(Hamilton, NJ)  “The Hamilton Restaurant Association (HRA) will help promote Hamilton as the new ‘restaurant capital of Mercer County,’� said Hamilton Mayor Glen D. Gilmore, at meeting of local restaurateurs, at 130 South American Grill and Sushi, one of Hamilton’s newest eateries.  Following an announcement of the association’s general aims, Mayor Gilmore swore in nineteen restaurant owners, representing both new and old restaurants in the Township, as charter members of HRA.          

  Gilmore noted that, “Many of the older restaurants in Hamilton have undergone major renovations and refinements to their menus that deserve to be rediscovered and newer restaurants are adding to the range of choices.�  Gilmore said that, “With a strong restaurant association helping with the promotion of our great variety of restaurants, my hope is that when people think of going out to dinner, they’ll think of Hamilton, then decide where to eat once they get here.�       
     Said Gilmore, ““I especially want this Association to help promote our family-run restaurants, both new and old, like the Sticky Wicket on Broad Street or Giordano’s on Whitehorse-Mercerville Road, or Malaga’s on Lalor Street – places where you’re made to feel at home,� said Gilmore.  The charter members of the Association include: 130 South American Grill and Sushi, La Villa, Jo Jo’s, Sticky Wicket, Spigola’s, Rats, Peasants by Revere, Brothers, Malaga’s, Giordano’s, Hurry Back Inn, Leonadro’s, Rosa’s, Mamma Rosa’s, Massimo’s, Vittorio’s, Porfirio’s, American Grill at the Hamilton Hilton Garden Hotel, as well as John Henry’s, which is planned for a new site in Hamilton.Gilmore said that he hoped that HRA would work on creating a restaurant guide with a map to help diners in making their choices.  “We have restaurants that fit every taste and budget and a guide will help diners decide where to go,� he said.    Following the meeting, Gilmore was given a quick lesson in making sushi by two of the restaurants premier sushi chefs.  Gilmore said that though he has had the chance to bar tend and make pizzas at charity events, it was the first time he ever made sushi.          

  The next meeting of the association is slated to be held on Monday, May 14th, at 3:00 p.m., at the soon-to-be-opened “Peasants by Revere,� at 1701 Hamilton Avenue. Gilmore, who said that he expects the association to grown in numbers, invited other restaurants to attend the next meeting of the association or to call the Mayor’s office: 890 – 3502.