Tag Archives: Mangia Qui

A Victorian Valentine: A step back in time, a short drive away.

January 30, 2015 | by Don Helin

Harrisburg is an incredible place to celebrate Valentine’s Day.

The mood is just right at romantic restaurants like Char’s, Mangia Qui and note.; at a bed and breakfast like City House; while huddling with your sweetie in Riverfront Park as the moon sparkles off the icy Susquehanna River.

But maybe you’ve done Valentine’s Day in the city before, or maybe you’d just like to get out of town for a night. Fortunately, there are places nearby that may fit your desires, each evocative of Victorian-era romance and just a short drive from Harrisburg.

Tea for Two

Looking for a romantic way to begin your Valentine’s Day weekend? Then be sure to stop by Sweet Remembrances Tea Room, located in an artfully restored post-Civil War era red brick row home in historic downtown Mechanicsburg, just 15 minutes west of Harrisburg.

“We opened the tea room to complement Rosemary House, the herb and spice shop that my mother, Bertha Reppert, started in 1968,” said owner Nancy Reppert.

Presently, Nancy’s sister, Susanna, owns and operates the Rosemary House where, in addition to herbs and spices, she sells the wide variety of loose leaf teas they serve in the tea room, along with related tea accouterments.

“We work closely together,” Nancy explained, “and our customers enjoy the personal touch of our combined businesses. It’s not uncommon to find Susanna pouring tea in Sweet Remembrances Tea Room or me helping out in the Rosemary House.”

Afternoon teas are scheduled on Wednesdays throughout the year and on the first Saturday of the month. Nancy also offers a wide variety of unique events throughout the year, such as themed teas, guest speakers, herbal workshops and bus trips.

Valentine’s Day will be a special time at the tea room this year.

On Friday, Feb. 13, and Saturday, Feb. 14 at 1 p.m., Nancy will host a special afternoon tea for guests to celebrate friendships or to provide a serene location for the romantic couple.

“The menu is special,” Nancy said. “We’ll feature hearts and roses galore with heart-shaped sandwiches, rosy red foods, our famous fresh-from-the-oven English cream scones, and of course, chocolate.”

Advance reservations are encouraged for the $35-per-person special tea, so plan early.

During my visit, I especially enjoyed the French caramel crème brulee and found it fun to sit, relax, sip tea and nibble on sandwiches, scones and sweets.

I found something for every tea lover on the menu: 13 different kinds of black teas and 18 flavored teas, along with a number of herbal teas. According to Nancy, the most popular flavored tea is the Blue Lady tea, composed of coconut, strawberry and kiwi, a fruity delight just perfect for Valentine’s Day.

House of Love

Following tea, it’s time to get dressed for a romantic dinner. Outside of Harrisburg, it’s hard to beat Alfred’s Victorian, a restaurant nestled within the historic Raymond-Young Mansion in Middletown, the interior all gussied up in high Victorian décor.

“I call Alfred’s Victorian the ‘House of Love,’” said manager Jill Seltzer. “So many couples come to us to celebrate an anniversary of dating or their marriage anniversary or simply to enjoy a romantic dinner.”

Many bed and breakfasts in the local area send their guests who are on a romantic weekend to dine at Alfred’s Victorian during their stay, said Seltzer.

Valentine’s Day is a special event at Alfred’s Victorian, and the restaurant takes reservations a year in advance. The Victorian mansion, built in 1888, is covered inside, top to bottom, with hearts, lace, red, pink and cupid pops.

“We celebrate all weekend and into the next weekend trying to accommodate the many couples wanting to come out and visit,” Seltzer said.

The restaurant, in fact, offers a special discounted menu the weekend after Valentine’s Day.

The menu for Valentine’s weekend includes such holiday-themed items as “You’re My Valentine Salad,” “Seafood Passion Papillote” and a special Valentine’s cheesecake. The wine list will feature an additional Champagne and prosecco ready for your “toast of love.”

Gold Rush

A bit farther to the east, the General Sutter Inn occupies a prime downtown spot in the quaint town of Lititz. In 1776, this Moravian settlement was named for the Bohemian town of Lidice where, in 1756, the followers of John Hus formed the Moravian Church.

In 1930, the name of the inn on the square was changed to the General Sutter to honor John Augustus Sutter, a California gold rush pioneer who lived his last seven years in Lititz and is buried in the Moravian Cemetery.

“This inn has been in the hospitality business since 1764,” said Joseph Cilluffo, the inn’s general manager. “I take great pride in our multi-concept restaurants, including the Bulls Head Public House room, which is a traditional English pub, and our more elegant white tablecloth dining room, perfect for any special occasion.”

The inn has two floors of rooms, the second floor Victorian in style and the third floor modeled in modern decor. On Saturdays, the inn offers a special English breakfast in the pub. The inn also serves a complimentary continental breakfast each morning for guests in the bed and breakfast.

