The third annual Taste of Carbon County Restaurant Week kicked off Monday night with some new faces.

"It's so great to have this in our area," said Bonnie and Clyde Pub and Grill bar manager Julie Rambo.Just finishing out its freshman year on First Street in Lehighton, the grill best known for its burgers decided to join the week to help get its name out to the public."We are offering half-price appetizers with any sandwich or entree," Rambo said."To me, Restaurant Week always kicks off the spring. It's nice to go out and get something to eat, something to drink. What better excuse than Restaurant Week," she said.Along with its week of specials, the new restaurant offers entertainment thoughout the week, finishing with live acoustic music Saturday nights.Bar Manager Stacey Kuklentz, of Palmerton's One Ten Tavern, said the new owners of the restaurant are trying to draw a crowd to the revamped business."They bought it in August, and we just got a new chef a month ago," she said.The promotion at the Delaware Avenue location will change daily with half-price appetizers tonight."The Pork Wonton Nachos are our specialty," she said."It's a great idea and great for the local businesses," she said of the event.Owner and chef Margaret White, of Stone Row Eatery on Race Street in Jim Thorpe agreed. "It's a great opportunity to introduce more of our community and neighbors to our food," White said.According to White, the more businesses that participate, the better it is for the local commerce."It gives our customers options and more reasons to visit downtown, which provides an opportunity to create repeat customers, which benefits everyone."White took her time composing the menu of customer favorites and requests. The new participant will offer a unique three-course menu for $16."The soups have a following. Folks ask for the carrot ginger all the time. Plus the desserts are just beautiful. Who doesn't like chocolate?" she said."It's some of our best foods which we'd like to share."Third time participant Blue Mountain Slope Side Bar and Grill, is offering lunch and dinner specials. A preset $20 dinner meal ends with homemade Grilled Lemon Pound Cake with Strawberry Mango Sangria Sorbet.Boulder View Tavern in Lake Harmony is offering a similar experience lakeside for $22 per person.Restaurant week runs through Sunday. A full list of participating restaurants can be found by visiting

www.discovercarbonpa.com.