Inaugural Oneida County Restaurant Week set for July

It’s an opportunity to explore bold flavors and support area small businesses. What’s Upstate is launching Oneida County Restaurant Week this summer from July 13-24 to encourage residents and visitors alike to get out and visit restaurants all around the county. The event takes inspiration from the former Utica Restaurant Week, which started just before the pandemic and went by the wayside after just a few years, and takes it in a new direction by expanding it to the whole county, Sean Farrell said. He is special projects officer at the Greater Utica Chamber of Commerce and leads its What’s Upstate project. “There are so many great flavors from all over our county,” he says, but most people like to stay within what he calls their “triangle of comfort.” That triangle spans between work, home, and the places they patronize regularly. “I want everyone to see an opportunity to taste something they haven’t tasted before,” he says of Oneida County Restaurant Week. Heavily populated by refugees from around the world, Utica alone is host to an array of flavors with restaurants featuring cuisines from Ecuador, Yemen, and India — just to name a few. Oneida County, however, consists of more than just Utica, which is why Farrell expanded the event to include the entire county.  There is no cost for restaurants to participate in Restaurant Week, and they do not need to be Greater Utica Chamber members. Participating establishments are asked to create some sort of special for the event whether a prix fixe menu, or for different types of establishments, a special flavor or special dish for the event. For example, a gelato shop could create a new flavor just for Restaurant Week that it offers at a special price or incorporate something different like a gelato flight, Farrell says. “We want everyone to be involved,” he added. The event is not limited to just table-service restaurants. Oneida County Restaurant Week kicks off on Boilermaker Sunday, and that’s intentional, Farrell says. A lot of people will be out and about that day, with many out-of-towners visiting as runners or spectators. He wants them all to know about all the great dining options while they’re in town. Additionally, restaurant owners have indicated that summer is a difficult time of year when business slows down for many, he adds. “This is another way to inject a little enthusiasm.” What’s Upstate is also partnering with Oneida County Tourism to create a Restaurant Week passport that people can work to fill out during the event to win prizes. Various sponsorship packages are available, and that sponsor funding will allow What’s Upstate and the Greater Utica Chamber to intensely market the event with help from Oneida County Tourism and a media partner, Farrell says. Other marketing efforts include a website for the event, commercials, print ads, and heavy promotion on social media, including featuring a different establishment online each day during the event. Restaurants wishing to participate must sign up by June 25 and may do so by visiting https://whatsupstateny.com/explore-upstate/restaurant-week/. Farrell’s initial goal as a first-year event was to get 30 restaurants registered. Since he has already exceeded that goal, he’s now hoping to sign up at least 50 eateries. Oneida County Restaurant Week will conclude with a happy hour bash at Five Points Public House on Varick Street in Utica.