“Each year, we feature a speciala la carte menu in our dining room for Valentine’s Day,” Cilluffo explained, “but we still offer our traditional fare in the pub. My favorite menu items are the chicken leak pie and the filet dinner. Everything on our menu is made from scratch. Our purpose is to give each and every one of our guests a warm memory of their visit, an overall sense of home.”

Special House

On the other side of Harrisburg, the stone Cochran-Anspach Mansion in Millerstown will host a special Valentine’s Day dinner on Friday and Saturday nights, Feb. 13 and 14.

“The dinners will be catered by Rocco’s Restaurant in Harrisburg,” organizer Curt Black explained. “Our dinners are designed for couples, or groups of four in an intimate setting.”

The circa-1821 mansion is not technically Victorian, but later remodeling has left Victorian touches, such as the entryway lighting, and the overall elegance of the house offers an early indication of the decorative era to come.

The mansion was built by Thomas Cochran, one of the first settlers in Millerstown.

“Cochran owned vast land holdings in Pennsylvania and Missouri,” said Dennis Hocker, president of the Perry County Historical Society. “The son of his granddaughter, Anna Kaufman Anspach, willed the home to the Perry County Historical Society in 1981.”

As you enter, you’ll see this is a special house. The front door is enhanced with a graceful double arch of six panes overhead and leads to a spacious central hall with a suspended stairway. There are four large rooms downstairs, each with a handsome fireplace, and, upstairs, four more rooms. An herb and flower garden is located on either side of the patio in the back of the house.

So, there’s a plan: four Victorian-inspired celebrations, each less than an hour’s drive from Harrisburg. Make your reservations early and enjoy the most romantic day of the calendar with that special someone.

GOING THERE

Nancy Reppert’s Sweet Remembrances Tea Room
118 S. Market St., Mechanicsburg
www.sweetremembrancestearoom.com or 717-697-5785

Alfred’s Victorian
38 N. Union St., Middletown
www.alfredsvictorian.com or 717-944-5373

General Sutter Inn
14 E. Main St., Lititz
www.generalsutterinn.com or 717-626-2115

Cochran–Anspach Mansion
18 N. Market St., Millerstown
Call Curt Black at 717-589-3598.

Don Helin published his first thriller, “Thy Kingdom Come,” in 2009. His recently published novel, “Devil’s Den,” has been selected as a finalist in the Indie Book Awards. His latest thriller, “Secret Assault,” was published in November. Contact Don on his website, www.donhelin.com.

A Meal, a Memory: Caruso’s may be gone, but the melody lingers.

July 31, 2014 | by Rosemary Ruggieri Baer

Harrisburg’s restaurant scene has changed so much in recent years.

The places we considered “landmarks” in the city are gone: the Maverick (great steaks and a lobster fest in June), Italian classics at Lombardo’s (seafood fra diablo), the Esquire Room in the old Penn Harris (great burgers), and Santanna’s on 2nd Street with the fish tank at the door and hard shell crabs by the bushel.

We have new places to love now: Carley’s and Stock’s; Mangia Qui and Char’s; Café Fresco and Home 231; Bricco and El Sol; and many wonderful casual spots like the Federal Taphouse, Arepa City, Pastorante, Alvaro and Crawdaddy’s.

But driving on Chestnut Street in downtown Harrisburg always brings back memories of a little bistro that was very dear to my heart. Many years are gone since Dennis and Terry Snyder opened Caruso’s not far from the train station near what now is Bricco. It was a tiny place with a front-facing window, forest green walls decked with Italian art, and, on weekdays, the sounds of opera softly playing in the background. Caruso’s smelled like an Italian restaurant should smell, in my view: of olive oil and garlic.

It was the early ‘80s, and our children were very little back then. When my family could babysit, we would sneak out to Caruso’s for a late dinner, usually on a Saturday night. The little bistro was always bustling and, on weekends, Carl Iba, violinist for the Harrisburg Symphony, would stroll and play all night. I can never hear music from “Fiddler on the Roof” without thinking of him.

The food was wonderful: homemade pasta, fresh fish from Baltimore, chicken and meat dishes, all prepared in classic Mediterranean style. Terry made all the desserts herself. Her specialty was zuccotto, a chilled cake, brandy, chocolate and cream dessert prepared in a rounded mold. It was always on the menu. Lacrima Christi and Cortese di Gavi were always available for perfect wine accompaniments.

I still remember my first meal at Caruso’s: homemade spinach fettuccine with gorgonzola cream sauce and chicken with vinegar peppers. It was delightful. And, after that, we were regulars.

