I went here mainly because of reviews here and after a stroll through part of downtown thought I should try it out. Â I wanted to give this 2.5 stars, but because it was my first time, I'll go back and update my review if I can. Â Neither of us was overly thrilled with our choices; apps were below par. Â Thank God for the wine. Â The alfredo sauce was too thick and gooey; the tomato and mozz salad had dry mozz and it was drizzled with a drak, sweet sauce of some kind that did nothing for the dish. Â The ceasar salad had way too much dressing. Â We ate a lot of bread. Â It has a nice bar out front but a huge turn off is that the restaurant tries to be classy but the bar patrons were right out of a frat party they were so loud and obnoxious (drunk) for it being so early in the day. Â Woudl expect a little more reserved behavior, fun but not drunk guys hanging at a bar.
Review Source:We enjoyed a pleasant meal in downtown Harrisburg one evening. Â
We had been warned about going to the area especially at night, but it was still light while we there so we felt safe in spite of the obviously homeless people nearby. Â This wasn't the Harrisburg we remember from our youth.
The restaurant has an upscale feel to it. Â We could imagine deals being worked there by local politicians or businessmen. Â But there were few people there.
Food ranged from excellent to average. Â I ordered the Zia pasta special and was more than pleased. Â The wide flat pasta seemed homemade and the mix of vegetables, herbs, and olive oil was delicious. Â His chicken parm was average and therefore overpriced for what he got. Â Our Caesar salads were excellent although my anchovies cost an extra few dollars which I didn't know when I was asked if I wanted them. Â Not happy about that. Â Rolls were served with a garlicky oil mix that I am told was very good. Â Others with us enjoyed crab cakes and saltimbocca though the prosciutto with it was deemed too salty.
It was a bit pricey but still we were glad we went.
On the way out, one of the homeless asked if we had any leftovers he could have. Â We gave him our leftover chicken parm. (he wanted to know what we had in the 'to go box' before he would take it!)
Okay, My rating is on one meal and one experience here this week while in town for business.
Service-with a smile and outstanding, our waiter-wish I remembered his name but was a bit knackered from 14 hours in the air-did a great job.
Wine list-a little light, with only one Italian wine on it if I recall, seriously? Â (And not Chianti for Grandma to pair with her Veal parm either!)
Dinner-I had the Tuna with a spinach and miscellaneous veggie pasta...wow! Tuna was just seared-and was outstanding-and the pasta was unusual (maybe even homemade) and tasty with the spinach and other veggies.
I am not sure what the H-burg restaurant scene is like, but would go back here again, I really enjoyed it, Bravo!
The good..........the food.
The bad............the service.
We arrived around 7pm on Saturday night and were seated promptly. Â A lady came over and took our drink orders. Â About 10 minutes later, another lady came and said, "Are you guys ready to order? Â Because I'm going to take your order to give to the bartender so she can put it in." Â In her defense, I'm pretty sure she doesn't usually waitress. Â
My biggest gripe is with the kitchen worker who kept coming out to the bar/dining area wearing a dirty apron and a disheveled shirt which was not tucked in. I think he might have been the manager because he was actually drinking wine at the bar.
The Good.
The food was absolutely excellent. Â The best Italian food I can recall eating. Â We started with the calamari appetizer ($8). Â It was cooked to perfection and served with a delicious sauce. Â Next we had caesar salads ($3 when added to a dinner). Â The were also very good. Â They mixture of salad, cheese, and dressing was perfect. Â The bread and oil dip were also good; however, we had to ask for them.
My girlfriend had the lobster ravioli ($21). Â They were so good. Â The best I ever had. Â There was actually large chunks of lobster meat in the ravioli and the sauce was excellent. Â They also served 3 shrimp with the dish (which was not noted on the menu).
I had the pasta carbonara ($16). Â A large portion with generous amounts of sausage. Â The creamy wine sauce was also very good. Â Our total bill with tax came to $53. Â OVerall a decent night. Â But there was potential for it to be amazing with adequate service.
Nice restaurant, enjoying a meal until my date had to sit with her legs up halfway through the meal because a mouse was on the floor. Â The waiter just kind of shooed it and said nothing about it. Â No manager came over to speak to us so unfortunately we will never be going back which is a shame because the food was actually good and the restaurant appeared to have nice atmosphere.
Review Source:I can't figure out why this place is always so empty. Â I've been a few times and each time have no problem getting a table (on wknd nights) and seem to be the only ones around. Â I think the food is delicious and reasonably priced. Â My only complaint is their rolls-the olive oil dip is great, but the rolls are always cold and too hard. Â I've had a few pasta dishes and recently their fish special with a pesto/artichoke risotto-so yummy!!! would love to have again. Â My boyfriend and Dad had the ribeye special and both really enjoyed it, plus my mom's veal dish looked amazing. Â Lastly, our server, Scott was the best-attentive, funny and knowledgeable. Â Do visit!
