After this year saw the town boom with new restaurants, next week’s Colonie Restaurant Week will see participation from a record number of new eateries, as well as the return of some established upscale favorites.
From Monday, Oct. 19 through Sunday, Oct. 25, participating restaurants will offer three-course dinner menus for a fixed price of $20.15. Twenty restaurants – more than in any previous year – will participate.Newcomers to this year’s restaurant week include Burger21, Philly Bar & Grill, Innovo Kitchen, Mercato’s III, Swifty’s Restaurant and Pub, Bonefish Grill and The Bull & Barrel Smokehouse Grill.
Restaurant week “draws people to new locations and restaurants,” said Colonie Chamber of Commerce President Tom Nolte, while those that have participated in the past continue to do so because “they have gotten results.”
“It’s not only new restaurants, but existing restaurants, as well. It gives people the opportunity to circle calendars and maybe try something new,” said Nolte.
Participating again this year is Real Seafood Co., Simpson’s Restaurant at The Desmond Hotel, Martel’s Grill, Bangkok Bistro and Bellini’s Italian Eatery, among others.
“We’re human. We love a bargain,” said Co-Owner Real Seafood Co. Alliki Serras. “We have the same top quality as always; we’re not bringing something of lower quality just for this week. For someone to see a three-course meal at $20, it’s hard to pass up.” The week of cheap meals is mostly utilized by the restaurant’s regular clientele, said Serras, but events like this help the restaurant “get its name out there.”
Their menu for this restaurant week will feature many of the choices they have on their regular menu, as well as some new dishes just for the event. Many of the restaurants participating have made their menus available online. All feature two to three options for each course, with some offering more.
A new feature this year, an interactive text-to-win contest from sponsor DeCrescente Distributing Company, will randomly award an Adirondack Brewing Company Tour in Lake George to participants. This is followed by a meal at the brewery’s restaurant. To enter, text “tasteofcolonie” to 88500. Morgen Linen Service, Inc. also sponsors the event.
This is the fifth year that Colonie has held restaurant weeks biannually in October and March. The first local restaurant week was held 11 years ago in Albany, while the first restaurant week nationally was held in New York City over 20 years ago.
In the Capital Region, restaurant weeks continue to thrive. This week gives locals a chance to try those new destinations, or visit some classics at discounted prices.
Colonie Restaurant Week is organized by the Colonie Chamber of Commerce. For a full list of participating restaurants visit tasteofcolonie.com.
