COLUMBIA, S.C. — It's officially the final weekend of Restaurant Week in South Carolina, with about 45 restaurants participating in Columbia.
The event, which runs until Sunday, gives eateries a chance to serve up special deals, debut dishes and offer special multi-course menus.
Restaurant owner Michael Duganier said it's a great way for locals and visitors to try out two or three-course meals for a discounted price, whether they have or have not been to the restaurant before. Duganier owns Publico and Boku in Columbia.
"Gives them a taste of appetizers, entrees, dessert, possibly. It gets them in the door, check out the restaurant, see the atmosphere, the food, the quality service," Duganier said. "For the restaurants, it's great, because you come right off of the holiday season. And you know, people have spent money on presents, and, and traveling. And so this is typically the time of year that you're not expecting as much foot traffic and you still got to pay your bills, especially the small restaurant businesses."
Duganier said it broadens the food horizons and opens more people's eyes to see what Columbia's restaurant scene is like. He added that the food scene has grown in different areas like the Vista, Five Points and the Bull Street District over the past several years - especially post-COVID.
"We definitely always try to ask the questions of if it's their first time here or how they hear about us. We communicate as a team," Duganier said. "You know, when people are saying they came out because of Restaurant Week, or we've been wanting to try you guys out and haven't had a chance to or, and so, I've - we've seen an uptick in business, I believe,"
Sunday is your final chance to participate in Restaurant Week. Check the Restaurant Week website for a full list of restaurants participating in the event statewide.