Seven Days, Vermont’s free, independent weekly newspaper, has announced the dates and events of the 4th Annual Vermont Restaurant Week, a celebration of the state’s vibrant local-food culture.
For 10 days, April 26 to May 5, 2013, restaurants throughout Vermont will offer special prix-fixe dinners at three price points — $15, $25 or $35 per person. Lunch specials at select locations are $10 or less. Vermont Restaurant Week is also a benefit for the Vermont Foodbank. Ten percent of the proceeds from sponsorships and restaurant participation fees and 100% of event admissions will be donated to Vermont Foodbank. Additionally, you can text FOODNOW (that’s one word) to the phone number 52000 and you will make a $10 donation to the Vermont Foodbank. $10 = 30 meals. Last year, the event raised $6,000 for food-insecure Vermonters.
Participating restaurants range from renowned eateries such as Burlington’s L’Amante Ristorante and The Kitchen Table Bistro in Richmond to local faves Three Penny Taproom in Montpelier and Café Provence in Brandon. So far, 93 restaurants — 28 of them new to Restaurant Week — have signed on to participate. This year’s sponsors include Vermont Federal Credit Union, Vermont Butter and Cheese Creamery, G.Housen (Shipyard Brewing Co. and DFV Wines) and Vermont White Vodka, with media support from WCAX-TV and WNCS The Point.
You can see the full Vermont Restaurant Week list of restaurants here.
We’re also very excited about the event line-up!
Wednesday, April 24
Sweet Start Smackdown
Dessert comes first at this Restaurant Week-eve kick-off battle where pastry chefs from every corner of the state compete and foodies feast. Scores from celebrity judges — Ben & Jerry’s co-founder Ben Cohen, “Next Great Baker” runner-up Gretel-Ann Fischer and Vermont drag legend Amber LeMay — and votes from you decide the winner of Vermont Restaurant Week’s Signature Sweet.
Higher Ground Ballroom, 1214 Williston Road, S. Burlington. 7-9 p.m. Tickets: $15 adv./$20. Limited availability. This event will sell out! Info, 802-864-5684.
Sunday, April 28
Does your child prefer The Food Network to Sesame Street? Then the Panera Bread B.I.T. Kids program might be for them! During Vermont Restaurant Week, Panera is offering an introductory culinary experience for kids ages 5-12. This program is perfect for the aspiring bakers in your house, classroom, scout group, kids club, or birthday party. Your “Baker in Training” will be taken on a journey through a Panera Bread bakery-cafe to learn the essentials of baking, kitchen & food safety, and food preparation. Your child will learn the fundamentals of the Panera bread-making craft by stretching & scoring their very own French baguette to bake onsite and bring home. While waiting for their baguette to bake they will enjoy decorating their own cookie! Plus, all B.I.T Kids will decorate and be outfitted with their own paper baking hat & apron! A portion of the proceeds from the $8 per child admission will go towards the Vermont Foodbank to help support the fight against Hunger in Vermont!
Panera Bread, 37 Church Street, Burlington. B.I.T. Kids will be held on Sunday April 28th from 2pm-430pm. Sign up now to reserve your child’s spot! Register to attend this event by emailing dave.almond@panerabread.
Foodie Flick: Jiro Dreams of Sushi
To some, sushi is just raw fish. To Jiro Ono, it’s a life’s work. This film examines the relentless pursuit of perfection that has won Ono’s 10-seat Tokyo restaurant three Michelin stars and famous fans, including chef Joël Robuchon. Like the best sushi, it will touch your heart and your taste buds. The prescreening cocktail hour features free sushi snacks from Linda Furiya’s Yum Dragon Dumplings, DFV wines, Shipyard brews and Vermont White Vodka.
Palace 9 Cinemas, 10 Fayette Road, So. Burlington. Cocktail hour 4 p.m., movie 5 p.m. $7.50. Info, 802-864-5610. Click here for more info on the Foodie Flick.
Tuesday, April 30
Culinary Pub Quiz
Compete for prizes in seven rounds of foodie trivia hosted by Seven Days and Top Hat Entertainment. The top team wins a $500 gift card to Burton’s flagship store. Limited space. Preregister by April 26.
Nectar’s, 188 Main Street, Burlington, 6:30-9 p.m. Preregistration required. Free. Info, 802-658-4771.
Wednesday, May 1
Salon: The Real Cost of Local Food
Vermont may be an epicenter for farm-to-table cuisine, but farmers and restaurateurs still grapple with the challenge of getting fresh, local food onto your plate. Discuss the topic with Bluebird restaurateur Sue Bette, Jericho Settlers Farm co-owner Christa Alexander, food system pragmatist Sean Buchanan of Black River Produce and Vermont Butter and Cheese Creamery co-founder Alison Hooper. Seven Days co-founder Pamela Polston moderates.
Signal Kitchen, 71 Main Street, Burlington, 5:30-7 p.m. $5 donation. Info, 802-864-5684.
Friday, May 3
Parents’ Night Out
Even foodies with kids have no excuse to miss out on Restaurant Week. Thanks to the nice folks at the Greater Burlington YMCA, parents can enjoy a Friday or Saturday night on the town while their kids have fun at the Y.
Greater Burlington YMCA, 266 College Street, Burlington. 6-8:30 p.m. $10 members, $18 nonmembers. Preregistration required: 802-862-9622.
Saturday, May 4
Salsa Saturday
Round out your Restaurant Week adventure with this “Cuatro de Mayo” finale featuring a homemade salsa competition, salsa dance lessons and salsa tunes by DJ Hector Cobeo. Sample treats from Vermont Butter and Cheese, Vermont White Vodka and… salsa, of course!
Red Square, 136 Church Street, Burlington. 4:30-7 p.m. $5 donation. Info, 802-864-5684.
Even foodies with kids have no excuse to miss out on Restaurant Week. Thanks to the nice folks at the Greater Burlington YMCA, parents can enjoy a Friday or Saturday night on the town while their kids have fun at the Y.
Greater Burlington YMCA, 266 College Street, Burlington. 5:30-8 p.m. $10 members, $18 nonmembers. Preregistration required: 802-862-9622.
Follow all the foodie goodness on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram! If you’re sharing your Vermont Restaurant Week experience on social media, be sure to tag VRW on Facebook or use the hashtag #vtrw.
And if you’d like to give directly to the Vermont Foodbank, text FOODNOW to 52000 or visit our online giving page. At the Vermont Foodbank, $1 = 3 meals for Vermonters in need.