Frederick holds annual restaurant week

By Braden Weinel//

The city of Frederick will be hosting its 12th annual Restaurant Week from Monday, March 1, to Sunday, March 7.

Restaurant Week is an event hosted by Visit Frederick, the tourism council of Frederick County. It takes place every March throughout the county as a way to attract traffic to the Frederick area, as well as to promote local businesses.

This event lets restaurants showcase a unique menu at a fixed, discounted price. Restaurant week usually helps to showcase a business’ atmosphere and dining service, but this year many restaurants are relying more on carry-out services.

Melissa Muntz, marketing and communications manager for Visit Frederick, said that this week is a great time to visit an old favorite spot or try something new.

Restaurant week started in 2010 as a way to emphasize dining out during a slow season. In the summer of 2020, Visit Frederickhosted the first summer restaurant week to help increase slow business caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Restaurant week doesn’t just provide discounted meals, it also gives families a chance to relax and parents a break from cooking.

“Who doesn’t love to enjoy a meal they didn’t have to cook,” Muntz said.

Normally, the restaurant owners have to pay a fee to participate, but this year the fee has been waived.

Popular Frederick dining destinations such as Brewer’s Alley have been in business for almost 25 years and have participated in every restaurant week. Jaime Ellis-Ade, general manager of Brewer’s Alley, said that they participate in restaurant week every year as a way to see new faces.

“We love to gain new customers who have not previously dined with us,” Ellis-Ade said.

Restaurant week doesn’t just promote eateries and bars, but also provides exposure for shops in the Frederick area.

Muntz said that she hopes restaurant week gains the attention of visitors and draws more traffic to Frederick every year.

There are over 20 restaurants participating in restaurant week this year. To see a full list of the businesses involved go to Visit Frederick’s website.