Westchester County Executive Robert P. Astorino officially helped kick off the 10th Hudson Valley Restaurant Week (HVRW), presented by The Valley Table magazine, as this spring's "must do" dining experience. Running March 10-23, Restaurant Week showcases farm-to-table, sustainable products at nearly 200 restaurants across seven counties – making it one of the largest Restaurant Week events in the country.
"Hudson Valley Restaurant Week is always something to look forward to in Westchester, where we have more than 100 restaurants participating in this farm-to-table dining experience," said Astorino. "This is the perfect opportunity to venture out from your "go-to" restaurant and discover someplace new or, better yet, invite your friends in from New York City or out of town to enjoy a night out. So pick up the phone, send a text, or send a Tweet, and tell your friends to 'Meet Me in Westchester' for an amazing meal at a great price."
Participating restaurants will showcase the finest that the Hudson Valley has to offer, bringing together farmers, chefs and purveyors. Participating restaurants include many highly acclaimed establishments, including: RiverMarket Bar and Kitchen; Crabtree's Kittle House; X2O Xaviars on the Hudson; Bocuse Restaurant; La Cremaillere; Valley Restaurant at the Garrison and MP Taverna. Many of the restaurants feature ingredients and products sourced from local purveyors such as Millbrook Vineyards; Sprout Creek Farm; Irving Farm Coffee Roasters; Hemlock Hill Farm and Continental Organics.
"We're thrilled to have nearly 200 restaurants participating in this spring's Hudson Valley Restaurant Week," says Janet Crawshaw, founder of The Valley Table magazine and Hudson Valley Restaurant Week. "With the region's rich agricultural heritage, the Hudson Valley has become an epicenter of the farm-to-table concept. The dining industry has also proven to be a key tourism driver as last year the region's restaurants grossed over $791 million in sales."
Hudson Valley Restaurant Week features prix fixe, three-course dinners for $29.95 and lunches for $20.95 plus beverage, tax and tip. The reduced prix fixe pricing structure allows diners to experience fine dining at affordable prices. Foodies can explore a variety of international flavors with a local flair including: Argentinean; French; German; Greek; Irish; Italian; Japanese; Latino; Mediterranean; Mexican; Moroccan; Swiss; among many others. A complete list of participating restaurants is available at: www.HudsonValleyRestaurantWeek.com. To make a reservation, call the restaurant directly or visit OpenTable. Patrons arriving by train will find more than 65 venues near Metro-North train stations.
About Hudson Valley Restaurant Week:
In 1996, Janet Crawshaw and Jerry Novesky took an eight-month sabbatical, traveling 35,000 miles across the country seeking authentic American experiences. They found that local farms, bakeries, fish markets, wineries and breweries were the key to understanding the country's distinct regions. Inspired by their trip and the Chefs Collaborative, an educational sustainable food movement, the couple returned to their home in the Hudson Valley with a mission to awaken the region's food consciousness.
In 1998, they launched The Valley Table, a colorful quarterly, magazine that celebrates the agricultural heritage and cuisine of the region, leading the development of the Hudson Valley's local food movement. Crawshaw and Novesky launched Hudson Valley Restaurant Week in 2006 with a distinguished board of advisors, including chefs, restaurateurs and tourism leaders. The two-week culinary event premiered with 70 restaurants. Today, with more than 180 participating restaurants spanning seven counties it is among the largest Restaurant Week events in the country, involving farmers, growers, wine makers and chefs. Participating counties include Dutchess, Westchester, Columbia, Orange, Putnam, Rockland and Ulster.
About the Sponsors:
Produced by The Valley Table magazine, Hudson Valley Restaurant Week involves more than 200 of the finest business establishments in the region including: Continental Organics; Dutch's Spirts; Dutchess County Tourism; Edgwick Farm; Hemlock Hill Farm; Hudson Valley Foie Gras; Irving Farm Coffee Roasters; The Journal News; K104.7; Manhattan Beer Distributors; M&R Energy Resources; M&T Bank; Millbrook Vineyards & Winery; The Peak 107.1; Red Barn Produce; Sprout Creek Farm; Tuthilltown Spirits; Westchester County Tourism & Film; White Plains Linens; Whitecliff Vineyards & Winery and WHUD 100.7.
Hudson Valley Restaurant Week Social Media:
Join the conversation with Hudson Valley Restaurant Week on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest, hashtag #HVRW.
About Westchester County Tourism & Film:
Tourism & Film is Westchester County's official destination marketing organization. Its mission is to generate economic benefits by enhancing the image and promoting Westchester County as a premier business and leisure destination in the Hudson Valley region. The Tourism & Film Office in Westchester County is a Division within the County Executive's Office of Economic Development that is funded entirely by a portion of the hotel occupancy tax.
Photo: County Executive Robert P. Astorino, pictured right, helps kick off Hudson Valley Restaurant Week with Janet Crawshaw, founder of The Valley Table magazine and Hudson Valley Restaurant Week, and Peter X. Kelly, founder of Xaviar's Restaurant Group and owner of X20 Xaviar's on the Hudson, at RiverMarket Bar & Kitchen in Tarrytown.