastries available at lunch. Here their Pretzel Pastry is pictured with a Latte and some freshly roasted coffee beans.

Oh... and I almost forgot the Linglestown story. The town founder Thomas Lingle named the town after his first name, thus St. Thomas. People however always referred to it as Lingle's Town, and later after his death the name of the town was officially changed to Linglestown.

St. Thomas Roasters
5951 Linglestown Road
Harrisburg, PA 17112

717-526-4171

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Mangia Qui

noreply@blogger.com (Tom Wenger) — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 11:00:00 +0000

On Harrisburg's somewhat off-the-beaten-path North Street, just off Restaurant Row you can find yourself in a totally different epicurean neighborhood - Tuscany. Mangia Qui brings authentic tastes of Italy to central Pennsylvania.

Mangia Qui strives to use sustainable organic foods, buy local and find the finest ingredients available.

An example of that mindset are these Oysters on the Half Shell with a Classic Shallot Mignonette. There are three different kinds (two of each) that are farmed and raised sustainably, or from populations that are not over-harvested.

Other Antipasti includes selections like La Toscana (micro black tuscan kale, cannelini beans, pesto and jumbo lump crab), Carpaccio Di Bresaola (dry aged Fillet Mignon, arugula, lemon aioli and shaved parmigiano-reggiano cheese) and this Boletus Grigliati (marinated and char grilled Pennsylvania royal trumpet mushrooms, spring onion, arugula, shaved Manchego cheese and warm vinaigrette).

The bread served with dinner is a fresh-baked herb-crusted foccaccia. Pictured is a whole loaf fresh out of the oven before it gets cut into individual slices.

Some of the selections look more like works of art than food, such is the case with this Prosciutto Rollitini (Prosciutto stuffed with asparagus, chives and goat cheese with a celery and parsley sauce).

The dinner menu includes Primi and Secondi selections.

The Primi menu features a variety of pastas like the Linguine Integrale pictured here which is whole wheat linguine, zucchini, oven roasted tomatoes, grilled red onion, fresh oregano, tiger shrimp and pecorino. Some of the other choices include Malfada Rossa (ruffled edge wide fettuccine, rich lobster and brandy sauce, and sauteed crab claw), Linguine Vongole (linguine, sauteed littleneck clams, Sicilian moliche and goat cheese) and Fusilli (fusilli pasta, basil and arugula pesto, Keswick Creamery organic ricotta, and sweet Italian sausage).

The fish isn't included on the menu as it changes daily. Pictured here a striped bass is poached in white wine and fresh herbs, purple Peruvian potatoes, English peas, littleneck clams and finished in a light cream sauce

The Secondi section features non-pasta dishes. Some of these selections include Maiale ala Friulia (grilled marinated Berkshire pork tenderloin, slow cooked Corona beans, Jersey sweet potatoes, and pistachio gremolata), Risotto Savoiardi (sauteed veal tenderloin, Pino Grigio pan juices, risotto tossed with savoy cabbage, house made mozzarella, garlic and parmigiano-reggiano) and Costoletto d'Agnello (marinated grilled lamb chops, crispy polenta, pomodoro and sauteed greens).

Additionally there is a selection of nightly specials like this Scottadito d'Agnello (grilled marinated rack of lamb, Venere rice with edamame, grilled baby eggplant, spring onions and smoked tomato coulis).

To compliment your meal Mangia Qui has a wide selection of Italian wines as well as a variety of grappas.

Mangia Qui
272 North Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101

717-233-7358

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Bogey Macaws American Grille

noreply@blogger.com (Tom Wenger) — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 11:00:00 +0000

Tucked back into a residential neighborhood and overlooking Springwood Golf Course lies the course's clubhouse and more known as Bogey Macaws. Bogey Mac's has a large open dining room with large windows overlooking the golf course and beyond. Additionally it features a large deck, a corporate meeting room and a banquet room.

But even though they sit on a golf course, their menu is anything but pretentious. Choices like these Crab Nachos, or that you can get shrimp, clams, mussels, crab, or wings by the bucket, serve notice that there is no problem just stopping in for some grub and a good time. Did I mention you can get beer by the bucket too?

With a wide selection of starters such as Crispy Calamari, Jalapeno Poppers, Popcorn Chicken, Flash Fried Chicken and more it will be easy to find something for most any appetite.

