Do you have a difficult time choosing what to eat for dinner? Do you have a list of local restaurants you’ve been meaning to try, but instead end up falling back to “the usual” spot, time and time again? Or have you exhausted the local food scene and are itching to try something new?

First introduced in 2017, the week-long  Mid-Ohio Restaurant Week  is back and ready to help you discover something new and delicious. Running from Monday February 25th through Saturday March 2nd, patrons can participate in a culinary experience for only $30 per person. Each participating restaurant will offer a special three-course meal option consisting of an appetizer, entrée and dessert.

Chocolate Chip Pie from the Riviera at the Valley Gem

This year’s line-up features 18 locally owned restaurants, each offering a unique and delicious menu. Representing both sides of the river, it’s hard not to choose a new one every night. The following are this year’s participating eateries:

  • Austyn’s Restaurant
  • Boathouse BBQ
  • Bogey’s BBQ & Grill
  • Chams Lebanese Restaurant
  • DaVinci’s Italian Restaurant
  • Fairplain Yacht Club
  • The Galley
  • The Hideout
  • The House of Wines
  • J.P. Henry’s
  • Marietta Country Club
  • Riverfront Bar & Grill
  • River Town Grill
  • Riviera at the Valley Gem
  • Shortys Pizzeria
  • Sorella Ristorante
  • Townhouse
  • Unity Cafe

This year, Gordon Food Service is sponsoring Mid-Ohio Valley Restaurant Week, working with Chris Bender, Owner of daVinci’s Italian Restaurant, and Clutch MOV to coordinate.

It’s important that annual events like this happen in our region. As a community, it’s an easy way to support local success.

“When I was managing restaurants in Boston, Restaurant Week happened twice a year and as a foodie consumer it was my favorite time to get out and try a new place,” said Sally Oliver, Owner of The House of Wines. “Marietta has been recognized as being one of the best small towns in America and I believe that’s a credit to our small businesses and privately owned restaurants. It’s important that annual events like this happen in our region. As a community, it’s an easy way to support local success.”

Smoked rainbow trout stuffed portabella mushroom + white truffle sauce from Boathouse BBQ

Restaurant week is a timely winter reminder to get out of the house and the three course prix fixe price of $30 is an amazing value. With 18 restaurants participating this year, there is something for everyone.

“The Marietta Country Club is thrilled to be a part of the MOV Restaurant week,” said Elizabeth Black, Wedding Coordinator for the Marietta Country Club. “We find our restaurant to be a hidden gem in the area, but loved by our members. We offer a great dining experience and top notch food that we are excited to share with the locals!”

The Marietta Country Club is one of several restaurants participating in Restaurant Week for the first time. Unity Cafe, Shortys Pizzeria, The Townhouse, and The Hideout are joining in the fun this year, as well as the Fairplain Yacht Club, Sorella Ristorante, and Bogey’s BBQ & Grill.

” We are so excited to be a part of restaurant week and are taking it as an opportunity to engage further with our local community,” said Petia Johnson, Owner of Unity Cafe.

Salad from Shortys Pizzeria

While this year’s menu won’t be published for another week, it’s safe to say it is quite appetizing, featuring everything from Eggplant Parmesan Stacks and Seafood Mornay, to Butternut Squash Croquettes and Wood-Fired Pizza.

The fact that our community has a week solely designated to highlighting our local eateries, just like other major cities, is significant because it means our community has a variety of options.

Each restaurant thoughtfully prepared a menu that would appeal to their regular customers, but that might pull in new faces as well.

“The House of Wines will be preparing a from-scratch menu that is reflective of our French American daily fare, but the items are not available on our current menu to keep it fun for our regular guests,” said Oliver. “In addition to the three courses for $30, guests can add wine pairings for just $12.”

Cordon bleu strips with honey mustard from The House of Wines

Restaurant Week is an opportunity for our talented local chefs to really showcase what they can do. “Restaurant Week is both a perfect opportunity for the restaurants to promote their food and ability but it is a terrific experience for the patrons,” said Sam Tuten, Executive Director of Marietta Main Street. “As a patron myself, I enjoy trying something either completely different at my favorite spots or visiting a new restaurant that I haven’t been to yet, and I encourage everyone to do the same. The fact that our community has a week solely designated to highlighting our local eateries, just like other major cities, is significant because it means our community has a variety of options.”

Although tickets are not necessary, the restaurants are encouraging reservations. All diners are also encouraged to check business hours for each restaurant before making their visit. Check the  Mid-Ohio Valley Restaurant Week Facebook page  for updates and make plans to try something new this year!
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