Debate: Should You Take Part in Restaurant Week?

By James Mulcahy and Kelly Dobkin 

New York Restaurant Week is currently in full swing across the city, but despite the great deals there is always some grousing about the promotion from frequent diners. If you go out a lot, should you stay away from restaurants during Resto Week, or is it just snobbiness that keeps people away? See our two editors debate below, and let us know your take in the comments.

James: Have you noticed that frequent New York diners love to hate on Restaurant Week? I know it's not cool to say, but I actually like it. If you are choosy, there are some good deals.

Kelly: I don't totally disagree, but on the whole I tend to stay away. I mean, it's amateur hour.

James: The restaurants surely are more full, but I think it gives a great excuse to try some spots that you haven't had a chance to hit. The staff may think it's "amateur hour" but you can't really tell when you're dining there.


Kelly: Yeah, I think some restaurant week menus are great, the majority, not so great. Typically you're getting cheaper items which aren't necessarily representational of what the restaurant can do. If I'm going to an expensive famous place, I want to taste the best that it has to offer.

James: Not a lot of famous places participate in Restaurant Week - I think it's good to use it as an excuse to hit the standbys that might have been open for a few years.. And if you go for lunch - it's a great deal. $24 for three courses is only $10 more than what you'd spend at the deli.

Kelly: Right but it's never $24, unless you don't drink, plus most pricey places have good prix fixe lunch deals anyway.

James: You do have to be careful with alcohol - that is how it adds up, but if you do you're walking out a winner. I think most people's complaining just goes back to snobbiness - there really isn't a reason for it.

Kelly: It's not snobbiness, most of the so-called complaining you mention comes from food industry insiders, writers and people who are super savvy in the food scene. And let's face it, we're snobby about plenty of things. You won't even eat somewhere that has regular ice! Look who's talking...

James: Ha - I will eat somewhere that has regular if I'm getting a good deal. Let me take another look at those restaurant week listings...