For the uninitiated, CRW can be a little intimidating, and local faves book quickly. Some of my suggestions for you first-timers:
- CRW is a great time to check out an upscale restaurant you have been wanting to try, but were hesitant because of the cost of the menu items. A few I would recommend are Capital Grille, Del Frisco's, Sullivan's, Bonterra, Chima, Flemings, Gallery, Morton's, Upstream & McCormick and Schmick's.
- Make sure you check out the restaurant's CRW menu posted on the Queen's Feast website before booking. Most restaurants won't allow you to sub an item off their regular menu for an item on the CRW menu, so if the CRW menu doesn't have the items you want, go to that restaurant another week.
- $30 doesn't mean $30. The $30 figure does not include tax or tip. In most restaurants, it also does not include any beverage of any kind (adult or otherwise). Some of the more expensive restaurants, in order to keep their food cost profitable, will not include side dishes with your main course. A steak is great, but if you have to order the veg and starch separately and they cost $8-$10 a piece, your $30 dinner just became a $75 dinner after drink, tax and tip. Example: The Palm, some entrees at BLT Steak.
- Look to see if you are getting an authentic meal at that restaurant or if they have "dumbed down" their menu for restaurant week. Some restaurants, again, to lower food costs, will sub in cheaper pieces of meat than they normally serve, or make the portions a lot smaller than normal without clarifying the serving size on their menu. If the goal of CRW is to have a great meal at a great price and enjoy new restaurants, make sure you are getting the authentic experience. Example: BLT Steak only offers a hanger steak, while Sullivan's, Capital Grille, Del Frisco's and others offer the filet mignon normally served on their menu, or better yet, multiple steak options.
- Book your table as far in advance as possible. Most CRW restaurants use Open Table to book reservations and the dates open up almost as soon as CRW is announced. A few places don't take reservations unless you are bringing a large party of 6 or more. If you waited too long to get a decent table at one of your first choices, this may be a great option to check out a restaurant during CRW, but plan to wait - most places will be crowded. One to try: Heist Brewery in NoDa.
- Don't go to a restaurant during CRW where three courses would not normally cost you $30 per person. You'll have a wider variety of items to choose from, they won't be as crowded and won't have to pay for a dessert (or app) you may not eat. A lot of these restaurants will not only have larger CRW menu choices, but will throw in a beer or glass of wine to get the ticket cost to $30.
- Be on time and expect crowds. Most participating restaurants will be at capacity on both CRW weekends. If you are going to be late, at least call, but you may lose your table if they are running behind and have hungry diners already there and waiting for their table. This is not going to be a romantic quiet evening out - people who don't normally dine at such establishments will be there with you, meaning crying babies, loud cell phone calls taken at the table and other fine dining faux pas will be prevalent those evenings. Don't blame the restaurant. If you like the food and service during CRW, you'll love it even more the next time you go.
- Be kind to your server. They will be "in the weeds" all night as managers pressure to turn over tables quickly to handle their full reservation bookings. They will be dealing with the rudeness mentioned above from other diners, and are doing their best to give you an authentic experience during an unbelievably busy time. Keep in mind that you are getting a good discount at most restaurants off what you would normally pay for the food you are eating and tip generously.
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