Been a year since we came here last, and there were some changes from our last visit. The menu changed and if anything is even better than the last time. We both had the Snapper and Clamp and it was prepared perfectly. Again the thing that takes this over the top is the personal attention. The server was friendly and knowledgeable and had no problems with some specific requests in our food. Highly recommended to anyone looking for good food in a quiet friendly environment.
(5)
Lindsay O.
A nice place for a special occasion. My husband surprised me for our anniversary with dinner reservations at Char's. Char herself greeted us when we walked in, took our coats and showed us to our table which was impressive. I was pleasantly surprised to see that on the menu they had starred items that were gluten free and indicated other items that could made gluten free. Most of the menu items were already or could be made gluten free so there were tons of options. Would have liked it if they had some gluten free bread also but they did bring some bland rice crackers to the table instead. We went on a Tuesday and there was a large party of what I think were politicians in suits behind us that was distracting. Overall we enjoyed the food and I liked all the art they had on the walls and sculptures around the restaurant.
The Negonis are doing the trick! Seriously Char's is a first class operation. Highly recommend.
(5)
Will Z.
Terrible service! Beautiful place. Okay food. Owner seated up with a terrible attitude followed by literally the worst service I have ever experienced.
(1)
Doug C.
We booked the library for a surprise birthday party on Saturday November 22, 2014. The food, service and atmosphere were superb! Our server was attentive and a true delight! Char out did herself with a gorgeous restaurant, chef and staff. A big thank you to Shana Woomer with PR and Private Events at Char's for making our surprise party a huge success. We can not thank everyone enough; all those who were involved at Char's for making our experience unforgettable. We highly recommend the library for a private get together. The establishment is a true treasure in Harrisburg, PA!
(5)
Nicole S.
Have eaten here several times for business. Food is great, staff is friendly and attentive. Atmosphere is on the noisy side, however. Building is very pretty and has a great view of the river.
(4)
Amy H.
The setting of this place is as delightful as the food is delicious. I've been here twice in the winter and sat inside, but last night had the chance to dine outside on the front porch. There are few places in Harrisburg where you can sit for a few hours, enjoy a couple drinks and fine food all while watching the beautiful Susquehanna River float by. Char's at Tracy Mansion is a great place to do that. And we had a bonus - a beautiful sun set. Can't wait to go again.
Watch out for the multiple reviews by Andrea under different names trashing this place. I've been here twice now, once just for a drink and a second time with a group of 4 for a business dinner. Both times the service was great and the food very good. The restaurant itself for a beautiful building that obviously a lot of love has been put into (note the original glasswork). The atmosphere may be a little too formal and the prices on the high side, but you can tell that they are trying to provide a top notch experience to their patrons. I'd like to think that a couple of the other diners poor treatment if honestly reported was due to the restaurant trying to manage overwhelming popularity as soon as it opened, likely related to the popularity of Char's Bella Mundo, which I and my coworkers were also big fans of. I hope this place lasts.
(4)
Stephen A.
The high prices don't worry me. The value however...it's good. But not great. For this region, certainly something that has long been needed.
(3)
Allen C.
Great view. Great drinks. Terrible food. Don't bother.
The food was great the service was outstanding our waitress Brittany was so helpful and I just loved it and I want to come back again. I recommend there meat I tasted it and my mouth went into heaven
(5)
Jackie M.
Love this place! I went there for dinner tonight. Ordered the special oysters app and scallops! They were great. My husband ordered the special pasta du jour its was fettuccine pasta with a fabulous bolognese sauce. I ordered the duck breast. We still had room for more so we ordered the petite desserts apple empanadas and bread pudding with pistachio ice cream. Everything was delicious. Coming back again for sure.
(5)
Rachel H.
went here for a special night, and it was excellent. it's situated right off the susquehanna river, so we watched the sunset just before our reservation for 8pm on a Friday night. surprisingly it wasn't very busy, but i suspect that's because it's the end of summer and that's generally a slow time for any business. it seems most people come here for lunch, based on the amount of people that cleared out from when we got there. keep in mind the restaurant doesn't open till 4 / 5pm so "lunch" is more so dinner. but i have read that they have a nicely priced lunch menu. staff was quick and there for any of my questions. i asked about a specific wine, and the waiter pulled a bartender over to our table to get a better feel for what i wanted in a wine. great selection of wines, by the bottle ranging from 35$-125$+. this was great because you have the option of spoiling yourself or getting something reasonable. our waiter really was excellent. we never felt rushed and had a great enthusiasm to him. the plates are small but very, very filling. started off with the Italian Sweet Sausage & White Bean Ragù, which was sausage on lentils, which was great tasting but not for 13$. lentils are probably one of the cheapest food items you can buy. main course: Pan Seared Chicken Breast, which was great. i wish it had a bit more sauce, which i am sure if i had asked, they would have given me some; and my boyfriend had the Grilled Angus Reserve Delmonico Steak, this was some great steak. the chimichurri sauce was very unique, as a sweet basil. loved how this was paired. it was my birthday the next day, which i pressume the waiter noted when asked for my ID to get alcohol. when we ordered dessert, they brought it out on a place with "happy birthday" written in chocolate, and a candle. overall, i would recommend this place to anyone in the area that could afford to pay a bit more for a great meal. this place was built in 1913, so it has great history as well!
(5)
Anthony I.
This fine establishment is, hands down, the best place to eat a high end meal and down a few glasses of your poison of choice in all of Harrisburg. Sit at the bar and talk with Sal, Heather or Amy (all of them fabulous) and watch Char visit and say hello to everyone (she's amazing to watch in action). The patio faces out to the Mighty Susquehanna and is a fantastic place to watch the sunset and the joggers while milling over a drink or three. They offer small and large plates, and the top of my list is any of their risotto dishes...all spectacular. Their soups and salads are top notch (special last week = curried cream of asparagus that was the best soup I've ever had). Combine that with a good liquor and wine selection + fantastic service, and you have the best place in Harrisburg.
(5)
Tamara B.
Really surprised to find such a gem in Harrisburg, the decor, location feels more like Spring Lake or Cape May, NJ than downtown Harrisburg. Delightful large rooms with amazing glass chandeliers in the old Tracy Mansion - fantastic drinks, helpful bartenders and just to place to meet a lobbyist for cocktails. We had a group for dinner - had the pealla though the addition of the clam shells was just a suggestion - the seafood had been added separately. Delicious drinks, dessert and highly recommend for a birthday, anniversary or a special dinner.
(4)
Crisie R.
The place inside is beautiful. Almost like a museum. Food was deliciouse. People were friendly, except this one guy who brought our main meal out. He was probably rushed or something, but definitely not nice, like everyone else. Anyway, me & a friend went on a Sunday & I guess they have deals on the food, so it's not as expensive. We got their Sangria & it was $10 a glass! Yikes!!! I think they should do a "happy hour" so their drinks are more reasonable.
(4)
Simon D.
Went here the other day for a dinner. Wonderful view of the river during sunset. We were greeted very cordially by the staff on entering and didn't wait long to be seated. Service was great, waitress was attentive but not annoyingly so. Unfortunately the food wasn't up to par for me, but on the other hand I'm no expert food critic or anything so take what I say with a grain of salt..maybe it's suppose to taste like that? Appetizers: Seared Scallops - Cooked perfectly, great flavor, maybe a bit salty. Duck Pate Terrine - The pate was very creamy and rich with a noticeable sweetness. Extremely smooth. I always have had more of a savory pate so the sweetness kind of put me off. The smoothness was like a melt in your mouth buttery feel whereas I typically have had pate that was a bit more course. The most unfortunate thing was that I could not taste much of the pate/liver flavor. Entrees: Rock fish over grilled zucchini, egg plant, with a prickly pear sauce (Fish du Jour) - I feel like the fish wasn't 100% fresh, the piece I got also had the brownish meat near the bloodline that imparts a fishy flavor, I'm not a fan, some people like it. Besides that the fish itself was kind of bland. Honey-Pepper Glazed Duck Breast - The duck breast was cooked to a perfect, juicy, medium/medium rare. Natural flavors of the duck were delightful. The duck was served over a bunch of different vegetables, carrots, cabbage, squash and brussel sprouts to name a few. The squash was a bit woody and we had to spit out a couple of the fibers. Overall I believe I would give Char's one more shot to see how some of their other entrees and appetizers stack up.
(3)
Anbria B.
One of the most upscale restaurants I have been to in Harrisburg. My first crab cake and risotto was here and let's just say, other crab cakes and risotto will be a tough act to follow! Love love love Chars!! Just be ready to spend!! Lol
(5)
Jeff F.
My wife and I finally made it to Tracy Mansion to see what had changed from the old Shipoke location. All we can say is "Wow!" It's not as intimate as the original Char's but the food and service are still top notch. Our waiter did an outstanding job with describing each special entree. My wife opted for the fish du jour (salmon) while I chose a chef's special offering of elk osso buco. The braising on my elk was perfect and it was truly 'cut with a fork' tender. The salmon was also done perfectly and the seasonings were creative and perfectly paired with the fish. Can't forget about the creative martini menu of course - we went for a Char's Cosmo and a Caliente. Add in a beautifully plated steak tartare appetizer for me and a crisp salad for my wife and we had a perfect dinner. Well done Char!
