Everything about this experience was delicious. Starting with the homemade chips and pretzel buns! Kyle was our server, and he was attentive, informative and friendly. We had a large party of 11, and he seemed to be on top of things. I had the salmon for my meal and was really pleased. The chicken and waffles was intriguing, but seemed like a stomach ache waiting to happen - fried chicken and pumpkin funnel cake. Bah. I was a little jealous of the Mac & cheese though, the bite I had of that was delicious. This is a beautiful restaurant in the Hilton hotel. Instead of menus, they hand everyone a little electronic tablet. I thought it was tech savvy, but takes away from the intimacy of the fireplace and chandeliers... Its little bit of a maze to get to from the parking garage, but we made it just fine. I would come back here for a date night or maybe a handful of appetizers with friends.
(4)
Stuart C.
Very cool place with a great atmosphere and neat concept so I really want this place to succeed. However I think they're experiencing some growing pains. Staff was knowledge but a bit slow, the food I ordered (carrots, beef short rib pot) was all a bit undercooked and really lacking in overall flavor. No wow factor to either dish. My drink was terrific (not so old fashioned) and gave me high hopes for the rest of the night. But my party of 5 all felt that the food underperformed.
(3)
Eddie S.
The ambience and modern vibe of Ad Lib is very nice...but that is where it ends. I have been here twice and will never eat here again. The first experience was brunch which took two hours to get for a party of 5 (one of our friends received the wrong dish and only received what he ordered after 1 hour and 45 minutes into the meal. I got the eggs and potatoes. I ordered hash browns, but received almost burnt diced potatoes. The eggs were subpar. Service was terrible. We only came back, for dinner, because another server (Mark) saw how horrible of an experience we were having and he offered us a free meal. So we decided to try dinner...not a good idea. Dinner is composed of appetizers for the most part. What I ordered was so unappetizing, I can't remember what it was, other than the cauliflower, which was okay. The server, at one point, even had the gall to tell us she was going to step outside to have a break so she would be gone a bit if we needed anything. I travel every week for my job and will have to say that these two experiences were the worst I have ever had. Sufficed to say I will never go back to Ad Lib.
(1)
Bob S.
Sometimes hotel dining can be routine and mediocre. That is not the case here. The atmosphere was cordial and inviting. The wait staff was very attentive and courteous. The food was creative and was perfectly presented. My Marinated Olives and Feta salad and my Leg of Lamb Shepherds Pie were phenomenal.
(5)
Jay T.
Four of us ate there the other night and we all ordered something different to share for each course. None of us could pick a favorite - it was all amazing. From the Chicken Fried Bacon through the delicious dessert of Nutella Mouse I would highly recommend this restaurant. We all ate a lot but were not overstuffed. The staff was also very friendly. I'd give more than 5 stars if I could. We will all be back.
(5)
Sizzle C.
ehh its a shame cus i was excited for this place but it was pretty dissapointing. Great hostess, great service, great decor but the food was just very underwhelming, poorly executed. the romain lettuce is basicaly a bunch of undressed lettuce you have to slice everything up and mix with the tiny bit of dressing ont he side...dressing was great but thats about it, lots of raw lettuce bites....the croquettes were ok nothing popped with flavor, wings were fine nothing special...the house bratwurst was a bust, mealy, no bite, no flavor, could get a better sausage at giant, salmon in chowder was not great either.
(2)
Patrick B.
We weren't expecting much and we weren't disappointed. First off, what is it with those menus?? For those who haven't been, the menu is a tablet computer that the diner swipes and taps to get information on the available food and drink. They don't work very well, and our server spent more time explaining the tablet than the food. (More on our server later.) While perusing the beer list, I'm pretty sure that I saw different varieties depending on how I sorted it. Speaking of beer, no taps? Really? Food was bizarre. Clam chowder was served topped with bacon (news flash: bacon does NOT go with everything), well before the rest of the dishes, and absent a spoon. We waited a good 5 minutes before we could get a staffer to bring us a spoon, the soup cooling the whole time. Veggies were drenched in butter. Asparagus had so many onions that's all I could taste. Mushrooms were a nice variety of local, but too greasy and salty. Chicken-fried bacon was just weird. Couldn't even taste the bacon for the maple syrup, and the "cheddar biscuit" underlying the whole creation was a flabby and flavorless, impossible to identify as either cheddar or biscuit. The octopus was also tasteless, likely because it was served in a tomato sauce with olives that totally obscured the delicate flavor. The "adult" grilled cheese tasted and smelled like nothing but truffle oil, and the bread was totally ordinary. The food was bad, but our service was worse. Our server was not conversant in English (clearly not his native language) and/or had a speech impediment, which made communication poor at best. Among the three of us we thought we usually figured out what he was trying to say, but I can't say the same for him. Why on Earth would a restaurant allow someone like this to serve, especially during the Friday dinner hour?! In addition to the language barrier, he didn't even seem acquainted with the niceties of serving. The restaurant staff also seemed poorly coordinated. We asked to keep one menu for ordering later (it is "small plates"), but it was later whisked away by the hostess/expediter without a word. The server brought what I considered the best part of the meal - a Deschutes Black Butte Porter (which he pronounced "butt") - put the glass and the bottle on the table without pouring, and walked away. I poured, but later the host/manager refilled my glass. Then the server took away the bottle I wasn't even sure was empty! The restaurant is loud, with multiple televisions and piped-in music, a dining room open to the bar and lots of hard surfaces. The host/manager did check with us and comped us a couple of the dishes we complained about, but that is not enough to get me back.
