Organizers Announce Results of Restaurant Week

More than 1,000 diners participated in Newtown's first ever Restaurant Week, with some establishments reporting record crowds, according to event organizers.

"The first Friday of Restaurant Week was our busiest non-holiday Friday in the history of our business," Angelo Marini, owner of Sal e Pepe Contemporary Italian Bistro said in a press release issued by Jantris Marketing Services, which coordinated the event. "Restaurant Week definitely was a success for us."

The 11-day event, which began Sept. 6, featured dining promotions from about a dozen or so restaurants and eateries offering prixe-fixe meals and other deals. A raffle also was held and the chosen winners were invited to McLaughling Vineyards for a reception where they received their prize of a bottle of wine, wine basket and private wine tasting for six.

The winners were Robert and Mary Korin, of Bethel; Mike and Laurie Subrizi, of Monroe; and the Rev. Bob Weiss of St. Rose of Lima Church.

A portion of funds – $500 – earned from Restaurant Week, which included a fee paid by each restaurant and corporate sponsorships, was donated to the Newtown High School Scholarship Association to support a student looking to pursue culinary arts. Other funds were used to promote the event and for printing and event coordination costs, according to Tricia Farin, owner of Jantris.

In addition to Jantris, town officials and members of the Chamber of Commerce of Newtown, Newtown Economic Development Commission and Sal e Pepe helped organize the event. Haas Insurance Agency was the title sponsor with additional sponsorship from Newtown Patch, Minuteman Press and the (Danbury) News-Times.