“Bertucci’s kicks off Restaurant Week at Plymouth Meeting Mall”

Bertucci’s kicks off Restaurant Week at Plymouth Meeting Mall

Posted: 25 Sep 2010 12:35 AM PDT

General Manager Phil Cugliotta with a freshly-made pizza near the brick oven at Bertucci's at the Plymouth Meeting Mall recently. Photo by Gene Walsh

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By Gary Puleo
For The Colonial

PLYMOUTH — Eat a little. Shop a little. Eat a little more.

There's no reason to go home hungry or empty handed during Plymouth Meeting Mall's Restaurant Week.

The festival that will pay homage to Plymouth Meeting Mall's many diverse eateries runs from Sept. 26 through Oct. 2, and is the mall's first foray into this type of culinary celebration.

"We were inspired by all the food and wine events in the area and thought the mall would be a great place to host something like this," said Melonie Messina, the mall's director of marketing.

The mall's longest-running restaurant, Bertucci's Italian Restaurant, will help kick off Restaurant Week on Saturday, Sept. 25, as chef Steve Davy whips up one of the chain's specialty pasta dishes right in the Center Court, near Boscov's, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

A prelude to the big week, Taste of Plymouth Meeting Mall, will also feature an Auntie Anne's pretzel artisan demonstrating the twists and turns that go into the making of a Lancaster County original.

A Chick-fil-A wizard will be on hand as well, turning lemons into lemonade.

Boscov's will show off its Calphalon cookware with a Chicken Fiesta creation and tasting.

Taking a little time out from a hectic lunchtime rush at a quiet corner table, Bertucci's general manager Phil Cugliotta predicted long lines for the free mini versions of Bertucci's delicacies.

"We'll be offering our rolls, which are baked here every day in the restaurant, and miniatures of our Tomato Bruschetta and Shrimp Scampi appetizers, which we'll make in the restaurant and bring down to the Center court," Cugliotta noted. "The nice thing is, the restaurant is located right above where the event will be and our entire management staff will be here that day, cycling back and forth from the event and interacting with the guests in the mall."

Included in the food extravaganza that doesn't tug at the purse strings will be generous samples of Bertucci's brick oven-baked pizza.

Cugliatta said that the spirit of Restaurant Week would surely benefit both the mall and its ever-evolving dining scene.

"It's great for us because it gives us a chance to put our food out there," he pointed out.

"And the people who are drawn to the mall for Restaurant Week might never have eaten at Bertucci's before, and now they get to sample our food.

It's a great opportunity to create some first time guests, and hopefully when they do come to the restaurant we'll exceed their expectations with our distinctive flavors and great service as well."

Taste of Plymouth Meeting Mall also features complimentary signature offerings from Redstone American Grill, Benihana, Charley's Grilled Subs, Dave & Buster's, Gertrude Hawk Chocolates, Whole Foods Market and Toast it! Wine & Gift Shop.

"Taste of Plymouth Meeting Mall and Restaurant Week give us a chance to thank the community and our loyal shoppers, while showcasing the great restaurants, cafes and more available at the mall," Messina noted.