If you are looking for more than just munchies, Bogey Mac's has you covered with their three main entree categories of From the H2O, Grillin' and Big Bowls. Each offers pretty much what you'd expect. The Big Bowls selection includes Seafood Linguini, Beef Tip Stroganoff, Chicken Rotini and Shrimp Cavatappi. You should also keep an eye out for their regular weekly specials such as the Queen Cut Prime Rib pictured here or their Seafood Buffet.

If you're not looking for entrees, but want something more than an appetizer the menu rounds out with a selection of burgers, sliders, paninis and sandwiches. A kids menu is also provided for the little ones.

After all of that, is there any possible way you've left room for dessert? Hopefully so. But even dessert may not finish you off since Bogey Mac's has regular live music performances. You may just want to stick around a little longer to take in some tunes or boogie off some calories. Check here for a schedule of live performances.

Bogey Macaws American Grille
601 Chestnut Hill Road
York, PA 17402

717-747-9663

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Carley's Ristorante & Piano Bar

noreply@blogger.com (Tom Wenger) — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 11:00:00 +0000

In the Restaurant Row section of Harrisburg, just off 2nd Street on Locust you will find Carley's Ristorante & Piano Bar. Carley's features rustic Italian specialties including homemade pastas, pizza, veal dishes and whole fish entrees.

Carley's offers a unique selection of Antipasta dishes including this large meatball known on the menu simply as "The Meatball". This is a whopping 12 oz. traditional meatball with provolone cheese melted over it and served with three dipping sauces. The sauces are a Marinara, a Basil Pesto and a Tomato Coulis.

Like any fine Italian restaurant, pasta is a specialty at Carley's. The pasta is homemade and includes selections such as Lasagne Ai Bolognese di Mascarpone, Risotto Mantecato al Funghi e Cipolle and the Salsiccia e Pepperone pictured here. This is grilled Italian sweet rope sausage and peppers over angel hair pasta with Tomato Coulis.

From the Piatto Principale section of the menu Carley's offers the Italian favorites of Francese, Marsala, and Picatta in both chicken and veal selections. Additional entrees in this section include preparations of a seafood stew, rack of lamb, escolare, quail and more.

For more familiar territory Carley's offers a selection of Pizzas and Paninis both on their dinner menu, and with even greater variety on their lunch menu. The pizzas are made to personal proportions such as this Pizza Bianco which is whole milk ricotta, mascarpone cheese, sweet Italian sausage, basil chiffonade and plum tomato sauce.

As the name suggests, Carley's Ristorante & Piano Bar features a baby grand piano as part of its ambiance. Live music is performed on Friday and Saturday nights and diners are encouraged to join in with some of the sing-alongs and other favorites. Check their website for and updated list of performers.

Carley's Ristorante & Piano Bar
204 Locust Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101
717-909-9191

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Warm Hearts Cafe'

noreply@blogger.com (Tom Wenger) — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 11:00:00 +0000

Right in the heart of Mechanicsburg on Main Street you will find a cozy little eatery known as the Warm Hearts Cafe.

Warm Hearts Cafe offers a wide variety of hot and cold drinks as well as breakfast and lunch selections and even Friday night dinners.

Warm Hearts' breakfast selection ranges from Bagels, heart-shaped Danishes, Biscotti, Oatmeal and Hash Browns and "Build Your Own" Breakfast Sandwiches.

The "Build Your Own" Breakfast Sandwiches allow you to choose from egg with bacon, ham or sausage on bagel, wrap or English Muffin with Provolone, American, Cheddar or Swiss Cheese.

Pictured here is a Breakfast Sandwich consisting of Egg, Sausage and Cheddar on an English Muffin with Hash Browns and a Mocha Latte.

In addition to the selection listed above, Warm Hearts Cafe makes Quiche daily and offers a varying selection.

Pictured here is a Broccoli Quiche along with a black coffee. Warm Hearts uses fresh roasted coffee beans from St. Thomas Roasters. They are one of only a handful of locations that you can find St. Thomas at on the West Shore.

For lunch & Friday night dinners they offer daily Soups and Chili, Baked Potatoes, Honey BBQ Wings, and a variety of Sandwiches and Wraps.

Additionally they offer Hebrew National Hot Dogs and Jumbo Hot Dogs with specialty selections such as this Southwest Dog. Here Chipotle Cheese, Red Peppers, Onion and Guacamole top a Hebrew National All Beef Hot Dog.

