Don't miss this year's Mission Viejo Restaurant Week Oct. 10-16

Well dining out is really no longer an option let alone AFFORDABLE.

MENU PRICES HAVE JUMPED 80 PERCENT OR MORE.

IT APPEARS RESTAURANTS ARE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THIS SO CALLED RECESSION WE'RE SUPPOSE TO BE IN.

Am I missing something? Of all the “restaurants”…and I use that term loosely…that claim to be “participating,” with specials for the occasion. The Mexican place wasn’t really a meal and the Italian place was priced at what used to be NO deal! And wine is another $35??

In defense of the restaurants (I do not own or work at a restaurant), not only the restaurants but many other industries have been affected by rising costs of products and (this amazes me) the inability to depend on reliable staff. My husband works in the food industry and over the last two years bulk order products have increased drastically, which naturally have to be passed on. It's unfortunate for everyone.....just a sorry sign of today's economy.

Way to GO

Hats off to the City and the Chamber of Commerce for encouraging and informing our citizens. I suppose there will always be Debbie Downers! I for one appreciate positive actions in stimulating the local economy, while understanding not everyone can afford to eat out. That doesn’t mean that a vast majority of our residents can and do eat out and enjoy the information and effort!

Thank you City of MV and the Chamber. There are several restaurants I’ve never heard of that sound tasty.

Restaurant Week is always one of my favorites. This year MV seems a bit more organized and I appreciate that. It’s disappointing that 3 days out the majority of restaurants don’t have their MVRW menus set and posted. When we dine out we rarely stay in MV so I was looking forward to trying some hyper local fare. Dublin 4 and Wine Works never disappoint. A discount on wine to someone who doesn’t typically drink away from home is not a lure to check them out. I understand prices are high on all things food related however I believe a great chef and manager can work out some beautiful sampling’s of what you might find on their menu but not at $50 plate. Perhaps Restaurant Week has lost its intended purpose.

We have a problem in MV. As individually owned or even well known chain restaurants with in house dining close down up go fast food establishments. Example: Claim Jumper and now Lakeside Chinese. We have enough fast food restaurants.

On the upside, why not the city, restaurants at sweet events like this, provide a 'Mission Viejo Tram' system that has a rider bus, jitney, set of window-vans, ("no 'taxis'...") at no charge - to circulate throughout the city "opportunity palate palazzos" addresses (read - restaurants...) that can emanate from the city center on an established set of periodic schedules...??

Many type events like this improve their municipal hosting quotient by providing such a service...
May also sell a few bottles of the bubbly at such participating venues ('vine-use'...).
Loosen yer belts, ladies and gents, pop on a checkered bib, leave the slinky driving in yer own driveway, tweek yer local taste buds...and dont be missin a viejohaul of pre-candy eats, no?!...

Justathot...(burp)

During MV Restaurant Week, I called 11 out of the 27 restaurants:

* Four didn't know about MV Restaurant Week.
* One had a special lunch menu but couldn't tell me any details.
* Two had a special listed on the MVRestaurantWeek.org site but the employees didn't know anything about it.
* Four confirmed they were participating in the MVRW and we when to three of them.

I'm surprise at the high number of listed restaurants didn't inform their employees about MV Restaurant Week and what the special would be. I'm a disappointed in the amount of work I had to do to get information about MVRW for a particular restaurant (finding their phone number and calling them to confirm their participation, etc.).

Please include the restaurant's phone in the MVRestaurantWeek.org site so I can call to confirm their participation in MVRW.

Thank you,
Steve L.