Fans of fine dining, pick up your phones. New York's Winter Restaurant Fortnight Week is back. Which means from January 24 through February 6 (and, if history is any guide, even later) hundreds of New York City eateries are offering three-course lunches for $24.07 and dinners for $35. The full list of participating restaurants is now live and reservations are being taken.
Around since 1992, Restaurant Week certainly has its ups and downs. While it gives diners a chance to check out famous spots they normally wouldn't try (21 Club, anyone?) it also gives restaurateurs an easy way to fleece unsuspecting eaters (one time we went to a spot, which will remain nameless, and, well, let's just say one of the three courses was edible). The trick is doing a little research first. If you're thinking of trying a restaurant you don't really know anything about, look at the regular menu and compare it to the Restaurant Week menu (many of which are available here), read a few reviews and ask around. Be careful. Some great places, like Jean Georges, already offer a Restaurant Week-style prix fixe year-round.
If you are looking to dine at one of the "hotter" spots on the list we'd still recommend doing that research...just after you've made your reservation. Those things can go quick! And you probably want to take it into account that many of those restaurants (i.e. The Breslin and Maialino) are only doing lunch deals this go-round.
One other important thing to remember? While Restaurant Week is great for restaurants and can be great for diners it is a real pain for one important part of the equation: the staff. Restaurant Week brings in way more tables of people to be fed, but doesn't necessarily bring more tips because of those lower bills. So when you go out this Restaurant Week, remember the people who are feeding you!
Are you going to take advantage of Restaurant Week this winter? Where are you looking to go?