Wraps include your choice of Chicken or Tuna Salad, Turkey or Ham with Provolone, American, Cheddar, or Swiss Cheese, and your choice of Lettuce, Tomato, or Onions with Ranch Dressing on a Spinach, Plain or Sun-Dried Tomato wrap.

Here a Turkey, Lettuce and Tomato Wrap is complemented by a Strawberry Smoothie.

Sandwiches include a variety of Grilled Panini Sandwiches, a couple Hot Pretzel Sandwiches, Pork Barbecue, "Build Your Own" Deli Sandwiches, Hamburgers and more.

Grilled Cheese Sandwiches can be combined with a variety of meats, breads, cheeses and with or without tomato. Pictured here is a specialty Italian Gourmet Grilled Cheese which is grilled Provolone Cheese and Tomato with Pesto on Thick Cut White Bread.

In addition to their fresh brewed Coffees, Teas, Lattes, Espressos, and cool Fountain Drinks and Smoothies they have a selection of unique Sodas.

Warm Hearts is open for breakfast and lunch only except Friday's when they accompany dinner with live entertainment.

A large stage area is permanently set up to accommodate their weekly jazz, acoustic and Christian performances.

A couple of sidewalk tables are also setup when weather permits to allow patrons to enjoy the outdoors.

Warm Hearts Cafe'
25 East Main Street
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
717-697-1600

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3rd Street Deli

noreply@blogger.com (Tom Wenger) — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 11:00:00 +0000

Look around downtown Harrisburg for a delicatessen like the countless number scattered throughout many other cities in the Northeast, and you'll find few choices. It was the discovery of these slim pickings that inspired restaurant owner Denise Tsipouras to bring the New York Deli to our capital city in the form of The 3rd Street Deli.

The deli is open for breakfast and lunch, Monday through Saturday. Breakfasts include typical start-of-the-day fare, such as a selection of Omelets, Pancakes, French Toast, Breakfast Sandwiches, Danish and Bagel and Lox.

The lunch menu features a selection of salads, wraps and deli subs highlighted by some traditional deli offerings. Some of these include Corn Beef on Jewish Rye and Chopped Chicken Livers on Kaiser Roll. The corn beef is a specialty of the house as they make their own.

There are plenty of sandwich choices as well, including Cheeseburgers, BLTs, Sloppy Joes and Chicken, Tuna or Egg Salad Sandwiches. The prices rival fast-food eateries and offer a fresher product.

Bar-like seating built into the former retail-display windows offers patrons a view across 3rd Street onto Capitol Park and the Pennsylvania State Capitol Building.

Pictured is an Egg Omelet, which comes accompanied by toast and home fries.

The 3rd Street Deli also makes their own mouth-watering desserts. Pictured here, clockwise from bottom right, are Strawberry Shortcake, Chocolate Strawberry Parfait, Chocolate Wafer Cake and Peanut Butter Cake.

If cake is your thing, the 3rd Street Deli offers a Break Time Special of a freshly baked slice of cake or cheesecake with a soda, coffee or tea, from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. weekdays.

3rd Street Deli
210 North 3rd Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101
717-234-0240

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Shady McGrady's

noreply@blogger.com (Tom Wenger) — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 11:00:00 +0000

On Verbeke Street, just up from the Broad Street Market, is a neighborhood bar that finds itself being visited by patrons from far beyond the surrounding streets.

Beerheads from far and wide search out Shady McGrady's strictly for their over-the-top selection of beers. Owner Scott Thomas believes that his pub has one of the best selections of top quality beers in the State, and a stroll down the taps would make it hard to argue with him. I was only there five minutes before I heard someone who had just walked in say "My God... they have that on tap!!!" and I think that such exclamations occur frequently in front of Shady's modest u-shaped bar.

Shady McGrady's has a full 24 taps. With that much real estate you expect a fair share of macro-brews. Not here. Only one macro, and a Guinness, and the rest are all top-end micros or hard to find brews.

What about the food? Shady McGrady's offers a bar menu consisting of many of your usual subjects like wings, pizzas and your other fried favorites. But you get the sense that it is served more as a convenience to their patrons who want to get on to trying their next beer.

In addition to the draft beers, Shady McGrady's offers an ever expanding selection of bottled beer. In keeping with their craft brewed philosophy, many of these are hard to find specialty beers from around the country and the globe. They even feature one beer that is literally from all around the globe. Dogfish Head's Pangea is brewed with ingredients from each of the world's continents.

