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Mangia! Chamber of Commerce hosts Italian Restaurant Week

September 24, 2013 By Paula Katinas Brooklyn Daily Eagle
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In the mood for some delicious lasagna? If you are, then the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce has good news for you.

The chamber is hosting its first ever “Explore Brooklyn: Italian Restaurant Week,” which will take place from Oct. 10-17. Thirty-nine restaurants around the borough will be offering special deals to entice customers during the celebration, which coincides with Italian Heritage Month and the week of Columbus Day.

As a tribute to Christopher Columbus, many of the restaurants will be offering meals for $14.92, a nod to the year 1492 when Columbus set sail across the Atlantic Ocean.

The goal of the week is to promote Italian restaurants in Brooklyn and allow for visitors to have to chance to taste some great cuisine, according to Carlo Scissura, president and CEO of the Chamber. “Getting to these great restaurants will be a lot easier than the voyage Christopher Columbus undertook to reach the Americas,” said Scissura, an Italian-American.

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“For most people it will involve a subway ride or a short drive. Even Manhattanites can cross the Brooklyn Bridge and discover that the best Italian restaurants in New York City – and outside of Italy – are found here in Kings County. Buon appetito!”  Scissura said.

The list of participating restaurants ranges from classic eateries such as Marco Polo Ristorante in Carroll Gardens and Gargiulo’s in Coney Island to newer places like Broccolino near Barclays Center and Vicolo in Bay Ridge.

“It is important to remind everyone that Brooklyn is a wonderful place to eat and that some of the best food is right here,” said Joe Chirico, owner of Marco Polo Ristorante.

“Once again, the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce is looking out for small businesses, and restaurants in particular, with this year’s first-ever Italian Restaurant Week in Brooklyn,” said Nino Russo, owner of Gargiulo’s Restaurant. “We hope that people discover the joy Italian food can bring them by coming to Brooklyn to eat,” he said.

Diners will have several options to choose from when it comes to the fixed price menus the participating restaurants are offering. Some will offer lunch at $14.92 or $18.00; and dinner for $25.00 or $28.00. Other options will include a two-for-one brunch or a free espresso to those who are Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce members.

The Federation of Italian-American Organizations, a group based in Bensonhurst, is a supporter of the restaurant week. Yelp, Edible Brooklyn, and the New York Daily News are media sponsors.   

“I want to say grazie to the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, and its President and CEO Carlo Scissura, for spotlighting Italian restaurants in Brooklyn,” said Federation Chairman Jack Spatola. “Food is a very important part of Italian culture. It remains vital that we continue to promote our traditions and fine regional cuisine,” he said.

For a complete list of participating restaurants, visit http://www.ibrooklyn.com/go_brooklyn/italian_restaurant_week.aspx

 


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