Rubicon on North Street in Harrisburg
For Anya Romanenko, who has family in Ukraine, the past weeks have been “extremely emotional.”
Romanenko, a staff member at Harrisburg restaurants Rubicon and Mangia Qui, said that going to work has helped keep her steady during a devastating time.
The owners of the North Street trio of restaurants, Mangia Qui, Rubicon and Suba, saw how distraught she was and decided to take action.
On April 19, Rubicon will hold a fundraiser dinner to benefit Romanenko’s family, among others in Ukraine.
“This clearly falls into an unspoken part of our mission statement,” explained Qui Qui Musarra, co-owner of Rubicon. “Historically, Mangia Qui and Rubicon were always supportive of organizing fundraisers to support relief efforts. We are just doing our part.”
The event will feature a multi-course dinner reflecting dishes from Ukrainian cuisine. Romanenko and her parents, who are from Ukraine, will help prepare the food, as well.
According to Musarra, the menu will include authentic dishes like chicken Kiev, red beet borscht, salo or cured pork fat and vereniki, a dumpling dish.
Other local chefs will pitch in, as well. The owner of former Broad Street Market vendor Pikowski’s Pierogi Place and the owner of current market vendor Evanilla Donuts will help with food preparations.
All proceeds from the evening, including tips, will go to Razom for Ukraine, an organization supporting humanitarian relief efforts in the country. Some funds will also be sent to support members of Romenko’s family who are currently living in a bomb shelter.
In addition to experiencing Ukrainian cuisine, Romanenko hopes that guests will learn more about Ukrainian culture and the current war. She plans to speak at the event.
“I just want to bring awareness to people about what’s happening,” she said. “I’m hoping we are able to get the community involved.”
Rubicon is located at 272 North Street, Harrisburg. For more information, visit their website. To make reservations for the dinner to benefit Ukraine, call (717)-233-7358.
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