RESTAURANT ROUNDUP:

Does Newport Beach’s Restaurant Week have some competition?

While Newport restaurateurs fire up their grills for their annual event next week, organizers of the Orange County Restaurant Week are getting ready for their inaugural showcase in February.

But it’s not really competition. In fact, the more the merrier as anything that pumps up the area’s restaurants is a good thing, said Petty Fort, who is handling publicity for Newport Beach’s Restaurant Week.

Besides, Newport Beach’s event focuses on a tighter niche and has a bit different mission, Fort said.

One thing they have in common is diners will get a chance to sample a wide variety of fine cuisine at very affordable prices all over the county this month and next.

So everyone comes out a winner.

“Newport Beach is so lucky that we have so many great restaurants and that we’re known for that,” Fort said. “If there’s a countywide event going on in some respects that’s a good opportunity for other restaurants to be involved in that.”

The Orange County Restaurant Assn. plans to have another event in the fall to make it a twice-yearly attraction like Newport Beach’s.

For more information go to orangecountyrestaurantweek.com or the ocrestaurantassociation.org.

Don’t forget to make your reservations, by the way, for Newport Beach’s Restaurant Week, Sunday to Jan. 22.

“If they have a large party we like to encourage the reservations,” Fort said, adding diners shouldn’t be worried about just dropping in, too.

There’s plenty of room for everybody.

Most of the restaurants have their menus at newportbeachdining.com. You can make reservations there as well.

— Paul Anderson