The purchase of a latte, a croissant or anything else on the menu at Cafe 3:16 of Rochester qualifies the purchaser for an entry into downtown Rochester’s Foodie February promotion.
By: Mary Beth Almond | Rochester Post | Published February 7, 2024
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.
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