We Live to Eat: Louisiana Seafood Restaurant Week Returns in September

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Erica R. Papillion
Director of Communications
Louisiana Restaurant Association
2700 N. Arnoult Road
Metairie, LA 70002
(504) 454-2277, ext. 569
(504) 454-2299 Fax
www.LRA.org

This premier event is promoted through the We Live to Eat (WLTE) campaign of the Louisiana Restaurant Association's Greater New Orleans Chapter

METAIRIE, La.-The Louisiana Restaurant Association's (LRA) Greater New Orleans Chapter is excited to announce that We Live to Eat: Louisiana Seafood Restaurant Week will be held September 10-16, 2012.

During this weeklong celebration of New Orleans cuisine, participating restaurants in the New Orleans metro area will offer special prix fixe menus, giving diners the opportunity to try items at 25 percent value off the regular price. Restaurants will offer a two-course lunch for $20 and a three-course dinner for $35. Participating restaurants range from fine dining establishments to neighborhood favorites. Once again, Louisiana Seafood is the title sponsor of Restaurant Week, and their participation will ensure that each restaurant includes at least one Louisiana seafood option.

Last year's inaugural restaurant week was a huge success, with 38 participating LRA member restaurants. The promotion helped drive traffic to member restaurants during a typically slow period to enhance sales, while offering locals and tourists alike a special value at the tastiest spots in town. A post-event survey of participating restaurants revealed that 85.7 percent of respondents saw an increase in sales during 2011's Restaurant Week, over the same period in 2010.

"Last year's We Live to Eat: Louisiana Seafood Restaurant Week exceeded our expectations," said Octavio Mantilla, Co-Owner of Besh Restaurant Group and Restaurant Week Chair. "But there is always room for improvement. We see 2012 as the year to really put our restaurant week on the map and continue to cultivate an event that locals can look forward to and people will travel to New Orleans for-a special week when both groups of diners flock to restaurants daily to sample the delicious food we are known for, at a great value."

All companies interested in sponsoring We Live to Eat: Louisiana Seafood Restaurant Week and those restaurants that are interested in participating can contact LRA Greater New Orleans Chapter Regional Director Sarah Peltier, sarahp@lra.org, (504) 454-2277, ext. 564.

In the coming weeks, check www.WeLiveToEatNOLA.com for participating restaurants, to check out menus and make reservations. Like WeLiveToEat on Facebook; follow @WeLiveToEat on Twitter.

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The We Live to Eat campaign was designed to raise awareness of New Orleans' unique culinary industry, which is at the heart of the city's identity. In New Orleans, we don't eat to live-we live to eat. Cuisine is a part of who we are. This movement's theme is therefore centered on supporting local restaurants and exploring the art and enjoyment of our dining scene, so central to life and culture in New Orleans.

The Louisiana Restaurant Association is one of the largest business organizations in the state, representing restaurant operations and related businesses. The restaurant industry in Louisiana is one the state's largest private employer, providing jobs to 189,500 residents. Restaurants in Louisiana are expected to generate sales of $6.5 billion in 2012. Get up-to-date news about the LRA and the restaurant industry from lrablogs.blogspot.com.