If you subscribe to the "beer is food" or "liquid bread" philosophies, Shady McGrady's is the place for you.

Shady McGrady's is only open evenings and it is a smoking bar, so plan accordingly.

Shady McGrady's
204 Verbeke Street
Harrisburg, PA 17102
717-234-4070

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McGrath's Pub

noreply@blogger.com (Tom Wenger) — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 11:00:00 +0000

In 2002 Tom and Amy Scott looked around the landscape of what would soon be known as Restaurant Row in Harrisburg and noticed a distinct deficiency. There was no authentic Irish pub. This deficiency was rectified by them when they opened McGrath's Pub on Locust Street, just off Second Street.

The family run business has a family atmosphere on both sides of the bar. Family has a lot to do with this pub, as McGrath was the maiden name of Tom Scott's mother. And like any mother wants their food served, McGrath's strives to offer "comfort food in a comfortable setting."

Guinness has a special home in any Irish pub and here as well. In fact the first item on the menu is A Pint of Guinness because "every great Irish meal should start and end with the perfect pint O'Guinness!" McGrath's complements their Guinness with 20 beers on draft and another 75 in bottles.

When you think Irish you think green, but I'm guessing that Salads aren't exactly what you're picturing. At McGrath's though, maybe you should. They offer eight different salads and if you include all of the options the number goes up to fifteen.

For appetizers, they put an Irish spin on a lot of your favorites. The Celtic Wings have sauce choices of Celtic, Guinness Honey BBQ, Hot Garlic Habanero or Dublin. The Pot O' Gold is crab, roasted artichokes and creamy melted cheeses baked in a bread bowl. The Blarney Bread, pictured here, is Mozzarella, Parmesan and Cheddar cheeses mixed with Irish Mist Liqueur and smeared on a Cuban roll and broiled until golden brown.

Most of the entrees are either Irish favorites like Fish and Chips, Irish Lamb Stew, Bangers and Mash or this Shepherds Pie, or offer a nod to the land of the green like Bridget's Irish Meatloaf, Salmon Kilpatrick or the Emerald Isle Fisherman's Platter.

If you are looking for sandwiches, McGrath's offers four wraps, five burgers and another eight sandwiches, including a Batter Dipped Fish Sandwich, a Crab Cake Sandwich, and Irish Roast Beef Dip and this Pub Club, which is three slices of toasted thick cut sourdough bread layered with slow roasted sirloin, smoked turkey, lettuce, tomato, bacon, Pepper Jack cheese and a good helping of mayonnaise.

McGrath's has a banquet room for private parties of 25-75 that also becomes a second bar area during busy nights. Stop in to find out why they say that "McGrath's is always greener."

McGrath's Pub
202 Locust Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101
717-232-9914

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McCleary's Public House

noreply@blogger.com (Tom Wenger) — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 11:00:00 +0000

Some towns you have to look a little harder to find. There are no exit signs off the freeway indicating where they are, in fact they aren't very close to the freeway at all. For Marietta, even the modestly traveled Route 441 zips by with barely an indication of the charming town that lies just blocks away. Nestled on the last street of this town, next to the river and the railroad tracks, is McCleary's Public House.

Though only known as McCleary's in the last few decades, the location has operated continuously as a bar &/or restaurant since the late 19th century. While the building has certainly gone through transformations and numerous updates in that time, it has still retained its old-world charm, which is befitting the town of Marietta and an Irish Pub.

While their appetizers include such pub favorites as Chicken Wings and Pub Cheese Spread, they also have some fusion dishes like this Seared Tuna. This is a 4 oz. Yellowfin Tuna Steak, seared rare and perched on a Seaweed Salad and garnished with an Asian Sesame Seed Glaze.

At McCleary's its easy to make your salad into a main course, if you are trying to count calories. You can easily request to add chicken, shrimp or fish on top of your salad. Here a fresh Caesar Salad is topped with a Breaded Basa Fish.

McCleary's features the traditional Irish favorites like Fish and Chips, McCleary's Shepherds Pie, Bangers and Mash, and Irish Seared Lamb Loin. In addition they serve plenty of American favorites like Seafood Sauté, McCleary's Crab Cakes and the 12 oz. New York Strip pictured here. They also offer a Vegetarian Pasta Du Jour.

Like a traditional Irish pub, music is an integral part of McCleary's. McCleary's has weekly entertainment with a schedule that can be found on their website.