(5)
John M.
Completely exceeded my expectations. Gorgeous restaurant inside and out. Wonderful menu, beautifully presented. Friendly staff. I'm visiting from California and am not completely familiar with local prices, but in my mind, considering the whole package, it's an excellent value for fine dining.
(5)
Christopher G.
Char's is a quirky place in that it felt just within reach of a five-star rating, yet a bunch of bungled details made the evening with my wife a three-star experience. The positives: The food was great, but just short of excellent. It may be telling that although I thoroughly enjoyed my meal, I can't quite remember what we ate. I do know that we had a full meal of appetizers, a soup or salad, a main course, desert, coffee, and wine. The decor in some areas of the establishment is exquisite, particularly the library. We arrived about an hour before our reservation, and were served drinks in the library, and we enjoyed looking through the eclectic selection of books available there. There was a small but interesting collection of artwork nearby as well. The negatives: We arrived about an hour before our reservation, yet we were seated about a half-hour after our reservation time, and we noted that one couple that had arrived after us was seated before us. The main dining area was a step down in atmosphere from the library, with small tables unevenly placed close to other patrons, whose voices seemed amplified by the room such that there was a constant din. At times, my wife and I couldn't understand each other across the table. We overheard a waiter next to us rattle off the specials perfectly from memory, but our own waiter could barely read them from his prepared notes. His service was lacking throughout the evening, which became a running joke when twice he asked me if he could take my plate away, and me (misunderstanding due to the din and his mumbling) replied, "Yes, I'll have more please." and then watched as the waiter took my food away! Conclusion: I spent just over $200 for two, including 20% tip and tax, and that was with conservative wine choices. At that amount, one expects a certain level of service and decor that Char's doesn't achieve. My suggestions for Char's are: a) improve wait staff training until staff has intimate knowledge of the food and drink available; b) identify the blocker behind the late reservation times and slow wait staff and fix it; c) make the main dining area less noisy, less crowded, and more elegant.
(3)
Bryan H.
Way over priced. Bunch of self important a-holes sitting around to be seen by other self important a-holes. At least that's what I saw the three times or so I was invited to join others there for dinner. I wouldn't choose it myself. Food is overpriced, drinks are overpriced and service is very very slow and I don't mean in a purposeful way. I will say that the food is good but nothing stellar. If you want a great experience and even better food, try Rubicon downtown - also pricey but not as pretentious IMHO.
(2)
David A.
Old mansion along Front St in Downtown Harrisburg. Better quality, white tablecloth dining with prices to match. Had a nice dish with Sea Bass and vegetables. Huge portion and I really enjoyed it. A little too formal a feel for my liking but it was very good.
(4)
Jay F.
Very pricey and worth every penny. I love the skate fish, however their specials are always to die for. Martinis are fantastic and wine list is extensive. The decor and patio are fabulous, hopefully I can get one more dinner in on the patio before it gets cold. The absolute best restaurant in the city. Waitstaff is the best, well trained and professional. I only have had one waiter that was just ok, and still better than anywhere else.
(5)
Steve b.
I am surprised to read all of the negatives. I travel the nation and world for my job (seems more glamorous than it is!!). I wanted to take my wife somewhere special for our anniversary. From the time we walked in, seated on time, till the time we left, everything was as you would expect for the price you pay. While expensive even by larger city standards, the food and service in my opinion rises to the expectation. Started with excellent martini. Scallop appetizer was perfect. Endive salad was very good as was the Thai soup. Only complaint was the bowl was very hard to eat out of (someone else mentioned this in their review as well). Salmon/Pasta was incredible. Walleye was great as well. Service was very good, replacing utensils as needed, filled water, clearing plates, taking time explaining menu, all very much appreciated. Char is reserved but I see how people would construe this as looking down on them. Quite frankly? I come to dine, not get to know the proprietor. Of course, I don't go to a place to be seen. All in the bill came to $170 for two of us. Won't do every week , but for a special occasion, would HIGHLY recommend.
(5)
Alex And Valerie L.
Pros: really good food Cons: attitude and service Char's used to be my wife and my favorite restaurant (in the Harrisburg area), but that was back when it was Char's Bella Mundo in the Shipoke neighborhood of Harrisburg, after the big flood they moved to the new location on North Front Street. We've always gotten really good food at Char's, so there's no disappointment there. What's now lacking is the level of service ... We always found the service at the old Shipoke location to be of "fine dining" caliber. Robert and Kat (long time servers at the Shipoke location) treated their clientele very well, whether they were a new face or a long time patron. But Kat moved on, and although Robert is still with Char's he's no longer a server. We spent nearly $200 for our dinner (for two), and the level of service was no better than a chain restaurant (e.g. Ruby Tuesday's, Appleby's, or Outback). This is quite unacceptable for the cost. And the attitude ..... One can't quite escape the sense Char feels her restaurant is the premier place to dine in central Pennsylvania, which is odd, she didn't come across that way at the old location, she was actually pretty friendly. So kudos to the kitchen, we've always found them to be consistently top notch. The new location is quite nice, the decor and ambiance lend itself to fine dining. However if Char wants her restaurant to be considered a fine dining venue, the staff in the dining room need considerable training ...
(2)
Adam F.
Came here for a business dinner. The waitstaff was attentive and knew their wines (my coworkers are wine connoisseurs). Food was great. For appetizers I tried the Charcuterie and the Scallops. The Filet Mignon and Lamb Shank were both good for entree. This place is a bit under the radar since its north of the downtown area, but a solid spot for business dinner for modern American food. PS - their menu said they are 100% wind powered, which is pretty cool.
(4)
Neil B.
Chars is completely under rated on Yelp. Having lived in many big cities through most of my adult life, I truly appreciate a great brunch when I have one. Chars is open early enough that you can actually have a proper breakfast if you'd like but their menus speak to both breakfast and lunch. Their cocktail menu is a wonderful, with refreshing & unique aperitifs and also classics like mimosas / blood Mary's drinks. The make an elderberry mojito which makes for the perfect start to a summer brunch. Their food menu has some wonderfully unique items like a saffron infused tomato melange served with poached eggs (Shukshaka). If you're feeling less adventurous they have some traditional Eggs Benedict that are a steadfast, & consistent delight. The meats are well prepared. The dishes are actually seasoned. The the staff is friendly and make for a tremendous experience. The waterfront location itself is beautiful, with a covered porch for outdoor dining. I highly recommend Chars & look forward to going back for other meals.
(5)
Chris S.
Nicely portioned, good atmosphere. Would highly recommend reservations in advance, especially if dining with a larger party. Was very pleased with the menu options (and sampled good chunks of it), even as someone who is gluten intolerant. Pricing is definitely on the high end for the area, but would not be out of line with better restaurants in larger metropolitan areas. It is on the small side, but good summer weather makes the porch overlooking the river available.
(4)
Jon S.
"DELICIOUS SAUCE OVER BONES" is how my meal was described. But, let's be fair. If you want nice-tasting food (or bones) this is the place for you. Background: I am from the DC area & we do not suffer from the lack of fine dining. I beg everyone's pardon, but Harrisburg is no DC. What is usual & typical for me, is exceptional & top-notch for those who visit Char's, which, for some reason, is one of the places "to be seen" in Harrisburg. Therefore, it is the end of this review that carries the most weight. Read on-- We visited Harrisburg for the day & my girlfriend surprised me with dinner at Char's. Reservations are a must. I understand why: the food IS very good. I was casual in my jeans, but Richard, the maître d', was very gracious & welcoming & seated us as if we were old friends, which my girlfriend is. (The original Char's was my girlfriend's favorite for years, but it was damaged in a flood & Tracy Mansion is its reincarnation.) Once seated, a woman visited us. She & my girlfriend exchanged pleasantries. I did not catch the woman's name. I asked her to repeat it. Interestingly, her name was Char, the same as the restaurant! I asked if she were the owner & she haughtily acknowledge that fact. Our server was very attentive & helpful in describing the menu & the evening's specials. The servers understand proper dining etiquette & know how to serve their patrons. We each ordered the Pear & Endive Salad, which my girlfriend highly recommended. The salad was very nice. I savored each bite. The bread basket was weak on quantity, but strong on flavor. The cranberry bread was very good. I really enjoyed the olive oil bread. I skipped the honey-butter because it tasted like whipped oil. My girlfriend ordered a Chocolate Martini, which was okay, but weak. This has happened before. It seems like the cocktails are a bit weak unless you mention it. By & by came our main course. She ordered the Filet. I ordered the Poussin Chicken. The steak was first-rate: tender & tasty. Though it was ordered medium-well, it arrived medium. It was mostly pink throughout, but it was very good. As I attempted to stick a fork into my chicken, it was met by bone. I turned my fork to a different angle. I pressed this way & that to avoid the bones, but I was foiled at every turn of the fork. By then, the first wing was decimated. The only piece of meat I could stab would not come off the bone! My girlfriend suggested I try a different wing. (4 wings per plate) That wing was tough & I could not get a fork into it. I gave up then & there. Our server was very understanding & offered an alternative meal. Of course, I chose the Filet. Waiting for my meal, I asked my girlfriend to continue eating & after a while, she had finished her entire dinner. Once she had finished her meal, there was no reason for me to eat while she sat there & watched. I told my server to nix the steak. I was offered the meal "to go," which I declined. My girlfriend was disappointed with the experience, since this was her gift to me. And, this is when things went kaput. While I retrieved my coat, my girlfriend decided she would mention the experience to the owner. Well, it seems that Char herself has bought into her restaurant's reputation for being "ALL THAT." Maybe it was my girlfriend's comment that my meal was "delicious sauce over bones" that drew the woman's ire-- for her jaw tightened, a vein in her neck bulged & her face turned the color of a medium-rare steak. Her utterances to my girlfriend were very condescending & showed a complete contempt for the likes of us patrons. It is as though no one ever DARED state an unsatisfactory experience there. Char offered no apology & no redress. Instead, she lectured my girlfriend in the French term "Poussin," which she said means "little." I was even admonished for ordering a steak the second time around! (A $42 steak!) Well, my girlfriend speaks French fluently & is an experienced chef in her own right. My girlfriend remained pleasant & sincere, thinking an owner with Char's reputation would appreciate the feedback. After all, it WAS my girlfriend's favorite restaurant. (I don't speak French, but in butcher parlance, "Poussin" means "young," not "little.") Regardless, the dish was inedible & the chef would have gotten "Chopped" on TV. I did not get one bite of meat off the bone! An owner, especially one who thinks so highly of themselves as to place her own name above the door, should welcome her patron's thoughts & comments, regardless of the amount of smoke the whole of Harrisburg blows in the direction of 1829 N. Front Street. My recommendation: Go for the food & hope for the best. If your meal comes out perfectly, you're fine. If your meal has issues, then I wish you luck. By the way, I think the place is overpriced. Our lone steak, two salads, chocolate martini & diet coke cost $105, including tip.
