DineLA Restaurant Week

The city's in the middle of its first ever DineLA Restaurant Week, which officially kicked off January 22nd with Mayor Tony himself in attendance. Clear Channel even has a short video collection of participating chefs in action.

I browsed through the list of restaurants and found it puzzling: side by side notables like Grace and Patina are odd ones like American Girl Place and the Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. Huh?

It's growing pains, I suppose. They had to get as many restaurants to participate, and the big names were probably not too keen on being part of such a hodge podge roster. The $750-$1,000 fee for them to join also didn't help. However, that's a small price to pay considering all the media exposure, positive buzz and new clientele the event has attracted so far.

In fact, DineLA organizer and Grace's Chef Neal Fraser claims it's already a success, judging by the more than 1,200 reservations that flooded his restaurant. As the event continues to build its reputation and following, I have a feeling that the high caliber restaurants will realize they're missing out and scramble to join in on the action in a few years.

For the meantime, la.foodblogging reminds us to peruse the offerings wisely because not all of them are bargains. Feedback on participating restaurants are also coming in fast and furious at Chowhound, most of them complimentary, with scattered complaints on price changing and menu switching. There are also blogosphere reviews on Ford Filling Station, Grace, Luna Park, Patina, Ruth's Chris Steak House, and SimonLA, among others.

DineLA Restaurant Week continues for another week (February 3-8) with three-course prix fixe meals ranging from $15/22 for lunch and $25/$34 for dinner.

Label(s): Food, Metro
Technorati Tags: food restaurant los angeles dineLA restaurant week

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