Washington DC Restaurant Week in DC

Restaurant Weeek in DC-a hit-Despite a change in month, a tough economy and scheduling that put it just after Valentine’s Day, the latest Restaurant Week promotion has resulted in strong sales, according to Washington-area restaurateurs.

The surveyed restaurateurs reported that reservations for this year’s event, which runs from Feb. 16 to Feb. 22, have reached levels equal to or greater than last year’s outing. Restaurant Week is traditionally held in January during the week of the Martin Luther King holiday. This year, the event was bumped because of the presidential inauguration of Barack Obama.

During the promotion, diners receive a three-course lunch for $20.09 and a three-course dinner for $35.09.

Harry’s Tap Room is seeing more tables booked than last year, though Monday was quieter than usual due to the Presidents Day holiday, according to co-owner Michael Sternberg.

Nage co-owner Josh Grapski saw similar results. Meanwhile, Ashok Baja, who owns restaurants such as the Oval Room, 701 and Bombay Club, was slammed at his restaurants Monday; he usually closes on Presidents Day.

Reservations at Dan Mesches’ Zola Restaurant are running about the same as last year, although Sunday is slower than usual. Often, Mesches said, people take advantage of the Martin Luther King holiday to stay out late for a Sunday night dinner. Restaurant 3’s co-owner Jonathan Williams also saw numbers similar to last year.

All the restaurateurs interviewed reported a busier Valentine’s Day than usual, spread out over the entire weekend. Diners apparently did not elect to postpone their celebration for a few days to take advantage of a deal. All the promotions are good news for restaurant owners struggling with a slow economy.

“We’re really very fortunate. We had inauguration, a short period of nothing really going on, and then we went right from Valentine’s Day into Restaurant Week,” said Gus DiMillo, co-owner of Passion Food LLC, operator of DC Coast, Acadiana and others. “Next is Mardi Gras. It’s really great.”

Several area restaurants are extending the promotion for an additional week.
Restaurant Week is held twice a year. The next event is expected to take place in the summer.

Source, WBJ