Restaurant week is on the horizon and reservations for the event have just opened up. This is a great chance to visit some of the pricier restaurants that you may have avoided. Most restaurants offer both a $38 three course prix-fixe dinner and a $25 three course prix-fixe lunch, some however only offer the lunch so check before booking. For those that may be unfamiliar with Restaurant Week Gotham’s New York Limo Service is here to give you some idea of what to do when participating.
These go fast, especially at the “hotter” restaurants in town. Get on the phone or use OpenTable.com as soon as you decide where you want to go and when. Unless you have a good reason, plan for the earlier days in the week (Monday-Wednesday) rather than the later days as they tend to be much easier to book with less hassle and probably a few less people. Some restaurants add a few extra tables into the mix to help make up for losses during the event so less people can be a good thing.
Make sure you do your research on your list of restaurants before you book a reservation. Recourses like chowhound.com and your friends should be used to make sure where you are going is good during restaurant week. Chances are you will not be getting a signature dish, but rather choosing from a menu put together with this event in mind, so some may not be ideal.
A $38 dinner and a $25 lunch sound fantastic when you are thinking about where you can eat, but it is important to understand exactly what you will be paying for. The flat amount does not cover the drinks, tip or taxes. If cost is an issue be sure to ask about prices before finalizing your order. Don’t forget to be generous with your tip if you are able. Just because you are getting a discounter price doesn’t mean the restaurant is comping the waiters and waitresses for the discounter prices.
The truth is that dressing like a slob will get you treated like one. On the reverse if you dress like a business man you will treated like one as well. This is not always ideal, but it does set the mood for a great date night.
A reduced price and menu size doesn’t pull away from the good food you are being served. Make it a special evening with a New York Limo and a night on the town. You will already be dressing up and going to a nice restaurant, it is not that much of a stretch to take it the rest of the way and make it something special.
Restaurant week is a fantastic time to visit the various eateries around New York City. Whether you are just in the mood to sample something you may not frequently get to eat or making it a special date, there is something great about the city wide event. Make note that the waiter that is giving you excellent service may be doing so at a reduced wage, you do not have to compensate them for everything they may have gotten on a different week, but show your appreciation and keep this event alive.