Beginning Monday, February 22, Sonoma County will make its first foray into the wildly popular “Restaurant Week” format. Through Sunday, February 28, diners can eat at more than 80 wine country restaurants offering three-course, prix-fixe dinners for $19, $29, or $39 for one week only.
This is the first time Restaurant Week has been held in the North Bay. The event originated as a lunch-only promotion in New York City in 1992. Developed as a one-time culinary event to welcome the Democratic National Convention to the city following the 911 attacks, the program has found a strong following with residents eager for the chance to eat at some of New York’s top restaurants for a fraction of the usual cost. Not only has the program grown in New York – expanding to include both lunch and dinner for four weeks each year – but cities across the country have picked up the concept, creating their own unique versions.
An innovative way to keep business flowing during the typically slow winter months, the Restaurant Week concept provides food aficionados with an abundance of culinary options at great prices. Throughout Sonoma County, many restaurants are providing several options for each course for those who want to enjoy an establishment more than once during the week.
Tickets or passes are not needed for Sonoma County Restaurant Week. Patrons simply choose a restaurant at www.sonomacountyrestaurantweek.org and dine out. Reservations are strongly recommended.
In addition to great meals, diners will have a chance to “Dine Out Free for a Year” by filling out a five-question survey at all participating restaurants and be entered into a drawing. Plus, diners who post a Restaurant Week experience on the Sonoma County Tourism Bureau’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/sonomacountyca) or tweet about their experience on Twitter using the hashtag “#SoCoDining” will be entered into a drawing to win free meals.
Sonoma Valley Restaurant Week participants
In the $19 range:
Café Citti (Kenwood)
Mary’s Pizza Shack (Boyes Hot Springs and Sonoma Plaza)
The Epicurean Connection
The Fig Café & Wine Bar (Glen Ellen)
In the $29 range:
Carneros Bistro & Wine Bar
Depot Restaurant
Estate
Meritage Martini Oyster Bar & Grille
Rocket Café
Saddles Steakhouse at MacArthur Place
In the $39 range:
Café La Haye
El Dorado Kitchen
Harvest Moon Café
Mamma Tanino’s Ristorante
Sante at the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa
The Girl & The Fig
