The popular Pocono seafood eatery is offering a special wine pairing dinner next week…
On April 30, Smuggler’s Cove (Tannersville, PA) is changing things up a bit.
Instead of its usual full-menu service, the longtime Pocono-based restaurant is hosting a three-course, wine-paired dinner built around structure and pacing.
In a local dining scene dominated by brewpubs, casual comfort spots, and high-volume tourist traffic, that alone stands out.
Tannersville’s restaurant lineup covers a wide range. Barley Creek Brewing Company draws crowds with beer and energy. Taste of Susan’s leans into classic American comfort. Tony’s on the Mountain keeps things simple with pizza and quick meals. The Water’s Edge pushes slightly more upscale.
Smuggler’s Cove has carved out its place somewhere in the middle of all that; larger, more traditional, and built on a foundation of seafood, steaks, and a menu designed to appeal to just about anyone.
For one night, that menu gets replaced.
The Magnotta Wine Dinner, scheduled for 6 p.m., is priced at $60 per person, including tax and gratuity. Each course is paired with wines from F. Magnotta Wines, a Scranton-based importer known for bringing Italian selections into the region.
The meal opens with BBQ brisket, a dish that leans into the restaurant’s straightforward, satisfying style. The pairing, a Della Valpolicella Amarone, adds depth, its bold, fruit-forward profile matching the richness of the meat.
The second course highlights a house favorite. A Mini Norfolk, crab, scallops, and shrimp in a white wine butter sauce, reflects the kind of seafood dishes that have defined Smuggler’s Cove for decades. It’s paired with a Rocchina Pinot Grigio, which brings enough brightness to balance the dish’s richness.
Dessert keeps things familiar. The apple blossom, filled with spiced apples and topped with whipped cream, is paired with a Rebel Riesling from Germany, adding a touch of sweetness and acidity to close out the meal.
Outside of events like this, Smuggler’s Cove is known for its expansive menu, which ranges from lobster tails and prime rib to pasta dishes and seafood combinations. Diners typically have dozens of options.
This dinner removes that element entirely.
Instead, the experience is set; three courses, three pairings, served in sequence. It’s a different approach for a restaurant built on variety, and one that introduces a more curated format without straying from the food it already does well.
Reservations are required, and seating is limited. To secure a spot, call the restaurant at 570-221-9322.
For a town where dining is often fast-paced and flexible, the opportunity to sit down for a structured, wine-focused meal (even if it is only three courses) is relatively rare.
And for Smuggler’s Cove, it’s a straightforward way to offer something new, without losing what’s made it a staple in the first place.
