The restaurant industry has been one of the hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. So many restaurants are struggling during these unprecedented times. With limitations such as outdoor dining only, many restaurants lacking patios or outdoor space are fighting to survive. Some of these eateries are depending on take-out and delivery to stay afloat.
This year, the Orange County Restaurant Association hopes to help drive-in business by encouraging diners to support their local restaurants with an added OC Restaurant Week Uncorked edition. By expanding to two weeks from Sunday, September 13 through Saturday, September 26, guests can maximize their dining experiences by getting out to more restaurants whether it be stopping by old favorites or venturing out to establishments they haven’t yet tried. The bonus week will also drive in additional business to participating restaurants that are serving up incredible specials.
The Rage Monthly caught up with Pamela Waitt, founder of the Orange County Restaurant Association (OCRA), Orange County Restaurant Week (OCRW), Burger Week, Brunch Week, Pacific Wine and Food Classic, and TacoTuesday.com to find out about the inspiration behind sponsoring a second Restaurant Week in 2020.
The pandemic and its impact on the restaurant industry has surely weighed heavy on your heart, and as president of OCRA you wanted to help out. How do you hope creating a new Restaurant Week Uncorked will affect the participating OC restaurants?
Our local restaurants are facing some of the toughest times right now. We’ve added a fall Restaurant Week to encourage our communities to support their restaurants at this crucial time. The OC Restaurant Association sees this event as an opportunity to unite the culinary industry to emerge stronger as restaurants navigate through the current challenges together.
What does the new OCRW Uncorked include that wasn’t available before?
Aside from the wonderful pre-existing menus, this event has been refocused to include Family Meals and Meal Kits, which is a great option for many households at this point in time. So, the take-out trend is the biggest new factor, and prices will range from $30 to $70 for families of four. Many restaurants will take advantage of alcohol sales to go with phenomenal specials on wines by the bottle and batch cocktails for takeout. Restaurant Week Uncorked will encourage diners from across the county to experience new menus from a wide variety of options, from upscale to family-friendly establishments that showcase our county’s diverse dining options. Also, a new component is a “Hatch Chili” menu offering, which will be offered at some locations.
What are the price breakdowns on the special menus?
There is something for every budget . . . the original $20 Lunch Menu, $30 Dinner Menu, $40 Dinner Menu, $50 Dinner Menu with an exclusive $70 Prix Fixe Dine-In only available at select participating restaurants. And new this fall, the $50 Family Meal Menu and a $70 Family Meal Menu.
Go to restaurantweekuncorked.com to access participating restaurants, search by city, cuisine categories, menu items offered, cocktail and wine specials, prices and more.
Sponsors for this event include Melissa’s Produce, Orange Coast Magazine, The Fork Report, Herradua, Woodford Reserve, Chambord, One World Meat and OCfoodies. Go to ocrestaurantweek.com for general information, or to learn about participation or sponsorship opportunities in a future Orange County Restaurant Week. Go to ocrestaurantassociation.org to learn about or join the Orange County Restaurant Association.