Photography by Donovan Roberts Witmer
Seasame-seared tuna with tamarind sauce and asian slaw
One thing the regulars at Gibraltar know to order is the specials. While there are plenty of signature staples, such as the raw bar and the tiered plateau of fresh seafood, other dishes change seasonally, like the seared scallop appetizer. “The specials we do are a creative outlet for us chefs,” says executive chef Carl Vitale. “People who know usually get the special,” adds Peter Keares of the Keares Restaurant Group, the umbrella brand for Gibraltar and other great restaurants like Lancaster Brewing Company and Doc Holliday’s.
Always on the menu is a favorite of chef Vitale’s and a Susquehanna Style favorite as well, the sesame seared yellow-fin tuna, served with a tamarind sauce, sticky rice cake, baby string beans and flash sautéed Asian slaw.
One thing the regulars know to order is the specials.
Another monument on the menu is the Adriatic Sea branzino served whole or filleted with a tomato, olive and white wine sauce, Yukon gold potatoes and grilled asparagus. The Maine lobster fettucine tossed with sweet corn, cherry tomatoes, chunks of buttery lobster, fresh herbs and créme fraiche is topped with shaved parmigiano and is another mouthwatering menu staple. But the menu is not all seafood. There’s always the rack of lamb rubbed with rosemary and garlic and drizzled with a toasted pistachio vinaigrette served atop cannelini beans simmered in pancetta and rosemary, broccoli rapini, and petite French beans. Sommelier Chris Trendler is quick to recommend many Spanish wines, which pair well with Gibraltar’s cuisine. The well-educated servers there will also recommend wine pairings, but just talk to Trendler if you’re looking for something a little quirky, different or not on the menu. “While we cover the majority, we also have some of the lesserknown regions and grape varieties,” he adds.
A new face on the Gibraltar team, pastry chef Diana Penn, is surprising regulars with new desserts such as a Reisling-braised pear and rosemary sabayon in a crisp phyllo cup with hazelnut gelato. Not to worry though, favorites like the Molten Chocolate Gateau aren’t going anywhere. And now, you will be able to order your baked goods from the recently launched Gibraltar Bakery, offering special occasion cakes, wedding cakes, petite fores, truffles, baguettes and more, by phone or online at
www.gibraltarbakery.com.
Gibraltar: 931 Harrisburg Pike, Lancaster | 717-397-2790 www.gibraltargrille.com
