New Jersey Restaurant Week Kicks Off Sunday [AUDIO]

If there's a restaurant that you've had your eye on, but you haven't gone to eat for one reason or another, next week may be the perfect time to give it a try.

New Jersey Restaurant Week kicks off on Sunday, and will run through September 22.

"This is about giving back to our patrons," said Jack Koumbis, Chairman of the New Jersey Restaurant Association. "We are celebrating our 70th anniversary and to show New Jerseyans our appreciation of their continued support, restaurants are actually giving back to the customers and the communities that we serve by reducing prices and offering pre-fixed menus at a special rate. We've also added exciting give-a-ways and special deals throughout the week."

Besides giving back to customers, establishments also will be "paying it forward" by supporting Share Our Strength's Dine Out For No Kid Hungry, which provides meals for children in need nationwide. "Our lives revolve around our meals and to not have food and to go to bed hungry is really sad," said Koumbis. "Chefs and restauranteurs are the cornerstones of our communities and we will be giving back this week to those kids who need our help."

Restaurants with liquor licenses are encouraged to serve the official cocktail of New Jersey Restaurant Week, The Shawshank. It was created by Michael Deeg, a bartender at Salt Creek Grille in Princeton, New Jersey. The Shawshank was the winning drink at the 2nd annual Mixologist of the Year contest sponsored by Redemption Rye.

For a list of participating restaurants, visit www.dineoutnj.com