Sara Bozich

Weekend roundup 12/3

Good morning, and welcome to December! I am nominating 2009 for the fastest year ever.

Start your weekend by visiting me at The Hotel Hershey this Friday, Dec. 4 from 3-5 p.m. for a special book signing opportunity of my Hershey travel guide - it makes a great holiday gift for out of town guests or the Hershey lover on your list.

Saturday, I'm hoping we'll find time to look at a wedding venue or two (quick poll: would a blog on my wedding planning interest anyone, or is that market saturated?), plus wrap up my Christmas shopping and maybe even decorate a bit.

Tomorrow's column takes a quick review of Donnie Brown's new Black N Bleu restaurant, located at the former Juliana's on the Pike, the details on Tuesday's annual Friendly Sons' Toys for Tots party - plus info on a special winemaker's dinner in Gettysburg.

Here's what else is shaking:

Weekend roundup 10/11

I'm a little late on the weekend roundup, but I have good excuses - foot surgery and I'm in Elk County. Regardless, I'd hate for you to stumble through the rest of this weekend without a clue what to do, so here's the rundown:

• In response to a Pennlive forum inquiry, Flinchy's says they can make your entree gluten-free, anytime, by request. Also, be sure to ask for their vampire wine from Transylvania - just in time for Halloween.

• HYP has a new website - go there for details on Monday's Movie Night at Midtown Cinema or Wednesday's Debate Watch Party at the Hilton.

There's more after the jump.

Save the Date: "Hottest of" Contest Oct. 16

 Don't miss this annual event at The FireHouse:

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

FireHouse goes nonsmoking

The FireHouse Restaurant will go 100 percent nonsmoking next Thursday, March 20, to commemorate the first day of spring. Smoking will no longer be permitted on the first two levels after March 20. I have heard rumor, however, that smoking will still be allowed on the third floor during special events.

Nonsmoking bars/restaurants

Mike has a great post - and edit to his site - about local nonsmoking establishments. He's added a "nonsmoking" notation for all applicable spots on his blogroll of bars and restaurants on the left side of his page.

I've also made note that the trend for some longtime restaurants, like Scott's Grille and The FireHouse, has been to eliminate smoking from their dining areas, though both do continue to permit smoking at the bar. In both of these restaurants, the bars do sit away from the dining areas, but as a sometimes smoker, I have to admit I am less sensitive to the issue.

Has anyone noticed whether this is effective to any degree?