As I’m sure you all know, getting anyone in a group of hungry people to actually come right out and pick a restaurant is nigh impossible. After the inevitable hemming and hawing at around 11:30 yesterday, we decided to skip the usual suspects (Keyser Soze!) and head to Bangkok 56 on Paxton Street. I’d never been there before, and I’m glad we went.

From the outside, the place looks underwhelming, but the super-tiny dining room is very pleasant. The tank of cichlids, which went far above and beyond your cliché Asian-restaurant fish tank, was a nice touch.

I wasn’t feeling all that adventurous. I have a decidedly sketchy stomach and I wasn’t even half way through the workday, so even though I love spicy food and was tempted by the curries, I went with a simple Kow Pad — fried rice with pork, chicken, tomatoes, onions and scallions. Nothing fancy, but it was really, really good and even with two meats it only coast $8.99. My co-workers/co-diners had a variety of dishes ranging from green curry to pineapple fried rice, and each was similarly impressed.

The only complaint I heard from the others was that the portions could have been a bit larger, but I thought my dish was the perfect size for lunch. I definitely recommend Bangkok 56, and I’m kind of glad that it’s not within walking distance, otherwise I would probably become a Thai-junky (Me: “Hi, my name is Justin and I’m addicted to Drunken Noodles.” Group in chorus: “Hi, Justin”).

I actually had Asian for dinner as well. I was in Carlisle to get a haircut at Salon Didia (awesome place), and ended up meeting a friend at issei noodle (no links for either, we’re moving into Cumberland County but we aren’t that far quite yet.) issei is a noodle house that uses elements from Japan, Malaysia and Singapore in its menu.

I had Japanese Yaki Udon and it was quite flavorful. I hate slimy noodles, but my dish was cooked well and the texture didn’t throw me off. The service? Eh. Not horrible but kind of slow. The food was quite inexpensive — my meal was large and cost only $7 — and the atmosphere was very sophisticated and warm. I’d definitely go back again. Between those two and the thoroughly subpar lunch I had at New 2nd Wok not all that long ago, I think I need a bit of a break from Eastern food.

The lovely people at the Hilton Harrisburg have made a new addition to their exterior. I give it a 10.

Glorious isn’t it? You’ll be seeing more of us publicly in the next few months, but we’re always open to creative marketing. So if you have an interest in graffiti, body art or sky-writing, let me know. Just kidding about the graffiti Mayor Reed, don’t have me taken away in one of those shiny new Impalas.

We’ve been spoiled with lots of great community events lately, but this weekend there’s really not all that much going on. Nope, not joking. I suppose it’s on weekends like this that an events and entertainment website should really earn its keep, but honestly, it’s Friday afternoon and I just can’t see myself finding the energy.

Okay, I kid, I kid. In the words of Mario in Mario Tennis 64 “Here ve go!” You’ll have to trust me on some of these, we’re going outside the box…

On Friday night, the weather seems like it’s going to be absolutely gorgeous, so do something outside. How about dinner on the back patio at Zephyr Express? Affordable, tasty and a nice laid-back vibe. After that, when it cools off for the evening, go play a round at Water Golf on City Island. No Senators game so the place won’t be mobbed, and you might be surprised to find out that it’s open until 10:00.

If you are looking for an actual event that will allow you to enjoy the weather, the Hotel Hershey has <a href=”http://www.spotobe.com/events/Details.aspx?ID=17375″target=”_blank”Jazz on the Veranda with the Rose Hudson Band.

Saturday you’ve got the Father’s Day Olympics at Bass Pro Shops, which amuse me to no end. Looks like it could be fun if you’ve got an outdoorsy dad. You also have the finale of Shakespeare in the Park and Love’s Labour’s Lost. If you’re looking for sports, the Senators are out of town, but the Central Penn Vipers and the City Islanders aren’t. There’s also the weekend’s marquee event, the Big 33 Football Classic at Hersheypark Stadium. If you don’t feel like dining at the concession stand, head to Hershey early and stop at What If… of Hershey.

Sunday, take pops out to dinner. The Blue Bistro and Wine Bar has a great deal on surf and turf. Dad also gets in free at the Hershey Gardens.

Alright, that’s it for me. Hopefully checking out an apartment this afternoon, York tonight, graduation party and Euro 2008 tomorrow. Have fun, kids.

Big boss Dori checks in again after lunch at Carmella’s Trattoria. She also gives her second bathroom review in as many posts. I’m beginning to feel as though becoming a parent makes you view restaurants as changing tables that happen to serve food. Frightening. Anyway, here’s what she had to say:

We decided to try Carmella’s yesterday for a small, impromptu client lunch. It was my first visit there, and I was pleasantly surprised with the decor and the menu. Sadly, I was not impressed with my meal. I ordered the blackened chicken lasagna which, for $10, was thoroughly uninspiring — pasty white, paltry in size and, worst of all, rife with unidentifiable chicken bits that were not the slightest bit blackened. If I was not out with a client, I would have sent it back. The two guys dining with me both had much better luck. They each ordered a tomato-based zuppa di pesce (a.k.a. fish chowder) for $7 a bowl that they loved. The shrimp cobb salad and wild mushroom pizza were also big hits.

The clientèle while we were there was entirely comprised of politicos and businesspeople, so it would not top my list of places to take an infant or toddler. Yet, at the risk of starting a pattern here in only my second post, I must give Carmella’s a shout out for their spotless, spacious ladies room with a pull-down changing table in the larger stall. The setup is particularly nice because there’s a sink next to it where you can wash up while still standing next to your child on the table.

There’s a semi-private party room in the back that seemed like it would be nice for small events. I’d say it’s definitely a place to hit after work for a cocktail and appetizer… maybe dinner. I’m still a little turned off by my meal, but, in the immortal words of Meatloaf, “two outta three ain’t bad.”

I could write for days and not capture the current mood of Central Pennsylvania better than this poor squirrel has. I’m not one that is usually bothered by the heat, but I completely sympathize with this little guy. When I opened the window to try to take the picture, he looked at me with a mixture of annoyance and disdain (who knew squirrels could muster up disdain?). While you look at the picture, just imagine him letting out a little squirrel-sized sigh.

Anyway, it’s still hot. I tried the same pose on the conference room table earlier this afternoon, but people started giving me weird looks. I can laugh it up all I want right now, but when I ride home in my black car with black leather seats and no air-conditioning later this afternoon, it will be a completely different story.

Spotobe Headquarters is air-conditioned. Kind of. It’s still hot, and my co-workers are cranky. I decided to see how long it would take to melt two official Spotobe ice cubes on 2nd Street.

The results of this extremely scientific study inside…

Contact with asphalt



Eight minutes



15 minutes and 34 seconds.

The Verdict: It was hotter yesterday. Stop whining.

Hot, hot, hot… That’s about all my sun-addled brain has to say.

Foundry Day was great. Getting back into the air conditioning? Divine. In all seriousness, it was a nice day. The food I had actually edged Artsfest, and the girlfriend got a lovely new bag. I thought about purchasing a really cool wrought iron wine rack, but decided against it. No accessories until I’ve found an apartment to put them in.

I took some photos. Check them out.