I would have to agree that in the evening Cafe Fresco is creating an atmosphere that is "metro" but the food is just from blandville. I ordered the tuna which sounded interesting however none of the flavors in any of the dishes were bold or different. "Old from a few nights before" hummus starter sort of turned my nose up from the beginning. If the food matched the style then this place would win me over. Lunch time makes sense, nice salads and wraps for the office crowd but turning it into a chic success when the suns down, well it falls short for me.
(2)
Jamie W.
Cafe Fresco has a nice casual dining environment. I'd compare it to a Panera Bread - hip and tasteful. The food is pretty average though - they need to discover the wonderful world of spices for their burgers and more fixins' for their sandwiches. Sometimes, a leaf of lettuce and a slice or two of tomato are hard to notice in a big kaiser roll of bread. I like this place... but they could easily improve the food to make it more likable.
(3)
kathy c.
Harrisburg is awesome, because it's entirely unpretentious and really comfortable in it's own skin. Cafe Fresco is clearly trying too hard. Very un-Harrisburg. Overrated and expensive for what you get. Decor is sort of nice if you like a schizophrenic restaurant that wishes it could be in Philly and not the 'burg - kind of feel.
(1)
E G.
Walked in not knowing what to expect, and was pleasantly surprised. Loved the lounge atmosphere which is severely, severely lacking in this area. Seriously, why aren't there more of these??? They did a decent job of decorating the place going for a upscale posh look. Food was very good but portions werent satisfying. Staff was very helpful and courteous, altough pseudo trendy, almost trying too hard to be hip. I would recommend to young professionals.
(4)
Arleen S.
Although we had reservations at the restaurant next door, one step into the impossibly loud place sent us scurrying back outside. Luckily we stepped into cafe fresco where the atmosphere was so much better for enjoying good food. We (over)ordered two appetizers and two entrees and each was superb and unique. Edamame ravioli was amazing. The sweet potatoes that came with the scallops converted my spouse who had hated them his whole life. What a wonderful accident!
(5)
Thayne I.
Ate there for breakfast. Had the build your own omelette with fruit and coffee $15.00. Excellent meal, service was great, atmosphere was quiet and the decor was retro and clean. I give it a five star because all the above was awesome.
Yes. Eat here. Innovative eclectic menu. We shared 4 starters between 3 people then 2 entrees. Highly recommend the roasted Brussels sprouts, sea bass entree, scallop starter and pork belly starter. Desserts are excellent so save room!
(5)
Cera W.
Decided to check out Cafe Fresco as there were items for vegan to eat. Cool cocktail menu. Edamame hummus was great. So were the Brussel sprouts. Was able to get them w out cheese and bacon. Would go back again.
(4)
Mia K.
When a friend suggested that we go to Cafe Fresco for dinner one evening, I was excited to try the latest addition to "Restaurant Row". We actually found parking on 2nd street right across from the restaurant and I was excited for a nice evening filled with great food and conversation. The coversation was great; the "filled with great food" part, however, fell very short of my expectations (like expecting your blind date to be 6'2", dark and handsome, and he's 5'3" and pale with acne). Cafe Fresco's menu is filled with unique fusions of Asian, Mediterranean and American fare. At first glance, the menu made me feel like I was back in New York. That was until I actually read what was *IN* the entrees. I quickly realised that this was a pretentious wannabe establishment, who prides themselves on TRYING TO BE cosmopolitan. There was *NOTHING* on the menu that appealed to me what-so-ever. So, I went for the tried and true - calamari. Yes, I ordered an appetizer for dinner at the "oh so upscale" Cafe Fresco. I figured, how can you mess up calamari! They didn't mess up my calamari. It wasn't bad, but it was ridiculously small. For a double digit price I was expecting more than a half full dessert size plate. But still, I played nice, and ate my 10 pieces of calamari (ok so maybe it was 12) and relaxed. It wasn't the worst calamari I've ever had, but it sure as hell wasn't as good as what I could have gotten a block down at Zia's (review to come shortly perhaps?). If you're looking for a smoke free establishment, Cafe Fresco has the market cornered downtown - but if you're looking for a smoke free establishment - why the hell are you going downtown anyway?!
(2)
Greg A.
Quirky sandwich/pizza/salad place. There's one by the East Mall as well. They've got funky chairs, jazz on Saturday nights and some of the best quick food that you can get. I've had the Tuscan Chicken, turkey and brie and the basil pesto pizza. All excellent. I'd highly recommend it.
(3)
Todd R.
I enjoy Cafe Fresco immensely. I like that the lunch menu is also available for dinner. The menu goes through subtle changes and they usually have different specials. Drink specials are a plus and I like their cocktails. At evening, it is a full service restaurant but during the day, you order from a cashier. I don't think their breakfast pastries are very good.
(4)
Tes Y.
Came here for just coffee. 4.29 is a little steep, but the caramel latte is strong, tasty, creamy, and not too sweet. Just how I like it. Seems like it's keeping me awake in my dull 3 hour guest lecture so far. Thus, I'm happy with it.
(4)
Kevin O.
Too trendy for me, otherwise I might have given 4 stars. The tables are jammed in there, and do not allow for any private or intimate dining. Our waitress was very friendly and did an excellent job selling the menu and the specials. She made everything sound very appetizing. The table 6 inches to my left was not so lucky, their waiter just kind of rattled off the specials because he had to. I ended up getting a Kobe cheese-steak and my wife ordered the seared tuna. The tuna was fresh and tasted great. As a cheese steak, I was not impressed with my dish. It was a good sandwich, and the beef was quality (Kobe? maybe). I think if it had been called something besides a cheese steak I might have liked it better, but it was like taking a drink of Sprite when you're expecting water.
(3)
Gregory C.
I've been here once, and NEVER AGAIN. Our party of 20 was given 2 servers, a main server and one to assist her. This would have worked had our main server come back to the table at all after introducing herself when we first walked in. In attempt to make things easy on the wait staff, we requested that every guest get a separate bill so that it was easier to keep track of who had what and at the end of the night it would be simpler to pay bills together for those that wished to do so. Instead, we received a single bill about 3 feet long and a pen, and told to figure out some kind of symbol system to mark all over this thing so that it could be broken down into individual bills the way we requested it in the beginning. Now, since we were there for a birthday, the birthday boy's mother brought a cake for us after making sure it was ok with the restaurant. However, when it was time for the cake, our server told us that they would cut the cake for us at the charge of $1 per slice. When asked for a knife so that we could cut it ourselves instead, we were told that they couldn't give us one because it was a safety liability even though 75% of our table was just given a knife 20 minutes prior to cut our dinners. When we brought the issues to management, almost nothing was done to rectify the situation and we were then cussed out by our main waitress who had finally decided to return to our table now that a manager was there. This is hands down the most horrendous service I have ever had at any venue, and it has thoroughly ruined any chance this place had of being a good experience.
(1)
Mark T.
Stopped in from out of town a few weeks ago during dinner. It was the middle of the week so it wasn't too crowded yet and sat at the bar. The bartender was friendly and but not overly pushy and did not rush me. The restaurant is clean and has decent ambiance. I saw who I figured to be the owner go behind the bar and pour himself a nice glass of Kettle One, now that's a perk of owning your own restaurant.. just wish he would have passed his "owner" discount on to me :) All in all the food was decent. I had the Mahi Mahi tacos and the edamame ravioli. The ravioli was different, in a good way. Definitely something that you do not find on every menu. The tacos were okay. I also ordered the bread pudding. The flavor was there, but it was overly microwaved as right when I cut into it, steam poured out. I was expecting a little bit of a fresher desert than microwaved bread pudding, so minus a star for that. Otherwise a decent dining experience if you are in the Harrisburg area. This place is not cheap, but you should know that going in. I would probably come back to try something else. The menu is all over the place with mexican dishes, asian dishes and american dishes, so your choices are plentiful as this restaurant doesn't seem to have a concrete theme to it....
(4)
Bill M.
Was here again last night - 6/3/2013 - just fabulous ! - I had several martinis with the blue cheese stuffed olives - just great - my date had the watermelon martini - equally great - Happy hour drinks were 5 dollars off - HOOT! We started with the sushi which was just awesome and so was the lobster mac and cheese. I again had the scallops with the sweet potato mash and succotash - as brilliant as ever. My date had the Chilean Sea Bass - which was some of the best we have ever had! it was like 3 inches thick - with a rich and flaky flavor to die for! Our waitress was just the best - so helpful and friendly - we had a romantic booth in the corner - I really like this place - we always are treated like VIP's and it feels like home I cant say enough good things about Cafe Fresco - just a wonderful gem for the Harrisburg area - Thank you guys so much for always providing a really nice and memorable experience -
(5)
Alisa M.
I was in Harrisburg this week for work and Cafe Fresco came highly recommended by my hotel. So glad because I had one of the best salads I have ever had. Asian Caesar. YUM!!!!!! I also shared the mussels with my co-worker and those were fantastic as well. Ambiance is nice and the waiter (Robert?) was a kick. He seemed to gage us and our personalities for a bit and then jumped in. He was a blast. We had a great time with the food and atmosphere. He also promised to carry my friend back to the hotel on his back if she drank too much and "accidentally" over tipped. I wonder if he was kidding? =)
(5)
Kim S.
