York Restaurant Week top ten eateries led by Fat Hippo

Organisers York BID says that 24,500 discount vouchers have been downloaded in the first ten or so days of the event, which actually lasts a fortnight, ending  this Sunday.

Business manager Chris Bush told the Press says the October event could be a record but it is hard to tell as this is only the second time the event has lasted two weeks.

The first such two-weeker in March saw 32,679 voucher downloads, suggesting 8,500 more downloads are needed in the next few days.

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Diners can chose from over 225 exclusive offers at more than 100 eateries.

Chris told the Press: “It’s going very well. We have received lots of great feedback from the public and businesses are very busy.”

Heading a top ten of the most popular offers is burger restaurant the Fat Hippo, in Low Petergate, which is offering a starter, a main and a side for £15.

In the last restaurant week, the most popular download at this stage was the Miller and Carter Steakhouse, followed by Marzan Italiano in  Fossgate, with Ate O’Clock in High Ousegate third.

Ambiente in Fossgate(Image: Frank Dwyer)

Ate O’Clock is now second for it’s two-course set menu at £15 and fourth with its three-course set menu for £20.

Third was Marzano Italian Grill which recently relocated in Fossgate into the former Loch Fyne restaurant building. It is offering a three-course evening set menu for £25.

Fifth comes Dough Eyed pizza, which is offering a house pizza and a soft drink for £10.

Sixth is Ambiente Tapas Fossgate offering three tapas for £15.

Seventh is York Minster Refectory with four courses for £30.

Eighth is the Double Dutch Pancake House in church Street, offering any sweet pancake with one topping and a drink for £5.

Finally, ninth and tenth goes to Heavenly Desserts in Blake Street, with two desserts and drinks for two for £15 and a dessert for one for £5.

Ate O'Clock(Image: Pic supplied)

Ate O’Clock Manager Jamie Sayer says the Mediterranean restaurant loves taking part in restaurant week, saying it gets busier with every event. It makes the independent-family-owned restaurant better known and he thanks York Bid for their hard work in organising it.

Jamie told the Press: “Restaurant Week offers incredible value for money, thanks to the different price brackets available to participating restaurants.

“This flexibility means we can offer multiple options, and most importantly, guests know exactly what they’re going to spend.

“With the cost of living what it is, that certainty makes a big difference — people can still go out and enjoy a great meal without breaking the bank.

Marzano Italian in Fossgate(Image: Alice Kavanagh)

“Our offers are based on our usual set menu — we don’t create special dishes, reduce portion sizes, or compromise on quality. It’s so important to us that locals who take advantage of Restaurant Week experience us at our best (and even better at a reduced price!). Tourists come and go, but it’s the local community that supports us all year-round, so we want to give them every reason to come back again.”

Marzano Italian general manager Sam Acomley says Restaurant Week has been brilliant.

He told the Press: “It’s really good for trade and for the customers. Its great to have new people through the door and to try the food for cheaper. We always take part in Restaurant Week and we will again.”

Ambiente has restaurants in Fossgate, Goodramgate and Tabanco by Ambiente in Walmgate, all tapas bars but with a slightly different menu.

Marketing manager Sophie Thorpe says her menu has been popular as “it lets guests experience the best of what we do at a set price.”

Restaurant Week also allows the restaurants to ‘showcase’ their works, with many guests who dine for first time during restaurant week, returning and becoming regulars.

Sophie added: “York Restaurant Week is a brilliant celebration of the city’s hospitality industry and we’re proud to play our part in shouting about what makes York so special.  

Chris Philips and Adam Gardener of Dough Eyed pizza(Image: Pic supplied)

York Minster Refectory manager Stelian Cristea also applauds restaurant week for making the restaurant busier than usual. The discounts encourage people who normally wouldn’t to ‘give it a go.’

Stelian told the Press: “They get to see what we do.”

He added the restaurant is pleased to take part and it is better now to spread the extra custom over two weeks rather than packing it into one.

Nisa Nika at Heavenly Desserts agreed Restaurant Week is ‘really good.’

Business is always good and many customers come in with their vouchers to enjoy ‘good prices’, she added.

The Press approached the Fat Hippo for comment.

To claim your deal, go to www.yorkrestaurantweek.co.uk, pick your favourites, and download as many free vouchers as you like.