WILKES-BARRE — No sooner had her father set the omelet on the counter at the Alpine Downtown Eatery than 4-year-old Giuliana Mantione jumped up and snagged a leaf of baby-spinach garnish for herself.

Oh, no, her parents said. Wait until the photographer takes a picture of it.

So Giuliana waited a few moments, which may have been difficult since the omelet, fresh from the kitchen and plump with broccoli flowrets, green peppers and mushrooms, looked so inviting.

As Downtown Wilkes-Barre Restaurant Week opens Sept. 18 Giuliana’s dad, Sal Mantione and mom, Ann Marie Kochuba-Mantione, join fellow entrepreneurs at more than 20 other establishments in hoping customers will find their food similarly irresistible.

“It’s a way to attract potential new customers, a way to bring back customers from the past and a way to reward the loyal customers who never left,” said John Maday from the Downtown Wilkes-Barre Business Association, describing Restaurant Week.

Actually, Maday said, because it lasts until Sept. 27, Restaurant Week can also be considered “Restaurant 10 Days.”

During that time frame, which includes two weekends, organizers encouraged restaurants to offer whatever kind of specials they choose. “They know their businesses best,” Maday said.

At El Zocalo, a Mexican restaurant on Public Square where the fajitas, burritos and rib-eye steak are popular, co-owner Paola Mendez said patrons who order one entree at dinner time can purchase a second entree for half price.

Letts Eat, an Indian restaurant at the corner of South Main and East Northampton streets, will offer special prices on Navratankorma, a vegetarian dish whose name signifies it contains nine vegetables.

“For the non-vegetarians, we have chicken tikka masala,” co-owner Kavita Syed said, adding that instead of the typical rice side dish, the restaurant will offer naan, a special Indian flatbread.

And, if you thought the Anthracite, Not Just a Newsstand was simply a place to buy a newspaper or lottery tickets, this may be the week to check out its “fresh off the grill” breakfasts, club sandwiches, chicken wings or chicken tenders. Customers who order any of those specials will receive for free one of “Ann Marie’s Famous Peanut Butter Brownies,” home-baked by co-owner Ann Marie Bossard.

Meanwhile, back at the Alpine Downtown Eatery, which opened in July but has its official ribbon cutting on Thursday, they’re getting ready to offer meatball hoagies and grilled chicken as Restaurant Week specials. The meatball hoagies, featuring homemade meatballs, were a favorite when Mantione and Kochuba-Mantione had an Alpine Deli in Plymouth, and the grilled chicken is something new.

They’re excited to be in Downtown Wilkes-Barre, the couple said. “There are so many downtown workers and college students,” Mantione said. “It’s a good opportunity.”

“I’ve always loved the downtown,” Kochuba-Mantione said. “Boscov’s is the anchor and all the other stores complement each other.”

“We just took our daughter and a friend of hers to Movies 14 on a Friday night and the atmosphere was very family-friendly,” Kochuba-Mantione said. “It has a nice town feel.”

Restaurant Week participants

• Alpine Downtown Eatery, West Northampton St.

• Anthracite, Not Just a Newsstand

• Barnes & Noble Wilkes King’s Cafe

• Bart & Urby’s

• Boscov’s Restaurant

• Bottleneck’s Saloon & Eatery

• Cafe Toscana

• Cheesesteak Factory

• El Zocalo

• Franklin’s

• Frank’s Pizzeria & Ristorante

• Hottle’s

• King of Kings Gyro

• Le Manhattan Bistro

• Letts Eat

• Mimmo’s Pizza

• Oyster

• Oz’s Eatery

• Pete’s Place Middle Eastern Restaurant

• Pronto Via Pizzeria

• Rodano’s

• Senunas’ Bar & Grill

Reach Mary Therese Biebel at 570-991-6109 or on Twitter @BiebelMT

Dowtown restaurants gear up for diners new and old

By Mary Therese Biebel

mbiebel@timesleader.com

Marcus Georgetti of Plains Township takes a bite out of a cheeseburger at Bart & Urby’s, one of many restaurants participating in Downtown Wilkes-Barre Restaurant Week.
http://www.theweekender.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/web1_BUDGETeating2.jpg.optimal.jpgMarcus Georgetti of Plains Township takes a bite out of a cheeseburger at Bart & Urby’s, one of many restaurants participating in Downtown Wilkes-Barre Restaurant Week. Times Leader file photo

Chicken Tikka Masala is a non-vegetarian treat at Letts Eat, an Indian restaurant on the corner of South Main and East Northampton streets.
http://www.theweekender.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/web1_Chicken-Tikka-Masala-LettsEat.jpg.optimal.jpgChicken Tikka Masala is a non-vegetarian treat at Letts Eat, an Indian restaurant on the corner of South Main and East Northampton streets. Times Leader file photo