Great choice. Had the chopped salad. Delish and very nice size. Also had the calamari, tuna roll, lettuce wraps and chicken dumplings. We shared and had plenty of food for the two of us. Waiter was attentive and friendly. Would recommend and definitely will return.
(4)
Shelly K.
Just entertained another large work party here - fantastic service and wonderful meals!
(5)
Douglas D.
came here with my wife the other night (10/13) and we had a great time. i wanted to give it five stars but there were a few reasons i didn't, but first the reasons i gave it four: the calamari was awesome! i hate going somewhere and getting it and it is chewy and comes with marinara. the calamari was so tender and lightly fried. and the sauce it came with was wonderful. my rib eye was cook to perfection, a great medium rare. now my steak was a little under seasoned as was the pork belly and the risotto that came with it, my wife had the cashew chicken, which was very good, but the broccoli was way under. i couldn't forgive a poorly cooked steak but under i will let the hard broccoli go since it was on my wife's plate lol. also on another good note, our waiter was awesome.
(4)
Haley H.
My fiance and I are from Pittsburgh PA and have been spoiled by the food options there. We have found a few great restaurants in Harrsiburg but I must say Cafe Fresco is NOT one of them. We had been in for lunch once before and the salads were ok. Good enough to go back on a hot day for lunch again. This time when we went in we were not seated or served. Instead we continued to meander into the back of the restaurant where we were told that it is an over the counter order in the back of the dining area for lunch. "Panera Bread Style" is what we were told. It was dimly lit and we could barely read any menus. We ordered salad and a wrap and sat down. We were one of two tables in the entire place. And the entire staff was cleaning tables and moving chairs. Before we got our food the manager came over and told my fiance "We have a no hat policy" He could have asked nicely if he minded removing his hat. But he seemed to enjoy being an utter jerk about it. When the food came out my salad tasted like it had sat in the fridge for a week and was loaded with preservatives. My fiance didn't even get the side he paid for. We felt so incredibly unwelcome we left unsatisfied. For a "Panera Bread" like lunch you apparently need to appear upper class. Even when it is a Tuesday at 3:00 pm in 90 degree heat and the wait staff isn't even paying any attention to it's customers. I don't even know why they were open at all. We will never go back.
(1)
Beth W.
Came here for our anniversary and was very pleased. Service was fast and very professional. Food was amazing and atmosphere is very aesthetic. We made reservations and good thing because it was a full house. Tip: try the edamame ravioli!
(4)
Angela J.
For other cities, this may be a solid 3-star place, but, for Harrisburgh? Definitely a 4...we know there aren't THAT many good choices out there people. What a cute little place! I was SOOO happy to find a decent place to have lunch while staying in Harrisburg. I came in on a Saturday so it was pretty quiet, but still, the service was prompt and friendly,and I was really impressed on the size of their lunch menu! They had an entire page of different sandwiches, and on the back side, several salads and some yummy sounding pizzas. I opted for the barbecue chicken salad, which had lots of fresh green leaf lettuce, topped with a barbecued chicken breast with avacado, corn salsa, and tomato, and served with bbq ranch (ummm, yum!) and a warm cheesy wedge of foccacia. It was very tasty, and I cleaned my plate. I have to be back to Harrisburg a few times this year, so I will definitley be back here for lunch, and might try out the dinner menu once or twice too...at the very least I'll be back for some martinis!
(4)
Mohun K.
Went for drinks and appetizers on 1/5/13. The service was pretty decent. We ordered the tuna, cheese plate, dumplings, pork belly, and hummus. The dumplings were okay, but the rest was very good. We repeated all the same during round 2 except the dumplings. I would like to return someday for dinner to try the entrees. A good night!
(4)
Dave H.
I love just about everything about Cafe Fresco. This 2nd Street spot has a chill interior, tasty appetizers, solid service (thanks Jon!), and a sexy vibe. It wasn't crowded when we arrived, but the dining room filled up during our meal. We took advantage of their bar, enjoying a round of Irish car bombs before diving into our appetizer, kobe beef sliders with hoisin sauce. Amazingly moist patties, they were an encouraging starter. My entree was so-so, a honey-and-tangerine glazed duck breast. It was a bit on the sweet side, and the side salad tasted as garish as it looked. The mash were a saving grace, helping with the sweet flavor, letting me appreciate the tender duck slices. It wasn't necessarily worth the drive to Harrisburg, but Cafe Fresco has promise, and I will return for drinks, to try another dish, to greet Chef Travis, and to hang out with friends.
(3)
Douglas W.
Cafe Fresco Downtown is upscale big city style in a small city. Style, service and excellent food at reasonable prices. Chef Travis Mumma is a wizard with the Asian-American fusion dishes.
(5)
Steven S.
I wish I could give negative stars, the worst dining experience I have had in a really long time. Went there for a friends birthday, made a reservation for 20 people they told us they could handle no problem. Had to wait to be seated, took over 45 mins before we got our drinks and I only had a coke. then they finally took our order. the slowest service I have ever had anywhere. When the food finally came out it was so so not work the 50 bucks that my girlfriend and I paid. everything was very over priced ... refills on soda, yeah that's funny, one friend actually kept getting up to go to the bar for drinks because the wait staff didn't seem to care. When we made the reservation they told us they could split the check, then they told us they couldn't when it was time to get the bill.. they were complete assholes when we tried to talk to them about the bill (the owner and manager that is) Should have taken out 800 bucks worth of business else where. I will never go back, they are much nicer places that actually wait on their customers and make it so you have an enjoyable meal.
(1)
Rick H.
I'm slowly starting to develop an appreciation for Harrisburg dining. Catering to my travel dining criteria (no chain eateries), a colleague suggested Cafe Fresco. Fearful that Fresco would be another poser operation uncertain of what they wanted to do in tems of cuisine, I was pleased with my dinner experience there. The ambiance is metro-esque to metro; the help professional, but not pretentious; and my meal (sesame encrusted seared Ahi over ginger-wasabi mashed potatos) was perfectly prepared and the right blend of Asian flavors and cold Mid-January hearty. cafefresco.com
(4)
Lillian F.
One of THE BEST dining experiences my friends (there were 6 of us) had! The atmosphere, the staff, the food, the drinks were wonderful. We come to Harrisburg a few times each year for a court reporters board meeting. We're going to make this our "go-to" place from now on. Our waiter "Matthew" I think his name was, was so professional, friendly, knowledgeable and attentive. I can't wait to take my husband and other friends there to experience this wonderful place!
(5)
Aurora M.
Reviewing for dinner, it's a completely different menu for lunch. Ambience: Trendy lounge feel, like you're in NYC. Food: Kobe beef sliders appetizer = must get. That's probably the best thing on the menu. The beef is so juicy and soft and flavorful. For entrees, I've tried the scallops with black risotto and the Chilean sea bass. The scallops and risotto weren't good at all; they had a weird taste. The sea bass with soba noodles was pretty good, but the portion is quite small. I've been here with other people who've tried many things, and they always get the sea bass. It has a smooth texture and good flavor. I think this place is overpriced for the food you get, but it feels like a more upscale experience than neighboring restaurants.
(3)
Laura Jill S.
Menu wasn't super vegan friendly, but our server, and the chef, went out of their way to make sure I had a delicious meal. We had the edamame (prepared w/ sea salt, ginger, and sake) and the hummus and flatbread appetizers--both delish. The chef then prepared a special vegan version of the pad thai for me (and a special version of the cashew chicken for my dad--prepared w/o fish sauce b/c of his seafood allergy). All dishes were a win. :)
(4)
Susan D.
So me and my co-worker Maria were headed to Harrisburg on a one-night business trip. We were scheduled to have an afternoon meeting with the Philadelphia contingent, but after that we had the evening free. I've been to Harrisburg several times and I'd heard about Cafe Fresco, but I'd never eaten there. "Do you think we should?" asked Maria. "Oh, come on Maria. You wanna eat at chain restaurants all your life?" I replied. "What about our per diem?" she asked. "Look", I said. "If it exceeds the per diem by a few bucks, pay for it out of your own pocket. It won't be that much. You've gotta live a little." I did impress upon her that if she wanted to order alcohol with her dinner, she was to request a seperate bill for it and pay cash. I have a strict rule against charging booze to the company credit card. But how was the food? Very good. The cuisine here is somewhere between Nouveau (Nouvelle?) and Asian inspired with pizzas thrown in. When we looked at the menu though, we both did a double-take. It IS a little pricey here folks. But Maria went for one of the pizzas and I've got to admit, they weren't that expensive ($8.00-$10.00 each for a personal). I think she was dipping her toe in the water. Me, I went for the Panko Encrusted Salmon. Mmmmm! An excellent choice and you'll be pleased to know we came in under our per deim!
(4)
Charles V.
