Austin does it. Boulder does it. Newport does it. New York City does it. The State of Maine and the Connecticut Shoreline does it: They all host a Restaurant Week. Now we think it’s time to launch our own —The Mansfield-Willi Restaurant Week; arrive a stranger, leave a regular.

The past two years have created unprecedented challenges for our restaurants. Consider this another resourceful opportunity to support your favorite establishments when they need it the most.

Andrew Gutt, owner of Stone Row Kitchen and Bar in Downtown Willimantic originated the concept with support of Thread City Development in Willimantic and the Town of Mansfield.

“We’re a robust hospitality community often the underdog to other food centers in Connecticut.” The cohesiveness of a Restaurant Week will help place us on that same stage,” says Gutt.

“The conflux of generations of immigrants, agricultural to industrial history, and new economy driven by two universities gives us an interesting locally and internationally diverse audience to develop concepts around.

Add to that robust agricultural surroundings and cottage industries, the set of tools for food ventures to work with out here is really extraordinary,” he adds.

“We know that sharing a meal with friends is one of those activities that people enjoy most,” says Cynthia van Zelm, Executive Director of the Mansfield Downtown Partnership who also leads Mansfield’s economic development initiatives. “Whether people want to take home a special meal or come out of hibernation in late winter by dining out, our Restaurant Week will provide that chance. Our hospitality community offers an array of dining experiences, and we aim to position this area as a great dining destination,” she adds.

“We know that sharing a meal with friends is one of those activities that people enjoy most,” says Cynthia van Zelm, Executive Director of the Mansfield Downtown Partnership who also leads Mansfield’s economic development initiatives.  

“Whether people want to take home a special meal or come out of hibernation in late winter by dining out, our Restaurant Week will provide that chance.

Our hospitality community offers an array of dining experiences, and we aim to position this area as a great dining destination,” she adds.

As the centers of cultural and economic activity in our region, we have a rich array of restaurants between Downtown Willimantic and Mansfield. We want to encourage folks to get out of the wintry doldrums, discover new restaurants or re-discover their favorites. Think about it—it’s a culinary melting pot of ethnic foods to explore,” says Chris McNaboe, Director of Thread City Development Inc. “Within our boundaries are some very creative and innovative food concepts. This will provide our neighbors and destination diners from all over a little incentive to explore what our communities have to offer.”