Wood-n-Tap, Que Whiskey Kitchen Restaurants Ready For June 17 Inside Dining Reopening
“Welcome Back” Opening Promotion to Benefit Hartford’s Jordan Porco Foundation
It will be a banner welcome for guests and a fundraiser for a Hartford non-profit Wednesday when Hartford Restaurant Group (HRG) reopens their inside dining rooms after a three-month Covid-19- related hiatus.
The company’s seven Wood-n-Tap restaurants in Southington, Vernon, Newington, Rocky Hill, Wallingford, Vernon, and Farmington, and its Que Whiskey Kitchen in Southington will open dining rooms as part of the Phase 2 reopening schedule prompted by the Covid-19 crisis.
“We can’t wait,” said HRG co-founder and co-owner Phil Barnett. “This is something none of us could have anticipated,” he said about the restaurants’ closing and then gradual reopening for take-out and outdoor dining since the pandemic started. “Like everyone in the industry, the closing and then limited operations presented challenges we never could have imagined,” he said. “It’s been a long wait but we are so thrilled to get our dining rooms safely open and our doors once again open to guests.”
As part of its ‘welcome back’ opening, HRG has set up outdoor hard lemonade stands and is offering $3 chips and salsa appetizers, as well. Proceeds from the appetizers will go to the Hartford-based Jordan Porco Foundation.
The non-profit was established in 2011 by Ernie and Marisa Giarnella- Porco after they lost their son, Jordan, to suicide.
“This has been a tough time for everyone, physically and emotionally,” added Barnett. “Hartford Restaurant Group recognizes the hard work and exceptional help offered through the Jordon Porco Foundation,” he said. “We want to use our reopening to do what we can to help that organization that does so much for others.”
“The Jordan Porco Foundation is grateful to be the recipient of this fundraiser in support of our life saving programs for youth and young adults across the country,” said Giarnella-Porco. “Mental health promotion, suicide prevention and resiliency skills are critically important more than ever as the pandemic has impacted youth with unprecedented stress, disruption and uncertainty. “
Known for its casual “come as you are” philosophy, the Wood-n-Tap Restaurants will initially have a smaller food and cocktail menu but will be adding its summer menu in the next two weeks as the restaurants continue to gear up to pre-virus status, Barnett said. He noted all CDC guidelines are being strictly adhered to for the inside dining including face masks, sanitizing, seating limits, socially distancing and all other CDC-mandated safety precautions that will be strictly enforced. Outdoor dining at its patio locations will also continue.
“Finally we can say “Tap In or Tap Out,” joked Barnett, happy that at last dining both inside and outside are available at the Wood-n-Tap and Que locations. “We promise as always, good food, impeccable service and a safe dining experience,” he said. “We are so glad to welcome you back.”