Used to work here before I graduated! Cafe by day and restaurant by night. Fun food, cool furniture. Prices are mid range I'd say, $20-50 depending on number of courses. You can eat here for less than $20, but that would be standard fare like a small appetizer, a personal pizza, and water. Favorites: If Ben's still there, he makes some good Pad Thai, Jason and Gigi are great bar tenders....Pineapple Infused Vodka is still my fav. Can get a little loud on busy nights, but still a great downtown restaurant. Also depending on the day, you could come by when they're having a really yummy special. The head chef always had something different every night while I worked there.
(4)
Brian R.
Surprised with the low ratings for Fresco, I really enjoy this place and have always had good experiences here. The atmosphere is very relaxed and sort of swanky, definitely a more private setting. I've never eaten here, but service has always been good, the drinks are incredible, and there is often quality live music. They unfortunately don't have any beers on draft but they do carry a good selection of bottles and have a long list of martinis which from what I've sampled are always excellent. One of my favorite drinks at Fresco is the house sangria, it's delicious and a good choice if you're out with a group. The prices here are a little steeper than other places on 2nd Street but I'm willing to pay more for the unique atmosphere and feel of the place. If you haven't already been to Cafe Fresco on 2nd I would recommend you try it at least twice despite what all the naysayers have to tell you about it.
(4)
Terra M.
I love going here. I used to go this location every week on fridays. Some good things to try are the scallops and the blueberry cheesecake... ask for a side of vanilla ice cream and its even better. I like to tip the cooks every once and awhile just because I know they do such a good job. I look forward to coming back in the fall when I move back from Orlando.
(5)
Ashley A.
Cafe Fresco is a trendy spot to enjoy lunch, a cocktail after work, or have dinner with friends. The decor is unique for Harrisburg, which makes this a great place to be. I have dined here many times and I love it! The food tastes fresh and I love the concept of fusion mixed with traditional American fare. As far as alcoholic drinks, I recommend the white sangria, the pineapple infusion martini and the strawberry coconut "skinny" martini. Yummy! For appetizers, I suggest the Thai lettuce wraps, chicken dumplings or crab mac n' cheese. Also, the mushroom soup is a must have! It's creamy and flavorful. As far as entrees, you can't go wrong with any of them, but my favorites include pad Thai, cashew chicken and broccoli, teriyaki salmon, crab cakes and chicken pesto pizza. The portions are large, prices are moderate and it's just a great place to see and be seen!
(5)
Greg D.
Popped in here for a late lunch with some family visiting over the 4th of July weekend. What a great spot! Nice decor, very friendly staff, good drinks, and the food was excellent. I just had a Sante Fe burger, but it was done perfectly. Everyone else also enjoyed their food and mentioned to me what a nice place they thought the restaurant was. I'll definitely go back and try out more of the menu. Reasonable prices at lunch, but dinner is a bit pricey. I look forward to my next visit.
(4)
William W.
Drinks are over priced, Pad Thai is garbage, and would not split a bill for 20 people. Service was awful. Ruined a friends birthday. DO NOT GO HERE!!!!!
(1)
Lina K.
Came here for Happy Hour and once for lunch. Happy Hour was definitely better than lunch but lunch was okay. Mediocre mid day menu did not set the bar high so would say it was okay ... not super satisfying nor super creative but just a plain old lunch cafe with a nice atmosphere. Because of this vanilla experience, I resisted coming here again. However, after Happy Hour, I'm semi-impressed. Most or all martinis are $5 from 5-7PM and $9 otherwise. To be completely fair, this place only rates 3 stars but I'm boosting it up to 4 due to the bartender, Gigi. Both bar-keeps were nice but Gigi went the extra mile to concoct a martini for me when they ran out of the ingredients for the Lychee martini (yes .. fru-fru I know, but the heart wants what the heart wants ....). I really appreciate when someone puts forth the extra effort. I must admit that I got a bad taste when we walked into the bar and asked for seating ... were told that it might be a while since there were many reservations for that evening. Umm ... that would have been an okay excuse except for that the place was completely empty except for the bar. Completely pretentious. However, my coworker was thirsty so we went to the bar. I sampled the Watermelon martini (yum ... with pureed watermelon), the Sake-tini (good) and the Asian Pear (good but not as crisp as i would have expected). When I asked for the Lychee, the bar had run out of one of the ingredients, so Gigi concocted a White Peach Martini that was not on the menu but oh so good. Of course, with all these drinks came food. We got the Kobe sliders which were very juicy and good. Also, the chicken dumplings which were a little bland and the pad thai which was not super flavorful but satisfying. The chicken sate was also a little on the bland side but came with a nice mustard peanut sauce. For Harrisburg, this was definitely on the wannabe upscale side both in the management's effort and the pricing but they need to stop trying so hard. I checked my attitude in Manhattan and I'm not about to get riled in Harrisburg. Update: Went again last week and had the Lychee Martini .... DELICIOUS!!! For dinner, ordered the braised short rib which was tasty but was a relatively small portion for Harrisburg (considering it was $25). However, it was very tender and came on a bed of congee with some bok choy on the side. My friend had the filet mignon which looked really good with a side of bok choy and some potato dish. Dessert was SOOOOOOO decadent: the molten chocolate lava cake was plate licking good (and no ... I did not!) and the banana chocolate chip bread with also delectable (topped with ice cream too but not as sinful as the molten chocolate). I am starting to get won over by Fresco's cocktails, for sure. The food is good but still, IMHO, a little over-priced.
(4)
Avani W.
Ignore the reviewers complaining that this place is pretentious. My only guess is that they've never left central PA for very long, or they moved back precisely to get away from the city. To those of us who've escaped, however, its wonderful to have a place to go and have some fantastic martinis. On Mondays, the signature martinis here are $5, and they are on par with $10+ drinks in LA or SF. The tigerlily martini, with fresh lychee in the glass, is hands down the best martini I've had. I hope one day a place like this fits in better with the rest of the downtown area!
(4)
Phil B.
So I liked Cafe Fresco - I had dinner there and was pleasantly surprised. The ambiance is really going for urban-cool, with a bar that shouts trendy, but they compensate things by having a really nice wait staff and manager, and well prepared food. Some good microbrews on the menu ranging from 4 to 6 dollars - reasonable in my opinion and much preferred to any of the other imports or domestics. Started off with chipotle crab mac and cheese - it was as awesome as the idea sounds. Went on to sesame encrusted ahi tuna - which was good. I just did not really enjoy the wasabi mashed potato. Maybe because I hadn't really read the menu entry completely and took a bite that sent the undistilled essence of wasabi straight up my nose and into my brain. I fought off the wave of dark that suddenly consumed my vision. After I recovered - I continue onward enjoying my meal.
(4)
Lisa R.
My daughter and I dined here this evening. We enjoyed the outside seating since it was a beautiful night. Inside the restaurant is very trendy but dark. Lots of candle light. Nice music... Their menu is asian-inspired for sure and since I'm a fan of most things asian I would love to go back and try many more dishes. Tonight I had the baby spinach salad with shrimp added. Quite delicious! The pistachio pieces, fried tempura and golden raisins were perfect together with cute little rounds of goat cheese on the corners and pomegranate vinaigrette. I had the pom-lychee martini. Really nice. I recommend it! My daughter enjoyed her chop salad and glass of wine. Service was decent - no complaints. Food was a little pricey but i guess that's what you can expect for good food and atmosphere on restaurant row.
(4)
Eddie I.
Thought the food and service was great. It would be nice to have some more room in the outdoor area but other than that it was a great experience.
(4)
Karen W.
I went to Harrisburg with the boy on a business trip, and I was not sure what to expect out there. Boy was I surprised. The food was amazing, and the fact that we were able to sit down and order off the dinner menu at 10pm on a Wednesday night made it even better. I ordered the Chilean Sea Bass - normally I'm a little iffy when it comes to seafood, but if this is how seafood is served, I may order it at every meal. The creamy miso was so good that as soon as the boy and I got home, we had to try to make it ourselves. The sea bass was cooked perfectly. My pear martini (recommended by the waitress) - DELICIOUS. The boy got Pan Roasted Breast of Duck. Wow. It was so good and it came with a side of corn bread. We agreed it was in the top 5 corn breads ever. If we ever venture out into this neck of the woods again (litereally), I'd love to try other entrees on the menu. This restaurant could fit in perfectly in NYC.
(5)
Milt T.
Great drinks, superb food, and excellent ambiance...wonderful experience all around!!!
(5)
Bryan J.
If you have to be in Harrisburg overnight, I highly recommend Cafe Fresco. The Baked oatmeal was delicious and the lunch was equally refreshing and fantastic. They have pizzas, wraps, salads, burgers and more. Everything including the atmosphere is a breath of fresh air in Harrisburg. You get the feeling the owners left Harrisburg at some poitn and brought back new ideas. You'll know what I mean if you've seen the rest of Harrisburg.
(4)
Jeremy W.
I love this place! My girflriend and I like to treat ourselves to an evening here for a martini and to share some a la carte fare. Friday nights are $5 martini nights, and it's always a great time [try the Pom-Leechee Martini!]. The Poms Frittes are incredible: homemade potato strings stacked high on a plate and drizzled with some kind of spicy and tangy cheese sauce! The atmosphere is very modern, chill, and relaxing ... with plenty of Thievery Corporation and other lounge music to create a great environment for intimate conversation or just to start a night out with friends. It can get packed on Friday-Sunday nights and any day during happy hour, so make sure you either make a reservation or get there before 5pm for a seat!
