Our restaurant industry’s current summer is already a far cry from last year’s lost season. Not only is outdoor dining still going strong, but indoor dining is back on the front burner—and now, right on schedule, New York City’s Summer 2021 Restaurant Week returns this Monday.
Reservations are open for this twice annual dining tradition that’s been going (mostly) strong since 1992. The current NYC Restaurant week, which runs from July 19 through August 22, features three pricing tiers: $21, $39, and $125 for lunch and dinner. Restaurant Week organizers advise restaurants to offer at least one entrée and a side for the first two tiers, while the $125 ticket must include three or more courses, along with something extra like beverages (we’re thinking some wine would be in order).
Participating restaurants include eateries from all corners of the international flavor palate. We’re talking all sorts of cuisine, such as Italian, Thai, Russian, Cuban, Spanish, French, Mexican, Indian, Brazilian, Chinese, and Japanese. It’s an array of establishments that includes ice cream parlors, steakhouses, fisheries, brasseries, bistros, grills, cafés, and sushi bars.
“NYC Restaurant Week returns once again this summer taking on new resonance as a celebration of the City’s remarkable and resilient culinary community, and an opportunity to bring friends and family back together in support,” said Fred Dixon, President and CEO of NYC & Company. “We are delighted to invite diners to make plans now to dine out often and experience the diversity of cuisines that make New York City the restaurant capital of the world. Accompanied with vibrant open streets and rich cultural activity returning across the five boroughs, the options this summer are endless and the time to visit is now.”
In early 2021, NYC Restaurant Week To Go put a spin on the tradition to give the dining industry some much-needed support amid the Covid-19 pandemic. NYC Restaurant Week’s first-ever takeout and delivery program was a smashing success, with more than 800 participants across all five boroughs. With that success story still fresh on everyone’s taste buds, many eateries will continue to offer these special menus for takeout, delivery, or both, in addition to on-site dining.