(2)
Bridget W.
Food overpriced and service lousy. Waited 30 minutes to be offered a refill on my $4 cup of coffee. Still waiting. Given that the restaurant wants to hold itself out as a paragon of fine dining, this is doubly disappointing. Don't come here. There are much better places to dine.
(1)
Ed P.
As always, the devil is in the details. While they do a lot of things right at Char's, a number of little things got in the way of a truly fine dining experience. For example, we started with the fresh shucked oysters served with whipped limoncello minonette. That sounded wonderful on the menu, and when a half-dozen arrived in front of us on a bed of crushed ice, they looked really delicious. Unfortunately, we could only look at them at first because the server forget to bring seafood forks with which to loosen the oysters from the shells. Eventually, I flagged down our waiter, who brought us utensils, and we finally got to taste the dish which was, alas, disappointing. The whipped limoncello minonette was just too sweet and detracted from the dish, in my opinion. We followed the oysters with several small plates, the pasta du jour, a mushroom Wellington rissoto ju jour, and veal osso bucco. Each was excellent, but the standout had to be the mushroom Wellington rissoto. Very rich and creamy! I'm a big fan of small plates for many reaons, but these small plates weren't exactly plates. Rather, they were rimless, deep bowls, shaped like giant eyewash cups. Stylish, but difficult to eat from with a knife and fork. I also noted that the tables were a bit too close together. My chair happened to be in a high traffic area and was bumped repeatedly by the wait staff. With the nitpicking out of the way, I read that other diners have complained about the noise. However, we didn't find it uncomfortably loud, even at near-full capacity. As for the martinis we started with, they were generous,cold and strong and made with our favorite gin, Tanqueray 10. No complaints about weak drinks from us! Char, the owner, stopped by our table to say hello; she was reserved but friendly, which I appreciated. On balance, it was a good meal, not a great meal. Yes, it was a little overpriced (and this coming from someone who's eaten at the Inn at Little Washington, VA). It's a value thing, not a dollars thing.
(4)
Joshua A.
I've dined at Char's a few times at her new location, each experience differed in level of excellence (as confirmed in the other reviews). The servers all seem to know proper dining etiquette and anticipate the needs of their patrons. Sal makes a great drink at the bar, although I'd like to see more fresh ingredients go into the mixed drinks where appropriate (e.g. fresh made sweetened lime juice instead of the traditional Rose's syrup). My food has always been excellent or very good. The oysters were great although I'd like to see an option for a traditional mignonette sauce presented on the side if people don't prefer the whipped limoncello mignonette. There was once a special for short-ribs over pappardelle that was amazing, if it makes a reappearance I would highly recommend trying it. The filet mignon has always been a fantastic choice. It's probably one of the best restaurants options if you're in the Harrisburg area. Now that they have been open for a few months they seem to be full every night but not packed to capacity as was the case when they first opened. I'd still say that reservations are a requirement even mid-week.
(5)
Jessica R.
I have been to Char's many times during the week for business, and the food has always been wonderful. I decided to take my husband there for Valentine's Day since he had never been there. Terrible experience. Our reservation was for 7:30 and we were told to have a drink in the Library. Four other couples came in way after we did and we all immediately sat. We were not sat until 8:05 when my husband went to the hostess to ask if they forgot about us. Once we were sat, our server greeted us and the first thing out of his mouth was "my service might be slow tonight because I just got sat 4 times"... Really?? I have worked in many up scale restaurants and the last thing you should do is make an excuse for your service... Especially before the service even begins!! However, he was right. He was completely inattentive and disorganized. We had to ask for refills numerous times and flag him down. Our appetizers were very good but my entree was extremely disappointing. When I sent it back, Char overheard me and came over and slapped the server on the arm and rudely said "get her whatever she wants" and walked away... She didn't even say a word to us or offer an apology. I ended up just ordering a small plate instead and the sever said "I'll make it a double portion for you" and walked away... I did not ask for a double portion yet was CHARGED for it. The whole night was disappointing. The server rushed us every time he was at our table and talked so fast I could barely understand him. I would hope to try again but for the amount of money we spent, I want a more personal experience and I want to leave feeling warm and fuzzy.
(2)
Maura D.
I enjoy going to Char's and had a really nice dinner there. I like that they offer small plates now so you can go there without it costing a small fortune. The pear and endive salad is the best and I usually go with the risotto special which is now offered in a small plate. So happy about that. Beware though that if you go at the holidays they may ask you to promise to leave in two hours. Seriously, they've done that to me a couple of times. I don't like that at all so I'm hoping that this holiday season they figure out a better way to manage their reservations and don't make patrons feel like they have to watch the clock. Otherwise the place is great!
(4)
Julie C.
Char's has long been our favorite place to dine. We started enjoying their great food, service, and drinks years ago when they were Char's Bella Mundo at their former location. The service is always superior and the food is always excellent. Although the standard menu is wonderful, we often enjoy one of their amazing specials -- the fish and pasta special are real stand outs! From Char and Robert at the front of the house, to the entire service staff, to Chef and everyone in the kitchen, we always feel like they take great care of us whenever we spend an evening there.
(5)
Heather C.
We went to Char's in mid November - reservations were for 8pm. We arrived on time to be told our table wasn't ready, please have a drink in the library. Cocktail menu is certainly interesting and nice to have some lower sugar/calorie options. However two cocktails priced out to be $25 and by the time they arrived nearly 20 minutes later we were told our table was ready. We were not allowed to transfer our bill to our table so waited to pay it there. Five minutes later went out to be seated only to be told they were working on getting us a table. This is all while standing in this awkward space inside the door from the parking lot, but the host stand is on the opposite side of the bar so when we arrived and when we first came back out from the library there was no one there to assist us (Host stand on other side of bar was also empty). We finally were seated about 25 minutes after our scheduled reservation. We did not see a server for another 10 minutes at least at which point bread was provided. Menus were then brought another 5 minutes later. Server was not attentive at all, yet finally did come to take our order. She asked if we'd like more bread and we stated "yes". We were not yet ready for another drink. Our food was brought by someone else - we never saw our server again until halfway through our meal. The additional bread requested was never brought, and we were ready for drinks prior to our meal arriving. By the time she came back we decided against ordering another round of drinks as we figured they wouldn't arrive until after we were done with our meals. The food itself was fantastic - I ordered the only vegetarian meal on the menu and my husband ordered a handmade pasta and seafood dish. He states it was excellent. Vegetarians - NOTE that the menu options are EXTREMELY limited. Vegans - there may not be any options. Ambiance: the lighting was far too bright for a Saturday night. The noise level was very high and it was hard to each other ... would have been very difficult if our party had been more than 2. While the food was excellent, the other aspects of the restaurant and the experience proved to be disappointing and leave you with the feeling that you've overpaid. I had been very much looking forward to this... although this is a new location, the restaurant was previously Char's Bella Mundo and therefore it seems should have things worked out such as maintaining a reservation time, providing better service, and having a better sense of ambiance. Maybe we'll go back but not for quite a while - especially with the lack of vegetarian options.
(2)
Marcia R.
I took a group of my foodie friends to Char's on Thursday night for their pre fixe menu. A lot of the daily specials were on the pre fixe for a fixed price of $38 per person. We did not have a single thing that wasn't good. Everything was excellent up to and including the dessert. The service was top notch. I will go again.
(5)
Jacqueline D.
