Though it’s become known as an occasion for budget-friendly dining fun, Downtown Atlanta Restaurant Week began in 2002 in response to the horrors of Sept. 11, 2001.
“Restaurants and hotels were really suffering, and this was a way to try to bring some business back to downtown” said Wilma Sothern, vice president of marketing for Central Atlanta Progress, the community development organization that founded the event.
As one measure of its success, Downtown Atlanta Restaurant Week actually runs two weeks now, and it’s spawned similar restaurant weeks in the city, including Midtown Restaurant Week in September and Buckhead Restaurant Week in January.
Beginning July 26 and continuing through Aug. 8, look for bargain $25 or $35 three-course meals at some of the best restaurants in Atlanta’s Downtown Dining District, such as BLT Steak, French American Brasserie and IL Mulino.
“Twenty-six restaurants will be participating and each has something unique to offer,” Sothern said. “Certainly, with the addition with some of the well-known national restaurants that have come downtown, we’ve been able to add to the offerings. But we have restaurants ranging from traditional steak houses and seafood restaurants to Irish pubs.”
Sothern said Restaurant Week was successful from the start. But through the years, there’s been some tweaking.
The first year, a three-course meal was $20.02. But that proved difficult for some restaurants with higher food costs. The $25 price-point became the standard. But this year, $35 is the going rate at several places, including Atlanta Grill, Legal Sea Foods and Ray’s in the City.
Restaurant Week added a signature cocktail in 2003. In 2010, it’s the Bacardi Torched Cherry, created by Eric Simpkins, the mixologist at Drinkshop, the happening hand-crafted cocktail bar in the W Atlanta Downtown.
All participating restaurants will feature the drink — a heady blend of Bacardi rum flavored with Barbados cherries and Aloe aristata, sweet and dry vermouth, Cherry Herring and a dash of angostura bitters, served up or on the rocks, garnished with orange peel and cherry.
Central Atlanta Progress logged 60,000 covers at participating restaurants during the two-week period of Restaurant Week 2009.
“I’m not sure what we’ll do this year,” Sothern said. “Last year, I ate out at least eight nights over the two weeks, and I’ll probably do it again.”
Event preview
Downtown Atlanta Restaurant Week
July 26 – Aug. 8. $25 or $35 for a three-course meal at participating restaurants in the Downtown Dining District, www.atlantadowntown.com/fun/restaurant-week
Here are some restaurant and menu highlights for Downtown Atlanta Restaurant Week 2010.
French American Brasserie
,
30 Ivan Allen Jr. Blvd. Suite 125, Atlanta, 404-266-1440, www.fabatlanta.com
Arguably Atlanta’s best French restaurant, FAB is a spin-off of New York City's Le Bernadin that’s found such a loyal following here, it feels local. The $25 menu features a choice of two starters, three entrees, and two desserts, including creamy onion soup, hanger steak with garlic frites, and warm chocolate cake with hazelnuts, strawberry ice cream and balsamic chocolate syrup.
BLT Steak
,
45 Ivan Allen Jr. Blvd., Atlanta, 404-577-7601, www.bltsteak.com
From Manhattan to Atlanta with love, this French-American bistro-steakhouse was created by French chef Laurent Tourondel. The famous gruyere-laced popovers may be the best part of the meal. But the $35 menu features the likes of steamed mussels “mariniere”; mushroom-stuffed chicken with English peas, morels and Madeira sauce, and Georgia peach and almond brioche pudding.
IL Mulino
,
191 Peachtree St., Atlanta, 404-524-5777, www.ilmulino.com/atlanta.html
Another expensive New York City original, with outposts around the world, Il Mulino offers flavors originating in the Abruzzi region of Italy by way of Greenwich Village. The $35 menu features rigatoni Bolognese with braised veal, lamb and beef; veal saltimbocca sauteed with sage and prosciutto, and Italian cheesecake.
Social Resto Cafe Bar
,
12 W. Peachtree Place, Atlanta, 404-525-2246, www.socialintown.com
Just around the corner from FAB and BLT Steak, this lively little French bistro was born in Atlanta with roots in Tunisia. Choose from a $25 or $35 menu, and choose from gazpacho or gazpacho deluxe, vegetable ratatouille lasagna or grilled whole snapper, and lavender creme brulee or creme de cassis ice cream with honey and lemon zest.
About the Author
The Latest
Featured
