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Saturday, February 21, 2009

Juliana's Italian Restaurant - West

Juliana's Italian Restaurant, Mechanicsburg Pennsylvania © Susqueats.com 2009

Tucked inside an unassuming strip mall behind Pep Boys on the Carlisle Pike in Mechanicsburg is Juliana's Italian Restaurant, a culinary treasure you could easily overlook but shouldn't. Once inside you will likely forget how you got there - but don't - because you'll want to go back.

The first thing you'll encounter is a handsome, well-stocked bar with table seating nearby.

Walk deeper into this large restaurant and make your way to your table in the main dining room, and you will discover a stone wall with a large opening offering a view into the kitchen. This view, I dare say, is so great that the kitchen activity becomes part of the dining experience. The fire from the rotisserie warms up the ambiance.

While ordering individually from the menu is customary (and the only option for tables of fewer than four), the staff at Juliana's highly recommends that groups of four or more take advantage of their Family Style service. With it you get your choice of two appetizers, two salads, two pastas, two entrees and two desserts for everyone to share. The portions are scaled and based upon the number in your party.

To the left an order of Fried Calamari Pomodoro is accompanied by a Chopped Salad and a Mediterranean Salad. There are a dozen or so appetizers to choose from and six distinct salads.

The Family Style menu offers some twenty different pastas, including Gnocchi Bolognese, Shrimp and Crab Ziti and a Seafood Canneloni with Tomato Fennel Sauce.

The full--or regular--menu includes additional pastas such as the Shrimp Scampi Capellini (above) and the Lobster Ravioli pictured here.

The Family Style Menu also includes seventeen entrees to choose from, including this Chicken Saltimbocca.

Here a Grilled Herb Salmon is finished with an Olivata Sauce (Roasted Tomatoes, Kalamata Olives and Scallions in a White Wine Sauce) and Goat Cheese.

Feel no guilt ordering dessert, especially when dining Family Style. Dessert is included - and not to be missed. There are nine different options (and remember you get to choose two when ordering Family Style), including the Berry Mascarpone Cake and Raspberry Cheesecake pictured here, as well as Italian favorites like House-Made Cannoli and Tiramisu.

Looking to order Italian-American favorites like Pizza and Stromboli to eat in or take out? Juliana's has your covered.

Juliana's is only open for dinner service, but will make lunch arrangements for large parties. Call them for further information.