Chef Tyler Anderson & Hands On Hartford Open Gather55, a Pay-What-You-Can Fine Dining Restaurant

Chef Tyler Anderson and Hands On Hartford have launched a remarkable new restaurant concept just in time to dine out and give back this holiday season. Gather55 restaurant opened this Fall in Hartford with a monthly rotation of guest chefs who will serve up a “by-reservation-only” $42 prix fixe menu. Chef Tyler Anderson, who is handling the Chef programming kicked things off, followed by Chef Billy Grant of Restaurant Bricco in December, and then Emily Mingrone of Tavern on State in January.

Each evening, approximately 20% of the tables are reserved for diners who can’t pay the full price. The goal is to create a place where everyone can celebrate and enjoy a delicious meal in a comfortable and caring environment.

“At Gather55, our model allows guests to experience a quality restaurant meal without financial constraints,” Barbara Shaw, Executive Director of Hands on Hartford mentioned. “Our vision is all about connecting communities – bringing economically diverse folks together around food (the great connector!), offering the same high-quality, delicious and healthy meals, and the same excellent and welcoming service, to those who can pay and those who cannot.”

We had the pleasure of experiencing the culinary collaboration of Chef Tyler Anderson and Billy Grant on the night we visited. From Chef Grant’s Bolognese and perfectly prepared Pork Chop Milanese to Anderson’s beautiful Roast Squash with Lime Crema & Pepitas and Apple-Mustard Glazed Salmon, every course was a treat, and every bite was made better with the knowledge that we were helping another family enjoy a meal that they would ordinarily not have been able to experience.

The sense of community can be felt both in the dining room as well as in the kitchen as the visiting chef works together with the Gather55 team to prepare your meal, and dinner in served in a lovely brick walled space with high ceilings and a massive carved wood bar. It’s worth noting that in addition to the 3 course menu, beer and wine are available with a strong focus on locally sourced selections.

BREAKFAST and LUNCH service is offered Mondays through Thursdays. To promote inclusion of as many community members as possible, diners may participate in the mission of Gather55 by paying the full posted price (or more) for entrees or a minimum price of $2.00, or participate by choosing to volunteer time with Hands On Hartford, depending on their ability to pay that day. Services staff at Hands On Hartford and partnering agencies have "on the house" meal vouchers to help support those who are not able to pay or volunteer.

“We are excited to offer patrons the option to enjoy breakfast, lunch, and now dinner! Our paying customers help us continue our important mission of inclusivity and accessibility. We hope that patrons view our restaurant as a way to enjoy a meal out while giving back to their community,” stated Molly Reynolds, Shared Kitchen and Café Manager.

Gather55 restaurant is an initiative of Hands On Hartford, which, in partnership with others, strengthens the community in Hartford by responding faithfully to people in need through programs that change lives and renew human possibility. The restaurant is located in our Center for Community at 55 Bartholomew Avenue in Hartford. Open Monday through Thursday, doors open at 9:00am with complimentary coffee, water and fruit available, along with an a-la-carte menu with items like pastries, coffee drinks and smoothies for sale. We offer full meals (breakfast and lunch options) between 10:00am and 2:00pm. DINNER reservations are available Wednesday through Saturday from 5:30pm - 8:30pm. You can find more information online or via Facebook and Instagram. Dinner Reservations can be made via OpenTable.

Gather55

55 Bartholomew

Hartford, CT 06106

info@handsonhartford.org

(860) 929-2316