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Natalie Mae Umlah

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Jayden Brooking

<p>WILKES-BARRE &#8212; 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.</p><p>Oh, no, her parents said. Wait until the photographer takes a picture of it.</p><p>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.</p><p>As Downtown Wilkes-Barre Restaurant Week opens Sept. 18 Giuliana&#8217;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.</p><p>&#8220;It&#8217;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,&#8221; said John Maday from the Downtown Wilkes-Barre Business Association, describing Restaurant Week.</p><p>Actually, Maday said, because it lasts until Sept. 27, Restaurant Week can also be considered &#8220;Restaurant 10 Days.&#8221;</p><p>During that time frame, which includes two weekends, organizers encouraged restaurants to offer whatever kind of specials they choose. &#8220;They know their businesses best,&#8221; Maday said.</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>&#8220;For the non-vegetarians, we have chicken tikka masala,&#8221; co-owner Kavita Syed said, adding that instead of the typical rice side dish, the restaurant will offer naan, a special Indian flatbread.</p><p>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 &#8220;fresh off the grill&#8221; breakfasts, club sandwiches, chicken wings or chicken tenders. Customers who order any of those specials will receive for free one of &#8220;Ann Marie&#8217;s Famous Peanut Butter Brownies,&#8221; home-baked by co-owner Ann Marie Bossard.</p><p>Meanwhile, back at the Alpine Downtown Eatery, which opened in July but has its official ribbon cutting on Thursday, they&#8217;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.</p><p>They&#8217;re excited to be in Downtown Wilkes-Barre, the couple said. &#8220;There are so many downtown workers and college students,&#8221; Mantione said. &#8220;It&#8217;s a good opportunity.&#8221;</p><p>&#8220;I&#8217;ve always loved the downtown,&#8221; Kochuba-Mantione said. &#8220;Boscov&#8217;s is the anchor and all the other stores complement each other.&#8221;</p><p>&#8220;We just took our daughter and a friend of hers to Movies 14 on a Friday night and the atmosphere was very family-friendly,&#8221; Kochuba-Mantione said. &#8220;It has a nice town feel.&#8221;</p><style>
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<div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/web1_TTL091615RestaurantWeek_1.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">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&#8217;s new restaurant is one of more than 20 downtown businesses particating in Restaurant Week. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/web1_TTL091615RestaurantWeek_1.jpg</photo0><caption0>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&#8217;s new restaurant is one of more than 20 downtown businesses particating in Restaurant Week. </caption0><photoCredit0>Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader </photoCredit0></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/web1_TTL091615RestaurantWeek_3.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">The Alpine Downtown Eatery&#8217;s vegetable omelet and home fries is a popular menu item any time of day, not just during conventional breakfast hours. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo1>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/web1_TTL091615RestaurantWeek_3.jpg</photo1><caption1>The Alpine Downtown Eatery&#8217;s vegetable omelet and home fries is a popular menu item any time of day, not just during conventional breakfast hours. </caption1><photoCredit1>Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader </photoCredit1></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/web1_Gulab-Jamun-2-LettsEat.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Gulab Jamun is a sweet Indian-style dessert you might want to sample at Letts Eat. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo2>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/web1_Gulab-Jamun-2-LettsEat.jpg</photo2><caption2>Gulab Jamun is a sweet Indian-style dessert you might want to sample at Letts Eat. </caption2><photoCredit2>Times Leader file photo </photoCredit2></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/web1_Chicken-Tikka-Masala-LettsEat.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Chicken Tikka Masala is a non-vegetarian treat at Letts Eat, an Indian restaurant on the corner of South Main and East Northampton streets. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo3>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/web1_Chicken-Tikka-Masala-LettsEat.jpg</photo3><caption3>Chicken Tikka Masala is a non-vegetarian treat at Letts Eat, an Indian restaurant on the corner of South Main and East Northampton streets. </caption3><photoCredit3>Times Leader file photo </photoCredit3></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/web1_TTL111314Bistroreopens.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">If you&#8217;re hungry for French cuisine, Le Manhattan Bistro on the corner of South Main and East Ross streets is the place to go. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo4>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/web1_TTL111314Bistroreopens.jpg</photo4><caption4>If you&#8217;re hungry for French cuisine, Le Manhattan Bistro on the corner of South Main and East Ross streets is the place to go. </caption4><photoCredit4>Times Leader file photo </photoCredit4></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/web1_TTL112514boscovsMainbar1.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Anna Wolensky and her son Rev. Paul Wolensky have lunch in the Boscov&#8217;s restaurant on the lower level of the popular department store, which is participating in Restaurant Week. