Foodie February gives downtown diners a chance to win prizes

ROCHESTER — Those desperate to escape the grind of meal prepping this month can head to downtown Rochester for Foodie February.

The promotion, which began Feb. 1 and runs through the end of the month, encourages patrons to dine in or carry out from any downtown Rochester restaurant, saving their receipts for a chance to win weekly prizes and a grand prize of a $100, $250 or $500 downtown Rochester dining package.

Foodie February allows the community to support the downtown eateries — whether a restaurant, bar, cafe or bakery — and get rewarded in the process, according to Rochester Downtown Development Authority Events Coordinator Jenna O’Dell.

“It originated after COVID in February, when we were finally able to open restaurants, so we were really pushing people to dine in,” she said. “It makes sense to support local and have a great meal and maybe have an opportunity to win a big prize.”

Throughout the month of February, patrons can purchase an item, a meal or carryout order from any of the participating restaurants for a chance to win a number of prizes.

“I believe it was last year, or the year before, and we had someone who made a little less than a $5 purchase at Dessert Oasis and won a $500 dining package to use downtown. So you could definitely get lucky and just grab a cookie to win the grand prize,” said O’Dell.

Cafe 3:16 of Rochester is one of many downtown eateries participating in the promotion.

Named after the Bible verse John 3:16, the cafe opened in November and offers coffee, pastries and other baked goods.

Owner Sam Yokhana, who is a Rochester resident, said some of the cafe’s most popular items include its lattes, croissants and heart-shaped macarons, and every purchase is eligible for a contest entry.

He encourages everyone to dine in or carry out at the downtown eateries this month.

“Come out for Foodie February to have a good time,” Yokhana said.

Receipts from any of the participating restaurants can be brought to the Downtown Collaboration Studio, 431 S. Main St., through Feb. 29. Diners can also text “FOODIE” to (866) 603-4005 and be prompted to send in a picture of their receipt.

Each receipt will receive one entry, eligible for both the weekly and grand prize drawings. Three grand prize winners will be announced and contacted Friday, March 1.

Foodie February, O’Dell said, is also a great way to try out some of Rochester’s newest eateries, including Cafe 3:16, Bitter Tom’s Tasting Room, Saint 1881 and 423 Bar Grill & Rooftop, which is under new ownership.

Foodie February is presented by Love Local Rochester and the Rochester DDA. For more information, contact the Rochester DDA at (248) 656-0060 or downtownrochestermi.com.

 

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Downtown eateries participating in Foodie February include:
 

423 Bar Grill & Rooftop

The Backdoor Taco & Tequila

BakeHouse 46

Bangkok Cuisine

BAUS Bar

Bean and Leaf Café

Bitter Tom’s Tasting Room

Bologna Via Cucina

Café 3:16 of Rochester

The Cheese Lady

Chicken Shack

Chomp Deli

Dessert Oasis

Dino’s Cookie Dough Bar

D’Marco’s Italian Restaurant

Domino’s Pizza

Downtown Café

The Flavor Lab Catering Co.

Georgio’s Pizza & Pasta

Give Thanks Bakery

Grant’s Pizza House

The Hemmingway Room

Hibachi House Bar & Grill

Holy Cannoli’s

The Home Bakery

Hungry Howie’s

Knapp’s Donut Shop

Kruse & Muer on Main

Kruse’s Paint Creek Tavern

Lettuce

Lipuma’s Coney Island

Main Street Billiards

Main Street Deli

The Meeting House

O’Connor’s Public House

Park 600

Paul’s on Main

Penn Station East Coast Subs

Pure Green

Recipes

Red Knapp’s Dairy Bar

Rochester Bistro

Rochester Brunch House

Rochester Chop House & Kabin Krusers

Rochester Corner Bar

Sanders

Saint 1881

Side Dish

Silver Spoon Ristorante

The Spice & Tea Exchange

Sumo Sushi

Tonia’s Victorian Rose

Too Ra Loo