From chef-driven full-service establishments to beloved counter-service favorites, restaurants in Windham and Mansfield will cater to every palate when Restaurant Week returns in 2024. The two weeks of delicious known as Taste2Towns is Monday, January 29 to Sunday, February 11, 2024.
Participating restaurants are finalizing their menu offerings, which are featured for visitors to preview at Taste2Towns.com. The Towns of Mansfield and Windham have joined up with the Mansfield Downtown Partnership and Willimantic Downtown Neighborhood Association (WDNA) to collaborate on the third year of this popular promotion highlighting an expanded list of local restaurants showing off their best stuff in the two communities. More than 20 establishments are expected to join in.
Participating restaurants will feature something for everyone, from special items as low as $10 up to multi-course offerings for a single price of $34-45, known as prix-fixe. If dining out is not convenient, customers can enjoy the event at home with many venues offering creative take-out only dishes designed for Taste2Towns. The promotion includes breakfast, lunch and/or dinner menus.
Andy Gütt, President of the Willimantic Downtown Neighborhood Association and owner of Stone Row Kitchen and Bar in Willimantic is one of the lead organizers of the Taste2Towns experience. His restaurant, Stone Row Kitchen + Bar, was recently named 2023 Restaurant of the Year for Windham County, and he is a firm believer in dining establishments as a major economic driver.
“The first year of Taste2Towns, we planted the seed. In the second year, the idea began to grow. This year, our third year, Taste2Towns Restaurant Week celebrates a regional food scene that’s leaped into full bloom in this Leap Year,” says Gutt.
He continues, “By late January, folks are ready to emerge from their homes, meet up with friends, and try something new. By exploring the menus and offerings through the website, Taste2Towns.com, we are confident that neighbors and destination diners from outside our region will find exciting new taste experiences.”
Joining in Taste2Towns is this growing list of participating eateries (visit Taste2Towns.com for the most up-to-date listing):
Mansfield
- Dog Lane Café
- Fenton River Grill
- Gansett Wraps
- Haven Hot Chicken
- Hops 44
- Kathmandu Kitchen
- Little Aladdin Mediterranean Grill
- Nautical Bowls
- Playa Bowls
- Square Peg Pizzeria
- TaCO
Windham
- A Cupcake for Later
- The Fish Market
- Harp on Church
- Limberia Tropical Algarete
- Stone Row Kitchen + Bar (Connecticut Restaurant Association Best Restaurant in Windham County)
- Willimantic Brewing Company/Main Street Café
- Blondie's Diner
- Pho Delight Thai Restaurant
Both Windham and Mansfield have seen a number of new restaurants lift off in recent months. “We know these new destinations are eager to welcome in customers, and have expressed interest in jumping on board with this event. With Taste2Towns, there is such a wide variety of restaurants and cuisines involved,” says Cynthia van Zelm, Executive Director of the Mansfield Downtown Partnership who coordinates economic development initiatives for the Town of Mansfield. “The community steps up to sponsor this event on behalf of our restaurants, too. Restaurants drive economic vitality. Finding a new favorite dining spot generates a lot of excitement among friends and families. This is the best way to find that new favorite in the new year,” she adds.
Local businesses not directly associated with the food business are signing up to sponsor Taste2Towns, too. Returning sponsors as well as new ones are eager to be associated with such a positive, exciting promotion. Green Valley Tree Service has returned as the top sponsor. Sponsors will join in on the private Kick-Off Party with the chefs and restaurateurs, a happening event of its own. In addition to major support from the Town of Mansfield, the Town of Windham, Willimantic Downtown Neighborhood Association (WDNA), and Mansfield Downtown Partnership, these sponsors generously support the promotional initiative:
Chef's Table Presenting Sponsor: Green Valley Tree Service
Main Course Sponsors:
Coyote Flaco
Dog Lane Cafe
Fairways Bar Grill Patio
Fenton River Grill
Green Valley Hospitality
Grab & Go Sponsors:
Casella
Crooke Orchards
D’Ellia Auctions
Northeastern Connecticut Chamber of Commerce
State Farm
Westford Hill Distillers
Willimantic Food Co-op
By the Bite Sponsors: CLICK Inc
The Hoot
Hosmer Mountain Soda Co.
Kerri Art Studio & Gallery
Meehan & Daughters
Willimantic Brewing Company
Willimantic Renaissance Inc
The Windham Theater Guild
YONO Yoga and Meditation
Zlotnick Construction