Yourfoodgeek Explores Restaurant Week

Yourfoodgeek Explores Restaurant Week.
Restaurant Week season is that time you forget your diet (well, at least temporarily), put the calorie counting machine on hold and enjoy all the food that you can lay your hands on, at a discounted price. I honestly think it’s the best time of the year for foodies like me. and you. I mean, who doesn’t like a good deal? especially when it comes to fine dining!
I couldn’t wait to try all the gourmet goodies that Lagos chefs had prepared for this event. I tell you, I was ready to chow down on the finest food!
During Restaurant Week, participating restaurants select an array of fixed-price meals that exemplify their cuisines and serve it for the period. The primary aim of the event is to encourage the community to support local restaurant businesses, explore the restaurant scene and eat the best meals at the discounted sum.
To get started on restaurant week, here are a few tips that worked for me and I got the most out of my Restaurant Week experience, using them;
- Look through the dates of the event to enable you plan and decide what days work best for you.
- Check out the participating restaurants and their menus.
- Select a restaurant you have never been to before. Try someplace new. instead of sticking to your “old faithful” spot!
- Take advantage of the discount and go for a menu/dish that gives you “value” for the little sum you’re paying. hahaha! In fact, I think it’s safer to advise that you select your restaurant based on the menu. Yup! It’s not every day you get fine dining on a budget. But don’t go scratching number 3 in a hurry. Wink!
- Make reservations well ahead of time.
- Go for lunch. If you go during lunch time, you have a better chance of cutting through the crowd that generally accompany restaurant week. #myopinion
- Go with a friend. Food is better enjoyed with company. I can’t say this enough.
- Stick to the plan. The menus are prix fixe, so substitutions are generally not allowed.
- Go with your Visa Card for payment.
- Tip well. While the meals are discounted, your server is still doing just as much work, as they would with a full priced meal. be nice.
I was excited to have received two vouchers, courtesy of Lost In Lagos team and Visa Africa, the organizers and sponsors of the Restaurant Week, and for my first restaurant, I selected Samantha’s Bistro.
Samantha’s Bistro, which is named after the owner, Samantha Dumebi Agbakoba, is located within the axis of Ikoyi. They opened their door to the city of Lagos in October 2015. It has a pretty sitting capacity of 100 people, for dining and cocktail parties. It was my first time at Samantha’s Bistro, and looking through the Lunch menu, I knew it was a great offer. yes, I love bargains on food.
For my starter, I had Pate’ Bruschetta, for my main course I had Yellow Rice with Oxtail Curry and for dessert, I had Crumble and Ice Cream. All these for the sum of N7,000.00
Regular Price: Pate’ Bruschetta – N2000
Yellow Rice + Oxtail Curry – N5000
Crumble + Ice Cream – N3000
Sadly, I got carried away by the food and only remembered to take pictures of the dessert. I know. it sucks. blame it on the food. it was that good.
On the second day, I made a stop at Gurunar’s Viceroy Restaurant. This is a fine dining Indian and Continental Restaurant that launched in April 2012. It is located on the busy street of Akin Adesola, Victoria Island. They have a banquet and conference hall and have the ability to cater to an outdoor event too.
Going through the Restaurant Week Menu, I had the Kandhari Chicken, for my starter. For my main course, I had Butter Chicken with Steamed Rice, and for dessert, I had Brownie and Ice Cream. All these sumptuous meals for a whooping sum of N7000




Regular Price: Khandari Chicken – N3200
Butter Chicken – N3800
Steamed Rice – N1500
Brownie & Ice Cream – N2500
For my last spot, I went to Hardrock Café. Hardrock Café has always been an all-time favorite for me, long after they scored a beautiful spot in 2015. It’s a rock ‘n’ roll-themed chain, serving burgers and American classics.
For my starter, I had Cobb Salad. For my main course, I had Pasta Arrabiata – Chicken/Vegetarian. you already know I love pasta. And for my dessert, I had Fresh Apple Cobbler. All for the sum of N7000. My friend, on the other hand, had Santa Fe Spring Rolls for her starter, Herb Grilled Chicken with Mashed Potato as her main course. For dessert, she had Fresh Apple Cobbler.





