The Film Scout Review

Get Ready Local Foodies

By Frank Etheridge

Now well-established after five years of excellent epicurean adventures, Columbus Restaurant Week 2024 is back July 15-21 and better than ever, with the most locally owned and operated places in the Chattahoochee Valley participating this year than ever before.

“It’s a time to celebrate our vibrant culinary scene in Columbus,” says Stephanie Woodham, Founder of Yalla Public Relations, who has a unique perspective as not only organizer and promoter of the event, but also as co-owner of the ever popular, always-on-point downtown mainstay, The Black Cow. “Grab some friends and break bread at restaurants that you otherwise wouldn’t visit, try a dish you’ve never tried. Expand your palate!”

So how does Restaurant Week work exactly? Restaurant goers will get to choose from more than 30 participating local establishments – the best of the best in area restaurants, breweries, cafes and even a few candy shops for sweets – will each create a special three-course prix-fixe menu to serve for their scrumptious meals Monday-Sunday, July 15-21. How do you join the fun? Participating in Restaurant Week is designed to be as simple as possible for local foodies. Visit columbusgarestaurantweek.com and click on the individual logos to be linked to each establishment’s menu and reservation information. It is recommended that, if a particular place is not accepting and/or confirming online reservations, that you call or visit the restaurant and ask for details on their Restaurant Week menu. Another great way to stay up to date and connect is to follow on the event’s social media channels, @columbusgarestaurantweek.

New this year, Restaurant Week will kick off with a pre-party before the week begins as a nod to all the hard-working, talented service industry employees. New(ish) Columbus favorite Scofflaw Brewing, which recently landed in MidCity Yards as the top-notch Atlanta beer-makers’ second location, will host what promises to be a rollicking good time when the tables are flipped as servers and bartenders are served by the community, not the other way around, per usual. Open to the public, the kick off party runs from 3 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, July 14.

In addition to Scofflaw, Columbus Restaurant Week 2024 sponsors include U.S. Foods, BANKS Food Hall, The Food Mill, and Dragonfly Trails. A primary benefit of this crucial financial backing is that each restaurant can sign up to join Restaurant Week without the hindrance of registration fees. And, even with reports from many participating restaurants in recent years of record-breaking sales during Restaurant Week, sponsorship support is an important part of the big-picture value of the city’s annual feast fest in raising funds for the Georgia-based nonprofit, The Giving Kitchen. Affectionately called “The Kitchen that Keeps on Giving,” the Atlanta agency has helped over 20,000 people working in restaurants, cafeterias, coffeeshops, bars, nightclubs, food trucks and catering. It’s super easy to get involved, just visit thegivingkitchen.org to learn more and/or donate.

“The Giving Kitchen provides emergency assistance for food service workers through financial support and a network of community resources,” Woodham says.” They have helped hundreds of Columbus, Georgia, restaurant workers in their time of need. Whether it is paying their power bill while they recover from an illness, or helping families pay for funeral services, The Giving Kitchen is a phenomenal resource for our local restaurant industry workers.”

restaurants on the blockbuster Columbus Restaurant Week 2024 roster include: Bytes & Brews, The Loft, Saltcellar, The Black Cow, Mabella Uptown, Mabella Midland, The Goetchius House, Hudson’s At Main Street, Café Le Rue, Warehouse 9, Trevioli North & The Rapids, Ria’s Ethnic Foods, Cinnaholic, The Animal Farm, Graze Craze, Epic Restaurant, Morten’s at Old Town, Mamee’s Kitchen, Dishoom Bistro, Hunter’s Pub, B. Merrell’s, Mark’s City Grill, Charred Oak Restaurant and Bar, Millhouse Restaurant and Bar, Nonic Restaurant & Rooftop Bar, Tuesday’s Street Tacos & Burritos, Sky Lounge Bar & Grill, and The Food Mill.

Whatever foods you fancy, this killer line-up will take care of whatever temptations your palate would like to explore. So make sure to grab a friend and get ready to devour all of what Restaurant Week has in store.

“The remarkable growth of our culinary scene is a testament to the creativity and expression of our local chefs and restaurants,” says Woodham. “This year, we’re thrilled to have a record number of participating restaurants, showcasing the diverse and dynamic flavors that make our community so special. It’s an exciting time for food lovers and we couldn’t be prouder to celebrate this milestone with everyone.”

We’re right there with you, Steph. To make sure you don’t miss out, visit columbusgarestaurantweek.com and maybe, just maybe we’ll see ya out and wind up breaking bread together.