I’m lucky to have Note Bistro and Winebar as my neighborhood spot, just a block from my house. Great drinks, wonderful staff and sophisticated food with a casual and laid back vibe. Owner Ruth Prall and her staff consider each other family and they treat you as if they are welcoming you into their home.
Note has seating inside for about 40 people, including seats at the bar. When the weather is nice, tables and chairs are set up for additional outdoor seating (your pooch is welcome there).
A Note About Cocktails
Note certainly has a great wine selection, but I love their cocktails. They are creative, unique, pretty and so delicious.
Last December, I was walking to Note to meet my colleagues for our annual holiday dinner. I tripped, hit the pavement, slowly picked myself up and continued on to the restaurant. I had a very limited range of motion where I couldn’t bend my left arm or straighten it. Sitting through dinner, I was in absolutely excruciating pain and should’ve gone to the Emergency Room, but there was no way I was missing dinner at Note. Fortunately, I’m right-handed and my right arm was not broken, so I was still able to lift a fork and my cocktail. And, no, I had not had anything to drink prior to the fall. I did, however, need one after the fall.
Seasonal Ingredients
Many things on the menu at Note change every few months, so expect dishes with seasonal ingredients. The soups and salads highlight the best of what’s available throughout year. The ingredients are carefully chosen to highlight their vibrant colors, combination of flavors and make a lovely presentation.
Small Plates, Big Flavor
There are a lot of “small plates” on Note’s menu, in addition to the entrees and daily specials. Since there are so many things I want to try at Note, I generally don’t commit to an entree. I manage to convince my dining companions to order a few small plates to share. We all get to try new dishes and sharing is a lot more fun anyway. My all-time favorite dish was the calamari, which is not on the menu anymore. My friends can attest, however, that I wasn’t a very good sharer with the calamari.
If you don’t like surprises or like to plan what you’re going to have like me, an updated menu is usually available on-line at Note’s website.
The staff at Note is great with people who have food sensitivities and/or allergies, as well as with picky eaters. Even if I have been there infrequently, they always remember that I’m gluten-free and do their best where they can to alter the dishes to suit me. For less than adventurous eaters, there is always a burger and fries on the menu, pasta and fried potatoes (otherwise known as ’bravas potatoes’), which are never a bad idea.
I will always tell you to make room for dessert and Note is no exception. While many things change on the menu, the chocolate pot de creme is consistently on the menu and is consistently good.
Final Thoughts
Note is located inside a Victorian-style corner home on North 2nd Street in Midtown Harrisburg. It is not far from the State Capitol Building and Complex. If you’re in the area, I encourage you to make the short trip up 2nd Street and try Note Bistro and Wine Bar for drinks, dinner or brunch. I always look forward to going to Note and it’s always amazing. I think you’ll agree.
| Note Wine Bar and Bistro • 1530 North 2nd Street, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania • 717-412-7415 for reservations |