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo5>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/web1_TTL112514boscovsMainbar1.jpg</photo5><caption5>Anna Wolensky and her son Rev. Paul Wolensky have lunch in the Boscov&#8217;s restaurant on the lower level of the popular department store, which is participating in Restaurant Week. </caption5><photoCredit5>Times Leader file photo </photoCredit5></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/web1_TTL011815gamblingmain.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Ann Marie Bossard is the baker of &#8216;Ann Marie&#8217;s Famous Peanut Butter Brownie,&#8217; which you can find at Anthracite, Not Just A Newsstand. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo6>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/web1_TTL011815gamblingmain.jpg</photo6><caption6>Ann Marie Bossard is the baker of &#8216;Ann Marie&#8217;s Famous Peanut Butter Brownie,&#8217; which you can find at Anthracite, Not Just A Newsstand. </caption6><photoCredit6>Times Leader file photo </photoCredit6></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/web1_ecodevelop01.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Rodano&#8217;s on Public Square will participate in Restaurant Week. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo7>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/web1_ecodevelop01.jpg</photo7><caption7>Rodano&#8217;s on Public Square will participate in Restaurant Week. </caption7><photoCredit7>Times Leader file photo </photoCredit7></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/web1_BUDGETeating21.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Marcus Georgetti of Plains Township takes a bite out of a cheeseburger at Bart &amp; Urby&#8217;s, one of many restaurants participating in Downtown Wilkes-Barre Restaurant Week. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo8>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/web1_BUDGETeating21.jpg</photo8><caption8>Marcus Georgetti of Plains Township takes a bite out of a cheeseburger at Bart &amp; Urby&#8217;s, one of many restaurants participating in Downtown Wilkes-Barre Restaurant Week. </caption8><photoCredit8>Times Leader file photo </photoCredit8></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/web1_mussels.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Cozze Posilipo, which includes Prince Edward Island mussels in a light marinara sauce, is a popular offering at Cafe Toscana on Public Square. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo9>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/web1_mussels.jpg</photo9><caption9>Cozze Posilipo, which includes Prince Edward Island mussels in a light marinara sauce, is a popular offering at Cafe Toscana on Public Square. </caption9><photoCredit9>Times Leader file photo </photoCredit9></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/web1_salad.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Insalata Mistaverde is a mixed green salad with walnuts, apples and bleu cheese you&#8217;ll find on the menu at Cafe Toscana. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo10>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/web1_salad.jpg</photo10><caption10>Insalata Mistaverde is a mixed green salad with walnuts, apples and bleu cheese you&#8217;ll find on the menu at Cafe Toscana. </caption10><photoCredit10>Times Leader file photo </photoCredit10></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/web1_shrimp.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Gamberi Scampi translates to Shrimp Scampi, and its another sample of Tuscan cuisine you&#8217;ll find at Cafe Toscano. Gamberi Scampi translates to Shrimp Scampi, and its another sample of Tuscan cuisine you&#8217;ll find at Cafe Toscano. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo11>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/web1_shrimp.jpg</photo11><caption11>Gamberi Scampi translates to Shrimp Scampi, and its another sample of Tuscan cuisine you&#8217;ll find at Cafe Toscano. Gamberi Scampi translates to Shrimp Scampi, and its another sample of Tuscan cuisine you&#8217;ll find at Cafe Toscano. </caption11><photoCredit11>Times Leader file photo </photoCredit11></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/web1_navra.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Navratankorma, a vegetarian dish featuring nine vegetables, is one of the Restaurant Week specials at Letts Eat. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo12>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/web1_navra.jpg</photo12><caption12>Navratankorma, a vegetarian dish featuring nine vegetables, is one of the Restaurant Week specials at Letts Eat. </caption12><photoCredit12>Times Leader file photo </photoCredit12></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><subheadMeta>Restaurant Week comes to downtown Wilkes-Barre</subheadMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p><strong>By Mary Therese Biebel</strong></p><p>mbiebel@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><factboxMeta><p><strong>Restaurant Week participants</strong></p><p>&#8226; Alpine Downtown Eatery, West Northampton St.</p><p>&#8226; Anthracite, Not Just a Newsstand</p><p>&#8226; Barnes &amp; Noble Wilkes King&#8217;s Cafe</p><p>&#8226; Bart &amp; Urby&#8217;s</p><p>&#8226; Boscov&#8217;s Restaurant</p><p>&#8226; Bottleneck&#8217;s Saloon &amp; Eatery</p><p>&#8226; Cafe Toscana</p><p>&#8226; Cheesesteak Factory</p><p>&#8226; El Zocalo</p><p>&#8226; Franklin&#8217;s</p><p>&#8226; Frank&#8217;s Pizzeria &amp; Ristorante</p><p>&#8226; Hottle&#8217;s</p><p>&#8226; King of Kings Gyro</p><p>&#8226; Le Manhattan Bistro</p><p>&#8226; Letts Eat</p><p>&#8226; Mimmo&#8217;s Pizza</p><p>&#8226; Oyster</p><p>&#8226; Oz&#8217;s Eatery</p><p>&#8226; Pete&#8217;s Place Middle Eastern Restaurant</p><p>&#8226; Pronto Via Pizzeria</p><p>&#8226; Rodano&#8217;s</p><p>&#8226; Senunas&#8217; Bar &amp; Grill</p></factboxMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Mary Therese Biebel at 570-991-6109 or on Twitter @BiebelMT</p></shirttailMeta></div>

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From hoagies and omelets to ethnic dishes and fine dining, Downtown Wilkes-Barre will celebrate Restaurant Week Sept. 18-27