Arrived early, thought we could have a drink at the bar. Not. People had reservations for the bar! Never heard of such a thing, not that it is a large bar. Isn't a bar for drinking? When did it become part of a dinner experience. Place was crowded and noisy. We left. May return after the holidays in all fairness, to give it another try. The owner seemed aloof, when my husband was talking to her. I really didn't feel a warm environment.
Last night was my first time dining at Char's. The ambiance is fantastic, a great date/anniversary/birthday destination. The artwork throughout the restaurant and the blown glass hanging from the ceiling were beautiful. I will say that getting reservations at Char's at desirable times has been challenging due to their popularity and would never suggest trying to get a table without them. We used OpenTable to book which was quick and easy. We wanted to eat earlier than our 8pm reservation so we showed up at 630, sat at a table in the bar section and ordered a bottle of wine and their beef carpaccio (shaved beef tenderloin, white truffle parmesan, red onion, French baguette, hard cooked egg) as an appetizer which was delicious and the perfect amount for 2. The wait staff was very considerate and accommodating updating us on what our table status looked like and had no problem transitioning us to our table when ready. I ordered the sea scallops over capellini with sundried tomatoes and wilted spinach and my boyfriend ordered the Roasted Beet & Apple Salad (shaved fennel, walnuts, raspberry-pomegranate vinaigrette) which he raved about and the Trout over Rissoto as an entree. We literally spent 3 hours there and had such a great time with beautiful views, delicious food, and great service. Although we were warned of high prices and small portions, we were happy with the amount of food we were served and went home feeling satisfied, We will definitely be back in the near future
(5)
Joseph G.
I have eaten at Chars twice since their new opening at the Tracy Mansion. The first was a group of 3 on a Saturday night (work related). The second was a Friday night just me at the bar having dinner. The restaurant is not that large and reservations in advance are recommended. There are limited choices in the Harrisburg area for food of this quality. Wine selection is ok...not great but no real complaints. The only downside is that it's pricey. I'll definetly be back.
(4)
Kathryn M.
Much ado about nothing. A five star wanna be restaurant. Owner and most of wait staff are pretentious and high brow. Service is slow as they parade around like live gamepieces in Clue...bowing and presenting weak drinks while you wait in a crowded library. Food is mostly very good, but not consistantly good quality and way over priced for portion size. I guess if you are sold the illusion of fine dining, the meals can be overlooked. Tawdry and lacking substance as a fine dining experience.
The place is nicely decorated, airy and clean. The tables are very close to each other, which is uncomfortable. Our waiter was pleasant. Drinks are not that strong, barely got a buzz. Thought I was going to experience culinary delights, but found the food to be under seasoned, every dish needed salt and deeper flavors. There were many different dinners, young/old, fancy dressed/jean & shorts.
(2)
trish g.
just had a delightful evening at char's.....although the facility was very cold and i had to keep my coat on, we had a marvelous time with outstanding food!...we chose small plates and appetizers ~ sea scallops gratin, lamb meatball, smoked trout with chipotle and spinach risotto...all of which were wonderful, especially the trout! we also had the crab avocado cocktail (lovely jumbo lump crabmeat) and the spinach gnocchi (not dough balls, really good!).....our server was attentive and, the seating can be a little tight at the banquettes but the couple next to us were charming! i look forward to returning in the near future.
(4)
Rachael G.
My family and I visited Char's on March 29, 2014 for a celebratory dinner. Living in DC, and a self-proclaimed foodie, I was pleasantly surprised by the quality and taste of the food. We arrived a few minutes early for our reservation and were warmly greeted and seated quickly. My mom had the cocktail of the day, a raspberry-pomegranate martini - delicious - and I had a glass of wine. For Harrisburg, I think the wine list is sufficient. But coming from DC... my expectations are different. Our waiter was friendly and attentive, especially filling the water glass for my boyfriend who drained it every few minutes! We started with a few small plates - the Risotto of the day with pork was awesome and flavorful and the steak tartar was as good as it gets. For entrees we tried the Osso Bucco, the fish of the day (New Zealand Sea Bass), and the Duck prepared two ways. The fried mushroom risotto cake that comes with the Osso Bucco is out of this world. I could have eaten three! The meat was prepared expertly - tender, fall off the bone, and moist. However, my fish was about 30 seconds overcooked. Still good, but a scant dry. To end the meal, we were offered coffee and the dessert menu. The dinner left us wanting for something really chocolatey, but alas the menu didn't have that kind of offering. We probably didn't need any more calories anyway! I went in to Char's having read many of the reviews and honestly was wary of what kind of service we would receive. Know this-every restaurant has bad days, but our visit was not one of them. Char, the owner, stopped by at the end of our dinner to inquire how everything was. One of the hosts also checked in on our table mid-way through dinner. Perhaps they have read the Yelp reviews, or maybe they have worked out the service kinks. In any event, Char's will definitely be on our list of special event dining spots.
(4)
Andrea S.
She did not honor our reservation!! Party of 9. Offered to send us to Bricco!!! If we wanted to go to Bricco we would have made our special celebration dinner reservations there!!!
(1)
Sizzle C.
Went on a beautiful saturday night and sat outside on the porch. what an amazing view of the boats and sunset. pretty much the best setting anyone could ask for in harrisburg for dinner. My girlfriend and I were not super hungry, so we ordered drinks and some small plates and one special entree to share. Everything was good and fresh, but nothing really blew me away. the escargot were fresh, buttery, garlicly, and tasty. the steak tartare was fresh but didn't pop it needed acid and salt. the merguez sliders were good but again lacked any wow factor. chorizo pasta special was just ok, spicy fatty sausage was good, but kind of dissapointed they just threw it into a ragu with some rigatoni, a little lazy in my opinion. the salmon special was decent- the forbidden rice was delicous but the salmon and vegetables were under seasoned, i would question whether the salmon filet actually got any salt and pepper at all? drinks are good but expensive. it was a fun night and we enjoyed it, but don't go expecting AMAZING food, just pretty good food with a great setting.
(3)
Michael M.
We love the new Chars restaurant! Great food, decor and service. Have eaten here at the original location many times and never had a bad meal. Ever client we've taken there from out of town always wants to return.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : No Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Dressy Ambience : Classy Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Wesley M.
Been a year since we came here last, and there were some changes from our last visit. The menu changed and if anything is even better than the last time. We both had the Snapper and Clamp and it was prepared perfectly. Again the thing that takes this over the top is the personal attention. The server was friendly and knowledgeable and had no problems with some specific requests in our food. Highly recommended to anyone looking for good food in a quiet friendly environment.
(5)Lindsay O.
A nice place for a special occasion. My husband surprised me for our anniversary with dinner reservations at Char's. Char herself greeted us when we walked in, took our coats and showed us to our table which was impressive. I was pleasantly surprised to see that on the menu they had starred items that were gluten free and indicated other items that could made gluten free. Most of the menu items were already or could be made gluten free so there were tons of options. Would have liked it if they had some gluten free bread also but they did bring some bland rice crackers to the table instead. We went on a Tuesday and there was a large party of what I think were politicians in suits behind us that was distracting. Overall we enjoyed the food and I liked all the art they had on the walls and sculptures around the restaurant.
(4)Bill B.
We decided to go to Char's for our Anniversary and we were so happy we did. It was our first time here but not our last. The ambiance is wonderful, the service was well done and very attentive, and the food was awesome. We started with the Beef Tenderloin Steak Tartar with mixed greens, capers, parsley, red onion, egg yolk, toasted baguette and it was delicious. My wife chose the Pear and Endive Salad with gorgonzola, toasted pecans, sherry vinaigrette and I had the Roasted Beet & Apple Salad with shaved fennel, walnuts, chevre cheese, red raspberry vinaigrette. We actually swapped salads after a few bites because we each wanted the other to taste how good they were. For the main course my wife selected the risotto with crab and she loved it. I had the Roasted Pork Tenderloin which had pork and pear raviolis, root vegetables, smokey pork consommé and it was fantastic. The raviolis were perhaps the best I've ever had, rich and elegant. We had a very nice Cosentino Napa Cabernet. For dessert we shared a creme creme brulee which was presented as you see in the photo. What a great touch when they found out it was our anniversary. Char stopped at our table twice during the evening and then as we left proudly showed us the rooms in her restaurant.
(5)Bill M.
The Negonis are doing the trick! Seriously Char's is a first class operation. Highly recommend.
(5)Will Z.
Terrible service! Beautiful place. Okay food. Owner seated up with a terrible attitude followed by literally the worst service I have ever experienced.
(1)Doug C.
We booked the library for a surprise birthday party on Saturday November 22, 2014. The food, service and atmosphere were superb! Our server was attentive and a true delight! Char out did herself with a gorgeous restaurant, chef and staff. A big thank you to Shana Woomer with PR and Private Events at Char's for making our surprise party a huge success. We can not thank everyone enough; all those who were involved at Char's for making our experience unforgettable. We highly recommend the library for a private get together. The establishment is a true treasure in Harrisburg, PA!
(5)Nicole S.
Have eaten here several times for business. Food is great, staff is friendly and attentive. Atmosphere is on the noisy side, however. Building is very pretty and has a great view of the river.
(4)Amy H.
