Mid-Atlantic Tourism Destinations Offer Distinct Dining Experiences

(Mid-Atlantic Region, USA, November 20, 2015) - Travelers explore new destinations for a variety of reasons. Some want to discover the outdoors. Some want to browse local history or antiques. Some enjoy cultural amenities, and others the unique heritage of a destination. However, with destinations large or small, the one thing every traveler does on vacation is eat, and throughout the course of a visit, most travelers want to experience a destination's fine dining. Across the Mid-Atlantic, you'll find that destinations don't just offer exemplary cuisine. They do so with flair, from the aplomb of celebrity chefs to true locovore masterpieces and trademark dishes from around the globe.

Members of the Mid-Atlantic Tourism Public Relations Alliance (MATPRA) share their offerings for delicious and distinctive fine dining experiences. Interested in learning more about an event or tour? Please contact the visitors bureaus listed below for information about individual listings.

Delaware: Southern Delaware You won't find finer dining anywhere than you will along Southern Delaware's Culinary Coast™, home to renowned restaurants and award winning chefs. Savvy foodie visitors plan winter weekday getaways to explore our restaurant scene because so many area eateries offer incredible off season locals' specials. Life tastes better here! Southern Delaware Tourism, Tina Coleman, [email protected], VisitSouthernDelaware.com

Greater Wilmington Greater Wilmington's culinary options range from gastro pubs with local craft beers to a four-star French dining experience. Some favorites are La Fia Bakery + Bistro + Market, whose chef/owner was a semi-finalist for a James Beard Award; Domaine Hudson Wine Bar & Eatery and Buckley's Tavern. Greater Wilmington Convention & Visitors Bureau, Lyn Lewis, [email protected], VisitWilmingtonDE.com

Maryland: Annapolis & Anne Arundel County The Annapolis area's Restaurant Weeks provide a perfect way to sample the best fine dining and international cuisine- in settings from simple to sublime. Plan now for Annapolis Restaurant Week in February, West County Restaurant Week in March and North County Restaurant Week each October. Annapolis & Anne Arundel County Conference and Visitors Bureau, Susan Steckman, [email protected]. VisitAnnapolis.org

Baltimore Charleston, the renowned restaurant by three-time James Beard nominee Chef Cindy Wolf, is rooted in the contemporary regional cuisine of France and traditions of the "Low Country" area of South Carolina. The elegant, comfortable ambiance and luxurious service complete the extraordinary dining experience in Baltimore's burgeoning Harbor East neighborhood. Visit Baltimore, Moneé Cottman, [email protected], Baltimore.org

Calvert County Fine dining in Southern Maryland will excite your taste buds, stimulate your senses and create savory memories. Whether it is a romantic dinner for two, a crab feast, a fish fry or a group outing, locally owned restaurants throughout Calvert County offer fine dining and fabulous entertainment. Calvert County Department of Economic Development, Joyce Baki, [email protected], ChooseCalvert.com

Frederick Dine on fresh, local foods prepared by critically-acclaimed chefs like Bryan Voltaggio, who put Frederick's culinary scene on the map nationally when he appeared on and . Zagat-rated restaurants include Ayse Meze Lounge, Dutch's Daughter, The Tasting Room, Volt, and Isabella's Taverna & Tapas Bar. Visit Frederick, Charissa Hipp, [email protected], VisitFrederick.org

Hagerstown Some serious epicurean delights await in Hagerstown, MD. Some must-do's include dining in our the Arts & Entertainment District, Chesapeake crabs at Schula's, and Dan's Restaurant & Tap House, owned by famous romance author Nora Roberts, which showcases the best in local breweries and features farm-to-table dining. Visit Hagerstown Convention & Visitors Bureau, Betsy DeVore, [email protected], VisitHagerstown.com

St. Mary's County Discover the taste of France in Southern Maryland! Located on the charming brick- lined square in Historic Leonardtown, Café des Artistes is a classic upscale bistro where you can escape the culinary mundane for a taste of a truly elegant French Country meal cooked by a classically-trained French chef! St. Mary's County Tourism, Andrew Ponti, [email protected], VisitStMarysMd.com

Wicomico County Dining on Maryland's Eastern Shore in Wicomico County pairs small-town charm with exceptional cuisine. James Beard award-winning Chef Jim Hughes serves authentic foods influenced from France, Italy and the Pacific at Restaurant 213. The restaurant's selection of wines and ports allows guests to find the perfect pairing for their meal. Wicomico County Tourism, Kristen Goller, [email protected], WicomicoTourism.org

Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania Tourism Office Known for classics like whoopie pies and scrapple, Pennsylvania embraced "farm to table" before it was a trend. For a bite of upscale fare, renowned chefs Michael Solmonov and Jose Garces cook up sophisticated dining experiences while Lautrec and The Fountain Restaurant boast spots on the exclusive AAA Five-Diamond list. Pennsylvania Tourism Office, Quinn Bryner, [email protected], VisitPA.com

