First Villanova Dines Out! Restaurant Week begins today

RADNOR >> Grab your Villanova University gear and get in on some deals for great grub at 45 area restaurants.

The first Villanova University “Villanova Dines Out! Restaurant Week” is set for Nov. 5 to 9. The university partnered with the Wayne Business Association and the Bryn Mawr Business Association to bring the week of fine dining and deals.

Restaurants in Wayne, St. Davids, Villanova, Rosemont, Bryn Mawr and Haverford are taking part by offering a prix-fixe menu, specials, or a percentage discount to any patron – students, employees, alumni, parents, fans and local residents – who shows their “Villanova Pride” by wearing gear with the Villanova logo or by showing a University-issued I.D.

The idea was the brainchild of Laura Wagoner, assistant director of government and community relations, who said it came from a town/gown conference that she attended during the summer.

“The goal of this event is to create awareness among students and other members of the Villanova University community of the many excellent local dining options,” said Wagoner. “Our hope is to facilitate bringing the campus and surrounding communities closer together by celebrating local businesses.”

When Wagoner told Chris Todd, president of the WBA, he jumped at the chance. Todd, owner of Christopher’s, said that several other restauranteurs had mentioned that they would like to do a restaurant week but nothing had ever come to fruition. He created Wagoner with organizing the event.

Wagoner, who grew up in Phoenixville and went to high school at Agnes Irwin, hit the ground running and lined up restaurants to participate.

From 5 to 7 p.m. on Nov.8, Christopher’s in Wayne will be featuring beer from three breweries founded by Villanova alumni: Cape May and Evil Genius and La Cabra.

“We’re excited,” said Todd, who is also offering a special $25 prix fixe menu for the promotion.

The Bryn Mawr Business Association also embraced the plan, said Susan Graham, executive director of marking and membership for the association.

“We’re very excited to be partnering with Villanova University and the Wayne Business Association on this amazing restaurant week. We have been blown away by the outpouring of support by our members.”

Small businesses need to band together to survive, she said.

“The list (of restaurants) keeps growing and every time people promote it another one comes on and Laura has done an amazing job.”

“I really like to eat and its grown into a huge home run,” said Wagoner. Community members are welcome to participate. They just need to wear a Villanova hat or shirt. And university staff, students and alumni can show their identification cards.

“We left it up to the restaurants to decide what their specials would be,” she said. “Some restaurants got creative with their menus. Others are offering discounts. It’s been great.”

There’s also a lot of buzz on campus about the event and students have made “a bunch” of reservations, she said. She was walking and overhead a group of staff members talking about it.

“I know the restaurant owners are excited as well,” she said. “I don’t think anything like this has been done in Wayne and Bryn Mawr. I know businesses are really looking forward to it.”

Visit www.villanova. edu/restaurantweek for an up-to-date list of participating restaurants and specials.