Note Bistro and Wine Bar has turned a forgotten city corner into a neighborhood gem.
An evening at Note, located at Second and Harris Streets in Midtown Harrisburg, is like spending an evening with your coolest friend. In fact, if you’ve visited a few times you may even feel like owner Ruth Prall is your best friend. Or at least you want her to be.
Vinyl spins on a record player behind the bar, while friendly bar staff (or often Ruth herself) whips up cocktails. Knowledgeable staff pours wine from around the globe, and the food never disappoints.
Prall and partner Michael Giblin opened Note in 2014 with the goal of presenting something new and interesting in Midtown. They’ve steadily built a crowd of regulars who pore over Note’s wine list, dine al fresco (dogs welcome) or linger at the bar over brunch.
With just about 40 seats, space comes at a premium (call ahead for larger parties), but the cozy accommodations are a well designed mixture of high and low tables with dim lighting. Kitschy details like interesting salt and pepper shaker sets in shapes from dice to dogs keep Note from ever being described as stuffy. The entire back wall is a chalkboard for listing upcoming events, the wine menu and weekly drink specials. Between the bar and kitchen, tall shelves stacked with records await Prall’s whims for play on the bar’s turntable.
The elevated European-inspired menu is updated regularly, along with the growing wine list. Cheese and charcuterie platters are always packed with delicious fresh cheeses, meats, pickled peppers, honey and mustards, and served with baguette slices. The prosciutto and fig salad is a delightful option, the salty-sweet combination completed by cherry tomato, creamy roasted almond goat cheese and lemon tarragon vinaigrette. When in doubt, mussels—steamed in a white wine, pancetta and Sambuca broth—rarely disappoint as a starter or paired with a salad as your meal.
Chef Thomas Heidt incorporates fresh, diverse ingredients in Note’s entrees as well, from wild boar ragu over homemade herb pappardelle to pan-seared local duck breast with grilled peach salsa. However, the menu changes seasonally, and daily specials are a must-hear.
At brunch, eggs in Purgatory is a favorite, featuring poached eggs, marinara sauce, grilled baguette, spicy coppa and Grana Padano. And the eight-ounce Angus burger du jour served with fresh fries rivals that of any supposed burger joint. House-made bloody Marys and mimosas are just $5 on Sundays, sweetening the deal that much more.
Note’s wine list is comprised of Old World red, white, rosé and sparkling wines, largely from Italy, France and Spain. Wines by the glass are available in either 2- or 5-ounce pours. Meanwhile, a revolving cocktail menu features classic and craft cocktails, from a Sazerac or French 75 to a bee sting.
Note recently added hours on Monday evening, offering discounted cocktails and free tapas, while incorporating other special events, including guest bartenders and occasional live music.
Savvy oenophiles can bring their own bottle on Tuesdays at Note with no corkage fee or can enjoy the featured white by the glass for just $6—and score half-priced mussels and frites. Wine Wednesday is another must for those exploring their wine palates, when wine flights are just $10 and bottles are $10 off (plus half-priced cheese and charcuterie).
Note is well on its way to making itself a destination for top-notch musical entertainment. Giblin, an accomplished bassist and producer, has worked with countless musicians in his career, and these connections are helping bring a new level of live music to Midtown. On a Monday in October, guests were treated to a visit from three-time Grammy-nominated songwriter and guitarist Peter Case. Tickets were just $15, and guests could order from a small menu. Note’s seats were filled while Case gave an intimate, storyteller-style performance.
Events continue to pepper Note’s calendar, including mixology classes and wine trivia nights alongside live music and monthly Third in the Burg events. Note also partners with the neighboring art house cinema for dinner and a movie on Wednesday nights. Simply dine at Note on Wednesday and take your receipt to Midtown Cinema for a free movie that evening.
Note Bistro and Wine Bar is open 4-7 p.m. (bar only) on Monday; 4:30-9:30 p.m. Tuesday; 4:30-10 p.m. Wednesday through Friday; 5-10 p.m. Saturday; and 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday.
Note Bistro and Wine Bar 1530 N. Second St., Harrisburg, PA notewinebar.com 717-412-7415
By Sara Bozich | Photography by Donovan Roberts Witmer
