Centered in Pennsylvania’s coat of arms are symbols of the state’s agrarian strength: a plough, three sheaves of wheat and a cornstalk crossed with an olive branch. This fertile heritage goes with the Keystone State’s bountiful culinary, brewing and viticultural offerings (with 12 wine trails), making the Pennsylvania menu “common wealth” for all groups to share.
Eastern Edibles
From Philadelphia to the Poconos, epicurean adventures abound in the state’s eastern regions.
Gastronomy reigns supreme in Philadelphia, where the number of fine-dining restaurants has more than tripled since 1992.
Along with the portfolios of serial restaurateurs Stephen Starr (13 establishments, including Barclay Prime, home of the $100 cheesesteak) and Jose Garces (eight eateries, including Village Whiskey, home of the foie gras-topped Whisky King burger), other superior choices include modern Israeli winner Zahav, with private space for up to 75, and Viet-Thai dazzler Fire & Ice, with a full-service event team.
In suburban Merion, Pa., Citron and Rose is an innovative kosher restaurant with private space and a catering division.
Wine trails and country flavors tempt groups fanning out to Philadelphia’s Countryside Region. Offering sweeping valley views and a deep underground cellar, event-capable Sand Castle Winery is one of nine on the Bucks County Wine Trail.
The Brandywine Valley, with its own seven-stop wine trail, boasts a global restaurant row in lively Media, Pa., and themed culinary experiences at the uniquely inviting Hamanassett Bed & Breakfast (see “Zoom In” Q&A).
Along with a smaller wine trail, Montgomery County’s culinary coordinates include The Farmer’s Daughter at the IACC-certified Normandy Farm Hotel and Conference Center, and Pacific Prime and Viviano at the Valley Forge Casino Resort. At the event-capable Woodside Lodge at Spring Mountain, Executive Chef Michael Kenney previously cooked for actor Will Smith and family, and members of Aerosmith.
Innovating beyond its mighty steelmaking past, the Lehigh Valley, home to Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton, has its own nine-member wine trail, along with a developing ale trail. Seating 200, the Allentown Brew Works brewpub (also in Bethlehem) houses Fegley’s, a production brewery completely powered by renewable energy. All three venues host events.
Gourmandizing groups in the Poconos can dine Relais & Chateaux-style at the exquisite 16-room Hotel Fauchere in revitalized Victorian-era Milford. Hosting private dinners and events for up to 65 people (or more tented outside) in the Delmonico Room, the historic property also offers space at its adjacent Patisserie; at nearby Foster Hill Farm, home to the hotel’s greenhouse and organic garden; and at the 575-acre camp-style Dwarfskill Preserve, located five miles from town.
In Luzerne County, dining options include the restaurant collection at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs in Wilkes-Barre. PageBreak
Central Confections
The culinary journey continues in fertile central Pennsylvania, where Hershey is the “Sweetest Place on Earth” to meet. From gourmet dining and the Chocolate Spa at historic Hotel Hershey to tours, tastings and candy bar-making at the event-ready Chocolate World Attraction, Hershey is the ultimate “sampler” for planners and groups.
Meanwhile, one of Milton Hershey’s enduring creations was The Circular, his prestigious restaurant at Hotel Hershey. Reopened last spring, this reinvented gem is like a younger version of its former self, nimbly adhering to tradition while mixing it up with inviting contemporary touches.
Central Pennsylvania also pours forth the beverages, with Hershey Harrisburg Wine Country, launched in 2012, featuring 15 award-winning, family-owned wineries.
Created by the York County CVB around the same time, the Susquehanna Ale Trail features nine breweries and brewpubs in the Dutch Country Roads region.
Also home to the Mason-Dixon Wine Trail, York County, the “Factory Tour Capital of the World,” invites groups to tours and tastings along its “Sweet and Salty Trail,” featuring such famed producers as Martin’s Potato Chips and Stauffer’s Cookie Outlet.
Along with famed venues such as the Kitchen Kettle Village in the town of Intercourse, Amish Country is also home to the historic Lancaster Central Market (see “Keystone Originals” ).
The Gettysburg Wine & Fruit Trail is a veritable food chain featuring long-running family farms, organic growers, old-time cider makers, wineries, farm-to-table restaurants and evocative lodging choices such as the meetings-capable Inn at Herr Ridge, built in 1815.
Since 1926, the Corner Room has commanded its prime downtown corner in State College, home of Penn State University. Upstairs, the Allen Street Grill offers private banquet and meeting space for up to 30.
Along with 25,000 square feet of meeting and function space, the landmark 223-room Nittany Lion Inn offers elegant private spaces within its grand dining room. The star here is the wine menu, a perennial winner of Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence.
Offering 58,000 square feet of dedicated meeting and banquet space, the IACC-certified Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel provides on-site catering and fine dining at the Gardens and convivial times at pub-like Legends. PageBreak
Western Wine and Dines
There is just something in the air in Pittsburgh—now cleaner than ever after Steel Town became one of America’s greenest cities—that builds the appetite. Whatever the source, the city, home of the Primanti Brothers sandwich, has a taste for satisfying every hunger.
Northeast of downtown Pittsburgh, the historic Strip District, a former industrial zone dating to 1814, is now a foodie’s paradise of restaurants, coffee shops, markets and ethnic food stores. The Strip market is among several destinations visited by ’Burgh Bits and Bites Food Tours, which takes groups on regular and customized food-tasting adventures.
Modeled after its legendary namesake in Munich, Hofbrauhaus Pittsburgh is a popular choice for frothy gatherings, complete with hearty German food and live music. Opened in 1956, LeMont Restaurant, offering consummate city views from atop Mount Washington, is a classic choice for private events.
North of Pittsburgh, relaxing Butler County tempts groups with agritourism, breweries and restaurants. Offering private dining and catering, the historic Hotel Saxonburg is a fixture in the town of the same name. Nearby Armstrong Farms joins Marburger Farms and Harvest Valley Farms in offering tours and outdoor events, while North Country Brewing Company in Slippery Rock welcomes groups.
The beer also flows in Monroeville, with Rivertowne Pourhouse among the event-ready venues.
Indiana County is renowned for its Old Order Amish communities and country fare, with options ranging from the English Tudor-style Coventry Inn in downtown Indiana to Windgate Winery in Smicksburg.
In Blair County, attendees are treated to unique menus and presentations at the Blair County Convention Center, with group-friendly local options including the classic Tom and Joe’s Diner in Altoona and authentic Pennsylvania Dutch fare at Traditions in Martinsburg.
Bucolic Washington County also offers a harvest of farms and agritourism choices, with yet more bounty in the southwestern Laurel Highlands and Johnston region, where choices run from world-class dining at the Nemacolin Woodlands Resort to the Big Mac Museum Restaurant in North Huntingdon.
Running 50 miles along Lake Erie’s south shore is the world’s largest and oldest Concord grape-growing region. Home to some two dozen wineries, such as the group-friendly South Shore Wine Company, the area is also renowned for ice wine.
Long-time Meetings Focus contributor Jeff Heilman features Tony Clark, Valley Forge Casino Resort’s executive chef, in our “Top Chefs” feature this month.
