The winter edition of the West Hartford Restaurant Week will begin Jan. 6, 2020. [Updated list of restaurants]

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By Ronni Newton

The fourth installment of West Hartford Restaurant Week will begin Jan. 6 and run through Jan. 19, providing the community with the opportunity to sample a wide range of the town’s highly-rated eateries at a value price, while at the same time supporting the event’s “dine for good” component.

Liz Kiyak, operating partner at Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and an organizer of the event, said that during the two-week period participating restaurants will once again be donating 5% of sales ordered from the prix fixe menus to Foodshare, the regional food bank that serves the hungry and food insecure in Hartford and Tolland counties.

The first West Hartford Restaurant Week was held in August/September 2018, and events in the winter and late summer of 2019 followed. In combination, more than $30,000 has been raised for Foodshare – equating to more than 71,000 meals.

Restaurant Week and “Dine for Good” is the result of a collaboration between the West Hartford Chamber of Commerce and Fleming’s, as well as Foodshare, and Kiyak said she is looking forward to the event’s fourth edition.

“West Hartford Restaurant Week gives chefs the opportunity to show off some of their diverse specialties,” said Kiyak. “The town’s restaurant scene is a melting pot of flavors and culinary experiences, known by many locals and in-the-know foodies, and we hope this event will allow others to discover some new places as well.”

Kiyak said that unlike other restaurant weeks, which charge high fees to establishments that participate, West Hartford Restaurant Week was designed with the community in mind.

“West Hartford is the dining epicenter of Connecticut because of the genuine support from our town residents and town officials,” she said. “Instead of dumping money into a marketing fund, our restaurants eagerly donate 5% of sales to Foodshare. We want to give back and help with feeding guests throughout our neighborhoods, and couldn’t think of a more worthy cause than Foodshare and what they do for our community.” 

Participants (updated Jan. 8) include Artisan, bartaco, Blue Elephant Trail, Blue Plate Kitchen, Corner Pug, Division West, Elbow Room, Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, Harvest Wine Bar & Restaurant, Luna Pizza, Max Burger, Max’s Oyster Bar, Park & Oak, Pond House, Prai Kitchen, Prospect Cafe, Rizzuto’s Restaurant & Bar, Savoy Pizzeria & Craft Bar, and Shish Kebob House of Afghanistan.

A complete list of participants, as well as menus, is posted on the West Hartford Restaurant website (www.whrestaurantweek.com), and will be updated as new information is available.

Lunch prix fixe menus will be $12, while dinner will be offered at $20, $30, or $40 price points and will showcase unique offerings at participating restaurants. A special menu for the week or discounts on existing menu items may be offered.

“Foodshare is honored to be the beneficiary of West Hartford Restaurant Week. We hope that everyone will come out to support West Hartford’s restaurants and, in turn, our neighbors who worry about having enough food for their families,” Jason Jakubowski, Foodshare president and CEO, and a West Hartford resident, said in a statement. “Last year, Foodshare provided nearly 12 million meals to our network of 300 local partner programs – food pantries, shelters, and community kitchens, including those here in West Hartford. The proceeds from West Hartford Restaurant week will allow us to continue this important work.”

Christopher Conway, executive director of the West Hartford Chamber of Commerce, also noted the dual benefits of West Hartford Restaurant Week. “Not only is this a great way to highlight the amazing culinary arts West Hartford has to offer, it also is way for our restaurants give back to the community,” he said.

Kiyak urged the community to “dine for good” and try out some new restaurants, or visit their favorite spots, during West Hartford Restaurant Week.

In addition to the website, more information about West Hartford Restaurant Week can be found on Instagram (@whrestaurantweek) and Facebook.

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