Laura Cook Newman //February 20, 2014//
One decade ago:
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:
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!