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Mid-Atlantic Winter Restaurant Weeks: Washington DC, Baltimore, New York and more

Dara Bunjon

Do you know the genesis of Restaurant Week? In 1992, Joseph Baum and Tim Zagat (Zagat Restaurant Reviews) were tasked to find entertainment for visiting delegates and media representatives who came to New York City for the Democratic National Convention. The original price, representative of the year 1992, was the price for a three-course meal at the city’s most revered restaurants. Needless to say it was a huge success with tourist and New Yorkers. Boom! Restaurant Weeks are now celebrated worldwide, usually in the down restaurant seasons, hence Winter and Summer Restaurant Weeks.

Restaurant Weeks have taken on their own life with so many variations on the initial theme of the three course dinner, prix fixe menu, reflective of the year. Prices and offerings vary in each municipality – breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, all dining deals along with optional specialty alcohol pairings of beer and wine.

Whereas the websites are listed below, you might have to call a selection of the restaurants who haven’t posted their menus or pricing.  Numerous restaurant goers have voiced how frustrated they are with the lack of posted menus of the restaurants participating. With that said, patrons choose a restaurant who’s pricing and menu is clearly accessible. This seems counterproductive, why would a restaurant decide to participate in Restaurant Week and not post their menus!

Again, pricing varies, but the constant in Restaurant Week(s) is discounted dining.

2018 Winter Restaurant Week Websites:

Baltimore Restaurant Week – January 12 – January 21

http://www.baltimorerestaurantweek.com/

Montgomery County Restaurant Week – January 12 – 21

http://www.bethesdamagazine.com/Restaurant-Week-Winter-2018/

Philadelphia Center City District – January 14 – 26

https://www.centercityphila.org/explore-center-city/ccd-restaurant-week

3 course lunch $20 – 3 Course Dinner $35

Harford County Restaurant Week – January 19 – January 28

http://harfordcountyrestaurantweek.com/

Scroll below invitation to participate for participating restaurants.

Baltimore County Restaurant Week – January 19 to February 3

http://www.baltimorecountyrestaurantweek.com/

Metropolitan Washington Restaurant Week January 22 – January 28

http://www.ramw.org/restaurantweek?

Howard County Restaurant Week – January 22 – February 5

https://www.visithowardcounty.com/howard-county-restaurant-weeks/

New York City Restaurant Week – January 22 – February 9

https://www.nycgo.com/restaurant-week

Alexandria Restaurant Week – January 26 – February 4

https://www.visitalexandriava.com/restaurants/restaurant-week/

$35 dinner for 2

National Harbor Restaurant Week – February 4 – February 10

https://www.nationalharbor.com/restaurantweek/

Annapolis Restaurant Week – February 25 – Saturday, March 3

Breakfast, lunch dinner

http://www.downtownannapolispartnership.org/participating-restaurants

Frederick Restaurant Week – March 5 – March 11

https://www.visitfrederick.org/restaurant-week/