It’s that time of year again, when you get to try something delicious and FresYES for a great price. Fresno Restaurant Week is offering prix fixe menus ranging from $10 – $20 for lunch and $20 – $40 for dinner. We’re on Day 6 of the “week”, which ends on August 15, so make your reservations now.
There are 26 locally-owned restaurants participating in Restaurant Week. The restaurant business isn’t easy. Restaurants come and go; below are the 10 survivors, the fabric of our locally-owned cuisine. They have regular visitors, have been around for at least 10 years, and some have killer food.
Fresno Restaurant Week Classic Locations:
Cosmopolitan Tavern and Italian Grill – home of the Cheddar burger, lunch staple to many downtowners (they also make a strong gin and tonic).
DiCicco’s – Downtown (menu) – since 1956, they’ve put hundreds and hundreds of loaves of fresh bread on their tables!
Joe’s Steakhouse and Grill (menu) – many times this has been the only option for dinner downtown. Chef Maribel was once a judge at a tri-tip cook-off I organized, and she was fierce!
The Lime Lite – oh, if walls could talk. This place has probably had seen a lot of Fresno business deals go down.
Manhattan Steakhouse and Bar – previous awards include Best Fine Dining, Best Food, and Most Romantic.
Max’s Bistro and Bar (menu) – for Restaurant Week, get the Chicken under a Brick, but just know that their strawberry and spinach salad is known to many women I know as “crack salad” and their burgers are unbeatable.
Ovidio Restorante Italiano (menu) – I admit I’ve never been there, but it’s one of the only places that’s survived that corner of Bullard/Marks.
Richard’s Primerib – Cocktails – Seafood (menu) – I loved the Original Bombay Gourmet martini I tried (see video below), but of course, they’re known for their prime rib, so if you haven’t been, this place is a must.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEuxNGHhMRk?rel=0]
Sal’s Mexican Restaurant – Fresno – the Selma location opened in 1970, but in every location they are still making their beloved hot, fresh tortilla chips!
Shepherd’s Inn – solid menu overall. Go in early for a drink, then order the fried chicken.
Newer Spots to Try for Fresno Restaurant Week:
Aria Persian Cuisine
Campagnia (menu)
Eagle’s Landing at Table Mountain (menu)
Frankie’s 568 (menu)
FIVE (menu)
HCK
LeLa’s Restaurant
Peeve’s Public House and Local Market (menu)
Pismo’s Coastal Grill
Standard Restaurant and Lounge (menu)
Starving Artists Bistro (menu)
Trelio
Vino and Friends (menu)
Westwoods BBQ & Spice Co (menu)
Yosemite Ranch (menu)
Zen Wok Fusion Bistro (menu)
We’ve Mapped each of these restaurants out for you!
[googlemaps https://mapsengine.google.com/map/embed?mid=z0v5wqao9WYw.kzewsGFPoFiw&w=600&h=480]
Check out the full size map at http://goo.gl/26HXCd
Each year, the Fresno Regional Independent Business Alliance (FRIBA) presents Fresno Restaurant week to support and promote locally-owned restaurants. From FRIBA (emphasis mine):
Research shows that when a dollar is spent at a locally owned and independent business, on average that dollar will re-circulate three times the amount of money back into our local economy when compared to that same dollar spent at a chain business. This is because locally owned and independent businesses utilize local services such as CPA’s, printers, marketing companies, etc. In addition, local businesses put a higher percentage of their profit back into our community through donations and sponsorships. And of course, local businesses keep our community cool, hip, fun and unlike any other place you will visit- but if FRIBA did not exist, our whole community would lose because there is a need to have a consistent reminder that every consumer can help support local community.
Where are you going this week? Let me hear your recommendations in the comments.
In midst of all this, a girl has gotta eat, right? Alisa is loves chatting with chefs behind the scenes and exploring the rich food culture of the Central Valley.
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You’ve got to try Shenanigans Restaurant and Bar on Cedar and Herndon. Their lunch menu is inviting, full of taste and quick to serve. I’ve hit them 4 times in the last 2 weeks and their food is always consistant. The staff is so polite and friendly. The atmosphere is also very welcoming and I can keep up on on all the sports I can watch on the 9 large TV screens. I am looking forward to going back for Jack Daniels Whisky Wings Wednesday and Taco Tuesdays all day! I can’t forget Thirsty Thursdays and live music on Fridays!