Running from Sunday, September 26 until Sunday, October 2, the Local Restaurant Week 2011 is back for the fall. Restaurant Week is a great opportunity for broke college students. Specific menus, most at $21.11 for a dinner or lunch for two, feature eats on the cheap.

“You get the chance to try normally expensive restaurants at an affordable price,” commented Rachel Bradley, class of ‘11. “Every meal is about 22 dollars, and with many you get an appetizer, entrée and a glass of wine, which normally would be much more expensive.”

On top of the savings at the restaurant, there is an easy way to save money on transportation. If you have not picked up your NAFTA pass, you should do so today. The NAFTA pass is not only free for Canisius students but also a way to help you save money, even if you are not a commuter. Two subway stations are conveniently located on either end of campus, one being right across the street from Koessler Athletic Center and the other at the intersection of Humboldt Parkway and Main Street. You can pick up your pass in Old Main 201 and enjoy your free travels around the Queen City.

That piece of plastic given to you at the beginning of each year should be put to good use. With many fall events already underway, using your NAFTA pass can save you money and eliminate the hassle of parking.

Restaurant Week involves over 150 participating restaurants located all over Western New York. The delicious food made mouths water for the previous two years. Now on year three, about one third of the restaurants are right around the corner from your dorm or apartment.

“The selection of restaurants is very eclectic,” Bradley said. “They have everything that you might want, Italian, Chinese, Thai, sushi, anything.”

Some restaurants on the Restaurant Week roster are returning veterans. The popular J.P. Bullfeathers is back again, featuring specials on their All-American foods. Their cozy and comfortable atmosphere allows one to enjoy a relaxing night out on the strip. Bradley personally recommends Papaya or the Snooty Fox for some great cuisine.

“My favorite restaurant was Trattoria Aroma,” commented Michael Belfatto, Class of ‘12. “It was absolutely delicious. The menu was cool and the food was amazing.” Trattoria Aroma, located on Bryant Street, serves contemporary Italian food. It is considered one of Buffalo’s premier dining establishments and also won the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence three times in a row.

A few other restaurants won awards for different food events around the Buffalo/WNY area. One of them is Laughlin’s, which, according to its website, is “a premier restaurant located in the heart of Buffalo’s Theatre District [and] prides itself on serving the area’s best-known specialties such as hand-carved roast beef, tenderloin sandwiches, and pierogies.” Laughlin’s recently won the Chairman’s Choice award in the 2011 Taste of Buffalo for their hot wings.

Restaurant Week happens all over the nation, but according to the local Restaurant Week website, Western New York is the most successful region participating in this event. The area’s numerous independently-owned restaurants are part of what makes the WNY culture unique, and each dollar spent helps both the restaurant and the area develop. “Our Food, Our Culture” is the slogan for this year’s event.

Check out the website to find out which restaurants are participating and for the specific deals offered by each restaurant. For college students, it is a great way to experience some fantastic food at an affordable price.

By Lisa Stachura
Life and Arts Writer