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Help Knoxville prosper during Knoxville Restaurant Week, February 26 to March 2, 2012
By Jeaneane Payne
Help Knoxville prosper by taking part in the second annual Knoxville Restaurant Week. How does your participation help? By dining in one of Knoxville's participating restaurants, it helps those restaurants economically during the slower times of the year. Also, the city of Knoxville sees increased economic activity when Knoxvillians eat out at area restaurants. Restaurant Week draws tourism to the Knoxville market as well. The more tourists we have, the better our economy becomes.
One of the most vital parts of Knoxville Restaurant Week is that Second Harvest Food Bank receives donations to feed the hungry in the region. Last year, donations from Knoxville Restaurant Week alone allowed Second Harvest to provide more than 120,000 meals to needy East Tennesseans.
This special week helps everyone in all socio-economic categories.
Knoxville residents and visitors will be enjoying the highest-quality fine dining that Knoxville has to offer at a fixed price.
Local restaurants from Fleming's and Nama to The Chop House and Ruth's Chris Steak House will offer three-course meals at $25 or $35 fixed prices with a portion of the dinner price going to help feed the hungry.
Knoxville restaurant owners were joined by Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett, other elected officials and community leaders at a kick-off event at Ruth's Chris on Feb. 7.
Several other U.S. cities, including New York, Chicago and San Diego, have built restaurant weeks into hugely popular culinary events and significant tourist draws. After last year's successful debut, Knoxville Restaurant Week now positions Knoxville among these cities.
"Knoxville is a dining out town. We have wonderful, diverse restaurants that provide excellent dining experiences," Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero said. "Knoxville Restaurant Week is a great opportunity to sample our local fine dining and help a great cause."
Diners can go the Knoxville Restaurant Week website, http://www.knoxvillerestaurantweek.com, and choose a participating restaurant, then call or e-mail the restaurant directly to make a reservation for this special week.
Participating restaurants donate $5 from every fixed price meal to Second Harvest Food Bank.
Knoxville restaurants may still register to participate by visiting the website or calling Susan Martino at
865-521-0000.
"Knoxville Restaurant Week was a huge success for us last year. Our sales were up 74 percent over the same week the in 2010," said Paul Hohe, general manager of Ruth's Chris Steak House. "We look forward to another successful Restaurant Week this year. This event will continue to raise awareness of Knoxville on the national culinary scene."
Pilot Travel Centers LLC is the presenting sponsor of this event. Other sponsors include more than 20 leading Knoxville restaurants, the City of Knoxville, Knox County, Knoxville Tourism and Sports Corporation, Knoxville Tourism Alliance, the Knoxville News Sentinel and Moxley Carmichael.
Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee provided food in 2010 for more than 12.2 million meals in 18 counties in East Tennessee. With eight major programs and 500 agency/food partners, Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee serves approximately 165,000 people each month.
Restaurants participating in Knoxville Restaurant Week:
• 31 Bistro
• Abuelo's
• Brazeiros
• Chez Liberty
• Cocoa Moon Fusion Grill
• Connors Steak & Seafood
• Echo Bistro & Wine Bar
• Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
• Hilton Knoxville Marty's Bistro
• Latitude 35
• Le Parigo Restaurant
• Nama
• Naples Italian Restaurant
• Northshore Brasserie
• RouXbarb
• Ruth's Chris Steak House
• Sequoyah Grille
• Stir Fry Café
• Surin of Thailand
• The Bistro at the Bijou
• The Chop House
• The Melting Pot
• The Orangery
Published February 11, 2012
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