Subscribe in a reader

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Mangia Qui

Mangia Qui Restaurant, Harrisburg Pennsylvania © Susqueats.com 2009

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

Map It

Labels: Harrisburg restaurant, Italian, Mangia Qui

photography © Tom Wenger Photography, LLC posted by Tom Wenger at 7:00 AM

0 comments

Monday, March 30, 2009

Carley's Ristorante & Piano Bar

Carley's Ristorante & Piano Bar Restaurant, Harrisburg Pennsylvania © Susqueats.com 2009

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

Map It

Labels: Carley's Ristorante and Piano Bar, Harrisburg restaurant, Italian, piano bar, Restaurant Row

photography © Tom Wenger Photography, LLC posted by Tom Wenger at 7:00 AM

0 comments

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.