Gabriella Italian Ristorante
3907 Jonestown Rd, Harrisburg, PA, 17109
Gabriella Italian Ristorante Menu
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Address :
3907 Jonestown Rd
Harrisburg, PA, 17109 - Phone (717) 540-0040
- Website https://www.gabriellaristorante.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 10
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : No
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Categories
Italian Cuisine
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
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Stephanie W.
Amazing service. Our server absolutely made the experience for us. Anything we had questions on, our guy knew exactly what to recommend. We were traveling through late Sunday night looking for a place to eat and happened to find this spot still open! Everyone was so friendly and the food was homemade, authentic, fresh, and fabulous tasting. They served us fresh homemade bread and offered shredded Parmesan and fresh ground pepper with everything....just super nice. We loved our visit and will definitely stop in again in future travels. 100% worth it! Oh--there was no pizza on the menu. If you're looking for pizza and Stromboli or that sort of Italian, you'll have to go elsewhere. It definitely was a fancier place but we were in comfy workout style clothes and it didn't matter!
(5)Kate Y.
I really enjoy this place especially the food and ambiance. I have been three times for special dinners with family or coworkers. It's always busy so reservations are a good idea and it has nice upscale touches - white table clothes, real dress clothes for server uniforms, etc. The is a dining experience with thoughtful touches so it is not "fast". This is not where you go if you are in your ratty old shorts and want to be in and out in under 45 minutes with a carb hangover from overcooked pasta. Favorite dishes include the Chicken Cardinale and Chicken Oscar. I hear great things about the Lasagna too.
(4)Jason M.
Wonderful late night dinner with sampling a of four different plates. Will definitely return to get more!
(4)Rick F.
Excellent gem of a restaurant in Harrisburg. I was here on vacation with the family and we were looking for a lunch option on a Sunday afternoon. Our server, Mario, was attentive and genuinely enthusiastic of what this restaurant has to offer. Although there is no kids menu, the kitchen is willing to put together kid-friendly dishes and portions (e.g. pasta, chicken). Note there is no pizza so if you are looking for that, you best go elsewhere. Had sausage and peppers appetizer with garlic bread which was excellent. The main dish of eggplant contadina was also solid. Real espresso and good dessert offerings to round out the meal. Note the the restaurant is a bit expensive for the area (plan $30 per adult w/o alcohol). However I do not think it is at all overpriced.
(5)T S.
Despite the seedy surroundings (X-rated video store, pole dancing, oriental massage parlor ... yikes), this is a good place to stop in for a quality american-Italian meal. Not going to knock your socks off, but well above average execution in food and service. Quieter place ... we walked in with three young children off of a seven hour drive, and while they did very well (and the wait staff complimented them on that), it was clear that we were outliers in the crowd. Just a nice, fairly quiet place for adults to enjoy an evening out, would be my take on the vibe. We were slightly under-dressed in summer casual (shorts and a polo, not beach wear), but were not made to feel unwelcome about it. Food was very good. No kids menu, but they were willing to make kids portions of several things on the menu, and they did them with care. Our picky middle child (age 6) got cheese ravioli, and his eyes lit up at what was plainly a well-crafted work of pasta. Our oldest loved her seafood penne 'pink sauce' and my wife and I very much enjoyed our entrees. House wine was fine ... not special, but not cheap swill either. The sever (Tony?) was very understanding of our needs as a young family and really was appropriately all over us. He probably wasn't expecting a needy group like us (several runs for replacement utensils and napkins), but handled it with aplomb (and was tipped well, accordingly).
(4)Andrew O.
Visited Gabriella's restaurant for the first time in a couple of years. The Osso Buco was to die for. It was a great, friendly, local experience, and I forgot how good the food is. Mike Dean is doing a great job in the kitchen.
(4)Dana L.
There was a dead fly in my friend's salad. The waiter offered to get her another salad but she was turned off and didn't want another. Mind you, she ate most of it first. Instead, she said that perhaps she'd care for a dessert later. When it came time for dessert, she and I both ordered. The bill arrived and her dessert was not taken off. A dead fly was in her salad and a silly gelato was not even comped from our meal. Tactless. Two stars because the atmosphere was pretty and my meal was good.
(2)Caroline E.
We were in Harrisburg for a basketball tournament and our mantra is always that good Italian food is hard to find. We chose Gabriella's because of the great reviews. We were NOT disappointed!!! Every dish was delicious and the service was wonderful. We look forward to a trip back to Harrisburg just to come again!!!!
(5)Mark W.
Traveling from NY to Va, we stopped in Harrisburg to get off the road and rest up for the remainder of the trip. We found a place to stay and decided to order take out. The menu at Gabriella's was interesting and priced reasonably- so we gave it a shot. We ordered the calamari, the veal piccata, the veal Oscar, and asked for a pasta Alfredo entree(wasn't on the menu). The lady taking our order was pleasant and very accommodating. Our food was ready in 15-20 minutes- seriously!! It was a 12 minute drive from the hotel, and after paying the bill, the food came out ready to go. The restaurant was busy- so the lack of wait time for the food was impressive. The food was DELICIOUS!! No other way to state it- the veal was tasty, tender, and perfectly cooked. The calamari(fried- you have 2 options) was delicious and held up well for take out. While the Alfredo was slightly bland, it was perfect for our son. The only down side- the location. This gem of a restaurant is located directly across the street from 3 adult entertainment venues- complete with lots of flashing neon signs. Be prepared to answer some questions if you have children with you.
