Now it’s Springfield’s turn to dine under the stars
SPRINGFIELD » Last year’s Pop-up Dining on Saxer Avenue was so highly successful that business owners Steve Landers of Thunderbird II and Robert Napoletano of Springfield Pasta couldn’t wait to bring it back. Ironing out all the kinks from their initial event last July, the men were raring to go this summer when they re-introduced “Dining on Saxer.”
The initial 2017 Dining on Saxer event was held in June. Iffy weather and an earlier downpour of rain slightly dampened the turnout, but not the excited spirit of business owners and diners alike who came out to enjoy the special evening on Saxer Avenue in the heart of Springfield Township.
“We can’t wait for the next Dining on Saxer event Wednesday, July 19,” Napoletano said. “Even with the inclement weather earlier in the day of the last event, Springfield Pasta still served over 200 meals, Thunderbird served over 200, and the other participating restaurants also served hundreds of meals. The people who came really seemed to have had an enjoyable time. In fact, they’ve been talking about it ever since and, like us, they are eagerly anticipating this next one!”
The next Dining on Saxer event is slated for 5-10 p.m. Wednesday, July 19. Saxer Avenue will be blocked off from traffic, from afternoon set-up through late-night clean-up. Hundreds of tables, draped in tablecloths, and chairs will be set up in the street. Tiny lights will be strung to create an elegant ambiance. Seating for at least another 200 diners will also be set up behind Wawa.
No reservations will be taken for the evening, and all seats are on a first-come, first-served basis. The organizers said most establishments will have ice and glasses for beer and wine available for their customers at the BYOB event.
Diners can choose the restaurant of their choice for the outside dining experience. Participating dining establishments that will have outdoor seating available include Springfield Pasta, Thunderbird II, Duke’s Tavern, Tony’s Pizza, Vera’s Water Ice and Happy Wok.
Diners will also have the option of ordering takeout to dine with family and friends in the seating behind Wawa. The seating there will also accommodate diners who order from the food trucks on site. So far, the anticipated food truck lineup will include Hai Street Kitchen & Co., The Cow and The Curd, Dos Hermanos and Baby Blue BBQ. Firehouse Donuts will also be available for sale.
“The response to our Dining On Saxer events, so far, has been overwhelming,” added Landers. “We have come a long way from our inaugural event last summer. We vastly improved the whole system, added more seating, and improved minor details. This year, we know what worked and what didn’t from last year, so that our event will be really well-received. We revamped our structure so that all people will be seated and served in an efficient, timely manner. Local families really like getting out on a nice summer night, meeting up with their neighbors and enjoying a casual outdoor twilight dinner together. It’s fun!”
Some restaurants will offer special menu items made strictly for the summer event, while others will offer their everyday fare that’s already a hit with their customers. Some restaurants will have hostess stations set up out front and operate as full-fledged casual dining establishments, with diners eating al fresco. Other eateries may operate with take-out menus. The “personal choice” variety will offer diners various choices and options.
“At Thunderbird, we are happy to have the opportunity to serve our customers our regular meals right out of the oven, at their optimal freshness,” Landers explained. “Mostly, year round, our meals are delivered or taken out so there’s a small delay involved between oven and mouth. With Dining on Saxer, customers can eat our food fresh, straight from the oven, so we are excited about that!”
Napoletano said Springfield Pasta Company will have special dishes, offered solely to Dining on Saxer customers, such as a Pink Lobster Ravioli topped with lump crabmeat. The menu will have about five large plate offerings and three or four small plate offerings.
The expected hundreds of diners will be entertained while they dine by Tom Curtis Jr. and Son. In addition to the live music, there will also be activities for the children including sand art and a Jedi Training School, similar to the Pirate Training School that entertained at the June’s Dining on Saxer.
“We want Springfield’s Dining On Saxer to foster community spirit,” explained Landers. “Springfield families look forward to the ongoing movies at the township building, Springfield’s Family Fun Day in the fall, our annual parades, all the ways that the families in Springfield can come together and enjoy each other and our town. Springfield is a great place to live. This is just another opportunity for residents to get together to enjoy our community.”
Landers and Napoletano hope those who attend and snap photos will use the hashtag #diningonsaxer when posting to social media so that others can enjoy memories of the fun night.