New Restaurant Weeks event debuts Nov. 3

Zoom in: The organization is funded by gift certificate sales and has over 30 members.

• It includes several local staples we've featured before, like Schmidt's and the Refectory.

Between the lines: Independent restaurants are struggling nationwide as they face rising food, rent and labor costs and falling demand post-pandemic.

😋 Dig in: Three-course Restaurant Weeks menus from the 17 participating restaurants are now available.

• We're eyeing the fall flavors, including the apple cider pork shoulder at Two Rivers, butternut squash bisque at Alqueria and pumpkin risotto at Wolf's Ridge.