Friends, colleagues and I have celebrated many occasions at the Millworks in Harrisburg, PA. It’s great for both small and large parties alike, as the less than adventurous eaters will always find something they can love on the menu. The Millworks’ focus is on local and seasonal ingredients, especially when it comes to comfort food.
While it’s a large space, the decor of the Millworks is also comforting and inviting with its exposed brick, reclaimed wood and warm lighting. It is across the street from the Broad Street Market (founded in 1860) and a few blocks from the Pennsylvania State Capitol Complex. When the weather is nice, there is seating outside in the courtyard on the first floor or the Biergarten upstairs where you can also order food. The Millworks also houses studios of many local artists.
Cocktails
The beer, wine and cocktails are also follow the local and seasonal ethos at the Millworks in Harrisburg, PA. There is a on-site brewery at Millworks, but I’d rather highlight the wonderful and unique cocktails. During a recent dinner, we indulged in the following:
Small Plates
Fries are always a must at the Millworks, especially since they are served in a mini cast-iron skillet (which I love). In the summer, the fried green tomatoes are delicious with their crunchy cornmeal crust, served with a tangy buttermilk aioli. A constant on the menu is the Pennsylvania favorite, pierogies, with smoked brisket burnt ends on top.
If you want something on the lighter side, I love the salads at the Millworks. I often get the kale and broccoli rabe salad because its chimichuri vinaigrette is just divine. Soups are also really good like the new potato and spring onion bisque with Maryland crab ceviche. The butternut squash bisque is a favorite during the colder months.
An updated menu can be found on the Millworks’ website. Specials are often available, like this tomato and mozzarella salad with a blackberry balsamic reduction we had recently.
Sandwiches and Pizza
Pizzas are hand-tossed and cooked in the Millworks’ brick oven. Available also with a gluten-free crust, toppings include truffled mushrooms and seasonal vegetables. Others are made with pulled pork and brisket that are prepared outside in the Millworks’ smoker.
This the burger I had on my birthday last year, made with local beef and sharp cheddar. No bun, because I try to only eat deep-fried carbs. Other favorites on the sandwiches menu include crispy fried chicken, fried catfish and smoked barbecue pulled pork.
There are entrees on the Millworks’ menu, beyond sandwiches and pizza. The latter, though, are just so good and hard to resist.
Dessert
For chocolate lovers, there is a gluten-free chocolate cake on the Millworks’ menu. Other desserts, though, will have a seasonal twist. There will be a seasonal fruit cobbler, as well as a vanilla bean custard with a seasonal fruit compote, including this blueberry one for summer.
Final Thoughts
I’ve been to the Millworks a lot recently—Sunday brunch, Saturday afternoon cocktail, lunch and dinner. I just had friends visiting from San Francisco and thought the Millworks would be a great place that they and their 2 1/2 year old would enjoy. After they returned home to California, my friend and I exchanged messages about the great time we had. She had been thinking about the amazing cocktails. I had been thinking about their adorable little boy who was quite content in his high chair with his new crayons and his personal cheese pizza from the kids’ menu. The bottom-line is that all of us were happy after dining at the Millworks in Harrisburg, PA and are already looking forward to the next time.
| The Millworks, 340 Verbeke Street, Harrisburg, PA 17102
Reservations via Open Table |