BIDDEFORD — Don’t let the winter doldrums get your down, or keep you indoors. Not when the fifth annual Biddeford + Saco Restaurant Week takes plan March 17 through 24.

Restaurant Week, which starts Sunday, is the perfect time to explore new dining establishments in the area or revisit one of your favorites.

“We do Restaurant Week partly because this time of year people are hesitant to go out and we want to remind them this is a great time to go out in Biddeford and Saco,” Heart of Biddeford Director Delilah Poupore said.

Local downtown revitalization organization Heart of Biddeford initiated restaurant week in 2014 as a way to create awareness of Biddeford’s burgeoning restaurant scene, which continues to grow — plans for several new restaurants are in the works.

“It’s hard to believe how many amazing places have opened up since the (first year), with even more on their way now,” Poupore said. “People come to Biddeford and Saco and can find so many options. Restaurant Weeks gives folks that little extra encouragement to try something new.”

And there are a lot of places to visit, she said, noting that many of local residents’ favorite restaurants like Cowbell Burger Bar, Portland Pie, The Hamburger Stand and more weren’t even around for the first Restaurant Week.

Poupore added that there are plenty of old favorites around too, like Jonesy’s Main Street Cafe, Reilly’s Bakery, and the Wonder Bar —the Wonder Bar will start Restaurant Week off right on Sunday, March 17 with St. Patrick’s Day festivities from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., including live Celtic folk music from 4-8 p.m.

The weeklong event kicks off Sunday, March 17 with the  Annual Community Soup-er, from 5 to 7 p.m. at 40 Main St., in Biddeford. “The Community Soup-er features a diverse selection of soups donated by local restaurants, from long-time favorites like Jonesy’s Main Street Cafe to newcomers like Farm to Coast Cafe. Reilly’s Bakery, Rover Bagel, and Biscuits & Company will also provide rolls, bagels and biscuits,” according to press release about the event.

Another special event taking place next week is Local Libations Night on Thursday, March 21. No tickets are necessary to tour new and/or favorite watering holes in Biddeford and Saco and get a chance to meet area brewers, distillers, sommeliers and martini makers. “It’s a great excuse to grab a group of friends and check out some places,” Poupore said.

Other special offerings during Restaurant Week include getting a free doughnut with the purchase of a cup of coffee at Reilly’s Bakery, 10 percent  off your entire bill at Lucky Logger’s from March 18 to 21, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., Yeto’s will offer the melting pot Brunch in collaboration with Dirigo Brewing on Sunday, March 17, and much more.

Not only is Poupore hoping to expand the number of participating restaurants from years past, she said but also she is also hoping to increase the number and type of people who take part.

“One group we’d like to reach are people who go to chain (restaurants),” she said. “People go to chains because it’s a reliable meal, they know what they’re going to get.”

But if they try some of the local restaurants they haven’t been to, Poupore said, “I think they will find food selections with an interesting twist.”

“There’s a really great selection (of restaurants) and something for everyone,” she said.

The first year, Restaurant Week focused mainly on Biddeford establishments, but Saco Main Street is partnering with HOB and Traditions Italian Ristorante, the Saco Scoop, Lady & the Mensch are just some of the participating restaurants from Saco.

“These businesses can get involved with Restaurant Week in so many different ways. And customers can go to a favorite breakfast spot, find a new place for lunch, or even explore the night life in the two cities,” Saco Main Street Director Robert Biggs said.

It makes sense for the two cities to collaborate, Poupore said, since they share so much.

“Our two downtowns have one continuing Main Street, she said and added “‘so many people live in one of the cities and work in the other.”

“The more things we do to combine the two they better they both do,” Poupore said.

Not only d  the two cities’ share a Main Street, they also share a chamber of commerce, and the Biddeford+Saco Chamber of Commerce+Industry is partnering with

Heart of Biddeford and Saco Main Street to coordinate Restaurant Week.

Chamber Director Jim Labelle plans to have lunch out each day during Restaurant Week. “This is a great excuse to explore our community’s food and beverage offerings, while getting to know the great small business owners who often have to get a little more creative to keep business thriving this time of the year.”

Biddeford + Saco Restaurant Week is made possible with support from the presenting sponsor, Saco & Biddeford Savings Institution.

All of the details about the week’s special offers and events can be found on the Eat Biddeford + Saco Facebook page as well as on a website created by Saco Main Street bit.ly/eatbiddsaco. The Community Soup-er tickets are available at the link https://www.eventbrite.com/e/community-soup-er-tickets-57647805137

— Associated Editor Dina Mendros can be contacted at 780-9014 or dmendros@gmail.com

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