Map for Oct. 2 Museum and Gallery Walk

Time again for the Museum and Gallery Walk! The fall 2009 event will take place from  5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, October 2 and everyone is invited to enjoy free art, music, dance and more. Highlights of this fall’s walk include Block Party in the ‘Burg battle of the bands and several stops at new downtown establishments including Madison Interiors, The Gaines Group, Harrisonburg League of Therapists, and Zion Gate Center for Positive Living. Download the map here, or keep reading for the list of exhibits and links to artists.

Taste of Downtown Returns August 18-20

See why downtown has earned the nickname “Restaurant Row.” Come one day (or all three!) for amazing meals at wallet-friendly prices. View the menu and prices below.

Downtown Dominates DNR “Best of the Valley” Awards

Once again, Daily News-Record readers have shown their overwhelming support of downtown Harrisonburg shops, restaurants and other businesses with their votes in the annual “Best of the Valley” survey. Running away with the most honors is Clementine with EIGHT awards, including best renovation and best place to be seen. Harrisonburg Farmers’ Market made its first appearance on the list as the best place to take visitors, likely aided by its new location under the Turner pavilion constructed since the last poll.

Some favorites, like the Little Grill Collective, James McHone Jewelry, and Jess’ Quick Lunch, retained their titles as best vegetarian/breakfast, jeweler, and cheap eats, respectively, while the Artful Dodger showed its expanding versatility by winning the best dancing and best karaoke titles. Downtown services also got a shout out on this year’s list, with the Studio winning best salon and the Beauty Spa taking best day spa. Congratulations to other downtown businesses listed below – 16 in total!

Similar to last year, downtown as a whole won both accolades and criticism, with voters choosing downtown revitalization as the best use of taxpayer money and listing downtown among their favorite part of Harrisonburg, while displaying a lack of fondness for our new blue and yellow wayfinding signs as their least favorite part about the ‘burg.

DNR’s “Best of the Valley” Winners: Downtown Highlights

Cheap Eats
Jess’ Quick Lunch

Vegetarian
The Little Grill Collective

French fries
Dave’s

Late-night eats
Dave’s

Coffee
Shank’s

Drink specials
Clementine Café

Best atmosphere
Clementine Café

Place to take your family
Clementine Café

Place to be seen
Clementine Café

Place to sit and read
Earth and Tea Café

Outdoor dining
Dave’s

Place to blow your diet
Kline’s Dairy Bar

Place to take a date
Clementine Café

Downtown restaurant
Clementine Café

Best appetizers
Clementine Café

Best breakfast
The Little Grill Collective

Salon
The Studio

Day Spa
The Beauty Spa

Wine shop
Downtown Wine & Gourmet

Jeweler
James McHone

Best dancing
Artful Dodger

Best entertainment value
Court Square Theater

Best cheap date
Kline’s Dairy Bar

Karaoke
Artful Dodger

Museum
Harrisonburg Children’s Museum

Best place to take visitors
Harrisonburg Farmer’s Market

Best renovation
Clementine Café

Best use of taxpayer money
Downtown revitalization

Best way to spend a Saturday morning
Farmer’s market (Dayton, Shenandoah and Harrisonburg)

Best place to propose
Joshua Wilton House

“Taste of Downtown” Offers Major Discounts to Favorite Restaurants

THE week to eat out is next Tuesday through Thursday, August 12-14.  The first-ever “Taste of Downtown”  showcases Harrisonburg’s favorite restaurants with reduced prices on prix fixe dinners.  Complete menus are available at downtownharrisonburg.org.

All these great dinners are offered only in the evening and no reservations are required (unless otherwise noted). Please note that taxes and tips are not included.

The Artful Dodger
Choose one of three summer special entrées, dessert and signature cocktail. ($15)

Blue Nile Ethiopian Cuisine
Entrée, dessert, and one alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverage. ($15)

Cally’s Restaurant and Brewing Co.
Sampler meal of appetizer, entrée items, desserts, and microbrews. ($25)

Clementine
“Chef select” appetizer, entrée, and glass of wine. ($20)

Dave’s Downtown Taverna
Salad, Greek sampler entrée, and dessert. ($14.75)

Downtown 56
Appetizer, entrée, and dessert. (Vegetarian option $27.56, regular menu $42.56)

Finnigan’s Cove
Seafood appetizer and entrée with dessert. ($19.99)

Joshua Wilton House
3-course meal featuring locally-grown produce and glass of wine. (reservations requested; $35)

Mrs. Hardesty’s Tea Room
(3:00 to 5:00pm only)
Afternoon Tea. ($10)

For more information, contact Alexis at 540.432.8922, or alexism@harrisonburgva.gov

Eightyone Readers Heap Praise on Downtown Restaurants (March 2008)

Dear Eddie: Why are downtown Harrisonburg restaurants so popular?

EB: The simple answer is because local people and tourists like what the downtown restaurants have to offer. Our restaurants have unique menus, interesting architecture, great service, local ownership and outstanding food. Eightyone magazine readers rated The Joshua Wilton House – the Best Fine Dining, Downtown 56 – tied for Best Rookie, The Little Grill Collective – the Best Breakfast, Cally’s Restaurant & Brewing Co. – the Best Bar, Earth & Tea Cafe – the Best Cozy Cafe, The Artful Dodger – the Best Coffee Shop, Dave’s Downtown Taverna – the Best French Fries, Jess’ Lunch – the Best Hot Dog, L&S Diner – the Best Diner, Shank’s Bakery – the Best Bakery, and Downtown Wine & Gourmet – the Best Wine Shop. Several restaurants received multiple awards (not mentioned here). The competition included the remainder of Harrisonburg, Rockingham County, Augusta County, Waynesboro and Staunton. Congratulations to the winners!