(1)
Kati H.
Compared to other restaurants in the area, it is a great new spot! Mine of the most creative menus I've seen in this area. Living in the SF Bay Area - it's cool to see a similar concept come to central PA! Larger menu items need refined however snacks and hand held items are superb!
(4)
T H.
Compared to the restaurants in the area -great ambiance. Great cocktails and service. Small plate appetizers were very good: meatballs, corned beef croquettes were excellent. I had the hand held Brats not bad but seasoned bun dominated the taste. Homemade chips could use more seasoning. Overall nice change to traditional fare.
(3)
Keith N.
I enjoyed dinner here in the past but yesterday my wife and I decided to stay in town for happy hour... I checked the website which indicated that they have happy hour and planned to stop in for drinks and a bite after Bricco and El Sol... unfortunately they think it's honest to say they have a happy hour just because they are open between 5 and 7... but otherwise full price and no happy hour. No big deal... we left and continued our loop since just about everyplace else in town has a happy hour. It's not a competitive policy these days... we enjoy the food here so would have stayed and probably dropped $100 for drinks plus dinner. Instead we finished with drinks and dinner at Cafe fresco up the street. I would have given more stars if their Web site was not so deceiving. But really... we frequent happy hour places regularly and that means we won't be visiting ad lib... do they really think they are making more money by saving $3 at the loss of $100?
(3)
Scarlett C.
Love this restaurant. I am there frequently for lunch and occasionally in the evening. I LOVE the lunch dishes, particularly the cauliflower and roasted carrots!! Delicious and affordable. We often have a server named Dimitri and he is extremely attentive. Josh also does a great job. The restaurant has a very upscale feel to it, the staff is friendly and accommodating, checking back several times to make sure their customers are satisfied. One of my favorite places in downtown Harrisburg.
(5)
Mike B.
Staying at the hotel and VERY happy I decided to give this place a shot! The Short Ribs with polenta fries are incredible. Meatballs are great. Very solid old fashioned. Great ambiance and setting with a attentive friendly staff. I would absolutely recommend this place and would not hesitate to come back. In fact I may have to stop by later for some dessert and another couple cocktails.
(5)
Hillary G.
I have been about 8 times now. There are two great servers Brad and Q. I have not had good service other than them. The lights are so bright, at dinner you feel like it is mid day. The food has been really good. The ipads are frustrating and about 4 of the 8 times did not work or the server had no idea what was on them. The bar tenders are all over the place. Behind the bar is very disorganized messy and there is no efficiency so they appear frazzled and as a result we feel overwhelmed and rushed. A few times we stopped our conversation because it was so distracting while up at the bar. Then we discovered we could go outside where we could enjoy our drinks. The music is fantastic inside, but overall it is an awkward dining experience and chaotic. I suggest dimming the lights, training the wait staff on the menu, requiring efficiency behind the bar and ditch the ipads.
(2)
Mark C.
