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Downtown Dining Weeks Returns with 8 New Restaurants

John Smith
/
WAER News

It‘s a good time of year to sample the various flavors of restaurants in Syracuse and save a few bucks during Downtown Dining Weeks.  The 16th annual promotion aims to generate more business in what might otherwise be a slow season during the winter by offering three-course dinner specials for $30 or less and lunch specials for $10 or less.   

Spokesperson Alice Maggiore says numerous locally-owned and high quality restaurants have really placed downtown on the map.

"We hope that folks, when the come and experience the flavors of downtown, will find new reasons to come back, new favorites to add to their list, and of course its always a great time of year to try to revist one of their favorite places as well."

Maggiore says it’s estimated the promotion generates anywhere from 45,000-50,000 diners for lunch and dinner in two weeks.  28 restaurants are serving lunch and 36 are serving dinner during the two week promotion. To add a little fun to the mix, a Chef’s Hat is placed in every dining room to encourage people spot it and take a photo for a chance to win prizes.  It’s also strategically used as a way to track diners.

"It's and indication to us to see 'Ok, they're not just going to one or two places, they're really being thoughtful about planning out where they're going to eat', and that's been fun to follow," she said.

Some locations also offer 'Dinner and a Show' events, where a meal is served along with a performance of a play or other event. Events include showings of Romeo & Juliet, a performance by The Harlem Globetrotters and a filming of MasterChef Junior, among others.

There are eight new restaurants this year.  The special menus of 46 local restaurants participating in the promotion that runs through March 1st can be found online at downtownsyracuse.com/diningweeks.