Semi-annual food event returns for 2013 with open call for restaurants to participate

Pittsburgh Restaurant Week Winter 2013 DatesPittsburgh, PA, September 21, 2012:  Though Pittsburgh Restaurant Week program is in no rush for the harvest season and local food month to end, the autumn solstice draws near.  Soon the seasons will change, and a new year and restaurant week season will be upon us.  The program is pleased to announce, that Pittsburgh Restaurant Week – Winter 2013 will be held January 14-20, 2013.  During this week-long, city-wide event, restaurants and the community are invited to come together to celebrate steel city food and dining while highlighting with new dishes for the New Year.  In 2013, diners can expect to dine at participating restaurants across the city and choose from discounted three-course fixed-price meals or $20.13 specials.

In addition to special dining menus at participating restaurants, the Pittsburgh Restaurant Week program will again host a series of special events – a public Kickoff Party prior to the event, an invitational Food Blogger Dinner during restaurant week and a private Wrap Party with the participating restaurants owners/chefs.  A listing of other events hosted at participating restaurants will be available on the community events page of the restaurant week website.

For Event Director Brian McCollum, producing a successful restaurant week program is about the community celebrating the wealth of diverse dining options Pittsburgh has to offer.  “With each coming restaurant week season, the excitement of Pittsburgh Restaurant Week continues to grow and inspires people to foster the foodie in all of us,” said McCollum.

For Jennifer Tkocs, writer of the Pittsburgh-based “101 Achievements” blog, “Restaurant week got us to move out of our ‘comfort zone’ for dinner.  We tried several restaurants we might not have otherwise, and we were pleased with every meal we tried.”

At the conclusion of the Summer 2012 event, Jessica Bauer, chef at Bistro 19 in Mt. Lebanon found the summer 2012 “a huge success for everyone.  I was glad to participate and can’t wait for Winter 2013!”

Restaurants interested in participating in the winter 2013 celebration can take advantage of easy online registration through the event website at no-cost until October 31, 2012, a $150 savings.  Restaurants are encouraged to take this opportunity to reinforce their bonds with the community and celebrate the burgeoning food culture in Pittsburgh.  In addition, the Pittsburgh area with the most restaurant participation by October 31, will be featured and invited to showcase their food at the Kickoff Party leading up to restaurant week.

The complete list of participating restaurants and their dining deals will be announced on November 1, 2012.  For more information, visit pittsburghrestaurantweek.com/pghrestaurantwk.