Project Type: Food

Cheers to Mela Kitchen

If you need a new reason to visit Gettysburg—besides hallowed battlefields and history—chances are you’ll find it at Mela Kitchen at Jack’s Hard Cider. The new flagship restaurant showcasing Jack’s Hard Cider and freshly-launched Atomic Dog Wines is located at one of the region’s largest open-air outlets, the Outlet Shoppes at Gettysburg.

“We’re a fast, casual-style restaurant with a quality of food that matches some of the area’s best full-service restaurants,” says Chef Josh Fidler, who considers his latest gig the “highlight” of his 20-year career. Continue reading Cheers to Mela Kitchen

A Taste of Heart and Soul

The soul of a business is often depicted in a logo. And that’s the case for Uncle Moe’s Soul Food Truck, which, on any given day, rolls into Gettysburg or throughout the region—from Frederick, Md., to Chambersburg, Hanover to Fairfield.

Eldridge “Moe” Moses walks to the side of his bright red food truck and stands beside the logo—a circle containing hands, stretched upward toward a blue sky, clouds, and a sunburst.

“When praises go up, blessings come down,” says Moses. Continue reading A Taste of Heart and Soul

Mansion House 1757

George Keeney has two affirmations he says every morning and every night.

First, he asks St. George to help all those in need. Then he asks that his family’s new endeavor, Mansion House 1757, he a positive influence on the community. Continue reading Mansion House 1757

Hometown Soul

Hometown pride is something that touches your soul.

That’s what Donovan (“Dono”) Krebs felt when he met longtime Hummelstown resident Mike VanGavree. And that’s why he accepted VanGavree’s offer to become head brewer at Rubber Soul Brewing Co. Continue reading Hometown Soul

Banking on Beer

If Dauphin County were a city, it would be in the top 30, nationwide, for breweries per capita.

Based on population, and with more breweries set to open, it would take the next round of national beer statistics by storm. Nearby, Lancaster is already in the top 25.

Jason Meckes did his homework when he helped design Visit Hershey & Harrisburg’s (VHH) new Brew Barons Beer Trail, which launched in mid-July. Continue reading Banking on Beer

Takeout Turnabout

Only in 2020 could “Restaurant Week” involve a month-long celebration of takeout.

Tuesday kicks off “Harrisburg Takeout Month,” organized by the nonprofit Harrisburg Downtown Improvement District (DID). It replaces Harrisburg Restaurant Week, in its 12th year in the capital city. Continue reading Takeout Turnabout

Mela Kitchen

There’s a new show in town at Gettysburg’s former Frank Theatres. It’s not a Hollywood production, but there’s plenty of action, name recognition, and star power.

Mela Kitchen, led by Chef Josh Fidler, is Gettysburg’s newest restaurant. Affiliated with parent company Jack’s Hard Cider and Atomic Dog Wines, it’s located at the former movie house at The Outlet Shoppes at Gettysburg. Continue reading Mela Kitchen

Eighty Two Cafe

Alex Lemon grew up with a childhood tradition of drinking coffee with her mom on Sunday mornings. It was such a cherished time that it pulled her back home to Dillsburg from West Chester University during her college days, so that their mother-daughter coffee rituals could continue.

Little did she know then that she was just a few years away from becoming co-owner of a highly successful Gettysburg coffeehouse and roasting company—Eighty Two Café and Ragged Edge Roasting Co.—housed together under one roof at 82 Steinwehr Ave. Continue reading Eighty Two Cafe

Sunday Brunchin’

Sunday brunch is much more than a meal—it’s a state of mind, a respite, a soul-quenching experience that powers us through the rest of our week. And it supports local small businesses, many of them highlighted in this piece. Continue reading Sunday Brunchin’

Meals Can Heal

Adams County has some of the most unique, fascinating small businesses owned and operated by some of the kindest, most talented people you’d ever want to meet.

Today, they need our love and support—more than ever.  Continue reading Meals Can Heal

Three Cheers, Beers

“People appreciate seeing partnerships,” said Wade Leedy, co-owner of Fourscore Beer Co., Gettysburg, along with his brother Drew.

