Restaurant week planned this spring Promotion aims to draw diners to 8 eateries

Eight independent local restaurants will be part of the inaugural Lorain County Restaurant Week.

The promotion, sponsored by Visit Lorain County, will run April 28 to May 7. It aims to encourage residents in the county and across the region to explore and find new favorites among local eateries, said Jennifer Kennedy, Visit Lorain County interim director.

“The real focus is on fine dining,” Kennedy said. “The overall goal that we have with Lorain County Restaurant Week is to uncover all the great restaurants we have in Lorain County.” The eight participating restaurants are: • Parker’s Grille & Tavern, 32858 Walker Road, Avon Lake

• Strip Steakhouse, 36840 Detroit Road, Avon • The Unicorn, 423 N. Main St., Grafton • 1833, the restaurant at The Hotel at Oberlin, 10 E. College St., Oberlin

• Bistro 83, 36033 Westminster Ave., North Ridgeville

• Jackalope Lakeside, 301 Lakeside Ave., Lorain • Nemo Grille, 36976 Detroit Road, Avon • Cole’s Public House, 209 S. Main St., Amherst

The participating restaurants will offer a coursed meal with a set price of $35 or less.

Diners at participating restaurants also will get a chance to win a gift certificate of $50 or $100 if they go during the designated time April 28 to May 7, Kennedy said.

It is good when local residents choose to support local businesses that are their favorite restaurants, said Lorain County Commissioner Matt Lundy.

“It’s also good to experience something new,” Lundy said, so one goal is to introduce the eateries to county residents.

Lundy and Kennedy admitted they have not eaten at every one of the eight participating restaurants.

In Lorain, Jackalope Lakeside will offer a $30 special with filet mignon, wine and dessert of the day. Jackalope owner Jim Andrews said he is all for promoting Lorain’s waterfront.

The restaurant gets customers from Huron to Cleveland, especially during the prime summer months, Andrews said.

He suggested local residents can help Lorain’s economy by supporting local businesses, particularly because local restaurants have quality food, good service and prices competitive with those of chains.

“We’ve got to drag people kicking and screaming to dine in Lorain,” Andrews said. “Then they get here and they’re like, Oh, wow, that’s really nice.

“Once people do find it, then they bring their friends back.”

Potential customers in Cuyahoga County should know the Lorain County restaurants have free parking – which can be difficult to find around some of the upscale establishments in Cleveland, Lundy said.

Visit Lorain County gets its funding from hotel-motel bed taxes, he said.

People often want to have a look around before committing to an overnight stay, Lundy said.

But if they have a good experience during Restaurant Week, that could convince them to come back and spend the night, he said.

Restaurant Week is scheduled between Easter and Mother’s Day, so diners may find a place for upcoming special events in the summer, Kennedy said.

The restaurant week is starting small, but depending on public response and future themes, it could grow or happen more than once a year, Kennedy and Lundy said.

Lorain County does not have a restaurant association, Lundy said, adding he would like to see one develop if it would help the restaurant owners.

He also thanked them for their willingness to participate in the promotion.