Restaurant week deals

Pretty much every city has a "Restaurant Week" these days and most of them more than one. The week offers fancy meals at cheap fixed prices. But, some of the deals are even better than others. Kelly Grant, Senior Consumer Reporter for SmartMoney.com gives tips on how to get the best deal when dining out for restaurant week.

Be sure to read the reviews. A common Restaurant Week complaint: the special meal is so-so. Check message boards on Chowhound.com and UrbanSpoon.com for diner reviews. Look for a restaurant week menu that has some of the regular, signature dishes. It's a good sign they're not skimping on quality.

Take advantage of lunch dining. Midday meals are a better value. The menus typically are cheaper, and at some higher-end restaurants, lunch may be the only opportunity. Some restaurants avoid nighttime and weekend participation.

Calculate the full bill before you get to the restaurant. The enticingly cheap two- or three- course Restaurant Week meal is likely to be just part of your total bill. Restaurants may push more profitable wine or cocktail pairings, or add a supplement charge for expensive menu options. Then, of course, there's tax and tip.

Compare different deals. You might find that the Restaurant Week deal isn't the best available bargain. Venues that participate at Restaurant.com, for example, regularly offer $25 gift certificates for $10. That's a price that can be knocked down to as little as $1 with the site's regular coupon codes. And VillageVines.com offers discounts of up to 30%.

Before making a reservation, check for extra deals on its site and the site of the Restaurant Week organizer. Some restaurants sweeten the deal with discounted parking, or free kids' meals. Some credit card issuers also offer a statement credit for dining out several times during Restaurant Week.

For more information on Restaurant Week and consumer tips click here.