Ready, Set, Mangia

It's freezing out, and with the cold comes a blustery wind in New York. But don't fear, in less than two weeks, there will be several delicious options to warm you right up.
Monday, Jan. 25 ushers in New York City's Restaurant Week with more than 260 of the city's culinary meccas joining in on the fun. Also, for the very first time, this edition of restaurant week will usher in the debut of the NYC Restaurant Week Truck, complete with an "extensive menu of soups from 20 of the tastiest Winter Restaurant Week participants." The truck will be dishing out soup on weekdays from Jan. 25 to Feb. 5, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Check here for updates on the truck's ever-changing locale or follow @nycgo on Twitter.
Now, back inside to cozier milieus and more culinary delights. Here are the rules. For a list of participating restaurants, try here and click view all at the top of the list under "make reservations below." Remember Saturdays are not included, and Sundays are optional for the participating eateries. Also, some restaurants only offer restaurant week deals for lunch while others only offer them for dinner. A cursory look shows the majority offer the deals -- three-course, prix-fixe meals for $24.07 and $35, for lunch and dinner respectively -- for both.
Also, perhaps the most important rule of all: book a reservation immediately. I already have overheard one of my colleagues have to put his name on a wait list for an eatery during the dining extravaganza.
And finally, why is restaurant week two weeks (Jan. 25 through Feb. 5)? It seems its success since its inception in 1992 (and the great deals to be had at some of the city's premiere eateries) has only further whetted the appetites of New Yorkers and tourists to the Big Apple alike.
One more thing: Restaurant Week for dining destinations may become Restaurant month. On nycgo.com, it says:

"Some of your favorite restaurants will be extending their NYC Restaurant Week Winter 2010 menu through February 28. Keep checking back for updates."

So, if a reservation doesn't work out, do check back.

By Krista K. Schmidt
Contributor to New York Insider