Restaurant Week is back in Downtown Duluth

• Kristi Stokes

Kristi Stokes is president of the Greater Downtown Council.

Talk about it

What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Downtown Duluth? If it’s the quality and variety of restaurants, you are not alone. Repeated surveys indicate that restaurants rate high on the list for those asked this top-of-mind question.

So, it’s exciting to once again shine the spotlight on our restaurants for the return of “Eat Downtown — Duluth Restaurant Week.”

This campaign, now in its third year, kicked off this week and provides diners the opportunity to order from a specialized menu to enjoy a multi-course meal at one fixed price. The Greater Downtown Council is pleased to present this 15-day foodie-frenzy with the help of our sponsors and 18 participating restaurants, where you can cash in on a $10 lunch or $20 dinner.

Across the country, restaurant week campaigns have been proven success stories for downtown communities, and the trend continues to grow. It’s an opportunity to put the spotlight on dining establishments in our Downtown Waterfront, and it allows participating restaurants to enjoy the benefit of teaming up with collective marketing.

In the end, it all means a stronger economic impact for our whole downtown area and a real deal for diners who are looking for a different twist to lunch or a fun night out.

As part of the Eat Downtown — Duluth Restaurant Week campaign, diners will find participating restaurants offering multi-course fixed price menus from March 1 to March 15. Lunches will be available for $10, and dinners will be offered at $20 (a few are fixing the price at $10 for either lunch or dinner).

And with the following list of participating restaurants, we know you will walk away satisfied and ready to come back for more!

On board for the Third Annual Eat Downtown — Duluth Restaurant Week are: Bellisio’s Italian Restaurant & Wine Bar, Black Water Lounge at Greysolon, Dubh Linn Irish Brew Pub, Grandma’s

Saloon & Grill-Canal Park, Green Mill Restaurant and Bar, Duluth India Palace, Jalapeno Express, JJ Astor, Lake Avenue Restaurant and Bar, Mexico Lindo, Midi Restaurant, Pickwick Restarant and Pub, Pizza Lucé, Restaurant 301, Sir Benedict’s, Va Bene Berarducci's Caffé, Valentini’s Vicino Lago and Zeitgeist Arts Café.

Such promotional campaigns play a strong role in further strengthening the central urban core of our community. By generating additional traffic, boosting sales at participating restaurants and creating an inviting environment, our downtown serves as a true destination.

I encourage you to start scheduling those lunch meetings now or plan on a date night as you won’t want to miss out.

For more details, including restaurant menus, please visit www.downtownduluth.com. Also, check out our Greater Downtown Council Facebook page for a chance to win a year’s membership at the YMCA — a great way to burn off any additional calories.

Kristi Stokes is the president of the Greater Downtown Council in Duluth. Contact her at 727-8549 or by e-mail at kstokes@downtownduluth.com.

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