On Thursday, June 21^st, Mayor Donald R. Grebien and Mayor James A. Diossa announced a new joint Restaurant Week landing page for the Cities of Pawtucket and Central Falls. The collaboration serves as another example of the two cities working together to promote the Blackstone Valley and its diverse culture as they focus on the different flavors and cuisines each city has to offer.

Central Falls Restaurant Week will take place from August 27th to September 2nd followed by Pawtucket Restaurant Week from September 3rd to September 9th. The site (restaurantweekpcf.com) will serve as the central hub for both weeks.

“After the success of our first Restaurant Week, creating a website and partnering with Central Falls will only further our promotion of this exciting event,” said Pawtucket Mayor Donald R. Grebien. “Small businesses are the backbone of our great City and the Blackstone Valley and our growing restaurant scene is a big part of that. I invite every Rhode Islander to join us for Restaurant Week this September and experience Pawtucket’s Evolution for themselves!”

“It’s exciting to further the partnership with Mayor Grebien and Pawtucket through the launching of our new joint Restaurant Week landing page. Central Falls and Pawtucket are extremely similar in our diversity of restaurants ranging from American to Mexican to Cape Verdean, and so on,” said Mayor Diossa. “Coming together to promote our two Restaurant Weeks will allow us to really get the word out and bring individuals to the Blackstone Valley to experience not just our delicious foods but different cultures from around the World. I am excited to build on the success of our past Restaurant Weeks.”

Residents and visitors throughout the state and region will be able experience a variety of cuisines at over 40 locations in Pawtucket and over 20 in Central Falls, all offering specials. Both cities are known for their diverse restaurant scene that includes cuisines from across the globe, including America, Central America, Venezuela, Portugal & Cape Verde, and Colombia.

The two cities have worked together through the Pawtucket Central Falls Restaurant Week Committee represented by Pawtucket, Central Falls, Navigant Credit Union, Pawtucket Foundation, and the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council. The Northern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce has also been a firm supporter.

"Things are happening in Pawtucket and Central Falls.  Once again the cities are working together, this time on a fun event that spans two weeks -Restaurant Week, with over 60 restaurants participating. The Pawtucket Foundation is happy to support and be part of the team to make this year's Restaurant Week an event that showcases the diverse and unique foods of the two cities,” said Executive Director of the Pawtucket Foundation, Jan Brodie, who emceed the press conference.

“Navigant Credit Union is happy to once again participate in restaurant weeks. We are excited to help bring in people from all over area, to the restaurants in Pawtucket and Central Falls,” said Gary Furtado, President and CEO of Navigant Credit Union. “I know that once you try these great places to dine and relax, you will be back again and again.”

“The Chamber is pleased to be a partner with the cities of Pawtucket and Central Falls for Restaurant Week and others. Events like this have a positive economic impact for our area. Plus it attracts people from outside the Northern RI area to experience a myriad of great dining options and adds to the community pride we have as we shine a positive spotlight on our region,” said John Gregory, President and Chief Executive Officer of Northern RI Chamber of Commerce.

“I want to thank the cities of Pawtucket and Central Falls for their support of this fantastic event which showcases the dozens and dozens of restaurants in this part of the Blackstone Valley. This is an exciting opportunity for people from all over to discover the diversity of authentic and unique dining experiences in these two cities that are well worth exploring,” said President of Blackstone Valley Tourism Council, Bob Billington.

Local restaurants have also expressed their support and appreciation for Restaurant Week in both Pawtucket and Central Falls.

“As a restaurant owner, it is refreshing to see all of the support that the City of Central Falls and local organizations have given us with Restaurant Week over the last few years. The partnership with Pawtucket will only help the event grow,” said Gallo de Oro owner Victor Trejo. “I am happy to once again be a participant and wish to thank everyone who is making this year’s event possible.”

“Last year’s Restaurant Week really brought our two communities together to generate interest and excitement around the event. Customers would talk to me about the different restaurants they had visited, and everyone really appreciated the special touches like the free gifts,” said Stacey Riendeau, owner of Bake My Day in Pawtucket. “I’m looking forward to this year’s Restaurant Week building on the success of last year and expecting that even more people will participate.”

Prices for restaurant week have been set for both cities. Both cities’ restaurants will offer breakfast and lunch at $7.99. Pawtucket restaurants will offer dinner options at $14.99 and Central Falls will offer dinner options at $9.99.

Press Release in English and Espanol