How to start the new dining year out small

• By Phantom Diner

Let’s say, just for the purposes of our immediate dining discussion, that your holidays included a little more eating and a little more spending than you might have intended. Or, at least, a little more than normal.

If so, worry not, you Phavorite Phantom has some ideas on balancing, as it were, the scales. I mean the actual scales and the fiscal scales.

My recommendation is you start the new year off small. Small, as in the amount consumed when dining out. And small, as in the amount you pay when dining out.

With that in mind, I’m thinking of four Harrisburg eateries where you can eat well for less and not leave stuffed, making things easy on both your waistline and your wallet.

So, here we go.

First, there’s Pastorante on North Third Street just a few blocks from the State Capitol Complex. It’s a smallish BYOB in a modest, casual, storefront-type venue that serves great homemade pasta at very reasonable prices.

There’s nothing fancy here. And there are maybe only 22 seats in the whole place.

But the service is friendly, the open kitchen is aromatic and inviting and the food, especially for the price, is worth coming back for.

For example, spaghetti with meat sauce or spaghetti with meatballs of beef, pork, egg, Pecorino Romano cheese? Just $10 for a generous portion. I’ve actually shared pasta dishes there. And a Caesar salad big enough for two to share, and served with fresh bread, butter or olive oil, is under $4.

I mean, seriously, you just can’t go wrong.

And if feeling adventurous and don’t mind spending a little more, there’s pappardelle with oxtail ragout or squid ink fettuccine with shrimp, and many other options. Best to make a reservation.

Second, if you’re into tapas and very cool venues, Suba on North Street near Third, steps from the State Capitol Complex and upstairs from Mangia Qui, is about as good as it gets.

This is another smallish venue but is not BYOB so your total tab could climb. Still, the price for the food, given the quality, is more than fair. And better than that, Suba offers half-priced tacos Thursday’s from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Love this place. And it’s cozy little L-shaped bar. Personal food favorites include, but aren’t limited to, sautéed calamari with Thai chili and white balsamic vinegar ($7), and “Taco Blu,” blue corn tortillas filled with Ahi tuna, pickled veggies and Mexican crema (regularly-priced at $12). Simply delicious.

Then there’s Café 1500, an American bistro on the corner of Sixth and Reilly streets, across 6^th Street from the site of the under-construction new federal courthouse. It’s consistently excellent. And an easy let’s-grab-something place before or after a movie at Midtown Cinema right down the street.

Café 1500 is a great eat-at-the-bar place in a wide open, airy dining room. It offers craft cocktails, and Tuesday-through-Friday “Happy Hour” food and drink specials, plus a $2 “Taco Tuesday” from 5 p.m. until closing.

Here, too, the vibe is friendly and food prices are tough to argue.

The California cobb salad is $13 but huge, easily enough for two. Same for the Pittsburgh steak salad. And if you get a small Caesar ($6), consider adding a crab cake for $10 more because this crab cake is way better than anyone has a right to expect this far from the Chesapeake Bay.

Also, there are great sandwiches such as a shrimp “Po Boy” and blackened chicken and brie. And Korean fried chicken with sesame and cilantro for just $8.

Everything here is made from scratch. I’ve never had a disappointing dish.

Finally, on the corner of Green and Peffer streets in the city’s “Olde Uptown,” is the Harrisburg Italian gem Alvaro Bread and Pastry.

This family-owned-and-run bakery converts into a very casual restaurant Thursday through Saturday. It’s small. It’s BYOB. But the bread, pasta and cookies are made from scratch daily. Prices are great. Owners are from Italy, so cuisine’s the real deal. And just about everyone working here is a member of the Alvaro Family.

Favorite dishes include potato gnocchi with marinara sauce ($11), and seafood pasta with shrimp, calamari and scallops ($19). There are salads big enough to share. And mussels, sausage and peppers and more. And, if you get lucky, veal or pork Osso Bucco that falls off the bone and melts in your mouth.

The venue is far from fancy. And you’ll need a reservation. But food and service are consistently good. If you love Italian, you’ll love Alvaro’s.

So, save some dough and/or eat small, and start the new dining year off right.

 

PASTORANTE: 1012 N. Third St.; open daily; BYOB, takes cards and reservations; 717-232-7050.

SUBA: 272 North St., Second Floor; open Wednesday through Saturday; takes cards but reservations only for parties of six more; 717-233-7358.

CAFÉ 1500: 1500 N. Sixth St.; open daily except Monday; takes cards and reservations; 717-831-8322.

ALVARO: 236 Peffer St.; open for dinner Thursday through Saturday; takes cards and reservations; 717-239-1999.