While I was home for the holidays, my parents took me to one of their new favorite restaurants in Harrisburg, PA, Char’s Restaurant. The Restaurant is housed in the Tracy Mansion, which was built in 1913, and is the only restaurant in Harrisburg that is situated on the Susquehanna River. You can enjoy a pre-dinner drink in the library or at the bar, and while dining enjoy a view of the Susquehanna River and the amazing glass and sculptures by artists Ona Magaro (Char’s daughter) and Glenn Zwyegardt. Owner Char Magaro and Executive Chef Ron Canady make an amazing team, and provide for one memorable meal.
Below is the amazing meal my family had!
Appetizer: Sea Scallop Gratin with tarragon lobster sauce
Sea Scallop Gratin
Salads:
Roasted Local Beets and Apples with shaved fennel, toasted almonds, goat cheese, and raspberry coconut vinaigrette
Roasted Beet and Apple Salad
Pear and Endive Salad with gorgonzola, toasted walnuts, and sherry vinaigrette
Pear and Endive Salad
Dad’s dinner: Natural Pork Tenderloin with coffee, cocoa, and herbed rub, with side of seasonal vegetables
Pork Tenderloin
Mom and my dinner: Blackened Aged Prime Sirloin with sauteed mixed wild mushrooms, pomme de terre, and shallot parsley compound butter
Blackened Sirloin
Not only did I love the meal, but what I loved even more was that the owner, Char, was always a visual presence in the restaurant, whether it was speaking with diners, eating dinner at a bar table, or delivering drinks and food to a table. Also visible was the executive chef, Ron Canady. Once service was complete, he came out of the kitchen and also visited the tables to make sure all the patrons enjoyed their meal. While he spoke with my family, you could see his passion for cooking, which diners could see in their meals. Ron even gave my family a tour of the kitchen! I had never been in a professional kitchen before and I have to say, after a night of service, the kitchen was very clean! (Ron disagreed!)
Skillets and Stove-top!
Char’s Executive Chef Ron Canady and me!
Front of Char’s Restaurant
(photo courtesy charsrestaurant.com/)
Library in Char’s
Front of Char’s Restaurant
(photo courtesy Char’s Facebook page)
If you live in the Central Pennsylvania area, are driving through, or plan to visit, Char’s Restaurant is a must-dine!
Read THIS interview from PennLive.com with Ron!
Char’s is located at:
1829 North Front Street
Harrisburg, PA 17012
info@charsrestaurant.com
Hours of Operation:
Bar and Library: Open at 4 pm
Dinner Service: Monday-Saturday: 5:30 pm to 10 pm
Sunday Brunch: 10 am to 2 pm
(717) 213-4002
Stay hungry…