In a region that includes Hershey chocolates, you’d think small candy and chocolate shops would be unnecessary. You’d be wrong.

A visit to Matango Candies is just the ticket for Valentine’s Day and Easter (and, if I had known about it, it would have been great at Christmas, too!). The shop has not changed since it was opened by “Pop” in 1947. Now, his grandson Peter makes chocolates and candies using the same recipes, molds and ingredients. Peter is happy to tell you about his chocolates, his family and the history of the shop. The customer service is matched only by the delicious candies.

Here are a few of the highlights I’ve tasted (everything is available in white, milk or dark chocolate):

• Chocolate covered strawberries and cherries – the freshest I’ve had in a long time, and it’s fruit! They also do orange peels, candied pineapple and other fruits as well. I even tried Chocolate covered dates – a revelation!
• Toffees- ok, a certain family member wouldn’t let me try them, but I hear they are great
• Chocolate covered marshmallows –sweet and light!
• Truffles- bigger is not better when it comes to truffles. You should be able to finish them in one bite, and these truffles fit that bill. They are beautifully decorated and decadent. 

Some people might balk at the location – it’s at 1501 Catherine St. in the Allison Hill neighborhood of Harrisburg. But, as I’ve said before, if we don’t support local businesses in a variety of neighborhoods, the whole area suffers.  Matango’s is open from 9-5 Monday through Saturday, and Peter said they’ve never had an incident in the 60+ years they’ve been in business.

For Valentine’s Day, dozens of heart shaped boxes are available to be custom filled, and you can place orders over the phone or online. I saw a sneak peak of some of the beautiful bunny and cross Easter molds that will be used for Easter in March. Rediscover this local treasure, support small businesses, and satisfy your sweet tooth, visit or order from Matango’s today!

Au Bon Lieu, (translated from French, means “a good place”), is the latest niche to come to Harrisburg, focusing on crêpes. 

For those of you who haven’t had this taste dance across your tongue, crêpes are very thin pancakes that are topped with either sweet or savory fillings and folded into a triangle. At Au Bon Lieu, savory fillings include smoked salmon, pesto chicken, ham, brie and other cheeses, veggies and eggs. Sweet fillings include Nutella (a hazelnut and chocolate spread), fruit, marmalade, chocolate and coconut.  The best news? They are all around or under $5, so you can walk out having lunch/dinner AND dessert for $10. 

While there, I tried both the pesto chicken and the smoked salmon, and both were fantastic. The saltiness of the smoke salmon complimented the sweetness of the crêpe very well.  For desert, my pick was Nutella and fruit, and it did not disappoint.  (Thanks to my friend Amy, who let me taste her marmalade and brie dessert as well!)

Are there downsides to this “good place”? Sure, it’s petite – only three small round tables fit in the joint. You should be willing to wait, get your crepe to-go in a cute paper cone, or visit during an off time if you want to sit a while.  Also, Au Bon Lieu only accepts cash, so hit up the ATM first. 

Au Bon Lieu is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily and is located at the corner of Market and 3^rd St in Harrisburg. Bon appetite!

I am guilty of taking pictures of food with my phone, and I often look around a restaurant to see others doing the same. So I figured, why not share a few?

A recent happy hour at Home 231 lead to this snap of a Moscow Mule, which contains ginger beer, vodka and lime. Its kept in a copper cup to keep the contents cold. (Right.)

On a summer lunch date with The Husband, I had Mrs. A's Italian Hoagie with roasted red peppers at The Jackson House. (Below.)

A shopping trip with my mom and sister lead us to Gibraltar, near Franklin and Marshall College. Oysters are such a treat! (Below.)

What about you? Do you take photos when you go out to eat?

I don't know about you, but these sunny summer days make the old 9 to 5 tick by very slowly. When I think it's lunchtime, it's only 10 am and when I'm ready to pack up, it's only 2:30.