Regular price: Santa Fe Spring Rolls – N4500
Cobb Salad – N4800
Pasta Arrabiata – N4500 + Chicken – N1500 = N6000
Herb Grilled Chicken – N6600
Fresh Apple Cobbler – N4400
I think it’s pretty obvious that I had the most fun and got the best food bargain at Hardrock Café. I mean, just look at ALL THAT discount! wow
At this juncture, I know you’re already wondering why you didn’t take advantage of the Restaurant Week and explored all the goodness that came with it. Not to worry, next year is here already, and I’m sure you won’t miss it for anything.
Now tell me… did you hear about the Restaurant Week? Did you go to any of the 37 participating restaurants? Do you think you got a good food bargain? Going from my experience, are you looking forward to the next restaurant week? Kindly share your thoughts with me in the comment section.
Interesting.
Now you leave me wondering why I missed such goodness.
Nicely eaten and written. Will be sure to come here to check for food reviews before I head to try any new restaurants. Good job.
I’m just reading this and thinking “where the hell was I?!” …and I am tempted to hate you for it. But you said the next one is almost here, yes? So I forgive you AS LONG AS I don’t miss the next one 🙂 Your pictures are lovely, as always. Keep up this great work.
Good write up and lovely pictures. The food looks very delicious and am going to definitely try out one of the restaurant. Amazing job
Lovely piece. I was aware of the Visa Restaurant week (as the foodie that I am). Sadly I couldn’t participate. But it’s really interesting to see the amazing discounts one could have gotten off these meals. I hope another Restaurant Week comes up soon
Looks so yummy!….I berra be the friend you are taking next.
Well I’m in Abuja and I don’t know if there are places here I can see.. I’m a food lover so I will want to be part of it. Very beautiful piece my dear. And thanks for taking time to even talk about the price so that one can know what to expect. I will love to try some out .
Well….I’m just seeing this article and discovering new recipes
Well….I’m just seeing this article and discovering new recipes,I’m loving and getting this Pasta Arrabiata and chicken….thanks
Amazing write up and also the pictures of these food look very inviting… would definitely want to try them out. Am super impressed by your write ups I must confess
No fair!!! This just makes me really really hungry. And I would love to try everything ?. I love the price discounts. Really amazing deals for what from your description must have been really interesting and yummy dishes. Great article. Great pictures. Great torture
Never heard of the restaurant week but with your help am looking forward to the next one.
Superb write up and pictures….??
Wow lovely reviews well detailed and awesome looking food am really looking forward to trying the meals, thanks for the information and the prices are so good and portion size just right . Good job
New discoveries on my next visit to Lagos.. Details on the Location, Menu and Ambiance of the Restaurants ; very impressive. I can’t wait to Indulge.. . *Wink Wink*
One word…Yummy!!! That desert got me thinking..nicely done!
Food. I love food. And it’s absolutely sad I missed out on this. FoodGeek, would be lovely to give us a early heads up.
Hard Rock for the win!! It is one of my fave spot!
The discounts are ridiculous!!!
I would give Samantha’s Bistro a try… *fingers crossed*
Beautiful write up, the desserts got me salivating! The Khandari chicken looks yummy.
You should have told us about these offers long before now! I am not a foodie as such but not only do I love discounts, reading the mouth watering description makes me want to turn back the hands of time.
You just made me very hungry going through this menu with you…bet why? We should have some fine dining this christmas season. The problem however, is that
I nibble on food.
Well written.. Lovely Pictures
Come and explore Abuja for us too please
The pictures make me want to break the phone and grab the food, I love the fresh apple cobler and can’t wait to try it.
Gosh food is just what the soul needs ?. Pictures got me happy for no reason, will definitely stop by after my villa trip. Well done babes
P.s
Its illegal to count calories this season lol
Gosh! For a non foodie like me, I enjoyed reading through and viewing each of the pictures shared. I almost felt like I was present at every location you visited. Thank you. I can’t wait to visit one of this locations with you soon.
whatttt?! I have to convert you to a foodie asap! I’m glad you enjoyed reading it.
All the food looks really yummy. Perfect illustrations, good job !
Thanks!!!!
Hmm…. No, I knew nothing about it. Great information and I look forward to the next edition. Beautiful write up! Well done!
Thank you so much!
Lovely. Invite on your next visit. Would love to explore too.
hahaha okay, I will.
Didn’t hear about the restaurant week and wondering how and why I didn’t Know. I am definitely looking forward to the next restaurant week and I will make sure to check your review .
Oh, you didn’t? I think a lot of people didn’t hear about it. Will inform you on the next one and we might just explore together!
Wooow fantastic reviews….you make me experience restaurants in special way. Thank you
Thank you for your kind words.
Alot of Information..Thanks for this..The butter chicken sauce looked like stew?? The meal was quite cheap..Kudos!
hahaha! It sure looks like Nigerian tomato stew. Yes, the meals were quite discounted.
Love me some hard rock although we always go for the ribs and then a decadent dessert. everything looked great. yum yum
This serving are so beautiful. Nice to sight