Fresno Italian restaurant Ovidio is a family affair, run by the Paolilli family since 1979. It is participating in the Fresno Chamber of Commerce Fresno Restaurant Week Photo via Ovidio's Facebook page

September has become the month for restaurants as the California Restaurant Association is starting an event beginning Friday to get people out to their favorite eateries.

The first annual Dine Out Fresno County will focus on online gift card sales. Throughout the 10-day event, gift cards for participating restaurants will be sold at dineoutfresnocounty.com at a 20% discount. From Sept. 10-19, gift cards can be purchased. The cards will be available by Sept. 27 through email, pickup or mail delivery.

Restaurants will receive their total gift card sales, along with the discounted 20%, according to a press release from the California Restaurant Association.

Sponsors making Dine Out Fresno County possible this year include Valley Wide Beverage, ADVine, JD Food and more. There is no limit on the amount of gift cards that can be purchased.

As of Aug. 31, participating restaurants include:

—13 Prime Steak
—Papi’s Mex Grill
—Sal’s Mexican Restaurant
—Trelio
—BJ’s Kountry Kitchen
—Que Pasa Mexican Grill
—Schoolhouse Restaurant & Tavern
—Bulldog Korean Fusion
—Rocket Dog
—Sequoia Brewing Co.
—Namikaze
—RushHour
—The Lincoln Pub & Grub

Immediately following the gift card sale, The Fresno Chamber of Commerce is launching its own Fresno Restaurant Week Sept. 20-29. Participating restaurants will offer a prix-fixe or specialty menu item. The events are not related. Participating restaurants for restaurant week include:

—Elbow Room
—Vino Grille & Spirits
—Sal’s Mexican Restaurant
—Max’s Bistro & Bar
—Sequoia Brewing Co.
—Ovidio Italian Restaurant
—Trelio
—Annesso Pizzeria

The Business Journal is a co-sponsor of Fresno Restaurant Week along with Visit Fresno County, KMJNow, KSEE 24, The Fresno Bee and Yelp.