Londonlicious dishes out fine food for fine price

January and February are notorious for slow business in the restaurant industry. Londoner and organizer of Londonlicious, Andy Wilson, noticed the trend and borrowed an idea from Torontonians.

“Londonlicious is just a fun way to go out and try a restaurant you never have or places you haven't been in a long time,” Wilson said.

Restaurants around town will be serving three-course meals for costs ranging up to $35. The festival runs until February 3.

Wilson found that diners get stuck in a rut.

“They decide that A, B, C restaurant was really good food and good service,” he said. “So if I'm going out and spending $100-plus to take my wife or girlfriend out, well I don't want to take a risk of going somewhere new.”

Wilson took the risk out.

“All the places that are in there are fantastic restaurants, so I don't believe anyone will have a bad experience wherever they go.”

Wilson says Londonlicious saves restaurants from cutting hours back for servers because they're busy once again.

“It's just not the industry of restaurants that benefits from this — this really helps London out,” he said. “People go out and they'll get new clothes, get their nails done.”

“Restaurants are busy, people are happy, the economy gets a boost … with people spending money, it helps our economy out.”

An event like Londonlicious hits a high note with students too.

“I remember when I was a student and I didn't have money to go out to these nice places,” Wilson said. “But with Londonlicious coming along, yeah I can afford the $25 three-course meal.”

Sheldon Fickling, a Police Foundations student, says it's pretty cool and timely for Valentine's Day.

“More couples would want to go out more if it's cheaper,” he said. “It'd be a nice cheap date night.”

Wilson agrees and says going to a restaurant involved in Londonlicious instead of the bar is a good change.

“Sometimes you just get sick of Kraft Dinner all the time and you want something delicious,” he said. “We've got tons of different food from all over the world … So for a student to go out on a weekend instead of going to a bar, take their significant other out to a nice dinner or a show at the Grand Theatre, it's a great date night. It doesn't cost as much as it should.”

With 37 restaurants on roll call, Wilson suggests looking at a number of menus while deciding where to go.

“People on average look at six different menus before deciding,” he said. “It's actual foodies who want to go out and want to try new and exciting dining experiences. I would jump on there and then see what tickles your fancy … Try and get out to a few restaurants.”

Londonlicous is now in its ninth year.

Visit londonlicious.ca and make a reservation before the festival ends. But don't fret — look forward to enjoying the festival again in the summer.