NYC Restaurant Week - is Your City Participating?

NYC Restaurant Week always makes me take notice. NYC Restaurant Week discounts and promotions always grab an over-worked New Yorker's attention. NYC restaurant week 2010 is an opportunity to try exotic places without breaking your budget. How did New York City restaurant week start and which restaurants are participating around the country?

The Baltimore Sun reports NYC Restaurant Week started in 1992. Tim Zagat and restauranteur Joe Baum asked the top Manhattan restaurants to serve lunches for $19.92 (just like the year). The promotion coincided with the Democratic National Convention visit to New York. NYC Restaurant Week was born!

NYC Restaurant Week happens from January 25 to February 7, 2010. During NYC Restaurant Week, prices are lowered at popular Manhattan restaurants to make them more accessible to everyone. According to Travel Daily News, there are 260 restaurants participating in NYC Restaurant Week 2010.

New York City's tourism, partnership and marketing organization is NYC & Company. Jane Reiss, NYC & Company Chief Marketing Officer, stated, "Restaurants are an integral part of the fabric of life in New York City. Our restaurants offer unparalleled quality, variety, and hospitality, and that's why NYC's Restaurant Week is so eagerly anticipated and supported. Other cities have followed us by implementing Restaurant Weeks, but New York City's culinary celebration is North America's largest, oldest and most respected program."

American Express Card members get exclusive benefits during NYC Restaurant Week. Special sweepstakes include JetBlue and Coca Cola. Restaurants participating in NYC restaurant week include Tribeca Grill, City Hall Restaurant, Breslin Bar and Dining Room, Black Duck, Fulton, SD26 Restaurant and Wine Bar and Ze Cafe.

Prices are predictable during NYC Restaurant Week. Appreciate a three-course, price-fixe lunch for $24.07 and dinner for just $25. Dining at a fine NYC restaurant usually costs at least $100 per person so this equal serious savings. Treat yourselves to a special occasion early or late to get luxury for less.

The NYC Restaurant Week Truck is a new feature introduced in 2010. The NYC Restaurant Week Truck will drive through Manhattan with gourmet soup from restaurants participating in NYC Restaurant Week. You don't even have to visit the restaurant, the cuisine will come to you!

High traffic locations will enjoy at visit from the NYC Restaurant Week Truck from January 25-29 and February 1-5 between 11 AM and 2 PM. To look for the NYC Restaurant Week Truck location and figure out selections, visit twitter.com/nycgo and nycgo.com/restaurantweek.

Other cities participating in their own versions of NYC Restaurant Week include: Alexandra, Annapolis, Atlanta, Baltimore, Bethesda, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Denver, Houston, Kansas City, Indianapolis, Los Angeles, Newport Beach, Minneapolis, Palm Springs, Philadelphia, South Jersey, Phoenix/Tucson, San Diego, San Francisco, Sacramento and Washington, D.C.

You'll also find NYC Restaurant Week in Canada in Toronto and Vancouver. To find out more about locations in New York City and throughout the country, visit Open Table. Peruse the lists to decide which dining deals you want to catch during NYC Restaurant Week.

NYC Restaurant Week special often extend out to Long Island's East End. I'll be looking for some of my favorite local restaurants to offer special deals and dishes. Will you check out NYC Restaurant Week in your neighborhood?