Connellsville diners can again 'Savor the Avenue'

The Greater Connellsville Chamber of Commerce is again hosting Savor the Avenue, an evening of dining, performances and the atmosphere of Mardi Gras set in the heart of downtown Connellsville.

Billed as the longest dinner table in Fayette County, the event will be held Aug. 8.

Guests choose the restaurant where they will be seated and served when they purchase their advance tickets, often making their decision based on the pre-determined menu of that eatery.

There are five restaurants from which to choose.

“Reserve your dinner spot at El Canelo Mexican Restaurant, Keedy's Pizzeria, Boston Beanery Uniontown, Kings Pointe Catering or Stone House Restaurant and Inn tables by stopping in the chamber office,” said Brooke Deason, office manager.

On the evening of the event, attendees check in and receive their Mardi Gras beads. If they have eaten at their restaurant of choice prior to the event, they can bring their receipt for an extra set of beads. There will be other ways to earn beads throughout the evening. At the night's conclusion there will be a prize for the person with the most beads.

“The upcoming Savor the Avenue is an event to showcase local restaurants and have the longest dinner table in Fayette County,” said John Coleman, chairman of the event. “It was originated by Robin Bubarth, owner/operator of Bud Murphy's. The concept is threefold; first the opportunity for local food establishments to share unique ideas and the food they offer, next a creative way for local residents to gather and dine, chat and enjoy an evening with friends under the stars and finally a community event to help promote our town.” Savor the Avenue takes place in the middle of Crawford Avenue, between Pittsburgh and Arch streets, which is closed to traffic. This year, with the support of Fayette County Cultural Trust, the Carpetbag Brigade Theater, a physical theater acrobatic stilt company, will perform along the street prior to the appetizer and salad courses. During dinner The Sammy Brooks Band will entertain guests.

“I'm really excited to be performing at Savor the Avenue this year. The band is eager to share some new material and get everybody prepped for our big CD release in September,” said Brooks, who will be releasing his first EP on Sept. 11 at 7 p.m. at Club Cafe on Pittsburgh's South Side. The release party is open to the public. Visit sam-brooks.com for details and other events.

“Savor the Avenue is a great event in our community and I am very honored to be a part of it. I'll be singing with my jazz trio. You will hear some of the classic standards like ‘The Way You Look Tonight,' ‘Sway,' and ‘Under My Skin,' as well as some contemporary tunes like ‘She's Got a Way,' ”said Brooks.

After dinner a dessert bar from Pechin Firehouse Restaurant will be offered in the Connellsville Canteen where guests will enjoy the soulful voice and melodic singing of Kristen Markitell.

“I'm looking forward to performing at the Savor the Avenue event in Connellsville this year and was very happy to be asked. I will be performing songs from the '40s, '50s and '60s and hope to give everyone an enjoyable night,” said Markitell.

The El Canelo Mexican Restaurant menu is an appetizer of Bolitas de queso y aderezo al chipotle followed by Creme de Poblano y elote. The salad is variedad de verduras, queso y jamon con aderezo and the entree is Lomo Relleno y Pure de manzana.

Keedy's Pizzeria is serving fresh Mesclun greens with heirloom tomatoes with balsamic vinaigrette, deconstructed muffuletta sandwich, chicken and andouille gumbo with a side of Bourbon Street penne pasta.

The Boston Beanery appetizer is Con Queso dip with chips, a homemade spinach and cheese dip with roasted red peppers and green chili peppers, served with tortilla chips followed by a New England chopped salad topped with sugared walnuts, craisins, and crumbled bleu cheese served with raspberry vinaigrette dressing. The entree is Bar-B Que Ribs and grilled chicken breast served with boston baked beans.

Kings Pointe Menu includes an appetizer of sausage stuffed mushrooms and shrimp cocktail followed by a salad of mixed greens with fresh diced tomatoes, black olives, red onion, and Romano cheese served with house dressing and garlic croutons, followed by stuffed boneless pork chops with gravy, chicken marsala, parsley red skin potatoes, medley of green beans, wax beans, carrots, rolls with butter

The Stone House starters are blackened shrimp, remoulade sauce and green onion, chicken and sausage gumbo, jalapeno cornbread, buttered rice, local garden salad, SHSH bacon, peach vinaigrette, and candied pecans with a main course of Brennan's style smoked prime rib, sweet potato pie, stewed green beans, bread and butter.

“This year a portion of the proceeds from Savor the Avenue will be donated to New Haven Hose to help support the Christmas light project. Come out and join us for an evening to remember and be part of the longest dinner table in Fayette County. Enjoy the atmosphere of New Orleans at Mardi Gras,” said Coleman.

Cost is $60 per person which includes meal, wine pairings, dessert bar and entertainment.

Winslow Winery of Perryopolis is supplying the wine which is being sponsored by the Uniontown office of Janney Montgomery Scott LLC. There will be a chinese auction and 50/50. Registration starts at 5 p.m. with the Carpetbag Brigade performing 5:30–6:15 p.m.; greeting and blessing at 6:30 p.m.; followed by the toast and dinner at 6:45 p.m. The Sammy Brooks Band will perform 7-9 p.m. Desserts and coffee follow dinner at the Canteen.

Reservations must be made in advance.

Nancy Henry is a Trib Total Media contributing writer.