RESTAURANT ROUNDUP:

Organizers of the third annual Newport Beach Restaurant Week are offering an appetizer of sorts next week.

Restaurant Week, which is Jan. 18 to 22, will unofficially start with a launch party at 5:30 p.m. at the Back Bay Bistro, 1131 Back Bay Drive, Newport Beach. Tickets cost $50 and profits will benefit the 1st Battalion, 1st Marines of Camp Pendleton.

Before dinner is served there will be a news conference for the ink-stained wretches, so you can say hello to your friendly neighborhood reporters as well.

Local restaurateurs and organizers are under no delusions about the acid indigestion the economy’s giving the country, but they’re optimistic the annual event will liven up the typically slow January season, said Peggy Fort, who is handling publicity for Restaurant Week.

“There’s a lot of excitement from the restaurateurs gearing up to the launch,” Fort said. “And the community is excited, too. It’ll be interesting to see how it all comes together this year.”

The week is gaining steam as it started with 50 participating restaurants and now has 60 involved, Fort said. The second Restaurant Week drew about 190,000 diners and “it’s proven to be among the busiest weeks of the year” for the Newport restaurants, Fort said.

In fact, it’s so busy that reservations are encouraged. And organizers are planning a fall Restaurant Week Oct. 5 through Oct. 11. For that one, organizers hope to bring in more ancillary businesses like Fashion Island and hotels for “cross-promotional activities,” Fort said.

For diners, the event offers a chance to enjoy fine cuisine, sometimes at a 25% to 65% discount, Fort said.

To get more information or make reservations, check out newportbeachdining.com.

— Paul Anderson