From Historic Downtown Basalt to Glenwood Springs’ Restaurant Row, more than 40 local eateries, breweries and distilleries will cast out specials in hopes of reeling in customers as part of the inaugural Roaring Fork Restaurant Week, presented by Glenwood Insurance and Secura Insurance Companies.
“The whole idea behind it is to increase traffic for restaurants and introduce them to people that may not necessarily frequent them often. And, to get some business going in a typically slow time of year,” said Beth Albert, an Aspen Times account advocate and the brainchild behind the local restaurant week. “It just kind of snowballed and more and more people started getting excited about it.”
Beginning Monday and running until Feb. 10, locals and visitors alike can choose from 40 confirmed participating restaurants, representing culinary classics from all across the globe.
“If you look at the list of specials, they are all over the place, which is awesome,” Albert said.
From clay oven-roasted lamb tikka masala to tenderized pan-seared jager schnitzel, dynamite sushi rolls to braised buffalo enchiladas, meatball ricotta pizza to char-broiled sterling silver filet mignon, tofu springs rolls to an all-American grass-fed beef burger, there are offerings for a variety of tastes.
Distilleries and breweries also are partaking in restaurant week, with offerings of craft cocktails, wine by the glass and local beer.
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For a list of participating restaurants and their specials, visit putaforkinit.swiftdmp.com.
“It’s fun to eat, drink and be merry. And this way people can make a night out of it,” Albert said. “We wanted to make it so that the restaurants could afford to do a special that could bring people in so we got sponsors for it.”
Glenwood Insurance and Secura Insurance Cos. are the event’s presenting sponsors with additional sponsor support from Basalt Chamber of Commerce, Carbondale Chamber and Tourism, Glenwood Tourism and Willits Town Center. The Roaring Fork Transportation Authority is a friend of the restaurant sponsor.
“The whole idea was to do something for everyone,” Albert said.
Each participating restaurant in Basalt, Willits, Carbondale and Glenwood Springs will create unique specials that fall into one of three price points. Restaurants are offering either $20.19 or $40.38 select specials while others will simply take 20.19 percent off of the select specials.
Depending on the restaurant, specials range from a craft cocktail complemented with charcuterie and cheese to a five-course meal.
Additionally, while the majority of participants plan to offer select lunch and dinner specials, a few will also showcase breakfast and brunch.
Patrons are encouraged to post to social media with the hash tag #putaforkinitRF sharing their experience. The theme of the event is “Put a Fork In It,” a play on words referencing the Roaring Fork Valley.
The goal is to do it every year, Albert said.
“Take advantage of all of the fabulous restaurants that we have in the Roaring Fork Valley, that’s my dream,” she said.