(5)Tracey C.
I have dined at Gabriella's a few times and with the exception of one not so great experience (lousy server)...I have never been disappointed. This past Friday night was no exception! We had a reservation and were seated immediately. Our server 'Mario' was the absolute best. Prompt and attentive...but in no way intrusive. Told us what the specials were and made sure we were happy with our meal. We were. Without a doubt. The portabello mushroom appetizer was wonderful. The bread was warm and crusty...and our dinners were superb. Yes, the place can be slightly pricey but oh so worth it. Our meals were fantastic. We will return!
(5)Dr. Vincent B.
Food, service, and atmosphere...place has it all! Everything was homemade with authentic pisano amore. Only negative is you better have a reservation! Or you will end up eating at the bar....which isnt too bad cause the wine/drink selection is as good as the food! Heck by ur entre you will be giggling like u were sitting at the kids table during the Hollidays! :-) bon appitete!
(5)J D.
I have been visiting Harrisburg once yearly on business; and going to this restaurant every year with company colleagues for several years now. The food is delicious, the service is exceptional, and the restaurant is comfortable and clean.
(5)Sun B.
Good food but small portions. I had the chicken Marsala and my wife had the chicken lemon picatta. I liked hers better. Nice place in a creepy neighborhood. Lot of older people around for lunch.
(4)Alana K.
We stopped in from out of town and loved the food. The chicken scallopini was delicious! I have never ordered it before and I was pleasantly surprised. Honestly I would have licked the plate clean the sauce was so good! We also had chicken parm. The sides of spaghetti were good as well. The Cesar salads were good, the dressing needed some pizazz though. The bread was hot out of the warmer. The only negatives was the terrible seating we had. We were placed next to the kitchen entrance which was loud and very high traffic. The waitress seemed a bit aloof as well. Overall I would recommend this restaurant. Call ahead though to get better seating.
(4)Michael C.
My wife and I just got home from our Valentine's Day dinner at Gabriella Italian Ristorante and it was a wonderful dining experience. This is our second time eating here so we already knew it was a very fine restaurant with excellent cuisine. We had reservations for 6:00 and there was no waiting whatsoever, which is remarkable considering it was both Valentine's Day AND a Saturday night. As an apertif, I ordered a mojito and my wife ordered a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon. Both delicious. For appetizers, I ordered the clams casino and a salad came with our meals. All of it was delicious. For our main entrees, I ordered the filet mignon and my wife ordered the lasagna. DE-LIC-IOUS! Our waitress was very cordial and professional, coming around to our table multiple times to ask if we enjoyed our food or needed anything else. The ambience is delightful, with painted murals on the walls depicting Italian street scenes. The total cost of the check came to $86.43, which is quite reasonable considering the caliber of meals we ordered (filet mignon, lasagna, clams casino) as well as alcoholic drinks (mojito, wine). I highly recommend Gabriella Italian Ristorante and will most certainly be eating here again in the future.
(4)Marty W.
The decor is very Italian. Nice and clean inside. I can't believe they still serve butter like they do in Diners where you have to unfold and if they are soft it's a mess and you get half of it in your finger's. Come on step up to a 5 star resturant and serve Butter the way they do. Hand ground pepper and salt would be nice rather than the usual shakers. Mozzarella Caprese Appetizer awesome. Pasta homemade meat sauce great. Pasta with homemade sauce was every good. Pasta perfectly aldente. Service as good as it can be in the USA. This is not Europe. At least they wear black matching uniforms. I would highly recommend this joint.
(4)Bret F.
We have been dying to get here ever since the fire about 8 months ago! First, let's talk about the new decor. The familiar mural of Carini still adorns the inside of the restaurant, and some of the metal architectural pieces either survived or they were able to get very similar fixtures. and the two dining areas are still separated with a wall with arched open air windows, which breaks the two areas up, without making either area feel cramped or closed in. That's where the similarities end. They have built out onto the old porch on the right side of the building, putting in a very stylish 8 seat bar, with several tables on that side as a lounge for waiting for a table, or for a casual drink and bite. Attractive pendant lights hang over the stone bar, and behind the bar is dominated by a wall of wine. They have added windows to the side dining room to add natural light. Outside front porch has been semi-enclosed on the left to protect the patrons from Rt 22's traffic and some of the less than attractive neighboring buildings. The side porch/walkway leading the rear parking area has been decked with attractive resin planks, which will weather well. The facade and roof have been completely redone, and look very attractive and inviting. Now the most important part is the food! The homemade bread is a very well done italian bread. Simple, traditional, and lovely. We started off with the sauteed asparagus with crostini. The asparagus had a bit of crunch in the lower stems (but no tough fibers at all), which I really like. The sauce is to die for... I would consume that by the pint if they offered it that way! I had the grilled salmon. It was a large cut of salmon resting on a twirl of linguine, covered in a lemon butter caper sauce, and surrounded by steamed broccoli and carrots. The salmon was perfectly cooked, and the sauce was light and yet complemented the salmon and tied it together with the pasta. My wife had the chicken francese, which is one of Gabriella's signature dishes. It's several pieces of pounded chicken breasts, lightly breaded, and served in a lemon butter sauce. I snuck a bite while my son distracted my wife for me, and it was very good. She enjoyed it immensely. My son who is 8, enjoys their pasta and usually gets just that, but he sampled my salmon and MJ's chicken francese, and next time there, I anticipate him ordering one of those instead (although there is so much food, it will provide two meals). The service was very good. Stephen was our waiter, and while he was new, he was attentive, professional, and he would enjoy having him take care of us again. There was a slight delay getting the food out, but they were busy (there were no empty seats in the place), and they are still getting familiar with the new kitchen, I am sure. So this is expected and it was not unreasonable. I looked around and other diners seemed to be enjoying themselves (and their food!). Welcome back Gabriella's we'll be returning very soon!
