Restaurant week starts in Colonie on Monday, while Albany's began this weekend.
Diners are excited, but they're not the only ones. Madeleine Rivera talks to local restaurant owners to find out how much of a boost they get in business.

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COLONIE, N.Y. -- "Oh we're very excited. We think it's going to work out well for us," said restaurant owner, Anthony Adonnino.

Many of our mouths water when we hear restaurant week is here. But diners are the not the only ones having a good time. Restaurant owners look forward to a boost in business.

"We'd love the opportunity to show what we can do," said Adonnino.

Restaurant week starts in Colonie on Monday, October 15 while Albany's began Saturday. More than two dozen restaurants will be offering special menus with discounted prices for some dishes. Adonnino, who co-owns the newly-opened Portofino's in Latham, said the event is a good marketing tool.

"We've been here for four weeks. This really gives us an opportunity get our names out," he said.

Kareem Jandali also opened the Broadway Brew Biergarten in Troy about six months ago. He says his business benefitted when Troy held its first restaurant week in September.

"We saw a lot of new people in here. It definitely brings more people out. We got to see more people that might not come to a German Biergarten," he said.

Restaurant Week is meant to drive customers to try different local eateries. But, owners say traffic varies.

"I would say it helps out the small businesses to bring more people to the small businesses that would normally not come to them. And, also the more expensive restaurants," said Jandali.

"You might not see that one very famous restaurant that's been visited very often benefit that much. But, for smaller restaurants just like ourselves, this gives us an opportunity for people to try us out," said Adonnino.

The good thing about restaurant week is it draws customers to places they would otherwise not go to simply because prices are too expensive. Restaurants like Portifino's gives about a 25-30 percent discount off its a la carte menu.

"I think it's good avenue for people to learn about these restaurants and give them the opportunity to enjoy good food for a reasonable price," said Ilene Kahn, a diner.

Restaurant week in Colonie is organized by the city's Chamber of Commerce. For more information, visit www.ColonieChamber.org.