Newport Restaurant Week starts Friday, January 22 – Thurday, January 28.

For information, click here.

For participating restuarants, click here.

*** Make your reservations on opentable.com and build up points for a free gift certificate. ***

Click the image for participating restaurants.

(Crikey I can’t believe I am divulging all of my secrets, but if one of you guys get any combination of these gifts (or one of these gifts), I’m sorry but hey at least you got a gift. =D)

Call me Scrooge but yes, I am dreaming of a cheap Christmas.

Now, on with the show, cheap Christmas gift ideas starting at $2 dollars and up.

• Inconvenient recylable bags are half off starting at $5.00 buy now because this offer ends 10/31/09.
• Restaurant.com – $25 dollar gift certificates are now $2.00. Enter code TREATS offer ends 10/31/09.
• BevMo is having their 5 CENT wine sale. Buy one get the other at 5 CENTS. There are some great bottles starting at $8.
• Sephora.com – 20% off anything on the site using code FF2009 until 11/2/09. With shipping free for orders over $50.

Omg. I can’t believe I am not done with my Christmas shopping. Must get to it before all the sales end…

• Some of the restaurants have finally posted menus for upcoming Dine LA Restaurant Week.
• For all of you going to Las Vegas MGM still has fall tasting menus starting at $35.
• Get a 6 free box of chocolate covered strawberries at Edible Arrangements with any purchase of $50 or more, in honor of their customer appreciation week (ends on Today).
• Epicure Imports in LA is having a warehouse sale. Today 9/25 from 1:30pm-6pm. Sat 9/26 from 9am-2pm. Sampling is encouraged. 6900 Beck Ave., North Hollywood. 818.985.9800
• Mango 30% off on Sat. from 4-9pm (only at South Coast Plaza). Register at mangousa@carat.com.

http://discoverlosangeles.com/play/dining/restaurantweek/

Free small plate sampling, wine and beer at Chic Wine Bar in LA.

When: September 2, 2009

Time: 5-9 pm

http://www.chic-cafe.com/

via Sinosoul

For all you penny pinchers, here are a few more discounts I have managed to gather up. Thank to the help of my twitter and blogger friends! Save some money so you can play the penny slots!

Yes, penny slots make me feel powerful. So sue me.

Las Vegas Dining Discounts

• MGM Taste of Summer Valid until 8/30/09 – Participating restaurants with summertime prices. L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon 4 course $75/pp, CraftSteak 3 course $60/pp, Diego 2 course & drink $32/pp, Fiamma 3 course $45/pp, Nobhill 3 course $39/pp, Pearl 3 course $49/pp, Seablue 3 course $45/pp, Shibuya 4 course $59/pp , and Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill 3 course $45/pp. Via H.C.
• Palm Restaurant (Steaks) – Choice of soup or salad, entree and side dish. $39.99. Via CheapCheapCheap’s Twitter.
• Restaurant.com- I hope you people use Restaurant.com… You can pretty much buy gift certificates for restaurants at discounted prices and use them when you dine there (there are however, certain restrictions like the tab must be $X amt before the gift cert can be redeemed). Gift certificates for $50 for Mandalay Bay’s StripSteak — they do a early prix-fixe for $45/person via H.C. … Fleur De Lys $50 gift certificate for $20 use it for a $60 prix fixe, via Sinosoul.
• Las Vegas Restaurant Week – Begins 8/31/09- 9/6/09 via OishiiEats

Las Vegas Theatre Show Discounts

• Phantom of the Opera – 40% off Premium seats and select the show you want to attend, then click “Buy Tickets.” Enter the promotion code TZOO50 and click the “Submit Code” button. Select the number of seats you would like by using the drop-down menu marked “PP1TZOO50″ and make sure you change the number under “Internet” to zero. Select the seating level you prefer and click “Get Best Available” to see your seats. You can also call the Phantom Box Office at 866-641-7469. 
• Zumanity , Mystere , LOVE or KA – Buy 1 ticket and get 2nd for $25. Use code, SUMMER when calling 866.998.4833.
• Jersey Boys – Upgraded seats. Thanks to this offer from Best Of Vegas, receive a complimentary upgrade to Front Orchestra seats for $99 per ticket (reg. $147) for performances through Sept. 7. This deal is available for performances on the following days and times:
  • Saturdays and Tuesdays at 6:30PM and 9:30PM
  • Sundays, Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays at 7PM
  • For tickets an more information. Click the time next to the day you would like to see the show and use the pull-down menu next to “Complementary Upgrade to Front Orchestra Seating” to get your seats.

I could only find these thus far.

1. Taste of Wynn - Prix Fixe starting at $29. Save $25 on tickets to Le Reve when paired with a Taste of Wynn menu. For reservations call 702.770.3463 and mention the special taste of Wynn menu. Restaurants that are participating: Alex, Bartolotta, The Country Club at Wynn, Daniel Boulud, Okada, Stratta, Wing Lei, Botero, Sinatra, Society Cafe, Switch and Wazuzu.
2. Alex 3 Course $89 - Served Wed – Sat before 7pm. Appetizer black truffle risotto or maine sea scallops. Entree hawaiian snapper or American Wagyu. Dessert toasted vanilla custard, or hazelnut caramel.
3. Bartolotta 3 Course $69 – Served Sun- Thurs from 5:30pm- 10pm and Fri – Sat from 5:30pm- 7pm. Oh lots of variety on this menu.
4. Daniel Boulud 2 Course $36/ 3 Course $42 – Only available until 7pm daily.
5. Okada Bento Box $36/ 3 Course $49 - Served Sun- Thur from 5:30 pm- 10pm and Fri- Sat from 5:30pm- 7pm. Appetizers sound appetizing, but the entrees sound uninspired Shrimp and Vegetable tempura, chicken teriyaki, grilled sake soy chilean sea bass. Well at least they have sea bass on the menu.
6. The Mirage Restaurants – 3 course Prix Fixe at $29.99: Kokomos (steak & seafood), Fin (Chinese), Onda and Stack. Out of all of the menus Kokomo’s menu looks the best. Appetizers, salad of roasted carrots, or wild mushroom pot pie, or panko crusted crab cake. Entrees, macadamia crusted daily special fish, surf and turf, or tomato and goat cheese stuffed chicken. Dessert salted butterscotch custard or 12 layer chocolate cake.

