For the Grenis family, Syracuse's downtown dining week is a chance for the whole family to enjoy a delicious night out at Parisa.

"I often eat here, but my family has never been here before," said Peter Grenis.

So Friday night, all 5 had a taste of the restaurant's unique food. "I had the pomegranate meatballs. It was really unique and different. I've never had anything like it. It was really great," said 11-year-old Lily Grenis.

"We had a delicious dinner. I had pasta and it was really really good dinner," said 9-year-old Claire Grenis.

It was a packed friday night at Parisa. It's the restaurant's first dining week. It opened on Montgomery Street, right next to the Onondaga Historical Association Museum, less than a year ago. The owner says he named the place after his daughter, who died a few years ago from brain cancer.

In all, 25 Syracuse restaurants are offering special deals through Wednesday, to bring diners in the door. Most restaurants are offering 3 dishes, for $25 dollars.

Part of the goal of dining week is to bring people downtown in the winter months, which is usually a slower time of year for business. Last year, 35,000 customers ate out. This year, many restaurants say business is heating up.

"I work downtown so I'm here every day and we like to try something new," said Sue Monti.

Downtown dining week runs through Wednesday February 29th. For a list of restaurants participating and a look at their menus click here.