What better way to spend a winter evening than with friends, sampling some of New Paltz’s finest restaurants and wine, while also helping to benefit the Regional Chamber of Commerce Foundation at New Paltz’s scholarship fund?

On Thursday, Feb. 3, the foundation is sponsoring its third annual New Paltz Progressive Dinner to Benefit Community Education Outreach. Last year, the event took place in High Falls, but this year, it is right here at home, beginning at 5:30 p.m. at Fox and Hound Wine & Spirits located at the Stop & Shop Plaza in uptown New Paltz.

“They’re going to have wine tastings and have also partnered with Grimaldi’s Pizzeria, who will be providing appetizers, so it should be a lovely way to start out the night,” said Teresa Thompson, owner of The Main Street Bistro with her husband Doug and also a member of the Chamber’s foundation.

From Fox and Hound, dinner guests will then go to Beso in the village, where they will be treated to salads and an entrée of their choice.

“The idea originated with the chamber wanting to support local restaurants more during the winter months when they weren’t as busy, as well as having a fundraiser for their community education scholarships. It really benefits everyone -- friends and locals can enjoy a fun night out together, restaurants can showcase their menu, wines or desserts and it goes to benefit scholarships,” Thompson said.

She said that they chose a weekday night post-holiday season in the winter because “that’s typically when restaurants aren’t that busy, and we want to support them.”

After having dinner at Beso, the crew will walk a few doors down to 36 Main Restaurant and Wine Bar, owned by Kathy Combs.

This cozy nook will provide guests with dessert and coffee and aperitifs. The evening begins at 5:30 p.m. and is slated to end at approximately 8:30 p.m.

“It’s always a fun night,” said Thompson, who helped to plan the event with other committee members, Cathy Sifre and Joanne Frendenberg. “Rather than stay at home and watch TV on a cold winter night, you get to go out with friends and lots of local community-minded people and enjoy great food and drinks while helping to support a very worthy cause.”

Tickets for the event are $75 per person. Only 40 tickets will be sold. You can reserve your ticket by calling 255-0243 or by e-mailing info@newpaltzchamber.org.