By Greg Ellison

(Jan. 6, 2022) Berlin’s sixth annual Restaurant Week will kick off Monday and run through Sunday, as local dining establishments offer special fare with special pricing.

Economic & Community Development Director Ivy Wells said as of Tuesday the Atlantic Hotel and Crush N Crab were the only establishments to submit menus.

“Hopefully, people are just getting back from the holiday,” she said.

Wells said snow on Monday also likely delayed menu submittals.

“Menus will be uploaded this weekend,” she said.

Restaurants expected to participate are Pop’s Kitchen, Blacksmith Berlin, Baked Dessert Café, Rayne’s Reef Soda Fountain & Grill, Gilbert’s Provisions, Main Street Deli, Boxcar on Main, Burn Wood Fire Pizza, On What Grounds and the Globe Gastro Theatre.

Wells said two new establishments, the Rusty Anchor Seafood Market and the Sterling Tavern would also join the list this year.

As in past years, Restaurant Week diners will use a passport to mark progress.

“It doubles as a raffle ticket,” she said. “You need three stamps from three different restaurants.”

Completed passport cards can be turned in at a drop box in the Welcome Center at 14 S. Main St., which is accessible 24 hours.

Berlin Restaurant Week founder Cam Bunting, who operates Bunting Realty, will collect passports.

“Cam will pick the winner a week or so after Restaurant Week,” she said.

Despite the onslaught of cancellations in 2021, Berlin Restaurant Week soldiered onward.

Wells credited the popularity of curbside and carryout dining options for maintaining the event in recent years, while also noting that dining parameters this year would be established case by case.

“Each individual restaurant will determine their own options,” she said.

While the entire list of Restaurant Week offerings remains to be seen, Wells said the week-long event allows patrons to expand their palates.

“It’s important as always to eat local and support our restaurants,” she said. “It gives people a chance to sample unfamiliar foods.”