Way back in 1992, on the eve of the Democratic National Convention, New York City unveiled Restaurant Week, a celebration of dining and food appreciation at 95 restaurants throughout the Big Apple. This year, Restaurant Week turns 20 years old and will highlight over 300 restaurants from January 16th – February 10th. The usual rules apply—lunches for $24.07, dinner for $35.00, and American Express will credit registered cards $20 for every three Restaurant Week experiences. According to Open Table’s reservation system, it seems like the good ones are starting to fill up…fast! So, if you’re looking for a bargain on some (usually) great food, get going on your reservations.
Me? I’m all set for this year’s winter installation. I’ve slotted in untried spots like the latest installment in Daniel Boulud’s stable, Boulud Sud on the Upper West Side for lunch, and nabbed another midday meal at Alain Allegretti’s French newcomer, Le Promenade des Anglais. I’ve passed this windows many times wondering what would open in the old Bette space; I’m super-excited to taste some Nicoise specialties cooked by the hands of a hot Frenchman, one of my weaknesses. I’ve also got dinner at Colicchio & Sons on the calendar. This spot has escaped me since morphing from the outrageously priced Craftsteak to the slightly less outrageously priced family-named restaurant in early 2010. I’m a big Tom fan—last year, I checked out Riverpark during Winter Restaurant Week and was pleasantly surprised—so I hope this delivers as beautifully as his other joints usually do.
While the three new places I have lined up are exciting to me, I must admit that I wasn’t as sold on the Restaurant Week selection as I have been in years past. While I know the week takes a huge toll on both new and high-end restaurants—lowered prices for quality ingredients, dealing with diners looking for a cheap thrill, quick turnover for maximum gross—some of us look to Restaurant Week to inform our palates on the upcoming year’s dining dance card. With massive turnover in the industry, especially among New York’s 24,600 restaurants, I use Restaurant Week to scope out new finds, and it’s a hell of a lot easier on my wallet at $24 or $35.
I didn’t know that I liked Malaysian food until I tried Fatty Crab for lunch two years ago, and now the Fatty Crew is part of my rotation. Bobby Flay, the personality, annoyed me, but I learned that I really enjoyed his cooking when I went to Bolo about ten years ago during Restaurant Week. Mesa Grill and Bar Americain soon become staples. Was it worth trekking to Harlem for hyped Red Rooster’s cozy comfort food? I found my answer to be no during Restaurant Week last year saving me some change and future subway fare.
Additionally, I’ve discovered splurge-worthy gems like Ai Fiori and Marea, as well as Gramercy Tavern and The Modern. I’ve fallen hard for Picholine, and what John Fraser does at Dovetail. Joey Campanaro’s The Little Owl had me at hello, as did ABC Kitchen. To these establishments, I will now pay top dollar—they have my heart (and my belly). But sadly, most of these spots no longer participate in Restaurant Week, and I wish they would come back to the mix.
Instead of lamenting the lost, I salute the restaurants that have stayed the course for the past 20 years broadening diners’ perspectives and palates: Barbetta, Brasserie, Carnegie Deli, Dawat, Delmonico’s, Gotham Bar and Grill, Le Cirque, Le Perigord, Mesa Grill, The Palm Restaurant, Remi, The Russian Tea Room, Shun Lee Palace, Steak Frites, Tribeca Grill, The Water Club and Water’s Edge. And while I’ve tried many of them, there are a few here that I’ve missed. Looks like I’ll be meeting you back on Open Table. Ready, set, go!
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