Tickets are now on sale now and plans are being finalized for West Hartford’s second annual ‘Taste of Blue Back Square and The Center’ on July 26, 2017.

By Tom Hickey

Cook & The Bear’s chorizo stuffed dates wrapped in bacon with spiced yogurt. Facebook photo

Updated, July 25, 2017

• Bar Louie is spotlighting Shrimp Brushetta and Watermelon Fizz drinks
• Cook & The Bear offering Chorizo stuffed dates wrapped in bacon with spiced yogurt
• Fleming’s signature hot prime rib sliders and mini crab cakes
• Goldberg’s Gourmet featuring warm house cured Pastrami on Hartford Baking Company Brioche Rolls
• Rizzuto’s Restaurant serving Pasta a la Vodka
• Vinted preparing Summer Tomato Gazpacho and Federal’s Famous Chopped Salad
• World of Beer serving up warm crispy chicken sliders
• And if you love dessert as much as I do … The Cheesecake Factory will have lots of samples as will NoRA Cupcakes.

Updated, July 23, 2017

New attractions are being added almost daily, including a ‘Braid and Pony Bar’ from BLO (Blow Dry Bar). The BLO activity adds to the list of non-food related activities… which reminds me, have you been practicing ‘wine pong?’

The weather forecast looks great for Wednesday, and Hart Real Estate will keep everyone hydrated with H2O. Maximum Beverage will have wine and beer tastings, plus something special just for this event.

Advance registration is strongly encouraged!

Updated, July 19 & 20, 2017

Elizabeth Zigmont, marketing director for Blue Back Square, is ecstatic and pleased to announce that all restaurants in Blue Back Square are participating in the Second Annual “Taste” event, and they include: Bar Louie, Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse, Goldberg’s Gourmet, INDIA, Rizzuto’s Restaurant, Cheesecake Factory, The Cook and The Bear, The Green Teahouse, NoRA Cupcake Co., Vinted Wine Bar & Kitchen, and World of Beer.

Jeannette and Kristen from EAT IN CT are pleased to announce that the following West Hartford Center restaurants will join next week’s event: Restaurant Bricco, Grants Restaurant and Bar, Harry’s Pizza, and from just outside the Center Black Bamboo Chinese Restaurant.

Tickets are available now, and be sure to take advantage of the bulk discounts, as well as special pricing for kids ages 8-12.

Per Jill Fletcher, sponsors from Blue Back & The Center include Eagan, Donohue, Van Dyke & Falsey and Hart Real Estate, featuring their new weha-rentals division.

Businesses are coming up with great ideas on how to stand out from the crowd. BLO will feature a Girls Night Out (seven blow outs for you and your besties) plus a bottle of bubbles! Another example is that Delamar West Hartford will tantalize your taste buds with a special toast spotlighting their new hotel and restaurant.

Many businesses have already become loyal sponsors of all “#wehaevents” including Central Connecticut State University, Lux, Bond & Green, The McCauley at Mercy Community, Sheehan Hilborn-Breen Funeral Home, JPCarroll and Stanger Stanfield Law.

Business Partners include Eat In CT, Taylor Rental Party Plus, West Hartford Chamber of Commerce and the Town of West Hartford.

Original story, July 13, 2017

The inaugural Taste of Blue Back Square and The Center was a tremendous success, and the second annual event, featuring samplings from Blue Back and The Center restaurants and including jeans from a Blue Back Square company which benefits the Noah Webster House and West Hartford Historical Society, will be even bigger and better.

Tickets are now on sale for the event, which will be held in the REI parking lot in Blue Back Square on Wednesday, July 26, 2017, from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Click here to purchase.

“Don’t be disappointed. Remember that we not only sold out last year but we turned away 150 people so buy your tickets early,” said Blue Back Square Marketing Director Elizabeth Zigmont.

Jill Fletcher, who is helping organize the event on behalf of sponsors We-Ha.com and West Hartford Magazine, said that tickets are already selling quickly, and as an added benefit this year, they are available in a specially-discounted four-pack at $25 each for four or more tickets, and you can save $10 per ticket if you are buying 2 or 3 at a time (see bulk discount option on the ticket link).

Initial restaurants from Blue Back Square that have committed to showcase some menu favorites for sampling include Flemings, Cook and the Bear, Rizzutos, Bar Louie, Goldberg’s Gourmet, and Green Teahouse. Save your appetite for dessert, because NoRA Cupcakes is also participating.

Look for updates in Monday’s Business Buzz column, along with a list of West Hartford Center participating restaurants.

Axel van. Photo courtesy of Jade Marketing Group

In addition to food, last year’s immensely popular jeans will be back, for a donation of $10/1 pair, $50/6 pairs courtesy of West Hartford-based Jade Marketing Group. Jeans for women – as well as men – will be available at a not-to-be-believed amount out of the their van with proceeds being donated to the Taste of Blue Back Square and The Center’s non-profit partner, the Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society. Last year nearly $1,000 was donated.

We-Ha Vineyard Vines custom clothing will be specially priced as the navy blue line is replaced with a new line for the upcoming holiday season. Orders will be taken for the new light blue We-Ha Vineyard Vines hats.

Another activity that was a huge hit at the West Hartford Wine & Food Festival – We-Ha Wine Pong – will be there all night long thanks to Cruise Planners (Fay deHaas, and  Lisa Martin), and Keating Insurance. “Practice tossing those wine corks into the wine glasses!” Fletcher said.

Hart Real Estate will also be back with their very popular and much-needed water bottles announcing its new venture, WeHa Rentals.

Live music will again feature Hot Cat Jazz.

Zigmont is excited to announce that multiple retailers will have special offers on the day (and the week following) the “Taste of event,” including Charming Charlie and Ooh La La Boutique.

Updates leading up to the event will be available on We-Ha.com. Event details and participants subject to change without notice.