Review Source:I haven't had a full meal here but been for the Thursday Wine Tastings and have also had some of the catered food while at an in-town Harrisburg event. Â From what I have tasted, the food was delicious. Â Previous examples of what was on the Thursday Wine Tastings buffets were sliders with bruschetta and bacon, fried calamari that was very light and zesty, simple but so tasty sweet potato chips, pulled pork sliders and a great seaweed salad. Â
I also had some of the ceviche that Red Door catered for a Vixen event and it was really good (it's really hard to find ceviche in Harrisburg). Â Unfortunately, it's not on the regular menu but we can only hope Red Door will add it.
From my limited experience, I have really enjoyed the snack-etizers at Zia's. Â The menu is inventive and the food is good.
I came in with a few co-workers for lunch one day. It was very quiet for a lunch rush downtown. The waitress/bartender was very friendly and she brought our beverages in record time.
The lunch menu was pretty similar to most places downtown; sandwiches, salad, etc. They also have pastas but my co-worker said to stay away since the one she had a while ago was greasy and had made her stomach upset.
I ordered the seared tuna salad with some fruit chutney and a soy vinaigrette. They were out of tuna, so I opted for salmon. It was probably a better choice too since the fattiness of the salmon complemented the dressing and fruit. My colleagues' sandwich was "not good at all
, but the chicken/fruit salad that others ordered were also delicious.
I would come back - but rarely. My lunch was good, but for the price, I can just go to cafe fresco where they also have great salads and a yummy pizza bread on the side.
I have yet to eat dinner here but I have been to several of the wine tastings. Every Thursday at 5:30, 3 glasses of 3oz pours, and a nice little pairing buffet for $15.00, sheet with description of each wine and they give you the run down on the wines and answer your questions. Great way to spend a few hours with friends for $15
Review Source:Maybe I'm just used to the small-big city (Philadelphia), but these drinks were reasonably priced. Maybe I'm just used to the city, but with moderate prices came TONS of food. Maybe I'm just used to the city, but I don't expect awesome food for less than 25 dollars a plate. It's good to stop and take a breather on Restaurant Row, hometown Harrisburg.
From the fabulous olive tapenade to that killer Mozzarella and sundried tomato salad, the night started off well. I heard great things about the crowd and the atmosphere, but I wasn't expecting the food to be so baller. Brad, you were our server, and knew all the regulars' names. Hello, nice to meet you Brad, you were freaking amazing and paid so so so much care in making sure everything was perfect. Thank you, Brad.
I got a huge Veal Piccata that I couldn't finish, and ate too much wonderful bread with olive oil. I also tried the caesar salad and it's something else (fish-oil free).
Now, with meal, salad, drinks, you are looking at about 30-40 pp before tip. Just sayin'.
Oh right, and I was there for a birthday party, for which the bar was reserved. Nice.
Had to write a rereview after our Valentine's Day dinner here. It was just fantastic. Prix Fixe menu with four courses and lots of options. The salads, breads, wine selection, and service were excellent. The stuffed chicken was really awesome as well.
For dessert they moved us into a private room with other people that were ready for dessert as well where we got the best chocolate and wine pairing I've ever had. The pairings were so spot on it was just flavor euphoria, not to mention they had a dessert buffet of chocolate covered strawberries, cannolis, and some other tasty items as well.
Zia's continues to impress me as a top notch restaurant with very reasonable prices.
Ate dinner here once. Â Great environment for a romantic dinner but also presents a pleasent evening for a group. Â You should like wine if you come here, that's their specialty. Â Went back a second time for just the bar. Â Saturday night at 10pm and it was dead. Â This place is for an older crowd, but we had a nice time.
Review Source:Restaurant row. Â Delicious food, rubbish for parking. Â Zia's is a gem shining among gems located at the corner of 2nd Street at Locust Street in downtown. Â If you're fed up with even trying to find parking along the street - pop into the garage between Locust and Pine - it's half a block walk south from there.
Where do I begin with Zia's? Â There's something for everyone. From delicious fresh seafood to sausage lovers galore. Â There are even a few menu items for those who are not so inclined to eat on the sweet tender flesh of our furry friends.
I definitely recommend lots of appetizers. Â Even though the portions are a good size, the appetizers are so delicious, plus - when the food is this good, leftovers are a good good thing. Â The calamari is probably the best in Harrisburg (although Firehouse has really good calamari, so I'm not quite sure. Â I think both restaurants should have me try them again and compare!) Â And you can't beat the garlic bread.
My favorite entree? Â Lobster ravioli of course! Â How can you go wrong with LOBSTER and RAVIOLI! Â Seriously, it's a win-win right there.
The prices aren't bad either. Â Fine dining in downtown Harrisburg without having to take out a second mortgage! Â While you're enjoying the Italian delights at Zia's, be sure to try some of the wine from their sister, Red Door. Â Amazing.
And and and... if you have American Airlines rewards program you get points. Â All you have to do is register your credit card on the AA rewards website!
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