Food and drink fans across the region will be able to eat out for less during Aberdeen Restaurant Week when it returns to the city early next year.
Taking place from Monday January 16 to Sunday January 29, 2023, organisers Aberdeen Inspired are calling on restaurants, cafes and dine in spots to sign up to take part.
The two-week event will hopefully help blast away any January blues diners may have following the festive break, and as with previous events, the pricing of menus will be a key feature with deals available from as little as £10.
With the cost of living crisis impacting eating out habits, organisers believe the discounted menus will suit the appetite of those looking to support local hospitality venues at a traditionally quieter time of year.
All menus must sit within the promotional value of £10, £15 or £20, with tasting menu deals also available. These however will be priced by the restaurant to suit their offering.
Value-based price deals for breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner will be at the heart of the event that will be open for levy paying businesses to get involved for free. Those outwith the levy area can get involved for a fee.
The Esslemont Bar & Restaurant on Union Street is one of the McGinty’s Group restaurants which will be taking part in the event. As an extra it will host a Burns night event on Wednesday January 25 with a tasting menu which will include whisky and a whisky-based arrival cocktail in association with local Fettercairn Distillery, courtesy of Whyte & Mackay.
Neil Davidson, general manager of the restaurant said: “Aberdeen Restaurant Week is always a great opportunity for us to showcase our offerings to new customers. We’ve previously hosted successful tasting menu evenings and this will be a great opportunity to bring these back. We are planning a ‘full blown’ Burns supper with piper, address to the haggis and obviously, a bit of whisky.”
Appetite from public continues to grow for Aberdeen Restaurant Week
The last installment of the food event took place in March 2022 and saw thousands of diners tucking into a diverse range of cuisine.
Feedback from venues was hugely positive according to Aberdeen Inspired, with many commenting on how the scheme offers a welcome boost to their business and attracts customers midweek and at weekends.
Restaurants also reported a rise in visitors from further afield who travelled to the city on hearing about the event.
Adrian Watson, chief executive of Aberdeen Inspired commented: “Aberdeen Restaurant Week is hugely popular with the public and our levy paying hospitality businesses.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity for cafés, bars and restaurants in the city centre to benefit from additional sales during a traditionally quiet period as it encourages people to get out and about at a time when they would perhaps be a little more reluctant.
“For city centre restaurants it provides them with the opportunity to showcase their food and dish up new menu items to both existing and new customers. We encourage hospitality businesses to make the most of this opportunity, sign up to take part and help make this first serving of 2023 a resounding success.”
This time around the public is also being asked to nominate venues they’d love to see take part in the promotion by tagging them on Aberdeen Restaurant Week launch posts on Aberdeen Inspired’s social media channels or in the comments section of this article.
Firms interested should complete the sign-up form on the Aberdeen Inspired website by the deadline on Monday December 19, 2022.
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