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Home > Blogs > Taste: Dayton food and restaurants > Archives > 2009 > February > 12 > Entry
Restaurant Week shatters previous records, may embrace 2-week format
Dayton-area diners didn’t let a little cold weather — or a little ice, or a lot of snow — stand in their way of grabbing a bargain meal.
Winter 2009 Restaurant Week shattered all previous records, with the number of meals served already reaching 20,686 with six of the 57 participating restaurants still waiting to report, according to Amy Zahora, executive director of the Miami Valley Restaurant Association.
The previous record was 12,051 set just last summer.
Now with this winter’s Restaurant Week extended for a full second week by all but a handful of the 57 participating restaurants, it’s not an apples-to-apples comparison, but the numbers are very impressive, as was the record number of restaurants that chose to participate this time around. And the two-week run of Restaurant Week didn’t exactly occur during a balmy stretch of weather most conducive to dining out.
The two charities that will benefit from the record turnout — SICSA and Hannah’s Treasure Closet — must be pleased, since $1 from every meal will be split by the two non-profits.
The restaurant association and the restaurants are exploring whether to make Restaurant Week a two-week event, Zahora said. The restaurant owners and managers are hashing out the pros and cons. It might be that restaurants would have the option to “sign up” for one or for two weeks.
What do you think of the two-week format?
Click here to read “our reviews and yours” of Restaurant Week.
The Summer 2009 Restaurant Week will be held from July 26-31. Mark your calendars!
Permalink | Comments (17) | Post your comment | Categories: Local restaurant news
Comments
By Centerville Resident
February 12, 2009 10:19 AM | Link to this
We took advantage of the 2-week format by going to Sweeney’s Seafood in the second week. As usual, we had a fabulous meal, and a great price, thanks to Restaurant Week being extended. Look forward to this event every year!By Alex
February 12, 2009 10:19 AM | Link to this
We went to of the restaurant’s, Pasha & Cafe Blvd., the service was terrible at both. The food was very meh. C/B served tiny portions with the worse service. This not having been my first experience with bad service it is becoming apparent that bad service is as common in Dayton as pizza cut into tiny squares. I won’t waste another penny at any more of Dayton’s “up scale” restaurants. Two weeks or one week I’ll be passing next year.By Wordman
February 12, 2009 10:21 AM | Link to this
What is restaurant week? What does it mean? How does it work?By Mark Fisher
February 12, 2009 10:35 AM | Link to this
For those unfamiliar with Restaurant Week, it is a promotion by the Miami Valley Restaurant Association in which restaurants — those that decide to participate, anyway — offer a three-course meal for the same price as the year ($20.09), with the restaurants donating $1 for every RW meal served to local charities. Many other cities across the country also have Restaurant Week promotions, though some larger cities charge more than $20.09 for the meals. The next Dayton-area restaurant week will be held July 26-31.By Restaurant Week Fan
February 12, 2009 10:35 AM | Link to this
I think RW should be at least 2 weeks, especially in today’s economy. Even at $20.09 a meal(excluding tax, tip and beverage), it’s hard for working couples to be able to afford to eat out more than once a week. If RW was extended (maybe even for a month?), people would have more time to try new local restaurants. I look forward to RW and make a point to try at least 1 new restaurant, budget allowing.By Hunter Johnson
February 12, 2009 10:44 AM | Link to this
I don’t think the economy should play into the duration of RW. Yes, diners have to budget their dining, but restaurants also have to budget their offerings. Extending it might only lead to more complaints about portion size and service as the restaurants run their numbers. (And I’ll again plug Rue Dumaine & Meadowlark — ate at each of those during the extended RW, and got good portions, great food, and great service.)By Joanie G.