(5)allison s.
Have visited here twice and have been pleased with service and food on both occasions. Portions are large. Dishes ordered were fried calimari (appetizer) linguine with clams, eggplant parm, shrimp w/ marinara, veal marsala, and lamb and risotto special. Each dish was well prepared and tasty.
(4)Lexi M.
This time my DH was smart. He made a Friday evening reservation over a week in advance. We gave it a go. Dressed up and everything. I was determined to give this experience an honest and unbiased review. I'm glad I gave this place a second chance. We made an earlier reservation for 6pm and glad we did. By the time we left there was standing room only and a wait out the door. We were greeted with a smile and seated almost right away. It reminded me of one of the many place in NYC's Little Italy. The tables are close together (DH had to move the table next to us to get by and into his seat - and he's not a very large man) with white linens and a single candle to adorn the table. Our waiter was attentive but clearly had his hands full with most of the tables on the floor at that time. Our order took a little longer to get to our table than we'd have liked, but like I said, the poor guy was scrambling between tables. Now let's get to the good part: the food! It was worth waiting for. We enjoyed their variety of warm bread (which we had to wait a bit for) until our entrees came. I ordered the chicken parm and DH ordered the chicken francese. Both were expertly prepared, seasoned and presented. It was a like a little food party in our mouths. Definitely expect to pay for the food, service, and ambiance as prices are a little steeper than other restaurants in the area. We paid at least $19 per entrée. We would go back in a heartbeat. If we can get a reservation, that is! :)
(4)Rocio R.
Good? Yes.... But we've had better Italian at many other places. If we ever go back we would try some other dishes instead.
(3)C N.
Went there for lunch today and ordered linguine with white clam sauce. Excellent, the food was loads of flavor came with a house salad well worth the price. Service was superb
(5)Tony B.
I needed a place to take my wife for dinner while in Harrisburg for a weekend get-away so I turned to Trip Advisor and Yelp. Gabriella's is an easy to find restaurant just outside the city and highly rated on both websites, so I took a chance and showed up without a reservation. We arrived between 4 and 5 on a Saturday evening to a near empty restaurant but people started arriving within the next 30 minutes. I would recommend making a reservation on weekends. Additional parking available behind the restaurant. The restaurant was clean and very stylish to the theme of Italy. Our waitress was Angel, and she was awesome.... prompt, friendly and knew the menu well. The calamari appetizer was plentiful, lightly breaded and cooked perfectly. My wife had the Shrimp Francese, I had took a chance on one of the specials, Split Tail Sea Bass with Quiona (keen-wa) Salad. Both were Very Good. Dessert was their award-winning Creme Brulee. A must. If you like Italian food, Gabriella's will not disappoint.
(5)Alex C.
Gabriella is one of only two Italian restaurants in the Harrisburg area that I think truly comes close to the ideal for Italian cuisine. I met two friends for dinner there on Thursday, July 16. We started with one of the appetizer specials, a beef arancini that was just marvelous. Although it was heavier than most rice balls normally are, these were minis and they were cut in half and lain in a marinara sauce. Very good. For dinner, I ordered the Veal Oscar, which was veal smothered with crab meat, asparagus, and mushrooms sauteed in a pink creme sauce, and while I was skeptical of the combined taste of crab meat and veal, it actually proved to be a wonderfully decadent combination. With the entree came a side of linguine, which I chose to have with the garlic and oil sauce. Delicious. After I had finished, I ignored my stomach's insistence of fullness and had desert, an equally decadent cake infused with chocolate. My only complaints were that it is noisy in there when the restaurant gets crowded, and parking immediately in front of the restaurant fills up fast. While there's additional parking in back, and patrons may use the parking lot in the small office building across the parking lot after 6pm, it is an inconvenience, especially given that the neighborhood isn't the best. Despite these little inconveniences, the food and service more than make up for it. Anyone looking for a good Italian dining experience in the Harrisburg area will find it at Gabriella.
(5)Anthony S.
