It’s the season for special events such as Mother’s and Father’s days, graduations, weddings and birthdays, notably America’s 250th, which means you may have house guests at some point in the summer. John Wright is your go-to destination for celebrating all the above! 

No matter the occasion, consider taking the party to brunch at John Wright’s, where Sunday’s Prime Rib Brunch Buffet caters to those who love breakfast fare, as well as to those who are more in the mood for lunch. Held in the restaurant’s bar and Four Seasons Room, the menu includes omelets made to order, a waffle station and a prime rib carving station. A wide array of breakfast fare is also available. Items more tailored to lunch change from week to week. Another highlight is a Bloody Mary Bar; mimosas are also a specialty of the house on Sundays. 

Speaking of brunch, the next big event on the calendar is Mother’s Day (May 10), and John Wright will be preparing a special menu that day. “We do get very busy on Mother’s Day,” notes Jim Switzenberg, John Wright’s director of operations and executive chef. “We encourage people to make reservations for Mother’s Day, but will try to fit people in without reservations,” he says.

As for celebrating graduations, the seasonal Pizza Patio is perfect for observing that milestone. The area has its own bar and kitchen, as well as a wood-fired pizza oven. “The Pizza Patio has its own vibe,” Jim reports. The menu features burgers, sandwiches, salads, kabobs and an array of 10-inch wood-fired pizza selections. 

For other special occasions, the Four Seasons Room offers a more refined atmosphere. Housed in a climate-controlled, glass-enclosed timber-frame structure with floor-to-ceiling windows, the area seats 160. The dinner menu ranges from small plates to salads, a wide range of entrées and pasta dishes. Like the Pizza Patio, it offers a beautiful view of the Susquehanna River and Veteran’s Memorial Bridge. 

Both the Four Seasons Room and Pizza Patio are sure to be a hot ticket for July 4th festivities that will kick off with Riverfest (June 26-28) and culminate with a special “Lighting of the Bridge Piers” on the evening of June 28 that will recall the burning of the covered bridge that spanned the river (June 28, 1863) and kept Confederate forces from entering Lancaster County. 

As for larger events such as weddings, the 180-seat River Room boasts a separate entrance, exposed brick walls, beautiful wood floors, a bar and a deck that offers a view of the river. The restaurant’s setting makes it a perfect place for an outdoor ceremony by the water, followed by a reception in the River Room.  

History Meets Modern Day 

The restaurant is housed in a 27,000 square-foot brick building constructed in 1916 as a warehouse for the Wilton foundry. It was used as a silk mill from 1932 until the early 1960s. The restaurant’s humble beginnings date to nearly 40 years ago, when it was a sandwich shop for patrons of the John Wright Factory Store. 

“We are all about local and non-GMO products. We work with local farmers to source produce, meat and dairy products,” Jim says. John Wright’s chefs – Zack Byers and Austin Hallet – curate the menu and specials. “Although there are menu staples, we work with our purveyors to create menu additions. Last year we added blue potatoes to the menu since one of our purveyors added that to the vegetables they grew. Our local purveyors are our partners,” Jim explains.

Pastry chef Nichole Flaharty creates desserts and house-made ice cream with seasonal flavors, as well as pizza dough and pasta in-house. One of the unique ice cream flavors is sweet corn. “It’s a great flavor, and it’s popular with our guests,” Jim reports.

John Wright’s bar also focuses on local brews and wines. The taps feature a rotating selection of Pennsylvania craft beer. There’s also a selection of domestic and imported beer. Spirits are also from local distillers including Stoll & Wolfe Distillery in Lititz. Local wines from Finca de Torres and Allegro Winery are included in the wine selections.

The restaurant also hosts a number of special events throughout the year including monthly themed dinners that feature cocktails and other beverages paired with food items.

John Wright Restaurant is located at 234 N. Front St., Wrightsville. Lunch is served 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. Dinner is served 4-8 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday; 4- 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Sunday’s Prime Rib Brunch Buffet is available 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Pizza Patio hours are Friday and Saturday, 4- 9 p.m. in May, and Wednesday to Sunday, 4-9 p.m., June through August. Reservations are recommended for both indoor and outdoor dining. Take-outs available. 717-252-0416, jwrpa.com and on Facebook.