ALBANY, NY (10/10/2013)(readMedia)-- Albany, NY...The Downtown Albany Business Improvement District (BID) announces the 9th bi-annual Downtown Albany Restaurant Week slated for Saturday, October 19, 2013 through Friday, October 25, 2013. This fall, eighteen Downtown Albany restaurants will offer a three-course meal valued at a minimum of $35.00 for the price of $20.13. Diners are encouraged to make advance reservations with specific restaurants after 2:00 PM daily.
"The economic impact of Downtown Albany's Restaurant Weeks continues to grow," explained Mayor Gerald D. Jennings, "From treasured favorites to new establishments, patrons have an opportunity to explore Downtown restaurants, venues and retail."
Participating restaurants in the 2013 Fall Restaurant Week include: Victory Café, V & R Italian Ristorante, Taste, Olde English Pub & Pantry, Merry Monk, Legends on Pearl, La Serre, Jack's Oyster House, Hudson Harbor Steak and Seafood, The Hollow Bar + Kitchen (formerly The Bayou Café), Franklin's Tower, City Beer Hall, Charter (Hilton Albany), Carmine's Italian Restaurant, The Capital American Eatery & Lounge, Café Capriccio, Buddha Tea House and The Albany Pump Station. Menus, hours of operation and specials for all participating restaurants are available at downtownalbany.org.
The 2013 Downtown Albany Fall Restaurant Week includes:
• A premiere menu from the new executive chef at Taste, Mark D. Graham.
• The recently opened The Capital American Eatery & Lounge.
• 4 first-time participants to Restaurant Week including Buddha Tea House, Olde English Pub & Pantry, the City Beer Hall and the Capital American Eatery & Lounge.
• Trivia Night at The Olde English Pub on Monday, October 21, 2013 at 8:00 PM
• Live Music at The Hollow Bar + Kitchen on Monday, October 21 & Friday October 25, 2013 and at The Olde English Pub Wednesday, October 23, 2013.
• Drink Specials all week at Charter (Hilton Albany) and The Hollow Bar + Kitchen.
"Downtown Albany offers world-class dining, urban residential and exciting entertainment, art and culture every day of the year," explains Georgette Steffens, Executive Director, Downtown Albany BID, "During Restaurant week Capital Region residents and visitors are invited to come experience Downtown night life for themselves. If you haven't been to Downtown in a while, Restaurant Week is a great time to come back and enjoy a top quality meal at an incredible price, learn how easy it is to park and take in a tour, see a show or enjoy a concert."
Four different promotions will be offered to Restaurant Week participants including:
Student/Teacher Night - Monday, October 21, 2013 (must show a valid student/teacher ID)
During Restaurant Week, students and teachers are encouraged to come out and dine the 3-course menu for only $15.13 at select restaurants. Six restaurants are participating in Student/Teacher Night including: The Hollow Bar + Kitchen, Jack's Oyster House, La Serre, Olde English Pub & Pantry, V&R Italian Ristorante and Victory Café.
Downtown Residential Open House - Tuesday, October 22, 2013 | 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
For the first time the Downtown Residential Open House and Restaurant Week join together to offer a unique experience. Before or after dinner the public is invited to tour several Downtown residential properties and projects. More information is available at downtownalbany.org.
Capital Ticket - Wednesday, October 23 and Thursday, October 24, 2013
Parties of (4) or more participating in Restaurant Week will have a chance to win a $200 gift certificate to any business located within Downtown Albany Business Improvement District boundaries. One winner will be randomly awarded on Wednesday and one on Thursday night.
Eat Great. Win Great. All week long
In addition to the 3-course dining promotion, Restaurant Week patrons can enter to win hundreds of dollars in Downtown dining gift certificates by filling out a brief survey about their dining experience at their chosen restaurant. Winners will be chosen at random from all completed surveys. Survey Prizes include: (1) Downtown Albany winner (a Grand Prize winner to receive 4 gift certificates totaling $200), (2) I Love Downtown winners (Second Prize winners to receive 2 gift certificates totaling $100) and (4) Illuminate Downtown winners (Third Prize winners to receive (1) gift certificate totaling $50).
Restaurant Week attendees are invited to take advantage of numerous parking options in downtown Albany including the Albany Parking Authority's (APA) parking initiative, 2 Blocks, 2 Bucks, 2 Easy. The parking program features a $2 evening parking rate to make parking in Downtown easier and less expensive. All three Albany Parking Authority garages (RiverFront, Green-Hudson and Quackenbush) charge $2 for all-night parking when entering after 6:00 PM. This offer is not available when special event rates are in effect. Visit www.parkalbany.com for additional information. On street meter-parking is also available at no charge after 6:00 PM.
During Fall Restaurant Week Harmony House Tours presents their newest trolley tour of Albany –Albany in the Movies. Special presentations of this tour will be given Saturday, October 19, 2013 at 4:30 PM and Wednesday, October 23, 2013 at 7:30 PM. Guests are invited to board the trolley at the Albany Heritage Area Visitors Center, 25 Quackenbush Square, for a 90-minute guided and narrated tour featuring Ghost Story, Ironwood, Lolita and more intertwining movie notes with history. Tickets are $25 per person available online at harmonyhousetours.com or by phone 518.238.2233. Tour reservations are strongly recommended. For a Restaurant Week itenerary, menus, events and Downtown news visit downtownalbany.org.
On Thursdays throughout the year as well as during Restaurant Week the new 40-seat Albany Beer Bus is available to patrons wanting to travel easily between area bars from 7:00 PM - 11:00 PM. Provided and organized by the Giddy Up company, bus service travels in 30 minute loops from Wolff's Biergarten to Bombers Burrito Bar making stops at Restaurant Week participants, The Olde English Pub & Pantry, The Merry Monk and The City Beer Hall. Unlimited rides are available for $10 and can be paid upon boarding. Call 518.427.2461 for more information.
The Downtown Albany Business Improvement District (BID) is an organization dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the character, vitality, and possibility of downtown Albany. Through its many programs and events, the Downtown Albany BID works to enhance the image of Albany and further its reputation as a prosperous and exciting city to live, work, and visit. For more information on the BID please visit www.downtownalbany.org | @albanybid or call 518.465.2143 x11.