Every year since 2009, Sonoma County has participated in a week long restaurant week. Restaurant week is the first seven days in March where local diners, cafes, and eateries create a set menu for a reduced price. This week places emphasis on tasty, locally sourced food at a reasonable price; lunches cost $10 or $15 and dinners with a three course meal could fluctuate between the costs $19, $29, or $39. Each meal is condensed with a larger amount of food for a lowered down price at an affordable rate. In Petaluma alone, sixteen restaurants participate in Sonoma County Restaurant Week.

   One of the participating restaurants, Pongos, has made a menu consisting of their daily specials where the customer gets to choose two items that go along with their rice and drink. Participating customers choose two out of four available dishes. One of the owners, Kathleen Stafford, discusses how restaurant week affects Pongos’ clientele.

   “There are a lot of people that follow restaurant week and will actually eat their way through the cities which is neat, but it’s kind of a given. Because why wouldn’t you do restaurant week? It’s just one of those things that’s a no brainer” said Safford.

   While Pongos sees mostly dedicated restaurant week foodies visiting the diner, Petaluma Pie Company observes new customers and an economic boost during the week. Co-owner Lina Hoshino elaborates on the effects of restaurant week on her business.

   “It’s a great opportunity for customers to check out places that they may not make it normally or is not their usual place to go to. We want customers who have never been to our place to try us out. It’s nice for little businesses like us, the Sonoma County Economic Development Board, promotes the whole week and the businesses that participates in it. We are able to get our name out. The food traffic does increase and we get new people who have never been to our place before and they get to try something for ten dollars” said Hoshino.

   Restaurants alone receive many benefits when participating in this week long event, but individual customers are also rewarded for dining during this week. Junior, Andrew Kirby, shares his views on the benefits of restaurant week.

   “It’s a great opportunity for people in this area to experience meals they may not have had the opportunity to go and try before. Somebody may not be able to afford steak and they can go out and have some. It will provide different experiences” said Kirby.

   Restaurant week is not simply limited to Sonoma County, but to countless locations throughout California — and even additional participating states — where every month is a new “Restaurant Week” in a different county. It is not an event dedicated or limited to a specific age group, but available to all that are fond of trying new eats while supporting local businesses. If price has ever factors into a decision to eat or experience delectable dishes, the week from March 2nd to March 11th, provides a great opportunity to expand flavor profiles.