Scott’s Grille
212 Locust Street, Harrisburg
234-7599

A lot of things come to mind when I hear talk of Scott’s Grille. Great dinner, no doubt. Amazing steaks. Incredible drink selections. Friendly and attentive staff. Even a jam-packed Thursday dance party (yes, even an old bitty like Betty knows the hot night spots!). But in my incessant search for affordable lunches, I have tended to overlook Scott’s. Not because it wasn’t affordable, because it certainly is. Not because of its location, for it is located in the heart of downtown. Not because I don’t love it, because Lord knows I do. Why then? I’m not sure. Perhaps I just reveled in keeping it my dining haven. Well, friends, that has changed.

On a recent dreary day, I joined a table-full of lunch fans. We gathered in the back of the restaurant’s elevated dining room and enjoyed our vantage point — not only were we just a bit off the beaten path, we were also privy to a view of the other diners on our level and in the section below. Scott’s was packed, full of downtown workers, suit-clad businessmen and women, and those looking for a good, hot meal on a cold, late summer afternoon.

Decorated in rich hues of the pink and maroon family, the ambiance of Scott’s can work a number of ways: understated for lunch and elegant for dinner, while still welcoming on the weekends when the restaurant crowd gives way to the night life. The fully stocked bar — take a peak at the beer and wine lists while you’re there — has ample seating room and is surrounded by high bar tables, located directly inside the door and perfect for catching a bite off of the bar menu or sitting down with a drink. Scott’s also has outdoor deck seating for those hot summer nights when dining inside just won’t do.

After ordering our beverages — we chose to go light at first, with iced teas and sodas all around … but for those brave ones, trust me, there’s nothing like a three-Martini meal at Scott’s, with a designated driver, of course! — we were given the specials of the day and were faced with the daunting task of picking an entrée. There were just too many great options!

The specials included coconut shrimp, penne pasta with chicken and broccoli in a special sauce, and a roast beef and turkey grinder. All of that, plus the regular menu — a lunch lover’s dream! The menu at Scott’s includes a list of hot and cold items, from salads and wraps to mouth-watering sandwiches, steaks, seafoods, and pastas.

In a tizzy over the selections, I allowed my dining companions to order first and was taken aback by the array of their choices: Greek salad, Steak salad, blackened tuna steak, and two of the specials, the grinder and the shrimp. Stuck between the penne and a crab cake entrée, I chose the crab cake. I was not disappointed!

With our meal, we also chose to partake in one of the many available wines available at Scott’s. On a recommendation from the bartender, we sipped a little something called Earath Pinot Gris. Wow! Betty is not too much of a wine fan, but I immediately fell in love — it was incredibly smooth, with very little aftertaste, characteristics that coincided perfectly with our diverse meals.

The salads (each complete with a large breadstick, made fresh) were overflowing, nearly spilling off their plates. Topped with fresh vegetables and accompanied by one of the many available dressings (try the homemade bleu cheese!), the salads looked and tasted amazing. The steak salad was also adorned with French Fries, a western Pennsylvania tradition. Yummy!

Falling apart with just a tug of the fork, the tuna steak was prepared just right. Too cooked and it tastes too dry — not a worry at Scott’s. It was delicious. Accompanied by a tremendous fruit salad, the grinder was so big that the second half had to be wrapped for later. The coconut shrimp was served with French Fries and had just enough of a hint of coconut to make it different than the norm. As for me, well, my dish hit the spot! Served with rice pilaf, mushrooms, and peas still in the pod, the crab cake was fresh and mouthwatering, the crust crispy, and served with a side of tartar sauce. Good stuff!

Stuffed to the gills, we envied the others around us and decided to forget our filled bellies and take advantage of the eye-widening dessert tray. What a great idea! Our server brought us the tray and we were amazed by what we saw: turtle cheese cake, cherry cheese cake, triple layer white chocolate cake, carrot cake, espresso chocolate cake, chocolate/praline cake, and more. We each selected a treat and couldn’t have been happier. We left, satisfied with our meal — and satisfied that it didn’t hurt our pockets!

Take this to heart: go to Scott’s Grille for dinner. But go again for lunch. You won’t be disappointed.