Fundraiser Saturday to offer sneak peek at new Wood-n-Tap
November 9, 2016
The Hartford Restaurant Group’s Wood-n-Tap is set to officially open at 3375 Berlin Turnpike, Newington, on Wednesday at 11 a.m.
Newington’s Wood-n-Tap will be the ninth in Connecticut, with other locations in Hartford and Rocky Hill. The self-described "American casual" restaurant offers lunch, dinner and a late-night menu seven days a week, with a full bar and craft beer specialties.
Each of the nine restaurants is unique in its décor despite having the same menu, according to HRG executive assistant Elaine Ducharme. She visited Newington this week as construction wrapped up inside the 10,000 square foot building, located in the plaza behind Best Buy.
"We’re very excited about this location," Ducharme said. "Everything has been custom-designed."
Designer Kirtsen Field’s vision features a lounge, two banquet rooms and several dining rooms boasting cathedral ceilings and walls lined with hand-charred cedar. Visitors can peer into an unusual beer cooler through a glass window in the hallway.
The public can get a sneak peek of the new eatery this Saturday at a grand opening celebration. Tickets can be purchased for one of two sessions, from 4 to 7 p.m. for $30 or 8 to 11 p.m. at $35. Beer, wine, food and music are included in the ticket price, which will benefit the Newington Police Benevolent Association.
"We always choose a charity in the community to benefit from our grand opening celebration," HRG Director of Guest Services Jennifer Lamantini explained. "We heard the PBA was raising money earlier this year for an employee going through breast cancer treatment and it touched us. They are also involved with many different community groups. We’d love for as many people from Newington as possible to come to the fundraiser."
The non-profit PBA is composed of full-time police officers who support a variety of local causes, from Newington Midget Football and Little League to Project Graduation and scholarships awarded by the Ciara McDermott and Peter Lavery Memorial Foundations.
"We try to donate as much as we can," said Lt. William Jameson, who heads the PBA. "We’re always looking for a way to give back to the community and say thank you for their support."
While police-civilian tensions were on the rise nationally this year, Newington residents showed their local public safety sector support with deliveries of home-cooked food and other gifts. Saturday’s fundraiser will help police demonstrate their gratitude for this with continued community assistance, Jameson pointed out.
"We really do appreciate what the community has done for us," he said. "We’re more than happy to be a part of the event. It’s nice to be recognized in this way."