char's restaurant at tracy mansion

overall, a very pleasantdiningexperience. my wife and i sat outside for dinner on a beautiful warm summer evening and enjoyed the sunset while listening to the live oldies band. however, the music was just a little too loud to allow easy conversation. food was delicious, service very good, and the ambience pretty darn good for harrisburg, pa (and i've lived here my entire life).

i have dined at char's on several occasions and the meals and service were exquisite. since the circulardiningroom in hershey became more causal, here is a true alternative for formal yet also superb cuisine.

poor quality and very overpriced. last nice a small group of us went for the first time to chars new digs. nothing like the old place! i ordered one of the entree specials pad thai- horrible. just a pile of mush on a plate for $25! much much much better at bangkok wok in mechanicsburg. $16 for one martini - drinks are cheaper in nyc. chars food used to be phenomenal. you couldn't lose! last nite i had a plate of something that looked nothing like pad thai and was mush! hate to say it but it's true. and the place was loud! was not a gooddiningexperience and the price was top shelf!

quality doesn't match cost. got to char's last night, and was disappointed. first, the idea of having dinner seating at the bar may sound good, but for those of us who like to have a drink at the bar first whendiningout with others it makes it impossible. reservations for bar service took up the limited space available, even though they were not yet filled. there then left open seats, but we were told we could not sit down. we got their 30 minutes before our reservation and were essentially shunned at the bar and were made to feel very uncomfortable by the attitude of char and the other staff. we were told a couple times we were in the way, but there is nowhwere to go other than stand at the bar, looking at open bar seats we can't use, if you are waiting for a table. we felt rushed to our table, and it really got the evening off to a bad start when we wanted to spend some quality time with friends we rarely get to see. after looking at the bar tab for 4 drinks maybe it was best, as i can't think of any other restaurant in town that marks it's drinks up so high. dinner came and it was a solid meal. however, for the mark-up they are placing in their pricing it needs to be more that just solid. food is one of the few things i will never complain about regarding pricing, as long as i get that level of quality. the quality of food did not match the pricing. one other tidbit, that i think goes along with not having bar space to enjoy a cocktail: if you are going for a lively outing, this is not the place. that's fine if that is what they wish to cater too, but the crowd and atmosphere is best described as subdued. i think to call it an older crowd is being too politically correct. it is not "older", it is old. again, nothing wrong with that, with the deterioration of the downtown scene there is a need for this type of restaurant, just be forewarned that it felt a little stifling. i think this might be a place to take your parents out for a special occassion, otherwise there are many restaurants just as good, if not better, with a much better atmosphere and much better value for your dollar.

dining at char's. my husband and i with another couple experienced a delightfuldiningexperience at char's new restaurant. the ambiance was lovely. our server was excellent. the cocktails were outstanding and the dinner was gourmet.
we wish char much luck. harrisburg has been waiting for this.