NHLRA Honors National Winners

Three New Hampshire restaurants have been selected as state winners of the 2011 Restaurant Neighbor Award and are now in the running for the national award that rewards community service, according to the NH Loding & Restaurant Association, based out of Concord.

The Restaurant Neighbor Award was created by the National Restaurant Association to recognize restaurants that exemplify the industry's philanthropic spirit. The NH winners are:

• Patrick's Pub and Eatery, Gilford
• Margaritas Mexican Restaurant, Portsmouth
• The Common Man Family of Restaurants, Ashland

"These restaurants commit a great deal of time to their operations as well as to support their communities. It is great to see them recognized for these efforts," said NHLRA President and CEO Mike Somers.

"We are proud to recognize these outstanding winners of the 2011 Restaurant Neighbor Award," said National Restaurant Association President and CEO Dawn Sweeney. "America's restaurants serve their communities every day. Providing nourishment, quality of life, opportunity and enjoyment, restaurants are not only good neighbors but important contributors to our nation's health and prosperity."

The Restaurant Neighbor Award honors charitable contributions in four categories (small business, mid-size business, large business/national chain, and Cornerstone Humanitarian.) Each participating state restaurant association selects winners in their respective states that will be in the running for the national award.

The national winners of the 2011 Restaurant Neighbor Award will each receive a $5,000 contribution to continue their community programs and receive the awards in March in Washington, D.C. Both national and state winners will be recognized on the National Restaurant Association website.

The National Restaurant Association and Restaurant Neighbor Award founding partner American Express developed the award to raise awareness about the restaurant industry's contributions in local communities across the country and to inspire other restaurant owners and operators to showcase their enormous contributions in their communities.