Restaurant weeks are a boon to budget travelers, because they allow food lovers a chance to try some of the best restaurants in a city at discounted prices.
Usually the restaurant creates a special three-course menu (appetizer, entree and dessert) and then offers that prix fixe menu at a set price.
The Details of Denver Restaurant Week
Denver Restaurant Week actually runs two weeks and the 2011 event runs from February 26 to March 11.
During this time period, participating restaurants will offer a multi-course prix fixe dinner for two for $52.80, or $26.40 for one person (not including tax or gratuity). $52.80 is in reference to the fact that Denver is known as the Mile High City, and a mile is 5,280 feet.
The menus are created by each restaurant and may also include an extra course, beverages (sometimes even a bottle of wine), or even upgrades (for an additional nominal cost).
Participating Denver Area Restaurants
A wide variety of cuisines will be represented during Denver Restaurant Week. Everything from Classic American and Steakhouses to Bistros and Ethnic Food restaurants are participating.
Among the over 300 restaurants involved, there are some chain restaurants, like Bonefish Grill, Carrabba's Italian Grill, Hard Rock Cafe, Outback Steakhouse and P.F. Chang's China Bistro.
There are also new-to-Denver eateries like Diego's Mexican Food and Cantina (which, by the way, is offering four courses and alcoholic beverages for the set price).
Hot spots like The Fort (a fine-dining establishment known for its Western-theme menu, including buffalo steaks) and Vesta Dipping Grill are also on the list of participating restaurants.
For the ultimate in dining, all six of Denver’s 2011 AAA Four Diamond award winners (Panzano, Colt & Gray, Mizuna, Rioja, Restaurant Kevin Taylor and Palace Arms) are participating, as well.
Restaurants in nearby cities like Golden and Boulder are included, for those who would like to get out of the city proper to try new places to eat.
A full list of every participating Denver area restaurant, along with the special menu for each, can be found online. The list is searchable by cuisine or neighborhood.
Tips for Making the Most of Denver Restaurant Week
Reservations are required for each dining experience, but many of them accept reservations through Open Table. This allows you to accrue Open Table points for future dining certificates.
If dining as a couple, don't order the same thing. Order separate entrees and share to get a better taste of what the restaurant has to offer.
Go hungry. Don't let any of this delicious food go to waste, especially at such great prices.
Michelle Snow - Michelle Snow been a freelance journalist and photographer for over twenty years, specializing in travel and entertainment. She got her ...
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