November was an especially active month in the never-dull restaurant scene in Harrisburg.
The heart-of-downtown corner of N. 2nd and Locust has seen numerous bars and eateries come and go over the years. The latest “go” was Spice, an American-style bistro. In its stead, Arooga’s will open its fourth location and first within Harrisburg proper.
The new Arooga’s Draft House and Sports Bar will be designed specifically for an urban location, with more drafts and a sleeker look, according to Arooga’s. It’s expected to debut early next year.
On the other side of Forster Street, the long-rumored sale of Garrason’s Tavern finally went beyond rumor, as owner Rob Fogleman said he will relinquish his decade-long reign behind the bar this month. Garrason’s is under contract to be bought by an experienced Harrisburg tavern manager. The new owner, who asked not to be named until the sale is final, said he plans significant changes for the re-named Sturges Speakeasy.
Roxy’s Café owner Richard Hanna has been on something of a tear lately, announcing last month that he will take ground-floor space for a new restaurant in The 1500 Project, a condominium complex at N. 6th and Reily streets.
Café at 1500 will feature an American-style diner and deli food and is expected to open in early spring with the completion of the 43-unit building. This is the second restaurant Hanna has announced recently. Last month, he took over the former Confit Bistro space in Camp Hill, turning it into a Mediterranean-style eatery called Layel Bistro.
In addition to Layel Bistro, several new restaurants opened their kitchens last month, including Jayyid Harvest and Pho Cali.
Broad Street Market Names New Manager
Elissa Feinstein has been named the new market manager for the Broad Street Market and Nicole Sheaffer the facilities manager.
Feinstein was founder and editor of Harrisburg’s CityBeat Magazine, which published between 1990 and 2002. She replaces Jennifer Sim.
“I have been involved in the advertising, journalism, public relations industry since 1989,” Feinstein said.
She said she also owned a six-location produce- and street-vending business in Boston. She moved to Harrisburg from Boston in 1980.
Annual Perohi Sale for Christmastime
Perohi, a popular eastern European-style dumpling with various fillings from cheese to meat to prune, are being sold through Dec. 21 by St. Ann Byzantine Catholic Church, 5408 Locust Lane, Harrisburg, as part of a pre-Christmas fast.
Sales of perohi (also known as pierogi) are Wednesdays, noon to 1 p.m., and Saturdays, 9 a.m. to noon, in the parish hall.
Proceeds benefit parish educational activities. Call 717-652-1415 or visit www.stannbyz.org for more information.
