Sara Bozich

September preview

What a perfect day to start the month of September. It's that perfect, crisp, jeans-and-t-shirt weather. Thoughts and tweets are ripe with daydreams of football and changing leaves. (We are one of few lucky states to truly experience all four seasons - even if spring is fading into oblivion.)

It's a big month - plenty going on. Festivals, dining specials, football bonanzas! Here's a preview of some of what the month holds. Click through and mark your calendar now!

Pamper Your Palate

Starting next week, Harrisburg Hello is hosting Harrisburg's first Restaurant Week: Pamper Your Palate. It's a chance for you to try dinner at a new (or new to you) downtown restaurant for a reasonable price - three courses for $30.

Participating restaurants include:

• Cafe Fresco
• Carley's
• El Sol
• FireHouse
• McGrath's
• Raspberries
• Stock's on 2nd
• Zia's at Red Door

Weekend roundup 6/20/08

OK - first of all, June 20? Are you kidding me? Where is the time going? Second - c'mon people, give me a little nudge if you don't see a new post up here. I have plenty to say. Anyway, I actually AM around this weekend. Tonight, it's Mexican delights at El Sol then off to a colleague's one-woman comedy show, "Oh Crap, I Forgot to Have Kids." Here's the lowdown on the rest of the weekend:

• You're going to the 5th annual Harrisburg Brewer's Fest, right? My friend, Paul, is flying all the way back from California for this, if that speaks to its greatness. a pre-event will be held tonight at Shady's; post-party fun is at McGrath's. 
• Saturday is also Summerfest at the Boiling Springs Pool. 
• On Sunday, stop into Arts at 510 for their first ever Art Auction. Doors open at noon.
• Starting Monday, Carmella's will no longer be open for lunch. Stay tuned for udpates on changes at the Mediterranean bar and restaurant.
• The Chinese Cultural & Arts Institute presents Liao Wen-Ho Glove Puppet Theater at Open Stage on Tuesday. Admission is $15.
• Also, if you missed this week's column, be sure to check out Tuesday Bluesday at the Maennerchor each week. Free admission; cheap booze. Can't beat it.
  

El Sol

In the local blogosphere, there have been varying opinions on the review of El Sol, the new Mexican restaurant tucked on the south end of Third St., at the former Harrisburg Magazine building and cattycorner from Bricco.

I'll cut to the chase. I agreed with Pat and Mike - I loved it. But the word that needs to be mentioned, especially to naysayers, is "fresh." Freaking fresh food. That makes a world of difference in any kitchen.

An avid avocado (and alliteration) lover, I started with the guacamole. It was basically a mashed up avocado, some red onion, tomato and plenty of wonderful cilantro. I had to stop myself so I'd have room for my fish soft tacos, but I took the rest home and ate it for breakfast the next day.