Butler County Savor is a new restaurant owned by Executive Chef Mike Rogers in Sarver, PA that serves gourmet comfort food. The atmosphere is elegant yet understated creating the perfect setting for a relaxing and sophisticated night out. The menu boasts a variety of delicious entrees ranging from $12 to $27. Butler County Convention & Vistors Bureau, Kimberly Windisch, [email protected], VisitButlerCounty.com

Central Pennsylvania In Central PA, get a taste of the bayou at the award-winning Spat's Café & Speakeasy in State College. Get the region's best chicken wings at historic Duffy's Tavern in Boalsburg. Visit the Carnegie House Restaurant, voted best romantic and fine dining by State College Magazine. Central Pennsylvania Convention & Visitors Bureau, Andy Rupert, [email protected], VisitPennState.org

Endless Mountains Fern Hall Inn offers award-winning cuisine served by the fireplaces of the dining room or on the patio of former Johnson & Johnson estate on scenic Crystal Lake surrounded by the beauty of the four seasons of the Endless Mountains of northeastern Pennsylvania. Endless Mountains Visitors Bureau, Morgan Christopher, [email protected], EndlessMountains.org

Erie Great dining on a Great Lake! Experience contemporary Latin Asian cuisine at 1201 Kitchen. Free Taco Tuesday and sushi highlight this downtown fave. Cloud 9 Wine Bar pairs artisanal wines tempting bites - try the poutine! Latino's Restaurant handmade tamales and enchiladas are the perfect blend of flavors and heritage. VisitErie, Christine Temple, [email protected], VisitErie.com

Franklin County Upscale, relaxed dining is waiting for you. Greencastle's Highline Restaurant serves exquisite fresh selections with herbs grown on site. Kenzo Japanese & Asian Fusion serves delicious ethnic dishes in a friendly atmosphere. Try a new take on traditional American dining with a French flair at Bistro 71 in Chambersburg. Franklin County Visitors Bureau, Lauren Cappuccio, [email protected], ExploreFranklinCountyPA.com

Lancaster County Today's Lancaster County goes way beyond just PA Dutch favorites. Fine cuisine can be found throughout, from Ma(i)son and Citronnelle (and on & on) in Lancaster City to TE in Leola to the Railroad House Inn in Marietta. And don't forget our distilleries and numerous craft brewpubs. Discover Lancaster, Joel Cliff, [email protected], DiscoverLancaster.com

Laurel Highlands Dining at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort's Lautrec is the epitome of culinary experiences. The prix-fixe menu, prepared by the youngest female chef in the world to helm a Forbes Five-Star AAA Five Diamond restaurant, is presented with six original Toulouse Lautrec lithographs and a romantic Moulin Rouge setting as the backdrop. Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau, Kristin Ecker, [email protected], LaurelHighlands.org

Lehigh Valley On your next foodie adventure, be sure to make a stop in Lehigh Valley, PA. Visit Sands® Bethlehem, which boasts three restaurants by Emeril Lagasse. Stroll along Bethlehem's Main Street or Easton's Centre Square; both are dotted with a wide variety of eateries suited for any budget. Discover Lehigh Valley, Kaitie Burger, [email protected], DiscoverLehighValley.com

Pocono Mountains Fine dining is plentiful in the Pocono Mountains. The region has standalone restaurants and resort dining options that are as culturally diverse as they are mouthwatering. Many have adopted the farm-to-table culinary trend, utilizing locally sourced and organic ingredients to handcraft their menu items. Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau, Elizabeth Richardson, [email protected], PoconoMountains.com

Reading Scrumptious cuisines and intriguing locations offer visitors a world of fine dining in Greater Reading, PA. Feast at an English castle, relax at an Irish bar, get cozy in a rustic American log cabin, or heat things up at a Spanish gastro pub. Dining goes global in Greater Reading, PA. Greater Reading Convention & Visitors Bureau, Lisa Haggerty, [email protected], GoGreaterReading.com

Tioga County The Mary Wells Dining Room in the historic Penn Wells Hotel, named for one of Wellsboro's founding citizens, offers classic fine dining served in a historic Main Street setting capturing Tioga County's timeless Old World charm and rich regional heritage. Tioga County Visitors Bureau, Morgan Christopher, [email protected], VisitTiogaPA.com

York County oak., a new restaurant at Heritage Hills Golf Resort, features upscale casual dining with a newly-added deck overlooking York's only full-service resort. With menu items from cider barbecue pork mignon and a signature crab cake, you'll experience elevated fare with unforgettable ambiance and convenience. York County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Brent Burkey, [email protected], YorkPA.org

