Fall 2012 Restaurant Week in Downtown Albany

Affordable Dining October 13 - 19, 2012

ALBANY, NY (10/02/2012)(readMedia)-- Albany, NY...The Downtown Albany Business Improvement District (BID) announces the 8th bi-annual Restaurant Week slated for Saturday, October 13, 2012 through Friday, October 19, 2012. Fourteen Downtown Albany restaurants will offer a three-course meal valued at a minimum of $35.00 for the price $20.12.

"Some of the Capital Region's best restaurants are in downtown Albany," said Mayor Gerald D. Jennings. "During Restaurant Week, patrons have the opportunity to explore a variety of culinary offerings at exceptional prices, and I invite the public to come downtown and experience these world-class dining destinations."

Four different promotions will be offered to Restaurant Week participants this Fall including:

Student Night - Monday, October 15, 2012 (must show a valid college ID)

During Restaurant Week, area college students are encouraged to come out and dine the 3-course menu for only $15.12. Five restaurants are participating in Student Night: Jack's Oyster House, La Serre, V&R Italian Ristorante, Victory Cafe and Wolf's 1-11 Arena Sports Grill.

New! Date Night - Tuesday, October 16, 2012

The first 10 couples to dine at one of the Restaurant Week locations will receive a complimentary rose. Applies to parties of two.

New! Capital Ticket - Wednesday, October 17 and Thursday, October 18, 2012

Parties of (4) or more participating in Restaurant Week will be offered one chance to win a $200 gift certificate to any business located in the Downtown Albany Business Improvement District. One winner will be awarded on Wednesday and one on Thursday night.

Eat Great. Win Great.

Surveys - 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 the restaurant. Make sure to ask your server for your survey. 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 Albany winners (Second Prize winner to receive 2 gift certificates totaling $100) and (2) Taste of Albany winners (Third Prize winners to receive (1) gift certificate totaling $50).

Participating restaurants in the 2012 Fall Restaurant Week include: Wolf's 1-11 Arena Sports Grill, Victory Café, V & R Italian Ristorante, Taste, La Serre, The Merry Monk, Kelsey's Pub, Katrinella's Bistro, Jack's Oyster House, Hudson Harbor Steak and Seafood, Franklin's Tower, Cafe Capriccio, The Bayou Café and The Albany Pump Station. Diners are encouraged to make advance reservations with specific restaurants after 2:00 PM daily.

"Since its inception in 2004, Downtown Albany's Restaurant Weeks have had a combined economic impact of over $4.5 million," said Georgette Steffens, Executive Director, Downtown Albany BID, "The event is really an invitation to the residents of the Capital Region to come and experience an evening in the heart of our city. Every night of Restaurant Week can be paired with an event whether that be cheering at a sporting event, visiting a local gallery or museum or taking in a concert or show."

Downtown Albany events can be found on the BID's website at www.downtownalbany.org/events.

While many restaurants offer valet parking services, there are additional parking options in downtown Albany including the Albany Parking Authority parking initiative titled 2 Blocks, 2 Bucks, 2 Easy. The parking program features a $2 evening parking rate in an effort to make parking in Downtown easier and less expensive. All three Albany Parking Authority garages (Columbia, 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.

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 or @downtownalbany.