From March 11 – 24, nearly 200 restaurants up and down both sides of the river, from Ulster County to Westchester County, join together to provide an economical taste of local bounty during the 2013 Hudson Valley Spring Restaurant Week. This is the biggest foodie event of the year.
Hundreds of thousands of local diners eagerly await this annual event. Do you like American Bistro food? Maybe you prefer classic French or Italian? How about some exotic ethnic cuisine? Whatever your favorite type of food, someone, somewhere in the region specializes in it, and they’re offering three courses for the prix fixe of $20.95 for lunch, and/or $29.95 for dinner (beverage, tax and tip extra.)
From Alain Bennouna’s Moroccan restaurant, Zitoune, in Mamaroneck to the American fare of Bistro Z in Tarrytown, all types of food are ably represented in Westchester County. Further north, Café Le Perche in Hudson (Columbia County) and across the river in Ulster County, the Diamond Mills Tavern in Saugerties are just two of the many eateries that offer plenty of reasons to travel throughout the region tasting local delicacies.
President of the Culinary Institute of America of Hyde Park, Tim Ryan, said that many of the participating chefs in Hudson Valley Restaurant Week are CIA graduates. That is why the CIA is also a major sponsor.. He went on to say, “The food industry is the economic backbone of our economy. It is the second largest employer (after the Healthcare Industry) in the region. It is the same for our country as a whole, but, to put a local slant on it, the food industry in Dutchess County generates $120 million annually. The CIA alone spends more than $1 million on local food and produce here.”
Founded by the Valley Table magazine and sponsored by WHUD 100.7 Radio and M&T Bank, the annual Spring Hudson Valley Restaurant Week covers a seven county area. Reservations are suggested, and may be required at some restaurants. Some offer lunch specials, some dinner and some both. Call ahead, then gather your friends for some unforgettable dining March 11-24. Afterwards, go to the website of participating restaurants to complete a survey and be entered to win fabulous prizes.
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