elephantstone

I'll definitely second Mangia Qui, my favorite restaurant in town. Bayou is on N Second and Harris Streets, between the second and third lights north of Forster St. Another good restaurant for 'classic American' is Char's Bella Mundo in Shipoke, down under the I-83 bridge. For less formal and costly, try Cafe Fresco downtown on 2nd.

Gnocchi with a Mint-Cream Sauce

David Downie's Cooking The Roman Way is the best on Rome, in my opinion.

I have both of these -- Negrin's Rustico isn't bad, but it's pretty superficial, especially compared with books I have that focus on a specific region. The Foods of Italy is a great source of inspiration.

Abbacchio al forno con le patate (Roast Lamb with Potatoes) Pizza Bianca (both from David Downie's Cooking the Roman Way) Plus Saintsbury's Pinot Noir

Clockwise from 12:00-- Falafel Scallion, Parsley, and Mint Omelets Taratur bi Tahini Baba Ghannouj Lemon and Mint Dressing Homemade Pita

There's no fresh fruits or vegetables in PA right now, so I doubt the bananas I bought yesterday are taking money out of the pockets of my local farmers. Unless you think the agriculture market is totally static, which judging by the diets of just about everyone I know, myself included, isn't true, it's not necessarily true that new produce displaces old produce.

I'd also recommend a trip to Orvieto, with a special exhortation to visit the museo archeologico and ask the ladies working there to see the Etruscan tomb paintings. They're kept in a special climate-controlled room that you have to be supervised to see, and they're unbelievably fascinating, almost three millennia old. Also check the shop on the piazza where the Duomo is and try a bottle of the semi-sweet Orvieto Classico. Not that it's the most amazing wine in the world, but it's definitely something you don't taste anywhere else.

I stayed in Borgo Vittorio near the Vatican for a little while a couple years ago, and I had good success wandering around the area and looking for restaurants with a good number of priests/monks inside eating.

If she's going to be in Harrisburg, she should try Mangia Qui, on 3rd and North Streets across the street from the Capitol Building. Passage to India is excellent as well.

Downtown Harrisburg is about a 20-minute drive from Hershey. The only thing I know about Hershey restaurants is Hotel Hershey, and that's not casual.

I almost forgot the area's worst-kept secret, Herby's Mexican in Bressler, just above Steelton. Make sure to check Mapquest before you go out, though, it's not easy to find. Great Mexican, not expensive, very comfortable atmosphere.

My favorite restaurant in downtown Harrisburg in Mangia Qui, a good 'regional Italian' place on North St. across from the capitol. The menu and the wine list change frequently, and there's always something interesting to have. They also do tapas and Spanish wines on Wednesday nights, which is fun. If you're looking for something more casual, the Vietnamese joint on 3rd and Reilly is great and cheap, or check out the taco stand on 15th and Market. I would definitely also familiarize myself with some of the local orchards, Mowery's in northern York county is my favorite.