For this month’s column and as a tribute to Caruso’s, I searched and searched for a recipe for chicken with vinegar peppers to share with TheBurgreaders that was reminiscent of that first meal. I found a recipe by Bobby Flay called “Chicken and Peppers in Balsamic Vinegar Sauce”and decided to give it a try:

Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in a medium Dutch oven over moderately high heat (I used my cast iron Le Creuset) until it shimmers.
Pat dry 8 chicken thighs (bone in or boneless) with a paper towel and season with salt and pepper. Brown the thighs in batches (give them room!) until golden brown, about 4 minutes per side. Remove each batch to a clean plate until the others are done and before adding the peppers.
Cut 3 bell peppers (I used red, yellow and green) into thin strips and add to the casserole. Cook the peppers about 5 minutes until slightly soft. (August is a great month for peppers.)
Add 4 cloves chopped garlic and toss with the peppers about 1 minute.
Then add 1 tablespoon tomato paste and cook for another minute, working the paste through the pepper mixture.
Add 1 cup balsamic vinegar (I used a good white balsamic) and cook the pepper mixture until the vinegar is reduced by half.
Add 2 tablespoons honey and a cup of low sodium chicken broth and cook for 5 minutes more. The heat should still be moderately high.
Return the chicken to the pot, reduce the heat to medium, and cover the lid. Simmer the chicken until completely cooked through (at least 30 minutes) and then remove the lid.
Remove the chicken to a platter and then boil down the sauce a little to thicken.
Pour the sauce over the chicken and sprinkle with chopped Italian parsley.

We loved this dish. I served it with rice for him and creamy mashed Yukon gold potatoes for me. Sliced summer tomatoes with chopped basil would be a nice accompaniment to the chicken, along with chilled melon slices.

Now, as a matter of full disclosure, this dish was very different from my first cherished entree at Caruso’s. (I will have to keep searching.) But writing this column brought back wonderful memories of that special place. Here’s to a little restaurant on Chestnut Street that was decades ahead of its time. Salute!

An Optimist Strikes Back: Good things are happening right before our eyes. So, what’s with all the cynicism?

July 31, 2014 | by J. Alex Hartzler

I meet people every day who love living and working in Harrisburg.

Often, just having a coffee at Little Amps or grabbing lunch at Café Fresco, I enjoy the fun and excitement of urban spontaneity. One meeting leads to two or three other conversations as people have unplanned interactions throughout the course of the day.

The essence of urban living and working is being out and about, walking around, meeting new people and reconnecting with friends and colleagues. Some of the best ideas spring from these chance encounters and enriching conversations, occasionally leading to actions and projects, both large and small.

This past month, a major new business joined Harrisburg when the Philadelphia Macaroni Co. took over operations at the former Unilever plant on S. 17^th Street. This is but one of numerous new businesses and residents in Harrisburg recently. While this news was surprising to some (who generally have a cynical outlook of the city), it should not be a surprise to anyone who has been following all of the positive activity going on over the last year. Here is a list of just some other projects (and folks to talk to) if you want to hear the story of what is really happening this summer in Harrisburg.

WebpageFX recently moved 65 employees into a renovated, 9,000-square-foot building at 1705 N. Front St. Bill Craig and Karie Shearer have led the company since its inception. They said that moving to Harrisburg from a business incubator in Carlisle was a natural next step in the growth of their company and was essential for their recruitment efforts. WebpageFX has generally young and tech-savvy employees who prefer city amenities—like the beautiful view of the Susquehanna River right out their front window. (My company, WCI Partners is the developer and landlord of WebpageFX’s building.)

Speaking of views, Char’s Tracy Mansion, just up Front Street from WebpageFX, is having a record-breaking year. I spoke to Char Magaro this week, and her business is outperforming all the expectations that she had when she expanded from her prior location in Shipoke. At the time, many were skeptical that any restaurant on Front Street would be successful. However, her food and setting are as good as any in the region and state.

While I’m talking about restaurants, Harrisburg boasts not one but several national-class dining experiences. Qui Qui and her partner Staci, the long-time owners of Mangia Qui and Suba, are set to more than double their restaurant space when they open Rubicon this summer. Sitting in the shadow of the Capitol dome at N. 3rd and North streets, Qui and Staci have re-invested substantial new capital into their business and are excited to expand their offerings in the city.

Derek Dilks recently gave me a tour of the LUX condominium building that he and Dan Deitchman redeveloped at N. 3^rd and State streets in Harrisburg. Consisting of 44 units, about half of which are already reserved prior to their opening, the building is a terrific redesign and conversion of vacant, rundown office space. Formerly a non-profit association headquarters, the building sat empty for years. Dan and Derek are working on a restaurant for the first floor and offer amazing views of the Capitol building and downtown for their residents from the building’s rooftop. When fully occupied, the building will add vibrancy and foot traffic in the downtown.

Josh Kesler recently gave me a tour of his ambitious new project across from the Broad Street Market. Over the winter, Josh and his team sandblasted and refinished the old wood timber in the historic Millworks building, which had sat empty for years. Now, they are putting finishing touches on 23 workspaces that have been 100-percent pre-leased to artists who will both make and market their wares in the new space. Josh and his wife are also adding a farm-to-table restaurant and beer garden inside the space. By removing part of the roof, they have created a very unique indoor/outdoor space unlike any other in the region. It is sure to be a new hot spot when it opens this fall.

