EDL 2011 300by250 By Lenn Thompson, Executive Editor

The NYCR team doesn't necessarily need a special occasion or invitation to eat or drink local, but Eat Drink Local Week starts today — and we're absolutely behind it and hope it encourages more New Yorkers to check out their local bounty.

Organized by Edible Manhattan, Edible Brooklyn and Edible East End, this is a great week-long festival with some great participating restaurants offering Eat Drink Local prix fixe menus.

The event will also celebrate seven special ingredients and include the Eat Local Challenge 

Get out there and bask in the glory of your local food and drinks. The festival runs from June 24-30.

Let us know what you're doing to celebrate.