Restaurant Week in Hampton Bays

Long Island and the East End will be served up dishes from some of the finest restaurants for a low price of $24.95 during the Firth Annual Long Island Restaurant week, which will take place from Sunday, Nov. 7 through Sunday, Nov. 14.  Included in the prix fixe menu prices will be a three-course meal all night, every night with the exception of Saturdays when prix fixe dinners will only be served until 7 p.m. 

Restaurant week found its beginnings on the east end in 2003 and was organized by East End public relations firm WordHampton.  The promotion's marketing success prompted an annual Long Island week of affordable meals from top chefs at some of the most expensive restaurants. 

Several Hampton Bays eateries will be taking place in the 2010 Restaurant Week on the east end. 

"We always do the Hamptons one," said Edgewater Restaurant owner John Venesina.  "And I believe last year was the first year we did the Long Island one." While Hamptons Restaurant week takes place in the early spring, Venesina said that the timing of Long Island Restaurant Week in late fall makes it a little more difficult to get huge crowds on the East End. "It's off season for us," he said.  "It's definitely a little busier, but it doesn't have the same turnout that the Hamptons one has, but it's better than not doing it. It's definitely a little busier during the week.  It's definitely worthwhile."

Doug Oakland, owner of Oakland's Restaurant & Marina, agreed that Hamptons Restaurant Week has been bringing in much larger, seasonal crowds.  However, he said Oaklands has been participating since the beginning of restaurant week, and it has been a valuable marketing tool.  "We do very well," he said.  "We get a lot of new business."

Chris Cariello, owner of 1 North Steakhouse, said that although his restaurant has only been open for a year, there has been a steady flow of clientele during both the Long Island and Hamptons Restaurant Weeks. "It definitely brings business in," he said.  "As for return business, I can only assume, but definitely a huge increase the week of."

Local restaurants that are participating in Long Island Restaurant Week are 1 North Steakhouse, Oakland's Restaurant & Marina, Edgewater Restaurant and Brewsters Seafood Market.

For more information on Long Island Restaurant Week, visit www.longislandrestaurantweek.com.