Nick Laus is opening a new wine bar and upscale brick-oven pizzeria called Cork & Fork at the corner of N. 2^nd and State streets this fall. Expanding on his already very successful city businesses at Café Fresco and Home 231, Nick’s additional investment shows his continued faith in Harrisburg. (WCI will be the landlord for Cork & Fork.)

And the reasons for optimism keep on coming:

Emma’s on Third recently opened an organic spa and yoga studio on 3rd Street in Midtown near the new Susquehanna Art Museum.
Yellowbird Café was packed this weekend when I swung by for take-out for some friends visiting from out of town.
Aaron Carlson at Little Amps tells me that his business has had its best three months running since it opened.
The team at The MakeSpace continues to impress with all their artistic and community endeavors.
Dan Webster (with an assist from Liz and Dani Fresh) recently produced a Harrisburg version of their magazine, Local. If you haven’t picked up a copy, please do—it is worth the read.
Out-of-town investors recently purchased the long-vacant properties previously owned by Mary Knackstedt and have started work, vowing to be the latest residents to make their home on N. Front Street.

I could go on and on, but you get the picture. This is truly an exciting time for Harrisburg. There is much more to be done, but our worst days are behind us and many terrific things are happening, if you just look and walk around.

Unlike the cynics, don’t be surprised. Just read TheBurg every month (and daily on the Web) to hear about the stories you won’t find elsewhere.

J. Alex Hartzler is publisher of TheBurg.

5 Restaurants, 1 Question

April 30, 2014 | by TheBurg Staff

The restaurant business is notoriously fickle, with an average eatery lasting only a couple of years before closing up. So, then what makes for success in this difficult industry?

We asked five of Harrisburg’s long-time, most respected restaurateurs for their opinions. Looking back, what has been the most important factor in your success? Photography by Dani Fresh, danifresh.com.

Tom and Amy Scott / McGrath’s Pub

Unlike for most occupations or professions, the “School of Hard Knocks” is the best education for the food service industry. You learn as you go and hope you are blessed with good role models.

You have to be cut out for this life. Only crazy, uneducated, socially awkward people are stupid enough to do this for a living. I’m speaking for myself, of course.

All kidding aside, it’s all about relationships with our guests, striving everyday to keep our food the best quality, the restaurant spic-n-span, be committed to running a solid business, being patient, being realistic and remembering to stick with what works. And above all, know your limitations. If you can’t execute all of the time, every day, then don’t do it.

Try not to get caught up in what the “other guy” is doing, just stick to what you do best. Common sense tells me that things are “good” when our neighbors are doing good business. Common sense tells me that when “Harrisburg” is doing well, we all have an opportunity to do well.

Angelo Karagiannis / Zembie’s Sports Tavern

The most important factor in the success of Zembie’s is by far my STAFF! Twenty years ago when I purchased Zembie’s, I worked around the clock expressing my concerns and objectives to front- and back-of-the-house employees. These key employees are still with me.

Another factor is that Zembie’s is a small place with a reasonable rent which allows me the ability to manage the ups and downs of this fickle business. However, as new places come and go, my staff remains.

Regulars and the support of restaurant employees in town have given us the feeling of a “Cheers.” And we are proud to have that feeling!

Char Magaro / Char’s at Tracy Mansion

Char’s Tracy Mansion’s success is due to:

We offer an overall dining experience that is unique for this area.
We strive to exceed people’s expectations.
We deliver a “product” (atmosphere, service, menu) that makes our guests feel special.

Nicholas Laus / Café Fresco and Home 231

When someone leaves my restaurant, I want them to say “WOW.”

There are many dynamics that go into attaining and maintaining that “wow” factor. The restaurant’s atmosphere serves as the first impression for the customer—and it should be a unique concept with strategically planned lighting, music and décor. Though the fundamental theme may remain unchanged over time, I’m always visiting other establishments in search of innovative new menu, service and design ideas to incorporate into my own businesses.

Next, customers will meet the staff, whose importance I never underestimate. Wait staff in food service are your salespeople, responsible for marketing and selling your menu. Image is crucial, along with a welcoming personality that allows them to socialize with customers and offer menu suggestions. Getting someone to try something new that they love is a great way to encourage repeat business.

I want customers to be impressed by the food presentation and then wowed by the taste. The menu should be balanced, fun and exciting—continuously evolving and offering new dishes for patrons to explore.

Lastly, I strive for customers to be wowed by my restaurant’s atmosphere, service and menu every visit. Consistency is crucial in this business.

Staci Basore / Mangia Qui, Suba and Rubicon

Success in the restaurant industry can be elusive. Some operators simply want to make a living while others have loftier goals. Regardless of your ambitions, I feel for us that employee happiness is key, coupled with guest satisfaction and, of course, offering a superior product.

A Year of History: 10 reasons why 2013 was a special year for Harrisburg.

