The week of January 17-22 will once again showcase more than 50 of Columbus' finest restaurants as they offer diners the chance to experience the best of the city's restaurant scene at big savings.

The fourth installment of the highly-popular Restaurant Week Columbus is back, with three-course, fixed-price menus ranging from $15-$35 per diner. Originating in July 2009 with 28 restaurants and 20,000 diners, the twice-yearly event has grown to include over 50 of the city’s best restaurants, catering to more than 56,000 diners during the week and generating nearly $1.5 million in sales for participating restaurants.

“When dining, 90% (of the sale) goes back to the immediate economy,” said Kent Peters of Black Creek Bistro. “Eating locally keeps it in Columbus and supporting your own community. Restaurant Week Columbus is all about Columbus and the local businesses. It’s just the right thing to support such an event.”

Aside from stimulating the local economy, the event also helps the community. At the end of January's RWC, a $5,000 donation will be made to the Mid-Ohio Foodbank on behalf of the diners, sponsors and participating restaurants. The event will have donated over $20,000 to date.

“We are just thrilled to again be affiliated with Restaurant Week Columbus,” said Colin Baumgartner, communication and marketing director for the Mid-Ohio Foodbank. “Because every $1 donated enables Mid-Ohio Foodbank to distribute $8 worth of groceries, Restaurant Week Columbus will have provided more than $160,000 worth of food at the conclusion of January’s event.”

A Restaurant Week Sneak Peek event will also be held on Thursday, January 13th from 6-8 p.m. at the new Buckeye Hall of Fame Grill in which a portion of the proceeds will also benefit the Foodbank. The event will feature a first look at RWC menus and tastings of Trinchero wines, Columbus Brewing Company beers and Maker’s Mark cocktails.

Diners are encouraged to help support the Foodbank as well as the local restaurant industry by dining at the following restaurants January 17-22, 2011: Aab India Restaurant, Basil, Bel-Lago Waterfront Bistro, Black Creek Bistro, Bon Vie, Buckeye Hall of Fame Grill, Cabo Cocina, Cameron's American Bistro, Cimi's Bistro, Columbus Brewing Company, Columbus Fish Market, Figlio, Flatiron Bar & Diner, G. Michael's Bistro, Giorgio Italian Restaurant, Haiku, Hyde Park, J. Gilbert's Wood-Fired Steaks & Seafood, Kogen's Asian Cuisine & Sushi, La Fogata, Latitude 41, Lemongrass Fusion Bistro, Level Dining Lounge, Lindey's, Luce Enoteca, M, Martini Modern Italian, Matt the Miller's Tavern, Mezzo Italian Kitchen and Wine, Michael O'Toole's, Mitchell's Steakhouse, Moretti's of Arlington, Oscars Restaurant & Bar, Polaris Grill, Refectory, Rigsby's Kitchen, Ruth's Chris Steak House, Sage American Bistro, Smith & Wollensky, Spagio, The Clarmont, The Melting Pot, The Olde Mohawk, The Top Steak House, Trattoria Roma, Tucci's, Vino Vino Restaurant & Winebar, Vittoria Ristorante, Vonn Jazz and Worthington Inn.

“Restaurant Week is a chance for many of us to experience all the independent restaurants we love and some that we've been meaning to try,” said Diesha Condon, Senior Director of the Short North Business Association, “and because it's a focused week on supporting the local restaurants and the Mid-Ohio Foodbank, we can all feel good about eating out.”

This January, Restaurant Week Columbus is challenging diners to step away from their microwaves and eat out to support the local restaurant industry, Mid-OH Foodbank and the community.

Reservations are highly recommended, as restaurants will quickly book up. A full listing of the participating restaurants and their menus can be found at Eat614.com. The website also features several giveaways that will excite local foodies, ranging from free RWC dinners, Jeni's Ice Creams and Whole Foods Market® gift certificates.