In addition to the main dining rooms, McCleary's has several upstairs rooms that are used as overflow dining areas on busy nights. Alternatively, these rooms can be reserved for larger groups or private functions. And for when the weather is warmer, McCleary's has a 2000-square-foot deck that accommodates over 100 patrons.

McCleary's is also a hotel, making it an ideal nearby getaway. Some of their rooms offer verandas with views overlooking Front Street Marietta and across the Susquehanna River.

McClearey's Public House
130 West Front Street
Marietta, PA 17547

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Coakley's Irish Pub

noreply@blogger.com (Tom Wenger) — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 11:00:00 +0000

As the oldest Irish Pub in the Harrisburg area, Coakley's has built up a lot of tradition. In fact it has been operating continuously as a bar and/or restaurant since 1895.

Located in the Olde Town section of New Cumberland, Coakley's has an atmosphere that can come from years in business only. It's kitsch - yet authentic. It seems forced - yet natural.

The restaurant is sprawling with multiple rooms that are certainly the result of an ever-expanding successful business.

At the start of the year new management took over at Coakley's. But they came in with an attitude of "If it ain't broke - don't fix it." They plan on following the same successful blueprint laid out by the Coakley family over the past quarter century.

The main focus of the new management is shoring up the consistency of the food. They brought on new staff with a tradition of excellence in the food service industry to make sure every item stands up to quality standards.

Here, an order of Coakley's Nibbler offers a glimpse at the appetizer selection, including Cheese Sticks, Onion Rings, Potato Skins, and Chicken Fingers with dipping sauces.

Among their seven salads is this meal-in-and-of-itself Pittsburgh Steak Salad. This is a mountain of crisp tossed lettuce with tomatoes and cucumbers topped with London broil, steak fries and onion rings. And believe it or not, this is the small.

Other salads include such selections as Taco Salad, Asian Chicken Salad and Coakley's California Salad.

In this image is Coakley's take on Salmon. The salmon is baked on a fresh cedar plank and finished with a dill sauce. Another salmon option offers it blackened and grilled and served with a honey mustard topping.

Coakley's menu is decidedly American until you get to the bar menu where there is a much more deliberate nod to the Emerald Isle. But if you are looking for a filling entree like the New York Strip Steak pictured below, you won't go wrong.

As part of their commitment to community involvement the new management staff has developed The Coakley's Foundation. The foundation is set up to help provide financial support to children to participate in after school activities such as sports, the arts, music and theater, who may otherwise be financially unable to participate. They also hope to help support the providers of these activities. T-shirts are being sold to help fund the foundation.

If it is traditional Irish food you are looking for, you might be in luck as the new owners may slowly introduce some favorites. For now, look for items such as this Corned Beef and Cabbage on the specials board.

Coakley's Irish Pub
305 Bridge Street
New Cumberland, PA 17070

717-774-5556

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The Harp and Fiddle

noreply@blogger.com (Tom Wenger) — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 11:00:00 +0000

Among the influx of restaurants that are leading to the revival of the North George Street area of York is The Harp and Fiddle. When you want some authentic Irish atmosphere, food, and drink any time of the year, The Harp and Fiddle has you covered.

While it is a fairly large pub, The Harp and Fiddle has a number of nooks and crannies that allow you to have the intimite feeling that Irish Pubs are known for.

The rich dark bar and matching woodwork of the Harp and Fiddle was imported directly from Dungarvan Ireland. A pair of fireplaces also help add warmth to the setting.

General Manager Damian McGarvey swears by the authenticity of the Harp and Fiddle's recipes. You see, Damian was born and raised in Ireland and the recipes the Harp and Fiddle uses come from his mother's kitchen and were passed down through generations. In fact, mom McGarvey still crosses the Atlantic once a year to make sure the recipes for the Shepherds Pie pictured here and other items have the same authenticity.

This hearty Steak and Guinness Stew is made from Guinness Stout, aged sirloin, onions, carrots and celery cooked into a savory stew then served over scallion mashed potatoes. It is by no means mandatory to order this with a side of dark luscious Guinness Stout... but is there really any other way to have it?

Here in the States we often throw our sausages in a roll and slather them with peppers and onions... but in Ireland they let them speak for themselves. In fact, they speak so loudly that they call them "bangers." And then they shorten "mashed potatoes" down to simply "mash." That's it. Bangers and Mash isn't nearly as strange as it may sound. At the Harp and Fiddle they accompany their Bangers and Mash with vegetarian baked beans and a rich brown sauce. And again, I accompany mine with a Guinness.