December 31, 2013 | by Lawrance Binda

The news media toss about the word “historic” recklessly. They do so to rev up the melodrama, to make rather average stories sound more important than they actually are.

That said: “historic” may well describe the past year for the people of Harrisburg. In the city’s long history, 2013 will almost certainly be regarded as a year of singular importance, regardless of how the complex financial recovery plan shakes out over the long term.

So, with apologies to my former co-editor, Pete, who understandably chafed at this tired, old nugget of journalism, here are my Top 10 news events in Harrisburg for 2013, in descending order of importance.

10. Sale and re-launch of TheBurg. It may seem self-serving to put your own baby in a Top 10 list, but I’m going to do it anyway. I’ve been told many times that TheBurg means much to the people here, and, after a brief hiatus, we were able to re-launch it with an entirely new style and level of quality. With the generous support of our Publisher Alex Hartzler and several key community members, we are able to put out a product that, we hope, serves Harrisburg well and reflects the cosmopolitan city it’s becoming.

9. Changes in legislatures. The arrival of of Sen. Rob Teplitz and Rep. Patty Kim in the Capitol brought much-needed youthful vigor and a pro-city spirit to the state legislature. Similarly, the election of Shamaine Daniels and Ben Allatt promises to shake up City Council with new blood, energy and ideas.

8. Restaurant scene. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. For such a small city, the restaurant scene in Harrisburg is excellent—and keeps getting better. This year will only add to the riches. Rubicon, next to Mangia Qui, will be first out of the gate with an early-2014 opening. Nearby, a high-end pizza and wine restaurant will rise at the corner of N. 2^nd and State streets, while, a block up, Brickbox plans fine dining for the first floor of its new LUX condo building. Midtown also is getting in on the love. A wine-focused restaurant has been proposed for the corner of N. 2^nd and Harris streets, and, if everything goes right, a new microbrewery will open just a few blocks away from there. Later in the year, a farm-to-table restaurant is due for the Stokes Millworks building across the street from the Broad Street Market.

7. Transportation funding. In November, the state legislature passed—and Gov. Tom Corbett signed—a $2.4 billion transportation bill that delivers $10 million in road improvements to Harrisburg over the next five years. This money is critical if the city is ever going to repair and modernize its infrastructure, which has been neglected for so many years. It’s essential both to the city’s livability today and to its attractiveness as a place for people to live, work and visit. Imagine a downtown where staying in your traffic lane isn’t a white-knuckle guessing game and driving across Forster Street isn’t like rumbling over ski moguls. To quote road-loving Judge Doom from “Who Framed Roger Rabbit?”—“My God, it’ll be beautiful!”

6. Reform of the Harrisburg Authority. For many people, mentioning a utility authority is a one-way ticket to naptime. But, in Harrisburg, it’s been the center of melodrama for years, ever since revelations that former Mayor Steve Reed used the authority as a sandbox for his financial games. Therefore, it’s no small matter that the authority has remade itself with new leadership, new independence and a renewed mission, now focused on water and sewer service. It even has a new name: Capital Region Water, which better reflects its sharply focused mission.

5. Restoration of historic and blighted properties. Just two years ago, important properties as varied as the Barto Building, Payne-Shoemaker Building, Stokes Millworks, the Moffitt Mansion, among many others, were all languishing as underutilized, if not abandoned. They now have all been or are being restored and put back into use. To cap off this list: the awful eyesore known as the Capitol View Commerce Center, once the physical symbol of all that was wrong with Reed-era, high-finance Harrisburg, was bought out of bankruptcy and will be completed next year. If this hulking, half-finished, corruption-tainted disaster can be salvaged and turned into vibrant, occupied space, you have to be optimistic what the future holds for the rest of the city. Tipping point, anyone?

4. Sale of the city incinerator. It began as a debacle and pretty much stayed that way for 40 years, a polluting money pit that, when it wasn’t breaking down or being forced by the authorities to shut down, was leveraged into insolvency. It became both the plaything and the burden of successive mayors, whose dreams for it far exceeded its ability to deliver on them. The irony is that, just as the blasted thing finally worked as long-hoped, the city had to sell it for about one-third of the price owed on its accumulated debt. Nonetheless, our long municipal nightmare is over.

3. The primary loss of Mayor Linda Thompson. A year ago, many residents seemed resigned that Thompson would win re-election, extending an administration that they believed didn’t serve the city well. I shared the opinion that Thompson, for many reasons, was not the best person to serve as mayor of Harrisburg. However, I didn’t believe she had enough support to secure a second term, given the palpable exhaustion with her leadership. In the end, she came in third in the Democratic primary, securing just 28 percent of the vote.

2. The election of Eric Papenfuse. About a year ago, Papenfuse told me that he was considering running for mayor. I immediately tried to discourage him, thinking this effort would out work about as well as his previous unsuccessful runs for City Council and Dauphin County commissioner. Silly me. Papenfuse clearly learned from his past campaigns, starting late but quickly lapping a formidable primary field, then repeating that impressive performance in the general election. If I have just one wish for Harrisburg for 2014, it’s that the city finally gets the high-quality leadership it so desperately needs and deserves.