(5)
Charles S.
Best restaurant downtown, period. I don't get all the bitching...most of it just seems like pretentious douchebags trying to 'out-cool' each other. Anyway, the food here is good. Damn good. The short ribs are about the best I've ever eaten, anywhere. The martini's are fantastic. The sliders were particularly good. Even the pad thai (Pad thai? Who orders Pad Thai in a place like this?) Yes, the Pad Thai was good. Not hole-in-the-wall-Thai-restaurant good, but still very good. I think I've liked every dish I've tried there, and that's a rare thing for me to say. I like every single thing about this place. I like the furniture, the music, the lighting, and I especially like the service I get there. This is without question, my top choice for sit-down dining in downtown Harrisburg.
(4)
Staci C.
Cafe Fresco has disappointed, yet again. Yes, I have had good food there on occasion. Extremely overpriced, but good. With restaurants, in addition to good food, I also expect a good attitude from the staff. There are a few staff there that are courteous and accommodating. Then there are others that have absolutely no idea what good customer service is. Example? I work for a company downtown and we happen to get food from Cafe Fresco often. Today we called to order a large catered salad and asked to have extra tomatoes...maybe they could replace the garlic bread triangles we get with the tomatoes? After trying to explain to the person taking the order that no, we wanted tomatoes, not croutons, our admin heard a man in the background say "why don't you just tell them to go out and get their own tomatoes and lettuce and make their own salad?" Excuse me? I'm sorry...I guess I thought you actually wanted our business. I'm not asking for you to make gold out of lead. I'm asking for extra tomatoes instead of garlic bread. Hey rocket scientist, at least be smart enough to NOT let the customer hear you when give some sarcastic remark. That's just not cool. Seriously.
(2)
Barbara V.
I've found the food quaility has dropped over the past 2 years a bit. They're not a bad restaurant, however. It's a little pricey, so happy hour drinks are the best deal. Unfortunately, you have to be at the bar to get the happy hour food specials. I think this policy is a joke if you can't get at the bar and tried to met friends there just for the specials.
(3)
Felix K.
Great place to eat. They make the best martinis. I love the ambiance. Try the rice and chicken cashew.
(4)
Amy G.
I love the look and feel of this restaurant. It looks city chic and sophisticated. I'd call it "glossy" yet "comfortable". Having lived and worked in much larger cities, I soooo wanted to be impressed with this little restaurant with the big city feel. Unfortunately, the thrill ends at the end of the high-backed seating. The lunch menu is a bust. I was looking for something interesting, something edgy, something trendy, something . . . different. Instead, the menu looks like a cross between Panerra, Applebees, and Roly Poly. Not that there's anything wrong with those restaurants, I was just expecting a menu to match the ambiance. I love cobb salad and I was happy to find that their has the authentic cobb ingredients: blue cheese, bacon, and avocado - unlike so many places that leave off those yummy things. So, even though the offerings underwhelmed me, I was happy with the salad. I looked at the dinner menu and I think it's too expensive for what they offer - I could be wrong, but I'm usually right. I'd like to go there for drinks because I hear the drinks are good and I really, really, REALLY like the idea of it being smoke free. Then again, maybe I'll grab another cobb salad and take home a drink menu so that I can mix my own without having to cough up $10.00 with tax and tip.
(3)
Anne M.
Ate here on the Wednesday before Christmas. Place was hoppin'. Food was good- exactly what I expected. Atmosphere is trendy. Cafe Fresco was pretty hip, very pricey, and the food was decent- nothing that wowed me, but good.
(3)
L S.
We got there for a late lunch around 3:30. We were the only table in there at the time as they seemed to be well staffed getting ready for happy hour and the dinner crowd. Service was excellent from the time the host greeted us and throughout the meal with our waitress. We all loved our meals which included the BBQ pizza, a salmon salad and a turkey sandwich.
(5)
Vickie K.
Fabulous espresso martinis. unique menu ..a bit pricey but worth the money. Trendy decor for a great reason to dress up though not required.
(4)
Tom Y.
I've been coming in and out of Harrisburg for 5 months. I had not been too impressed with the downtown dining. Then one night I went with a friend to Cafe Fresco. It has an Asian Fusion appeal, great service, a trendy bar area and outstanding food. The Chiliean bass, the roasted duck, and the short ribs are as good as you find. There is nothing on the menu I would not explore. I know eat there every trip and have brought a nnumber of new people in who have all really enjoyed it.
(4)
Miranda Z.
My second time coming here with a small group. The food is amazing, as always. This restaurant is an Asian fusion one, with very interesting twist to all their dishes (well, main dishes that I have tried). This time, I ordered a sea bass and it was really good. I'm not sure if it is the sea bass, but the way they cooked it, and the miso sauce really made it taste fantastic! My friend ordered the short rib - melted in my mouth! And tuna - the light wasabi flavored sauce is a real novelty! Would definitely recommend it to anyone that wants to try new food, and is not super picky about food.
(5)
Dina W.
Our waiter is the best! He knows the menu well and has provided just the right amount of attention. The ravioli and scallops were better than expected but the Pad Thai fell just a bit short of our expectations. It's hard to get this "right" (we think it was missing a some kick!) since there are so many variations of this national dish so we'll probably stick to the other offerings in the future.
(4)
Erica R.
This is a cute little spot with ample brunch options. The service was some of the best I have ever had. Our waiter was on top of refills and very helpful. The food was delicious and healthy. If I am ever back in town, I will stop in again!
(5)
Aaron S.
Cafe Fresco has two identities. During the day, it's a cafeteria style breakfast and lunch spot for the downtown crowd. Most are here for a quick, tasty bite before they head back to the office, or maybe a quality coffee and lite breakfast before work. This place is solid for that and their selection of salads and sandwiches (paninis are great) is second to none. In the late afternoon, Fresco switches identities and becomes a trendy cocktail bar and restaurant. Nightly happy hour specials feature different specialty cocktails and a menu of high quality lite fare items for $5 and under. Dinners here are great and have been since I've been coming here way back in 2008. The menu doesn't change much, but it doesn't have to. The chef is great and the kitchen staff ensures his dishes are prepared the way he intended. Never a complaint or problem because quality is #1 here and a testament to longevity and success in downtown Harrisburg.
(5)
Sam H.
Would often go to Cafe Fresco for lunch with coworkers. Went there today with 7 coworkers. Cashier never gave us a number and said they did after we questioned it. When we got our food the tall, skinny lady with sleeve tattoo was so nasty to us. I ordered a salad with shrimp and they told me I didn't order shrimp. Then proceeded to indicate to me I didn't need the shrimp- which I told her I needed protein. They messed up my coworkers sandwich and said no we gave it to another person in our group- which they did not. They charged $3.00 for 4 small shrimp. Worst service I have had in a really long time! Our Friday lunch was ruined by the attitude and unprofessionalism of the staff. Will NOT go back!
(1)
David A.
Sat at the bar and had dinner last night. The food was very good, and service was excellent. I had three appetizers: I started with the house chopped salad. It was fresh and very good. A large portion and I was pretty full after eating this! Next I had Edamame Ravioli. This was the best dish of the night. They were large, light and very flavorful. I will absolutely have these again. The last dish was the tuna tartare. It was a decent portion of fresh chopped tuna over avocado. While it was fresh, the flavor was bland. Needed something else (wasabi based?) to bring it to life. Not bad, just not memorable. I look forward to returning and trying some entrees and more menu options.
My Husband and I love this place. We come here quite often for cocktails and dinner and sit at the bar. Bartenders are fabulous and the food is wonderful. I highly recommend this place.
A 5-star experience all the way around. Valentine's dinner was perfection. Seated promptly, our waiter, Brad, was attentive without being intrusive and paced the meal perfectly. He had excellent suggestions on specials, the best being dessert. Restaurant has a great look and feel, food was outstanding. We will be back, if you want to impress a date, this is your place.
(5)
Justin L.
My date and I had a great Valentine's dinner here. It was a perfect place for a meal. Great portions and tasty options at a reasonable price. The atmosphere was perfect, not too loud and not too quiet. I got the lamb and she got the pad thai, we each had a cocktail and shared an appetizer. The food was delicious and our experience was great. We will be back.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Dressy Ambience : Trendy Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Colleen S.
I would have to agree that in the evening Cafe Fresco is creating an atmosphere that is "metro" but the food is just from blandville. I ordered the tuna which sounded interesting however none of the flavors in any of the dishes were bold or different. "Old from a few nights before" hummus starter sort of turned my nose up from the beginning. If the food matched the style then this place would win me over. Lunch time makes sense, nice salads and wraps for the office crowd but turning it into a chic success when the suns down, well it falls short for me.
(2)Jamie W.
Cafe Fresco has a nice casual dining environment. I'd compare it to a Panera Bread - hip and tasteful. The food is pretty average though - they need to discover the wonderful world of spices for their burgers and more fixins' for their sandwiches. Sometimes, a leaf of lettuce and a slice or two of tomato are hard to notice in a big kaiser roll of bread. I like this place... but they could easily improve the food to make it more likable.
