This just in: Arizona Restaurant Week debuts this fall

By Michele Laudig

Living in other cities, I always looked forward to Restaurant Week -- when local eateries would offer prix fixe menus at a special price, as a way of showcasing their food to the community. For the curious and the budget challenged (both, in my case), it was a great way to try new places.

So how weird to come to Arizona and discover that the Valley had no such thing -- in spite of the impressive restaurant scene here.

Well, this area is finally going to kick off its own restaurant week this fall, from September 20-26. Participating restaurants -- all of which, so far, are located in the Valley, not elsewhere in the state -- will be offering three-course meals for $29 per person or $58 per couple.

To date, Bloom, Don and Charlie's, Flemings at DC Ranch, Flo's Restaurants, The Greene House, Lucille's, NoRTH, Olive & Ivy, Roaring Fork, Ruth's Chris (on Scottsdale Road), Sol y Sombra, Tarbell's and Zinc Bistro have signed up. Organizers expect about 100 establishments to join in the festivities.