The first weekend of Bermuda’s inaugural Restaurant Week has been hailed a success by local restaurateurs.Led by the Department of Tourism, in conjunction with 31 restaurants around the Island, the event kicked off last week and will run through February 6. The deal offers discounted three-course, price-fix dinners in hopes of reeling in some business during traditionally slow months of the year.“The first week went well although the bulk of the business was inevitably on Friday and Saturday nights and not earlier in the week,” said Teresa Chatfield, co-chair of the Chamber of Commerce’s Restaurant Division and director of MEF Limited, which operates around 20 different outlets in Bermuda. “Some places, like The Point at Tucker’s Point, saw a real surge in bookings and Fourways also had a significant number of bookings. Across the group guests took advantage of it people want to eat out, they just don’t want to spend as much as they might have done in the past.”Other restaurants saw much of the same: customers coming through their doors.At the Pickled Onion, managers have fielded “numerous” calls about the menu and have had positive feedback about the food and price.“All in all, it seems to be a very positive promo so far,” they said.Burnaby Street eatery, Barracuda Grill, is also happy with the how things went during the first week.“Guests are definitely coming in specifically for the Restaurant Week promotion,” said a manager at Barracuda Grill. “Sales are up from last year and I have heard nothing but positive feedback on the quality of the dishes.”Philip Barnett, also a co-chair of the Chamber’s Restaurant Division and CEO of the Island Restaurant Group, which includes the Pickled Onion and Barracuda Grill, is giving the Department of Tourism “two thumbs up” for the initiative.“I think Tourism should be applauded for this initiative, and hopefully it will grow over the years to make this usually horrible time of the year (tourism wise) a little more not so horrible,” he said. “Focusing on opportunities for growth is a key initiative. As Tourism have been able to get pretty wide spread participation from industry, it shows that working together, and including stakeholders in the decision-making process will win the day.”Ms Chatfield agreed: “It is an excellent initiative from the Department of Tourism, helped by www.bermuda.com displaying the information and www.table.bm showcasing the three dining levels and participating restaurants.”