February 12, 2009 10:51 AM | Link to this
Our friends and my husband and I enjoy RW. I am looking forward to it again. I wish they would include Sat. as in the past. We usually try a restaurant new to us. We did McCormick and Scmick and will go back. It was great!By David
February 12, 2009 11:12 AM | Link to this
2 weeks is a great idea no matter what the weather. I’ve not had bad service at Pacchia, but I have had at Cafe Boulevard. I wonder if Eva reads this blog and will do anything.By DaytonEater
February 12, 2009 11:35 AM | Link to this
Restaurant week is great, but it’s funny too. Went to a restaurant, it was jam packed, were the items on the RW menu were straight off the regular menu - no puny servings - and the regular menu price for these meals was only $17 or $18. Granted, the $20.09 included dessert. But what, exactly, is keeping these RW diners from dining out more often?By nullhalderman
February 12, 2009 11:44 AM | Link to this
We had a wonderful experience at a small little restaurant BARBIE’S BISTRO. on Dorothy Lane. Very personnal fun restaurant. Good Food and drinks…..By Daytonian
February 12, 2009 12:21 PM | Link to this
I’ve had wonderful service and food at Cafe Boulevard and always seek out waiter ‘Frank’ who is always great! Eva always stops by to ask about the food and service.By Bellbrookian
February 12, 2009 12:56 PM | Link to this
I think RW is a great idea. We usually get together with friends and try a place we haven’t been. This year, we couldn’t make schedules work so my husband, son and I went. We had a fantastic time (as in years past) and I know that we will return to the restaurant (Amelia’s) that we tried. I have to believe that this is great for the business when they do something like this. I’m also interested in trying some of those that were mentioned by others and enjoyed. Pacchia’s has always been one of my favorite restaurants and I’ve never been disappointed. Cafe Blvd. on the other hand, is not a place I’d choose to return to. Food is fine, just not my type and not impressive enough for me to keep trying. Way to go Miami Valley Restaurant Assoc. I think this is a winning idea for everyone!By George
February 12, 2009 2:51 PM | Link to this
We like restaurant week, and went to a different place each week. We tried Cafe Blvd, mine was good but my wife’s fish dinner was one little piece of fish with a bit of veg - not a satisfying meal. We enjoyed our Brixx RW meal. I’ll try new places next time!By flipper
February 12, 2009 4:49 PM | Link to this
Every week is restaurant week. Just drive down Fairfield Rd in Beavercreek and take note of the cars in the lots. I’m talking Monday thru Thursday not Friday & Saturday nights when most dine out. The economy is not as bad as we are led to believe. People have plenty of discretionary income.By Encouraged Daytonian
February 12, 2009 5:43 PM | Link to this
In a time when all we read about is people getting laid off, I love reading articles like these. Thank you Mark for bringing ‘good’ news to our attention. I think promotions like RW are great for this area. Continued success to all of the restaurants.By steve
February 12, 2009 8:21 PM | Link to this
The wife and I went to Benham’s during RW. This place is outstanding. It’s a touch of class with very reasonable prices - food and drink. And the food is delicious! The owners, servers, and everyone involed are very, very pleasant. We would recommed this place to anyone!By Sue
February 13, 2009 4:03 PM | Link to this
People, please do not be so critical of RW! Over $20K was donated to charity and the majority of us enjoyed a delicious, three-course meal in the process. Listing our opinion of those visited: First group A+: Melting Pot - as in the past, we try at least one new restaurant and this was our choice. Had a leisurely, pleasant evening in lovely surroundings. Felt portions were fine and the food was good. Fleming’s, Benham’s, Jay’s, and Meadowlark were also A+ in our book. Took great restraint at Benham’s not to sneak another cheese puff from an adjoining table; nice addition. The white chicken chili and chocolate cake were extra special. Our thanks to Tony’s blog for the education on pork belly served at Meadowlark and to Wylie for offering it. That and the mussels were wonderful. Agree with Mark about the unique first course at Jay’s of wild mushrooms and smoked salmon - delicious. Ditto the beef short ribs. Next group we rated A: Carver’s, McCormick & Schmick (Bread Pudding was yummy), Pacchia, and Cafe’ Boulevard. Service at every restaurant we visited was excellent. We found the food and the portions to be just fine for the most part. Appreciated the scoop of ice cream served with many of the desserts (in spite of the weather). We vote for two weeks and can’t wait until July!