By Andy Brophy

WESTPORT–Nineteen Westport restaurants and a Southport restaurant will be offering prix fixe meals during the Westport-Weston Chamber of Commerce’s “Restaurant Week,” which is actually two weeks, beginning Sunday.

“I know I am not the only foodie out there, and this event is for them with the wide selection we have to offer,” Matthew Mandell, executive director and president of the Westport-Weston Chamber of Commerce, said in a press release. “We want people to eat local and realize Westport has the best dining scene in Fairfield County.”

Chris Gonzalez, a chef at Kawa Ni, an Izakaya-inspired Japanese pub on Bridge Square, said Kawa Ni has participated in “Restaurant Week” for at least four years. He said Kawa Ni is always busy, but sees “slightly more” business during “Restaurant Week.”

“It definitely helps,” he said.

Neill Joseph, general manager at Zucca Gastrobar, an Italian restaurant on Charles Street, said Zucca’s opened three years ago and has participated in “Restaurant Week” ever since.

Joseph said “Restaurant Week” has “absolutely” increased the number of diners. “People come for the deals,” he said.

“Restaurant Week” runs from Oct. 4 through Oct. 18.

As of mid-Friday afternoon, participating restaurants, some of whom had yet to post their prix fixe menus on the Chamber’s website, included:

  • The Boathouse at Saugatuck, 521 Riverside Ave., 203-227-3399; lunch (Wednesday through Friday) – $25 for two courses, $32 for three courses, dinner (Wednesday through Friday) – $35 for two courses, $45 for three courses; Menu posted.
  • Dandelion, 1595 Post Road East, 203-266-3111; brunch – $28, lunch – $34, dinner – $65; Menu not yet posted.
  • Blu Olive, 36 Railroad Place, 203-349-5313; lunch – $25, dinner – $50; Menu not yet posted.
  • Felice Westport, 38 Main St., 475-363-4750; lunch – $25, dinner – $40; Menu posted.
  • Finalmente Trattoria, 165 Post Road East, 203-226-8500; prix fixe and menu not yet posted.
  • Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletano, 361 Post Road West, 475-335-7373; lunch – $20, prix fixe for dinner and menu not yet posted.
  • Gray Goose, 246 Old Post Road, Southport, 203-292-8779; prix fixe and menu not yet posted.
  • Kawa Ni, 19A Bridge Square, 203-557-8775; lunch – $25; Menu posted.
  • La Plage Restaurant & Oyster Bar, 260 Compo Road South, 203-684-6232; prix fixe and menu not yet posted.
  • Little Pub at Dunville’s, 41 Saugatuck Ave., 203-227-0511; prix fixe lunch and dinner and menu not yet posted.
  • Rive Bistro, 299 Riverside Ave., 203-557-8049; lunch – $35; Menu not yet posted.
  • Rizzutto’s Oyster Bar & Restaurant, 540 Riverside Ave., 203-221-1002; dinner – $35; Menu not yet posted.
  • Romanacci Westport Train Station, 46 Railroad Place, 203-571-3301; lunch – $30, dinner – $45; Menu posted.
  • Spotted Horse Tavern, 26 Church Lane, 203-557-9393; lunch – $30, dinner – $40; Menu not yet posted.
  • Tarantino Restaurant & Bar, 30 Railroad Place, 203-454-3188; prix fixe and menu not yet posted.
  • Tutti’s Ristorante, 599 Riverside Ave., 203-221-0262; lunch – $35, dinner – $45; Menu not yet posted.
  • Viva Zapata, 530 Riverside Ave., 203-227-8226; prix fixe and menu not yet posted.
  • Yuzu Sushi, 43 Main St., 203-242-9888; lunch – $30, dinner – $55; Menu posted.
  • Walrus Alley, 90 Post Road East, 203-333-2733; prix fixe and menu not yet posted.
  • Zucca Gastrobar, 30 Charles St., 203-349-5227; lunch – $25, dinner – $40; Menu posted.

For updated information, check the chamber’s website.

Sponsors of “Restaurant Week” include CastleKeep Investment Advisors LLC; WEBE 108; and WICC 600 where, Mandell said in the press release, commercials and interviews to promote the event have been ongoing.

Andy Brophy

Andy Brophy is an experienced Fairfield County journalist. Andy was a staff writer at The Connecticut Post for 10 years. He also wrote for the Norwalk Hour, Fairfield Minuteman, Fairfield Patch and weekly newspapers in Westport, Fairfield and Norwalk. When not reporting, Andy enjoys playing chess and listening to pianist Art Tatum. .