by Dawn Eckenrode

This month’s Epicurean foray was to a place that I can best describe as an Occasion Place. This is Rachel’s Cafe of Linglestown. A more charming setting than this would be hard to find. The restaurant from Harrisburg is situated on a winding, country-meadowed road, past the town part of Linglestown. The building exterior gives a rustic impression, yet closer inspection reveals lots of modern windowage, and a view on a pretty little water garden to delight overlooking diners from inside. Upon gaining entrance the room opens up to a bar and socializing space with comfortable furnishings, the best part of which was the freestanding fireplace, lending warmth and invitation to the area. The maître d’ led us beyond the fireplace to the main room, which, depending upon your preferences, gives either an ‘oh how pretty’ reaction (the romantics) or an ‘oh how unusual’ (the pragmatists). It is a large great room on a raised level, crowned by a cathedral ceiling hung with a large brass chandelier and draped with decorative white lights and colored chiffon. In one corner, a marble-topped piano sends music drifting about the room sans pianist (there is a real live pianist there on weekends). One other neat thing I was conscripted to tell you dear readers, is that the tables have small hooks underneath at which one may hang one’s purse, as opposed to having to sling it across your chair and fret with it all evening, or plop it on the floor only to ruin it and forget it.

Now that you’re all comfortably seated, let’s talk about dinner. Right up front, I have to tell you that from the moment we arrived until the moment we left, the service was splendiferous. We got lots of ice water, bread, butter, you know, all thanks to our attentive waiter Justin. Anyway, we sampled a couple of soups for appetizer, a chicken corn noodle soup and a sinfully rich soup du jour which was a cream of oyster. If you can take the calories, it was a spiffy little amusement. The menu runs the gambit from pastas, chicken dishes, several veal offerings, beef, and seafood. In addition, on the back page appear various Chef and Caesar salads, gourmet pizzas, and sandwiches. From pastas, we ordered Eggplant Parmesan, from poultry the Curried Chicken. Two veals, the Veal St. Thomas, and the evening’s special veal chop were called for. From meats, the Steak Rachel, from the sea a Fresh Baked Salmon, and from the pizza food group, a Pesto Chicken Pizza. The pizza was rather good, the toppings imaginative and the crust tasty, though perhaps a bit pricey at almost $12 for a small. Continuing with fowl, the Curried Chicken was tastefully done with very fresh veggies, and just enough seasoning for those whose tastes run more towards traditional American cuisine; however, the person who ordered it would have been much happier had it been more spicy, but that is simply because he was expecting something along the lines of a more traditional Indian-esque curry. Turning to the veal, the special of the evening was a veal filet mignon, topped with mushrooms and a light wine sauce, served beside a (really nice and fresh) stuffed cabbage topped with marinara, all over a rice pilaf. It sounds strange, but it was a hearty dish and nicely done. Unfortunately, the other veal from the menu wasn’t having as good an evening. My Veal St. Thomas was swimming in a veritable deluge of rather mild sauce under which my grilled veal scallops and grilled sea scallops were flooded - perhaps it should have been better named Veal Atlantis. On to beef, the Steak Rachel was sliced filet mignon, cooked to order, and sautéed with mushrooms and chives in a light wine sauce. It was properly cooked, and everything was there, but I found it to be less than stellar for the ambitious price of almost $18. The fresh baked salmon with dill sauce was as good as can be found in a state located nowhere near the ocean, and was accompanied by a very nicely done stuffed baked potato. Last but not least, the Eggplant Parmesan was traditionally fine, and served atop a generous pile of angel hair pasta.

Probably the most noticeable comment I heard from my companions was that many of our entrées did not arrive hot. There were seven diners at our table, and of them, just a few dinners were served acceptably warm. Despite the few setbacks of dinner, we quizzed the maître d’ about which desserts were made in house (we have come to be real dessert snobs, I have discovered) and found that there are a few pies (apple and peanut butter) made in house. Also, there was the specialty of the house, a Paris Breast, and a few others. In the main, the rest of the deserts were from local bakers, or foodservices. No one at the table ordered the Paris Breast, and so it goes un-reviewed. But the good news is that the Peanut Butter pie gets a solid A! And I don’t even really care that much for peanut butter. We also tried a pecan bourbon pie and some specialty coffees that were very good.

Now I will explain my first statement about Rachel’s being an Occasion Place. If you have an occasion to celebrate, something joyful that will enrich your mood and evening’s pleasure, then this would be a lovely place for it. Indeed, Rachel’s has a separate room for parties and wedding dinners and the like that is lovely and can accommodate fifty or so. The cuisine is suitable for people who prefer traditional, mild, middle-American cuisine. Entrées range from about $11 to $26. Cocktails and a wine list are available, and they also offer all items available for take-out.

Rachel’s Linglestown Cafe

Entrees range from $11 to $26
Average Dining Time: 90 minutes

Location: Easy to Find

Parking: Ample

Handicapped Access: Entranceway

Exterior Appearance: Impeccable

Initial Interior: Bar/Cozy Lounge

Reservations Necessary: Preferred

Preferred Dining Attire: Neat & Clean

Wait (to be seated): None

Wait (for service): None

Lighting: Romantic

Meal-time Music: Phantom Pianist

Dining Area Appearance: Well tended to

Noise: Light Chatter

Climate: Fine

Tables: Heavy Wood

Chairs: Large

Booths: None

Table Setting: Full with cloth napkins

Your Meal: Entree from Dinner Menu

Appetizers: Good Selection

Salads: House

Dressings: House

Vegetables: House

Desserts: N/a

Coffees: House & Cappuccino/Espresso

Staff Attitude: Friendly

Staff Appearance: Dress Uniform

Hospitality: Felt at Home

Cleanliness: Excellent

Wash Rooms: Clean

Crowd (Qty): Light

Crowd (Attitude): Casual

Food (portions): Satisfied

Food (prices): Tad Pricy

Overall Service: Attentive

Payment Accepted: All Major Credit Cards

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