So far, Harrisburg has been a major disappointment in terms of Italian cuisine. That said, Gabriella is BY FAR, the best Italian restaurant I have been to in Central PA. I will update this review as I check-out some others; but as it stands on 6/22, this place is legitimate Italian cuisine. Food: As with all Italian places that I dine at for the first time, I ordered the veal Parm. They did everything right. I am a snob of the highest degree. I can tell when the veal isn't fresh. I can tell when it is overcooked. I can tell when the breading isn't applied to the veal properly. I know when there is too much sauce, too much breading, too much cheese, too little of the above, or a combination of any of those. Repeat: I am a veal Parmesan snob of the highest degree. This veal was perfect. It was cooked perfectly. So perfectly, that I did not even need a knife. I cut it with the side of my fork. TIP: If a restaurant gives you a steak knife for your veal -- LEAVE THE RESTAURANT! In addition to the tenderness, was how well it was seasoned. Finally, a place that understands that you need to season (salt and pepper) every layer of the meat! Everything was seasoned to perfection, and topped with a sauce that was also PERFECTLY balanced. It was a little acidic, a little bit sweet, was bursting with a fresh tomato flavor, but also had a great flavor of fresh herbs. There was just enough salt to bring out all of the flavors and enhance them. Also, it was an excellent consistency. No watery separation, not an over-simmered and gloopy mess, not an under-cooked and raw flavor either -- REALLY MAGNIFICENT. If I had to nitpick, the one issue I had was with the cheese not being melted right. I like my cheese to develop those little spots of golden-brown awesomeness. It enhances the flavor of the cheese, and also looks great too. In addition to the veal Parmesan, and like any good Italian restaurant, you are also given a free side salad. The bleu cheese dressing was really good. The bread and side of pasta with my meal was also really nice. I HATE IT when restaurants serve my veal parm on top of the pasta. The bottom gets soggy and gross, and it does NOT look better that way. Stupid. Gabriella executed perfectly. An excellent all-around dish, and rivals all of the best veal parms I have ever had. Food: 6 / 5 (+1 for one of the best meals I have ever had) Service: The service was knowledgeable, prompt, and studious. I like my servers to have a little bit of personality, and our's really didn't. She was efficient and sharp, but I am more interested in a great experience. Not to say that this experience was bad -- it was just average based on the price I paid. When I go to a fancier restaurant, I expect a higher-level of service. Her service might have earned her a 5 star review if she were working at Denny's, but not here. Service is not necessarily all about the server though. The hostess was extremely pleasant. Lastly, the kitchen also made a special exception for us. My father (on father's day) really wanted something with a little bit of heat (spiciness). They did not have a 'fra diavolo' type meal on the menu, so I asked if it was in the realm of possibility for them to create one on-the-fly. They were happy to oblige, and prepared it exactly how my father wanted it. That is great service. Service: 4 / 5 (3 for Server, 5 for everyone else) Atmosphere: Beautiful, romantic, clean, fresh, and rustic. These are all of the words that readily came to mind when reminiscing about the experience. Now I would also like to throw in 'classy'. This place really was decorated beautifully, and the wall art was a nice touch. I absolutely LOVED this atmosphere. It felt like home, but in a much nicer sense. Almost like my grandmother's house -- if she had a lot more money, haha. It definitely enhanced the meal. Atmosphere: 5 / 5 Price: $22 for Veal Parm is a high price-point; but it was well-justified in the quality and flavor of the meal. I would even pay more for a dish of this quality. The addition of delicious bread, a side of pasta, and a fairly large salad were all things that really built the value of this dish. Add in some great service and a wonderful atmosphere, and you have a great value well-worth some extra bucks. Price: 4 / 5 Final Thoughts: As with all of my reviews, I reserve the right to round up or down. Gabriella has definitely earned the coveted 5 star review from me. Now, whether they know it is coveted or not is up for opinion, haha; but they are still getting it regardless. Although I have not dined at every Italian restaurant in the area, I am damn near certain that this will likely be at the very top when all is said and done. To be honest, I do not even care to try another Italian restaurant. I would be 100% satisfied to just call this my new favorite place. I cannot recommend this place any higher -- especially if you live here and are looking for some authentic and delicious Italian fare.
(5)Gary B.
Good solid Italian restaurant. I had the veal picate, and it was great. The side Cesar salad was ok, nothing to write home about. I like mine with a bit more bite and a LOT more anchovies. One thing that REALLY got points with me was the little bottle of olive oil on the table. You don't use butter on your bread...you use olive oil. And this was GOOD olive oil. I mean REALLY good. It had a nice peppery bite to it.
(4)Joel F.
Amazing and authentic Italian cuisine. This is definitely a go-to spot for special occasions when quality is more important than price. I typically go with the ravioli or lasagna and have never been let down. Yum.
(5)Michele F.
I feel compelled to write another review for this restaurant. If you are looking for a great italian (Sunday at grandmoms house) meal this is the spot. The service was on the ball even considering the fact it was Corvette's in Carlisle. This is the 3rd time I had the opportunity to dine here and have not been disappointed yet.
(5)Wayne G.
Great! Great! Great! Salad with house dressing, garlic bread, and cheese ravioli were sooooo good! Can't wait to bring my wife!
(5)PJ M.
