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Walking into the front door of McCarthy Mercantile, an earthy aroma of spices wafts through the air. Upbeat rhythms of pop hits welcome visitors downstairs to Wildflowers Armory to join in the fun. While eating and talking, people explored small businesses across the lower level.

“See, I told you it would be fun,” a woman told her friend as they walked down the stairs.

On Saturday, Upstate Eats Trail and SavorCuse co-hosted a food sampling event at the McCarthy Mercantile in downtown Syracuse for the third year in a row. The organizations offered local restaurants a platform for exposure and gave foodies an opportunity to sample the city’s dining spots.

Upstate Eats is designed to unite the local community and shed light on unique flavours that inspire the Syracuse food scene. Visitors had the opportunity to try $2 food samples, each from various local restaurants, like Oompa Loompyas and Jamaica Cuse, and discover hidden gems across the city.

Upstate Eats Trail, which connects upstate New York’s four major cities — Syracuse, Rochester, Binghamton and Buffalo — organized the event with SavorCuse as part of their ongoing mission to promote local businesses. For both lifelong residents and folks who are new to the area, the event offered a way to connect with the community and experience the best of what Syracuse has to offer.

Sebastian Ramirez, a manager at Inka’s, a Peruvian-Japanese fusion restaurant, said the restaurant was born out of a desire to fill a cultural gap in the local Syracuse dining scene.

Inka’s, which has been open for about three and a half months, blends Peruvian and Japanese flavors. The owners saw a need for a Peruvian restaurant in Syracuse after Peru was named one of the world’s best cuisine destinations in 2023.

Ramirez emphasized the importance of events like these for gaining exposure and attracting new customers.

“This event is perfect to get food in front of people’s eyes,” Ramirez said.

Christina Gruttadauria came to Upstate Eats with Sweet on Chocolate, where she works. Sweet on Chocolate showcased many of her favorite treats, like strawberry-covered chocolates, truffles and handmade chocolate bars with hazelnut.

Ella Chan | Asst. Photo Editor

Sweet on Chocolate was one of the Syracuse food vendors showcasing its strawberry-covered chocolates, truffles and handmade bars at an event hosted by SavorCuse and Upstate Eats Trail in the McCarthy Mercantile. Other vendors, like Inka’s and Jamaica Cuse, gave people a chance to try new foods in the Syracuse area.

Gruttadauria, who transitioned from a different field to join Sweet on Chocolate two years ago, described the experience as “joyful and fulfilling.”

She pointed out that events like this not only boost business exposure, but also create a sense of community. Long-time Syracuse resident Teresa Henderson, who came with her husband and two kids, also praised it for its welcoming atmosphere and community. She said it was nice to bring her children so they could explore different cuisines.

Henderson said the vendors are just regular people trying to grow who they are and what they’re doing. She was especially pleased to see local entrepreneurs taking creative risks and putting themselves out there.

Some of these efforts were shown in She Fancy, a catering company created by Anna Sofer. At her table, Sofer offered one-of-a-kind samples, like caviar cannolis.

Sofer began her career because she loves being creative with food. She wanted to showcase her talents through her love of cooking and displaying beloved creations.

Sofer said Upstate Eats was an enriching way to meet many new people.

By bringing together a wide range of restaurants and Syracuse locals, the Upstate Eats event celebrated the passion and creativity that defines Syracuse’s food scene.

Syracuse also offers other opportunities that continue to draw people in; even though it isn’t a large city, innovation flourishes and is rewarded by the local community, Henderson said.

“It’s easy to make connections and easy to talk to people, and people are really welcoming,” Henderson said. “If you have an idea, because it’s a smaller city, there’s a lot of growth.”

Published on February 23, 2025 at 10:12 pm