Tampa Bay Restaurant Week Features Over 70 Restaurants, Now thru 6/21

Tampa Bay Restaurant Week is back with $30 three-course, prix fixe menus at over 70 restaurants throughout Tampa Bay from today, June 11 through June 21.

For the past eight years, Creative Loafing has partnered with local restaurants to create Tampa Bay Restaurant Week, an 11 day event that includes $30 three-course, prix fixe menus at dozens of local restaurants for a limited time. "Tampa Bay Restaurant Week is something I look forward to every year," said Creative Loafing's Publisher, James Howard. "It gives locals a break from the kitchen, and a chance to taste creations from around the Bay area that will re-inspire their palates."

There are more than 70 local restaurants participating in Tampa Bay Restaurant Week and each of their special edition menus can be viewed at tampabayrestaurantweek.com. Diners should request the Restaurant Week menu upon arrival at their choice of participating restaurant. "Every day, we introduce visitors to Tampa Bay through their taste buds, and every day it seems we have more impressive options to choose from," said Santiago Corrada, President and CEO of Visit Tampa Bay.

Creative Loafing's Food Issue release event, Meet The Chefs, will take place one day before the start of Tampa Bay Restaurant Week on June 10 at the Coppertail Brewing Co. Tasting Room from 7 to 9 p.m. This sold out event will provide attendees an exclusive opportunity to meet eight high-profile, local chefs and sample an appetizer, main course, or dessert that will be featured on each restaurant's Restaurant Week menu.

Mayor Bob Buckhorn will be in attendance of the event to present a proclamation for Tampa Bay Restaurant Week. "In the last few years, national culinary talent has coalesced here in our community. Now, restaurants are celebrating the local products and foods that are unique to Florida. We have become a city of foodies, and I love being the foodie mayor!" said Mayor Buckhorn.

Meet The Chefs attendees will also have the opportunity to get their hands on an early copy of Creative Loafing's annual Food Issue (in print and online on June 11). The Food Issue will include a pullout section of all participating restaurants for Tampa Bay Restaurant Week that includes a profile and listing for each of the restaurants, as well as food-themed content throughout all sections of the newspaper.

Tampa Bay Restaurant Week includes Stella Artois as the Official Beer of Tampa Bay Restaurant Week, Tito's Handmade Vodka as the Official Vodka of Tampa Bay Restaurant Week, and Kahwa Coffee as the Official Coffee of Tampa Bay Restaurant Week. Promotional partners include City of Tampa, Visit Tampa Bay, Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association of Hillsborough and Pinellas, and St. Joseph's Children's Hospital Foundation.

Please use the following hashtag for any digital promotions and mentions: #CLRestaurantWeek. To enter the Instagram-based Restaurant Week Server Photo Contest, visit tampabayrestaurantweek.com.

Creative Loafing is an award-winning alternative, weekly newspaper and website committed to providing Tampa Bay with an independent perspective, up-to-the-minute local news, and a comprehensive listing of local happenings. Creative Loafing offers readers unique monthly events and CL Deals, a locally-focused platform featuring dining and event experiences at half-off their regular price. For more information about Creative Loafing, visit cltampa.com.