From the Gothamist.com: Here we go again with another Restaurant Week, which actually occurs over two weeks (minus weekends): July 21st through the 25th and July 28th through August 1st. Over 200 restaurants around Manhattan – many of them fancy places like Bar Boulud and Anthos – will be offering prix-fixe lunch specials for $24.07 and prix-fixe dinners for $35.00.

Food snobs will tell you you’re a chump for signing up for this because chefs just dump their cheap ingredients on supposedly less-refined palates, and sometimes the prix-fixe isn't even much cheaper than their usual price (21 Club’s standard prix-fixe is only $5 more). Also, once the staff finds out you’re there for Restaurant Week you might as well be invisible, for they sometimes wrongly assume you’re a cheap bastard.

But we can personally vouch for very positive Restaurant Week experiences at Crema and Indochine during the last Restaurant Week (though the hotties who work at the latter can make it hard to focus on things, like chewing and swallowing.) The only thing to do is to pick a well-reviewed restaurant that’s way more expensive than you’d usually pay for and throw caution to the wind. Worst case scenario is you pay what you expected – plus the drinks and whatever loose change you can scrounge up for a tip. Reservations will be taken starting tomorrow; details here.

7 Days of Delicious Treats: June 7-13, 2009

Fabulous 3-course dinners from the Restaurant Capital of Delaware

Rehoboth Beach, DE continues to gain regional notoriety as a culinary destination and Restaurant Week will showcase our exceptional chefs and their innovative menus. Come and visit the beach for a day, an overnight, or better still, the entire week for dining out-heaven.

Restaurant week features fabulous 3-course dinners all over town. Restaurants will be offering dinners $30 or $20 prix-fixe dinners for a full week in June. Find your favorites, see what they are serving and when they are open. No matter your culinary favorites or what’s in your wallet, there are treats for your palate.

2009 Restaurant Week Participating Restaurants Include:
Abstractions Sushi Bar & Restaurant: 203 Rehoboth Ave 302-226-0877
Back Porch Cafe: 59 Rehoboth Ave 302-227-3674
Blue: 122 Rehoboth Ave 302-226-1000
Blue Moon: 35 Baltimore Ave 302-227-6515
Cafe Sole: 44 Baltimore Ave 302-227-7107
Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats: 320 Rehoboth Ave 302-226-2739
Dos Locos: 208 Rehoboth Ave 302-227-3353
Eden Restaurant: 23 Baltimore Ave 302-227-3330
Espuma: 28 Wilmington Ave 302-227-4199
Go Fish!: 24 Rehoboth Ave 302-226-1044
Hobo's Restaurant and Bar: 56 Baltimore Ave 302-226-2226
Lupo di Mare: 247-C Rehoboth Ave 302-226-2240
Mariachi Restaurant:14 Wilmington Ave 302-227-0115
Pig + Fish Restaurant Company: 236 Rehoboth Ave 302-227-7770
Planet X: 35 Wilmington Ave 302-226-1928
Porcini House: 210 Second St 302-227-6494
Rehoboth Ale House: 15 Wilmington Ave 302-227-2337
Rigby's Bar & Grill: 404 Rehoboth Ave 302-227-6080
Ristorante Zebra: 32 Lake Ave 302-226-1160
Salt Air: 50 Wilmington Ave 302-227-2444
Shag: 37 Wilmington Ave 302-227-6869
Stoney Lonen: 208 Second St 302-227-2664
Stingray Sushi Bar: 59 Lake Ave 302-227-6476
Summer House: 228 Rehoboth Ave 302-227-3895
Victoria's Restaurant: Olive Ave & Boardwalk 302-227-0615

Coming Soon: View the Restaurant Week menus at each participating restaurant!

For more information please call 302-227-2772 or e-mail us

The Sarasota Convention and Visitor's Bureau (SCVB) announces the fourth annual "Savor Sarasota" Restaurant Week, now extended to run two full weeks, from June 1-14, 2009. This 14-day dining event will showcase Sarasota's chefs and the eateries which have helped the city earn the distinction of having one of the highest concentrations of Zagat-rated restaurants in Florida.

The SCVB is continuing the tradition of holding the "Savor Sarasota" dining promotion to encourage both visitors and locals alike to experience Sarasota's numerous and varied restaurants and to create more public awareness of the region's award-winning restaurant scene. The event has become one of the most popular culinary events in the state over the past three years, as it encourages food and wine lovers to visit Sarasota to imbibe in the best of the region's restaurants.

The SCVB has currently recruited over 30 restaurants, many of which have earned Zagat ratings, to participate in the third year of the event, during which patrons will be able to enjoy multi-course meals at participating restaurants for $15 per person for lunch and $25 per person for dinner.

"Sarasota is recognized nationally for our beaches, culture and circus heritage," said Virginia Haley, President of the SCVB. "Savor Sarasota" opens our visitors to the creative cuisine our talented chefs prepare, and we are so pleased that so many of our wonderful restaurants have chosen to participate for the third year in a row."

