It is outstanding!
I have dined here many times - and I am a Foodie and have dined at most of the notable top notch establishments in the Central Penn area. Sidney I believe to be one of the best restaurants around.
It is a beautiful place, the food was artistically prepared and presented, absolutely sublime flavors, perhaps a bit pretentious, but well deserved.
The service is always top-notch - never a complaint about the service. I use Open Table and the staff is ready to greet me without fail.
The area between Camp Hill and York is lacking in anything with serious quality. It could be considered pricey, I didn't feel that way considering the outstanding quality of the establishment, the food, the decor, and the service. It is a bit out of the way - but well worth the trip.
It was very quiet when we arrived at 5pm, but by 6:30 it had become a bit noisier, but not enough to really be an issue.
Sidney is truly a gem with a lovely terrace, a quaint tavern all inside a beautifully decorated historic building. Perfect place for a nice date or a special occasion - I cannot wait to return
What an incredibly disappointing evening. Let me start off with... vegetarians beware... big time beware! And vegans don't even bother.
We dined at Sidney this past weekend - we were so much looking forward to a fantastic dinner out. We started with a bottle of wine for the table. I was aware in advance that there aren't many vegetarian options, however as it turned out there were absolutely NO vegetarian options, including the daily soup. The server had to check with the chef to see if they could do a vegetable plate for me which they did. She went on to tell me how confusing it was because sometimes people say they're vegetarians but they eat fish. When she told the chef I don't eat meat or seafood he told her I wasn't vegetarian, I was vegan. So this probably should have all been my first clue... a fine dining establishment and they don't know vegetarian from vegan.
Moving on... the server asked if I wanted a starter and I again indicated there were no vegetarian options on the menu. She offered to make a chopped salad (not on the menu) so I agreed. My husband also ordered the chopped salad as a starter and the strip steak, and our friends both ordered the clams, chopped salad, and one had the salmon and the other had the pork.
I should say at this point that the freshly made bread (white bread, cornbread, and olive/cheese bread) are all absolutely fantastic. You really could probably make a meal of just the bread and the wine.
Speaking of wine - we proceeded to order another bottle.
The clams and salads all arrived, the chopped salad was good - honestly the best part of it was the Maytag blue cheese. The recommended vinaigrette dressing was fine, but nothing special.
One to the main course...
The vegetable plate left MUCH to be desired. I very rarely add salt or pepper to a meal once it's been served (exception being things like scrambled eggs), but unfortunately the vegetables lacked seasoning - I'm not sure they were seasoned at all and therefore adding salt and pepper was necessary. The plate consisted of two half florets of cauliflower, two florets of broccoli rabe, white rice pilaf, diced carrots and lima beans, and was centered by two halves of fennel. The cauliflower was more than al dente... I will acknowledge that being closer to raw is certainly better than being overdone. I enjoy fennel in dishes such as soups, but unfortunately it is not ideal as the featured vegetable on the plate. As I said that night, it was fine, nothing special, and I'm sure not worth whatever they would charge for it.
My husband ordered his steak medium rare but half of it was done medium, another friend ordered salmon and it came out medium rare and had to go back for further cooking. The pork was also more underdone than our friend would have liked.
This all being said - one did still order dessert, as well as a glass of port, and one ordered another glass of wine.
Checks were brought and surprisingly the vegetable plate at $26 was more expensive than the strip steak at $24. There also was a $2 misc retail charge on our bill. As previously stated, I knew the vegetable plate was going to be more than it was worth, but I was very shocked to see that it was $26... especially considering all the meat and seafood dishes on the menu are under $30 (with the exception of one chicken dish). I asked the server about the $2 misc charge... she tells me that the chef told her to add $2 because $26 wasn't enough for the vegetable plate. So the unseasoned, not very good vegetable plate is actually $28. Had the meal been fantastic, and had all the other meat and seafood meals been over $30, I could have understood this. But really?
