During the 10-day event, running through March 21, patrons can get a three-course lunch meal for $10 and a three-course dinner for $25 or less at all participating restaurants. Each eatery chose to offer a lunch special, a dinner special, or both.
The event is designed to promote dining in the city and boost economic development, organizers say. A portion of the revenue from each Restaurant Week meal sold will be donated to The Boys and Girls Clubs of Binghamton, a charity organization providing educational and recreational programs for about 2,500 underprivileged children every year.
“Restaurant Week is an opportunity to enjoy what Binghamton has to offer while also supporting an important cause,” Binghamton Mayor Matt Ryan said in a news release. “This event has become more popular each year, and we look forward to building on that momentum this spring.”
The six previous editions of Binghamton Restaurant Week, which started in March 2010, have generated more than $1 million in total sales and produced $24,626 in charity donations for the participating organizations. Charity partners it has supported include the Boys and Girls Clubs of Binghamton and C.H.O.W., a hunger-outreach program in Binghamton.
In the last Restaurant Week, staged in September 2012, 20 participating restaurants served 16,990 meals and donated $7,034 to C.H.O.W.
Marie McKenna, co-owner of Lost Dog Café, and Piero Lisio, of Little Venice Restaurant, organized Restaurant Week in conjunction with the Economic Development Office of Binghamton and Michael Grasso, co-founder of BingSpot, an online lifestyle guide to Binghamton.
“An exciting restaurant scene is growing in Binghamton,” McKenna said in the news release. “Restaurant Week is a wonderful opportunity to explore our local restaurants, get together with friends and help raise money for a local charity. It’s also a great way to usher in spring.”
The restaurants participating in this Spring’s Restaurant Week are Binghamton Hots, Brewed Awakenings, Burger Monday, Café West 46, Cortese Restaurant, Crepe Heaven, Inc., Cyber Café West, Czech Pleeze, Gallagher’s Irish Pub, Grande Bella Cucina, Little Venice Restaurant, Lost Dog Café, Nezuntoz Café, Number 5 Restaurant, Remlik’s Grille & Oyster Bar, River Bistro, Sake-Tumi, Taste of Europe, Thai Time, Tranquil Bar & Bistro, Water Street Brewing Company, Whole In The Wall Restaurant, and Zona & Co. Grille.
Customers may view detailed menus online at BinghamtonRestaurantWeek.com or on Binghamton Restaurant Week’s Facebook page
Contact The Business Journal at news@cnybj.com