Record 32 Downtown Syracuse Restaurants to Dish Out Three Courses for $25 (or Less) for Downtown Dining Weeks

Syracuse, NY – To the delight of foodies and dining enthusiasts throughout Central New York, the 13th annual serving of Downtown Syracuse Dining Weeks returns one week from today with a record 32 participating restaurants! Presented by Visions Federal Credit Union and the Downtown Committee of Syracuse, Inc., Downtown Syracuse Dining Weeks starts Wednesday, February 15, and continues through Wednesday, March 1.

Each of the participating restaurants - all locally owned - will serve three courses for $25 or less. This year, five are new to the promotion: Niko’s Family Italian Restaurant, which has been a Hanover Square staple for decades; Khao Gaeng, which celebrated its grand opening in March, 2016; Apizza Regionale, which opened in April, 2016; Eleven Waters, which opened in the Marriott Syracuse Downtown in August, 2016; and Original Grain, which opened in the Pike Block in September, 2016. A full list of participating restaurants is posted on the Downtown Committee’s website (and the following page). The community is encouraged to check out the menus on the Downtown Committee’s website.

“As a member-owned not-for-profit credit union, Visions values the Syracuse community, and we are proud to sponsor one of the community’s most popular events - Downtown Syracuse Dining Weeks,” said Mandy DeHate, Visions Federal Credit Union assistant vice president of marketing. “This winter dining event is a showcase of the locally owned businesses this area is known for. Visions is committed to supporting this community and building relationships. We are excited to participate in Downtown Dining Weeks.”

New this year, Downtown hotels are getting involved with the Downtown Dining Weeks promotion, offering a special “Sleep-Over Package.” Guests may stay at the Courtyard by Marriott Syracuse Downtown at Armory Square, the Residence Inn by Marriott Syracuse Downtown at Armory Square, the Jefferson Clinton Hotel, or the Marriott Syracuse Downtown* for a special $185 room rate. As part of the package, guests will receive a $25 credit for dinner at one of the participating Downtown Dining Weeks restaurants in addition to free parking. *Please note, at the Marriott Syracuse Downtown, the $25 voucher is only redeemable at its restaurant, Eleven Waters.

“Every February, guests look forward to Dining Weeks and the opportunities to sample the high-quality cuisine unique to Downtown Syracuse,” said Merike Treier, Downtown Committee of Syracuse executive director. “Now that hotels are involved, we hope that guests will extend their stay downtown and experience the full flavor of 24/7 life throughout our community. Bring your family and your friends! Choose a restaurant – or several! – and pair it with a visit to a museum, arts, or sporting event. There’s something for every palette; menu and activity wise.”

The popular winter dining event started in 2005 as a way to stir up business during what is typically a slower time of year for dining in Downtown Syracuse. The once-a-year promotion has grown every year since, continuing to attract new restaurants and an estimated 50,000 diners from all over Central New York each year.

“Spot the Chef’s Hat” Contest: Dining Weeks patrons can look forward to the continuation of the “Spot the Chef’s Hat” contest this year, first launched during the 2016 presentation of Downtown Dining Weeks. Each restaurant will have at least one chef’s hat placed somewhere visible in the dining area(s). Diners are encouraged to spot the chef’s hat, take a picture of it, and email the picture – or a thorough description of its location- to mail@downtownsyracuse.com, explaining where and in what restaurant they saw it. All correct guesses will be entered into multiple drawings for gift cards/gift certificates. Winners will be notified through email.

Parking: Five parking areas will offer discounted rates during Downtown Syracuse Dining Weeks. From Sundays through Thursdays, starting at 5:00pm for $5, guests may park at the Atrium Garage (map), Clinton Street Garage (map), the parking lot at Fayette and Walton Streets (map) and the parking lot at Fayette and Clinton Streets (map). These parking facilities are managed by Syracuse Parking. Guests may also park at the National Grid Parking lot, located across from Dinosaur Bar-B-Que, located at North Willow and North Franklin Streets (map) for $5 on weekends and weeknights after 5:00 pm. This lot is managed by the Downtown Committee.

Downtown Syracuse Dining Weeks receives additional support from Kinney Drugs, Lemon Grass Bistro Èlèphant Steakhouse, Pastabilities, Prime Steakhouse, Dupli, Syracuse NewTimes and Tablehopping Magazine.

Participating Restaurants:

317 at Montgomery     317 Montgomery St.     315-214-4267

Apizza Regionale*     260 W. Genesee St.     315-802-2607

Aster Pantry & Parlor     116 Walton St.     315-373-0031

Bistro Èlèphant Steakhouse     238 W. Jefferson     St. 315-475-1111

Black Olive     250 S. Clinton St.     315-399-5599

Byblos Bar & Grill     316 S. Clinton St.     315-299-6512

Byblos Mediterranean Cafe     223 N. Clinton St.     315-478-3333

Clinton Street Pub     127 W. Fayette St.     315-424-1187

Creole Soul     128 E. Jefferson St.     315-530-4178

Dinosaur Bar-B-Que     246 W. Willow St.     315-476-4937

Eleven Waters*     500 S. Warren St.     315-554-3541

Empire Brewing Co.     120 Walton St.     315-475-2337

Funk ‘n Waffles     307-313 S. Clinton St.     315-474-1060

Indian Tandoor Halal Restaurant     232 Harrison St.     315-565-4099

Khao Gaeng*     208 W. Genesee St.     315-424-8424

Kitty Hoynes Irish Pub and Restaurant     301 W. Fayette St.     315-424-1974

Lemon Grass     238 W. Jefferson St.     315-475-1111

Liehs & Steigerwald     117 E. Fayette St.     315-299-4799

Maxwells     122 E. Genesee St.     315-299-6633

The Mission Restaurant     304 E. Onondaga St.     315-475-7344

Modern Malt     325 S. Clinton St.     315-471-6258

Modern Malt Bakeshop is also offering a lunch deal 315 S. Clinton St. 315-472-0515 Niko’s Family Italian Restaurant* 125 E. Water St. 315-475-7000

Original Grain*     302 S. Salina St.     315-299-5011

Otro Cinco     206 S. Warren St.     315-422-6876

Pastabilities     311 S. Franklin St.     315-474-1153

Peppino’s Neapolitan     409 S. Clinton St.     315-422-8811

Prime Steakhouse     101 E. Water St.     315-299-8047

Sakana-Ya Sushi Bar     215 Walton St.     315-475-0117

SKY Armory     351 S. Clinton St.     315-473-0826

Syracuse Suds Factory     320 S. Clinton St.     315-471-2253

The York 247     W. Fayette St.     315-701-0636

*An asterisk signifies a new restaurant to participate in Downtown Dining Weeks.*