I, very politely, told the server that they may want to take into consideration for the future the fact that they are charging more for the vegetable plate than most of their meat and seafood dishes. She insisted on getting the general manager, despite my pleading not to... I wasn't looking to make a scene, really just trying to provide constructive feedback. The manager proceeded to vehemently tell me that they are NOT a vegetarian restaurant and that others have loved their vegetable plate. Wow  - shame me for being a vegetarian. She was flat out disrespectful and insulting to me. I once again politely indicated I wasn't trying to be a problem and had just wanted to offer these comments for future consideration. She says to the server - "just take the $2 misc charge off her bill". She completely missed the point... I didn't care about the $2 in particular. She stormed off while the server apologized. The server later returned and said she's taken the entire meal off. We again refuse indicating we are fine paying the full bill, and were just trying to offer feedback. She insisted, which ultimately was very kind, but does not change the fact that we WILL NOT be going back to Sidney. Not great food, horrible treatment by the GM, and all this for a 3-figure meal. I don't think so.
Enjoyed a truly lovely meal at Sidney last night.
Arrived to the pleasant surprise that Tuesday is half price bottle of wine night! Â Great chance to try something new for us. Â Their list was on the brief side but we found the selection serviceable.
We did get the Yelp-commented-on "bad" table for two that sits just at the junction between the dining room and the tavern. Â It is an odd set up, with Rolling Stones on the radio in the tavern and 4-star plates coming out to the dining room, there should be a more permanent barrier. Â The tavern itself had a much warmer atmosphere, we found the dining room to be very stark. Â Understand the Colonial theme, but white curtains on white walls and some very odd and definitely not Colonial artwork, it was just a strange vibe. Â I was glad to be facing the tavern where I could see the exposed brick and ceiling beams, and as the tavern was empty we weren't impacted by noise.
Our server was excellent, friendly and knowledgeable. Â Great wine service, always appreciated. Â The food was exceptional. Â We shared three appetizers, the goat cheese salad, the grilled octopus salad, and the terrine of foie gras. Â All excellent, the octopus was our favorite, the texture was unbelievable and the chorizo it was served with was delicious. Â The terrine was decadent, the house made stone mustard was really nice and the cornichon tasted house made, would have loved a few more of them!
I had a fourth appetizer instead of an entree, Nantucket bay scallops that were served with a parsnip puree, pickled daikon and beautiful lemon and orange segments. Â So delicate and light, I wish there had been a larger entree portion as I ate every bite. Â Husband had the hake with black kale/raisins and a duo of sauces. Â Everything worked in really nice proportion to each other, but you really had to have a bite of everything to get that. Â A very generous portion, not surprising with this less expensive fish. Â
Dessert was the white chocolate and coconut bombe with caramel ice cream. Â Very good, wish there had been a bit more ice cream to go with the large bombe. Â
Overall one of the nicest food experiences we've had in the area, and we will definitely return. Â Would like to go for lunch sometime and check out the lunch menu. Â The terrace looks like it would make for great fair weather dining as well.
Another fabulous meal.
  App:  Four raw oysters with Champagne Shallot Vinaigrette - Excellent
Entree: Â Whole Dorade, dredged in rice flour, pan fried, with a mild sweet chili sauce, quinoa and broccoli rabe - Excellent, fish perfectly cooked
Dessert: Â Marscapone ice cream- yes, you read that right. Â A culinary obscenity. Â And I never eat dessert. Â Insane.
4.5 stars- Service was a bit sub-par. Â The waitress simply did not check on us often enough. Â Other wait staff was great.
What a surreal evening at dinner on 8/24/12. So many highs and lows - a totally dysfunctional restaurant. Â Service was atrocious. Â Took us 15 minutes to get menus. Â The server was totally MIA - came back smelling of smoke - if you're going to take a smoke break in between a service, how about a wash-up? Â The only reason I gave it 3 stars was because the food did not disappoint. Â But, for greater than three bills for 4 people, the service I expect has to be SO MUCH BETTER. Â The table next to us also had several issues, and I could overhear a heated discussion with the maitre d. Â I don't think I will coming back to this restaurant.
