Decadent. Delicious. Delectable.
These are just a few words your taste buds will be shouting during Greater Valley Restaurant Week 2013!
Do you want to indulge in palate-pleasing Italian faire? Maybe it’s a hankering for something hot and spicy like authentic Mexican cuisine? Or how about whetting your appetite with scrumptious cuisine from India? Look no further because you can satisfy those cravings and more at the hidden gourmet gems right here in the Valley!
From Monday, Oct. 7, through Friday, Oct. 11, participating restaurants throughout the Greater Valley region will offer delightful deals.
The participating restaurants are:
- 121 Restaurant & Bar (7 Juliano Drive, Oxford)
- 500 Degrees (181 Main St., Derby)
- Antonio’s (314 Main St., Ansonia)
- Aribella (66 Huntington St., Shelton)
- Center Street Social (127 Center St., Shelton)
- Focaccia’s Cafe & Catery (702 Bridgeport Ave., Shelton)
- Hot Tamale Mexican Bar & Grill (39 New Haven Road, Seymour)
- Il Palio Ristorante (5 Corporate Drive, Shelton)
- La Scogliera (474 River Road, Shelton)
- Marco Pizzeria & Restaurant (656 New Haven Ave., Derby)
- Molto Bene Italian American Kitchen (577 Wakelee Ave., Ansonia)
- Smoke & Bones BBQ (1 New Haven Ave., Derby)
- Tavern 1757 (317 Roosevelt Drive, Seymour)
- The Gourmet Cafe (101 Elizabeth St., Derby)
- Vazzy’s (706 Bridgeport Ave., Shelton)
- Verace Pizzeria Market & Italian Eatery (100 Center St., Shelton)
Kim’s Light Cafe (405 Bridgeport Ave., Shelton), Marco Pizzeria & Restaurant (656 New Haven Ave., Derby) and Smoke & Bones Food Truck (Old Stratford Road, Shelton) are also offering “Small Bites” for those who need a quick meal or to go.
Here’s how it works:
“Dine for $9 at Lunch” is a menu of special restaurant week items. Restaurants will create two or three courses designed to please your palette and your pocketbook.
“Dinner is a $20.13” is a fixed-price three-course menu with most restaurants offering a choice of menu items for each course.
Some of the dinner entrée choices offered in 2012 included Salmon Piccata, Enchilada Ranchero, Petto de Pollo all Milanese, NY Strip Au Poivre, Bistro Burger, Seafood Lasagna, Tandoori Chicken, even Zupa di Pesce.
Not interested in the prix fixe menu? That’s OK. The restaurants will still have their regular menus available.
According to Chamber President Bill Purcell, “over the last several years, the Valley has become a destination for a variety of culinary influences and Restaurant Week provides an opportunity to celebrate the rich culinary offerings in the Valley. I would urge our residents to patronize these offerings not only throughout this week, but also throughout the year. We are truly grateful to the participating restaurants for their hospitality and their creativity in the menu items they chose for Restaurant Week.”
Restaurant Week is an excellent opportunity to eat a delicious new meal for a great price. All week long, you are invited to head out to a variety of participating restaurants in the Valley to try a new place or visit an old favorite for a new taste.
New this year is “Small Bites” option that gives you the unique opportunity to get special deals at participating bakeries, cafes, delis, coffee shops, pizza places and others. This will include special combo meals or even discounts off some of their specialties depending on the location. Small Bites provides customers with numerous options for a scrumptious breakfast or even a quick lunch break on the go.
“Restaurant Week is fun! I look forward to seeing the different restaurants involved and I get excited once the menus are posted. I send an email out to the office and encourage them to get out into the community and to really be a part of it,” said Jennifer Bull, Principal with the accounting firm of Dworken, Hillman, LaMorte & Sterczala. “It’s a good opportunity to set up lunches with business contacts and family members. Plus it’s fun because you get back to the office after lunch and everyone’s asking each other ‘Where did you go today?’
Curious about that restaurant you’ve heard about or driven by all those times? Restaurant Week is your chance to give it a try knowing exactly what you will be spending.
Brianna McCormack, a Shelton resident and student at Southern Connecticut State University says, “Restaurant Week is an affordable way to try out new restaurants that you haven’t been to. The cultural varieties of restaurants that participate make it fun to try out a new dish every day and night! Who doesn’t get tired of the same type of food every day? Not only is the variety incredible, but the price is just right! There are many restaurants in the Valley that I have wanted to try but can be pricey on a college students budget. This is the perfect week to venture out and give my taste buds a treat!”
Here are a several reminders from the folks at ConnecticutRestaurantWeek.com for those of you experiencing your first restaurant week:
- Please keep in mind that beverage, tax and gratuity are not included in the special pricing.
- There may be some restaurants that do offer a beverage, so consult individual menus for specifics.
- Gratuity, however, is never included and the wait staff works very hard this week. Please tip generously!
Be sure to get your reservation-making finger ready, because Greater Valley Restaurant Week is back and if you want a table at your favorite restaurant you’ll have to act fast! Get ready to dine and join in the celebration of all things culinary.
For a complete list of participating restaurants and their menus, visit www.greatervalleyrestaurantweek.com.
To visit the Facebook page for the event, click here.
If you are looking for daily updates during the week be sure to like the Greater Valley Chamber on Facebook or follow them on Twitter at Valley_Chamber.