502 Restaurant week will launch this Friday, February 22nd. All contributing restaurants will feature special three course menus for the duration of the ten day event. Course menus will be either $50.20 per couple or per person, depending on the restaurant's menu. Twenty nine restaurants will be participating this year, many of them local favorites. 

In preparation for this extravaganza, 502 Events hosted a restaurant week preview at the Hyatt Regency this evening.  A small selection of participating restaurants showcased samples off their special menus. 

Out of the numerous offerings, there were definitely some highlights. Harvest Restaurant featured their vegetable pot pies in miniature. Each bite sized portion was rich with perfectly roasted seasonal vegetables and a delicate biscuit top. Rivue had a lovely display of their Chicken Baccala positioned on a clever edible spoon. While the cracker didn't add to the dish, the detail was darling. The bite on it's own was comforting and flavorful without being too rich. Bistro 1860 featured a tender watercress salad tossed with chewy bacon lardon, mildly tart bing cherries, and a little too much dressing. Napa River Grill's tomato bisque was served with a light pastry top and was rich, creamy and delicious. However, their bread pudding was served cold and was too mealy. The bread didn't infuse completely with the rich sauce and portions of it were chewy.

Overall, each restaurant represented predictably close to their local reputation. I do think this event is an opportunity for establishments to show some new potential to customers.  I hope to experience some bold ventures during the ten day feasting festival. This a great time to try a sampling of courses at a bargain so I recommend you make it out to a few places and don't forget to book your reservations soon!

502 Restaurant week will run February 22nd through March 3rd, 2013. Participating restaurants include: 60 West Bistro & Martini Bar, Amici Café, AP Crafters, Bistro 301, Bistro 1860, Blind Pig, BLU Italian Grille, Decca, Del Frisco's, Gary's on Spring, Harvest, Hillbilly Tea, Jeff Ruby's Steakhouse, Maker's Mark Bourbon House & Lounge, Marketplace Restaurant, Martini Italian Bistro, Morton's Steakhouse, Napa River Grill, Porcini, The Oakroom at the Seelbach, Quattro at 4th Street Live, Rivue at the Galt House, RYE on Market, St. Charles Exchange, Sway at the Hyatt, Vincenzo's Italian Restaurant, Volare, and Winston's Restaurant.

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AP Crafters

About Colette Henderson