1. The Harrisburg Strong Plan. When former receiver David Unkovic released his financial recovery framework in 2012, people seemed generally impressed with its thoughtfulness and scope. Receiver William Lynch’s final plan was even more comprehensive, fleshing out Unkovic’s outline and adding several novel elements. The Strong plan has the potential to be a game-changer, not only for Harrisburg but for other financially distressed cities needing a new model to draw on. The ultimate success of this complex plan is hardly assured, but it gives this city a chance—a good one—for a new beginning and a hopeful future.

If you look carefully, you’ll notice that there is one element that ties this list together. Each item is, in my opinion, positive for Harrisburg. How many cities can say the Top 10 news items over the past year were good ones?

A Time for Thanks: Our publisher finds plenty to be grateful for this past year.

November 29, 2013 | by J. Alex Hartzler

Thanksgiving, just past, is perhaps my favorite holiday.

It is a time for being thankful “just because.” Coming every year on a Thursday, it guarantees a short week of work and a long weekend with family and friends. My mom, like her mother before her, makes an amazing turkey with all the many accompanying dishes. I can usually count on leftovers lasting all weekend long. I’ve always loved leftover turkey to go along with two days of college football. All in all, it is a wonderful time of the year.

Thanksgiving also reminds all of us that giving thanks is universal. While not everyone can give or receive the gifts they may want during the coming holiday season, all can have a thankful heart. And a thankful heart is a happy heart for blessings small and large.

With that in mind, here is my list of “things I am thankful for” in Harrisburg:

A terrific year of growth and development at TheBurg
Paul’s writing, Megan’s design, Lauren’s sales, Andrea’s support and Larry’s leadership in pulling it all together
Our Burg freelancers and photographers who contribute competently and faithfully
All of TheBurg’s wonderful advertisers
Select Capital Realty Group and John Ortenzio for being the first column sponsor of TheBurg
Sutliff Chevrolet for supporting 3rd in The Burg and all its artists
The receiver, the mayor, the governor, City Council and Judge Leadbetter for their diligent efforts with the financial recovery plan
State Sen. Rob Teplitz and Rep. Patty Kim for the great leadership on behalf of our city and region
Mayor-elect Eric Papenfuse and his family for their sacrifice to move Harrisburg forward
WCI Partners’ president and operations manager for developing Harrisburg and making it a better place—and for being two of the finest people I know
The fabulous designer at Urban Interiors and Smoke, her cat
All the many residents of Olde Uptown who believe in OU and Harrisburg
Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney and First National Bank for staying in and moving into the city
WebpageFx for believing in Harrisburg and moving 50 employees here next year
The Harrisburg Chamber and CREDC for their support of our city and its many projects
Harristown Development Corp. and their great leadership team
GreenWorks for helping to develop and grow Midtown
JEM Group, Trinity Construction and Renovations Co., for helping build our city
Brickbox for converting outdated office space to residential living
Harrisburg University for their continued commitment to our city
HYP for continuing to make Harrisburg a great place to “live, work and play”
Creative start-ups, like Stash, The MakeSpace, Yellow Bird Café and St@rtup
Community Networking Resources for community development
LaTorre Communications for helping Penn State communicate
State Street Strategies for—well—great strategy and advice
Greenlee Partners for great work for the city
Triad Strategies for their consulting and advice
City House B&B and their wonderful owners and great friends
Michael Hanes’ leadership of Whitaker Center and its excellent programming
Messiah College for sending Harrisburg many wonderful graduates
The members of the Harrisburg Capital PAC
John Norton and Brian Ostella, just for being on Twitter
Penn State Harrisburg and their development staff
My former partners at Webclients, who helped me get here
Bill O’Brien, for leading “our” football team (don’t argue, PSU counts here too)
“The Tuscan” at Mangia Qui
The fine bartenders, food and ambiance at Café Fresco
Fine dining at Char’s along the Susquehanna River
The “best latte in the nation” at Little Amps
Running in fall on the river or through the tree canopy on Green Street
Cheese pizza at Ciervo’s
Anyone who takes time to call or email me and say “you left me off your list” (at least you read this far!)
And all the other many folks who believe in our city in its time of need. Your faith will be rewarded in the coming years.

Happy Holidays!

J. Alex Hartzler is publisher of TheBurg.

Cross the Rubicon–Then Have a Drink, a Nosh: The ladies of Mangia Qui are about to bring fine bar culture to Harrisburg.

October 29, 2013 | by Dan Webster

At 10 p.m. on a Tuesday evening in late August, a lone party of eight is finishing up their meal at Mangia Qui, waiting for their limo to show up. They won an auction gift that was an in-kind donation from the owners, Staci Basore, Elide Hower and Qui Qui Musarra, who sit around me, eager to chew the fat about their new restaurant, Rubicon.