The promise of a cool beverage at quitting time is sometimes the only thing that helps the days move quickly. Here are some of the great happy hours I've found in the midstate:

Home 231-  During happy hour (5-7 pm), their cocktail and wine list is discounted to $5 a drink and their beers are $1 off.  Regrettably there are no food specials, but the small plates are a great pairing because of their size and price. At a recent visit I enjoyed the Cucumber Cooler (Hendricks Gin, Pimms No. 1 and fresh squeezed lemonade)  and the grilled octopus with grape tomatoes and olives, absolutely delicious. Other signature cocktails that I’ve graciously taste tested include the Dragonberry Mojito (muddled berries, mint, perfect for the summer) and the Ginger-tini (with green tea liquor, so it’s good for you!).   The back patio is a special treat if you visit on a not-to-hot day.

Aroogas -  Multiple locations, multiple daily happy hour specials and a lengthy beer list make this local chain a hit during happy hour. The Husband claims their loaded fries and a beer are a balanced meal. Each day is a different special, but they include .50 wings, $2 drafts and $2 off craft beer drafts. Sit outside at the 2^nd St. location in Harrisburg to people watch, or go to catch a sporting event at any location.

Bricco- Dollar oysters.  Enough said.

So, what have I missed? What is your favorite spot for Happy Hour in the area? Is it 5:00 yet?

None? Me neither. But one of the reasons I started this blog was so that I could learn about food in Central PA from WITF listeners and readers (I spoke about that last week on Scott Lamar’s Radio Smart Talk - click here to listen).

And you have not disappointed. Chalit’s was one of the first recommendations I received. Opened in 2009, Chalit’s (pronounced sheh-LIT-s) is a strip mall gem.

I’ve been twice now, once with my two-year-old niece and once with family members who had never had Thai food before. The staff was beyond accommodating, taking ample time to make recommendations and explain the menu.  Given the friendliness of the staff, if you’ve never tried Thai before, Chalit’s is a great place to start.

As for what to order? Pad Thai is a good first foray into Thai dining, since it is the national dish of Thailand. It’s as common on Thai menus as hamburgers are on American ones.  Pad Thai consists of rice noodles with eggs, bean sprouts, scallions and your choice of chicken, beef, shrimp, etc.  You can also indicate how spicy you’d like your Pad Thai (or any dish at Chalit’s) using a scale of 1 to 4 stars. The Husband went for 4 stars when he ordered Green Curry and lived to tell the tale. Dishes are served with white or homemade brown rice – go for the brown rice and thank me later.

Based on what I tasted (thanks to obliging family members who let me eat off their plates!), I’d recommend the steamed Thai pork and shrimp dumplings or Thai calamari to start. For your main course, go with the Catfish Cha Cha (tapioca breaded catfish with a delicious house blend sauce), Green Curry (with eggplant and sweet Thai basil) or papaya salad (with shrimp and a yummy lime dressing).

Chalit’s is a BYOB, but go ahead and try the Thai iced tea or iced coffee. Located at 5103 Carlisle Pike, Mechanicsburg, be sure to make a reservation if you are going for dinner. There is ample parking in front of the restaurant.

I am so grateful for this recommendation - it’s one of those places I may never have found on my own. Where should I head next? What restaurant do you recommend to visitors and newcomers to the area?

(Picture taken from Chalit's website- I tried to take one of our food, but it disappeared too quickly!)

See if you can figure out the last word(s) of each limerick. Leave your answers in the comment section and I’ll comment with the answers in a few days!

The Carrousel! The Convoy! Kids do gush

Riders scream loudly, don’t tell them to hush

It’s all part of the fun

Days spent out in the sun

See me 200 feet up, riding _________

DC transplant, I thought I can’t get by

Without cookies and sweets I’d surely cry

Alas, not to worry

Grab molasses, hurry

The Amish can bake up a _________

Imbibe this and your cheeks might get flushy

A cool drink with ice, decidedly mushy

Bizarre pairing no doubt

Hershey Vineyards, the route

Go there this summer to try a wine ______

PS- You would know the answers if you followed me on twitter, since I’ve talked about each of these Central PA highlights there!

Sushi is delicious and fresh, so it is the perfect summer meal. If you stick to places that are recommended or packed with patrons, you really can't go wrong. Sure, hole-in-the-wall eateries are often fantastic (and suprising), but for sushi-shy eaters, just go by those that come recommended.

