DISH: Meatless Christmas

by Nikki M. Mascali
Weekender Editor

The Wyoming Valley Vegetarians will present its Premier Holiday Social Friday, Dec. 18 from 6-9 p.m. at La Nota House of Dance (135 Main St., Luzerne). The food will be prepared by Fred Di Maria of Appletree Terrace at Newberry Estate Country Club in Dallas. Di Maria’s menu will consist of spinach-and-cheese lasagna rollups with alfredo sauces, eggplant rollatini, broccoli soufflé, marinated vegetable salad, hummus wrap with roasted vegetables, sun-dried tomato-stuffed mushrooms and fresh fruit salad.

Cost is $18 per person, which also includes a free dance lesson. To add to the holiday fun, guests who bring a $5 wrapped gift for a Secret Santa exchange and will receive one in return. For reservations, contact Arlene Sindaco at 570.829.4139 or arlene.sindaco@verizon.net.

SOME THINGS TO LOOK FORWARD TO

It’s never too early to think of post-holiday relaxation, especially one that might include a trip to wine country. The Seneca Lake Wine Trail in Watkins Glen, N.Y., has announced that tickets for all 2010 events are on sale, just in time for last-minute gift giving — or to treat yourself for making it through another holiday season.

“We have put together several packages revolving around each of our events,” Paul Thomas, executive director of SLWT, said in a press release, “consisting of accommodations, transportation, event tickets and other features which are perfect for people that prefer to just buy their entire weekend experience at one time.”

The SLWT, part of New York’s Finger Lakes region, was created in 1986 and is one of the largest and most active wine trails in the state. With 35 member wineries that make up the wine trail, it’s sometimes difficult to attend all the events, so this year, the SLWT expanded its food and wine pairings to include Sundays.

“It has become clear to us that we needed to add more time to the total event duration, better enabling our customers to enjoy a maximum number of participating wineries throughout the weekend, safely,” Thomas said. “Rather than rushing around trying to visit as many wineries as possible during our events, we hope our patrons can take a day off and approach the events in a more leisurely fashion.”

One of the packages the SLWT has put together is the Polar Passport, which is valid through March 31. The $10 booklet allows visitors to visit all the participating wineries on several weekends without paying a tasting fee.

Future events include a Bargain Bash from Jan. 9-18, a year-end clearance sale during which many wineries will provide discounts on retail items and wine; a Pasta and Wine Weekend Jan. 15-17; and a Chocolate and Wine Weekend Feb. 12-14 which will see chocolate-themed dishes paired with wine.

All of the schedule events take place Fridays from 1-5 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays 10 a.m.-5 p.m. For more info and the complete 2010 event schedule, visit senecalakewine.com or call 877.536.2717. w

Send your food and drink news to nmascali@theweekender.com or call 570.831.7322.