Musarra keeps using the atmospheric buzzword “convivial” to describe their endeavor. Staci Basore, front of the house manager and co-owner, keeps coming back to the horseshoe bar, a 20-person showcase piece that will define the space. Elide Hower, baker extraordinaire and co-owner, provides input on Rubicon’s proposed hours.

Still short on details, the main thing we know about Rubicon is that the restaurant being constructed next door to Mangia Qui/Suba will be a “proper bar.” Or, in the words of Qui, “bar culture fortified by good food.” A couple of other firm points: a menu mainstay will be French onion soup, and Ashlyn Hawkins, long-time Suba employee, will be tapped as the restaurant’s maître d’. Everything else is up to your imagination until they open in the next few months.

What is certain is that, if the test kitchens are any indication of the creativity and care the ladies of Mangia Qui are putting into this place, Rubicon is sure to live up to their vision par excellence.

On a beautiful June night, a selection of Harrisburg’s own was invited to serve as glorified guinea pigs in Qui’s backyard patio garden. We were de facto food and drink testers, business concept judges and community supporters, offering up our “mmm’s” and nonverbal cues (mostly thumbs up) when eating the battered frog legs (that could have been chicken wings), slurping the French onion soup and dipping crackers into the paté.

The design of a test kitchen is simply this: It’s a way to engross select community members in lively conversation to solicit feedback about the epicurean delights and overall strategy of an incoming restaurant.

While the test kitchen has been selective, Rebecca Miller, former employee of Mangia Qui, has augmented Rubicon’s social engagement with the community through a robust Facebook, Twitter and Instagram campaign.

She says, “Our goal is to engage the community via an image-based media campaign.” Photos by Anela Bence-Selkowitz, owner of Studio A and a local photographer, have been popping up on Facebook since late June, providing glimpses of the construction, the drink concepts. Some posts have asked for opinions from the larger community on matters ranging from preferred libations to the kind of sustainable flooring that should be installed. Call it community input.

And this is because Rubicon, as Basore notes, is all about accessibility.

When asked about the demographic most likely to patronize Rubicon, the three owners are unanimous in saying, “all ages.” Whereas Suba is geared toward a young professional/higher-end drinking crowd, and Mangia Qui to a wealthier strata with a mixture of locals and tourists, Rubicon is a destination designed to attract a wider spectrum of people: those wanting a classic drink at a reasonable price, the best hamburger in town, seasonal dishes or charcuterie.

As the planning gears up, JEM Group continues its work on a total rehabilitation of the former Neptune Lounge, which closed two years ago.

As of this writing, workers had completely gutted the inside, making way for the grand bar with tables that will encircle the main dining area. A staircase will take you to the second floor landing, where you can sip drinks and look down on the goings-on below. Above, you will look into the rafters, where a yet-to-be-purchased light fixture will dangle its way down the three floors and ultimately hang above the bar. The bar’s expansiveness will be a horizontal and vertical feature, and the intended vibe is to evoke an era gone by and now being resurrected here in Harrisburg.

Hawkins, however, says it plainly: “The ladies of Mangia Qui are opening a bar.”

Sold.

Rubicon will be located at 268 North St., Harrisburg.

Springtime is for Lovers: There’s no need to search far for the perfect romantic weekend.

April 20, 2013 | by Barbara Trainin Blank

Who says a romantic getaway has to be far away?

Between fine dining and a cozy place to stay, Harrisburg can kindle romance this spring, the season when a person’s fancy turns to love.

In fact, with the weather beginning to warm, it’s a perfect time to celebrate your love not just for 24 hours but also for a long weekend.

Where to stay? The capital city has hotels and motels, but what could be more romantic than a bed and breakfast, near tourist attractions and the Susquehanna?

“We get out of-towners but also locals,” says Erica Bryce, proprietor of City House Bed & Breakfast on Front Street.

Norah and Jeff Johnson, who live within short walking distance of the bed and breakfast, are among them.

“We both have very busy schedules, and this offers us a little respite, when we can’t physically go away,” said Norah. “It has a nice, relaxing feel.”

The couple also appreciates the little touches, like big showers and cable TV. Built in 1925, City House has Spanish-style architecture. Additions in 2010 have turned it into a blend of old-world charm and modern amenities, including gated parking and keyless entry.

The bed and breakfast offers a private bath in every room, and three of its four rooms have fireplaces with candles. You can watch on-demand movies on 40-inch flat-screen TVs or play music from your iPod or iPad on an iHome. Each room has its own distinct view of the river—direct, or not quite.

After checking in, start the weekend “officially” with cocktails and dinner nearby at Home 231, a comfortable, yet stylish restaurant with an American home-style cuisine.

As the weather warms up, you’ll be able to enjoy the outside patio, booked on a first-come, first-served basis.

