New Orleans restaurants are betting on a month of discounted prix-fixe meals to pull diners through the city’s notoriously slow, sweltering stretch of summer. COOLinary returned Saturday, giving locals and visitors a reason to trade the air conditioner for a table.
More than 100 restaurants are participating in this year’s promotion, with two-course lunches priced at $28 or less and some three-course dinners and brunches available for $58 or less, according to WDSU. The offers run through August 31 and are intended to boost sales during a traditionally difficult period for local eateries.
More Than 120 Restaurants Are On The COOLinary List
The official COOLinary directory from New Orleans & Company lists more than 120 participating restaurants, ranging from neighborhood spots to some of the city’s better-known dining rooms. Menus are built around special multi-course offerings, giving diners a chance to sample restaurants that might otherwise stretch the budget.
The promotion is also designed to spread business beyond the usual peak dining seasons. WDSU reported that local restaurants are looking for a much-needed lift as summer foot traffic and tourism typically soften, while operators continue to deal with rising costs and other pressures.
COOLinary Adds A Cocktail Deal For Bars And Restaurants
COOLinary is not limited to dinner plates this year. Participating bars and restaurants can offer either two drinks and two bites for $35 or less, or a custom cocktail menu, according to the COOLinary cocktail guide.
That gives the promotion a broader after-work and happy-hour angle, especially for diners who want a smaller commitment than a full prix-fixe meal. It also gives bars another way to participate during a season when the city’s hospitality businesses are competing for attention, reservations and disposable income.
The summer slowdown is a familiar problem for New Orleans restaurants, but recent reporting suggests the pressure has become harder to shrug off. WDSU’s summer report noted that restaurants often see less business and foot traffic during the warmer months, while Axios New Orleans reported that local operators are feeling the squeeze as residents have less room to prop up restaurants with frequent visits.
For diners, the practical move is to check the current menu before making a reservation, since participating restaurants set their own offerings, dates and availability. For the businesses involved, COOLinary is less about a cheap meal than a coordinated attempt to keep tables filled — and kitchens, dining rooms and bar staffs working — until the city’s busier season returns.