Ok. For some perspective. I'm a business traveler and spend most of my time alone for dinner on the road. I was staying at the Hilton in Harrisburg, PA and didn't want to retrieve my car from the parking garage to find a place to eat. I also wasn't looking forward to walking downtown looking for some grub. The answer like most of the time is to just eat in the hotel and accept a mediocre meal. To my surprise and thorough enjoyment Ad Lib Craft Kitchen in the lobby of the Hilton Harrisburg was neither average or mediocre. Simply put this was one of the best meals I have had in a very long time. I started with the Baked Oysters which were served topped with crab and perfectly browned panko. Three oysters for the price of the app is a little steep but they were excellent and while I didn't feel I got great value, I did think the food was excellent. My entree was the 6oz. Flat Iron Steak with a side of carrot and a potato that enhanced the dish completely. I have to say I was a little hesitant about the "Stone Ground Mustard" that the description stated topped the steak but I found it to be more "nutty" flavor than mustard flavor and thoroughly enjoyed it as an accompaniment to the beef. Since I was was 2 for 2 on app and entree and felt compelled to see what the kitchen could do with dessert, I ordered the mini cheesecake and it was the perfect finish to my meal. Again, nothing my server put down in front of me was average. It was all exceptional. Overall the service, food and environment is spectacular and not anything you'd normally expect from a hotel lobby Restaraunt. In fact, I'll probably stay at this hotel again just to eat at this place. I mean it...it is that good. This place is worth visiting weather you are a hotel captive on business or looking for a great meal as a local. Highly recommend.
(5)
Angela C.
I came in for dinner. The restaurant is very modern. I love the ambiance. The service is a little slow but the staff is super friendly. I ordered ahi tuna as my starter (it was okay) ... and ordered shepherds pie as my entree. It was a bit greasy and salty but great presentation. I think I would come here again for drinks and maybe appetizers.
(3)
Anbria B.
Came here for the grand opening. The food was excellent, very upscale, but not at an upscale price. The plates were petite plates, I enjoyed breakfast with the my first eggs benedict and cinnamon French toast topped with berries and whipped cream. Very well put together food and presentation.
(4)
Mike C.
As far as hotel restaurants go it is pretty good. Their dishes are creative to a fault. Service is stern but friendly, but not particularly great. The beer and wine lists are impressive and the food is good quality. The ad lib menu has reasonable prices but the co located steakhouse does not so make sure you get the right menu. The cocktails are creative. Recommend the fig and Gorgonzola flatbread, the short ribs with polenta fries. The lobster lollipops are good. The burger is popular but not good. Some of the veggie dishes are overly salted particularly the broccoli. If you stay at the Hilton weekly like I do you'll be satisfied eating here a couple nights a week. Overall I recommend.
(3)
Law R.
Been here twice--first time was 'meh,' second time was 'hurray!' Both times I was a guest at the Hilton in town on business. First time was a few weeks after it opened. You could tell it was a brand new restaurant--every hotel staff member I talked to recommended I check it out. The modern atmosphere was neat, it wasn't busy at all, and the menu (on an iPad) read well--mostly small plates/portions, with a lot of 'molecular gastronomy' type stuff. Well, my server sucked. She was being really fake nice to the extent of ridiculousness, and there was just something about her that was snarky. She wasn't attentive at all and offered no guidance whatsoever as to what was good on the menu. I remember liking the atmosphere, and the good beer selection (most of which is local brews), and like I said the menu read well with some zany options. I decided to give what I thought were some of the weirder options a try--I got the 'Brat Burger' which really was just bratwurst with some sort of aioli spread--not particularly memorable. I then went nuts and tried the PBBBJ (or something like that), which was peanut butter and grape jelly ice cream with BACON and bananas involved. Sound interesting? It was interesting. But it definitely wasn't good. You can't taste the grape jelly ice cream at all and the bacon was overpowering. Again, I asked my server about it, expecting some sort of funny/informative guidance, and got a blank stare. She was just plain awful. Second time was last night, and even though it was only a few months later after my first visit, it was a completely different experience. Same atmosphere, same menu, but unlike before it was PACKED with people. I was seated in a cozy booth in the back away from the noisy bar, which included a super-comfy pillow for the lower back. My server, Amanda, was absolutely delightful and very nice--can't overstate that enough. She recommended stuff and even gave some insight as to what went into some of the dishes. When I ordered a beer she got me a tall glass and the bottle, and didn't pour it for me--but sure enough, some waiter/expediter at another table spotted this and immediately ran over to ask to pour my beer for me. I didn't even particularly care except for the fact I suck at pouring, so it was nice. After the disastrous bacon ice cream experiment last time, I played it safe and got the tavern chips and ad lib burger. The burger is the most normal item on the menu and it was perfectly adequate--bun a bit overtoasted. But those chips and dip--it comes with a dill dip--man, those were awesome. I can't recommend ordering both the chips 'snack' and the burger, because the latter comes with fries-- I would just order the burger, then ask for the chips and dip instead of fries. I played it safer with the menu the second time and it definitely paid off. So yeah, a mixed bag so far. Second time was a definite improvement over the first. Would like to see some bigger plate options and maybe some more traditional stuff in addition to the bacon peanut butter banana ice cream-type stuff. But it's definitely a fun atmosphere and on the right track.
