County launches inaugural Restaurant Week program

The Sonoma County Tourism Bureau is launching its inaugural
Restaurant Week on Feb. 22-28, a countywide effort to introduce
diners to new restaurants while supporting local businesses.
More than 70 Sonoma County restaurants are offering up
three-course meals for $19, $29 or $39—depending on the place—and
will showcase local wines and meals prepared from ingredients from
local farms and dairies. The county recently launched www.sonomacountyrestaurantweek.org
with a list of participating restaurants, menus and special
giveaways.
“We want to help stir up some business for restaurants this
month,” said event spokesperson Justin Hayashi. “January and
February is a slower time in the restaurant and tourism industry
and this is a great opportunity to create a boost before we launch
into March and April.”
Among those participating are Zin Restaurant in Healdsburg and
Vine Tastings in Windsor.
“It’s something we totally agree with and support,” said Zin
chef and co-owner Jeff Mall. “If we get people to support local
restaurants and get away from the chains, those local restaurants
support other local businesses. We use local cheeses, local
produce, local wines. We hire local workers. It’s a great way to
support everybody.”
Mall said times are tough and hopes Restaurant Week will help
the entire participating restaurants. “The restaurant industry has
had a hard time in the last year, for sure, and this will be a good
way to help people realize how important it is to spend the money
in their local community. The money will stay in the
community.”
Cathy Fallis, who owns Vine Tastings with her husband Bill,
hopes the event will bring in new customers. The restaurant has
been open nine months and Fallis said they’re ready to be
discovered.
“We have a fantastic chef, and he’s kind of a secret,” she said.
“So far he’s gotten a great response for his food.”
Restaurant Week is being marketed in Sonoma County and
throughout the Bay Area as the “most delicious week of the year”
and a perfect time to sample the county’s wide variety of culinary
experiences for a great price. “We want to invite locals to come
out and eat at restaurants they never would have tried.” said
Hayashi.
The Tourism Bureau is taking advantage of social media sites to
promote the event. Diners who post their Restaurant Week experience
on the bureau’s Facebook site or tweet about their experience on
Twitter (using hashtag #SoCoDining) will be entered into a drawing
to win free meals. Diners will also have the chance to win free
meals for a year by filling out a five-question survey at all
participating restaurants.
No registration or tickets are required to take advantage of the
weeklong event, but the Bureau recommends making reservations in
advance.
Nearby participating restaurants:
$19- Affronti Wine Bar in Healdsburg, Mary Pizza’s Shack in
Windsor, Healdsburg Bar & Grill;
$29- Charlie’s Restaurant in Windsor, Ume Japanese Bistro in
Windsor, Willi’s Seafood & Raw Bar in Healdsburg, Zin
Restaurant & Wine Bar in Healdsburg;
$39- Bovolo in Healdsburg, Dry Creek Kitchen in Healdsburg and
Relish Culinary Adventures in Healdsburg.