Vermont Restaurant Week 2014

While many of us have still been waking from our long winter slumbers, rubbing our eyes in disbelief as the mercury finally creeps above the 32°F mark, local foodies have been salivating with anticipation of the 5th annual Vermont Restaurant Week for months, and the wait is almost over. Break out your Thanksgiving Pants if you have 'em because the VT Restaurant Week 2014 will be held this year from April 25 through May 4. If this will be your first Restaurant Week and you're not sure what it's all about, this year's press release explains:

The Vermont Dept. of Tourism and Marketing and Seven Days, Vermont’s free, independent newsweekly and organizer of Vermont Restaurant Week, are pleased to announce this year’s Vermont Restaurant Week, a simultaneous celebration of the state’s vibrant local food culture and fundraiser for the Vermont Foodbank.

And from the official site's FAQs, here's how it works:

Q. What is Vermont Restaurant Week?

A. From April 25-May 4, 2014, participating restaurants will offer special, prix-fixe menus showcasing their chefs’ greatest dishes. Those menus will feature three-course dinners (e.g. appetizer, entreé and dessert) priced at $15, $25 or $35 per person. Select restaurants offer discounted lunches that are usually $10 or less. The week also includes a special calendar of special, food-themed events.

Q. How does Vermont Foodbank benefit?

A. 10% of the proceeds from sponsorships and 100% of special event admissions will be donated to Vermont Foodbank.

You can find more information about this year's special events here, including the Sweet Start Smackdown - a dessert competition between many of the state's top pastry chef's,  held the evening of 4/24. The Smackdown effectively doubles as the opening ceremonies for a week (10 days really) of feasting on local food served at the area's top establishments. Back to the main event though, Restaurant Week is charitable event  that allows us all to help feed hungry, less fortunate Vermonters while supporting our local restaurateurs.... oh, and stuffing our faces with as much green mountain cuisine as possible!

Nosh Near the 'Noosk

In the past, several of our Winooski neighbors have been involved, but it looks like the city's newest addition, Mule Bar, is the only one participating this year. They promise to surprise us with their menu, but if you've ever tried their food, you can be sure they won't disappoint:

$35 Menu

The chalkboard menu will change each day to feature one cheese-and-charcuterie plate, one small plate and one entrée for $35. For an additional $10, the bartender will pair each of your courses with a specially selected beer.

Although not in Winooski, we can see our next closest neighbor - Bluebird Barbecue - out our back windows, just across the river, so we thought they deserved a shout out as well. In addition to their $25 restaurant week menu, they've decided to mix things up a bit too with a special take-out offering:

$25 Menu

APPETIZER OPTIONS

Mug of Chili  Our award-winning chili, with just the right amount of heat and spice

Raw Slaw Salad Kale, red onion, celery root and apple in slaw dressing

Pulled-Pork Poutine Mini version of the Bluebird Barbecue favorite

ENTRÉE OPTIONS

Chicken or Black Bean Smokehouse Burrito

With dirty rice, shredded cheddar, lettuce and tomato relish

Pulled-Pork Sandwich Kaiser roll piled with pork and topped with slaw. One side your choice

Betty’s Big Salad Fried or smoked chicken, cucumber, tomato and buttermilk dressing

DESSERT OPTIONS

Molasses Corn Cake With maple frosting

Rookie’s Float Rookie’s Root Beer or Rookie’s Red with a vanilla ice cream floater

Restaurant Week Take-Out Special

Barbecue For Two, $29.95 Your choice of three portions of meat and four sides

Donate to Vermont Foodbank

Even if you won't be able to participate in VT Restaurant Week this year, you can still help neighbors in need by donating to Vermont Foodbank via text or through their website.