By Kennedey Conaway
Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer
County Executive Johnny Olszewski announced Monday that for the first time the county’s Restaurant Week will be held in the Spring to continue the support of local restaurants during the coronavirus pandemic.
Restaurant Week is an annual event held twice a year, usually in the summer and winter. Restaurants offer discounted menus, so customers get the opportunity to try new things for the first time.
Restaurant owners who were interviewed said they are continuing to follow CDC guidelines as they prepare for Restaurant Week, which will run from April 16 to May 2. They said that for the first time this year they will be offering take-out, dine-in and curbside as a part of week’s specials.
“We’ll be following the same precautions since March,” said Terry Beck, the general manager of Kooper’s North on Tullamore Road in Lutherville-Timonium, a participating restaurant. “We’ll be sending out our menu in the next day or two. It’ll be exciting to see familiar faces return.”
A strong turnout is especially important to Brad Black, the general manager of El Guapo on Frederick Road in Catonsville. This will be El Guapo’s first time participating in Restaurant Week. The restaurant’s grand opening was October 2020, but it has not allowed inside service because of COVID-19.
“This is a good opportunity for us to get our name out there and advertise a little bit,” Black said. “Even just being on the Baltimore County’s Restaurant Week website will benefit us.”
Black said he is excited about what Restaurant Week will bring to the business.
Including Kooper’s North and El Guapo, there will be 48 participating restaurants. Olszewski waived all registration fees required for participation in this year’s promotion.
“It’ll be great to see new restaurants get the opportunity to participate this year,” said Ken Robins, the general manager of Barrett’s Grill on Shawan Road in Hunt Valley.
Many restaurants are taking advantage of the waived fee to recover from months without business.
Barrett’s Grill is beginning to expand its restaurant as the weather gets warmer and more people come outside, Robins said.
“Since the vaccine and spring weather, customers feel more comfortable to dine-in at the restaurant,” Robins said.
He said Barrett’s Grill placed tables outside, six feet apart so customers can enjoy a safe dine-in experience during restaurant week.
“We’re also excited to see what the warm weather will bring this year,” said Robins.