Students around the University now have another excuse to venture past 40th street and explore University City.
Starting June 23, 19 restaurants in the University City area will participate in Dining Days, during which they will offer three-course meals at a low fixed price.
The participating restaurants and sponsors designed the promotion to highlight University City's diversity.
"University City is so unique, we felt that we shouldn't only have one option for dining," Brennan said.
She added that the planning committee incorporated this philosophy into the program's design by offering three different price options, ranging from $20 to $30, and featuring a diverse array of restaurants- such as Dahlak. an Ethiopian restaurant and Rx which features locally grown food in the promotion.
Local restaurateurs are excited about the opportunity to spotlight University City's eclectic dining options.
"There are a lot of great restaurants that get overlooked and overshadowed by Center City," said Steve Galman, general manager of La Terrasse at 34th and Sansom streets, adding that "we want to remind people that University City is over here."
College Sophomore Melissa Gottlieb said she thought Dining Days was great way to explore the area.
"There are so many great restaurants in University City that I don't know about-?they should do this during the year" Gottlieb said.
Brian Pawliczek, manager of Cavanaugh's Restaurant at 39th and Sansom streets, said that he thinks Dining Days is "good for the community" and that he views it as an opportunity to show the community that Cavanaugh's is "not just the typical sports bar and not just the typical college bar, but [that] we have a great menu too."
The planning committee for Dining Days decided to hold the event during the summer because it is typically a slow time for University City restaurants.
"We hoped that holding the event in the summer would help us draw in new customers to the area," Brennan said.
Restaurant owners and customers are excited for the event.
Greg Salisbury, a 1989 College graduate and owner of Rx at 45th and Spruce streets,-- where three course meals which typically costs around $40 will be offering meals for $25 during the event, said that he has already received over a dozen calls for reservations.
"This is by far the most successful promotion we have been involved with recently," he said.
According to College Sophomore Brittany Jones, the promotion provides students with the incentive to try new restaurants.
"It's like Restaurant Week in your backyard -- there is no excuse not to go," Jones said.