(3)kathy c.
Harrisburg is awesome, because it's entirely unpretentious and really comfortable in it's own skin. Cafe Fresco is clearly trying too hard. Very un-Harrisburg. Overrated and expensive for what you get. Decor is sort of nice if you like a schizophrenic restaurant that wishes it could be in Philly and not the 'burg - kind of feel.
(1)E G.
Walked in not knowing what to expect, and was pleasantly surprised. Loved the lounge atmosphere which is severely, severely lacking in this area. Seriously, why aren't there more of these??? They did a decent job of decorating the place going for a upscale posh look. Food was very good but portions werent satisfying. Staff was very helpful and courteous, altough pseudo trendy, almost trying too hard to be hip. I would recommend to young professionals.
(4)Arleen S.
Although we had reservations at the restaurant next door, one step into the impossibly loud place sent us scurrying back outside. Luckily we stepped into cafe fresco where the atmosphere was so much better for enjoying good food. We (over)ordered two appetizers and two entrees and each was superb and unique. Edamame ravioli was amazing. The sweet potatoes that came with the scallops converted my spouse who had hated them his whole life. What a wonderful accident!
(5)Thayne I.
Ate there for breakfast. Had the build your own omelette with fruit and coffee $15.00. Excellent meal, service was great, atmosphere was quiet and the decor was retro and clean. I give it a five star because all the above was awesome.
(5)Kelly V.
Café Fresco is my favorite restaurant in this area. Their cocktails are delicious and the appetizers are amazing! My husband and I love their Kobe Beef Sliders and Fish Tacos. It has a fun atmosphere and it's not too loud. Excellent for dinner for 4.
(5)Theodora C.
The service was great. The food was horrible. It tasted like it had been waiting under the warmer for a long time before it was brought out. The rice was cold and the Mongolian beef sauté had barely any beef. Horrible food!!
(3)Erin L.
Yes. Eat here. Innovative eclectic menu. We shared 4 starters between 3 people then 2 entrees. Highly recommend the roasted Brussels sprouts, sea bass entree, scallop starter and pork belly starter. Desserts are excellent so save room!
(5)Cera W.
Decided to check out Cafe Fresco as there were items for vegan to eat. Cool cocktail menu. Edamame hummus was great. So were the Brussel sprouts. Was able to get them w out cheese and bacon. Would go back again.
(4)Mia K.
When a friend suggested that we go to Cafe Fresco for dinner one evening, I was excited to try the latest addition to "Restaurant Row". We actually found parking on 2nd street right across from the restaurant and I was excited for a nice evening filled with great food and conversation. The coversation was great; the "filled with great food" part, however, fell very short of my expectations (like expecting your blind date to be 6'2", dark and handsome, and he's 5'3" and pale with acne). Cafe Fresco's menu is filled with unique fusions of Asian, Mediterranean and American fare. At first glance, the menu made me feel like I was back in New York. That was until I actually read what was *IN* the entrees. I quickly realised that this was a pretentious wannabe establishment, who prides themselves on TRYING TO BE cosmopolitan. There was *NOTHING* on the menu that appealed to me what-so-ever. So, I went for the tried and true - calamari. Yes, I ordered an appetizer for dinner at the "oh so upscale" Cafe Fresco. I figured, how can you mess up calamari! They didn't mess up my calamari. It wasn't bad, but it was ridiculously small. For a double digit price I was expecting more than a half full dessert size plate. But still, I played nice, and ate my 10 pieces of calamari (ok so maybe it was 12) and relaxed. It wasn't the worst calamari I've ever had, but it sure as hell wasn't as good as what I could have gotten a block down at Zia's (review to come shortly perhaps?). If you're looking for a smoke free establishment, Cafe Fresco has the market cornered downtown - but if you're looking for a smoke free establishment - why the hell are you going downtown anyway?!
(2)Greg A.
Quirky sandwich/pizza/salad place. There's one by the East Mall as well. They've got funky chairs, jazz on Saturday nights and some of the best quick food that you can get. I've had the Tuscan Chicken, turkey and brie and the basil pesto pizza. All excellent. I'd highly recommend it.
(3)Todd R.
I enjoy Cafe Fresco immensely. I like that the lunch menu is also available for dinner. The menu goes through subtle changes and they usually have different specials. Drink specials are a plus and I like their cocktails. At evening, it is a full service restaurant but during the day, you order from a cashier. I don't think their breakfast pastries are very good.
(4)Tes Y.
Came here for just coffee. 4.29 is a little steep, but the caramel latte is strong, tasty, creamy, and not too sweet. Just how I like it. Seems like it's keeping me awake in my dull 3 hour guest lecture so far. Thus, I'm happy with it.
(4)Kevin O.
Too trendy for me, otherwise I might have given 4 stars. The tables are jammed in there, and do not allow for any private or intimate dining. Our waitress was very friendly and did an excellent job selling the menu and the specials. She made everything sound very appetizing. The table 6 inches to my left was not so lucky, their waiter just kind of rattled off the specials because he had to. I ended up getting a Kobe cheese-steak and my wife ordered the seared tuna. The tuna was fresh and tasted great. As a cheese steak, I was not impressed with my dish. It was a good sandwich, and the beef was quality (Kobe? maybe). I think if it had been called something besides a cheese steak I might have liked it better, but it was like taking a drink of Sprite when you're expecting water.
(3)Gregory C.
I've been here once, and NEVER AGAIN. Our party of 20 was given 2 servers, a main server and one to assist her. This would have worked had our main server come back to the table at all after introducing herself when we first walked in. In attempt to make things easy on the wait staff, we requested that every guest get a separate bill so that it was easier to keep track of who had what and at the end of the night it would be simpler to pay bills together for those that wished to do so. Instead, we received a single bill about 3 feet long and a pen, and told to figure out some kind of symbol system to mark all over this thing so that it could be broken down into individual bills the way we requested it in the beginning. Now, since we were there for a birthday, the birthday boy's mother brought a cake for us after making sure it was ok with the restaurant. However, when it was time for the cake, our server told us that they would cut the cake for us at the charge of $1 per slice. When asked for a knife so that we could cut it ourselves instead, we were told that they couldn't give us one because it was a safety liability even though 75% of our table was just given a knife 20 minutes prior to cut our dinners. When we brought the issues to management, almost nothing was done to rectify the situation and we were then cussed out by our main waitress who had finally decided to return to our table now that a manager was there. This is hands down the most horrendous service I have ever had at any venue, and it has thoroughly ruined any chance this place had of being a good experience.
(1)Mark T.
Stopped in from out of town a few weeks ago during dinner. It was the middle of the week so it wasn't too crowded yet and sat at the bar. The bartender was friendly and but not overly pushy and did not rush me. The restaurant is clean and has decent ambiance. I saw who I figured to be the owner go behind the bar and pour himself a nice glass of Kettle One, now that's a perk of owning your own restaurant.. just wish he would have passed his "owner" discount on to me :) All in all the food was decent. I had the Mahi Mahi tacos and the edamame ravioli. The ravioli was different, in a good way. Definitely something that you do not find on every menu. The tacos were okay. I also ordered the bread pudding. The flavor was there, but it was overly microwaved as right when I cut into it, steam poured out. I was expecting a little bit of a fresher desert than microwaved bread pudding, so minus a star for that. Otherwise a decent dining experience if you are in the Harrisburg area. This place is not cheap, but you should know that going in. I would probably come back to try something else. The menu is all over the place with mexican dishes, asian dishes and american dishes, so your choices are plentiful as this restaurant doesn't seem to have a concrete theme to it....
(4)Bill M.
Was here again last night - 6/3/2013 - just fabulous ! - I had several martinis with the blue cheese stuffed olives - just great - my date had the watermelon martini - equally great - Happy hour drinks were 5 dollars off - HOOT! We started with the sushi which was just awesome and so was the lobster mac and cheese. I again had the scallops with the sweet potato mash and succotash - as brilliant as ever. My date had the Chilean Sea Bass - which was some of the best we have ever had! it was like 3 inches thick - with a rich and flaky flavor to die for! Our waitress was just the best - so helpful and friendly - we had a romantic booth in the corner - I really like this place - we always are treated like VIP's and it feels like home I cant say enough good things about Cafe Fresco - just a wonderful gem for the Harrisburg area - Thank you guys so much for always providing a really nice and memorable experience -
(5)Alisa M.
I was in Harrisburg this week for work and Cafe Fresco came highly recommended by my hotel. So glad because I had one of the best salads I have ever had. Asian Caesar. YUM!!!!!! I also shared the mussels with my co-worker and those were fantastic as well. Ambiance is nice and the waiter (Robert?) was a kick. He seemed to gage us and our personalities for a bit and then jumped in. He was a blast. We had a great time with the food and atmosphere. He also promised to carry my friend back to the hotel on his back if she drank too much and "accidentally" over tipped. I wonder if he was kidding? =)
(5)Kim S.
