Western New Yorkers no longer have to venture to New York City for Restaurant Week! The New York State Restaurant Association in conjunction with WNY Local Food Service is bringing Restaurant Week to Metropolitan Buffalo, March 23-29.

Chefs at locally owned and operated restaurants have been asked to construct three-course, fixed price menus that cost $20.09 per person, excluding tax and gratuity. Each menu comprises a main course paired with an appetizer, aperitif, or dessert. Some venues are offering tasting menus for both lunch and dinner. If you want to view menus before committing to venues, visit www.localrestaurantweek.com. You can also search restaurants by name, neighborhood, and cuisine.

Michael Andrzejewski, owner and executive chef of SeaBar Restaurant, was one of the key initiators in bringing Restaurant Week to Buffalo. “It’s a platform for our own economic stimulus,” he says. “Nobody is going to help Buffalo but Buffalo itself, and this is a great opportunity for Buffalo’s businesses to help themselves and each other. At the same time, diners can save money and enjoy themselves while still supporting local restaurateurs who are such a vital part of Western New York’s culture.”

Indeed, Buffalo and its surrounding suburbs constitute a melting pot of ethnicities and cultures. The event should provide patrons with an affordable, well-rounded dining experience and expose people to a wide array of cuisines and cooking styles.

There’s no shortage of global fare to choose from. Expect to find American bistro fare, Cuban, French, German, Greek, Indian, Irish, Japanese, Lebanese, new Mediterranean, northern and southern Italian, Polish, Spanish tapas, and more.

The event may also entice people to venture into new neighborhoods. Some of the suburban participants include Curly’s Grill & Banquet Center in Lackawanna, David’s in Orchard Park, the Roycroft Inn in East Aurora, SeaBar in both Williamsville and Buffalo, and Siena in Snyder. If you’re interested in Buffalo’s gastronomic offerings, you may want to check out Encore, Fiamma, Sample, Tabree, Trattoria Aroma, the Wine Thief, and newcomer 31 Club. Chow Chocolat and Chocolate Bar are offering tasting menus for dessert lovers.

Restaurant Week, welcome to Buffalo! Reservations are strongly recommended.

—judy sperry