Featuring three-course lunch and dinner offerings, plus sweet treats selections
Syracuse, NY – The 17th annual serving of Downtown Syracuse Dining Weeks starts today, with more than 50 local, independently-owned restaurants dishing out deals. Presented by Visions Federal Credit Union and the Downtown Committee of Syracuse, Inc., Downtown Syracuse Dining Weeks continues through Sunday, June 13.
Downtown Dining Weeks is one of the most talked-about events in our community and the 2021 edition stars 52 high-quality restaurants serving up lunch specials consisting of three components for $15 (or less) and three-course dinner offerings for $35 (or less). A complete list of all participating restaurants is provided in an accompanying document, as well as at DowntownSyracuse.com. As menus are received, they will be uploaded to DowntownSyracuse.com/DiningWeeks, where users may sort their preferences according to “Lunch,” “Dinner,” “Sweet Deals” or “All.” Menus are clickable underneath the website links for each respective eatery.
For the first time, five businesses known for their sweet treat selections are participating in the promotion. Cake Bar, Cathy’s Cookie Kitchen, Glazed & Confused, The Ice Cream Stand and Sweet on Chocolate are putting together “Sweet Deals” for patrons.
The following eateries have celebrated openings within the last year:
- Cake Bar (offering “Sweet Deals”)
- Charlee’s Pizzeria (offering lunch and dinner specials);
- Erma’s Island (offering lunch and dinner specials);
- Mamma Hai (offering lunch and dinner specials);
- Miss Prissy’s (offering lunch and dinner specials);
- Paladino’s The Deli (offering lunch and dinner specials);
- Razzle Dazzle – Our Vegan Corner (offering lunch and dinner specials);
- Salt City Coffee & Bar (serving lunch specials);
- SOULutions (serving lunch specials);
- Three Lives (serving dinner specials)
Downtown Dining Weeks began in February 2005 – and has been held every since. It was built on the premise to generate business during mid-winter, which tends to be a slower time of year for restaurants. A special summer edition was presented in July 2020 to generate business as restaurants were starting to reopen following the pandemic-induced pause. In February 2021, the Downtown Committee of Syracuse, Inc. and Visions Federal Credit Union introduced a slightly different program, “Delicious Downtown Deals,” with a plan to present Downtown Dining Weeks in its traditional format as soon as health and safety permitted.
“The timing is right to bring this tradition back to our community just in time for the start of outdoor dining season, a favorite Downtown Syracuse activity! We proud of the ways that our community has come together responsibly and safely to maintain low rates of infection, while boosting vaccinations,” said Merike Treier, executive director of the Downtown Committee of Syracuse. “We are fortunate to have so many high-quality restaurants here in the center of our city. Whether they’re trying one of Downtown’s ten new restaurants for the first time, or returning to favorite stop, these menus offer something for all tastebuds and comfort levels.”
The Downtown Committee welcomes the support of Visions Federal Credit Union as the title sponsor of Downtown Dining Weeks for the fifth year. With more than 220,000 members across New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania – and more than 5,000 members in Onondaga County – Visions has two offices in the Syracuse area, serving neighbors in Syracuse and Cicero. Visions also has an ATM in Downtown Syracuse, located in the Redhouse Arts Center located at 400 South Salina Street.
“Visions is thankful to be the presenting sponsor of Downtown Dining Weeks, and be able to support our community by providing access to a safe, delicious activity as we embark on summer,” said Timothy R. Strong, Public Relations and Community Engagement Manager for Visions Federal Credit Union. “As a not-for-profit financial institution, owned by our members, we value the communities – like Syracuse – that we call home. We all know that food brings communities together, and we welcome the opportunity to help 52 restaurants set the table. Visions is proud to stand with partners like the Downtown Committee to help support important initiatives as we continue to reopen and reacclimate.”
The Downtown Committee encourages the community to join the Dining Weeks conversation by following along on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, sharing pictures using the hashtag, #DiningWeekSYR.
Downtown Syracuse Dining Weeks receives additional support from Prime Steakhouse.
For more information about Downtown Dining Weeks, please visit the Downtown Committee’s website, http://DowntownSyracuse.com/DiningWeeks.
