AMHERST – Eleven downtown eateries are participating in the first Restaurant Week in Amherst center beginning Saturday.
Sponsored by the Amherst Business Improvement District, the event is modeled after an event on Cape Cod, said BID Executive Director Sarah la Cour.
La Cour said unlike other restaurant weeks, when there are fixed prices or an otherwise unifying theme, the restaurants taking part each chose how they would celebrate the event.
Some will have entree and drink specials throughout the week, others will have three-course meals for a set price, and there will be some specials coinciding with St. Patrick’s Day.
The BID intentionally set the week during spring break for the University of Massachusetts, hoping to encourage people to dine in town during what is a less crowded time, la Cour said.
A second event focused on restaurants is already being planned for the summer, la Cour said.
This would supplement the annual Taste of Amherst, to be held on the Town Common in June.
Those participating in Restaurant Week are Baku’s African Restaurant, 197 North Pleasant St.; Bistro 63, 63 North Pleasant St.; Chez Albert, 178 North Pleasant St.; High Horse Brewing, 24 North Pleasant St.; Johnny’s Tavern, 30 Boltwood Walk; Judie’s Restaurant, 51 North Pleasant St.; The Lumber Yard, 383 Main St.; Moti, 41 Boltwood Walk; Osteria Vespa, 28 Amity St.; The Pub, 15 East Pleasant St.; and 30 Boltwood, 30 Boltwood Ave.
Information about each restaurant’s specials can be found at http://www.amherstdowntown.com/events/restaurant-week/
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.
