Hundreds of restaurants across New Jersey are taking reservations for New Jersey Restaurant Association (NJRA) Statewide Restaurant Week, proclaimed by Governor Chris Christie to be September 18-25, 2011.
The official NJRA Restaurant Week website, www.DineOutNJ.com, provides information on participating restaurants and multi-course, fixed-price menus priced at $19 or less for lunch and $35 or less for dinner. A number of participating restaurants will make donations to the Share Our Strength’s Dine Out for No Kid Hungry campaign, which supports programs to eliminate childhood hunger.
Hurricane Irene forced many restaurants to temporarily close due to power outages and flooding, which resulted in significant loss of revenue and hardship to employees. New Jersey Restaurant Week takes on a new meaning now by providing an opportunity for customers to support their local communities by dining at select locations.
“Local restaurants not only provide great food, but also contribute to our economy by providing tax revenue and creating jobs,” said Deborah Dowdell, president of the NJRA. “Especially after damage to many local restaurants by Hurricane Irene, I encourage the people of New Jersey to support these establishments.”
This year’s theme, “Dine in New Jersey – Taste the World,” includes offerings from a diverse group of restaurants and cuisines. The fixed price options are consistent with the New Jersey Restaurant Association’s support for the local economy and tourism, and fulfill its mission as “Ambassador of Hospitality” for the state of New Jersey. The public is encouraged to visit www.DineOutNJ.com to view the official cocktail for NJRW Garden State of Mine conceived by NJ Mixologist of the Year Nick Davidson of member restaurant Gusto Grill.
Urbanspoon’s online reservation product, Rezbook, is the official Restaurant Week reservations sponsor, allowing participating restaurants to offer the ability to make reservations online. NJRA Allied Member RestaurantPassion.com has developed this year’s website. Additional sponsors of NJRA Restaurant Week are Sobieski Vodka, Blackstone Wines, American BD, Garden State Wine Growers Association, and Restaurant Depot. Restaurants interested in participating may sign up at www.DineOutNJ.com.
The New Jersey Restaurant Association represents the more than 25,000 eating and drinking establishments that generate approximately $13 billion in annual sales and employ almost 304,000 people in the state. Visit www.NJRA.org for more information.
