NH Holds First Annual Statewide Restaurant Week May 18 – 25

For the past several years, communities across the country have organized their own local Restaurant Weeks, when participating restaurants offer special prix fixe menus to encourage diners to step out and try something new or visit an eatery they might not otherwise try. These events started in larger cities, such as New York and Los Angeles, and have recently become popular in smaller cities and towns where there are lots of great bistros, cafés, and cantinas to choose from. In New Hampshire, foodies have been able to enjoy Restaurant Weeks in Portsmouth, Manchester, Keene, Concord, Nashua, and Dover for some time, but this year marks the first-ever annual statewide Restaurant Week!

Restaurant Week NH will kick off on Friday, May 18^th at participating eateries throughout the Granite State. More than 100 restaurants are already on board for this eight-day event, which will feature prix fixe menus for lunch and/or dinner from a variety of popular dining spots. To fit different budgets from fine dining to quick and casual, there are three levels of pricing, the event website lists all the participating restaurants with an icon of one, two, or three forks for each restaurant. One fork means $10 lunch and $15 dinner, two forks means $15 lunch and $25 dinner, and three forks means $20 lunch and $35 dinner. All pricing includes three courses, usually an appetizer, main course, and dessert.

“I highly encourage the people of New Hampshire to experience all that our fine restaurants have to offer during New Hampshire Restaurant Week,” Governor John Lynch said in March when he announced Restaurant Week NH. “As governor, I am proud of our restaurant and lodging industry. New Hampshire restaurants are known for their great food and knowledgeable staff, making for a wonderful dining experience that I hope you will experience for yourself during Restaurant Week in May, and all throughout the year.”

Restaurant Week NH is a great opportunity for a culinary road trip or a mini foodie vacation. Many hotels and inns are offering special lodging packages to coincide with the Restaurant Week event. Here at the Inns & Spa at Mill Falls, guests can take advantage of the Travel Now special offer, which includes one night’s accommodations, a full country breakfast from your choice of three restaurants, and 15% off spa services at Cascade Spa. Meredith eateries participating in Restaurant Week NH include Lakehouse Grille, Lago, Camp, and Giuseppe’s—all within walking distance of the Inns!

Get out and experience some of the fine cuisine that’s available throughout the Granite State and show your support for the first official New Hampshire Restaurant Week! For information about the event, visit RestaurantWeekNH.com, and for updates on all the Restaurant Week happenings via social media, follow on Twitter or the Restaurant Week NH Facebook page.

Carrie Reed
The Mill Falls Blogging Team

image courtesy of Restaurant Week NH