News

Charlottesville Restaurant Week Benefits the Whole Town

January 27, 2018

Photo courtesy of http://www.c-villerestaurantweek.com/

Foodies, grab your wallet and appetite because it is Charlottesville Restaurant Week.

Charlottesville Restaurant Week kicked off last Friday and ends this Sunday. You can visit any of the 39 participating restaurants and indulge in a three course meal on a fixed menu for either $25 or $35. The menu options are decided by the participating restaurants and proceeds benefit Blue Ridge Area Food Bank.

Shadwell’s Restaurant offers the Pecan Chicken served with mashed potatoes and spinach as one of the courses.

The first Charlottesville Restaurant Week was in July, 2009.

“Charlottesville has a ton of amazing restaurants for its size and we knew the concept worked well in other markets,” said Anna Harrison, the event coordinator and marketing director for C-VILLE Weekly.

According to Harrison, the abundance of unique restaurants throughout the small town drove C-VILLE Weekly to launch Restaurant Week.

“It has been a success from day one,” she explained.

The restaurants participating in the celebration of Charlottesville’s strong food scene vary for each event but many have been consistent. In an effort to attract as many customers as possible, there is a wide selection of dining locales.

Smoked Meatloaf.
Photo courtesy of @thewhiskeyjarcville Instagram

“We ask that participants offer a menu that has a value that exceeds the price point so that diners are receiving an amazing three course meal for a discounted price. We encourage vegetarian options to be included on menus whenever possible,” said Harrison.

Restaurant week is an effort that helps the entire Charlottesville community–not just the diners.

“Customers benefit from the savings and special menu offerings, restaurants benefit from a big increase in customers during a slow business month and the charity benefits from the $1 per meal donation,” the coordinator continued.

Last year’s event raised over $40,000 for the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank. Harrison explained that the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank was picked as the event’s charity for its commitment to fighting hunger.

“Currently they use the funds to support the needs of the charities in their network to expand their ability to store and transport more produce and fresh food since that is what is most needed in our community,” said Harrison.