Indeed partnerships are hopping at three of central Pennsylvania’s newer hot spots for beers and cheers: Fourscore, plus Liquid Noise Brewing Co., Marysville, and Hook & Flask Still Works, Carlisle. Continue reading Three Cheers, Beers

All Aboard the Red Boat

The roof leaked all the way to the basement when Nam Doan purchased the property on Reily Street in Harrisburg.

“It was a wreck,” Doan, 38, said.

After six months of intense work, he transformed the century-old property into Midtown’s newest restaurant, the Red Boat. Continue reading All Aboard the Red Boat

Friendly Fare

Chef Christian DeLutis greeted us at the door with a special request. Since opening Koda about a year ago, the chef-owner has preferred the Harrisburg restaurant’s dishes to be photographed with staff, to showcase the culinary team alongside their dishes rather than focusing on solo foodie shots. Continue reading Friendly Fare

Fourscore Beer Co.

Brothers Wade and Drew Leedy say opening Fourscore Beer Co. on July 31 was the big payoff.

Five years of dreaming, planning, and clearing hurdles paved the way for the South Washington Street brewpub to open its doors. Continue reading Fourscore Beer Co.

Bull’s-Eye in a Bottle

Tina Weyant has a distinct childhood memory—helping her grandfather, a distiller in Germany, put labels on bottles. Her grandparents lived on a property encompassing an old monastery with a cellar under the church. It was surrounded by vineyards.

Today, Weyant, 57, has come full circle. For the first time since childhood, she again is surrounded by vineyards. Continue reading Bull’s-Eye in a Bottle

Mechanicsburg’s Sweet Spot

What do you imagine yourself doing at the age of 68? While retirement is likely at the top of most people’s lists, that’s not the case for Diane Krulac, owner of downtown Mechanicsburg’s popular candy shop Brittle Bark. Instead, she recently launched a new line of unique chocolate truffles and bars called Cocoa Creek Chocolates. Continue reading Mechanicsburg’s Sweet Spot

Taste of History

Gettysburg reminds Lori Korczyk of Epcot.

Just like the Disney park’s microcosm of world cultures, Gettysburg’s downtown streets are dotted with eclectic and ethnic restaurants, from Thai to Mexican, Italian to Irish, plus plenty of American eateries that blend cuisines—like melting pots—with culture and history. Continue reading Taste of History

Let Them Eat Little Cakes

Nicole Baer’s home-based cupcake business was so popular that her kitchen wall oven was on nearly all day, every day, and she still couldn’t bake enough cupcakes to fill orders.

That all changed when she opened Ann’s Cupcakery on Mechanicsburg’s Main Street last fall.
Continue reading Let Them Eat Little Cakes

A Destination to Love

Mediterranean and Ukrainian cuisine are married throughout the adventurous, flavor-filled menu at Tatiana’s Restaurant, Mechanicsburg—the perfect symbolism for husband-and-wife owners Tatiana and Ashraf El Seaidy. The restaurant’s namesake, Tatiana, hails from Ukraine, while her husband of 19 years, chef Ash, was born and raised in Egypt. Continue reading A Destination to Love

Nourishing and Flourishing

Health and wellness in the golden years are more important today than ever before. That’s because Americans are approaching a shift in population. By 2030, all baby boomers will be 65 and older.

As more and more of us approach and enter senior status, what can we do to protect our health? Nutrition plays one of the most critical roles, according to area health experts. Continue reading Nourishing and Flourishing

Plant Powered

How do you choose the food you eat? It may sound like a simple question, but how often do you truly evaluate your nutritional choices and diet? We talked to a number of Susquehanna Valley residents, including health and wellness professionals, who made significant changes by switching to vegetarian, vegan, or plant-based diets and lifestyles. Their anecdotes and results may surprise you. Continue reading Plant Powered

The Hoof, Fin & Fowl

Jeff Jurkowski says he was probably about 4 years old when he first saw crabs being steamed.