Great choice. Had the chopped salad. Delish and very nice size. Also had the calamari, tuna roll, lettuce wraps and chicken dumplings. We shared and had plenty of food for the two of us. Waiter was attentive and friendly. Would recommend and definitely will return.
(4)Shelly K.
Just entertained another large work party here - fantastic service and wonderful meals!
(5)Douglas D.
came here with my wife the other night (10/13) and we had a great time. i wanted to give it five stars but there were a few reasons i didn't, but first the reasons i gave it four: the calamari was awesome! i hate going somewhere and getting it and it is chewy and comes with marinara. the calamari was so tender and lightly fried. and the sauce it came with was wonderful. my rib eye was cook to perfection, a great medium rare. now my steak was a little under seasoned as was the pork belly and the risotto that came with it, my wife had the cashew chicken, which was very good, but the broccoli was way under. i couldn't forgive a poorly cooked steak but under i will let the hard broccoli go since it was on my wife's plate lol. also on another good note, our waiter was awesome.
(4)Haley H.
My fiance and I are from Pittsburgh PA and have been spoiled by the food options there. We have found a few great restaurants in Harrsiburg but I must say Cafe Fresco is NOT one of them. We had been in for lunch once before and the salads were ok. Good enough to go back on a hot day for lunch again. This time when we went in we were not seated or served. Instead we continued to meander into the back of the restaurant where we were told that it is an over the counter order in the back of the dining area for lunch. "Panera Bread Style" is what we were told. It was dimly lit and we could barely read any menus. We ordered salad and a wrap and sat down. We were one of two tables in the entire place. And the entire staff was cleaning tables and moving chairs. Before we got our food the manager came over and told my fiance "We have a no hat policy" He could have asked nicely if he minded removing his hat. But he seemed to enjoy being an utter jerk about it. When the food came out my salad tasted like it had sat in the fridge for a week and was loaded with preservatives. My fiance didn't even get the side he paid for. We felt so incredibly unwelcome we left unsatisfied. For a "Panera Bread" like lunch you apparently need to appear upper class. Even when it is a Tuesday at 3:00 pm in 90 degree heat and the wait staff isn't even paying any attention to it's customers. I don't even know why they were open at all. We will never go back.
(1)Beth W.
Came here for our anniversary and was very pleased. Service was fast and very professional. Food was amazing and atmosphere is very aesthetic. We made reservations and good thing because it was a full house. Tip: try the edamame ravioli!
(4)Angela J.
For other cities, this may be a solid 3-star place, but, for Harrisburgh? Definitely a 4...we know there aren't THAT many good choices out there people. What a cute little place! I was SOOO happy to find a decent place to have lunch while staying in Harrisburg. I came in on a Saturday so it was pretty quiet, but still, the service was prompt and friendly,and I was really impressed on the size of their lunch menu! They had an entire page of different sandwiches, and on the back side, several salads and some yummy sounding pizzas. I opted for the barbecue chicken salad, which had lots of fresh green leaf lettuce, topped with a barbecued chicken breast with avacado, corn salsa, and tomato, and served with bbq ranch (ummm, yum!) and a warm cheesy wedge of foccacia. It was very tasty, and I cleaned my plate. I have to be back to Harrisburg a few times this year, so I will definitley be back here for lunch, and might try out the dinner menu once or twice too...at the very least I'll be back for some martinis!
(4)Mohun K.
Went for drinks and appetizers on 1/5/13. The service was pretty decent. We ordered the tuna, cheese plate, dumplings, pork belly, and hummus. The dumplings were okay, but the rest was very good. We repeated all the same during round 2 except the dumplings. I would like to return someday for dinner to try the entrees. A good night!
(4)Dave H.
I love just about everything about Cafe Fresco. This 2nd Street spot has a chill interior, tasty appetizers, solid service (thanks Jon!), and a sexy vibe. It wasn't crowded when we arrived, but the dining room filled up during our meal. We took advantage of their bar, enjoying a round of Irish car bombs before diving into our appetizer, kobe beef sliders with hoisin sauce. Amazingly moist patties, they were an encouraging starter. My entree was so-so, a honey-and-tangerine glazed duck breast. It was a bit on the sweet side, and the side salad tasted as garish as it looked. The mash were a saving grace, helping with the sweet flavor, letting me appreciate the tender duck slices. It wasn't necessarily worth the drive to Harrisburg, but Cafe Fresco has promise, and I will return for drinks, to try another dish, to greet Chef Travis, and to hang out with friends.
(3)Douglas W.
Cafe Fresco Downtown is upscale big city style in a small city. Style, service and excellent food at reasonable prices. Chef Travis Mumma is a wizard with the Asian-American fusion dishes.
(5)Steven S.
I wish I could give negative stars, the worst dining experience I have had in a really long time. Went there for a friends birthday, made a reservation for 20 people they told us they could handle no problem. Had to wait to be seated, took over 45 mins before we got our drinks and I only had a coke. then they finally took our order. the slowest service I have ever had anywhere. When the food finally came out it was so so not work the 50 bucks that my girlfriend and I paid. everything was very over priced ... refills on soda, yeah that's funny, one friend actually kept getting up to go to the bar for drinks because the wait staff didn't seem to care. When we made the reservation they told us they could split the check, then they told us they couldn't when it was time to get the bill.. they were complete assholes when we tried to talk to them about the bill (the owner and manager that is) Should have taken out 800 bucks worth of business else where. I will never go back, they are much nicer places that actually wait on their customers and make it so you have an enjoyable meal.
(1)Rick H.
I'm slowly starting to develop an appreciation for Harrisburg dining. Catering to my travel dining criteria (no chain eateries), a colleague suggested Cafe Fresco. Fearful that Fresco would be another poser operation uncertain of what they wanted to do in tems of cuisine, I was pleased with my dinner experience there. The ambiance is metro-esque to metro; the help professional, but not pretentious; and my meal (sesame encrusted seared Ahi over ginger-wasabi mashed potatos) was perfectly prepared and the right blend of Asian flavors and cold Mid-January hearty. cafefresco.com
(4)Lillian F.
One of THE BEST dining experiences my friends (there were 6 of us) had! The atmosphere, the staff, the food, the drinks were wonderful. We come to Harrisburg a few times each year for a court reporters board meeting. We're going to make this our "go-to" place from now on. Our waiter "Matthew" I think his name was, was so professional, friendly, knowledgeable and attentive. I can't wait to take my husband and other friends there to experience this wonderful place!
(5)Aurora M.
Reviewing for dinner, it's a completely different menu for lunch. Ambience: Trendy lounge feel, like you're in NYC. Food: Kobe beef sliders appetizer = must get. That's probably the best thing on the menu. The beef is so juicy and soft and flavorful. For entrees, I've tried the scallops with black risotto and the Chilean sea bass. The scallops and risotto weren't good at all; they had a weird taste. The sea bass with soba noodles was pretty good, but the portion is quite small. I've been here with other people who've tried many things, and they always get the sea bass. It has a smooth texture and good flavor. I think this place is overpriced for the food you get, but it feels like a more upscale experience than neighboring restaurants.
(3)Laura Jill S.
Menu wasn't super vegan friendly, but our server, and the chef, went out of their way to make sure I had a delicious meal. We had the edamame (prepared w/ sea salt, ginger, and sake) and the hummus and flatbread appetizers--both delish. The chef then prepared a special vegan version of the pad thai for me (and a special version of the cashew chicken for my dad--prepared w/o fish sauce b/c of his seafood allergy). All dishes were a win. :)
(4)Susan D.
So me and my co-worker Maria were headed to Harrisburg on a one-night business trip. We were scheduled to have an afternoon meeting with the Philadelphia contingent, but after that we had the evening free. I've been to Harrisburg several times and I'd heard about Cafe Fresco, but I'd never eaten there. "Do you think we should?" asked Maria. "Oh, come on Maria. You wanna eat at chain restaurants all your life?" I replied. "What about our per diem?" she asked. "Look", I said. "If it exceeds the per diem by a few bucks, pay for it out of your own pocket. It won't be that much. You've gotta live a little." I did impress upon her that if she wanted to order alcohol with her dinner, she was to request a seperate bill for it and pay cash. I have a strict rule against charging booze to the company credit card. But how was the food? Very good. The cuisine here is somewhere between Nouveau (Nouvelle?) and Asian inspired with pizzas thrown in. When we looked at the menu though, we both did a double-take. It IS a little pricey here folks. But Maria went for one of the pizzas and I've got to admit, they weren't that expensive ($8.00-$10.00 each for a personal). I think she was dipping her toe in the water. Me, I went for the Panko Encrusted Salmon. Mmmmm! An excellent choice and you'll be pleased to know we came in under our per deim!
(4)Charles V.
Used to work here before I graduated! Cafe by day and restaurant by night. Fun food, cool furniture. Prices are mid range I'd say, $20-50 depending on number of courses. You can eat here for less than $20, but that would be standard fare like a small appetizer, a personal pizza, and water. Favorites: If Ben's still there, he makes some good Pad Thai, Jason and Gigi are great bar tenders....Pineapple Infused Vodka is still my fav. Can get a little loud on busy nights, but still a great downtown restaurant. Also depending on the day, you could come by when they're having a really yummy special. The head chef always had something different every night while I worked there.