(4)
Steve M.
It's not you, it's me. But seriously, this is not a great place to eat in Harrisburg. As far as hotel bars go, I'm pretty accepting of poor service and high prices, I just don't see this as a place that justifies it - give me something to hold onto - anything. If you find yourself here, with no alternatives to choose from, get the Brats, they take the edge off a bad experience; but sausage tends to do that.
(1)
Lisa E.
I came in for biz and the place was slammed! Not my first time here but boy did they do the right thing. I love when you go to eat and they really know they messed up and make it right. Thank you so much for an overall great experience. They really made it up and acknowledged even with the mgr coming over. Lonely old me sitting here could have been ignored. Thanks ad lib. Awesome
(5)
Elise L.
I love the idea of anything goes. Tablets as menus with lots of different choices. Service definitely needs to be worked on its pretty slow. Be preparred not to be paid attention to if not in suit or bussiness dress. The food is pretty good. Obsessed with chef anthonys meatballs. 10$ for 3 meatballs over creamy polenta with q bit of shaved parm. Also enjoyed the chicken fried applewood bacon. No chicken involved. Bacon fried like a chicken fried steak over a cheesy bisquit topped with an egg. Highly recomend the Molecular Mayhem drink menu. The Violette Pearl is just processo with bubbles or lil balls made from violette liquor so when you get rid of the processo in your sip you push a ball up to the roof of your mouth and it bursts with a lavender taste of liquer. Great place of your on vacation otherwise the price tends to be a bit much. Although considering most of the clientelle is bussines or government so close to the state capitol. Try chef Anthony's meatballs if your not much of a daredevil when it comes to food. There is a new girl Emily who i believe has been the most attentive behind the bar. I hope she stays that way after Training !
(4)
Joe B.
Food good, seems to come out of the kitchen a little to fast and when it arrives it's just above room temperature. Ask for Ashley .. She's a sweetheart !!
(3)
Becky C.
Food was ehh, service was worse. It's a shame because it's beautiful on the inside. I saw them bring my meal out to another person, he ate off the plate and then they took it back and gave him his actual meal. The server then explained to me that my meal was burned and needed to be remade (the reason why my meal didn't come out with the rest of my party's). I watched my meal go back to the kitchen and then back out to me in about 2 minutes. I questioned whether the food was fresh and they reassured me it was. It was hard to believe after they blatantly lied about the food being burnt. Pretty sure I ate food that someone else ate off of. The food wasn't even good and I left hungry.
(2)
Matt M.
If you are travelling and staying in the Hilton this place is perfect. The bartenders are pros. There are some gems on the menu. The ad lib burger is delicious and cooked perfectly every time. The pork belly tacos are a close second. If you like breakfast you have to try the chicken fried bacon.
(5)
Hbg F.
First experience here was Christmas 2014, not long after they opened. Service was great, (not many patrons at the time) and very accomodating. We ordered the Roasted Broccoli Crowns - highly recommend, Lobster Corn Lollipops - nice presentation but mostly hushpuppy/cornbread taste with little else, Tavern Turkey sandwich w chips - fresh ingredients and very good. Two entrees - Lamb Shepard's Pie, which proved to be exellent but the vegetables did lack quality and the Short Rib Polenta Fries were a big hit and absolutely delicious. It happened to also be my mother's birthday and they surprised her with a small dessert of mini cupcakes with coffee mouse/whipped cream & various fresh berries! (I went another day by myself just to stop in for the Short Rib Polenta Fries specifically. I cannot say enough about the savory, rich flavor of this dish. A must!) I recently tried two breakfast items - Applewood Bacon and Baked Oatmeal. Both were good, oatmeal seemed a tad dry but it's paired with a warm cream. I am looking forward to trying the extensitve, enticing breakfast buffet. I also tried the snack item - Stuffed Prezel Roll (3). Called the order in and after taking it to go, I noticed they were burnt and unedible. I called back and they made a new order. Upon pick up again, the manager delivered to me personally and deeply apologized while taking care of the charge. His professionalism was appreciated. The rolls were a yummy snack! Overall - great service, wonderful atmosphere & a variety of fantasic food!
(4)
John M.
Staff is extremely friendly "fun" drinks are reasonably priced ($14) but one random fruit fly is alive after the winter apocalypse? (he's still circling our drinks). Food portions are small, yet, bravo for Harrisburg! Welcome to 2015 (finally, we just need a dozen more attempts like this and we'll be a plausibly livable mid sized city?).
