Owner of Marie’s Kitchen in the Broad Street Market, Marie Anne Hartlaub
As the seasons change and the weather grows colder, it’s the perfect time to warm up with some comfort food.
Lucky for you, a new stand at the Broad Street Market specializes in just that.
Marie’s Kitchen, which serves flavorful Haitian cuisine, opened last week at the market, fulfilling a long-time dream for owner and chef Marie Anne Hartlaub.
“My passion has always been in the kitchen,” Hartlaub said. “I wanted to share that cuisine that meant so much to me.”
All of the food at Marie’s Kitchen is sentimental to Hartlaub and brings her back to her younger years in the kitchen with her mom and siblings in Haiti, her native country. She remembers cooking for her family, neighbors and really anyone who stopped by, as the kitchen was always open. She began sharing those dishes with the Harrisburg community by opening an events business, but looked forward to one day opening a restaurant.
“I always wanted to be in this market,” she said. “I used to come to the market with my dad and thought hopefully I can open here one day.”
Marie’s specialty dish is the “Sòs Poul,” chicken in red sauce with onions and peppers. Other menu options include a whole fried red snapper, Haitian-style spaghetti, mac and cheese, pork shoulder, beef-filled pastries and plantains. She also has vegetarian options and prides herself in having a little something for everybody.
“I’m not going to say it’s to die for; it’s to live for,” Hartlaub said with a laugh. “Every smell is nostalgic and reminds me of Haiti.”
Cooking has always been a passion for Hartlaub–and a family affair. Food brings people together, she said. Hartlaub runs the stand with her daughter Tatiana Roberts and with support from her husband Don.
Although Marie’s Kitchen hasn’t been open long, Hartlaub has already seen the positive response from the community as customers visit her market stand for the first time.
“It feels great,” she said. “My whole objective is to make people happy.”
Marie’s Kitchen is located in the Broad Street Market’s stone building. For more information, visit their Facebook page.
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