The final selection on their Irish Favorites section of the menu is their Classic Irish Fish and Chips. They use fresh Atlantic cod and beer batter it, then fry it to a perfect golden brown. It is served with fries (chips if you want to be authentic) and a side of green peas. We moved to the bar for this shot -- it was closer to the Guinness refills.

While the Irish favorites are quite literally THE favorites at the Harp and Fiddle, they also offer a selection of more traditional American appetizers, soups & salads, sandwiches and entrees. Entrees include selections like Jameson Barbequed Smoked Ribs, Pan Seared Maryland Crab Cakes and the Walnut Chicken pictured here. And just because you're not ordering traditional Irish food, there is no reason you can't still order a Guinness!!

Upstairs at the Harp and Fiddle is a private banquet/dining room that is known as the Abbey. This area is suitable for parties of 25 or more and can comfortably accommodate 75 seated guests or 125 standing guests. The Gothic bar in the Abbey is also imported from Ireland.

The Harp and Fiddle
110 North George Street
York, PA 17401

717-854-4277

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Molly Brannigans

noreply@blogger.com (Tom Wenger) — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 11:00:00 +0000

Creating a traditional Irish pub takes more than slapping an apostrophe in your name and putting a keg of Guinness in your cooler. In Ireland the pub is a daily gathering spot--a place to unwind among friends--and the warmth of the Irish character is echoed in the pub's design. For that kind of atmosphere in Harrisburg, you can pop into Molly Brannigans.

As one of the early players in the development of Harrisburg's Restaurant Row, Molly Brannigans practically imported its interior, piece by piece, from Ireland. Molly Brannigans has a warm inviting decor with a number of nooks and crannies. In fact, since Molly's has entrances on two streets, it is common for barhoppers to unwittingly saddle up at Molly's bar twice in one night without realizing they've returned to the same place.

Ok... how about the food?

When starting a meal at Molly's, you may want to opt for this Spinach Salad, served with Feta cheese, green apples, craisins, bacon, red onions & tomatoes. It is one of their eight salads.

Living on an island, the Irish are pros at cooking fish. Molly's traditional Fish and Chips comes with a side of cole slaw and tartar sauce.

In addition to their traditional Irish fare, Molly Brannigans serves a selection of more Americanized pub grub, such as this 3-pack of Cheeseburger Sliders, as well as a number of wraps and traditional burgers and sandwiches.

Good ole American fare is great, but when going to an Irish Pub, why not stick to the classics? Like this Shepherd's Pie. Some other traditional favorites include Guinness Stew, Bangers and Mash and a selection of four different Boxties.

For those less adventurous souls, Molly's also has a selection of pasta, chicken and seafood entrees.

What would any trip to an Irish Pub be, though, without a pint of Guinness? Here, bartender Brooke satisfies that thirst for one of her customers.

Molly Brannigans is based in Erie and is poised to open another 7 restaurants across the country to complement the four in operation here in Pennsylvania. To date, the Molly's in Harrisburg's Restaurant Row remains the company's No. 1 producer.

Molly Brannigans
31 N. Second Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101

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Grab a Guinness, it's St. Patrick's Day week on Susqueats.com

noreply@blogger.com (Tom Wenger) — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 13:03:00 +0000

This Tuesday, the 17th, is St. Patrick's Day and to celebrate we are featuring a different Irish Pub each weekday. Be sure to check back each day, or better yet, subscribe to our RSS feed.

While St. Patrick's Day is only an official holiday in Ireland, the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador and the tiny island of Montserrat, it is widely celebrated around the world and steeped in deep tradition. In fact, the first St. Patrick's Day parade in the United States dates back to 1737 and was organized by the Irish Society of Boston. Here in Pennsylvania, Philadelphia sports the 3rd oldest St. Patrick's Day Parade in the United States; it dates back to 1771. Local parades are organized in York and Harrisburg (photos from 2008 Harrisburg St. Patrick's Day Parade).

Guinness Fun Facts:

Do all Irish drink Guinness? - Though it may seem that way and it is by far the number one seller in Ireland, Guinness is not the only beer produced in Ireland (in fact not all Guinness is produced in Ireland anymore). Some of the others include Beamish Irish Stout, Murphy's Irish Stout, O'Hara's Celtic Stout, Harp Lager, Kinsale Irish Lager, Kilkenny Irish, Murphy's Irish Red, and Smithwick's Irish Ale.