The setting of this place is as delightful as the food is delicious. I've been here twice in the winter and sat inside, but last night had the chance to dine outside on the front porch. There are few places in Harrisburg where you can sit for a few hours, enjoy a couple drinks and fine food all while watching the beautiful Susquehanna River float by. Char's at Tracy Mansion is a great place to do that. And we had a bonus - a beautiful sun set. Can't wait to go again.
(4)Kristie D.
Beautiful building. Decorations. Charm. Excellent food: soup de jur was a cucumber soup, crab cake, cheese plate, and short ribs (all appetizers). Fish of the day was prepared nicely. Finished off with chocolate soufflé. Which surprisingly was not baked in a cup but served almost like a tall flourless chocolate cake. Portions are perfect. Not too big for a person but satisfying for a normal not weary soul. Service was excellent. The young man knew his ingredients well and made everybody happy with his attentive and professional attitude.
(5)Nathan G.
Watch out for the multiple reviews by Andrea under different names trashing this place. I've been here twice now, once just for a drink and a second time with a group of 4 for a business dinner. Both times the service was great and the food very good. The restaurant itself for a beautiful building that obviously a lot of love has been put into (note the original glasswork). The atmosphere may be a little too formal and the prices on the high side, but you can tell that they are trying to provide a top notch experience to their patrons. I'd like to think that a couple of the other diners poor treatment if honestly reported was due to the restaurant trying to manage overwhelming popularity as soon as it opened, likely related to the popularity of Char's Bella Mundo, which I and my coworkers were also big fans of. I hope this place lasts.
(4)Stephen A.
The high prices don't worry me. The value however...it's good. But not great. For this region, certainly something that has long been needed.
(3)Allen C.
Great view. Great drinks. Terrible food. Don't bother.
(1)Darren T.
First of all, yes, the library/Lurch/drinks with special names (Grey Goose Cosmo order was corrected to "Char's Cosmo" by the server) thing was strange. Since we were there for a few hours I feel the need to make this review simple. PROS: - beautiful views - intriguing menu items - above average cocktails - good service from our server - clean bathrooms (they are new...) CONS: - extremely "clacky" or noisy acoustics - mediocre or amateur decor (could have used historic building better) - outdoor lights shining in eyes through window without treatments - price was higher than expected for atmosphere and overall food quality - burned pork tenderloin - overdone creme brûlée - kitchen closes at 10pm - awkward location of host booth far away from main entrance at parking lot - out of smoked chicken for pasta dish. Subbed lamb meatballs? Strange. - space plan makes patrons feel like they are in the server stations - huge building still feels too tight like when in shipoke. Ditch the stupid library stuffed with tacky antiques and put in more dining seating. Make your own decision. However, I would say if you are looking for a fresh urban experience, go elsewhere. If you're looking for a throwback to the days of the exclusive steakhouses with coat check, this may be your place. Regardless, nice to see something in that beautiful building!
(2)Dory S.
The food was great the service was outstanding our waitress Brittany was so helpful and I just loved it and I want to come back again. I recommend there meat I tasted it and my mouth went into heaven
(5)Jackie M.
Love this place! I went there for dinner tonight. Ordered the special oysters app and scallops! They were great. My husband ordered the special pasta du jour its was fettuccine pasta with a fabulous bolognese sauce. I ordered the duck breast. We still had room for more so we ordered the petite desserts apple empanadas and bread pudding with pistachio ice cream. Everything was delicious. Coming back again for sure.
(5)Rachel H.
went here for a special night, and it was excellent. it's situated right off the susquehanna river, so we watched the sunset just before our reservation for 8pm on a Friday night. surprisingly it wasn't very busy, but i suspect that's because it's the end of summer and that's generally a slow time for any business. it seems most people come here for lunch, based on the amount of people that cleared out from when we got there. keep in mind the restaurant doesn't open till 4 / 5pm so "lunch" is more so dinner. but i have read that they have a nicely priced lunch menu. staff was quick and there for any of my questions. i asked about a specific wine, and the waiter pulled a bartender over to our table to get a better feel for what i wanted in a wine. great selection of wines, by the bottle ranging from 35$-125$+. this was great because you have the option of spoiling yourself or getting something reasonable. our waiter really was excellent. we never felt rushed and had a great enthusiasm to him. the plates are small but very, very filling. started off with the Italian Sweet Sausage & White Bean Ragù, which was sausage on lentils, which was great tasting but not for 13$. lentils are probably one of the cheapest food items you can buy. main course: Pan Seared Chicken Breast, which was great. i wish it had a bit more sauce, which i am sure if i had asked, they would have given me some; and my boyfriend had the Grilled Angus Reserve Delmonico Steak, this was some great steak. the chimichurri sauce was very unique, as a sweet basil. loved how this was paired. it was my birthday the next day, which i pressume the waiter noted when asked for my ID to get alcohol. when we ordered dessert, they brought it out on a place with "happy birthday" written in chocolate, and a candle. overall, i would recommend this place to anyone in the area that could afford to pay a bit more for a great meal. this place was built in 1913, so it has great history as well!
(5)Anthony I.
This fine establishment is, hands down, the best place to eat a high end meal and down a few glasses of your poison of choice in all of Harrisburg. Sit at the bar and talk with Sal, Heather or Amy (all of them fabulous) and watch Char visit and say hello to everyone (she's amazing to watch in action). The patio faces out to the Mighty Susquehanna and is a fantastic place to watch the sunset and the joggers while milling over a drink or three. They offer small and large plates, and the top of my list is any of their risotto dishes...all spectacular. Their soups and salads are top notch (special last week = curried cream of asparagus that was the best soup I've ever had). Combine that with a good liquor and wine selection + fantastic service, and you have the best place in Harrisburg.
(5)Tamara B.
Really surprised to find such a gem in Harrisburg, the decor, location feels more like Spring Lake or Cape May, NJ than downtown Harrisburg. Delightful large rooms with amazing glass chandeliers in the old Tracy Mansion - fantastic drinks, helpful bartenders and just to place to meet a lobbyist for cocktails. We had a group for dinner - had the pealla though the addition of the clam shells was just a suggestion - the seafood had been added separately. Delicious drinks, dessert and highly recommend for a birthday, anniversary or a special dinner.
(4)Crisie R.
The place inside is beautiful. Almost like a museum. Food was deliciouse. People were friendly, except this one guy who brought our main meal out. He was probably rushed or something, but definitely not nice, like everyone else. Anyway, me & a friend went on a Sunday & I guess they have deals on the food, so it's not as expensive. We got their Sangria & it was $10 a glass! Yikes!!! I think they should do a "happy hour" so their drinks are more reasonable.
(4)Simon D.
Went here the other day for a dinner. Wonderful view of the river during sunset. We were greeted very cordially by the staff on entering and didn't wait long to be seated. Service was great, waitress was attentive but not annoyingly so. Unfortunately the food wasn't up to par for me, but on the other hand I'm no expert food critic or anything so take what I say with a grain of salt..maybe it's suppose to taste like that? Appetizers: Seared Scallops - Cooked perfectly, great flavor, maybe a bit salty. Duck Pate Terrine - The pate was very creamy and rich with a noticeable sweetness. Extremely smooth. I always have had more of a savory pate so the sweetness kind of put me off. The smoothness was like a melt in your mouth buttery feel whereas I typically have had pate that was a bit more course. The most unfortunate thing was that I could not taste much of the pate/liver flavor. Entrees: Rock fish over grilled zucchini, egg plant, with a prickly pear sauce (Fish du Jour) - I feel like the fish wasn't 100% fresh, the piece I got also had the brownish meat near the bloodline that imparts a fishy flavor, I'm not a fan, some people like it. Besides that the fish itself was kind of bland. Honey-Pepper Glazed Duck Breast - The duck breast was cooked to a perfect, juicy, medium/medium rare. Natural flavors of the duck were delightful. The duck was served over a bunch of different vegetables, carrots, cabbage, squash and brussel sprouts to name a few. The squash was a bit woody and we had to spit out a couple of the fibers. Overall I believe I would give Char's one more shot to see how some of their other entrees and appetizers stack up.
(3)Anbria B.
One of the most upscale restaurants I have been to in Harrisburg. My first crab cake and risotto was here and let's just say, other crab cakes and risotto will be a tough act to follow! Love love love Chars!! Just be ready to spend!! Lol
(5)Jeff F.
My wife and I finally made it to Tracy Mansion to see what had changed from the old Shipoke location. All we can say is "Wow!" It's not as intimate as the original Char's but the food and service are still top notch. Our waiter did an outstanding job with describing each special entree. My wife opted for the fish du jour (salmon) while I chose a chef's special offering of elk osso buco. The braising on my elk was perfect and it was truly 'cut with a fork' tender. The salmon was also done perfectly and the seasonings were creative and perfectly paired with the fish. Can't forget about the creative martini menu of course - we went for a Char's Cosmo and a Caliente. Add in a beautifully plated steak tartare appetizer for me and a crisp salad for my wife and we had a perfect dinner. Well done Char!
(5)John M.
Completely exceeded my expectations. Gorgeous restaurant inside and out. Wonderful menu, beautifully presented. Friendly staff. I'm visiting from California and am not completely familiar with local prices, but in my mind, considering the whole package, it's an excellent value for fine dining.
(5)Christopher G.