You can follow dinner with a moonlit (hopefully) stroll along the river or past the magnificent state Capitol. Or maybe take a horse-drawn ride, courtesy of Harrisburg Carriage Company on City Island.

Sleep in, then partake of the fresh-baked cookies and coffee served right outside your room at the bed and breakfast.

Wide awake? Eat lunch (or Sunday brunch) at Mangia Qui, a restaurant that takes you on a culinary trip to Sicily, Piedmont, Trentino and Campania.

“If you’ve never traveled to Italy, our food is as authentic as it gets, true to the region it came from,” said Staci Basore, owner and partner.

Even with its Italian flavor, Mangia Qui buys fresh, locally grown, farm-raised produce and meats whenever possible. Fresh fish is selected daily. The restaurant also emphasizes environmental concerns.

Basore describes Mangia Qui as “very warm, cozy, small and intimate.” For those who prefer a livelier environment, there’s Suba upstairs, with its casual and “louder” lounge atmosphere and specialty of Spanish tapas. No reservations are required at Suba.

For an enchanted Saturday evening, sample dinner at the brand-new Char’s Tracy Mansion. Veteran restaurateur Char Magaro opened the elegant, classic French cuisine eatery in October in the historic residence, which dates back to 1913 and went through several transformations before she bought it.

“We like to think patrons feel somewhere special, with ambiance that is rich, warm and inviting,” she said.

Char’s offers, in the owner’s words, “several opportunities to experience food and beverage.” You can start with drinks, served daily beginning at 4 p.m. in the Lounge/Library, which has the warmth and charm of a family den.

The establishment encompasses a long bar, the Gallery—for private events—and an intimate corner with a high top and two stools that you might prefer for an evening focused on romance.

Then there’s the elegant dining room, with a beautiful view of the river all along one wall, particularly breathtaking during a midday Sunday brunch. Throughout, glass sculptures by Magaro’s daughter, Ona, lend a special feel.

Don’t wait too long before celebrating the arrival of spring, the most romantic of seasons, as the heat of summer is not far away. Fortunately, some of your best options are close to home.

So where should you start for a romantic weekend in Harrisburg? Try these places mentioned in our story.

Char’s Tracy Mansion, 1829 N. Front St.; 213-4002; wwwcharsrestaurant.com

City House Bed & Breakfast, 915 N. Front St.; 903-2489; www.cityhousebb.com

Home 231, 231 North St.; 232-4663; www.home231.com

Mangia Qui, 272 North St.; 233-7358; www.mangiaqui.com

Food Pedalers: Local eateries roll out eco-friendly bike delivery.

September 4, 2012 | by Fazna Zain

Next time you think of ordering in lunch or dinner from your favorite restaurant, consider having it delivered the green way.

The Harrisburg Bike Taxi service is going one step further to help out the community by teaming up with local restaurants to deliver food right to your home or office. El Sol, Arepa City, Mangia Qui, The Soup Spot, Ceasars Italian Ice and Pita Pit form a short list of Bike Taxi’s clientele. Delivering food via bicycle is becoming more and more popular as it is hassle free, economical and adds a unique feel to Harrisburg.

“We just purchased two new bikes from Maryland in April and they have more space in the back which makes it convenient for food delivery,” said Sean Hertzler, owner of Bike Taxi. He said food deliveries are made anywhere from downtown, Midtown and sometimes even to Uptown Harrisburg.

Lunch deliveries range from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and dinner is from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The delivery rate for the bike taxi is $2.99 plus tip.

The Soup Spot, 1014 N. 3rd St., is Bike Taxi’s spotlight restaurant. They offer tips only rides for lunch or dinner. Randy Straub, part owner and chef, decided to use the taxi service for food delivery because he wanted to make his product available all day.

Another local eatery that has embraced this ecologically friendly practice is The Old Town Delicatessen, which recently opened at 512 N. 3rd St. Old Town offers its own bicycle food delivery service.

Ron Gilbertson, owner of this quaint restaurant, said they have two old fashioned bikes. “The old style bikes tie into the theme of the deli,” he said. They have top of the line deli meat and their breads come in fresh every morning.

Gilbertson likes the idea of bike delivery because bikes can get around the city easily and there is no hassle with parking.

Cribari’s Ristorante, 263 Reily St. in Midtown, also has its own delivery service. They make deliveries on their bike to customers within an eight-block radius.

Manager Charlie Cribari said they are working on building up their clientele and would like to extend the range of delivery in the future. This quaint venue offers Italian cuisine that is sure to satisfy your appetite.

Take advantage of this new eco friendly way to taste Harrisburg’s culinary scene.

Call Bike Taxi at 717-461-2202 for deliveries or call the restaurants: Old Town Deli, 717-856-8432; Cribari’s Ristorante, 717-412-0550.

You May Also Like

You May Also Like

You May Also Like

You May Also Like

You May Also Like

You May Also Like

You May Also Like

You May Also Like

You May Also Like