York holiday events foodies will love
Most foodies will probably agree – the holidays are the most wonderful time of the year.
Just think about all of the options. You've got ham, turkey, roasted duck, cookies, candy canes, gingerbread, pie, eggnog, cider and more.
You're probably getting hungry just thinking about it.
Lucky for you, local restaurants and wineries are here to satisfy that hunger.
Take a break from shopping, decorating and wrapping gifts this month and enjoy your favorite seasonal foods at one of these holiday events.
Wine and dine
At Naylor Wine Cellars, Christmas dinner just isn’t complete without a glass of wine. That’s why the winery's “Let’s Do Something Different Holiday Dinner Party” includes a Naylor wine glass filled with wine of your choice in addition to a five-course meal. The southern-inspired menu includes Kentucky sweet corn spoonbread, sautéed kale, coconut rice and Malaysian Hainanese roasted chicken made by Sunday Dinner and Sharmini’s Kitchen. For a full menu, visit naylorwine.com. The wine bar will be open for additional wine purchases and samples.
Details: 6-8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12 at Naylor Wine at the Queensgate Towne Center, 2035 Springwood Road, York. Tickets are $40 and must be purchased by Dec. 7. Visit naylorwine.com for tickets.
Did someone say dessert?
It might be worth attending Red Brick Bakery & Tea Room’s Chef’s Table dinner just for the dessert. If old-fashioned gingerbread cakes with lemon mascarpone cream and dark chocolate and candy cane ice cream tortes don’t get you in the holiday spirit, nothing will. The four-course meal also includes a cheese ball trio; fall apple French onion soup or roasted acorn squash and fig spinach salad; and baked ginger swordfish, creamy polenta and braised kale with peppered bacon or autumn vegetable lasagna with pan-seared chicken breast.
Details: 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12 and Saturday, Dec. 19 at Red Brick Bakery & Tea Room, 55 N. Main St., Red Lion. Tickets are $38.50 per person. Reservations are required. Call 717-332-7427 or visit redbrickbakery.com.
Crab cakes and Christmas carols
Sure, you can order crab cakes any time of the year. But what makes this holiday dinner at the Conewago Inn special is the entertainment. While you’re feasting on a five-course meal that includes your choice of soup, appetizer, salad, entrée and dessert, you’ll also listen to songs of the season performed by local Conewago Inn favorites Buddy King and Diane Susek. But don’t think you can get away without participating. This 11-year holiday tradition always includes a sing-a-long rendition of “The 12 Days of Christmas.” Entrée choices include an 8-ounce jumbo lump crab cake, a 6-ounce smoked filet stuffed with lobster and mushroom cream sauce, shrimp and calamari pasta and roasted duck with oyster stuffing.
Details: 6 to 9 p.m. Dec. 15 and 16 at Conewago Inn, 3480 York Haven Road, Manchester. Tickets are $64.99 per person. Reservations are required. Call 717-266-1376.
Solve the Nutcracker Murder Mystery
Enjoy a wine tasting and a four-course dinner as a murder mystery unfolds before your eyes at Moon Dancer Winery. Arrive a little early and you’ll have time to taste Moon Dancer’s selection of holiday wines (spiced apple, spiced cranberry and twisted peppermint) and snack on wood-fired pizza, roasted olives and artisan cheese appetizers before the interactive murder mystery starring your favorite characters from "The Nutcracker" begins.
Details: Doors open at 6:30 p.m., show starts at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19 at Moon Dancer Vineyards & Winery, 1282 Klines Run Road, Wrightsville. Tickets are $50. Call 717-252-9463 for reservations.
Feast of the Seven Fishes
While traditionally celebrated on Christmas Eve in Italy, the Feast of the Seven Fishes comes to York a day early this year on Dec. 23. On this night, Italians typically take part in a partial fast, which means no meat can be served. In observance of this tradition, Tutoni’s Restaurant will serve six courses of fish and seafood dishes.
Details: Dec. 23 at Tutoni’s Restaurant, 108 N. George St., York. Tickets are $95 per guest. Call 717-885-5169 for reservations.
For the kids
Your children probably aren’t up for a fine dining experience with roasted duck and baked ginger swordfish. So, satisfy their taste buds with something sweet instead. YorKitchen invites children to decorate (and snack on) their own gingerbread house Dec. 19. This will be YorKitchen’s last culinary craft of the year.
Details: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19 at Central Market House, 34 W. Philadelphia St., York. Free. Visit yorkitchen.com for more information.
Looking ahead
It’s never too early to start locking in your New Year’s Eve plans.
John Wright Restaurant, 234 N. Front St., Wrightsville, will serve a three-course meal Dec. 31, including your choice of hot smoked organic salmon, pan seared grouper, grilled filet mignon or crab stuffed chicken Chesapeake for the main entrée. Tickets are $70 per couple for the 6 p.m. seating and $90 per couple for the 8:30 p.m. seating, which includes a champagne toast and live entertainment. Visit jwrpa.com for more information.
Wyndridge Farm, 885 S. Pleasant Ave., Dallastown, will host a New Year’s Eve Crafty Five-Course Dinner. The event, from 5 to 9 p.m. Dec. 31 includes two crafty beverages, a cheese plate and your choice of appetizer, palate cleanser, entrée and dessert. Entrée choices include baked Brazilian lobster tail, braised pork shank with balsamic barbecue sauce, marinated venison medallions, slow-roasted prime rib and vegetable bread pudding. Tickets are $68 per person. Reservations are required. Call 717-244-9900 ext. 3.