Harrisburg’s Mangia Qui: gourmet fare in a casual setting, from the Alps to Italy’s islands Continue reading on Examiner.com: Mangia Qui: gourmet fare in a casual setting, from the Alps to Italy’s islands [classic article]

Just up I-83 from Baltimore and Baltimore County, Mangia Qui is a casual, yet gourmet addition to Harrisburg’s restaurant scene. It prides itself on highlighting the 20 different cooking styles of Italy’s regions from the Alps to the islands. Upstairs is a Spanish tapas bar by the same owner. Special attention is paid to their wine list, which features food friendly offerings and ancient varietals. Mangia Qui offers lunch, brunch, and dinner; I was very happy to be able to try out some dinner specialties. This is a very popular destination, so you probably want to consider reservations.

Menu offerings are constantly changing to reflect the seasons. Though a come as you are place, don’t take that for lack of attention to detail…even the loo has thoughtfully chosen Sician orange soap! You start your evening out with house seasoned olives and homemade foccacia, seasoned with smoked paprika, bay, and a special quality olive oil.

The speck dumplings — perfect for this weather we’re having —  are served en brodo, in a rich, beefy broth reminiscient of oxtail soup. The dumplings were tender and pleasantly salty.

Mangia Qui serves probably the best grilled calamari I’ve ever had; it’s got a marvelous charred flavor outside and yet remarkably, it’s tender as can be inside. No rubber bands here! It’s generally served as an antipasto course, so share it to have room for the secondi and not miss out.

Another must-eat is the pasta al forno: delicate pasta in a rich bechemel sauce is served with toasted bread crumbs for texture contrast.

Mangia Qui also knows their way around meat: whether you try the roasted boar, duck, or other entree, know that it will be cooked to tender perfection…Mangia Qui is most definitely destination dining.

Continue reading on Examiner.com: Mangia Qui: gourmet fare in a casual setting, from the Alps to Italy’s islands – Baltimore restaurant | Examiner.com http://web.archive.org/web/20110316090731/http://www.examiner.com:80/restaurant-in-baltimore/mangia-qui-gourmet-fare-a-casual-setting-from-the-alps-to-italy-s-islands#ixzz4pJHSNaEM