Restaurants Offering Dishes with a Dickens Twist for Festival

With the Charles Dickens Festival taking over Port Jefferson this weekend, many of the local restaurants are getting in on the action with special menus and even a few Dickens themed offerings.

is one such restaurant that’s offering different fare for the weekend. Some of their Olde English items include an English Orchard Harvest salad and Beef Wellington. As an added bonus, Santa Claus will be there during Sunday brunch.

Melissa Genovese, assistant restaurant manager at Danfords, believes the festival is beneficial. “It draws in so many people it definitely helps the restaurant,” Genovese said. “It’s great advertisement for the business.”

, one of the festival’s sponsors, is also highlighting an Olde English menu. Fish and Chips, goose, and lamb stew are some of the specials that they’re offering.

has partnered up with for a special dinner and a show package. For $60 customers can get a ticket to see and have a three course meal from a special menu. The package also comes with two cocktails.

“Our theme works so well for the day,” Talia Mobley, assistant manager for Ruvo, said while pointing out the dark red and greens decorating the restaurant in a slightly English tone even when it isn’t festival time. “It’s a fun time with the characters and carolers are out. We’re busy all weekend long.”

is also offering a special menu for the festival including the Dickens beef stew.

“It’s a great way to kick off the holiday season,” said Rick LeDoux, the general manger of Pace’s. “Hopefully it means more foot traffic for lunch time and dinner. I love the people in costume.”

is offering their Winter Prix-Fixe all weekend long (it’s usually available from 5 p.m. until 6 p.m. only). Their pot roast is one choice item that could have been feasted on during the author’s time.

Some local spots have English fare on the menu 365 days a year. Fish and Chips can always be found at and , no word on what beers Charles Dickens may have drank.