Sushi was the first types of restaurants The Husband and I scouted out when we moved here from DC. We've had moderate success, and here are our finds:

1. Miso – This has been our favorite pick so far. Miso Sushi Bar is located on Jonestown Road and carries traditional sushi, rolls and cooked Japanese dishes. The Husband likes their tempura veggies too. Miso hits all the right notes, so don't be afraid to go outside of your comfort zone and try a dish with eel, sea urchin or squid. They also took the time to publish a useful history of sushi and nutritional information on their website. Parking can be a bear, with just a few spots located behind the restaurant. Check for spots in neighboring lots after business hours.

2. Miyako – It has been several months since we tried Miyako, but I have to say that I remember the musty smell of the restaurant more than I remember the food. Perhaps we caught them on an off day, but I don't have plans to return to this Second St. eatery. I'd be interested to know if you've had a different experience.

3. Sapporo East – Stay with me here, Sappora East is on the West shore. Geographically confusing name aside, the food here is spot on and fresh, getting fish in directly from Baltimore nearly every day. This place is always packed, which is a good sign.

I have to say I wish these establishments offered brown rice or carrot wrapped options like our favorite places in DC (hey, its bathing suit season and I know some of you are doing the low carb thing). I am also looking for one that is not BYOB, so that we can enjoy sake with our meal (we usually forget to bring it).

I'm hoping you guys have some recommendations for sushi bars in Central PA- where should we go as we continue our hunt for the freshest and most delicious sushi in the area? Do you know of any sushi bars that aren't BYOBs?

I frequent (thanks to the recommendation of my parents) Han’s Frozen Custard.  They are new to me - because everything in Central PA is at this point – but you may know them from their former locations at the Broad Street Market and Williams Grove Rd. Han’s serves homemade chocolate and vanilla custard and a great assortment of homemade ice cream and sorbetto also. Don’t miss the turn for their parking lot, it sneaks up on you- they are on Gettysburg Rd. in Camp Hill right across from Pizza Grille.

The gelato  at Alvero’s in Harrisburg is offered in the perfect variety of tart, sweet, fruity and nutty flavors. And you can pick up decadent cookies, cannoli, and freshly made bread while you are there as well.  As I think about all that Alvero’s has to offer, I realize I may have to dedicate a whole post to the family owned gem in Old Uptown.

My sister recommends Maggie’s Italian Ice in Mechanicsburg, and I’ve had their ice cream and custard as well. The Husband – ever the carnivore – prefers their hot dogs and chili dogs over ice cream, but I love him anyway!

Coworkers swear by Meadows Custard, a franchise with shops across central PA and in Maryland. I’ve been to the shop on Jonestown Road a couple of times and have always found the staff friendly and helpful.  You can check their “flavors of the day” before heading to the store, which is a useful feature for those of us who want to dream about dessert all day. And I mean all day.

Of course there is the nearly ubiquitous Rita’s Water Ice and the chain options like Dairy Queen, but where do you go for your summer treat? What is your favorite ice cream shop in the area?

While in college, I studied abroad in England, so I’ve always had an affinity for British culture. But whether you are an anglophile or not, why not celebrate with the Brits by marking the Queen’s Jubilee in Central PA?  Here are a few of my suggestions, let me know if you have other UK-inspired destinations, recipes or traditions!

1. Black Gryphon – Eating some of the Welsh food on this menu and finishing your meal with a pint would be the perfect way to toast Queen Elizabeth. Try the rarebit – a beer and cheese sauce  - because, really, where else have you seen this Welsh dish on the menu? The extensive beer list- both draft and bottled - is also worth the trip. And the restaurant’s motto is worth repeating, “Be Strange – Eat Fresh!”
2. Afternoon tea – there is nothing more British than a cuppa. This would be a fun  and easy event to host at home, but if you are looking to attend an afternoon tea, try the Victorian Lady Bug Tea Room in East Berlin. The afternoon tea at Lady Bug is very hearty, including hot and cold hors d’oeurves,  soup, scones, salad and dessert. Oh, and clotted cream… I should have just had the clotted cream and a spoon, but I digress. Lady Bug is not a dainty or fussy place, so if you are trying your first tea, it’s a great place to start.  
3. Make yourself a Pimm’s cup cocktail (Home 231 has one on their current menu). For an easy at-home recipe, just mix Pimm’s with champagne for a Pimm’s Royal Cup. Cheers!

So, chivvy along and find a way to celebrate Her Majesty’s 60 years on the throne.