Eat Up Downtown

“Ate” years & counting

The word restaurant comes from the French word restaurer, meaning to restore. This makes sense when you consider the first restaurants came about to serve weary travelers and offer nourishment during long journeys. In today’s busy world, we spend much of our social time staring at the screens of computers or smart phones. Dining out offers us face-to-face time with the people in our lives, from catching up with friends to celebrating milestones with loved ones. August is the perfect time to plan some restorative time with friends and family, thanks to Downtown’s annual dining promotion, Eat Up Downtown, which returns August 11th-24th.

Eight years ago, Post to Post Links II error: No link found for term slug "Downtown Vision, Inc. (DVI)" launched Eat Up Downtown as part of the dining-week trend found around the globe. The promotion promises three-course, prix fixe menus, a value that shines a spotlight on Downtown’s many dinner destinations. Growing each year, it’s a win-win that brought more than 23,000 foodies Downtown in 2013. This year, 19 restaurants look to satisfy appetites with mouthwatering menus for just $15, $25 or $35, and the promotion packs some special, extra experiences for epicureans.

For example, set sail on the Foxy Lady for dinner and a cruise along the St. Johns for just $49.95. This Eat Up Downtown special event is offered two nights only: Friday, August 15th and Saturday, August 16th, and the discount code is available at www.eatupdowntown.com.

Celebrating a special occasion or enjoying a date night? Take advantage of another special in the Eat Up Downtown package by calling on a car service to take you there in style. First-time Uber users can receive up to $30 off the service when they use the code EatUpDTJax during the promotion.

Put your selfie skills to good use during dinner. Enter the annual photo contest—this year on Instagram—in partnership with Igers Jax. Diners need only to snap a photo of their Eat Up Downtown dining experience between August 11th-24th at any of the participating restaurants, and upload the photo to Instagram with the hastags #EatUpDTJax and #IgersJax to be entered.

The value of Eat Up Downtown doesn’t end at dinner. If you’re not ready to call it a night when the check comes, the Eat Up Downtown comment card offers a buy-one-get-one drink coupon redeemable during the promotion at 1904 Music Hall, Dos Gatos, Downtown Cigar Lounge, or Zodiac Bar & Grill.

In addition to great value, Eat Up Downtown is an opportunity to support the restaurateurs who have invested in Downtown. It’s the ultimate “go local” movement; nearly all participating restaurants are locally owned and operated. With restaurants such as bb’s, Café Nola, Chomp Chomp, Fionn MacCool’s Irish Restaurant and Pub, Olio, and Wine Cellar proudly offering local ingredients, it’s a way to support regional food growers and makers as well. Plus, River City Brewing Company has brewed its own beer in-house since 1993 – you can’t get more local than that.

Eat Up Downtown menus, pricing, parking recommendations, and information can be found at www.eatupdowntown.com. If you’re eager to eat out, Downtown Vision Alliance members get a sneak preview of the promotion on Friday, August 8th, and Saturday, August 9th, at participating restaurants. Members must present their Discover Downtown member cards to enjoy the deal. Learn how you can become a member at www.discoverdtjax.com. From the social impact of dining out to local impact of dining Downtown, don’t miss this foodie favorite. Come Eat Up Downtown!

DTJax.org | @DTJax | Katherine Hardwick is Marketing Director, Downtown Vision, Inc.