DENVER (KDVR) — Good news for restaurant goers and perhaps better news for people who make their living in the restaurant industry, Restaurant Week 2021 is on the front burner and starts today. It does, however, come with a side order of restrictions.

The long-awaited announcement even made Denver Mayor Michael Hancock a little anxious.

“I am a little out of practice giving speeches, y’all stand with me,” said Hancock.

It was good news for the restaurant business.

“Denver and Coloradans are ready to come out and be a part of restaurant week, aren’t we?” said Hancock.

Sophia Vidal is the general manager of Los Chingones in Denver, one of more than 200 restaurants participating.

“Oh, (it’s) definitely important. Brings in so many new people and it’s awesome for the business,” she said.

Denver restaurants are now open at 100% seating capacity, but they still have to obey the six feet social distancing rules.

“There is no way to do it, unfortunately, so we are really relying on good weather so we can seat the patio,” said Vidal.

On Wilcox Street in Castle Rock there are also the sounds of progress. Construction on a new roundabout just outside of Union restaurant.

On the inside of Union restaurant, you will hear other sounds that are very welcome to owner Kim Heideman.

“Getting our guests back, getting our staff working full-time, yeah, feeling like a real restaurant again,” she said.

Heideman says she is grateful for the easing of restrictions in Douglas County, and, very grateful her restaurant is not in Denver.

“We are very lucky to be in Douglas County,” she said.

And, perhaps, so are her customers.

Participating restaurants will create a multi-course dinner based on one of the three available price points at either $25, $35 or $45.