Local Eateries Take Part in Long Island Restaurant Week

For eight days beginning Nov. 7 many restaurants in Port Jefferson will join Long Island Restaurant Week where eateries across Long Island offer special prix fixe menus to entice people to try something new or give their tried and true customers a treat.

"It definitely heightens awareness of LI restaurants and it's a great boost to business," said Marc Miller, owner of . "While I'm not sure how other areas fare this time of year, for Port Jefferson it's a definite increase in traffic."

The Catch participated in the event during the restaurant's opening season last year and plans to do so again.

"Last year I was extremely pleased with the turnout," said Miller. "I expect to be equally as pleased this year."

During Long Island Restaurant Week, diners can pay $24.95 for a three-course meal at one of over 220 Long Island restaurants participating in the promotion.

Restaurateurs say that it's a time to create a special event in the kitchen and on the plate for new and regular customers.

"For Long Island Restaurant Week, I've created a menu that highlights the best of what Long Island has to offer at this time of year," said Joseph DeNicola, Executive Chef and Owner of . "We're also giving our customers the opportunity to pair it with some exceptional Long Island Wines. It's a great menu at a great price."

Ruvo has participated in Long Island Restaurant Week every year since it was founded by WordHampton Public Relations five years ago.

"It has always been a busy week for us in the restaurant with regulars as well as new customers," said DeNicola.

During last year's Restaurant Week, 233 Long Island restaurants served about 182,400 meals, according to Steve Haweeli, president of WordHampton. He said restaurants took in over $7 million in revenue and New York State received about $386,825 in taxes from the event. It was so successful he said that some places extended the special through the rest of the month of November last year.

"The core reason it's successful is this: any restauranteur will tell you that if they can just get people in the door to try their food, experience their good service and be surrounded by the right atmosphere or decor, that those people will be back," said Haweeli. "Long Island Restaurant Week gets them in the door."

The Catch's Miller agrees.

"I believe offering intriguing menus at an affordable price is a great way to introduce a restaurant to new guests," he said. "It give us the chance to show them how great we are."

Miller said that he's already hearing about it from people and looks forward to seeing new customers in his restaurant.

"There's an excitement and a buzz about restaurant week for many weeks leading up to the event," he said. "By being a part of this gastronomic gala I can showcase our fresh, local offerings."

Below is a list of restaurants participating in  from Nov. 7 – Nov. 14. Click on the name of each restaurant to go to our directory for more information.