Restaurant Week begins Nov. 23 and runs through Nov. 29.

David Zunker, president of the Convention and Tourism Bureau, said a three-course meal at participating restaurants costs $18.19, the date Saratoga Springs was “officially” established by the county.

Zunker said the week after Thanksgiving is normally a slow time for restaurants, so Restaurant Week was born.

“It is also a thank you to the locals who frequent the restaurants year round,” he said.

Some restaurants have participated each year, while others this will be the first. The 26 restaurants taking part this year have handed out fliers reminding people leading up to the week so they can come out to enjoy a meal at a restaurant they might not otherwise go.

Zunker said it is a good opportunity to go out and get some great meals. Menus of the specials can be printed off the Internet from the bureau’s Web site, www.discoversaratoga.com.

“There is a good variety of restaurants to choose from,” he said.

There is going to be a drawing for $500 in restaurant certificates for taking a survey about Restaurant Week.

Bob Lee, owner of The Wishing Well, said the surveys give owners a honest, first-hand account from the customers of what specials work. He said they’ve been apart since the inception and numbers get better each year.

“It’s an opportunity for restaurants to put their best foot forward,” Lee said. “And a great way to jump start the holiday season.”

Another plus is, that it brings in new faces, Lee said. A few regulars have come out of Restaurant Week. He said they give customers a choice of three appetizers, four entrees and two desserts.

“We have options that appeal to all customers,” he said.

Lee thinks the bureau does a great job putting the event together and promoting it.

“It is definitely worth it,” he said.

Gerri Thompson, manager at Longfellows Restaurant, said restaurant week has been good each year.

“We’ve done it each year and get a great response,” Thompson said.

She said the restaurant gets a chance to see some new guests and often times they’ll come back

if they are new to Longfellows.

Two of the dinner specials at Longfellows are an English cut of Prime Rib and stuffed Mahi Mahi. Thompson said the chef participates in the decision process for the specials, which tend to be their favorites to cook and ones that will attract customers.

Thompson said the guests get a great meal at a great price.

“I think Restaurant Week is a great program and is a win-win for everybody,” she said.

The third annual Saratoga Restaurant Week begins Nov. 23 to Nov. 29. Guests at the participating restaurants pay $18.19 for a three-course meal. The restaurants are listed below:

• Brindisi’s Restaurant & Bar, 390 Broadway – 587-6262

• Cantina, 430 Broadway – 587-5577

• Circus Café, 392 Broadway – 583-1106

• Doc’s Steakhouse, 63 Putnam St. – 581-7011

• Forno Bistro, 541 Broadway – 581-2401

• Fortunes Restaurant at Saratoga Gaming and Raceway – 584-2110

• Gaffney’s Restaurant, 16 Caroline St. – 587-7359

• Good Times Lakeview Restaurant, 175 Lake Road Ballston Lake – 399-9976

• Great Bay Clam Company, 2149 Doubleday Ave. Ballston Spa – 885-0583

• Grey Gelding, 423 Broadway – 584-0957

• Hattie’s Restaurant, 45 Phila St. – 584-4790

• Lake Ridge Restaurant, 35 Burlington Ave. Round Lake – 899-6000

• Lillian’s Restaurant, 408 Broadway – 5877-7766

• Longfellows Restaurant, 500 Union Ave. – 587-0108

• Maestro’s, 371 Broadway – 580-0312

• Mouzon House, 1 York St. – 226-0014

• Olde Bryan Inn, 123 Maple Ave. – 587-2990

• One Caroline Street Bistro, 1 Caroline St. – 587-2026

• Primo’s Restaurant at The Inn at Saratoga – 583-1890

• Sperry’s, 30 ½ Caroline St. – 584-9618

• Springwater Bistro, 139 Ave. – 584-6440

• Sushi Thai Garden, 44-46 Phila St. – 580-0900

• Tiznow Restaurant, 84 Henry St. – 226-0655

• Uno Chicago Grill, 3008 Route 50 – 587-4270

• Wheatfields Restaurant & Bar, 440 Broadway – 587-05

• The Wishing Well, 745 Route 9 Gansevoort – 584-7640