I would give this place more stars if I could. I have been here several times before but wanted to try somewhere else for Valentines Day. Big mistake. Went to Dolce Vita in Camp Hill, in which I had reservations for the past 3 weeks ( please view this post for further details). Place was terrible, left and immediately called Gabriella. The woman on the other end said to come in and she'll figure it out, having it been Valentines Day and completely booked. Showed up and was seated immediately. Food was top notch as always and service was excellent. Best italian dishes in central PA. Thank you so much for helping fix our Valentines Day!
(5)Eric D.
Gabriella Italian Ristorante is a nice Italian restaurant with great service, but on my visit, only decent food. Atmosphere - Inviting, friendly, lively, a mix of casual with those out for a special night. Service - Our server was excellent. He was very helpful during the ordering process and attentive to our needs. I appreciated that he even provided a bit of the establishment's history to us during our initial interactions with him. Food - Sadly, this is where Gabriella failed my high expectations set by the positive vibe I received upon walking into the restaurant and the subsequent great service provided by our server. Yes, unfortunately, on this night the food tasted just okay...not spectacular. I ordered the ziti with meatballs and marinara. The pasta was decent, as it was al dente, just like I prefer; however, the accompanying sauce was a bit tasteless to me. The meatballs with my dish were disappointing as well, as they were hard in texture (I had a difficult time cutting them with a fork) and lacked any real flavor. I even tried my brother's chicken parmigiana (the portions here are HUGE) and while I thought the chicken parmigiana was good. as it was lightly breaded, it still lacked any strong flavors. Overall - I was disappointed in my meal while my family members seemed to enjoy their dishes. Maybe it was just the dish I ordered or maybe it was just a bad night. Whatever it was, I may give them another chance to see if the food can match their attentive service and welcoming atmosphere.
(3)Mark A.
3.5 stars, but I'll give it 4 because this place is a notch above what most folks are content to call "Italian" food these days... and this place doesn't seem to advertise much, and it's worth at least first-time visit. Went on a Saturday night when the place was fairly full, and service was a little slow, but the place wasn't overly loud, and our waiter was very attentive. I also appreciated that they were willing to make substitutions in a couple of my dishes, no questions asked. Clientele seemed to be mostly families and older adults. Light entrees and sides, all of which were good: * Caesar Salad: Creamy and delicious. * Caprese Salad: Fresh tomato slices and mozzarella with generous balsamic vinaigrette, but would've been nicer with the traditional whole basil leaves. * Grilled Salmon Salad: Nicely cooked fish, nice vegetable accompaniments. * Sauteed Spinach: Generous, though a little garlic would've been nice. * Gnocchi in Alfredo Sauce: Creamy but fresh, with springy pasta (the Alfredo was a substitution for the usual tomato sauce, and it was terrific) Serving sizes were appropriate and not over-large, and the prices were very reasonable for the quality of the food. I hear their Mussels are also a highlight, so I'll be back!
(4)Mark F.
Mama Mia. What a wondeful experience. Visited with three generations of family - Italian. Every dish was prepared with care and no complaints. Anthony was a server who I will not soon forget. He was helpful, knowledgeable and close, but not too close. If you want great italian food, a family atmoshere and top shelf service, this is the place in Harrisburg.
(5)David M.
My wife and I love this place. The staff is very professional, the food is delicious, and the wine list is fantastic. A five-star restaurant at a great price. I ordered the veal parm delivering a plate full of delicious veal with a side dish of marinara and pasta. The scallops and clams in my wife's seafood pasta were fresh. The Cabernet and Merlot were a perfect compliment. If you're in the area, eat here.
(5)Chris L.
Went here few weeks ago for a birthday dinner. Even with a large group, service was awesome. The food was beyond expectations. The portions were large which allowed leftovers for the next day! Reservations are generally required but I would recommend eating here anytime!
(5)Susan M.
Fabulous service (Thank you Martha) and delicious food. Don't forget to have dessert. My husband and I were truly impressed. South Jersey & Philadelphia need to have a restaurant like this. AMAZING.
(5)Chris M.
This was the second time I visited this place with my wife. There is a tiny parking lot. We parked at the Cabernet shop next door in the pouring rain. Seating was crowded. Service was slow. Food was amazing. Service was above average. I would suggest expecting to be there for much more than an hour if you are planning a dinner for 2. The place is clean. It was busy, but as expected for a Saturday night. I would absolutely go again.
(5)Dan F.
Driving up to Penn State Univ. and was looking for some good food.....and FOUND IT!! Looked at Yelp reviews and they were dead on. Great homemade food. I had penne salmon with shrimp, wife had chicken cacciatore, daughter ate cheese ravioli, and the son had his usual buttered penne. Sauce for salmon was lite and flavorful compared to other rose sauces I have had and shrimp cooked perfectly (not chewy). Chicken was tender with great vegetables that were not over cooked. Service was fast, professional, and water glass was never empty. The coffee.....stellar! I am not a Starbucks guy....this stuff was not dark roast but had perfect flavor and was fresh. The only strikes against this place were too much dressing on the salad (get it on the side) and the bread had an odd earthy flavor and it was not good. I would come back in an instant!
(4)Jay F.
