The OC Restaurant Association announced its second Orange County Restaurant Week to be held September 13-19, 2009.

More than 100 restaurants across Orange County’s vast dining landscape are confirmed to participate in Orange County’s most anticipated culinary event. The second event of its kind this year, Orange County Restaurant Week participants will offer special three-course menus that will showcase some of the region’s most talented chefs who will personalize each menu to reflect their culinary style and highlight locally grown, seasonal ingredients.

The prix-fixe menus will be priced at $10, $15 and $20 per person for lunch, and $20, $30 or $40 per person for dinner, exclusive of beverages, tax and gratuity. In addition, for the week-long event, the Orange County Performing Arts Center will be offering food aficionados a 15% discount on select performances of the hit musical  “Legally Blonde.”

“The inaugural Orange County Restaurant Week held earlier this year exceeded all expectations.  It reinforced Orange County as a premier dining destination and allowed our many community members an opportunity to enjoy special prix-fixe menus from a wide variety of participating restaurants,” commented Pamela Waitt, president of the Orange County Restaurant Association, which produces Orange County Restaurant Week, the county’s largest culinary event. “Our partnership with the Orange County Performing Arts Center adds an element that allows diners to discover spectacular restaurant offerings and a critically acclaimed Broadway blockbuster at a discounted price.”

Modeled after similar events in Southern California, such as San Diego Restaurant Week and dineLA, Orange County Restaurant Week is a countywide event designed to promote the region’s diverse offerings. The official Orange County Restaurant Week website, www.OrangeCountyRestaurantWeek.com, lists participating restaurants offering prix-fixe lunch menus for $10, $15 and $20, and dinners for $20, $30 or $40, exclusive of beverages, tax and gratuity. Reservations may be made online at www.OrangeCountyRestaurantWeek.com or by calling participating restaurants directly. For added convenience, the Orange County Restaurant Week restaurant website is searchable by cuisine, location and price point.

“Orange County’s restaurant scene is evolving and increasing in sophistication,” continued Waitt. “One can enjoy world-class food, cozy comfortable bistros, beachfront dining and many other culinary treasures.  I hope Orange County Restaurant Week patrons will take full advantage of the opportunity to explore Orange County’s diverse offerings and get to know the dynamic dining scene in the county.”

For the most up-to-date list of participating restaurants be sure to check the Orange County Restaurant Week official website (www.OrangeCountyRestaurantWeek.com).

The Orange County Restaurant Association produces Orange County Restaurant Week biannually, with an annual Happy Hour Week and a Kid’s Restaurant Week (to launch in 2010).  The September 2009 Orange County Restaurant Week is presented by Orange Coast Magazine, Cox Media and KJazz 88.1 FM.  Other event sponsors include Moxxe PR, OC Life Magazine, 944 Magazine, OpenTable, Yelp, OCStandard, Greer’s OC, Chef Jamie Gwen, Orange County Performing Arts Center, Bacardi and Grey Goose.

For general information, or to learn about participation or sponsorship opportunities during Orange County Restaurant Week, please visit www.OrangeCountyRestaurantWeek.com. To learn about or join the Orange County Restaurant Association, visit www.OCRestaurantAssociation.org.