Spring 2012 Restaurant Week in Downtown Albany

Affordable Dining April 21 – 28, 2012

ALBANY, NY (03/27/2012)(readMedia)-- The Downtown Albany Business Improvement District (BID) announces the kick-off of the 8th bi-annual Restaurant Week slated for Saturday, April 21, 2012 through Saturday, April 28, 2012. Fifteen Downtown Albany restaurants will offer a three-course meal valued at a minimum of $35.00 for the price $20.12. A new face this year is The Merry Monk, a Belgian styled bistro and pub that opened up on North Pearl and Sheridan in December 2011. Participating restaurants include: The Albany Pump Station, The Bayou Café, The Brown Derby, Café Capriccio, Franklin's Tower, Hudson Harbor Steak and Seafood, Jack's Oyster House, Katrinella's Bistro, La Serre, Legend's on Pearl, Marche, The Merry Monk, Taste, V & R Italian Ristorante and The Victory Café.

New this year is Student Restaurant Week NIGHT scheduled for Monday, April 23, 2012. Students with a valid ID will be offered the Restaurant Week menu for $15.12 at the following venues: La Serre and V & R Italian Ristorante.

Many restaurants will be offering additional specials during Restaurant Week including:

• The Brown Derby wine & drink specials, Happy Hour ½ price appetizers and $5 drinks at the bar from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM each night.

• Marche at 74 State will feature live Jazz on Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 8:00 PM to 11:30 PM.

• The Bayou Café will offer their Restaurant Week menu for two people including one app, two entrees and one dessert for $20.12.

• Legend's on Pearl is offering their Restaurant Week menu as a $15.00 special for two people with choice of 1 appetizer and 2 entrees.

• The Merry Monk will feature an Ommegang Happy Hour Monday through Friday from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Additionally, they will offer 2 for 1 Mussels every Wednesday from 4:00 PM to close.

• Taste will feature several gluten free items on their menu.

Since its inception in 2004, Downtown Albany's Restaurant Weeks have had a combined economic impact of over $4 million.

"Nearly every day of Restaurant Week is accompanied by a Downtown Albany show, sporting event or concert," said Georgette Steffens, Executive Director, Downtown Albany BID, "Guests can package together a wonderful evening in Downtown that includes shopping, dining and entertainment."

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

Diners are encouraged to make advance reservations after 2:00 PM daily. 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 at the restaurant. Winners will be chosen at random from all completed surveys. Prizes include: one Downtown Albany winner (a Grand Prize winner to receive 4 gift certificates totaling $200), two I love Albany winners (Second Prize winners to receive 2 gift certificates totaling $100) and four Taste of Albany winners (Third Prize winners to receive 1 gift certificate totaling $50). For further information on Restaurant Week please visit www.downtownalbany.org or call 518.465.2143 x11.

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 www.facebook.com/albanybid.