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Parking : Garage Bike Parking : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Kelly C.
Everything about this experience was delicious. Starting with the homemade chips and pretzel buns! Kyle was our server, and he was attentive, informative and friendly. We had a large party of 11, and he seemed to be on top of things. I had the salmon for my meal and was really pleased. The chicken and waffles was intriguing, but seemed like a stomach ache waiting to happen - fried chicken and pumpkin funnel cake. Bah. I was a little jealous of the Mac & cheese though, the bite I had of that was delicious. This is a beautiful restaurant in the Hilton hotel. Instead of menus, they hand everyone a little electronic tablet. I thought it was tech savvy, but takes away from the intimacy of the fireplace and chandeliers... Its little bit of a maze to get to from the parking garage, but we made it just fine. I would come back here for a date night or maybe a handful of appetizers with friends.
(4)Stuart C.
Very cool place with a great atmosphere and neat concept so I really want this place to succeed. However I think they're experiencing some growing pains. Staff was knowledge but a bit slow, the food I ordered (carrots, beef short rib pot) was all a bit undercooked and really lacking in overall flavor. No wow factor to either dish. My drink was terrific (not so old fashioned) and gave me high hopes for the rest of the night. But my party of 5 all felt that the food underperformed.
(3)Eddie S.
The ambience and modern vibe of Ad Lib is very nice...but that is where it ends. I have been here twice and will never eat here again. The first experience was brunch which took two hours to get for a party of 5 (one of our friends received the wrong dish and only received what he ordered after 1 hour and 45 minutes into the meal. I got the eggs and potatoes. I ordered hash browns, but received almost burnt diced potatoes. The eggs were subpar. Service was terrible. We only came back, for dinner, because another server (Mark) saw how horrible of an experience we were having and he offered us a free meal. So we decided to try dinner...not a good idea. Dinner is composed of appetizers for the most part. What I ordered was so unappetizing, I can't remember what it was, other than the cauliflower, which was okay. The server, at one point, even had the gall to tell us she was going to step outside to have a break so she would be gone a bit if we needed anything. I travel every week for my job and will have to say that these two experiences were the worst I have ever had. Sufficed to say I will never go back to Ad Lib.
(1)Bob S.
Sometimes hotel dining can be routine and mediocre. That is not the case here. The atmosphere was cordial and inviting. The wait staff was very attentive and courteous. The food was creative and was perfectly presented. My Marinated Olives and Feta salad and my Leg of Lamb Shepherds Pie were phenomenal.
(5)Jay T.
Four of us ate there the other night and we all ordered something different to share for each course. None of us could pick a favorite - it was all amazing. From the Chicken Fried Bacon through the delicious dessert of Nutella Mouse I would highly recommend this restaurant. We all ate a lot but were not overstuffed. The staff was also very friendly. I'd give more than 5 stars if I could. We will all be back.
(5)Sizzle C.
ehh its a shame cus i was excited for this place but it was pretty dissapointing. Great hostess, great service, great decor but the food was just very underwhelming, poorly executed. the romain lettuce is basicaly a bunch of undressed lettuce you have to slice everything up and mix with the tiny bit of dressing ont he side...dressing was great but thats about it, lots of raw lettuce bites....the croquettes were ok nothing popped with flavor, wings were fine nothing special...the house bratwurst was a bust, mealy, no bite, no flavor, could get a better sausage at giant, salmon in chowder was not great either.
(2)Patrick B.
We weren't expecting much and we weren't disappointed. First off, what is it with those menus?? For those who haven't been, the menu is a tablet computer that the diner swipes and taps to get information on the available food and drink. They don't work very well, and our server spent more time explaining the tablet than the food. (More on our server later.) While perusing the beer list, I'm pretty sure that I saw different varieties depending on how I sorted it. Speaking of beer, no taps? Really? Food was bizarre. Clam chowder was served topped with bacon (news flash: bacon does NOT go with everything), well before the rest of the dishes, and absent a spoon. We waited a good 5 minutes before we could get a staffer to bring us a spoon, the soup cooling the whole time. Veggies were drenched in butter. Asparagus had so many onions that's all I could taste. Mushrooms were a nice variety of local, but too greasy and salty. Chicken-fried bacon was just weird. Couldn't even taste the bacon for the maple syrup, and the "cheddar biscuit" underlying the whole creation was a flabby and flavorless, impossible to identify as either cheddar or biscuit. The octopus was also tasteless, likely because it was served in a tomato sauce with olives that totally obscured the delicate flavor. The "adult" grilled cheese tasted and smelled like nothing but truffle oil, and the bread was totally ordinary. The food was bad, but our service was worse. Our server was not conversant in English (clearly not his native language) and/or had a speech impediment, which made communication poor at best. Among the three of us we thought we usually figured out what he was trying to say, but I can't say the same for him. Why on Earth would a restaurant allow someone like this to serve, especially during the Friday dinner hour?! In addition to the language barrier, he didn't even seem acquainted with the niceties of serving. The restaurant staff also seemed poorly coordinated. We asked to keep one menu for ordering later (it is "small plates"), but it was later whisked away by the hostess/expediter without a word. The server brought what I considered the best part of the meal - a Deschutes Black Butte Porter (which he pronounced "butt") - put the glass and the bottle on the table without pouring, and walked away. I poured, but later the host/manager refilled my glass. Then the server took away the bottle I wasn't even sure was empty! The restaurant is loud, with multiple televisions and piped-in music, a dining room open to the bar and lots of hard surfaces. The host/manager did check with us and comped us a couple of the dishes we complained about, but that is not enough to get me back.
