Osteria Rossa

Taste the City: Restaurant Week GR

Do you drive pass a restaurant and always tell yourself you are going to try it one day? Have you been hearing a lot about that new place, but seem to be the only one who hasn’t been there yet? Well, Restaurant Week Grand Rapids is the perfect time to cross that eatery off your list!

The 6th Annual Restaurant Week Grand Rapids is Aug 12 – 23. This Experience GR event encourages Grand Rapidians to rally around local cuisine and tempt tourists to taste the city.

Grove, Photo Courtesy Of Sallyzara Public Relations
Grove, Photo Courtesy of SallyZara Public Relations

“It is a great time for locals and visitors to experience a unique fresh menu that highlight’s Grand Rapids culinary offerings,” says Kate Herron, Community Development Manager of Experience GR.

Sixty-five restaurants throughout the city are participating by featuring select dishes only offered this week at special prices. An individual can enjoy 3 courses for $28 or 2 people can share an appetizer, order their own entrée and share a dessert for the same reasonable cost.

Restaurant Week is more than meal deals, it is a celebration of culinary education and community. For every meal purchased during Restaurant Week, a $1 is donated to the Grand Rapids Community College Secchia Institute for Culinary Education for scholarships for aspiring chefs. In the past 5 years, nearly $100,000 has been raised. Students also have an opportunity to showcase their skills to potential employers at a reception at the completion of the week, rounding out the event with participating restaurants.

The food industry is one of the largest employers in the US – only second to the government. Combine this large industry with the increase in consumer demand for quality, the self-proclaimed foodies posting on Instagram and the farm-to-table movement, it is no surprise the Secchia Institute has seen a rise in enrollment.

Osteria Rossa, Photo Courtesy Of Sallyzara Public Relations
Osteria Rossa, Photo Courtesy of SallyZara Public Relations

Dan Gendler, program director and professor at the Secchia Institute weighed in,
“Food Network food frenzy has helped fuel peoples’ interest in food these days…and consumers now have a heightened understanding of their food quality, preparation and source. Serving fresh and local food has become more of an expectation.”

“[Restaurant Week] gets people out of their creature of habit ways and back out to try new flavors.”

What new restaurants will you discover during Restaurant Week?

Click here to view a complete listing of participating restaurants and menus.

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