BALDWINSVILLE — Like a satisfied diner who keeps hitting up the buffet for more helpings, Baldwinsville Dining Weeks is returning for a fourth round. This year, 18 local eateries are participating in the campaign, which takes place Jan. 17 through Feb. 6. The event is sponsored by the food service distributor JFS Curtze.
Anthony Tringale, founder of Eat Local New York, has helped coordinate the event, contacting restaurants, arranging promotional photos of the featured dishes and boosting the event on social media. Tringale said Jeff Rogers, co-owner of Angry Garlic, spearheaded the recruitment effort.
Planning for Baldwinsville Dining Weeks began in late November, Tringale said. While last year’s event took place after Valentine’s Day, organizers decided to move it up a bit to give restaurants a post-holidays boost.
“January is going to be a really rough month for restaurants,” Tringale said, citing COVID concerns and “dry January” New Year’s resolutions for some of the downswing in traffic.
“It always brings in a crowd to the restaurants,” Tringale said of the popularity of Baldwinsville Dining Weeks.
Since the promotion ends Feb. 6, restaurateurs will have a slight breather before the Valentine’s Day rush.
Supply chain issues are impacting local eateries, forcing participating establishments to increase their prices. Diners can expect to pay $35 for a three-course meal at Mohegan Manor or Tassone’s Wine Garden during this year’s Dining Weeks.
“Because of all the rising food costs and takeout container costs, it’s even crazier now than it has been,” Tringale said. “It’s still a great deal, but it is a little more expensive than it’s been the last few years.”
Fortunately, JFS Curtze is sponsoring the marketing and advertising costs for the event, and Tringale donates his time and photography skills.
“JFS stepped up and sponsored the event this year so the restaurants wouldn’t have to bear the burden of the cost of the website and the Facebook ads,” Tringale said.
Since many small businesses lack a social media manager, “It’s kind of fun to go out there and pamper them,” Tringale said. Restaurants can use their Baldwinsville Dining Weeks photos for their own marketing later on.
Throughout the campaign, Eat Local New York will spotlight different participating restaurants, and Tassone’s “Wine Tasting with Mary” video series on Facebook will feature various cocktails.
Baldwinsville Dining Weeks take place Jan. 17 through Feb. 6. Visit baldwinsvillediningweeks.com for a list of participating establishments.
