Eat. Drink.Savour the city. Kingston Restaurant Week, (KRW) the annual culinary celebration, is just three weeks away. The gourmet event promises much more than food this year. Apart from spotlighting some of the finest chefs in the island, and including the island's best quick service restaurant (Island Grill), KRW offers an entire night out.

Launched at Macs Chop House on October 12, KRW is being staged by SSCO event management in association with The Gleaner Company. Speaking at the launch, Karin Cooper, corporate affairs and marketing manager, The Gleaner expressed the company's commitment to the event.

"The Gleaner Company was delighted to be associated with SSCO Event Management as the print sponsor of the inaugural Kingston Restaurant Week in 2005. This event created a buzz on Jamaica's social scene, exciting the imaginations and appetites of the lovers of fine dining in the city. It also created the opportunity for many other persons to share in the experience by taking advantage of the reduced rates offered at some of the best restaurants in the city.

"We are once again pleased to be associated with Kingston Restaurant Week. The concept of Restaurant Week, 'the celebration of all that is good about dining out' is a good association for our brand, The Gleaner which is identified with sophistication and quality - our very popular Food section on Thursdays has become well known for satisfying the discerning appetites of its readers," she said.

Reflecting on the overwhelming success of last year's KRW while outlining the broader scope of this years offerings, Stephanie Scott, managing director of SSCo, proudly announced: "Last year our mantra was 'Eating Out Is In," this year, it is 'Being Out Is In.'

"The purpose of KRW is two fold. First, to initiate a cultural change in the Jamaican people whereby they come to appreciate the joy of dining out and being out, and second, to provide our restaurants with an opportunity to showcase their expertise and service," she said.

According to Scott." This promotion would in no way have been possible without the vision and corporate courage of our sponsors in backing an innovative idea such as this for our city."

Mayor Desmond McKenzie, equally enthusiastic about the event which will highlight the lighter side and celebratory nature of the city, said that the economic and social spin-offs from KRW are tremendous.

"We were involved last year and we have seen the tremendous benefits of this event. I am particularly pleased with this year's staging, as it is right on the eve of our staging of the ICC Cricket World Cup. If something similar is planned during the World Cup, I have no doubt that we would reap tremendous benefits," the mayor said.

Lauding our sponsors

Not only food lovers, but corporate Jamaica has responded favourably to Kingston Restaurant Week. On board as sponsors are Appleton Estate, bmobile, Coca-Cola/Ocean Spray, NCB eBusiness, Ammar's, Gas Pro, Supreme Ventures, Jamaica Tourist Board, Island Grill and Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation. They wholeheartedly endorse the staging of Kingston Restaurant Week.

"Appleton Estate Jamaica Rum is proud to be a sponsor once again of Kingston Restaurant Week when eating out and responsible drinking is in." - Nadia Goubault, brand manager for Appleton Estate Jamaica Rum.

"bmobile makes it easy for friends and families to stay in touch and once again we are pleased to be part of Kingston Restaurant Week when good food, good fun and great people come together. Congratulations to the organisers for bringing this exciting event to the capital for another year, and we wish our many bmobile customers, restaurateurs and diners a great week. Bon appetit." - Rodney Davis, president and CEO, Cable and Wireless. Coming soon, a direct line to restaurant and club connections, 968-KRW6.

"KRW was a wonderful addition to last year's entertainment scene. Our partnership will link this premier event with premier brands such as Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice and Coca Cola. We look forward to an exciting week of restaurant and club hopping, and encourage Jamaicans from all parishes to taste, enjoy and spread the word." - Nadine Haughton-Whyte, manager sponsorship and events, Wisynco Group.

"Kingston Restuarant Week is so much more than a celebration of food, it is a social event and goes a far way in enhancing night life in Kingston. Of couse, this is a critical aspect if our business as people like to dress up to go dining and to enjoy the city's night spots." - Michael Ammar, managing director, Ammar's.

"Both Acropolis and Villagio Gaming Lounges are excited to be a part of Kingston Restaurant Week this year. As good as it was for us last year, this year will even be better as we have something extra special in store for patrons dining at the Acropolis." - Simone Banhan-Grant, Corporate Communications and PR Officer, Supreme Ventures Limited.

"Many of the restaurants in KRW are our customers and Gas Products Ltd., believes that KRW is a good opportunity to showcase them. The prices being offered should encourage patrons to really turn out. We wish for them a successful week." - Peter Graham, sales and marketing manager, Gas Products Ltd."

"We were there from the beginning of KRW and we saw it as a good way to support our NCB merchants through the NCB Unisol debit and credit card payments. NCB eBusiness is pleased to join our partners and support their business as more persons see the convenience and benefits of using cards when dining out. We have committed to providing the mobile point of sale machines that enhance the dining experience and give added peace of mind as your card will not leave your hand. We provide personal solutions so ... Bon Appetit!" - Ingrid Stephens, assistant general manager, NCB eBusiness and Merchant Services Division.

"We wanted to make it (KRW) more inclusive, that is, to open the week up to just about everybody, you know Island Grill is the best quick service restaurant in Jamaica, and above all it is affordable" - Thalia Lyn, CEO, Island Grill.

"The Jamaica Tourist Board is happy to endorse Kingston Restuarant Week. It not only celebrates food and the mastery of our skilled chefs, but it is also an excellent opportunity to showcase and promote Kingston as the culinary capital of the Caribbean." - Janice Allen, destination marketing manager, JTB

What is Kingston Restaurant Week (KRW)?

Seven days of spectacular dining opportunities at participating restaurants in Kingston. Guests will have the option of enjoying prix fixe dinners from 28 selected restaurants. And after dinner, guests can enjoy free cocktails and nightly shows at selected clubs.

When is it?

Saturday, November 11 to Saturday November 18.

Is this like a food sampling event?

No. Unlike other food fair events where you sample a small portion of a dish, Kingston Restaurant Week allows you the full experience of a complete meal from appetiser to dessert at a discounted price.

What about cost?

The cost varies depending on where you dine. KRW offers a range of dining options that even food-lovers on a budget can afford. The bill of fare is as follows:

Delectable: $2,300

Café Aubergine, Hilton Palm Court, Mac's Chop House, Norma's on the Terrace, Red Bones Blues Café, Strawberry Hill, Regency Room - Terra Nova .

Reservations recommended.

Savory: $1,100

Akbar, Bamboo Village, Cuddy'z, China Express, D'Roof, Dragon Court, East Japanese Restaurant, Grogg Shoppe, Guilt Trip, Habibi Latino, Jade Gardens, -Columbus Restaurant - Jamaica Pegasus, Kabana, Melting Pot - Knutsford Court Hotel, Rib Kage Bar and Grill, TGI Friday's, Velisa's, Whitebones Seafood Restaurant.

Weekend Reservations Recommended.

Tasty: $900

Golden Bowl, Lyme Key Restaurant and Bar, Prendy's On the Beach.

And after …

High Rollers: $1,100

Acropolis Gaming & Entertainment Centre. Price includes dinner and a nightly show.

Nightcaps and Roadsters

Upon presentation of your KRW receipt, each diner will receive one specialty drink "on the house" at one of the following locations: Nightcaps: Acropolis Gaming and Entertainment Centre, Christopher's Jazz Café or Villagio Gaming Lounge. Roadsters: Asylum, Oxygen Nite Club - Quad, Voo Doo Lounge-Quad.