Fifth Annual Restaurant Week Runs Through Feb. 24 in Downtown Summit

If you’re looking to treat yourself to a few nights out this week, look no further than downtown Summit.

Summit Downtown’s Fifth Annual Restaurant Week kicked off Feb. 15 and will continue through Feb. 24. Sponsored by Hilltop Community Bank, there are 33 participating businesses, most of which are offering prix fixe menus or special offers, said Susan Petrow, Summit Downtown Inc. Marketing Administrative Assistant.

“I think there are lots of things that make it special,” Petrow said. “The whole purpose is that people have an opportunity to come downtown, stroll around, have some fun, check out some of the stores, and have something nice to eat and get a good deal. We also continue our Restaurant Week through the weekend. There are other towns that just have it Monday through Friday.”

Some restaurants are offering menu items for $20.13 for the year 2013, a Restaurant Week tradition since its inception in 2009. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert specials will be offered all throughout the week.

Patrons of Restaurant Week even have an opportunity to win a night out in Summit.

Through “Dine for Dollars,” community members who dine out for dinner on three different occasions can enter a raffle to win one of three gift certificates to come back to downtown Summit to dine or shop, Petrow said. Patrons can fill out a Save the Date card provided at their third restaurant, attach all three receipts dated during Restaurant week, and place it in the restaurant's basket.

1st prize - $200 Gift Certificate

2nd prize - $100 Gift Certificate

3rd prize - $50 Gift Certificate

The drawing will be announced Mar. 1, Petrow said.

“You might be a lucky winner and wind up getting your money back and a little extra to come back and spend it all over again in Downtown Summit,” she said.

While it’s called “Restaurant Week” for a reason, there are other local businesses offering discounts to customers who patronize participating restaurants.

Some of those participating businesses and discounts include:

The Wine List of Summit (serving lunch from Paolo’s Kitchen)

• Receive 35 percent off any lunch order

Saimona Wine & Liquor

• Wine tasting on weekends of Restaurant Week, Feb. 15 - 17 and Feb. 22 - 24
• Discount on the sampled wine when purchased
• If you purchase a wine bottle value $20 or purchase two bottles of wine you will receive a free environmentally safe wine carrying bag

Sweet Nothings

• Bring in your restaurant receipt and receive 15 percent off your purchase through the end of February.

Carter & Cavero

• Tasting event on Saturday, Feb. 16 from 12 noon to 3 p.m. They are going to share recipes that include their own olive oils and balsamic vinegars.

“It’s nice to see the businesses are supporting each other, even though they may not be a restaurant,” Petrow said.

For a full list of participating businesses and online menus, visit www.summitdowntown.org.