Taste of Harford and Restaurant Week Kick Off June 9

From Harford County government:

The Office of Economic Development and Tourism along with the County Executive’s Office is promoting Harford County’s Restaurant Week from June 10-16, 2010. The week kicks off with the popular Taste of Harford event and concludes with a grand prize drawing for a basket of local restaurant gift certificates for each participating restaurant. This prize is valued at over $1,000!

Forty restaurants throughout Harford County will be offering prix fixe (price fixed) menus consisting of 3 course meals for $20.10 (or less), plus tax and gratuity. Limited service restaurants or restaurants with a lower price point are offering other specia lvalues. Contest cards will be given out by the participating restaurants to their qualifying patrons. Come out and support local Harford County flavor, and remember, the more you dine during Restaurant Week the more chances to win the grand prize. Restaurant restrictions may apply during Restaurant Week.

The Taste of Harford, one of Harford County’s premiere fundraising events for children’s charities returns to the Residents’ Club at Bulle Rock on Wednesday, June 9th, from 6-10 pm. The finest fare in Harford County will be served by 25 local restaurants, wineries, food growers, and chocolatiers. This year’s silent auction takes on a culinary theme and items up for bid include a meal with County Executive David Craig, to a gourmet cooking class and dinner for 4 at the Vandiver Inn. This casually elegant evening offers complimentary valet parking. Upon arrival, the 2010 signature drink, a Firefly – iced tea with mint tea vodka, is provided by Coakley’s Pub, the 19th hole sponsor in cooperation with National and Bond Distribution companies.

Vendors are peppered throughout the Bulle Rock facility and can be located with a scorecard and a golf flag in keeping with a golf theme. Guests can map out their dining strategy and meet the chefs who prepared their favorite dishes. Smoked salmon served by Josef’s Country Inn, fresh made bruschetta by La Cucina of Havre de Grace or Durango’s cream of crab soup are just a few of the dishes that keep guests clamoring for more. Live music will be provided by the Dennis Shocket Band and Fiction 20 Down. The evening culminates with a fireworks spectacular sponsored by C.A.C.I.

Over the past five years the Taste of Harford was an event that welcomed the McDonald’s LPGA Championship to Harford County and proceeds ultimately benefitted Ronald McDonald House Charities as well as local children’s charities.

With the departure of the golf tournament in 2009, the Taste of Harford is now an official event of Harford United Charities, Inc. and will carry on the tournament’s tradition of supporting children’s charities. Proceeds from the 2010 Taste of Harford will benefit Chesapeake Therapeutic Riding, Harford County Public Library Summer Reading Program, and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Harford County.

For information or tickets, please call 410.638.3059 or visit the Tourism website at www.harfordmd.com. A bundle of eight or more tickets can be purchased at a discount. A limited number of tickets are still available. For a list of participating restaurants for Restaurant Week and their menu selections, please visit www.harfordmd.com. Restaurant Week info is linked on the home page.