This week marks the beginning of the first Lawrence Restaurant Week! For those of you who don’t know what it is, its basically an event where several restaurants around Downtown Lawrence are offering discounts, special items, or prix fixe (pre-fixed) menus consisting of dishes that they normally don’t offer on their regular menus. It’s the first time that something like this has happened in Lawrence, and it’s an opportunity for the chefs at these restaurants to show how creative and skilled they are at their craft, so it’s honestly worth checking out! If you’re looking for things to do on a date or a night out with your friends, all the more reason to go and try some exciting new food!
Details
Lawrence Restaurant Week takes place September 14-20 at various restaurants in Downtown Lawrence.
The restaurants that are participating in Restaurant Week are: 715, Ramen Bowls, Pachamama’s, Free State Brewing Co., Ingredient, The Mad Greek, Limestone, Global Cafe, La Parilla, The Roost, Genovese, Milton’s, Pickleman’s Gourmet Cafe, Minsky’s Pizza, Terrebonne Po’ Boys, Ladybird Diner, Merchants Pub and Plate, and Ten & The Jayhawker.
Pickleman’s, The Jayhawker, and Minsky’s are offering special discounts on items that they already have on their regular menus, while the other restaurants all have special prix fixe menus or exclusive items. All of the prix fixe menus are for multi-course meals. The prices typically range between $10-35 (not including tax and tip).
List of restaurants with their respective menus: http://www.lawrencerestaurantweek.com/restaurants/
Menu Standouts
I’ve gone through all of the special menus that these restaurants are offering, and a few restaurants have especially promising menus (in my opinion). If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the amount of options available, then this would be a good place to start. Here are the main standouts:
715 ($35 per person)
If you’re craving traditional Italian food or something unconventional, check out 715. One thing that stands out the most about 715’s prix fixe menu is that it has the most options. For $35, you get a drink, appetizer, soup or salad, entree, and dessert, which is slightly more than what some other restaurants offer at the same price. Not only is 715’s special menu more extensive than those of other restaurants participating in Restaurant Week, it also has both classic menu items (spaghetti and meatballs, proscuitto crostini) and more experimental dishes (rabbit ravioli, tuna and egg pizza).
Milton’s ($35 for a two-person dinner)
If you’re looking for a good deal on date night, then chances are you’ll want to go to Milton’s. Known primarily as a go-to for breakfast and cocktails, their dinner menu is surprisingly promising. Here, $35 gets you an appetizer to share, two entrees, and two desserts. Dishes from the dinner menu that caught my attention were the crab cakes (served with sweet corn aioli and greens) and The Porky (chili spiced pork loin with sweet potato hash, apple jalapeno jelly, and cilantro lime vinaigrette dressed spinach). Milton’s menu also has vegetarian options, like the Roasted Butternut Squash Enchiladas (topped with charred cherry tomato sauce and cotija cheese).
The Mad Greek ($12.99 for 3-course lunch, $22.99 for 4-course dinner)
The Mad Greek has solid offerings for their prix fixe menus, and they’re offering the most affordable multi-course meals out of the bunch. The lunch menu consists of a salad, entree, and dessert; the dinner menus consists of an appetizer, salad, entree, and dessert. Not only are they offering your typical Greek salads and gyros, but items such as the Mad Greek Village Pork Sandwich and Theo’s Famous Kotopoulo Lemonato (chicken and potatoes baked in lemon and oregano, served with garlic toast and green beans) as well. Furthermore, they’re offering decadent Greek desserts, like chocolate-topped baklava and bougatsa (layers of dough and creme or chocolate, sprinkled with cinnamon and powdered sugar)!
Global Cafe ($10 per person)
If you’re looking to spice up your breakfast, Global Cafe’s got something for you. For $10, you get a breakfast item with a drink (orange juice or coffee) and a side of cottage cheese or tomatoes. Out of the breakfast offerings, the Chipotle Fried Egg Sandwich seems really tasty. They also have a special menu for lunch as well!
Terrebonne Po’ Boys ($6.50-8.50)
This Cajun joint is offering some seriously tasty specials at reasonably low prices. If you’re craving some tasty sandwiches, they’ve got Fried Green Tomato Po’ Boys and Grilled Tuna Melts. Otherwise, they’ve got Shrimp Creole and Grits and Crawfish Etouffee. Terrebonne is offering arguably the most affordable specials during Restaurant Week, so even if you’re strapped for cash, you can still take part in this awesome event!