Sarasota Restaurants Look Forward to Another Successful Restaurant Week
Restaurants taking part in the third annual "Savor Sarasota" restaurant week include: Michael's on East, with it's classic 40's supper-club aura and menu that blends European, Asian, and Latin influences with American classics; and Currents Restaurant at The Hyatt Regency, one of Sarasota's newest waterfront restaurants that offers fresh seafood and regional American cuisine. Additional participants for 2008 include Vernona Restaurant at the Ritz-Carlton, featuring an all-organic menu; Selva Grill with it's Peruvian flair; and Derek's Culinary Casual, offering a daring menu of original flavors.

From NYC Blog Wined and Dined: New York City is the site of the Signature Dish Contest. It’s part of the Continental Airlines International Restaurant Week in New York City from May 1-10th and hosted by Tom Colicchio. Click here to watch Tom present an overview of the Signature Dish Contest. Continental Airlines has assembled 12 different NYC restaurants that represent 12 different countries around the world. Each of the 12 restaurants will create a signature dish and serve it to diners between May 1-1oth (see each participating restaurant’s signature dish after the jump). After trying one or more of the signature dishes at participating restaurants, diners are encouraged to then visit the Continental Airlines International Restaurant Week website to provide their feedback and ratings. Chef Colicchio will then take all of the ratings and let us know the top 3 signature dishes voted on by diners. Continental has actually landed some pretty big name restaurants — Allen & Delancey, Boqueria, Del Posto, Nobu, and Tabla, to name a few. Also, this Restaurant Week offers diners behind the scenes access to some of the restaurants. For example, diners at Delmonico’s will get a personal tour of the kitchen, diners at Del Posto will get a tour of the extensive wine cellar, and diners at Tabla will get a tour of Floyd Cardoz’s kitchen. Here’s a list of the participating restaurants, and their offers.

Alfama (Portugal) – Diners will experience an authentic 5-course meal, ending with a glass of port from Alfama’s extensive collection, included with the meal. They’ll also take home a box of Pasteis de nata, traditional Portuguese custard cakes.

Signature Dish: Lombo de Veado Assado — Pan-roasted loin of venison, potatoes au gratin, asparagus and truffles in a Madeira reduction

Allen & Delancey (United Kingdom) – After enjoying Chef Kyle Bailey’s 5-course meal and specially designed signature dish, guests will be able to recreate the experience with Chef’s signature dish recipe and a package of couscous.

Signature Dish: Diver Scallops — Pan-seared diver scallops, Israeli couscous, lemon confit, and cauliflower

Avra (Greece) – For a truly personalized experience, a manager will help design a menu for each reservation, providing insight into the menu and wine pairings. Guests will take home some Greek delicacies chosen by the Avra team.

Signature Dish: Avra Santorini Shrimp, scallops, and clams baked in tomato and herbs with kataifi filo and feta cheese

Boqueria (Spain) – While there, diners will get to know Chef Seamus Mullen as they enjoy his specially designed shared tasting menus - for lunch or dinner. Each diner will receive a complimentary bag of house-made candied Marcona almonds.

Signature Dish: Beicon de Cordero y Menestra de Verduras — House-made lamb bacon, “menestra” of spring vegetables, and mustard jus

China Grill (China) – Guests will enjoy an exclusive 5-course tasting menu created by Chef Jamie Knott, with a specially paired cocktail included in the meal. Each diner will also take home a box of delicious ginger and almond cookies.

Signature Dish: Lobster and Crab Stuffed Black Bass — Served with baby bok choy, tempura enoki mushrooms and ponzu sauce

Delmonico’s (United States) – After enjoying an exclusively designed menu featuring Delmonico’s most famous dishes, diners will take a personal tour of the restaurant, a National Historic Landmark, and take home a complimentary signed copy of the cookbook Dining at Delmonico’s.

Signature Dish: Lobster Newburg – A Delmonico’s original since 1876: lobster with creamy sauce a la Wenberg

Del Posto (Italy) – Diners will be invited to tour Del Posto’s extensive wine cellar and bring a taste of the restaurant home with a special gift bag filled with the chef’s favorite Italian delicacies.

Signature Dish: Veal Chop For Two — Grilled and slow-roasted medium temperature veal chop with a salad of grilled tongue, porcini mushrooms and watercress

L’Ecole (France) – Guests will begin the evening with a behind the scenes look at L’Ecole’s teaching kitchens. After, they’ll indulge in a unique dessert and cocktail featuring rare Grapefruit Thai Basil Tea, included with the meal. Diners will take home a sample of the exotic tea along with the recipe, to recreate the experience at home.

Signature Dish: Scallop and Sea Urchin Seared scallop and sea urchin with smoked potato cream and an apple curry vinaigrette

Maya (Mexico) – Chef Sandoval offers a uniquely designed 3-course Cinco de Mayo menu with special beverage pairings. Diners will be gifted with a complimentary signed copy of his cookbook Modern Mexican Flavors.

