MECHANICSBURG, Pa. — Central Pennsylvanians don't have to leave their home to take a foodie tour of Italian cities and the Tuscan countryside.
Luna Italian Cuisine crafts its dishes with traditional recipes and imported ingredients to give guests a true taste of Italy. The restaurant even hosts a Tour of Italy culinary experience once a month where guests are treated to authentic flavors from a specific region of Italy.
Those interested in doing a DIY tour can learn Luna's pappardelle—a broad, flat pasta noodle—recipe in the video above.
"Do not forget to put your passion in it," Chef Tony Coppola said. "Because if you want it good, you need to put passion in what you make."
Chef Tony cooked up Ragu Napoletano and a pasta and patate dish with smoked cheese for National Pasta Day. He says the scent of these dishes can often be found wafting through the streets of Italian towns on Sundays.
"[Ragu Napoletano] really reminds me of what my grandma used to make like every Sunday for lunch for me and my family," Stefano Scotto said. "And we are a family business, so we want to keep the tradition of the family within us."
The Tour of Italy culinary experiences are held on the third Wednesday of every month; the next one is set for Nov. 20 with Rome as the theme. Reservations for the experience and regular dinner reservations can be made online or by calling 717-620-8683.
Luna Italian Cuisine can be found at 100 Legacy Park Drive in Mechanicsburg. The eatery is open Monday - Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., Friday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday from noon to 10 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 9:30 p.m.