Why do the bubbles fall down when you pour a Guinness? - This was debated for years before a study was actually done on the phenomenon. This is caused by a combination of factors. First, one of the properties of nitrogen, which Guinness is drawn with rather than CO2, is smaller bubbles. As with the larger bubbles in other beers, as the bubbles rise the ones on the side of the glass are slowed by friction. As a result the bubbles in the center of the glass rise faster. This causes a column of faster rising bubbles in the center of the glass which in turn create a current. This current disperses to the sides of the glass and actually pulls the bubbles down the side before they move back to the center and up again.

Why does it take so long to pour a Guinness? - This is actually a tradition that compensated for a practice which is now obsolete. Years ago when Guinness was poured from a cask it was common practice to pour the first half of the glass from an older cask. This was allowed to settle before adding the second half from a new cask. The practice is continued today because as the head from the first pour compresses it actually becomes more stable and helps with head retention.

Isn't Guinness heavy, fattening and strong? - The dark color of Guinness simply comes from roasting the grains to a dark color before brewing the beer. Actually, Guinness is on the lower end of the calorie scale. In fact, it is mostly only light beers that have fewer calories. It is also a little lower in alcohol content. Another added benefit is that Guinness is supposed to be extremely rich in antioxidants.

And finally, if you find yourself offering a toast this St. Patrick's Day, here are some traditional Irish ones to try:

There are good ships,
and there are wood ships,
The ships that sail the sea.
But the best ships, are friendships,
And may they always be.

---------------------------------

May the lilt of Irish laughter
lighten every load.
May the mist of Irish magic
shorten every road...
And may all your friends remember
all the favours you are owed!

---------------------------------

May you live as long as you want and never want as long as you live.

---------------------------------

Always remember to forget
The troubles that passed away.
But never forget to remember
The blessings that come each day.

---------------------------------

May you have all the happiness
and luck that life can hold—
And at the end of all your rainbows
may you find a pot of gold.

Sláinte!

Neato Burrito - Center City

noreply@blogger.com (Tom Wenger) — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 11:50:00 +0000

There is made to order, then there is made to order! At Neato Burrito they take made to order to a whole new level. Each fresh ingredient in these Mission-Style burritos is added immediately, at your request, right in front of your eyes.

If you live in the Harrisburg area and have never eaten a whole Neato Burrito --well you are probably not alone -- they are massive. If you've never tried a Neato Burrito, where have you been hiding?

Here's a walk through what to expect when ordering your burrito. First select from one of 7 tortillas. These range from the straightforward Flour Tortilla or gourmet tortillas like Honey Wheat, Jalapeno Cheese and Tomato Basil.

Next choose between Spanish, BBQ and Brown Rice then Black Beans, Refried Beans or Chili Beans. You can now either leave it vegetarian or add Chicken, Cajun Chicken or Buffalo Roast and finally choose whether to add shredded cheese.

The last choice before your burrito takes a trip into the steamer for a little R & R is the type of salsa. They have a Pico De Gallo and a Salsa Verde that are available everyday and another five daily special salsas that are each available on their specific days of the week. For example Tuesday's salsa is Jalapeno & Feta (feta cheese, sour cream, jalapenos, lime juice) and Friday features Salsa Bacharach (cucumbers, red onion, dill, tomatoes, balsamic vinegar).

Now that it is out of the steamer your burrito is ready for some fresh veggies. Choose your favorites from tomatoes, jalapenos, lettuce, onions and more, then if you'd like add either non-fat or regular sour cream.

This would also be a good time to request some hot sauce if you like that sort of thing. They use Sriracha hot sauce, which is just plain hard to beat.

Ok, time for the part that is best left to the professionals -- figuring out how to get all of this goodness wrapped into your tortilla.

Somehow (I honestly have no idea how they do it) the burrito maker (what do you call these guys? Burristas?) always manages to get it wrapped.

Lastly if you'd like, they will grill your burrito for a few moments before they send you on your way to enjoy your massive burrito.

There are other options if a burrito just isn't your speed, such as a Burrito-Bowl or a Burrito-Bowl on Chips.

Neato Burrito has handy fax order forms that you can fill out and have your burrito waiting when you arrive.

One word of caution though, Neato Burrito takes cash only. Make sure you hit the ATM before you arrive if you usually use your debit card to pay for things.

Neato Burrito - Center City
209 N. 2nd Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101

717-232-7467

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