Chef Laura: Time to dine

Laura Cook Newman //February 20, 2014//

Chef Laura: Time to dine

Laura Cook Newman //February 20, 2014//

One decade ago:

  • People were low-carbin’, South Beachin’ and Atkins-crazed
  • Morgan Spurlock’s film influenced McDonald’s to discontinue “Supersizing”
  • Asian flavors like wasabi and ginger, appeared in salad dressings, sauces, and snacks like wasabi-dusted almonds

And…

Happy 10th Anniversary!

The traditional gift for the 10-year anniversary is tin.  But it hardly seems appropriate to buy you a vintage lunchbox.  We want folks to go out to eat after all, not brown-bag it.

Starting this Saturday, 314 restaurants in the Denver metro area will participate in this weeklong event.

WIIFM? 

What’s in it for you is the chance to have a multi-course dinner for $60 per couple.  And no, you don’t have to be a “couple”.  Take your mom or your BFF.  You can even go it solo for $30 a head.  Want some wine to wash down your prix fixe meal?  That’s extra.  And please tip your servers…generously.

WIIFT?

What’s in it for them (the 300+ restaurants) is some free marketing and an opportunity to drive traffic the slow week after Valentine’s Day.  Like the US Bobsled Team, these operators push in the same direction to achieve a common goal: promoting local business. 

Now that the event has turned double digits, two improvements have been made: 

  1.  The misnamed “Restaurant  Week” was two back-to-back weeks.  To increase the sense of urgency, this year they split up the weeks: one now and one August 23-29, 2014.
  2. The cost was $52.80 per deuce.  But after nine years of not taking price, it was time to drop the gimmicky total and give the restaurants some relief.

Some folks criticize Restaurant Week as “amateur week”; a time when cherry-pickin’ cheapsters push aside their TV tray, and rise from the Barcalounger to take their special gal out for a night on the town.  Don’t worry, they’ve set their DVR to record Wheel of Fortune.

But my experience with the event has always been top-notch.  Last year a coworker and I dined at EDGE and were thrilled with our experience.  The service was attentive and informative, the prix fixe menu offered a tempting variety of yummy courses, and my coworker (a former college football player and Army Ranger) was quite satisfied with the portion sizes.

This year I might repeat, try a new spot like Olive and Finch, or a tried and true spot like Le Central.  At this great price – I can afford to do all three.

And if you can’t make it this month, you’ll get another chance late summer for Restaurant Week, part deux.  Bon Apetit!