Prior to the fire I would frequent Gabriella's often and request the waiter "John." He was delightful. We tried Gabriella's after the fire and I was sorely disappointed to find the hostess was extremely rude, and while I was 5 minutes early for my reservation she was "unsure if tables were available for the next 20 minutes" The service was awful we placed our drink orders with our appetizers, our appetizers came out 20 minutes later but no drinks for another 10 minutes. Our entrees didn't come out for another hour. What we thought would be a quick dinner out turned into 2 hours. Services was slow and rude.
(1)Rafael L.
Welcoming Atmosphere, huge portions for a good price, every time i go out to eat i check the silverware and this one was spotless you can tell they pay attention to details, casual, good service, my family and i move from Texas to PA and this place has become my wife's favorite so we definitely coming back...
(5)Michelle P.
Took me a few years to get here and it's right in my back yard! I missed out! This was bar none the best food I have had in a long time. Perfection. I had the veal oscar with pink sauce and it was perfect. Seasoned perfect, perfect amount, flavors were amazing. My son had the special which was mussels, shrimp, fish and clams over a Parmesan risotto! He raved and that's something for a 16 year old! My husband had the veal parm. He agreed, perfect amount, perfect amount of sauce and wonderful flavor. We finished it off with three desserts that were also amazing!! Orange sorbetto in a frozen orange shell, 3 chocolate mousse cake and creme brûlée. All absolutely delicious and not overly sweet or heavy! The service was on point. The Waitress was kind and informative, always there to refill our drinks and offered polite conversation where warranted. The extra touches of Parmesan for your salad and for your meal were nice. Restaurant is clean and waitstaff is dressed nicely with hair pulled back. Feel like you are sitting in a real Italian restaurant! Don't pass by this one!
(5)John T.
Excellent food at a great price. The menu is not so large as to cause confusion but large enough to satisfy everyone. The chef is the owner so he has a vested interest to ensure the food is of high quality and prepared perfectly.
(5)Jessica S.
Just ate here for the first time. I was very impressed and will definitely be going back! The service was great from the hostess, bartender, and waitress. The bread is crispy and delicious. I had the chicken parm and my boyfriend had the lasagna. We both loved it. Love the atmosphere. Great local italian spot!! Hard to come by in the area.
(5)Ron N.
This use to be one of our favorite restaurants. Four of us went there last night. One good dinner out of four. My wife and I ordered the steak and scallop special. Huge mistake. Steak had a sour taste ,was cold which made it unedible. We both sent it back. My sister- in-law ordered veal Oscar and received something totally different (no idea what it was) and had to send that back. My granddaughter's meal, however was good. Waitress was apologetic, however we heard nothing from management.
(1)Peter B.
What can I say, it's all about the food! Excellent! Down side, we had 6:30 reservations - at 7:00 still not seated. Gave up and ate at the bar. Because if this, they comped our first round of drinks and that was fine, service was great at the bar and the owner sat for a while and was very nice. My wife and I both had basic chicken and pasta, but they were completely different and both excellent. Bread was good prices fair - will absolutely be going back, hopefully get a table, but if not still worth it!
(5)Robin G.
I will never go back. The food was below average and the service was ok. The owner was walking around greeting customers but I guess because I am part of an interracial couple he decided to not approach us. Crappy food anyway. I will stick to Rillos or go back to The DC area for better food.
(1)Lynn M.
My three friends and I were at Gabriella's on Saturday night. I had not been there in years but I will definitely return soon! Our experience was wonderful. We had reservations for 7:00 and the place was very crowded but we were not in a hurry. Because we had a little wait for our table, the manager bought us a round of drinks. We didn't even notice the wait as we were enjoying a glass of wine at the bar so we were pleasantly surprised at this gesture. The food was FANTASTIC. I had the lasagne which was honestly the best I had in years and my friend had the chicken parm which was also excellent. The other two ladies enjoyed their meals as well. Our server was very good and the management staff was friendly and attentive. The overall experience was 5 stars!
(5)Zach M.
I recently ate at Gabriella's with a group of 18. The soups, appetizers and salads were all very good. Although, the soup could have been slightly hotter. The meals were all delicious. I had the Piatto di Mare (cooked Fra Diavolo). It was well-balanced in flavor, had a good amount of seafood (4 clams, 3 mussels, 3 shrimp and plenty of calamari). It was priced well at $15. Everyone else generally had positive comments about their food. The only complaint (if it is even a complaint considering the size of our party), was that our food did not come out at the same time. But overall, very good food, reasonable prices, nice atmosphere and decent service.
(4)John R.
Returned to Gabriella's after their post fire makeover. As always great Italian food at reasonable prices. Really, I fail to understand why people line up at the overcrowded chains when this place takes reservations and provides such good service. Our server , Mario N , was attentive and professional. The Chicken Franchese is terrific and portions quite substantial.
(4)Gregg R.