(4)Brian R.
Surprised with the low ratings for Fresco, I really enjoy this place and have always had good experiences here. The atmosphere is very relaxed and sort of swanky, definitely a more private setting. I've never eaten here, but service has always been good, the drinks are incredible, and there is often quality live music. They unfortunately don't have any beers on draft but they do carry a good selection of bottles and have a long list of martinis which from what I've sampled are always excellent. One of my favorite drinks at Fresco is the house sangria, it's delicious and a good choice if you're out with a group. The prices here are a little steeper than other places on 2nd Street but I'm willing to pay more for the unique atmosphere and feel of the place. If you haven't already been to Cafe Fresco on 2nd I would recommend you try it at least twice despite what all the naysayers have to tell you about it.
(4)Terra M.
I love going here. I used to go this location every week on fridays. Some good things to try are the scallops and the blueberry cheesecake... ask for a side of vanilla ice cream and its even better. I like to tip the cooks every once and awhile just because I know they do such a good job. I look forward to coming back in the fall when I move back from Orlando.
(5)Ashley A.
Cafe Fresco is a trendy spot to enjoy lunch, a cocktail after work, or have dinner with friends. The decor is unique for Harrisburg, which makes this a great place to be. I have dined here many times and I love it! The food tastes fresh and I love the concept of fusion mixed with traditional American fare. As far as alcoholic drinks, I recommend the white sangria, the pineapple infusion martini and the strawberry coconut "skinny" martini. Yummy! For appetizers, I suggest the Thai lettuce wraps, chicken dumplings or crab mac n' cheese. Also, the mushroom soup is a must have! It's creamy and flavorful. As far as entrees, you can't go wrong with any of them, but my favorites include pad Thai, cashew chicken and broccoli, teriyaki salmon, crab cakes and chicken pesto pizza. The portions are large, prices are moderate and it's just a great place to see and be seen!
(5)Greg D.
Popped in here for a late lunch with some family visiting over the 4th of July weekend. What a great spot! Nice decor, very friendly staff, good drinks, and the food was excellent. I just had a Sante Fe burger, but it was done perfectly. Everyone else also enjoyed their food and mentioned to me what a nice place they thought the restaurant was. I'll definitely go back and try out more of the menu. Reasonable prices at lunch, but dinner is a bit pricey. I look forward to my next visit.
(4)William W.
Drinks are over priced, Pad Thai is garbage, and would not split a bill for 20 people. Service was awful. Ruined a friends birthday. DO NOT GO HERE!!!!!
(1)Lina K.
Came here for Happy Hour and once for lunch. Happy Hour was definitely better than lunch but lunch was okay. Mediocre mid day menu did not set the bar high so would say it was okay ... not super satisfying nor super creative but just a plain old lunch cafe with a nice atmosphere. Because of this vanilla experience, I resisted coming here again. However, after Happy Hour, I'm semi-impressed. Most or all martinis are $5 from 5-7PM and $9 otherwise. To be completely fair, this place only rates 3 stars but I'm boosting it up to 4 due to the bartender, Gigi. Both bar-keeps were nice but Gigi went the extra mile to concoct a martini for me when they ran out of the ingredients for the Lychee martini (yes .. fru-fru I know, but the heart wants what the heart wants ....). I really appreciate when someone puts forth the extra effort. I must admit that I got a bad taste when we walked into the bar and asked for seating ... were told that it might be a while since there were many reservations for that evening. Umm ... that would have been an okay excuse except for that the place was completely empty except for the bar. Completely pretentious. However, my coworker was thirsty so we went to the bar. I sampled the Watermelon martini (yum ... with pureed watermelon), the Sake-tini (good) and the Asian Pear (good but not as crisp as i would have expected). When I asked for the Lychee, the bar had run out of one of the ingredients, so Gigi concocted a White Peach Martini that was not on the menu but oh so good. Of course, with all these drinks came food. We got the Kobe sliders which were very juicy and good. Also, the chicken dumplings which were a little bland and the pad thai which was not super flavorful but satisfying. The chicken sate was also a little on the bland side but came with a nice mustard peanut sauce. For Harrisburg, this was definitely on the wannabe upscale side both in the management's effort and the pricing but they need to stop trying so hard. I checked my attitude in Manhattan and I'm not about to get riled in Harrisburg. Update: Went again last week and had the Lychee Martini .... DELICIOUS!!! For dinner, ordered the braised short rib which was tasty but was a relatively small portion for Harrisburg (considering it was $25). However, it was very tender and came on a bed of congee with some bok choy on the side. My friend had the filet mignon which looked really good with a side of bok choy and some potato dish. Dessert was SOOOOOOO decadent: the molten chocolate lava cake was plate licking good (and no ... I did not!) and the banana chocolate chip bread with also delectable (topped with ice cream too but not as sinful as the molten chocolate). I am starting to get won over by Fresco's cocktails, for sure. The food is good but still, IMHO, a little over-priced.
(4)Avani W.
Ignore the reviewers complaining that this place is pretentious. My only guess is that they've never left central PA for very long, or they moved back precisely to get away from the city. To those of us who've escaped, however, its wonderful to have a place to go and have some fantastic martinis. On Mondays, the signature martinis here are $5, and they are on par with $10+ drinks in LA or SF. The tigerlily martini, with fresh lychee in the glass, is hands down the best martini I've had. I hope one day a place like this fits in better with the rest of the downtown area!
(4)Phil B.
So I liked Cafe Fresco - I had dinner there and was pleasantly surprised. The ambiance is really going for urban-cool, with a bar that shouts trendy, but they compensate things by having a really nice wait staff and manager, and well prepared food. Some good microbrews on the menu ranging from 4 to 6 dollars - reasonable in my opinion and much preferred to any of the other imports or domestics. Started off with chipotle crab mac and cheese - it was as awesome as the idea sounds. Went on to sesame encrusted ahi tuna - which was good. I just did not really enjoy the wasabi mashed potato. Maybe because I hadn't really read the menu entry completely and took a bite that sent the undistilled essence of wasabi straight up my nose and into my brain. I fought off the wave of dark that suddenly consumed my vision. After I recovered - I continue onward enjoying my meal.
(4)Lisa R.
My daughter and I dined here this evening. We enjoyed the outside seating since it was a beautiful night. Inside the restaurant is very trendy but dark. Lots of candle light. Nice music... Their menu is asian-inspired for sure and since I'm a fan of most things asian I would love to go back and try many more dishes. Tonight I had the baby spinach salad with shrimp added. Quite delicious! The pistachio pieces, fried tempura and golden raisins were perfect together with cute little rounds of goat cheese on the corners and pomegranate vinaigrette. I had the pom-lychee martini. Really nice. I recommend it! My daughter enjoyed her chop salad and glass of wine. Service was decent - no complaints. Food was a little pricey but i guess that's what you can expect for good food and atmosphere on restaurant row.
(4)Eddie I.
Thought the food and service was great. It would be nice to have some more room in the outdoor area but other than that it was a great experience.
(4)Karen W.
I went to Harrisburg with the boy on a business trip, and I was not sure what to expect out there. Boy was I surprised. The food was amazing, and the fact that we were able to sit down and order off the dinner menu at 10pm on a Wednesday night made it even better. I ordered the Chilean Sea Bass - normally I'm a little iffy when it comes to seafood, but if this is how seafood is served, I may order it at every meal. The creamy miso was so good that as soon as the boy and I got home, we had to try to make it ourselves. The sea bass was cooked perfectly. My pear martini (recommended by the waitress) - DELICIOUS. The boy got Pan Roasted Breast of Duck. Wow. It was so good and it came with a side of corn bread. We agreed it was in the top 5 corn breads ever. If we ever venture out into this neck of the woods again (litereally), I'd love to try other entrees on the menu. This restaurant could fit in perfectly in NYC.
(5)Milt T.
Great drinks, superb food, and excellent ambiance...wonderful experience all around!!!
(5)Bryan J.
If you have to be in Harrisburg overnight, I highly recommend Cafe Fresco. The Baked oatmeal was delicious and the lunch was equally refreshing and fantastic. They have pizzas, wraps, salads, burgers and more. Everything including the atmosphere is a breath of fresh air in Harrisburg. You get the feeling the owners left Harrisburg at some poitn and brought back new ideas. You'll know what I mean if you've seen the rest of Harrisburg.
(4)Jeremy W.
I love this place! My girflriend and I like to treat ourselves to an evening here for a martini and to share some a la carte fare. Friday nights are $5 martini nights, and it's always a great time [try the Pom-Leechee Martini!]. The Poms Frittes are incredible: homemade potato strings stacked high on a plate and drizzled with some kind of spicy and tangy cheese sauce! The atmosphere is very modern, chill, and relaxing ... with plenty of Thievery Corporation and other lounge music to create a great environment for intimate conversation or just to start a night out with friends. It can get packed on Friday-Sunday nights and any day during happy hour, so make sure you either make a reservation or get there before 5pm for a seat!
(5)Charles S.
