Lunch with Betty
One Woman's Relentless Search For Great Lunches
Fisaga
201 North Second Street, Harrisburg
441-1556
 Betty
here is one who lives by the adage that you shouldn’t fix what isn’t
broken. That the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. That new
doesn’t always mean better. So surmise it to say that I was teeny bit
hesitant when I heard that one of my dining establishments of choice,
Zephyr’s Express, was closing in exchange for a different version, to be
called Fisaga.
“But I like Killer Bread,” my friends heard me complain. “I crave those
funky California pizzas,” they heard me rant with worry. Would the new
place have those items? Would Killer Bread make the trip down Second
Street?
Not to worry. Apparently I was the “ye” in the “ye of little faith” adage!
While not all of the items from Zephyr’s made the new menu, a large number
of them did. Gone are the mountainous nachos with gouda cheese, but in its
place are a bevy of new appetizers. And safely ensconced at the top of the
list is that Killer Bread, the mouth-watering heart attack on a plate that
local diners (like me!) know and love.
And it’s a high falutin place, to boot! Designed with a California cuisine
concept in mind, Fisaga — Polynesian for ‘soft breeze’ — is an open-air
restaurant, with dining in and outdoors. Open air — meaning there aren’t
windows. There are garage doors to pull down and screens to put up to keep
out the wind and the rain in the cool weather. What a concept! The entire
interior is a mix of shiny blacks and silvers, from the light fixtures to
the tabletops. The staff dresses in all black. The silver- and glassware
are modern, big and heavy, with lots of curves and angles that cause an
older woman like myself want to make like Martha Stewart and re-do my
kitchen! Wow. It’s quite a sharp place, that Fisaga is.
But back to lunch. That is what I came for, after all. Much like at
Zephyr’s, the menu isn’t all that large, but it does pack a punch.
Fisaga’s menu ranges from soups and the aforementioned appetizers to
sandwiches, salads, and the pizzas and pastas that made Zephyr’s famous.
And none of the offerings are standard fare, either: Black Bean and
Andouille Sausage soup, Turkey and Brie sandwich, Cold Tortellini Salad,
Roasted Jalapenos stuffed with chicken and cheese … the list goes on and
on. It’s creative, it’s funky, and it’s not too heavy, so it hits the spot
just right every time.
Fisaga offers 10 different personal pizza options (from Exotic Mushroom
and BBQ Chicken to Salmon and plain cheese) and 14 varieties of pasta, now
available in half and whole orders (a no-no at Zephyr’s). Pasta choices
include Chicken Parmigiana, Spinach and Ricotta Ravioli, Tuna Puttanesca,
Veggie Pasta, Shrimp Curry, and more. Fisaga also has an extensive
beverage assortment — the normal non-alcoholic ventures as well as a full
bar and nicely sized draft, bottled beer, and wine lists.
For lunch, I ordered the Grinder: mortadella, salami, capicola, and
provolone on a grilled garlic baguette. Topped with thick slices of
lettuce and tomatoes, the sandwich selection was a good one. It was fresh,
the baguette was grilled to crunch, and the choice of a side of either
fruit salad or potato chips was a nice touch. It was an ample meal without
going overboard!
Surrounded by cozy couples, a flock of businessmen and women, and lazy-day
lovers at the bar, my friend opted for the Ham and Feta Cheese pizza. A
personal-sized entrée that can serve as a meal for one or a snack for two,
the pizza arrived with ample chunks of Feta cheese, large portions of ham,
layered tenderly on a crispy crust. A good pick, my companion thoroughly
enjoyed his selection.
Open for mere weeks, Fisaga has been packing in the crowds, both for lunch
and dinner. It’s a nice thing to see people on the streets of downtown
Harrisburg, taking part in good fun and good food. Doesn’t get better than
that.
And here’s one more adage I’ve added to my list: apparently you can teach
an old dog new tricks. Just ask. I’m living proof.
Check out Fisaga, you’ll be glad you did. And be sure to tell them that
Betty sent you!
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