Rodano’s on Public Square will participate in Restaurant Week.
http://www.theweekender.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/web1_ecodevelop01.jpg.optimal.jpgRodano’s on Public Square will participate in Restaurant Week. Times Leader file photo

Gulab Jamun is a sweet Indian-style dessert you might want to sample at Letts Eat.
http://www.theweekender.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/web1_Gulab-Jamun-2-LettsEat.jpg.optimal.jpgGulab Jamun is a sweet Indian-style dessert you might want to sample at Letts Eat. Times Leader file photo

Cozze Posilipo, which includes Prince Edward Island mussels in a light marinara sauce, is a popular offering at Cafe Toscana on Public Square.
http://www.theweekender.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/web1_mussels.jpg.optimal.jpgCozze Posilipo, which includes Prince Edward Island mussels in a light marinara sauce, is a popular offering at Cafe Toscana on Public Square. Times Leader file photo

Navratankorma, a vegetarian dish featuring nine vegetables, is one of the Restaurant Week specials at Letts Eat.
http://www.theweekender.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/web1_navra.jpg.optimal.jpgNavratankorma, a vegetarian dish featuring nine vegetables, is one of the Restaurant Week specials at Letts Eat. Times Leader file photo

Insalata Mistaverde is a mixed green salad with walnuts, apples and bleu cheese you’ll find on the menu at Cafe Toscana.
http://www.theweekender.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/web1_salad.jpg.optimal.jpgInsalata Mistaverde is a mixed green salad with walnuts, apples and bleu cheese you’ll find on the menu at Cafe Toscana. Times Leader file photo

Gamberi Scampi translates to Shrimp Scampi, and its another sample of Tuscan cuisine you’ll find at Cafe Toscano. Gamberi Scampi translates to Shrimp Scampi, and its another sample of Tuscan cuisine you’ll find at Cafe Toscano.
http://www.theweekender.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/web1_shrimp.jpg.optimal.jpgGamberi Scampi translates to Shrimp Scampi, and its another sample of Tuscan cuisine you’ll find at Cafe Toscano. Gamberi Scampi translates to Shrimp Scampi, and its another sample of Tuscan cuisine you’ll find at Cafe Toscano. Times Leader file photo

Ann Marie Bossard is the baker of ‘Ann Marie’s Famous Peanut Butter Brownie,’ which you can find at Anthracite, Not Just A Newsstand.
http://www.theweekender.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/web1_TTL011815gamblingmain.jpg.optimal.jpgAnn Marie Bossard is the baker of ‘Ann Marie’s Famous Peanut Butter Brownie,’ which you can find at Anthracite, Not Just A Newsstand. Times Leader file photo

Ann Marie Kochuba-Mantione, left, daughter Giuliana, 4, Sal Mantione, and son John Blaski pose in the Alpine Downtown Eatery on West Northampton Street. The family’s new restaurant is one of more than 20 downtown businesses particating in Restaurant Week.
http://www.theweekender.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/web1_TTL091615RestaurantWeek_1.jpg.optimal.jpgAnn Marie Kochuba-Mantione, left, daughter Giuliana, 4, Sal Mantione, and son John Blaski pose in the Alpine Downtown Eatery on West Northampton Street. The family’s new restaurant is one of more than 20 downtown businesses particating in Restaurant Week. Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader

The Alpine Downtown Eatery’s vegetable omelet and home fries is a popular menu item any time of day, not just during conventional breakfast hours.
http://www.theweekender.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/web1_TTL091615RestaurantWeek_3.jpg.optimal.jpgThe Alpine Downtown Eatery’s vegetable omelet and home fries is a popular menu item any time of day, not just during conventional breakfast hours. Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader

If you’re hungry for French cuisine, Le Manhattan Bistro on the corner of South Main and East Ross streets is the place to go.
http://www.theweekender.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/web1_TTL111314Bistroreopens.jpg.optimal.jpgIf you’re hungry for French cuisine, Le Manhattan Bistro on the corner of South Main and East Ross streets is the place to go. Times Leader file photo

Anna Wolensky and her son Rev. Paul Wolensky have lunch in the Boscov’s restaurant on the lower level of the popular department store, which is participating in Restaurant Week.
http://www.theweekender.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/web1_TTL112514boscovsMainbar1.jpg.optimal.jpgAnna Wolensky and her son Rev. Paul Wolensky have lunch in the Boscov’s restaurant on the lower level of the popular department store, which is participating in Restaurant Week. Times Leader file photo