Berlin’s inaugural Restaurant Week was a triumph for the town with many restaurants seeing an increase in sales and foot traffic.
“It was a wonderful success,” said Ivy Wells, Berlin’s economic and community development director. “Businesses were busy and appreciative of the event.”
More than a dozen restaurants offered special prices on select menus from Jan. 11-17.
“For a small town, we have a lot of restaurants who serve breakfast, lunch and dinner,” Wells said.
“People ate lunch, walked around and shopped before grabbing a coffee or desserts over at Baked [Dessert Café] and this kind of event shows the fabric of this community, how it is interwoven and everyone supports each other in a good way,” said Leo D’Aleo Jr., chef of the Drummers Café inside the Atlantic Hotel. “It highlights the community spirit that everyone can rally around.”
D’Aleo Jr. said Drummers Café had a nice crowd every day of Restaurant Week including Monday and Tuesday, which is not normally a busy time during the winter. The restaurant had 1,024 covers, he said, which is typical of a week in June before summer is in full swing. In addition, 145 lemon lust desserts were ordered during the seven-day period, which was featured in the lunch and dinner specials.
“It was great and a huge success for us,” said Laura Stearns, general manager of Drummers Café. “We did not know what to expect. A lot of people were able to come out.”
Denise Cooper, general manager of Siculi, echoed the sentiments of D’Aleo Jr. and Stearns.
“We rocked and rolled all week long during lunch and dinner,” Cooper said. “It was crazy busy and like being in the height of August. We want to thank everyone who came out and supported us. We can’t wait for the next one [in the spring] and look forward to serving them again.”
At Blacksmith on Pitts Street, there was a 30-minute wait for seating at 3 p.m. on Saturday.
“You never see this amount of people on a Saturday in January,” said Anna O’Neill, a server at the restaurant.
Local realtor Cam Bunting came up with the idea to showcase the variety of restaurants in Berlin and Wells also pitched in by setting up a Facebook page.
D’Aleo Jr. commended the publicity and planning of Restaurant Week for helping businesses stay busy. He also noted once this event gains traction it will get bigger and better each year.
“It is good to be proud of what you are and we have good food in this town,” said Ruth Koontz, owner of Main Street Deli.
A spring Restaurant Week is in the works, but no date has been set.
“It was a wonderful success,” said Ivy Wells, Berlin’s economic and community development director. “Businesses were busy and appreciative of the event.”
More than a dozen restaurants offered special prices on select menus from Jan. 11-17.
“For a small town, we have a lot of restaurants who serve breakfast, lunch and dinner,” Wells said.
“People ate lunch, walked around and shopped before grabbing a coffee or desserts over at Baked [Dessert Café] and this kind of event shows the fabric of this community, how it is interwoven and everyone supports each other in a good way,” said Leo D’Aleo Jr., chef of the Drummers Café inside the Atlantic Hotel. “It highlights the community spirit that everyone can rally around.”
D’Aleo Jr. said Drummers Café had a nice crowd every day of Restaurant Week including Monday and Tuesday, which is not normally a busy time during the winter. The restaurant had 1,024 covers, he said, which is typical of a week in June before summer is in full swing. In addition, 145 lemon lust desserts were ordered during the seven-day period, which was featured in the lunch and dinner specials.
“It was great and a huge success for us,” said Laura Stearns, general manager of Drummers Café. “We did not know what to expect. A lot of people were able to come out.”
Denise Cooper, general manager of Siculi, echoed the sentiments of D’Aleo Jr. and Stearns.
“We rocked and rolled all week long during lunch and dinner,” Cooper said. “It was crazy busy and like being in the height of August. We want to thank everyone who came out and supported us. We can’t wait for the next one [in the spring] and look forward to serving them again.”
At Blacksmith on Pitts Street, there was a 30-minute wait for seating at 3 p.m. on Saturday.
“You never see this amount of people on a Saturday in January,” said Anna O’Neill, a server at the restaurant.
Local realtor Cam Bunting came up with the idea to showcase the variety of restaurants in Berlin and Wells also pitched in by setting up a Facebook page.
D’Aleo Jr. commended the publicity and planning of Restaurant Week for helping businesses stay busy. He also noted once this event gains traction it will get bigger and better each year.
“It is good to be proud of what you are and we have good food in this town,” said Ruth Koontz, owner of Main Street Deli.
A spring Restaurant Week is in the works, but no date has been set.