Signature Dish:  Pechuga Adobada Adobo — marinated grilled chicken breast, huitlacoche dumplings, warm pico de gallo and cilantro pesto

Nobu (Japan) – Nobu’s talented chefs will kick start the meal with a complimentary Chef’s Selection Amuse-Gueule. Diners will finish on a sweet note too, with a signature fruit sake or shochu, included with the meal.

Signature Dish: Black Cod with Miso – Broiled black cod marinated in miso, sake and mirin

Plataforma (Brazil) – Guests will go behind the scenes on a tour of the kitchen with one of Plataforma’s Master Carvers. Everyone at the table will be gifted a complimentary cairpirinha making kit to bring home a taste of this traditional Brazilian cocktail.

Signature Dish: Picanha — Top sirloin served on a skewer cooked to individual preference

Tabla (India) – Guests will be invited to take a personally guided tour of Tabla’s kitchen. After savoring an exclusively designed 4-course prix fixe menu with an optional wine pairing to match, they’ll take home one of Pastry Chef Melissa Walnock’s uniquely designed desserts, packaged along with the recipe.

Signature Dish: Halibut with Watermelon Curry Rice flaked halibut with fresh watermelon curry, watercress and lime

EXTENDED: Monday - Thurday til April 30, 2009

About 200 of Brooklyn’s best restaurants will be serving up three-course meals for discounted prices during the sixth annual “Dine in Brooklyn” event, which began on Monday and runs through April 2.

Three-course menus will run just $23 – and some eateries will be cooking up new “two-fer” brunch menus this year -- just $23 covers brunch for two -- as well as two-for-$23 lunch and dinner menus.

The growing list of participating restaurants includes some of the borough’s hottest, hippest and best-reviewed establishments. Diners will be able to choose culinary creations from every corner of the globe. Italian, French, Turkish, Asian, Moroccan, South African, Caribbean and, of course, American dishes will be served up Brooklyn style. What could be better?

Participating restaurants include Craig Samuel and Ben Grossman's new Bed-Stuy eatery Peaches, Park Slope staple Al Di La Trattatoria, Fort Greene hot spot The General Greene and brunch favorite Bubby's in Dumbo.

For a full list of participating restaurants, check out www.visitbrooklyn.org.

 

The Seventh Annual Hamptons Restaurant Week^SM will launch from Sunday, March 29 through Sunday, April 5, 2009. For one week, Sunday to Sunday, all participating restaurants offer a three course prix fixe for $24.95 all night except Saturday when it will only be offered until 7 p.m. Each restaurant offers their own unique menu selections and selected restaurants will offer a special discounted bottle of Long Island Wine.

Hamptons Restaurant WeekSM is not a restaurant only campaign, it has since expanded to include wine, lodging and retail. Organized by WordHampton Public Relations, an award-winning agency on Long Island, the joint regional marketing campaign was designated to garner positive publicity and additional business in the off-season.

In response to an overwhelming interest from restaurants throughout Long Island to participate in a restaurant week, Long Island Restaurant Week was created and launched in November 2006. It will be an annual event featuring a week-long promotion where all participating restaurants offer a special prix fixe dinner for $24.95. The Fourth Annual Long Island Restaurant Week will be held in the fall of 2009. 

From The Oregonian's Terry Richard: The favorite coastal city for many an Oregonian is celebrating food March 27-April 2 (that's a Friday to a Thursday) during the first Newport Restaurant Week.

The Greater Newport Chamber of Commerce is inviting all the city's restaurant to offer diners the experience of different dishes or compilation dishes. Some meals are at discounts, some are new creations.

It's a week of stuffing your face in the city by the sea.

Diners can enjoy three-course prix fix meals at a discounted price: that's an appetizer or salad, entree and dessert. Some restaurants have created new dishes for this event, while others have simply compiled some of their most popular dishes.

Restaurants will be offering lunch, dinner and/or both at prices ranging from $10 to $30. For example, the South Beach Fish Market is featuring a three-course lunch or dinner that consists of a shrimp cocktail, cup of clam chowder and a Captains Platter for $19.50 _ not only a good deal but also the freshest ingredients Newport has to offer.

Some, like La Maison, will have specials at what have been called "ridiculously fair prices."

From fine dining to fast food, participating restaurants will feature special menus, promotions and discounts. Diners will have the opportunity to sample new restaurants they haven't experienced, or explore exciting new dishes at their old favorites.

"As a local restaurateur, I am excited to see the Newport restaurant community coming together to offer tempting multi-course meals to new and old customers alike," said Mike Downing, owner of Quimby's Restaurant and chair of Newport Restaurant Week.

"Working as a team to bring high quality and affordable menu items to the public during a specific time frame will attract locals and tourists, thus impacting our hotel and retail markets as well.''