Mexican meal a fundraiser for children’s center

KENT — For most of the meals it serves daily, The Villager restaurant seems to be a classic New England diner/coffee shop, with an extensive menu of breakfast dishes, sandwiches and soups.But occasionally, owners Tony and G.J. Hernandez offer a special dinner menu of specialties from their native Mexico. The Villager is generally open for breakfast and lunch only, but between March 1 and Nov. 30 the special dinners are offered every Tuesday night. Information about the monthly Mexican meals is found online at www.villagerkent.com (click on “menus”).In winter, however, there is usually only one Mexican offering. This winter’s meal is scheduled for Feb. 17 and is a fundraiser for the Kent Children’s Center. The meal will cost $32 per person and includes salad; a choice of entrees including beef and cheese enchiladas, chile relleno (roasted poblano pepper stuffed with ground pork picadillo dipped in egg batter and then pan fried), pollo al chipotle (sautéed chicken breast in chipotle lime tequila butter sauce with scallions and green olives) or pan-roasted salmon. A vegetarian choice will be available upon request. Dessert will be a choice of apple crisp or chocoflan cake. Coffee, tea or soda are included; tax and tip are not. Proceeds from the dinner will help pay for the renovation of the 30-year-old Children’s Center’s outdoor and indoor play equipment. The center serves children ages 3 to 5. Older children come to the center for after-school activities. In all, about 20 children from around the region participate in the center’s programs.The early childhood program is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children.The center’s website is at www.kentchildrenscenter.org.Reservations for the fundraising dinner at The Villager are strongly suggested; call 860-927-1555. The Villager is located at 28 North Main St./Route 7.

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