Downtown Albany Restaurant Week Returns April 21-26

ALBANY, NY (04/09/2008)(readMedia)-- The Downtown Albany Business Improvement District (BID) will hold its next Restaurant Week from Monday, April 21 through Saturday, April 26, 2008. Downtown Albany’s Restaurant Week, the Capital Region’s original downtown dining event, attracts up to 13,000 visitors during each event to enjoy three-course dinners for one low price of $16.09. The price commemorates the year Henry Hudson discovered the area and supports the “Downtown Albany: Worth Discovering Since 1609” brand campaign.

April’s Restaurant Week will feature 20 restaurants, including the new Pearl Street Public House, which opened in March at 44 South Pearl Street (formerly Pagliacci’s Ristorante). Directly across from Times Union Center, Pearl Street Public House is the second downtown restaurant owned and operated by Patrick Hall (of Franklin’s Tower) and features an upscale pub menu with signature steak and seafood dishes. Another first-time participant is Envy Lounge at 57 North Pearl Street. Owned by Pearl Restaurant & Lounge proprietor Tim Rankins, Envy offers gourmet food and drinks in a sophisticated, contemporary environment.

Also returning for April’s Restaurant Week are Amo La Bella, Bayou Café, Café Capriccio, Franklin's Tower, Hudson Harbor Steak & Seafood, Jack’s Oyster House, Jillian’s of Albany, Kelsey's Irish Pub, La Serre, Marche at 74 State, Pearl Restaurant & Lounge, Savannah's, V&R Restaurant, Victory Café, Webster's Corner, Albany Mansion Hill Inn, Albany Pump Station and Nicole's Bistro.

Patrons can order from fixed-priced menus offering several selections in categories such as appetizers, entrees and desserts. Reservations are strongly suggested and can be made by calling individual restaurants outside the hours of 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. Full details – including fixed-price menus, restaurant contact information, and restrictions – are available at www.downtownalbany.org. The website also includes an interactive map of the downtown district and a map showing locations of and access to the district’s main parking garages and lots. The maps can be accessed by clicking the “Parking” link on the home page or Restaurant Week detail page.

In addition to the dining deals, 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-$600 (12 dinner certificates); 2nd Prize-$300 (6 dinner certificates); 3rd Prize-$100 (2 dinner certificates).

As an extra bonus, coupons included with the surveys offer buy-one-get-one-free tickets to Albany Conquest arena football, discounts from Blue 82, $10 tickets to Capital Repertory Theatre’s production of Hank Williams: Lost Highway and free passes to the Palace Theatre’s movie series.

Results from downtown Albany’s past Restaurant Weeks confirm the promotion’s success in attracting large numbers of new visitors and providing an enjoyable experience. Information collected from thousands of patron surveys during two Restaurant Week promotions in 2007 indicated nearly 25,000 diners participated in the promotion; 96%+ rate their experience as excellent or good; 70%+ of diners do not work in downtown Albany; diners are drawn from more than 250 zip code regions; and the economic impact of the two promotions in 2007 was more than $550,000.

Downtown’s Albany Restaurant Week received a 2007 Mark of Excellence Award from the NY Capital Region Chapter of the American Marketing Association. The annual awards recognize marketing programs that demonstrate exceptional results.

Media promotion of Restaurant week is supported in part by Metroland, the Times Union and WNYT/NewsChannel 13.

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The Downtown Albany BID, incorporated in 1996, is a private, not-for profit 501© (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. The Downtown Albany BID covers approximately 50 square blocks from Eagle Street on the west to Broadway on the east, and Clinton Avenue on the north to Madison Avenue on the south. Downtown Albany is easily accessible from four exits off I-787. Ample public parking is available in more than 16,000 spaces; 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.