Beyond Peppermint Patties: Eating Around York

York may not be a big name in Pennsylvania dining, but it ha more than enough to satisfy jaded New York foodies. In fact, over a weekend, we were unable to try all the places on our hit list.

Hype was the first thing that grabbed us. This new vegan joint had a bunch of people on line. Everything is made in house, (or in market) with bowls, sandwiches, empanadas and ‘mac n chz’. Our delicious Wingwich sandwich, seitan chicken with pickles and spicy buffalo sauce, came with a huge side of mac n chz. The house made bak’n bits sounded like gilding the lily, but they added great umami to the pasta.

We also shared a vegan bowl from Global Cafe. This place calls itself a fusion of Afro, Caribbean and Latin cuisine. Our bowl had plantains, black beans, avocado and rice, with a spicy white sauce.

Dinner at the bar

With an early curtain at the Appell Center for the Performing Arts, we had dinner at the bar at Left Bank Restaurant and Bar. The restaurant has well crafted cocktails. My single barrel old fashioned was perfection and my husband’s martini was just as ordered.

We shared the decadent mushroom toast, on rosemary bread. It was rich, so ideal to share. Though I would have stabbed my husband with my fork if he’d dared to eat more than his half.

We also had a couple of perfectly composted salads.

Breakfast at the square

Prince Street Cafe has lovely coffee and breakfast, but don’t go here if you are in a hurry. We waited 25 minutes for our breakfast sandwiches, leaving only minutes to spare for a scenic steam train ride.

My vegan sandwich, with a just egg patty, vegan cheese and vegan sausage, was a great to-go breakfast. There are also grits, regular egg sandwiches, vegan breakfast burritos and avocado toast.

And they made up for the wait with a free nutella cookie sandwich.I’d risk heartburn from eating on the run for another one of these cookies in a minute.

Downtown York

Downtown York was hopping the Friday we were in town. It was First Friday, and there was live music, an early Halloween pet parade, free beer sampling and a festive atmosphere.

We had hoppy, hazy IPAs at Collusion Tap Works.

At Fig & Barrel, we shared wood-fired pizza and salads. The Fig & Pig, minus the pork, was a great combo of mascarpone, fig, arugula and balsamic reduction drizzle. The quinoa, avocado and feta with baby spinach was fresh and tasty.

For lunch one day at the Revival Social Club, we enjoyed the wild mushroom bruschetta, on polenta cake instead of bread, spicy General Tso’s cauliflower, warm mushroom and spinach salad and Brussels sprouts caesar. I would go back for dinner to try the intriguing cocktail menu.

And I want to try Gift Horse Brewing Company, the woman-owned Old Republic Distillery and literally everything on the Hype menu.

We stayed at the newly renovated Yorktowne Hotel, walking distance to all these places to eat. The luxury hotel has a rooftop bar.