My wife and I went here after the Garden Expo garden show at the Farm Show. We arrived at about 8:15 PM without a reservation (recommended on Saturday nights). We were greeted and waited about five minutes for a table to be cleared and set. They use table cloths, so it takes a few minutes to reset with fresh linens. The place was full and the room had that buzz of people enjoying great food and good conversation. We had menus, a wine list and water within minutes of being seated from our efficient, friendly and knowledgeable waitress Veronica. We ordered a bottle of wine, which was quickly opened and poured by Veronica. The veal dishes at Gabriella's are my favorites and I seldom order anything else. This night both my wife and I ordered the veal cardinale: layered veal, roasted red peppers, egg plant and cheese - $20, which includes a house salad and pasta. The salad and a crusty, warm sesame seeded baguette arrived as we sipped out first glass of wine. The salad is nondescript, but fresh and crispy romaine, tomatoes and julienne carrots. The Italian dressing is a classic herb, olive oil and vinegar. The veal cardinale is nothing short of delightful, presented on a white platter in a three petaled arrangement. The veal was fork tender and the layers of roasted red peppers, egg plant and cheese were pulled together with one of the best tomato sauces this side of Italy. The sauce was light with chunks of tomato, not overpowering the delicate veal and eggplant. It's hard to describe how flavorful the dish was. We had a choice of capellini, penne or linguine with tomato sauce, marinara sauce or oil. Pasta was served in an au gratin dish with a soup spoon for twirling your pasta. Freshly grated Parmesan cheese was offered. The pasta was al dente and delicious; not an after-thought. We were too full for dessert or cappuccino. Gabriella's now takes credit cards! Check came to $70, including a bottle of good Italian Chianti. I rate this as one of the best Italian restaurants in the Harrisburg area. I know of none better. The food is consistently excellent, as is the service. We have never been disappointed, whether we go during the week or on weekends.
(5)Ashley A.
This is one of the best Italian restaurants in the area. The portions are large, prices are moderate in relation to the portion size and the staff is friendly. The restaurant gets very busy, so for the best service, go early or later. I mainly order the chicken or pasta entrees. I would recommend the chicken piccata, chicken marsala or chicken parm. Also, the gnocchi and vegetali dishes are delicious. They have a vast selection of wine. The desserts are so yummy too! I love the cannoli. This restaurant is great for a date night, family dinner or big parties.
(4)Lam D.
I am a pretty good cook. I haven't been there for a couple of years, but the few times I was there it really was not edible. More salt than I have ever had in any restaurant, wilted white iceberg lettuce, 2 under cooked chicken dinners, very under cooked pasta, gooey eggplant, overpriced etc. I was there 3xs, once with 9 people. Nobody liked it. My brother's chicken cacciatore was very finely chopped left-over chicken with diced veggies in a burnt sauce, honestly, it looked like dog food. We don't like chain restaurants. I really am curious why we have such a different opinion than the reviews. Was I there during a time when there wasn't a chef? Did they get a real chef? Seriously, my friends & family have never had a decent meal there.
(1)Alex M.
It is a very Italian atmosphere, but the food was a bit lacking. I got the steak with a balsamic sauce. It was absolutely covered in the sauce, kinda a waste of a good steak. The sauce was good, though. I also enjoyed the lemon sorbet dessert. It was overpriced and only decent, but since my family absolutely loves this place for whatever reason, I will probably be going again.
(3)John B.
As tourists in town, we wanted a nice Italian dinner. What a pleasant meal and a nice atmosphere! Delicious! We thoroughly enjoyed our dinner. I highly recommend bypassing the chain offerings and trying this local gem.
(4)MoCe C.
My dinner companion loves their clam linguni, says entrees are steller here. I liked the servie and nice setting. My salmon salad was average, for the price should get more phish.
(4)Davey Y.
Been here a few times and really like the veal/chicken parm. I like how the pasta is served as a side and the quality of the entrees is far superior for a few dollars more than the Italian chains.
(4)Kim B.
DO NOT EAT HERE! I was in Harrisburg with my Son and his Fiance. We were looking for a good place to eat and we looked on Yelp. Although this had one bad review we decided to try it. It was awful. We ordered the Calimari as an appetizer, when it came it was under cooked and still had the tendions in it. I complained to the waitress and we didn't eat most of it. Next there was a hair in my salid. I sent it back. The entree was good but the pasta was a bit sour. It seemed more the pasta and not the sauce. The final straw was when we got the bill, the Calimari was not on the ticket, which I thought was appropriate, and I gave them my credit card, however when they brought the charge slip it was $9.00 more than what the bill had specified. I went to the hostess stand and asked for my guest check. They told me they forgot to charge the Calimari and added it after I gave them my charge. Years ago my family had an Italian restaurant and when the check is presented it is the customers chance to review the charges and approve them. This was completely inappropriate and very rude. I was appalled and told the person in charge and she got all defensive, refusing to do anything or adjust the check. I paid the bill and left. I wanted others to know about the bad food, bad service, and bad ethics of this restaurant. Go here at your own risk!! I am in Harrisburg several times a year and will never eat at this place ever again.
(1)Brian A.
Full disclosure: this excellent Italian restaurant is run by a friend of mine of many years. The setting is comfortable and the service is excellent. I ate a starter of calimari and octopus over lettuce. Both the calimari and octopus were excellent. For my main course, I went for a traditional favorite, lasagna. It was exactky as I expected it to be. Kick in some excellent house winw, convivial company and seeing a friend that I had not seen in over 15 years, and it all totals up to a great nght. Go and enjoy!
(5)Alexis M.
