If you’re a New Yorker or like to visit The Big Apple from time to time, July 12 to 25th would be a terrific time to hit The City.

NYC & Company, New York City’s marketing, tourism and partnership organization, has announced NYC Restaurant Week Summer 2010 will feature more than 275 participating restaurants, sustaining the dining program’s record of steady growth and making this season’s event the City’s largest dining program to date since it began in 1992.

The two-week event will run from July 12 to July 25, 2010, and feature the return of the NYC Restaurant Week Truck, which is partnering with nonprofit organization Hot Bread Kitchen. In addition, this year’s program introduces a new brand ambassador, Darcel, an adventurous eyeball who blogs about his travel and dining excursions.

Prices remain $24.07 for three-course prix-fixe lunches and $35 for three-course prix-fixe dinners. (Saturdays excluded; Sundays optional. Beverages, gratuities and taxes are not included.)

“We are proud to carry on NYC’s summer tradition of dining in the City—and even prouder to announce that our program is bigger than ever,” said NYC & Company CEO George Fertitta. “Both food enthusiasts and local eateries benefit from this promotion, which draws attention to the importance of the restaurant industry. We encourage residents and visitors to venture to new culinary establishments and support fine dining at a great price.”

New participating restaurants this season include Adour Alain Ducasse, Le Caprice, Maialino, Yerba Buena and Wall & Water in the recently opened Andaz Wall Street; returning notables include Nobu, Blue Water Grill, The River Café, Blue Smoke, and The Central Park Boathouse.

Also returning to the program are exclusive benefits for American Express® Cardmembers. Cardmembers who dine out three or more times at any participating restaurants during NYC Restaurant Week, July 12–25, 2010, can get a $15 statement credit when they register and use any eligible American Express Card. To register an American Express Card, visit nycgo.com/restaurantweek .

NYC Restaurant Week Summer 2010 is produced by NYC & Company and supported by Founding Sponsor American Express and Participating Sponsor JetBlue Airways.

Restaurant Week Sweepstakes

For the third time, in partnership with NYC & Company, New York’s hometown airline JetBlue Airways will offer a special NYC Restaurant Week promotion, JetBlue Loves NYC Sweepstakes. Consumers can enter for a chance to win an NYC weekend for two: two round-trip flights on JetBlue, two nights in a luxury hotel, a unique dining experience for two, two tickets to a Broadway show, a $500 American Express Gift Card, a “Departure Dinner” for two at one of the five award-winning restaurants in JetBlue’s Terminal 5 at JFK and 10,000 TrueBlue points—enough for a round-trip Award Flight.

To view the complete set of rules and enter to win the JetBlue Loves NYC Sweepstakes, visit nycgo.com/restaurantweek.