Inside Seven Days

Seven Days, Vermont’s free, independent weekly newspaper, is pleased to announce the dates of the 7th Annual Vermont Restaurant Week, a celebration of the state’s vibrant local-food culture.

For 10 days, from April 22 to May 1, 2016, 114 restaurants (to date) throughout Vermont will offer special prix-fixe dinners at three price points — $20, $30 or $40 per person. Lunch and breakfast specials at select locations will also be available. Participating restaurants range from renowned eateries such as Burlington’s Hen of the Wood and Michael’s on the Hill in Waterbury Center to local faves the Farmhouse Tap & Grill in Burlington and Three Penny Taproom in Montpelier. Several southern Vermont restaurants have signed on this year, too, including duo Restaurant in Brattleboro and Popolo in Bellows Falls.

Several foodie events will also take place, including:

• Best Bite Bash, an exclusive tasting event and competition at which 10 chefs preview select items from their Vermont Restaurant Week menu. Thursday, April 21, at Higher Ground in South Burlington
  
• Culinary Pub Quiz on Tuesday, April 26, at Nectar’s in Burlington
  
• The Dish, a discussion between local experts on the challenges and rewards of growing food in a changing climate — now and into the future. Wednesday, April 27, at ArtsRiot in Burlington
  
• Belly Laughs, a food-themed improv show. Thursday, April 28, at Vermont Comedy Club in Burlington
  
• Feeding Frenzy, a statewide Instagram scavenger hunt, April 22 to May 1
  

Look for more information about events and participating restaurants at vermontrestaurantweek.com. Contact [email protected] for questions about events and [email protected] about restaurant participation.

Vermont Restaurant Week is a benefit for the Vermont Foodbank. Last year, the event raised more than $20,000, which provided 60,000 meals for food-insecure Vermonters. This year, the Vermont Community Foundation will once again match the Vermont Foodbank donation up to $5,000. City Market has also agreed to make the Vermont Foodbank its 40 percent partner in the co-op’s Rally for Change program, which encourages customers to round up their totals at the register. Visit vermontrestaurantweek.com to learn how you can contribute to the cause.

This year’s sponsors include Vermont Federal Credit Union, Vermont Creamery, Switchback Brewing Co., WhistlePig, Citizen Cider, City Market and the Vermont Department of Tourism & Marketing, with media support from Jumponit and WNCS the Point.

Da Capo Publishing Inc., dba Seven Days, was founded by Pamela Polston and Paula Routly in 1995. In addition to its five free publications, the company also produces two annual events: Vermont Restaurant Week and the Vermont Tech Jam, a job fair and tech expo.

In 2000, the Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce selected then-5-year-old Seven Days as Business of the Year. Eight years later, the Burlington Business Association did the same, citing the company's exemplary business practices, contributions to the community, and promotion of a positive image for Burlington, as well as business success. In 2013, Editor & Publisher selected Seven Days for inclusion in its annual feature, “10 Newspapers That Do It Right.” In 2015, Polston and Routly were inducted into the New England Newspaper Hall of Fame.