|
Sign the Petition
Photos
Harrisburg Blogs
Resources
Dining and Nightlife
El Sol is a welcome addition to the expanding SoMa district, south of Market Street, in downtown Harrisburg. This upscale Mexican restaurant recently opened along 3rd street, almost across the way from Bricco.
It’s no surprise I’ve wanted more upscale and authentic Mexican cuisine to come to this area for a while now. El Rodeo and Neato Burrito are tasty, but they just weren’t cutting it.
El Sol is decorated with terra cotta tile and adorned with sun emblems on the walls, glass tables and oversized wooden chairs. Nothing too bright and colorful, but enough to make you feel like you’re south of the Rio Grande instead of the Susquehanna. The cozy restaurant seats 65 people and they only take reservations for parties of 6 or more. There is also some seating at the bar including pub tables.
All of the menu items I saw sounded delicious. Just like an episode of Mexico: One Plate at a Time with Rick Bayless (which is now a series recording on my DVR) the food at El Sol had that authentic twist I’ve been looking for. The menu is full of grilled meats such as carne asada steak, chicken, pork and chorizo sausage which are mostly prepared with spring onions, chile and green peppers, and occasionally cactus.
Friday night I opted for the “Mixto Molcajete” (which was a combination of steak, chicken and shrimp sautéed with cheese, chiles, and mushrooms. It wasn’t just the food that stood out in this dish, but the presentation. The entire entrée is served in a volcanic rock molcajete which is a Mexican version of mortar and pestle tool used for grinding spices and preparing moles such as guacamole and mole poblano. I later found out the molcajete is placed over the grill while the meal is prepared so the dish stays hot. It was still warm to the touch at the end of our sitting.
Add some authentic drinks to the combination like hibiscus juice, or limonada and it rounds out the meal nicely. El Sol will have a liquor license in the coming weeks. Until then I opted for BYOB and spiked the limonada with a bottle of Cabo Wabo which I brought to the table to make my own version of a margarita on the rocks.
This is not your standard Mexican restaurant. Be prepared to order chips and a “salsa sampler” as an appetizer. They’re not free here. Also expect your meal to take longer than 5 minutes to prepare –this isn’t fast food.
I’m already looking forward to my next visit to try the paradillas (table top grill), carne asada tacos, the mole poblano, etc…
18 S Third St
Harrisburg, PA 17101
717-901-5050
If you liked this post, then try these...
New Brewery Opens in Camp Hill by Bone on August 24th, 2006
Goodbye Angelina's by Bone on November 24th, 2006
Countdown by Bone on December 26th, 2006
I also had a great dining experience at El Sol. While I still love the Neato and Rodeo, this is a completely different dining experience. I went for lunch and had a salad with grilled chicken and avocado. The tastey citrus dressing was served on the side (love that!). The people I dined with had a chicken burrito that was as big as those served at Neato (and included some sides) and pork tamales (also served with sides). All of the lunch entrees were large enough to share or have some to take home.
The atmosphere is calming with low key furniture (as Mike said) and a trickling water feature. The service was great, but you could tell the kitchen is still getting used to the pace of being busy. That said, my meal was delicious and I would definitely go back soon!
Left by Kim on June 12th, 2007