Best restaurant downtown, period. I don't get all the bitching...most of it just seems like pretentious douchebags trying to 'out-cool' each other. Anyway, the food here is good. Damn good. The short ribs are about the best I've ever eaten, anywhere. The martini's are fantastic. The sliders were particularly good. Even the pad thai (Pad thai? Who orders Pad Thai in a place like this?) Yes, the Pad Thai was good. Not hole-in-the-wall-Thai-restaurant good, but still very good. I think I've liked every dish I've tried there, and that's a rare thing for me to say. I like every single thing about this place. I like the furniture, the music, the lighting, and I especially like the service I get there. This is without question, my top choice for sit-down dining in downtown Harrisburg.
(4)Staci C.
Cafe Fresco has disappointed, yet again. Yes, I have had good food there on occasion. Extremely overpriced, but good. With restaurants, in addition to good food, I also expect a good attitude from the staff. There are a few staff there that are courteous and accommodating. Then there are others that have absolutely no idea what good customer service is. Example? I work for a company downtown and we happen to get food from Cafe Fresco often. Today we called to order a large catered salad and asked to have extra tomatoes...maybe they could replace the garlic bread triangles we get with the tomatoes? After trying to explain to the person taking the order that no, we wanted tomatoes, not croutons, our admin heard a man in the background say "why don't you just tell them to go out and get their own tomatoes and lettuce and make their own salad?" Excuse me? I'm sorry...I guess I thought you actually wanted our business. I'm not asking for you to make gold out of lead. I'm asking for extra tomatoes instead of garlic bread. Hey rocket scientist, at least be smart enough to NOT let the customer hear you when give some sarcastic remark. That's just not cool. Seriously.
(2)Barbara V.
I've found the food quaility has dropped over the past 2 years a bit. They're not a bad restaurant, however. It's a little pricey, so happy hour drinks are the best deal. Unfortunately, you have to be at the bar to get the happy hour food specials. I think this policy is a joke if you can't get at the bar and tried to met friends there just for the specials.
(3)Felix K.
Great place to eat. They make the best martinis. I love the ambiance. Try the rice and chicken cashew.
(4)Amy G.
I love the look and feel of this restaurant. It looks city chic and sophisticated. I'd call it "glossy" yet "comfortable". Having lived and worked in much larger cities, I soooo wanted to be impressed with this little restaurant with the big city feel. Unfortunately, the thrill ends at the end of the high-backed seating. The lunch menu is a bust. I was looking for something interesting, something edgy, something trendy, something . . . different. Instead, the menu looks like a cross between Panerra, Applebees, and Roly Poly. Not that there's anything wrong with those restaurants, I was just expecting a menu to match the ambiance. I love cobb salad and I was happy to find that their has the authentic cobb ingredients: blue cheese, bacon, and avocado - unlike so many places that leave off those yummy things. So, even though the offerings underwhelmed me, I was happy with the salad. I looked at the dinner menu and I think it's too expensive for what they offer - I could be wrong, but I'm usually right. I'd like to go there for drinks because I hear the drinks are good and I really, really, REALLY like the idea of it being smoke free. Then again, maybe I'll grab another cobb salad and take home a drink menu so that I can mix my own without having to cough up $10.00 with tax and tip.
(3)Anne M.
Ate here on the Wednesday before Christmas. Place was hoppin'. Food was good- exactly what I expected. Atmosphere is trendy. Cafe Fresco was pretty hip, very pricey, and the food was decent- nothing that wowed me, but good.
(3)L S.
We got there for a late lunch around 3:30. We were the only table in there at the time as they seemed to be well staffed getting ready for happy hour and the dinner crowd. Service was excellent from the time the host greeted us and throughout the meal with our waitress. We all loved our meals which included the BBQ pizza, a salmon salad and a turkey sandwich.
(5)Vickie K.
Fabulous espresso martinis. unique menu ..a bit pricey but worth the money. Trendy decor for a great reason to dress up though not required.
(4)Tom Y.
I've been coming in and out of Harrisburg for 5 months. I had not been too impressed with the downtown dining. Then one night I went with a friend to Cafe Fresco. It has an Asian Fusion appeal, great service, a trendy bar area and outstanding food. The Chiliean bass, the roasted duck, and the short ribs are as good as you find. There is nothing on the menu I would not explore. I know eat there every trip and have brought a nnumber of new people in who have all really enjoyed it.
(4)Miranda Z.
My second time coming here with a small group. The food is amazing, as always. This restaurant is an Asian fusion one, with very interesting twist to all their dishes (well, main dishes that I have tried). This time, I ordered a sea bass and it was really good. I'm not sure if it is the sea bass, but the way they cooked it, and the miso sauce really made it taste fantastic! My friend ordered the short rib - melted in my mouth! And tuna - the light wasabi flavored sauce is a real novelty! Would definitely recommend it to anyone that wants to try new food, and is not super picky about food.
(5)Dina W.
Our waiter is the best! He knows the menu well and has provided just the right amount of attention. The ravioli and scallops were better than expected but the Pad Thai fell just a bit short of our expectations. It's hard to get this "right" (we think it was missing a some kick!) since there are so many variations of this national dish so we'll probably stick to the other offerings in the future.
(4)Erica R.
This is a cute little spot with ample brunch options. The service was some of the best I have ever had. Our waiter was on top of refills and very helpful. The food was delicious and healthy. If I am ever back in town, I will stop in again!
(5)Aaron S.
Cafe Fresco has two identities. During the day, it's a cafeteria style breakfast and lunch spot for the downtown crowd. Most are here for a quick, tasty bite before they head back to the office, or maybe a quality coffee and lite breakfast before work. This place is solid for that and their selection of salads and sandwiches (paninis are great) is second to none. In the late afternoon, Fresco switches identities and becomes a trendy cocktail bar and restaurant. Nightly happy hour specials feature different specialty cocktails and a menu of high quality lite fare items for $5 and under. Dinners here are great and have been since I've been coming here way back in 2008. The menu doesn't change much, but it doesn't have to. The chef is great and the kitchen staff ensures his dishes are prepared the way he intended. Never a complaint or problem because quality is #1 here and a testament to longevity and success in downtown Harrisburg.
(5)Sam H.
Would often go to Cafe Fresco for lunch with coworkers. Went there today with 7 coworkers. Cashier never gave us a number and said they did after we questioned it. When we got our food the tall, skinny lady with sleeve tattoo was so nasty to us. I ordered a salad with shrimp and they told me I didn't order shrimp. Then proceeded to indicate to me I didn't need the shrimp- which I told her I needed protein. They messed up my coworkers sandwich and said no we gave it to another person in our group- which they did not. They charged $3.00 for 4 small shrimp. Worst service I have had in a really long time! Our Friday lunch was ruined by the attitude and unprofessionalism of the staff. Will NOT go back!
(1)David A.
Sat at the bar and had dinner last night. The food was very good, and service was excellent. I had three appetizers: I started with the house chopped salad. It was fresh and very good. A large portion and I was pretty full after eating this! Next I had Edamame Ravioli. This was the best dish of the night. They were large, light and very flavorful. I will absolutely have these again. The last dish was the tuna tartare. It was a decent portion of fresh chopped tuna over avocado. While it was fresh, the flavor was bland. Needed something else (wasabi based?) to bring it to life. Not bad, just not memorable. I look forward to returning and trying some entrees and more menu options.
(4)Andrew H.
This is one of our go to restaurants in Harrisburg. We have never had an off meal here. We have been going regularly since our 2nd date. The lava light drink is my favorite. We've tried most of the menu and I like it all. They have great Crème brûlée. Normally the vanilla bean and sometimes a new flavor as the special.
(5)Chloe A.
My Husband and I love this place. We come here quite often for cocktails and dinner and sit at the bar. Bartenders are fabulous and the food is wonderful. I highly recommend this place.
(5)Paul L.
Looking for a city vibe in Central PA, you can't beat Café Fresco. My fiancé and myself have been trying out different restaurants every week just to see what if offered and once we tried this place, we knew we found our special occasion location. The location right on 2nd street is great to go before a concert or baseball game and the décor is very city. The happy hour menu is great to grab a small bite before heading home or a amazing cocktail. What really sold us was the menu. The chef is fantastic and the specials are always changing and are beyond the usual fare of Harrisburg. My fiancé loves the duck and the seafood I usually get is tasty and top notch. The staff is beyond friendly and you can tell the managers really know how to run a restaurant with fast service and going the extra mile to make sure you have a great experience.
(5)Val F.
A 5-star experience all the way around. Valentine's dinner was perfection. Seated promptly, our waiter, Brad, was attentive without being intrusive and paced the meal perfectly. He had excellent suggestions on specials, the best being dessert. Restaurant has a great look and feel, food was outstanding. We will be back, if you want to impress a date, this is your place.
(5)Justin L.
My date and I had a great Valentine's dinner here. It was a perfect place for a meal. Great portions and tasty options at a reasonable price. The atmosphere was perfect, not too loud and not too quiet. I got the lamb and she got the pad thai, we each had a cocktail and shared an appetizer. The food was delicious and our experience was great. We will be back.
(5)