Boston’s Winter Restaurant Week is upon us again!
This delicious week (which, in response to diner’s feedback, is actually 2 weeks this year) is presented by The Greater Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau and runs from March 18-23 and 25-30. 200+ establishments offer some of the area’s best dining at a much more affordable price than we’re used to. Some classic dining options include Locke-Ober, Parker’s in the Omni Parker House, Radius, Union Oyster House, Post 390, Harvest, and Henrietta’s Table. Along with some of Boston’s newer restaurants (in the past year) like Smith & Wollensky or Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse. This is a fun way to experience a gourmet meal on a budget.
Each restaurant offers a prix fixe menu at a certain price, depending if you choose to indulge in a light lunch, a lunch, or a dinner. A light Lunch (2 courses) is $15.12 per person, Lunch (3 courses) is $20.12 per person and Dinner (3 courses) is $33.12 per person. (All prices exclude beverage, tax, and tip)
This opportunity to try a new restaurant that is usually far beyond my budget excites me. I mean the possibilities are endless…North End, Back Bay, Newbury Street, or The Seaport District (just to name a few) all offering gourmet meals that I can actually afford. If it works for your budget, it’s also a nice treat even if you’re paying off debt. Since going out to dinner 3-4 times during these 2 weeks won’t exactly be beneficial to the budget, I think the hardest part of this whole thing is going to be choosing where to go. Regardless of where I decide to go the math is as follows:
$33.12 for the meal + $10(max) for a drink + 2.80 (6.5% tax) + 9.00 (20% tip) = $54.92
By deciding to drink water, you can actually lower the total to $42.32. (I might just do that). That’s a 3 course gourmet meal for under $50, sign me up! Reservations go fast so make sure to make them as early as possible to ensure you don’t miss out.
I know that sadly not everyone is lucky enough to live in the Boston area. Fortunately, several other cities have established their own culinary celebrations, a few examples being Providence, Portsmouth, Newport, and South Jersey. In case you were wondering, New York was the first to start this scrumptious tradition, and Boston was the second city to follow suit.
Here are just a few other restaurant weeks:
South Jersey Restaurant Week: March 18-23, 2012
$25 or $35 four-course dinners
Newport Restaurant Week: March 23-April 1
3 course lunch: $16 or 3 course dinner: $30
Portsmouth Restaurant Week: March 22-31, 2012
3 course lunch: $16.95 or 3 course dinner: $29.95
If you’re struggling to pay off debt, ACCC can help. Schedule a free credit counseling session with us today.