Grand Street BID’s Restaurant Week began its biannual run in 2014. It organized winter and summer restaurant weeks that paralleled NYC’s schedule. It’s Winter Restaurant Week of 2020 ended on March 1, less than two weeks before COVID-19 shutdown the city. The Grand Street BID bided its time to relaunch restaurant week this summer during August 16–29.
Participating restaurants charged no more than $35 for three course dinners for those dining in between the hours of 5 p.m.–10 p.m. The BID also ran their social media #DineonGrand contest that will award a $50 gift certificate to a randomly chosen posted image of an eating experience from Grand Street BID’s Restaurant Week tagged with #DineonGrand. A post showing a meal from Ammazzacafè won the last #DineonGrand contest in March 2020.
Restaurant Week began in NYC back in 1992 as the brainchild of Tim Zagat (the founder of the famed Zagat Survey) and Joe Baum (restaurateur known for The Rainbow Room and Windows on the World). The intention was to entice diners with an affordable prix fixe menu to eat at restaurants that are outside of their regular haunts. What began as one week became two weeks twice a year.
Although their restaurant week was on hiatus since the COVID-19 outbreak, Grand Street BID has been steadfast in promoting their businesses via other promotional events, in addition informing them of how to apply for relief.
“We were so happy to be able to bring back Grand Street Restaurant Week! It’s always a favorite for both the restaurants and community and I know it was missed. We saw more interest in the event than ever before and I’m looking forward to the return of Winter Restaurant Week early next year,” said Executive Director Erin Piscopink. A happy outcome to the hope she offered in a press release promoting this summer’s event when she had said, “After a challenging year for all of our businesses, especially restaurants, we hope this event will increase patronage and bring attention to our amazing local eateries.”
The Grand Street BID’s Restaurant Week ended on August 29. However, restaurants are still there and open and need your business. You have the power to support Grand Street’s restaurants and businesses any time.
The Greenline 