NYC Restaurant Week To Go brings financial relief to struggling restaurants

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Janine | Wikimedia Commons

Angelica Tejada, Opinions Editor

This year’s semi-annual NYC Restaurant Week came with a twist. Renamed NYC Restaurant Week To Go, customers were able to order takeout or delivery lunch or dinner from any of the nearly 600 participating restaurants for just $20.21.

The event started on Jan. 25 and was set to end on Jan. 31, however, due to its high success, NYC & Company, the organizer of Restaurant Week, announced that the event has been extended until Feb. 28.

“Many eateries have reported robust business, and others have inquired into how they can participate, which was a catalyst for its extension,” Chris Heywood, the executive vice president for global communications at NYC & Company, said in an email, according to Eater New York.

Amid the coronavirus pandemic, which has hit the restaurant business hard with unprecedented shutdowns and restrictions, the event has offered hope to participating restaurant owners.

“When we saw the email come through it was not a question at all. Anything to get more exposure right now, to get more people through the doors, more people ordering. It’s just such a tough time for all restaurants that any way that we could get our name out there is great,” Allison Arevalo, owner of Pasta Louise, said to Bklyner.

NYC & Company has waived fees for the participating restaurants and customers can filter the participating restaurants based on location, services, cuisine and food delivery service apps.

MasterCard is the premier sponsor of the event, allowing customers that register their MasterCard to earn $10 back on every transaction of $20.21 or more.

New Yorkers are also encouraged to participate in the event and support local restaurants from the comfort of their own homes.

“Restaurants and restaurant workers need our support now more than ever, so it was important to us that all eateries across the five boroughs had the opportunity to participate in this program aimed at increasing local support,” Fred Dixon, president and CEO of NYC & Company, said according to ABC News. “And to New Yorkers we say make plans to do your part – order often and be generous with gratuities, he added.

The event’s turnout has been successful. Restaurants have gotten the attention and support from many, including New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio who shouted out the event during a press conference on Jan. 27.

De Blasio said that he visited Felice 83, a participating restaurant on the Upper East Side, the night before and discovered that they had completed 100 takeout orders solely because of Restaurant Week To Go.

He also urged everyone to take advantage of the event and help out New York City’s restaurant industry.

Near Baruch College, Beecher’s Handmade Cheese, Burger & Lobster Flatiron, City Dumpling, Cote, Little Beet Table, Mista Oh, Muse and Wagamama are also participating in the event.

The full list of participating restaurants across the five boroughs can be found here.