Review Source:This place was awesome! Between my fiance and I, we sampled almost a 1/4 of their menu, and EVERY SINGLE dish was delish! Specialty drinks were awesome!
Atmosphere- 4.5 stars - the cheap Valentine'd decorations were a little distracting, but on the whole i like the juxtaposition of rustic building and modern art.
Service - 4.5 stars - server was fantastic, only complaint is we waited 10 minutes at the hostess station before anyone even said hello. To be fair, they were PACKED, which is why I didn't deduct a full star, but they could have at least greeted us and said someone would be with us shortly.
Food- 5 stars (wish i could give 6) - First Course: Chopped salad -Awesome, maybe a little heavy on the Bleu Cheese. Escolar and Salmon with Apple/Celery/Jalapeno emulsion- Easily my favorite dish of the night. The inclusion of the apple slices really balanced out the jalapenos very nicely in the sauce. Main Course: NY Strip w/ crushed potatoes -simple dish, well executed, can't go wrong. Pork w/ Stuffed Poblano - Whoa! This was my first experience with pork cooked less than well (as requested by the Chef), and I appreciated it very much! The Poblano was giant Crispy and delish! Served with a salsa, It was reminiscent of my recent Caribbean  trip - spicing on the pork reminded me of jerk, with hispanic accents, perfect!
If the regular menu prices scare you (as they did meat first), 1) The entrees were HUGE cuts of meat, easily pushing a pound, and 2) check the lunch and tavern menu - you will find them priced comprable to many casual dining chains, but with obscenely better food!
Congrats on a phenomenal restaurant Sidney! We will be back...
Went with a party of 8. We received a special select menu. Everyone loved their meal. The most purchased was the salmon on wilted spinach and potatoes. The crispy chicken was also good with sweet potatoes, and the prime rib was enjoyed too. Most of us ordered the pumpkin and peanut soup with was devine. Service was excellent along with a Lebanese wine. I'll definately return for a special occasion.
Review Source:Wanted to love this place but too much went wrong. Â Most of the food was excellent and our server was very hospitable and provided good recommendations. Â
First, the great; the chopped vegetable salad was very creative and excellent. Â The bread is made in the restaurant was was fantastic, especially the cornbread. Â My wife loved the halibut. Â The waiter recommended port was a great finish and went well with the chocolate dessert and cinnamon ice cream. Â The restaurant setting is wonderful and we had a good table.
The pretty good; I had the duck which was good but didn't wow me. Â The wine including the special by the glass from Lebanon (the country) was all fine. Â
The bad (other than the idiots at table across from us that were playing loud videos on an iPad) was the fact that a bug was crawling across my plate on the chopped salad. Â I am not a bug freak and I realize this happens. Â I went through survival training in the military and actually ate some bugs as part of the training. Â So not a big deal. Â But if you point this out and show the waiter the bug, I guess I expect something more than a touch on the shoulder and an apology along with an explanation about gnats (this was a small ant). Â
I wasn't expecting a free meal but at least comp a dessert or a glass of wine. Â Bring out some extra bread or a couple oysters (which the table next to us loved). Maybe I expect too much but I am sure there are lots of people who would have made a bigger scene if a bug was crawling across the garnish that recently rested on top of their just consumed salad. Â I was in a Denny's 5 years ago and the manager comped a meal because there was a small bug on my daughter's napkin. Â I am in this fine dining establishment dropping two bills and nothing? Â
I probably wouldn't even have mentioned the bug if they did something to make it right. Â Anything. Â
There were also some dead periods where we waited for service including right when we sat down and once we finished our meal. Â Also, my water was empty for a good 10 minutes. Â The young waiter who I had seen pouring water earlier looked right at my glass but I guess going outside to take down the flags was a higher priority. Â All this was minor as the service was generally strong.
Overall I probably would have given Sidney four+ stars if they had acknowledged my negative experience in some way. Â Some of the food was simply outstanding. Â But next Valentine's Day, I will probably go somewhere else.
