Making a delicious return, the Mansfield Downtown Partnership and Willimantic Downtown Neighborhood Association are co-sponsoring the third year of the Taste 2 Towns culinary exploration in association with the Northeast Connecticut Chamber of Commerce. This two-week-long event brings together over 20 restaurants in Mansfield and Windham, including University of Connecticut campus favorites. Happening through Feb. 11, participating restaurants will be offering special menus, promotional deals and showcasing their unique flavors and talents.
This year’s Taste 2 Towns promises to be bigger and better than ever, with a wider range of restaurants between both Storrs-Mansfield and Windham-Willimantic, which have held their own successful events in the past.
Andy Gutt, the President of the Willimantic Downtown Neighborhood Association and local restaurant owner emphasized that dining drives much of the local economy.
“…In our third year, the Taste 2 Towns restaurant week celebrates our regional food scene,” Gutt said. “It’s leaped into full bloom… Folks are ready to meet up with friends and try something new.”
Participating restaurants will be offering special multi-course fixed-price menus for lunch and dinner, with lower prices for specialty and limited-time items. Students interested in exploring off-campus dining options will find a variety of cuisines and options available – whether you’re a fan of classic comfort food, adventurous international flavors or something in between, you’re sure to find something you’ll enjoy.
Some of the participants located near the UConn campus include the Dog Lane Café, Nautical Bowls, Hops on 44 and Gansett Wraps amongst others. Favorites in Windham add Fairways Grill, Blondie’s Diner and the Willimantic Brewing Company to name a few.
“This partnership showcases the vibrant dining scene across our two charming Connecticut towns,” Gutt adds, “Everyone can eat, explore, and celebrate what our local businesses offer.”
The event comes as part of greater Connecticut Restaurant Week festivities, where restaurateurs and local chambers of commerce and municipalities are encouraged to host events like Taste 2 Towns to encourage more people to patronize local eateries and small businesses. For more information about Taste 2 Towns and a complete list of participating restaurants, visit taste2towns.com and connecticutrestaurantweek.com.