Char's is a quirky place in that it felt just within reach of a five-star rating, yet a bunch of bungled details made the evening with my wife a three-star experience. The positives: The food was great, but just short of excellent. It may be telling that although I thoroughly enjoyed my meal, I can't quite remember what we ate. I do know that we had a full meal of appetizers, a soup or salad, a main course, desert, coffee, and wine. The decor in some areas of the establishment is exquisite, particularly the library. We arrived about an hour before our reservation, and were served drinks in the library, and we enjoyed looking through the eclectic selection of books available there. There was a small but interesting collection of artwork nearby as well. The negatives: We arrived about an hour before our reservation, yet we were seated about a half-hour after our reservation time, and we noted that one couple that had arrived after us was seated before us. The main dining area was a step down in atmosphere from the library, with small tables unevenly placed close to other patrons, whose voices seemed amplified by the room such that there was a constant din. At times, my wife and I couldn't understand each other across the table. We overheard a waiter next to us rattle off the specials perfectly from memory, but our own waiter could barely read them from his prepared notes. His service was lacking throughout the evening, which became a running joke when twice he asked me if he could take my plate away, and me (misunderstanding due to the din and his mumbling) replied, "Yes, I'll have more please." and then watched as the waiter took my food away! Conclusion: I spent just over $200 for two, including 20% tip and tax, and that was with conservative wine choices. At that amount, one expects a certain level of service and decor that Char's doesn't achieve. My suggestions for Char's are: a) improve wait staff training until staff has intimate knowledge of the food and drink available; b) identify the blocker behind the late reservation times and slow wait staff and fix it; c) make the main dining area less noisy, less crowded, and more elegant.
(3)Bryan H.
Way over priced. Bunch of self important a-holes sitting around to be seen by other self important a-holes. At least that's what I saw the three times or so I was invited to join others there for dinner. I wouldn't choose it myself. Food is overpriced, drinks are overpriced and service is very very slow and I don't mean in a purposeful way. I will say that the food is good but nothing stellar. If you want a great experience and even better food, try Rubicon downtown - also pricey but not as pretentious IMHO.
(2)David A.
Old mansion along Front St in Downtown Harrisburg. Better quality, white tablecloth dining with prices to match. Had a nice dish with Sea Bass and vegetables. Huge portion and I really enjoyed it. A little too formal a feel for my liking but it was very good.
(4)Jay F.
Very pricey and worth every penny. I love the skate fish, however their specials are always to die for. Martinis are fantastic and wine list is extensive. The decor and patio are fabulous, hopefully I can get one more dinner in on the patio before it gets cold. The absolute best restaurant in the city. Waitstaff is the best, well trained and professional. I only have had one waiter that was just ok, and still better than anywhere else.
(5)Steve b.
I am surprised to read all of the negatives. I travel the nation and world for my job (seems more glamorous than it is!!). I wanted to take my wife somewhere special for our anniversary. From the time we walked in, seated on time, till the time we left, everything was as you would expect for the price you pay. While expensive even by larger city standards, the food and service in my opinion rises to the expectation. Started with excellent martini. Scallop appetizer was perfect. Endive salad was very good as was the Thai soup. Only complaint was the bowl was very hard to eat out of (someone else mentioned this in their review as well). Salmon/Pasta was incredible. Walleye was great as well. Service was very good, replacing utensils as needed, filled water, clearing plates, taking time explaining menu, all very much appreciated. Char is reserved but I see how people would construe this as looking down on them. Quite frankly? I come to dine, not get to know the proprietor. Of course, I don't go to a place to be seen. All in the bill came to $170 for two of us. Won't do every week , but for a special occasion, would HIGHLY recommend.
(5)Alex And Valerie L.
Pros: really good food Cons: attitude and service Char's used to be my wife and my favorite restaurant (in the Harrisburg area), but that was back when it was Char's Bella Mundo in the Shipoke neighborhood of Harrisburg, after the big flood they moved to the new location on North Front Street. We've always gotten really good food at Char's, so there's no disappointment there. What's now lacking is the level of service ... We always found the service at the old Shipoke location to be of "fine dining" caliber. Robert and Kat (long time servers at the Shipoke location) treated their clientele very well, whether they were a new face or a long time patron. But Kat moved on, and although Robert is still with Char's he's no longer a server. We spent nearly $200 for our dinner (for two), and the level of service was no better than a chain restaurant (e.g. Ruby Tuesday's, Appleby's, or Outback). This is quite unacceptable for the cost. And the attitude ..... One can't quite escape the sense Char feels her restaurant is the premier place to dine in central Pennsylvania, which is odd, she didn't come across that way at the old location, she was actually pretty friendly. So kudos to the kitchen, we've always found them to be consistently top notch. The new location is quite nice, the decor and ambiance lend itself to fine dining. However if Char wants her restaurant to be considered a fine dining venue, the staff in the dining room need considerable training ...
(2)Adam F.
Came here for a business dinner. The waitstaff was attentive and knew their wines (my coworkers are wine connoisseurs). Food was great. For appetizers I tried the Charcuterie and the Scallops. The Filet Mignon and Lamb Shank were both good for entree. This place is a bit under the radar since its north of the downtown area, but a solid spot for business dinner for modern American food. PS - their menu said they are 100% wind powered, which is pretty cool.
(4)Neil B.
Chars is completely under rated on Yelp. Having lived in many big cities through most of my adult life, I truly appreciate a great brunch when I have one. Chars is open early enough that you can actually have a proper breakfast if you'd like but their menus speak to both breakfast and lunch. Their cocktail menu is a wonderful, with refreshing & unique aperitifs and also classics like mimosas / blood Mary's drinks. The make an elderberry mojito which makes for the perfect start to a summer brunch. Their food menu has some wonderfully unique items like a saffron infused tomato melange served with poached eggs (Shukshaka). If you're feeling less adventurous they have some traditional Eggs Benedict that are a steadfast, & consistent delight. The meats are well prepared. The dishes are actually seasoned. The the staff is friendly and make for a tremendous experience. The waterfront location itself is beautiful, with a covered porch for outdoor dining. I highly recommend Chars & look forward to going back for other meals.
(5)Chris S.
Nicely portioned, good atmosphere. Would highly recommend reservations in advance, especially if dining with a larger party. Was very pleased with the menu options (and sampled good chunks of it), even as someone who is gluten intolerant. Pricing is definitely on the high end for the area, but would not be out of line with better restaurants in larger metropolitan areas. It is on the small side, but good summer weather makes the porch overlooking the river available.
(4)Jon S.
"DELICIOUS SAUCE OVER BONES" is how my meal was described. But, let's be fair. If you want nice-tasting food (or bones) this is the place for you. Background: I am from the DC area & we do not suffer from the lack of fine dining. I beg everyone's pardon, but Harrisburg is no DC. What is usual & typical for me, is exceptional & top-notch for those who visit Char's, which, for some reason, is one of the places "to be seen" in Harrisburg. Therefore, it is the end of this review that carries the most weight. Read on-- We visited Harrisburg for the day & my girlfriend surprised me with dinner at Char's. Reservations are a must. I understand why: the food IS very good. I was casual in my jeans, but Richard, the maître d', was very gracious & welcoming & seated us as if we were old friends, which my girlfriend is. (The original Char's was my girlfriend's favorite for years, but it was damaged in a flood & Tracy Mansion is its reincarnation.) Once seated, a woman visited us. She & my girlfriend exchanged pleasantries. I did not catch the woman's name. I asked her to repeat it. Interestingly, her name was Char, the same as the restaurant! I asked if she were the owner & she haughtily acknowledge that fact. Our server was very attentive & helpful in describing the menu & the evening's specials. The servers understand proper dining etiquette & know how to serve their patrons. We each ordered the Pear & Endive Salad, which my girlfriend highly recommended. The salad was very nice. I savored each bite. The bread basket was weak on quantity, but strong on flavor. The cranberry bread was very good. I really enjoyed the olive oil bread. I skipped the honey-butter because it tasted like whipped oil. My girlfriend ordered a Chocolate Martini, which was okay, but weak. This has happened before. It seems like the cocktails are a bit weak unless you mention it. By & by came our main course. She ordered the Filet. I ordered the Poussin Chicken. The steak was first-rate: tender & tasty. Though it was ordered medium-well, it arrived medium. It was mostly pink throughout, but it was very good. As I attempted to stick a fork into my chicken, it was met by bone. I turned my fork to a different angle. I pressed this way & that to avoid the bones, but I was foiled at every turn of the fork. By then, the first wing was decimated. The only piece of meat I could stab would not come off the bone! My girlfriend suggested I try a different wing. (4 wings per plate) That wing was tough & I could not get a fork into it. I gave up then & there. Our server was very understanding & offered an alternative meal. Of course, I chose the Filet. Waiting for my meal, I asked my girlfriend to continue eating & after a while, she had finished her entire dinner. Once she had finished her meal, there was no reason for me to eat while she sat there & watched. I told my server to nix the steak. I was offered the meal "to go," which I declined. My girlfriend was disappointed with the experience, since this was her gift to me. And, this is when things went kaput. While I retrieved my coat, my girlfriend decided she would mention the experience to the owner. Well, it seems that Char herself has bought into her restaurant's reputation for being "ALL THAT." Maybe it was my girlfriend's comment that my meal was "delicious sauce over bones" that drew the woman's ire-- for her jaw tightened, a vein in her neck bulged & her face turned the color of a medium-rare steak. Her utterances to my girlfriend were very condescending & showed a complete contempt for the likes of us patrons. It is as though no one ever DARED state an unsatisfactory experience there. Char offered no apology & no redress. Instead, she lectured my girlfriend in the French term "Poussin," which she said means "little." I was even admonished for ordering a steak the second time around! (A $42 steak!) Well, my girlfriend speaks French fluently & is an experienced chef in her own right. My girlfriend remained pleasant & sincere, thinking an owner with Char's reputation would appreciate the feedback. After all, it WAS my girlfriend's favorite restaurant. (I don't speak French, but in butcher parlance, "Poussin" means "young," not "little.") Regardless, the dish was inedible & the chef would have gotten "Chopped" on TV. I did not get one bite of meat off the bone! An owner, especially one who thinks so highly of themselves as to place her own name above the door, should welcome her patron's thoughts & comments, regardless of the amount of smoke the whole of Harrisburg blows in the direction of 1829 N. Front Street. My recommendation: Go for the food & hope for the best. If your meal comes out perfectly, you're fine. If your meal has issues, then I wish you luck. By the way, I think the place is overpriced. Our lone steak, two salads, chocolate martini & diet coke cost $105, including tip.
