Virginia Gazette News |

York County ready to kick off inaugural Restaurant Week

YORK — Whether it’s gourmet hot dogs or a three-course dinner, York County’s inaugural Restaurant Week is sure to satisfy any appetite.

Set for Feb. 26 through March 3, the week includes 16 restaurants offering specials such as free coffee with purchases, percentages off and special pricing.

The idea for the week came from Bay Haven Grill manager Jessica Haman, who has over 20 years of experience working in Peninsula restaurants.

She contacted York County Economic and Tourism Development, and the office decided, “let’s do this,” said Deirdre Roesch, the development office’s marketing and communications manager.

“It’s our job to boost our independent restaurants especially during the slow season,” she added. “We plan to make this a yearly event.”

Haman said when she first began talking with other restaurant owners about a special restaurant week, there was positive response with other ideas springing forth. A number of areas in Hampton Roads offer restaurant weeks.

“We started talking about other good ideas to promote and support each other. We plan to start a local restaurant manager Facebook page to discuss issues like supply chain problems. We want each other to be successful,” she added.

According to Haman, the local restaurant industry has not fully bounced back since the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Events such as Restaurant Week help establish customer relationships, she said.

For recently opened Dominion Dogs, this is an opportunity to further introduce its permanent location to the public. The business, which operates hot dog carts, opened a restaurant in James-York Plaza in Williamsburg’s Edge District last year.

“We’ve only been opened since September,” owner Dave Andre said. “We got several regulars, but this is good opportunity to bring new people in and show them the different topping options for hot dogs that probably never thought of.”

Andre, who owns the restaurant with his wife, Andrea, said they found York County business officials to be helpful, including with securing a grant to open the business.

Participating restaurants include:

1781 Café by Aromas: Free drip coffee with the purchase of a sandwich or soup

Anna’s Brick Oven: 10% off entire bill

Bay Haven Grille: Three-course lunch special for $25 and three course dinner special for $30

Ben & Jerry’s: 20% off orders with mention of “Restaurant Week”

Carrot Tree Kitchens: Any lunch entrée, sandwich or wrap, choice of side, dessert and iced tea or coffee for $20.24 (tax included)

Dominion Dogs: Lunch and dinner specials for $12

Grunow’s Kitchen: Three-course lunch or dinner specials for $25

Jordan’s Pizza Subs & Much More: One large pizza with one topping for $14.99

Marco’s Pizza: Large specialty pizza, large one-topping pizza and cheezybread for $24.99

Mobjack Coffee Roasters & Petite Café: Robert’s favorite sandwich for $14, Green Goddess sandwich for $12 and tomato fennel soup for $7

Shorty’s Diner: French toast flight for $10.50; Smashed Burger special for $10.50

Sportsmans Grille: Daily lunch and dinner specials featuring ribeye steak, prime rib, crab legs, spaghetti and more

Vinny’s Pizza & Pasta 2: Three course dinner special for $30

Water Street Grille: Two-course lunch special for $22 or three-course lunch special for $27; three-course dinner specials from $30, $35 and $40

York Gardens & Tea Room: Dinner special for $17.69

Yorktown Pub: Fish and chips sandwich for $12

For more information, visit visityorktown.org/restaurantweek.