Hudson Valley Restaurant Week happens twice a year and the "Spring" Edition is about to take place. HVRW kicks off on March 7 and goes through the 20th. Participating restaurants are in the Putnam, Dutchess, Ulster, Rockland, Westchester, Sullivan and Orange Counties. Restaurants can choose to participate in just dinner or lunch and dinner, some restaurants also chose to not participate on Friday and Saturday's (always check with the restaurant to make sure you are not disappointed).

The goal of any restaurant week is two fold. To get you the consumer out to try new places and for restaurants to "show their stuff" and hopefully have you as a customer the rest of the year in their business. A three-course prix fixe lunch will cost $20.95 (before tax, tip, gratuity and beverage) and a three-course prix-fixe dinner will cost $29.95, again please remember that this price does not include beverages, tax, tip or gratuity.

Keys to making Hudson Valley Restaurant Week a success:

  • Call in advance to make a reservation and double check that the restaurant is participating on the night/day that you wish to dine.
  • Remember that portions might be slightly smaller than normal because of the three-courses.
  • Be patient with the staff at the restaurant, as often times restaurants will be unexpectedly busy during this restaurant week service and they may have new inexperienced staff working who does not know the normal ins and outs of the menu.
  • Know that you, at most places, you may also order additional items off the regular menu, ask your server first if the entire table needs to participate in the prix fixe menu or not. This way if there is an appetizer that looks great that you want to try or a soup, etc, you can get this (for a the regular menu price) in addition to the three courses that come with the restaurant week menu.
  • Do not expect restaurants to want to make substitutions. Do not ask for items from the regular menu to be substituted from the prix fixe, ie, you don't like this particular salad so you want one off the regular menu instead, you can ask, but do not expect them to say yes. Their menu and food cost has been charted out based on the items that are on the special menu. That being said, DO let them know if you have a dietary restriction, please let your servers know or call the restaurant in advance to see if they can accommodate you.

Remember if you like something that you had at a restaurant, tell everyone, if you had an issue with the restaurant tell them. A few moments clearing up an issue immediately will also ensure that you and your fellow dinners have a better experience.


 

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