(1)Kati H.
Compared to other restaurants in the area, it is a great new spot! Mine of the most creative menus I've seen in this area. Living in the SF Bay Area - it's cool to see a similar concept come to central PA! Larger menu items need refined however snacks and hand held items are superb!
(4)T H.
Compared to the restaurants in the area -great ambiance. Great cocktails and service. Small plate appetizers were very good: meatballs, corned beef croquettes were excellent. I had the hand held Brats not bad but seasoned bun dominated the taste. Homemade chips could use more seasoning. Overall nice change to traditional fare.
(3)Keith N.
I enjoyed dinner here in the past but yesterday my wife and I decided to stay in town for happy hour... I checked the website which indicated that they have happy hour and planned to stop in for drinks and a bite after Bricco and El Sol... unfortunately they think it's honest to say they have a happy hour just because they are open between 5 and 7... but otherwise full price and no happy hour. No big deal... we left and continued our loop since just about everyplace else in town has a happy hour. It's not a competitive policy these days... we enjoy the food here so would have stayed and probably dropped $100 for drinks plus dinner. Instead we finished with drinks and dinner at Cafe fresco up the street. I would have given more stars if their Web site was not so deceiving. But really... we frequent happy hour places regularly and that means we won't be visiting ad lib... do they really think they are making more money by saving $3 at the loss of $100?
(3)Scarlett C.
Love this restaurant. I am there frequently for lunch and occasionally in the evening. I LOVE the lunch dishes, particularly the cauliflower and roasted carrots!! Delicious and affordable. We often have a server named Dimitri and he is extremely attentive. Josh also does a great job. The restaurant has a very upscale feel to it, the staff is friendly and accommodating, checking back several times to make sure their customers are satisfied. One of my favorite places in downtown Harrisburg.
(5)Mike B.
Staying at the hotel and VERY happy I decided to give this place a shot! The Short Ribs with polenta fries are incredible. Meatballs are great. Very solid old fashioned. Great ambiance and setting with a attentive friendly staff. I would absolutely recommend this place and would not hesitate to come back. In fact I may have to stop by later for some dessert and another couple cocktails.
(5)Hillary G.
I have been about 8 times now. There are two great servers Brad and Q. I have not had good service other than them. The lights are so bright, at dinner you feel like it is mid day. The food has been really good. The ipads are frustrating and about 4 of the 8 times did not work or the server had no idea what was on them. The bar tenders are all over the place. Behind the bar is very disorganized messy and there is no efficiency so they appear frazzled and as a result we feel overwhelmed and rushed. A few times we stopped our conversation because it was so distracting while up at the bar. Then we discovered we could go outside where we could enjoy our drinks. The music is fantastic inside, but overall it is an awkward dining experience and chaotic. I suggest dimming the lights, training the wait staff on the menu, requiring efficiency behind the bar and ditch the ipads.
(2)Mark C.