Growing up in Baltimore, an uncle owned and operated a popular crab house that served up 600 bushels of crab weekly. With watermen also in the family, Jurkowski grew up learning about the Chesapeake Bay’s bounty. Seafood just might be in his genes, and now the chef/owner is sharing his flair for adventuresome dishes at Gettysburg’s newest restaurant. Continue reading The Hoof, Fin & Fowl

Taking Creative Liberties

With a name inspired by nearby eagle sightings and owl calls, the Eagle & The Owl Public House at Liberty Mountain Resort features a menu that’s just as adventuresome. Between the sweeping mountain views of the 400-acre Adams County property and the innovative menu, you just may be swept off your feet. Continue reading Taking Creative Liberties

There’s Beer Here! Where to hit the trails for ales

Central PA’s tourism organizations began jumping on the beer trail bandwagon about six years ago, recognizing the opportunity to collectively market area brew pubs to both residents and visitors alike. Brewers seem to embrace and enjoy the team spirit aspect of trails, calling it camaraderie and community, rather than competition. There’s Beer Here! Where to hit the trails for ales, Susquehanna Style, October 2018 Continue reading There’s Beer Here! Where to hit the trails for ales

Dough & Arrows

It’s like shooting a bow and arrows: A Spring Grove couple is taking aim at a delicious new trend in the food industry and hoping to hit the sweet spot right in the middle of the target. Continue reading Dough & Arrows

25 Hot Spots to Dine Out(doors)

Spring fever has set in and we’re making our bucket list for warmer weather dining destinations. There is nothing like enjoying a stunning outdoor view with a dinner menu to match. From gardens to riverfront views, decks to hillside terraces, urban oases to countryside respites, the region’s top restaurants offer a wide variety of unique outdoor dining backdrops to accompany their exquisite menus. Continue reading 25 Hot Spots to Dine Out(doors)

New Frontier

The long driveway leading to Allenberry Resort, framed by tall trees, seems to beckon visitors to the longtime Cumberland County resort. “You could travel all over the world and not find as bucolic a location as Allenberry on the Yellow Breeches,” says Mike Kennedy. Continue reading New Frontier

Sweet Break

Brittle Bark could quite possibly be the happiest place in all of central Pennsylvania—especially during the holiday season. Tucked into a tall corner storefront along Main Street in Mechanicsburg with a brightly decorated seasonal front window, the chocolate and candy shop has earned a sweet reputation over the past 10 years. Continue reading Sweet Break

At the Crossroads of American Fusion

Gettysburg’s place in history was cemented due to its location—at “the crossroads of America.” During the Civil War era, all major routes running north and south, east and west, met in Gettysburg. Today, just a block from Lincoln Square where those crossroads still collide, a downtown Gettysburg restaurant is gaining a reputation for its creative American fusion menu—bringing traditional American flavors together from the north, south, west and east in fun new ways. Continue reading At the Crossroads of American Fusion

Like Family

Inspired by family, traditions and Sunday dinners, Chef AnnMarie Nelms has created a warm, welcoming atmosphere at Thea. Tranquil colors, hand-crafted tables and a finetuned menu infused with family heritage all work in gracious harmony—as if Nelms is inviting you directly into her home. Continue reading Like Family

Antica Napoli Pizza: Putting Pizazz in Gettysburg’s Pizza

Flour is the foundation of some of our favorite “comfort foods,” including pizza, subs, and pasta. So, how appropriate that Antica Napoli Pizza features more than a dozen unique pizzas, more than three dozen subs plus Stromboli, and a dozen varieties of pasta, all created by Owner Ignazio “Iggy” Farina, whose very name “Farina” is Italian for “flour.” Continue reading Antica Napoli Pizza: Putting Pizazz in Gettysburg’s Pizza

Grit & Grain

“This 100-year-old building was an incredibly warm space,” says Yianni Barakos. Original brick walls, exposed beams, and thick concrete floors harken back to the restaurant’s former days as Gettysburg Furniture Factory. After a year-and-a-half-long renovation, the father-son duo opened Mason Dixon Distillery’s doors in July of 2016. Now, new spirits are rising from downtown Gettysburg’s industrial past. Continue reading Grit & Grain

Brewing Big Business

Craft beer—the art of combining water, malt, yeast, and hops in traditional style with an innovative twist—is a trend growing by leaps and bounds. You could say that Central Pennsylvania is blowing the lid off the craft beer market. Continue reading Brewing Big Business