Nazareth Attracts Foodies with First-Ever Restaurant Week

NAZARETH, Pa. (WLVT) - Attention, foodies of the Lehigh Valley!

Sunday kicks off the first-ever Nazareth Area Restaurant Week, as 15 eateries show off the growing local food scene.

Helena Lazzarini has made donuts for years, but this year, she turned her passion into profit. Naz-O-Nut opened in June.

"I just love the community of Nazareth, and I’ve always wanted to own my own business," she said. "My kids kept telling me, 'You have a product. That's what you should focus on.'"

For Restaurant Week, the donut shop is adding value to a fan favorite. Buying a dozen donuts at $11.99 will include three extra specialty donuts. Lazzarini said the week-long special will not only spread the word about her business, but also other places in town.

"I wanted to also bring people to come to Nazareth for our little shops that we have here and be a part of it," she said. "It's exciting to be a part of it."

Just down the road, Zanette's Nazareth Grill has been serving the community for eight years. Owner Michael Zanette said Restaurant Week helps during a time of year when business tends to slow down.

"I started breakfast a few years ago, and there are quite a few people in Nazareth that don't know that yet," he said. "I figured it's just a way to get my name out there."

For Restaurant Week, they’ll have several specials, including a mixed appetizer they haven't offered before with mozzarella sticks, onion rings, poppers, mac-and-cheese wedges, and corn nuggets. Zanette said it's a way to attract more customers, no matter where they come from.

"It's a very tight community, and people in Nazareth really do stay in the Nazareth restaurants, but it doesn't hurt to bring in people from outside," he said.

Restaurant Week is organized by the Nazareth Business Council (NBC), which is part of the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce. The organization says it was time Nazareth put itself on the map as a foodie destination.

"Restaurant Week is not just for dining in. It's for take out. It could be for dessert, breakfast, whatever it really is," said Jessica O'Donnell, executive vice president of affiliate chambers (and NBC liaison) for the Chamber. "It's just a special to give people a taste of what we have to offer."

That includes a local favorite. Rita’s Italian Ice of Nazareth is a few weeks away from closing for the season. Owner Jay Calandra said Restaurant Week comes at a good time.

"It just seemed to me a good way to reach a larger audience and differentiate myself from other Rita’s franchises," he said.

Calandra said he's not doing anything different for restaurant week because this location offers specials throughout the week. He also said he takes his business beyond his doors to sell Italian ice at sporting and community events.

"We've had a lot of new businesses open up, and I think this is a good way to help them get some exposure and hopefully become successful and have some staying power," he said.

That includes SubStation, which opened its doors less than a month ago. Owner Amrish Patel said his sandwich and smoothie shop brings something new.

"Nazareth is a small town, but we do pack a punch here," he said.

The store will offer a $10 “lunchbox special” and a $5 smoothie deal. Patel said Restaurant Week gives his business and the town a way to engage the Lehigh Valley.

"People from Wind Gap, people from Easton -- all those guys can come to Nazareth and see what it has to offer as well," he said. "It's not strictly just for the local community."

For the full list of participating eateries and their specials for Restaurant Week, click HERE.