Ok. For some perspective. I'm a business traveler and spend most of my time alone for dinner on the road. I was staying at the Hilton in Harrisburg, PA and didn't want to retrieve my car from the parking garage to find a place to eat. I also wasn't looking forward to walking downtown looking for some grub. The answer like most of the time is to just eat in the hotel and accept a mediocre meal. To my surprise and thorough enjoyment Ad Lib Craft Kitchen in the lobby of the Hilton Harrisburg was neither average or mediocre. Simply put this was one of the best meals I have had in a very long time. I started with the Baked Oysters which were served topped with crab and perfectly browned panko. Three oysters for the price of the app is a little steep but they were excellent and while I didn't feel I got great value, I did think the food was excellent. My entree was the 6oz. Flat Iron Steak with a side of carrot and a potato that enhanced the dish completely. I have to say I was a little hesitant about the "Stone Ground Mustard" that the description stated topped the steak but I found it to be more "nutty" flavor than mustard flavor and thoroughly enjoyed it as an accompaniment to the beef. Since I was was 2 for 2 on app and entree and felt compelled to see what the kitchen could do with dessert, I ordered the mini cheesecake and it was the perfect finish to my meal. Again, nothing my server put down in front of me was average. It was all exceptional. Overall the service, food and environment is spectacular and not anything you'd normally expect from a hotel lobby Restaraunt. In fact, I'll probably stay at this hotel again just to eat at this place. I mean it...it is that good. This place is worth visiting weather you are a hotel captive on business or looking for a great meal as a local. Highly recommend.
(5)Angela C.
I came in for dinner. The restaurant is very modern. I love the ambiance. The service is a little slow but the staff is super friendly. I ordered ahi tuna as my starter (it was okay) ... and ordered shepherds pie as my entree. It was a bit greasy and salty but great presentation. I think I would come here again for drinks and maybe appetizers.
(3)Anbria B.
Came here for the grand opening. The food was excellent, very upscale, but not at an upscale price. The plates were petite plates, I enjoyed breakfast with the my first eggs benedict and cinnamon French toast topped with berries and whipped cream. Very well put together food and presentation.
(4)Mike C.
As far as hotel restaurants go it is pretty good. Their dishes are creative to a fault. Service is stern but friendly, but not particularly great. The beer and wine lists are impressive and the food is good quality. The ad lib menu has reasonable prices but the co located steakhouse does not so make sure you get the right menu. The cocktails are creative. Recommend the fig and Gorgonzola flatbread, the short ribs with polenta fries. The lobster lollipops are good. The burger is popular but not good. Some of the veggie dishes are overly salted particularly the broccoli. If you stay at the Hilton weekly like I do you'll be satisfied eating here a couple nights a week. Overall I recommend.
(3)Law R.
Been here twice--first time was 'meh,' second time was 'hurray!' Both times I was a guest at the Hilton in town on business. First time was a few weeks after it opened. You could tell it was a brand new restaurant--every hotel staff member I talked to recommended I check it out. The modern atmosphere was neat, it wasn't busy at all, and the menu (on an iPad) read well--mostly small plates/portions, with a lot of 'molecular gastronomy' type stuff. Well, my server sucked. She was being really fake nice to the extent of ridiculousness, and there was just something about her that was snarky. She wasn't attentive at all and offered no guidance whatsoever as to what was good on the menu. I remember liking the atmosphere, and the good beer selection (most of which is local brews), and like I said the menu read well with some zany options. I decided to give what I thought were some of the weirder options a try--I got the 'Brat Burger' which really was just bratwurst with some sort of aioli spread--not particularly memorable. I then went nuts and tried the PBBBJ (or something like that), which was peanut butter and grape jelly ice cream with BACON and bananas involved. Sound interesting? It was interesting. But it definitely wasn't good. You can't taste the grape jelly ice cream at all and the bacon was overpowering. Again, I asked my server about it, expecting some sort of funny/informative guidance, and got a blank stare. She was just plain awful. Second time was last night, and even though it was only a few months later after my first visit, it was a completely different experience. Same atmosphere, same menu, but unlike before it was PACKED with people. I was seated in a cozy booth in the back away from the noisy bar, which included a super-comfy pillow for the lower back. My server, Amanda, was absolutely delightful and very nice--can't overstate that enough. She recommended stuff and even gave some insight as to what went into some of the dishes. When I ordered a beer she got me a tall glass and the bottle, and didn't pour it for me--but sure enough, some waiter/expediter at another table spotted this and immediately ran over to ask to pour my beer for me. I didn't even particularly care except for the fact I suck at pouring, so it was nice. After the disastrous bacon ice cream experiment last time, I played it safe and got the tavern chips and ad lib burger. The burger is the most normal item on the menu and it was perfectly adequate--bun a bit overtoasted. But those chips and dip--it comes with a dill dip--man, those were awesome. I can't recommend ordering both the chips 'snack' and the burger, because the latter comes with fries-- I would just order the burger, then ask for the chips and dip instead of fries. I played it safer with the menu the second time and it definitely paid off. So yeah, a mixed bag so far. Second time was a definite improvement over the first. Would like to see some bigger plate options and maybe some more traditional stuff in addition to the bacon peanut butter banana ice cream-type stuff. But it's definitely a fun atmosphere and on the right track.
