09/26/2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | September 26, 2026
Following its recognition as Best New Restaurant in the Pittsburgh Region, Shamrock earns regional tourism honors for its innovative approach to wellness fine dining and its growing appeal as a destination worth the drive.
ROCKWOOD, PA — Shamrock Wh***ey & Cigar Bar is honored to announce that it has received the 2026 Tourism Horizon Award from GO Laurel Highlands, presented at an awards ceremony at Seven Springs Mountain Resort on September 23, 2026.
The Tourism Horizon Award recognizes a new or newly expanded tourism asset, lodging property or hospitality business that brings fresh, innovative appeal to the Laurel Highlands and encourages overnight visitation to the region. For Shamrock, the honor represents an important milestone in its founding vision: to create an exceptional dining destination that draws visitors to rural Somerset County while contributing to the surrounding community.
The recognition follows Shamrock’s previous distinction from the Pennsylvania Restaurant & Lodging Association (PRLA) as Best New Restaurant in the Pittsburgh Region. Together, these honors reflect the restaurant’s growing reputation for culinary innovation, thoughtful hospitality and a distinctive approach to fine dining.
The Art of Wellness Fine Dining
At the heart of Shamrock is a philosophy that exceptional cuisine and wellness can complement one another. Its signature approach, The Art of Wellness Fine Dining, emphasizes carefully sourced ingredients, scratch-made cuisine and an uncompromising commitment to flavor, presentation and hospitality.
That philosophy extends from the kitchen to the bar. The culinary team prioritizes fresh, quality ingredients, including non-GMO products, proteins raised without added hormones or antibiotics, and wild-caught seafood whenever possible. Dishes are crafted from scratch without microwaves or seed oils, allowing the natural qualities of the ingredients and the skill of the chefs to take center stage.
The same attention to detail carries through to Shamrock’s cocktail program, where fresh ingredients, house-made preparations and thoughtful craftsmanship elevate the traditional bar experience.
Shamrock’s culinary vision is deeply influenced by co-founder Angela Svonavec, a registered nurse with a doctorate in naturopathy and a background in holistic nutrition. Her philosophy helped shape the restaurant’s founding principle that wellness need not come at the expense of indulgence, exceptional flavor or the pleasures of fine dining.
“When we began this journey, our vision was to create an experience that celebrates our agricultural heritage, local culinary talent and the natural beauty of the Laurel Highlands”, said Angela Svonavec, founder of Shamrock Wh***ey & Cigar Bar.
From Our Farm Community to Your Table
A cornerstone of Shamrock’s farm-to-table philosophy is its relationship with neighboring Banshee Farms, a 1,000-acre agricultural property where Angus cattle are born and raised.
Banshee Beef brings the region’s agricultural heritage directly to Shamrock’s menu, connecting guests to the surrounding land and the people who care for it. The restaurant also works with local producers whenever possible, emphasizing the quality of regional agriculture and the importance of supporting neighboring farms and businesses.
Equally important is Shamrock’s commitment to developing and retaining local culinary talent. By creating opportunities for skilled chefs, bartenders and hospitality professionals to pursue meaningful careers in Somerset County, the restaurant hopes to encourage talented individuals to remain in, or return to, the region.
A Destination Worth the Drive
Shamrock was founded with a purpose extending beyond the restaurant itself: to create a distinctive destination that brings visitors to Somerset County and encourages them to discover more of the Laurel Highlands.
Located alongside Shamrock Sporting Clays, the restaurant offers visitors a unique combination of outdoor recreation, fine dining and refined hospitality. Special events, seasonal experiences and collaborations with area lodging establishments and local businesses further encourage guests to extend their visits and explore the surrounding communities.
The Tourism Horizon Award is particularly meaningful because it recognizes this broader vision—creating fresh reasons for visitors to travel to the Laurel Highlands, enjoy an exceptional experience and contribute to the region’s tourism economy.
For Shamrock, building a destination worth the drive means more than attracting guests to its own doors. It means helping create opportunities for the farms, lodging establishments, small businesses and families that make rural Pennsylvania special.
Committed to Raising the Bar
While the Tourism Horizon Award and PRLA recognition mark significant milestones for the young restaurant, Shamrock views both honors as inspiration to continue evolving.
“These awards are a wonderful acknowledgment of our team’s dedication, but they also inspire us to keep raising the bar,” added Svonavec. “We remain committed to continually refining our craft, elevating the guest experience and demonstrating that wellness and exceptional fine dining can go hand in hand. Our hope is that Shamrock’s success will contribute to the success of the community around us, creating opportunities for local families and giving visitors another reason to discover this beautiful part of Pennsylvania.”
About Shamrock Wh***ey & Cigar Bar
Shamrock Wh***ey & Cigar Bar is an award-winning destination restaurant in Rockwood, Pennsylvania, offering The Art of Wellness Fine Dining. Featuring scratch-made cuisine, thoughtfully sourced ingredients, farm-to-table Banshee Beef, an innovative cocktail program and an extensive wh***ey selection, Shamrock combines refined hospitality with the natural beauty of the Laurel Highlands.
Recognized by the Pennsylvania Restaurant & Lodging Association as Best New Restaurant in the Pittsburgh Region and honored with the 2026 Tourism Horizon Award from GO Laurel Highlands, Shamrock is committed to supporting local agriculture, cultivating culinary talent and creating exceptional experiences that encourage visitors to discover Somerset County.
Located alongside Shamrock Sporting Clays, Shamrock offers a distinctive destination for dining, recreation, and corporate and fundraising events.
Rooted Here. Dining Meant to Be Experienced.
Website: www.shamrockwcb.com
Media Contact:
Taylor Hange, Clubhouse Manager tel:814-233-1768 [email protected]
Shamrock Wh***ey & Cigar Bar, Rockwood, Pennsylvania
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Shamrock Wh***ey & Cigar Bar located in Rockwood, PA offers fine dining, wh***ey bar, cigar bar, memberships and events. A 5-Star luxury steak and seafood house in the Laurel Highlands where every dish is chef-prepared in-house using clean, responsibly sourced, farm to table, non-GMO ingredients-ele...