They don't get much better than this and it's in East Berlin? Â Wow. Â Had a great meal last night on the terrace. Â Since it was Tuesday, it was 1/2 price bottle night. Â That's a deal that allows you to buy something a little higher end and not be stung by the bill so badly.
I started off with the Nicoise salad. Â This was excellent with a properly seared generous piece of yellowfin. Â My wife had the special soup of the day which was a chilled corn, squash, and jalapeno. Â Interesting combo. Â It was good but I'm not a huge fan of chilled soups. Â My wife really enjoyed it so as they say "happy wife, happy life".
For entrees, I ordered the potato crusted fluke and this was outstanding. Â It came with a plated green sauce that I couldn't distinguish the ingredients but it was great. Â The piece of fluke was on top of a delicious mound of whipped potatoes. Â The potato crust on the fish was perfect. Â Scattered throughout the dish were clams, which I believe were raw. Â This was excellent as I'm a huge clam fan.
My wife ordered the pancetta wrapped trout. Â She loved it and took half of it home with her as the portions were generous.
I had a port for dessert and my wife had a chocolate peanut butter layered mousse/brownie type dessert. Â This was fantastic. Â I wish I had ordered my own but happily my wife let me have some.
I ordered straight from the menu but my wife ordered from the prix fixe menu. Â For $36, you receive a 3 course meal which includes appetizer, entree, and dessert. Â You have a few of each to choose from. Â For this type of quality, this is a great deal.
The terrace is a nice place to eat. Â Assuming the weather cooperates, I'm going to ask that we sit outside every time we visit.
Great place, it's that simple.
Why is this under the category of Italian? It is everything and not limited!
Perfection every time. Â Been here about once a month for a few years now.
Staff knows us by first name. Â From 8+ course tasting menus to just nibbles and drinks. Â Not once was there ever a bad experience in any way. Â
The wine is always delightful and surprising since PA has oddball liquor control. Â
Staff knows all kinds of tidbits and are not afraid to ask Chef Neil anything.
He is tough but open to questions of curious patrons. We can see he appreciates the experienced taste of knowledgable foodies.
Chef Neil doesn't know how much we appreciate him and his staff in our little neck of this Adams County Woods.
Wonderful food. Some of the best in the area. Appetizer, entree and dessert were all winners. The chef is very creative and really knows how to season without having to rely on salt. I would return for the food any time.
The service is attentive and friendly but not fine dining service. For a $32 entree I don't want to hear the wait person talking about her hysterectomy to another staff member. I also phoned to let them know it was my parents' 47th anniversary and the person on the phone sounded really excited to do something special. She assured me the server would be made aware it was a special occasion. They didn't do anything at all. Â I thought maybe they would be bringing something special with the dessert but they didn't.
Again, the food is absolutely amazing. The wait staff is amateurish but very friendly.
Today I met some friends at Sidney to help me celebrate my birthday. Â This was my first time there, although I have driven past it on Route 234 in East Berlin, Adams County. Â I realize that 8-9 miles off of Rt15S is a bit off the beaten path- but it is so worth the short drive.
The restaurant is very visible and sits at the corner of Harrisburg St and Rt 234. Â You can enter the lot from either street, and parking is well situated. Â You can enter the restaurant from the front or the rear. Â It is in an old, historic house, and the decor is interesting with the architectural
detail of the house (exposed beams, etc.) and some post-modern art.
The wait-staff are very attentive and helpful, without being intrusive. We started with mixed drinks at the bar as we arrived a bit early for our reservation, and then moved on to the first course. Â I had the 'Barely seared Yelowfin tuna in the style of Salad Nicoise.' Â It was a piece of art in its plating, and it was simply delectable. Â My friends all got different first courses, and they raved about each one. Â For the main course I had the Epicurean Farms organic petite Poulet and jumbo Gulf shrimp accompanied by grilled bok choy, asparagus and oven dried tomatoes with a ginger-soy vinaigrette. Â Again, plated beautifully, and the food was sumptuous! Â We then had dessert. Â I had the chocolate mousse with fresh raspberries, raspberry sorbet and almond dentelles. Â We shared an Artisan cheese plate with the most decadent goat cheese, Brie, and other assorted cheeses from varying locations. Â Between courses, the chef sent out wonderful little surprises from the kitchen. Â
I can not rave about this place enough. Â I have a new favorite when I want to splurge. Â The portions were perfect- not too much and not too little. Â All in all, the restaurant is just right.
