Peabody eateries to offer flavors for small fee

PEABODY – Peabody residents will soon get a chance to put their taste buds to the test with the city’s first ever Restaurant Week.From Sunday, Sept. 7 through Thursday, Sept. 11, seven downtown restaurants will offer up a variety of 3-course meals for a fraction of the price: $15. Beverages and gratuity are not included.Sean Fitzgerald of Mayor Michael Bonfanti’s office said the idea has been in the making for quite a few years now and sees the event as a week-long way for residents to taste the “great tapestry of ethnic restaurants” that Peabody’s downtown has to offer.Run in conjunction with the city’s 25th Annual International Festival, Bonfanti believes the week “adds some flavor (no pun intended)” to the popular city-wide celebration of culture.”It compliments the concept of the International Festival so well,” he said. “And, in these tough times, it helps the merchants, as well.”From a complete Italian meal featuring Sicilian bruschetta, tortellini parma, and traditional cannolis for dessert served up by the chefs at Gallo Nero, to Sugar Cane’s take on authentic Vietnamese cuisine with fresh summer rolls, sesame chicken, and green tea ice cream, all palates are sure to be satisfied.Other participating restaurants include Champions Bar & Grill, Trackside Bar & Grill, China Corner, and the Willowtree.”They are all independently-owned restaurants that feature all different types of food,” said Community Development Director Jean Delios.”It’s a great opportunity to participate in a community event,” said Albert Riso, co-owner of Firebull, the Brazilian barbecue hotspot, and seventh participant. “It’s a great opportunity for people to sample the local cuisine, the adversity of the neighborhood, and the center of Peabody.”Firebull will offer their popular all-you-can eat barbecue, as well as shrimp scampi, salmon sautéed with broccoli, a sizzling pot of moqueca (shrimp, tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and seasoning), as well as what Riso calls their most recognizable and dramatic dessert: flan, a caramel custard.”What’s quite exciting about (the week) is there are a number of restaurants within the perimeter of the square that (someone) can visit one restaurant one evening, then go up the block and visit a Vietnamese one the next, and a Chinese one the next after that,” said Riso. “It’s great for foot traffic?It gives these restaurants an opportunity to showcase their abilities.”To learn more about the participating restaurants and preview their menu offerings, log on to www.peabodyrestaurantweek.blogspot.com, or contact Julie Rydzewski at 978-538-5442.