(2)Bridget W.
Food overpriced and service lousy. Waited 30 minutes to be offered a refill on my $4 cup of coffee. Still waiting. Given that the restaurant wants to hold itself out as a paragon of fine dining, this is doubly disappointing. Don't come here. There are much better places to dine.
(1)Ed P.
As always, the devil is in the details. While they do a lot of things right at Char's, a number of little things got in the way of a truly fine dining experience. For example, we started with the fresh shucked oysters served with whipped limoncello minonette. That sounded wonderful on the menu, and when a half-dozen arrived in front of us on a bed of crushed ice, they looked really delicious. Unfortunately, we could only look at them at first because the server forget to bring seafood forks with which to loosen the oysters from the shells. Eventually, I flagged down our waiter, who brought us utensils, and we finally got to taste the dish which was, alas, disappointing. The whipped limoncello minonette was just too sweet and detracted from the dish, in my opinion. We followed the oysters with several small plates, the pasta du jour, a mushroom Wellington rissoto ju jour, and veal osso bucco. Each was excellent, but the standout had to be the mushroom Wellington rissoto. Very rich and creamy! I'm a big fan of small plates for many reaons, but these small plates weren't exactly plates. Rather, they were rimless, deep bowls, shaped like giant eyewash cups. Stylish, but difficult to eat from with a knife and fork. I also noted that the tables were a bit too close together. My chair happened to be in a high traffic area and was bumped repeatedly by the wait staff. With the nitpicking out of the way, I read that other diners have complained about the noise. However, we didn't find it uncomfortably loud, even at near-full capacity. As for the martinis we started with, they were generous,cold and strong and made with our favorite gin, Tanqueray 10. No complaints about weak drinks from us! Char, the owner, stopped by our table to say hello; she was reserved but friendly, which I appreciated. On balance, it was a good meal, not a great meal. Yes, it was a little overpriced (and this coming from someone who's eaten at the Inn at Little Washington, VA). It's a value thing, not a dollars thing.
(4)Joshua A.
I've dined at Char's a few times at her new location, each experience differed in level of excellence (as confirmed in the other reviews). The servers all seem to know proper dining etiquette and anticipate the needs of their patrons. Sal makes a great drink at the bar, although I'd like to see more fresh ingredients go into the mixed drinks where appropriate (e.g. fresh made sweetened lime juice instead of the traditional Rose's syrup). My food has always been excellent or very good. The oysters were great although I'd like to see an option for a traditional mignonette sauce presented on the side if people don't prefer the whipped limoncello mignonette. There was once a special for short-ribs over pappardelle that was amazing, if it makes a reappearance I would highly recommend trying it. The filet mignon has always been a fantastic choice. It's probably one of the best restaurants options if you're in the Harrisburg area. Now that they have been open for a few months they seem to be full every night but not packed to capacity as was the case when they first opened. I'd still say that reservations are a requirement even mid-week.
(5)Jessica R.
I have been to Char's many times during the week for business, and the food has always been wonderful. I decided to take my husband there for Valentine's Day since he had never been there. Terrible experience. Our reservation was for 7:30 and we were told to have a drink in the Library. Four other couples came in way after we did and we all immediately sat. We were not sat until 8:05 when my husband went to the hostess to ask if they forgot about us. Once we were sat, our server greeted us and the first thing out of his mouth was "my service might be slow tonight because I just got sat 4 times"... Really?? I have worked in many up scale restaurants and the last thing you should do is make an excuse for your service... Especially before the service even begins!! However, he was right. He was completely inattentive and disorganized. We had to ask for refills numerous times and flag him down. Our appetizers were very good but my entree was extremely disappointing. When I sent it back, Char overheard me and came over and slapped the server on the arm and rudely said "get her whatever she wants" and walked away... She didn't even say a word to us or offer an apology. I ended up just ordering a small plate instead and the sever said "I'll make it a double portion for you" and walked away... I did not ask for a double portion yet was CHARGED for it. The whole night was disappointing. The server rushed us every time he was at our table and talked so fast I could barely understand him. I would hope to try again but for the amount of money we spent, I want a more personal experience and I want to leave feeling warm and fuzzy.
(2)Maura D.
I enjoy going to Char's and had a really nice dinner there. I like that they offer small plates now so you can go there without it costing a small fortune. The pear and endive salad is the best and I usually go with the risotto special which is now offered in a small plate. So happy about that. Beware though that if you go at the holidays they may ask you to promise to leave in two hours. Seriously, they've done that to me a couple of times. I don't like that at all so I'm hoping that this holiday season they figure out a better way to manage their reservations and don't make patrons feel like they have to watch the clock. Otherwise the place is great!
(4)Julie C.
Char's has long been our favorite place to dine. We started enjoying their great food, service, and drinks years ago when they were Char's Bella Mundo at their former location. The service is always superior and the food is always excellent. Although the standard menu is wonderful, we often enjoy one of their amazing specials -- the fish and pasta special are real stand outs! From Char and Robert at the front of the house, to the entire service staff, to Chef and everyone in the kitchen, we always feel like they take great care of us whenever we spend an evening there.
(5)Heather C.
We went to Char's in mid November - reservations were for 8pm. We arrived on time to be told our table wasn't ready, please have a drink in the library. Cocktail menu is certainly interesting and nice to have some lower sugar/calorie options. However two cocktails priced out to be $25 and by the time they arrived nearly 20 minutes later we were told our table was ready. We were not allowed to transfer our bill to our table so waited to pay it there. Five minutes later went out to be seated only to be told they were working on getting us a table. This is all while standing in this awkward space inside the door from the parking lot, but the host stand is on the opposite side of the bar so when we arrived and when we first came back out from the library there was no one there to assist us (Host stand on other side of bar was also empty). We finally were seated about 25 minutes after our scheduled reservation. We did not see a server for another 10 minutes at least at which point bread was provided. Menus were then brought another 5 minutes later. Server was not attentive at all, yet finally did come to take our order. She asked if we'd like more bread and we stated "yes". We were not yet ready for another drink. Our food was brought by someone else - we never saw our server again until halfway through our meal. The additional bread requested was never brought, and we were ready for drinks prior to our meal arriving. By the time she came back we decided against ordering another round of drinks as we figured they wouldn't arrive until after we were done with our meals. The food itself was fantastic - I ordered the only vegetarian meal on the menu and my husband ordered a handmade pasta and seafood dish. He states it was excellent. Vegetarians - NOTE that the menu options are EXTREMELY limited. Vegans - there may not be any options. Ambiance: the lighting was far too bright for a Saturday night. The noise level was very high and it was hard to each other ... would have been very difficult if our party had been more than 2. While the food was excellent, the other aspects of the restaurant and the experience proved to be disappointing and leave you with the feeling that you've overpaid. I had been very much looking forward to this... although this is a new location, the restaurant was previously Char's Bella Mundo and therefore it seems should have things worked out such as maintaining a reservation time, providing better service, and having a better sense of ambiance. Maybe we'll go back but not for quite a while - especially with the lack of vegetarian options.
(2)Marcia R.
I took a group of my foodie friends to Char's on Thursday night for their pre fixe menu. A lot of the daily specials were on the pre fixe for a fixed price of $38 per person. We did not have a single thing that wasn't good. Everything was excellent up to and including the dessert. The service was top notch. I will go again.
(5)Jacqueline D.
Arrived early, thought we could have a drink at the bar. Not. People had reservations for the bar! Never heard of such a thing, not that it is a large bar. Isn't a bar for drinking? When did it become part of a dinner experience. Place was crowded and noisy. We left. May return after the holidays in all fairness, to give it another try. The owner seemed aloof, when my husband was talking to her. I really didn't feel a warm environment.
(3)Daniel C.