Just have to re-post as we went to Sidney last night for their amazing burgers ($1.50 off on Wednesdays). Â Had to have an appetizer and dessert as well, of course. Â I had the tuna app (crusted with rice crackers and with a side of spicy asian potato salad...oh my!) and he had two oysters (with smoked tuna viniagrette and sriachi...double oh my). Â Another friend who went with us had oysters, the tuna app, and the tempura oyster app that was offered, with cauliflower puree and other goodness.
THIS PLACE IS INCREDIBLE! Â Do yourself a favor and check it out. It's NOT inexpensive, but I've never left disappointed.
For dessert we all split the veloute of chocolate with cinnamon stick ice cream, and this incredible chocolate cone filled with passion fruit parfait with a pomegranate sorbet on the side.
I just adore this place!
Sidney is by far the best restaurant in this part of Pennsylvania. Â We went here for my brother's graduation from Gettysburg College, and I'd highly recommend it. Â The chef/owner, Neil Annis, has worked at Bouley in New York and with Alain Ducasse, and it shows. Â Don't miss the "Eberly Farm" chicken -- it's to die for!
Review Source:If someone were to say, hey, let's go for a nice evening out for an incredible, creative, and delectable menu, East Berlin, Pennsylvania might not necessarily be the spontaneous suggestion of rendezvous point. Â In fact, if you're side-tracked while driving from Harrisburg towards Baltimore, you might even pass this unassuming restaurant off Route 194 in the middle of East Berlin.
Sidney is certainly a definitive example of a hidden culinary surprise. Â Chef Neil Annis trained at the Culinary Institute and worked at various culinary destinations such as the Four Seasons before opening Sidney in East Berlin, Pennsylvania--just shy of an hour from Harrisburg, near route 74 and 194.
The building itself has been a restaurant since the 1700s according to our attentive ,skilled server. Â The inside of the dining room harks at a sense of Modern Pennsylvanian Dutch--with plain, believable wood and white tablecloth elements in a homely centuries old house. Â Attached is a handsome tavern in the back of the restaurant.
For appetizers we ordered a special seafood cheviche salad and a chopped vegetable salad, both of which were fresh, and beautifully plated. Â Paired with a Spanish white wine, a 2004 Bergans Albarino, the stage was set for the rest of the evening.
For the main course ,we had sea bass over wilted spinach which was full of flavor, but not overpowering. Â A hefty cut of sea bass was seasoned just enough to combine texture with sweetness but without taking away the fact that you were consuming a seafood dish. Â
For dessert, a beautifully plated raspberry rice pudding with large fresh, crisp red raspberries ended the meal. Â The dessert was smooth and didn't bombard the palate with rice---the rice texture of the pudding was just enough to remind you it was there. Â In the meantime, the pudding itself was naturally sweetened by the fresh raspberries layered throughout the dessert. Â Sensory satisfaction to the eye in its artistic presentation---red fleur de lyse surrounding a pillar of rapsberries---and pleasing without being obnixiously sweetened.
An amazing find in the least expected of places.
The 5 best restaurants in the 2015 Denver Restaurant Week
3,611 Views | Category: Denver
The complete list of 2015 Denver Restaurant Week businesses
1,972 Views | Category: Denver
The tourists' guide to Portillos: 5 must have dishes
3,318 Views | Category: Chicago
Pho = Pronounced "fuh" not "foe" for pho-king sake
2,915 Views | Category: Denver
Indulgery selected to exhibit at Collision Conference
2,987 Views | Category: Press Releases
Not Logged In
BUSINESSES
Local Businesses
Near Me
My Favorites
SOCIAL
Blog & News
MY ACCOUNT
Login
Register
Contact Us
Add Your Business