Virginia: Arlington Dine around the world without ever leaving Arlington, Virginia. The smallest county in the U.S. is also one of the most flavorful, with cuisine that spans the globe. Sample Spanish tapas or Greek mezze from celebrity chefs, dine by candlelight, or take in a luxurious afternoon high tea. Arlington Convention & Visitors Bureau, Cara O'Donnell, [email protected], StayArlington.com

Botetourt County Are you the flavor type? Enjoy a five-course meal paired with wine and spirits at Pomegranate Restaurant and Gathering Place in Trouville, VA, while savoring farm-to- table entrées. Wine and dine with family and friends or book a private celebration. Taste southern cuisine at its finest in Botetourt County, VA. Botetourt County Office of Tourism, Lisa Moorman, [email protected], VisitBotetourt.com

Charlottesville In Charlottesville and Albemarle County, Virginia, fine dining can be experienced the 'farm-to-table' way. Restaurants such as The Clifton Inn (a Relais & Châteaux establishment), Fossett's inside Keswick Hall, and the Old Mill Room at Boar's Head Inn all feature the freshest local ingredients, many harvested right on property. Charlottesville Albemarle Convention & Visitors Bureau, Brigitte Belanger-Warner, [email protected], Charlottesville.org

Hampton Hampton's coastal Virginia location lends itself to a satisfying culinary experience, complete with fresh seafood and southern hospitality. Downtown boasts some of the city's top contenders, including Venture and Conch & Bucket, popular for unique seafood dishes like the Hawaiian pizza with crabmeat and classic southern comfort foods, like shrimp and grits. Hampton Convention & Visitor Bureau, Shannon Hoy, [email protected], VisitHampton.com

Harrisonburg Get fine dining in downtown Harrisonburg at Local Chop & Grill House or the Joshua Wilton House. Located inside a historic building, Local Chop serves up the farm-to- table philosophy. The Wilton House is an elegantly-restored Victorian home serving as both a cozy inn and a high-end dining destination. Harrisonburg Tourism and Visitor Services, Jessica Williams, [email protected], VisitHarrisonburgVA.com

Lexington The Red Hen - Lexington, Virginia's, first farm-to-table restaurant - creates daily menus from the freshest produce and meats. The chefs strive to put the same amount of care into preparing the food as the farmers did growing it. Enjoy stylish dining in the late- 19th-century red brick, gingerbread-trimmed space. Lexington and Rockbridge Area Tourism, Patty Williams, [email protected], LexingtonVirginia.com

Loudoun County Enjoy elegant dining under the stars at The Restaurant at Patowmack Farm where diners enjoy organic, seasonal cuisine in a glass conservatory overlooking the mountains and Potomac River. This is one of America's first farm restaurants and features three themed menus- raised, grown and found-with ingredients sourced from the property. Visit Loudoun, Jennifer Buske-Sigal, [email protected], VisitLoudoun.org

Lynchburg Dining is Fine in #LynchburgVA - Isabella's Trattoria serves elegant Northern Italian cuisine with buona wine list. Downtown, Shoemakers Grille plates sophisticated culinary delights with style in an old shoe warehouse. Take a trip to Austria with a visit to Main Street Eatery and enjoy European fusion in an urban-chic setting. Lynchburg Regional Convention & Visitors Bureau, Krista Boothby, [email protected], DiscoverLynchburg.org

Prince William & Manassas Prince William & Manassas, Virginia, offer a variety of unique fine dining experiences. Step into little Portugal at Carmello's or get a taste of fresh local fare at Malones in historic downtown Manassas. You can also enjoy authentic French cuisine at Bristro L'Hermitage in Historic Occoquan. Prince William & Manassas, VA, Nicole Warner, [email protected], DiscoverPWM.com

Roanoke Valley Virginia's Blue Ridge offers well established fine dining options like Alexander's in downtown Roanoke maintaining the longest restaurant legacy for fine dining in Roanoke. River and Rail boasts nationally recognized Chef Aaron Deal creating tempting dishes from scratch elegantly prepared with a unique southern fare from local and seasonal ingredients. Roanoke Valley Convention & Visitors Bureau, Catherine Fox, [email protected], VisitVABlueridge.com

About Mid-Atlantic Tourism Public Relations Alliance The Mid-Atlantic Tourism Public Relations Alliance (MATPRA) is a cohesive unit of regional tourism partners encompassing Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and Washington, D.C. The group serves travel journalists by creating a regional resource that ignores geographical boundaries. The Alliance promotes common threads and offers saleable stories to journalists about the mid-Atlantic destination as a whole. For more information, visit www.matpra.org.

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Mid-Atlantic Tourism Public Relations Alliance Moneé Cottman MATPRA Chair 2015-2016 [email protected]