Are Dinner Specials, Like Restaurant Week, Really Specials?

I like finding a deal in everything I do and going out to a nice restaurant is no exception. I do not dine out often as I feel that it's often quite expensive, and I could probably cook a meal that is almost as good if not better. However I will admit I love the fact that I don't have to clean up! That's why I always look forward to Restaurant Week.

For those of you not familiar with it, Restaurant Week is a week (or two) event where a number of restaurants participate and offer a prix fixe menu at a certain price. After doing some research and talking with friends, a number of cities have an event like this including Austin, TX, Philadelphia, Washington, DC, Kansas City, and New York City, to name a few. The restaurants have a special menu that usually includes a small appetizer, an entrée and a dessert. Sounds like a good way to try a new restaurant and save a little money, right?

Recently, I was out to a nice restaurant for dinner during a Restaurant Week special and left the meal wondering if most people are really getting a deal. First, the price didn't seem like a special at many restaurants. At $35 per person (which was the price the last time I went), the number of restaurants that I would normally spend this much on for a small salad, entrée and dessert are limited. That's about $20 for appetizers, two $20 entrées and $10 for desserts for a party of two. I typically do not spend that much at a normal restaurant so right off the bat I exclude ½ to ¾ of the restaurants as this isn't not a deal at all.

Then, after you found a restaurant where the prix fixe price is a good deal, you have to like what they are serving on the special menu. The restaurants typically do not offer a full menu at that price, but rather a few selections for each. If you do not like the chicken, steak or fish that they have selected, you will need to order off the regular menu and forgo the discount. Fortunately for me, I'm not a picky eater and am willing to try new things. But for those with limited palates or restrictive diets, the prix fixe menu might not work for you.

For the most part, restaurant week seems like a good marketing gimmick to get consumers out dining. But if you are lucky enough to find a very nice restaurant that is serving a meal you would enjoy, you can certainly get a meal fit for a king at a price many can afford.

By: Angela Marino

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I am a shopping fanatic. I love to shop in stores like Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus but prefer the prices in Saks Fifth Avenue Outlet and Last Call Neiman Marcus. I also love hunting for bargains in Marshals, Ross and even Salvation Army and Craigslist. And we can't forget about my favorite place to shop: Ebay! I try to use coupon codes and printbale coupons whenever possible to save some extra money!