Albany's Restaurant Week Brings Restaurant Deals and More May 3-9

ALBANY, NY (04/22/2009)(readMedia)-- The Downtown Albany Business Improvement District (BID) today announced its Spring 2009 Restaurant Week will begin for the first time on a Sunday - May 3rd and run through Saturday, May 9th. Eleven of the 19 participating independently-owned restaurants will offer fixed-price, three course meals for the price of $20.09 beginning Sunday, May 3rd: Albany Pump Station, Café Capriccio, Franklin's Tower, Jack's Oyster House, Katrinella's Bistro (NEW!), Kelsey's Irish Pub at the Crowne Plaza, La Serre, Mansion Hill Inn, Marche at 74 State, Le Canard Enchaine Brasserie, and V&R Restaurant. The following restaurants will offer their $20.09 menus beginning Monday, May 4th: Amo La Bella, Bayou Café, Envy Lounge, Hollywood Brown Derby (NEW!), Hudson Harbor Steak & Seafood, Jillian's of Albany, Savannah's, and Victory Café. A complete list of Restaurant Week menus is available at www.downtownalbany.org.

Downtown Albany's Restaurant Week is the region's original downtown dining event featuring fixed-price, three-course meals at a variety of the City's most popular restaurants for $20.09. The price is designed to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson's historic voyage and landing in the region in 1609.

"Once again, the Downtown Albany BID is pleased to bring this popular program back to Downtown Albany highlighting many of the wonderful dinner establishments offered in our Capital City. For this spring event, not only will guests have the opportunity to enjoy great dining at a great value, but entertainment and hospitality special offers as well," said Pamela Tobin, the BID's executive director. Offers include (Restaurant Week only): Albany Symphony Orchestra - $20.09 ticket (reg. $40) for May 9th performance of "100 Voices with Albany Pro Musica" - 518.465.4755 or www.albanysymphony.com (Code=BID); Capital Repertory Theatre - $10 discount per ticket (reg. $34-$44) to "Boston Marriage" - 518.445.SHOW www.capitalrep.org (Code=117); Albany Aqua Ducks - $16.09 Splashdowns (reg. $20.09) and $20.09/couple Trolley tour - www.albanyaquaducks.com; 74 State - reduced room rate of $169 (reg. $199) - 518.434.7410 www.74state.com ; Crowne Plaza - reduced room rate of $119 (reg. $209) including complimentary parking ($10.95 value) - 518.462.6611 www.cpalbany.com (Code=BID).

In addition to the 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. Winners will be chosen at random from all completed surveys. Participating restaurants have each donated $50 certificates toward the drawing. Prizes include:

• 1st Prize: $500 (10 dinner certificates)
• 2nd Prize: $300 (6 dinner certificates)
• 3rd Prize: $150 (3 dinner certificates)

Since its inception in 2004, Restaurant Weeks have had a combined economic impact of more than $2.4 million.

During Restaurant Week, reservations are strongly suggested and can be made by calling individual restaurants outside the hours of 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Full details, including sample fixed-price menus, hours of operation, restaurant contact information and other details are available at www.downtownalbany.org.

Restaurant Week is sponsored in part with support from the Times Union and WNYT News Channel 13.

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The Downtown Albany BID, incorporated in 1996, is a private, not-for profit 501 (c) (3) organization that works to restore, promote and maintain the character and viability of downtown Albany and to improve the quality of life and overall image of downtown for all those who work in, live in and visit the Capital City. There is ample public parking in downtown Albany: metered parking is free after 6 p.m. on weekdays and all weekends. For information about the Downtown Albany BID, call (518) 465-2143 or visit www.downtownalbany.org.