A friend in town and I chose Char's for a nice dinner during his visit and were certainly not disappointed but also not blown away. We were seated on the outside veranda which on this particular evening was delightful; however, the placement of our table was such that there were constantly guests and staff being forced to squeeze by on either side-it was very distracting. The cocktail I ordered was a nice Orange vodka with Lillet but I think they could do more to utilize seasonal ingredients on their drink menu. Having manned a bar where the cocktails changed 4 times a year, I may have been a bit spoiled. Appetizers ordered included seared scallops which appeared delicious and according to two of our party, indeed were. I ordered the beef carpaccio which, though well prepared, was smothered by too many accompaniments and overpowering flavors. It may serve them well to lighten up on the truffle oil. Several salads also arrived before our entrees which I saw as a pricey but were apparently a nice compliment-the endive salad looked particularly good. When it came time for our entree's, the guest of honor was unable to have what he originally ordered, stuffed chicken breast, and settled for the daily pasta-cheese tortellini tossed with sausage and smoked tomato sauce. It was enjoyed by both of those who ordered it. I must say, the King Ivory Salmon with risotto I ordered was delicious. A slight crust on the fish gave a perfect hint of texture to a full flavored but not overwhelming dish. Very nicely balanced. The 4th entree, Shrimp Kafka also received high marks from the guest who ordered it and his plate was practically licked clean. Desserts were nicely prepared and presented-chocolate soufflé, tiramisu and a seasonal tart with ice cream. As a member of the service industry, I appreciated the staff's knowledge with a casual air which would make even a novice diner feel comfortable. One note-when I entered to find the restroom, noone asked if I needed direction and I was left wandering a bit-unacceptable. I'm glad for the experience at Char's but in the end I was left exactly how I thought I would be-feeling as though it should have been more.
(3)Alison Y.
We've dined here a few times but I think we are moving on. We do enjoy the atmosphere, the drinks are very tasty and the food is good but I am not going to spend $170 on 2 martinis, 2 glasses of Riesling, a watermelon salad and a fish entrée. Those are prices I would expect to pay in NY but not in Harrisburg. I wish them well but it's just not special enough to justify those prices. Char seemed more humble and friendly in the old location. Just an observation.
(2)Lauren L.
Last night was my first time dining at Char's. The ambiance is fantastic, a great date/anniversary/birthday destination. The artwork throughout the restaurant and the blown glass hanging from the ceiling were beautiful. I will say that getting reservations at Char's at desirable times has been challenging due to their popularity and would never suggest trying to get a table without them. We used OpenTable to book which was quick and easy. We wanted to eat earlier than our 8pm reservation so we showed up at 630, sat at a table in the bar section and ordered a bottle of wine and their beef carpaccio (shaved beef tenderloin, white truffle parmesan, red onion, French baguette, hard cooked egg) as an appetizer which was delicious and the perfect amount for 2. The wait staff was very considerate and accommodating updating us on what our table status looked like and had no problem transitioning us to our table when ready. I ordered the sea scallops over capellini with sundried tomatoes and wilted spinach and my boyfriend ordered the Roasted Beet & Apple Salad (shaved fennel, walnuts, raspberry-pomegranate vinaigrette) which he raved about and the Trout over Rissoto as an entree. We literally spent 3 hours there and had such a great time with beautiful views, delicious food, and great service. Although we were warned of high prices and small portions, we were happy with the amount of food we were served and went home feeling satisfied, We will definitely be back in the near future
(5)Joseph G.
I have eaten at Chars twice since their new opening at the Tracy Mansion. The first was a group of 3 on a Saturday night (work related). The second was a Friday night just me at the bar having dinner. The restaurant is not that large and reservations in advance are recommended. There are limited choices in the Harrisburg area for food of this quality. Wine selection is ok...not great but no real complaints. The only downside is that it's pricey. I'll definetly be back.
(4)Kathryn M.
Much ado about nothing. A five star wanna be restaurant. Owner and most of wait staff are pretentious and high brow. Service is slow as they parade around like live gamepieces in Clue...bowing and presenting weak drinks while you wait in a crowded library. Food is mostly very good, but not consistantly good quality and way over priced for portion size. I guess if you are sold the illusion of fine dining, the meals can be overlooked. Tawdry and lacking substance as a fine dining experience.
(2)Veronica N.
I've been to Char's when it was in Shipoke and it was fantastic! Their new location on Front Street in Harrisburg is gorgeous. It's much more spacious, but the food is still top-notch. My husband and I split the wild mushroom tart as an appetizer. It had delicious, flaky layers of phyllo dough topped with a flavorful mixture of mushrooms. Wonderful! My husband ordered the lamb shank with risotto Milanese and a vegetable medley. The lamb was cooked to perfection and the jus was so rich and flavorful. The risotto was plump and delicious. I ordered the filet in a bordelaise sauce with potatoes dauphinoise. The filet was one of the biggest I've seen and was seasoned just right. The potatoes were paper thin slices baked gratin-style with gruyere cheese. We got the creme brûlée for dessert and were equally impressed with that dish. All together, very much worth the money. The only reason I didn't give it five stars was because of our server. He mispronounced most of the specials and seemed a bit unprofessional in his manner of speaking to us. When ordering dessert, the server made my husband feel uncomfortable for not ordering his own dessert. Instead, he ordered a hot toddy. After giving me my dessert, he said to my husband, "Here's your little hot toddy." It made us feel he thought we weren't spending enough money. With two apps, two entrees, multiple drinks, and dessert plus dessert beverages, we definitely felt slighted at the very end. We will be hoping for better service next visit...
(4)Pat B.
The place is nicely decorated, airy and clean. The tables are very close to each other, which is uncomfortable. Our waiter was pleasant. Drinks are not that strong, barely got a buzz. Thought I was going to experience culinary delights, but found the food to be under seasoned, every dish needed salt and deeper flavors. There were many different dinners, young/old, fancy dressed/jean & shorts.
(2)trish g.
just had a delightful evening at char's.....although the facility was very cold and i had to keep my coat on, we had a marvelous time with outstanding food!...we chose small plates and appetizers ~ sea scallops gratin, lamb meatball, smoked trout with chipotle and spinach risotto...all of which were wonderful, especially the trout! we also had the crab avocado cocktail (lovely jumbo lump crabmeat) and the spinach gnocchi (not dough balls, really good!).....our server was attentive and, the seating can be a little tight at the banquettes but the couple next to us were charming! i look forward to returning in the near future.
(4)Rachael G.
My family and I visited Char's on March 29, 2014 for a celebratory dinner. Living in DC, and a self-proclaimed foodie, I was pleasantly surprised by the quality and taste of the food. We arrived a few minutes early for our reservation and were warmly greeted and seated quickly. My mom had the cocktail of the day, a raspberry-pomegranate martini - delicious - and I had a glass of wine. For Harrisburg, I think the wine list is sufficient. But coming from DC... my expectations are different. Our waiter was friendly and attentive, especially filling the water glass for my boyfriend who drained it every few minutes! We started with a few small plates - the Risotto of the day with pork was awesome and flavorful and the steak tartar was as good as it gets. For entrees we tried the Osso Bucco, the fish of the day (New Zealand Sea Bass), and the Duck prepared two ways. The fried mushroom risotto cake that comes with the Osso Bucco is out of this world. I could have eaten three! The meat was prepared expertly - tender, fall off the bone, and moist. However, my fish was about 30 seconds overcooked. Still good, but a scant dry. To end the meal, we were offered coffee and the dessert menu. The dinner left us wanting for something really chocolatey, but alas the menu didn't have that kind of offering. We probably didn't need any more calories anyway! I went in to Char's having read many of the reviews and honestly was wary of what kind of service we would receive. Know this-every restaurant has bad days, but our visit was not one of them. Char, the owner, stopped by at the end of our dinner to inquire how everything was. One of the hosts also checked in on our table mid-way through dinner. Perhaps they have read the Yelp reviews, or maybe they have worked out the service kinks. In any event, Char's will definitely be on our list of special event dining spots.
(4)Andrea S.
She did not honor our reservation!! Party of 9. Offered to send us to Bricco!!! If we wanted to go to Bricco we would have made our special celebration dinner reservations there!!!
(1)Sizzle C.
Went on a beautiful saturday night and sat outside on the porch. what an amazing view of the boats and sunset. pretty much the best setting anyone could ask for in harrisburg for dinner. My girlfriend and I were not super hungry, so we ordered drinks and some small plates and one special entree to share. Everything was good and fresh, but nothing really blew me away. the escargot were fresh, buttery, garlicly, and tasty. the steak tartare was fresh but didn't pop it needed acid and salt. the merguez sliders were good but again lacked any wow factor. chorizo pasta special was just ok, spicy fatty sausage was good, but kind of dissapointed they just threw it into a ragu with some rigatoni, a little lazy in my opinion. the salmon special was decent- the forbidden rice was delicous but the salmon and vegetables were under seasoned, i would question whether the salmon filet actually got any salt and pepper at all? drinks are good but expensive. it was a fun night and we enjoyed it, but don't go expecting AMAZING food, just pretty good food with a great setting.
(3)Michael M.
We love the new Chars restaurant! Great food, decor and service. Have eaten here at the original location many times and never had a bad meal. Ever client we've taken there from out of town always wants to return.
(4)