Restaurant brings fine dining to growing Dauphin County dining destination

An off-the-beaten-path neighborhood in Dauphin County is emerging as a foodie destination.

Benaiah's Wood Fired Kitchen recently opened at 8001 Union Station Blvd. in Union Station, the same Lower Paxton Township complex as The Beerded Goat Brewing Co., Hops & Barleys and Shakedown BBQ.

The 60-seat restaurant brings something new to the village setting. Benaiah's specializes in steaks, seafood, pasta and more, with a menu that has something for every taste and price range, says Jason Melhorn, co-owner.

It operates under the slogan “An upscale dining experience”.

“It's more of a sit-down, plate-style meal,” Melhorn said. “It's meant to take an hour to come in and have an experience, rather than just grabbing a quick bite to eat and a beer and then coming and going.”

Open for dinner only Thursday through Saturday, the restaurant is in the same building as Beerded Goat, a casual beer hall-style eatery. Benaiah's is decorated in earth tones and features an open kitchen with a wood-fired oven.

Chef Scott Kemp heads the kitchen, assisted by sous chef Cody Hoover. Kemp's wife Brit Kemp, a graphic design student, designed the logos.

The menu includes small plates like tuna nachos, crab fries and deviled eggs with shoyu sauce, and entrees ranging from wood-grilled ribeye steaks, filets and pepper steaks to meatloaf, ahi tuna poke bowls and crab fettuccine. Guests can also order chopped Italian salads and crab cake and chicken sandwiches.

The drinks menu includes craft beers, Pennsylvania wines and cocktails made with Pennsylvania spirits, as well as non-alcoholic cocktails. So far, Melhorn says, guests have been receptive.

“We try to control what comes through the door. The feedback has been great. The food, the atmosphere, the service – everything's good,” he said.

Minor changes have been made, including adjusting the spiciness of certain dishes, like crab fettuccine. Melhorn is committed to taking feedback and making adjustments.

“We try to use that feedback as best as we can and then take another look at it,” he said.

The restaurant's name is borrowed from a biblical figure, a warrior and commander of King David's army who was known for his brave deeds, especially killing a lion in a pit.

Benaiah's story is the basis for “Chase the Lion,” a book by Mark Batterson that, according to Melhorn, conveys a symbolic message: “The lion is your dreams, and if your dream isn't big enough to scare you, then your dream is too small.”

Melhorn asked Batterson for permission to use the author's “Lion Hunter's Manifesto” as artwork. The manifesto encourages others to follow their dreams and “run to the roar.”

He communicated this message to employees and integrated it into daily operations.

“There's a lot going on in this small space that's not just a restaurant. We have 12 employees who are learning how to pursue dreams and what to do with their dreams,” he said.

At the end of September, Melhorn said, the Sunday brunch will move from Beerded Goat to Benaiah's.

The restaurant is open from Thursday to Saturday from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.