From Feb. 18 to Feb. 23, several restaurants downtown will participate in Ellensburg’s annual Restaurant Week. Many different restaurants come up with their own three course meals. This is a great way for customers to try new food for a good price, and it lets chefs show off their culinary skills by making something that’s not usually on their menus.

Participating restaurants include Cornerstone Pie, Brix, Ellensburg Pasta Company, the Mule, the Pearl, Iron Horse Brewery, Grapes and Crepes, Dakota Café and many more. The list of all restaurants participating can be found on Ellensburg Downtown Association website.

The event has gone on for a few years and has proved effective for the growth of customer bases. February tends to be the slowest month for restaurants in Ellensburg so Taylor Castillo, Public Relations Coordinator of the Ellensburg Downtown Association (EDA), explained that this is the best time to have restaurant week.

“It’s definitely an opportunity for people to try restaurants they haven’t before. We tried to get it up on campus because not a lot of students venture downtown and know about all the restaurants that are available,” Castillo said.

Cornerstone Pie, a relaxed restaurant that serves fire-roasted pizzas plus sandwiches, beer and wine will be serving a special three course meal for $25. The first course is an olive plate with pita bread and house made hummus, plus a small garden salad. The customers have a choice of entrée for the second course. Selections include a fire-roasted cedar-plank sockeye salmon served with broccoli and smashed potatoes, or the other choice is a slow-roasted Moroccan pork shank served with a medley of root vegetables. The third course is a house-made New-York style cheesecake with a choice of chocolate, caramel or raspberry drizzle. The meal does not include drinks.

Cornerstone has done this event every year and Da’Sha Hernandez, front house manager, said it has been great because it brings people out to try new things and see what local restaurants have to offer.

“It’s a good way for people to know about us, to showcase different types of food and broaden people’s food experience while showing people what we are about,” Hernandez said.

Cornerstone has bits of history within their restaurant that incorporate different aspects of Ellensburg. They have chalkboard countertops that came from Ellensburg High School, and the doors at the entrance of the restaurant are actually hospital doors. They also use a hospital operation light in the kitchen where the pizzas are made.

The restaurant is known for their live music. They have live music performances every Sunday all winter long and host a summer music series every Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Hernandez doesn’t want to put the spotlight on any specific food they serve, but highlight the great variety their restaurant offers.

“From salads to appetizers, hummus to desserts, and of course our entrées, we don’t just serve one style of things. If you’re looking for desserts, or entrées, or appetizers and drinks with a friend, we have it all for you,” Hernandez said.

Another restaurant involved in the event is Grapes and Crepes. The family-owned creperie and wine shop is serving a three course meal for $25. The first course gives the customer an option of soup or salad. The second course gives the option of two different style of crepes. The first one is named the “under the sea” crepe that has shrimp, crab, roasted tomato, cheese, asparagus and hollandaise sauce. The second option is the “castle” crepe, it includes risotto, mushrooms and ham. The third course is crème brulee or fruit and cream. The meal does not include drinks.

According to Debbie Hinkle, one of the owners of the restaurant, Grapes and Crepes opens at 4 p.m. and serves savory dinner crepes as well as charcuterie boards, vegetarian options, gluten-free selections, appetizers, salads and desserts.

Hinkle applauds the EDA and says this is a wonderful event that has been very successful for them.

Students can look forward to a wide variety of three course meals from a wide variety of Ellensburg restaurants.