Relish

Photographs by Kevin A. Roberts

You can always count on restaurants to get aggressive during slow periods, hence the advent of events like Downtown Restaurant Week (in late August) and Clayton Restaurant Week (in late January). Similar "Restaurant Week" events can now be found in 35 U.S. cities. In St. Louis, the 2012 dates are Monday, January 23 through Sunday, January 29.

For this, the third-annual CRW, 20 participating Clayton restaurants will offer special three-course dinners for $25, plus tax and tip. Special cocktails (courtesy of Pearl Vodka) and glasses of wine (from Casa Lapostolle) will be $7 during the event. There is also an opportunity to contribute an "Extra Credit" to KidSmart, a local charity that provides school supplies to disadvantaged children.  

The respective menus are listed here. Restaurants are encouraged to offer representative entrees—not just mundane pastas and cheaper proteins—and in most cases, they have done just that. Items like beef tenderloin filets and strip steaks are available at several participating restaurants.   

The event pertains to dinner service only. For reservations, call the restaurant directly and mention "Restaurant Week."   

Clayton Restaurant Week is a good deal and these restaurant owners are trying to look good and show off. Indulge them.