(4)Steve M.
It's not you, it's me. But seriously, this is not a great place to eat in Harrisburg. As far as hotel bars go, I'm pretty accepting of poor service and high prices, I just don't see this as a place that justifies it - give me something to hold onto - anything. If you find yourself here, with no alternatives to choose from, get the Brats, they take the edge off a bad experience; but sausage tends to do that.
(1)Lisa E.
I came in for biz and the place was slammed! Not my first time here but boy did they do the right thing. I love when you go to eat and they really know they messed up and make it right. Thank you so much for an overall great experience. They really made it up and acknowledged even with the mgr coming over. Lonely old me sitting here could have been ignored. Thanks ad lib. Awesome
(5)Elise L.
I love the idea of anything goes. Tablets as menus with lots of different choices. Service definitely needs to be worked on its pretty slow. Be preparred not to be paid attention to if not in suit or bussiness dress. The food is pretty good. Obsessed with chef anthonys meatballs. 10$ for 3 meatballs over creamy polenta with q bit of shaved parm. Also enjoyed the chicken fried applewood bacon. No chicken involved. Bacon fried like a chicken fried steak over a cheesy bisquit topped with an egg. Highly recomend the Molecular Mayhem drink menu. The Violette Pearl is just processo with bubbles or lil balls made from violette liquor so when you get rid of the processo in your sip you push a ball up to the roof of your mouth and it bursts with a lavender taste of liquer. Great place of your on vacation otherwise the price tends to be a bit much. Although considering most of the clientelle is bussines or government so close to the state capitol. Try chef Anthony's meatballs if your not much of a daredevil when it comes to food. There is a new girl Emily who i believe has been the most attentive behind the bar. I hope she stays that way after Training !
(4)Joe B.
Food good, seems to come out of the kitchen a little to fast and when it arrives it's just above room temperature. Ask for Ashley .. She's a sweetheart !!
(3)Becky C.
Food was ehh, service was worse. It's a shame because it's beautiful on the inside. I saw them bring my meal out to another person, he ate off the plate and then they took it back and gave him his actual meal. The server then explained to me that my meal was burned and needed to be remade (the reason why my meal didn't come out with the rest of my party's). I watched my meal go back to the kitchen and then back out to me in about 2 minutes. I questioned whether the food was fresh and they reassured me it was. It was hard to believe after they blatantly lied about the food being burnt. Pretty sure I ate food that someone else ate off of. The food wasn't even good and I left hungry.
(2)Matt M.
If you are travelling and staying in the Hilton this place is perfect. The bartenders are pros. There are some gems on the menu. The ad lib burger is delicious and cooked perfectly every time. The pork belly tacos are a close second. If you like breakfast you have to try the chicken fried bacon.
(5)Hbg F.
First experience here was Christmas 2014, not long after they opened. Service was great, (not many patrons at the time) and very accomodating. We ordered the Roasted Broccoli Crowns - highly recommend, Lobster Corn Lollipops - nice presentation but mostly hushpuppy/cornbread taste with little else, Tavern Turkey sandwich w chips - fresh ingredients and very good. Two entrees - Lamb Shepard's Pie, which proved to be exellent but the vegetables did lack quality and the Short Rib Polenta Fries were a big hit and absolutely delicious. It happened to also be my mother's birthday and they surprised her with a small dessert of mini cupcakes with coffee mouse/whipped cream & various fresh berries! (I went another day by myself just to stop in for the Short Rib Polenta Fries specifically. I cannot say enough about the savory, rich flavor of this dish. A must!) I recently tried two breakfast items - Applewood Bacon and Baked Oatmeal. Both were good, oatmeal seemed a tad dry but it's paired with a warm cream. I am looking forward to trying the extensitve, enticing breakfast buffet. I also tried the snack item - Stuffed Prezel Roll (3). Called the order in and after taking it to go, I noticed they were burnt and unedible. I called back and they made a new order. Upon pick up again, the manager delivered to me personally and deeply apologized while taking care of the charge. His professionalism was appreciated. The rolls were a yummy snack! Overall - great service, wonderful atmosphere & a variety of fantasic food!
(4)John M.
Staff is extremely friendly "fun" drinks are reasonably priced ($14) but one random fruit fly is alive after the winter apocalypse? (he's still circling our drinks). Food portions are small, yet, bravo for Harrisburg! Welcome to 2015 (finally, we just need a dozen more attempts like this and we'll be a plausibly livable mid sized city?).
(4)