Hands down, this WAS the best southern Italian food in Harrisburg. I should be honest and say up front that I used to work there (though it was many years ago, before they had a liquor license). After I left, I would tell customers at other restaurants (where I was also an employee) to go to Gabriella's. I recently went back after a few years away (what can I say, I was on a Vietnamese/Thai jag), and it was still very good. Not as good as it used to be, but good. I will say that the owner was not in the kitchen the night I was there (and he used to be in the kitchen all the time) and the current chef is not the same one that was there when I worked there, so maybe these variables are what made the difference. One of their best items, the sauteed portobello, is no longer on the menu, but you can still have it if you ask for it, and I suggest that you do. Attire is casual but if you go too casual you might feel slightly out of place. I highly recommend the sauteed portobello, the chicken cardinale, the eggplant rollatini, and any version of the scalloppinis, marsalas, and francheses. I almost wish I had never worked there or been exposed to it so many years ago, then I would never know how great it used to be. It is still good. Definitely go. But it used to be phenomenal.
(4)ILENE T.
This place was awful. $122 for a bland meal that I could have made at home. Not to mention, 2 of us got very sick from the food. When I got home, I threw up my $14 dinner. Never going back. Not recommended at all. Plus, the service was ok at best.
(1)Amy T.
I have eaten here a couple of times and have never been disappointed.Yesterday,we decided to go here for dinner ,on a whim. We started with a antipasto platter and homemade sausage and peppers with bread.The bread was crusty and delicious,the sausage was a bit mild for my taste, we kicked it up a notch by adding red peppers. The appetizers filled us up, but we decided to go ahead and order our entrees,I got the baked eggplant parmigana-it was light and really out of this world.My husband got the chicken marsala.Pasta comes as a side,I got the linguine with garlic and olive oil(which in my humble opinion is best way to eat linguinie) ,my husband got the penne with marinara sauce.The portions were generous so we landed up packing most of it back home.Since we were too full we passed on desssert. I have recommended this place to several people and have received positive feedback from most of them.It is definitely a place I would be going back to. The only cons I can think of is that they dont accept credit cards,otherwise it is a winner hands down.
(4)Amanda S.
I have been here on 2 occasions, with my boyfriend. I have always enjoyed the experience. The staff maintains polite attitudes and keeps an open mind of the guests. I have had salmon pink sauce penne, chicken marsala with penne The pink sauce penne was very decadent and tasted amazing. It was cooked very well for a cream sauce and held a lot of butter. This is not something you want to eat often or a lot of. The portions are rather big at this restaurant. The salmon chunks were cooked nicely but I don't know of the quality, I am not used to having salmon with fat on it. As I am a picky eater I do not like fat on any meat. So it was an uninvited treat, I just picked out the ones that resembled fat. The penne was cooked al dente which worked well with the dish. The sauce was well portioned for the pasta and meat. no veggies in this dish but the fresh bread cleans it up nicely. The chicken Marsala entree comes with penne pasta or linguini I believe. This dish is a lot lighter than the one above. The wine saauce was incredible. There was a sweet and neutral taste along with the mushrooms. I really did enjoy this. The chicken was cooked well with a nice marinade. Though the penne pasta did not compliment the dish, in my opinion. This was my mistake, as I am not a fan of linguini, I chose penne. The pasta again was al dente. With the thin and delicate sauce I felt that if the pasta was slightly cooked more it may have melded together better. Both times my boyfriend had a red sauce pasta entree. He had manicotti and lasagne. The pasta used in his dishes allow me to believe they had been hand rolled. The pasta was so thin and delicate. The meat was very tender and melted in the mouth. These dishes are true to Italian roots as the chef does not douse them in red sauce. This tends to be a complaint for Central Pennsylvania consumers, as we love our overly portioned sauce on Italian dishes found at generic Italian restaurants. I do enjoy this restaurant. The drinks are made well and the alcohol isn't low quality. I have not had any deserts as I am always too full to think about it.
(4)Steve G.
It's pricey, it's slow, but it's still very good. I had some very good veal, and I have absolutely no complaints about the food. I had a little sticker shock when I saw the bill, but it was a special occasion, so I got over it. WIth the relatively high prices and the somewhat sluggish service, I don't plan on coming back to Gabriella a lot. But the quality of the food was good enough that I do plan on revisiting sometime.
(3)Nate M.
Visiting Harrisburg from Washington DC for a youth basketball event. My wife and I stumbled on this restaurant while searching for a place to eat using Google Maps on my Android device. The food and our servicer were amazing. For the reviewers that complained that the service was slow, this is NOT Olive Garden or Macaroni Grill where they're trying to bus their customers in and out. I got the impression of an intimate setting, where you should engage in conversation with your dinner guest. Relax and enjoy a beverage or appetizer. I guess if you're starving and want to shovel food into your mouth this may not be at the top of your list to visit. Coming from Washington, DC, these items were reasonably priced. I ordered the Lobster Ravioli w/ 3 grilled shrimp in a marinara sauce. The sauce had great flavor and I could taste the lobster once I bit through the pasta. The Shrimp were large in size and very good as well. The dish was filling but light. We shared and enjoyed the Peach Sorbet. If your visiting the area, you won't be disappointed
(5)