On my last layover I had a dinner of escargot, boeuf bourguignon and mousse de chocolat all for only . Want to know my secrets?
TIP #1 One of my favorite websites is www.yelp.com It is a source you can use in any/every city. I use it when I travel abroad as well. Yelp is a review site that you can get info on anything from apple farms to zoos. I use them when I want to find something in particular, like escargot or to browsing in a certain area, like downtown Austin (AUS). I mainly use it for restaurants when I travel, but I have looked up, museums, libraries, thrift stores, food fairs, farmers markets, craft shows, art openings…you name it I have probably looked it up.
One thing I like to look up is Prix Fixe. That is a fancy French word for a fixed price dinner. It is usually a three course meal, with a choice of three appetizers, three entrees and three desserts. This is usually a less expensive way to try out a more pricey restaurant that I would otherwise not be able to afford. Depending on where you are, sometimes it includes a drink and prices usually start at . 
TIP #2 Also be sure to check out if the city you are visiting has a restaurant week. San Diego, CA has one in January and another one in September. They are only suppose to be a week long, but they usually extend it an additional week and this year they included a 2 course lunch option for an additional savings. 
TIP #3 Another one of my regular resources is www.Restaurant.com You pay for a gift certificate for a huge choice of restaurants and most cities participate. Gift certificates cost $ 5.00 for $ 10.00 value OR $ 10.00 for a $ 25.00 value. They regularly offer an 80% off discount at the end of the month. So you can get a $ 25.00 gift certificate for ONLY $ 2.00. There are some restrictions, so be sure to read “the fine print”. You print the gift certificates from your computer and most of them don’t expire. In order to get the 80%, you usually need a code. The code can be obtained by signing up for their newsletter or google “restaurant .com 80% coupon code”
Happy Dining Out!
Penni P
Please be sure to check out my personal blog at www.paxin11d.com Find me on Twitter @paxin11d or on Facebook at PaxIn11D
Comments
I'm not a fan of restaurants.com. It's pretty much just bait and switch. You see a $25 gift certificate for $2, and then suddenly it's must spend a minimum of $50, limit one per table, not good for alcohol, etc. Too many restrictions.
I am confused - how are these going to help me save money?
Yelp is a good site for finding restaurants, tailors, dog walkers, etc, but it doesn't help anyone save money.
Also, "saving money" on restaurant week? Restaurant week in any city happens once or twice a year. To save money during RW requires that you are either intentionally or unintentionally in that city during a specific week or two during the year. The other 50 weeks of the year, you're out of luck. Even so, RW isn't a bargain - in terms of saving money, you're certainly going to get a good meal, and it certainly won't be a bargain meal.
Though I'm not a fan of restaurants.com, this is a good tip. There are some good deals to be had and you can definitely save a few bucks by going through their site.
@BR Thank you for reading the article and your helpful comment. I have been very happy with restaurant.com. I usually go the the places that have a $35 min. purchase, which there are many. That is also why, I said to read the fine print, because I definitely feel as consumers we always need to remember, buyer beware.
Leave a Comment