The Alternative Press

MADISON, NJ - While many parents find it difficult to go out to dinner because of work and busy schedules, the Madison Chamber of Commerce accommodated these adults when they decided to hold their annual Restaurant Week from Oct. 21-28.  A total of 11 Madison restaurants are participating and offering special lunch and/or dinner menus at special prices.  Customers can select off the "regular" menu, as well. 

The following restaurants are participating:  Takuma Japanese Restaurant, 42 Lincoln Pl.; Rob's Bistro, 75 Main St.; Il Mondo Vecchio, 72 Main St.; Chef Loryn's, 250 Main St.; David's Rumba Cafe, 6 Elmer St.; Nicky's Firehouse Family Restaurant, 15 Central Ave.; Rocco's Bar & Grill, 30 Cook Plaza; Empire Szechuan, 258 Main St.; Poor Herbie's, 13 Waverly Pl.; Bento Grill, 20 Waverly Pl.; and Garlic Rose Bistro, 41 Main St.

All of the restaurants offer a variety of different types of food including French, Italian and Japanese and some places are offering takeout, while others are sit down.

Donna Bird of Gary's Wine & Marketplace in Madison, who is also on the board of directors of the Madison Chamber of Commerce, said she was excited for restaurant week.

“We are fortunate to have a great town with some great restaurants,” she said. “It’s a good way for us to promote our restaurants to the community.”

It’s an excellent opportunity for residents to try new food or go to a place they have never been to. Overall, people have really enjoyed the week in the past, Bird said.

The majority of the restaurants do their best to participate and really get their name out there in the community. Madison’s elegant and beautiful downtown caters to this type of event, she said.

“We try to look for ways to promote our businesses in whatever way that we can,” she said. “People look forward to it.”

Danielle Mcloughlin, one of the co-chairs of the event and the manager at Rob’s Bistro, said it’s really an awesome week for restaurants in downtown Madison. The Bistro, which serves classic French cuisine, is very popular and she has been there since it opened three years ago. The restaurant has also been involved with Restaurant Week since its inception.

“It’s a great way for all of the restaurants to come together for a week,” she said. “It’s a great way for people to try different restaurants that they may not have tried before.”

Many people come to the Bistro that normally don’t because of the event and they often return, as well. The Bistro is offering a three course pre-fixe menu with different choices of appetizers, entrees and dessert. It’s been a huge success all week, she said.