Restaurant Week Returning To Newtown With A New Twist

NEWTOWN, CT — Restaurant Week is returning to Newtown this fall, but this year's event will expand beyond the town's food scene.

Newtown Restaurant and Business Appreciation Week will run Oct. 16-25, reviving previous Restaurant Week events while using the increased traffic at local eateries to promote other businesses around town, officials announced.

The town's Economic and Community Development office is partnering with The Restaurant Week Company on the event.

"While putting the focus on restaurants exclusively has been done in Newtown and across the state for years, it is my department's aim to leverage the popularity and traffic generated by our many excellent food service establishments to help boost exposure to our other Newtown businesses," Economic and Community Development director John Voket said.

The festivities will actually begin a day early with the inaugural "Sip & Savor" event from 6 to 9 p.m. Oct. 15 at the Newtown Community Center.

Local eateries will compete for the titles of Best Appetizer and Best Cocktail/Mocktail, with attendees choosing the winners. Tickets are $50 per person, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting Real Food CT.

During Restaurant Week, patrons at participating restaurants and food businesses will also receive a QR code directing them to Newtown's online Business Directory, where they can browse other businesses in town.

"Restaurant weeks play a larger role in stimulating the local economy," ItsRestaurantWeek.com founder Michael Ferreira said. "Increased restaurant traffic leads to higher sales not just for eateries, but for nearby shops and service providers."

Businesses that want to participate must register for a free listing in Newtown's Business Directory. More information, including participating restaurants and details about the kickoff event, is available through the town.