• Dine LA (Restaurant Week in LA)- Runs through October 4-9 and October 11-16. You know the drill, but again, here goes. Dining is available in three price categories, lunch: $16-$22-$34, and dinner: $26-$34-$44.
• Las Vegas Restaurant Week- Starts on 8/31/09- 9/6/09

Via Oishii Eats

For those of you planning a trip to Las Vegas, or are planning on going to Las Vegas just for restaurant week!

Las Vegas Restaurant Week begins 8/31/09- 9/6/09.

Some heavy hitters will be there: Michael Mina, L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon, and many more.

It is really cool.

You can search by date, location and market name.

Click Here if you want to search for a Farmers Market near you.

Click pic to get to the printable coupon link.

‘Cause it is stinking hot out.

Plus a coupon for $1 off Blackberry Bliss smoothies, HERE.

photo via Robyn D of Yelp

Drink: Free Booze at the Foundry
Tues-Thur 6-9pm at Foundry: 7465 Melrose Blvd, Mid Wilshire; 323.651.0915
The Foundry kinda went nuts and decided to give you free flights of booze 3days/week: three different 2oz mixed drink pours per person, with each day featuring a different potable (Tues: SoCo, Wed: Jack, Thurs: Le Tourment Vert absinthe). Once your flight’s landed, score 1/2 off full glasses of the same cocktails, or just do the honorable thing, and stock up on increasingly mysterious fake mustache/glasses combos.
Drink up with the full menu at TheFoundryOnMelrose.com

Via Thrillist email

Sunday, May 31st – Friday, June 5th
Take advantage of 3-course Yelp Prix Fixe menus specially priced from $25 – $30 (+ tax & gratuity)

Mention you would like to take advantage of the Yelp Restaurant Week menu when making reservations.

Participating restaurants and their special Yelp Restaurant Week Prix Fixe Menus include:

————–

TASCA $30  (5/29 – 6/5!)
http://www.yelp.com/bi…
Call for Menu & Special

SOFI GREEK RESTAURANT & GARDEN  $25
http://www.yelp.com/bi…
Call (or scroll down to thread post) for Menu & Special

LITTLE NEXT DOOR $25 (ArtWalk & Restaurant Week)
http://www.yelp.com/bi…
Appetizers : Soup Du Jour or House Mixed Green
Entrées : Choose Any Entrée
Desserts :  Dessert of Your Choice

ELECTRIC KARMA $29
http://www.yelp.com/bi…
Appetizer – Samosas or Tossed Green Salad
Mains – Chicken Tikka Masala or Tandoori Salmon, Palaak Paneer, Daal, Raita, Basmati Rice, Naan
Dessert – Rice Pudding
Beverage – Cocktail, Beer or Wine (choose one)

AMALFI RISTORANTE & BAR $23 (ArtWalk Wine Deals!)
http://www.yelp.com/bi…
Call (or scroll down to thread post) for Menu & Special

LUNA PARK $28 (Available Mon 6/1-Fri 6/5 only)
http://www.yelp.com/bi…
Appetizer /Choose One:
Warm Goat Cheese Fondue with Grilled Bread and Sliced Apples -or-
Marinated Hawaiian Tuna “Poke” with Fried Wonton Chips -or-
Soup of the Day
Entree/Choose One:
Grilled Marinated Hangar Steak Topped with Salsa Verde, Served with French Fries -or-
Grilled Salmon with a Fava Bean and Pancetta Succotash and a Potato Cake -or-
Vegan White Bean Cassoulet with Broccoli Rabe, Tomatoes, Chard and a Basil Pistou
Dessert/Choose One:
Make Your Own S’mores-Molten Marshmallow, Bittersweet Chocolate, and House Made Graham Cookies -or-
Deep-Fried Apple Pies – Served Warm with Caramel Sauce and Caramel Ice Cream

SANTÉ LA BREA $30
http://www.yelp.com/bi…
Appetizers/Choose One:
Baked Samosas -or-
Spinach Quesadillas -or-
Vegan Soup Du Jour -or-
Entrees/Choose One:
Chicken Asparagus (Vegan option available) -or-
Spinach Enchiladas (Vegan option available) -or-
Salmon Filet Platter
Dessert/Choose One:
Raw Key Lime Pie -or-
Raw Carob Almond Butter Mud Pie

CUBE at DIVINE PASTA CO
http://www.yelp.com/bi…
Call for Menu & Special

MESSOB ETHIOPIAN RESTAURANT $15 (ArtWalk & Restaurant Week)
http://www.yelp.com/bi…
Super Messob Exclusive $15
Includes: Siga Wot, Yebeg Siga Alicha, Yater Alicha, Tibs, Yatakilt Alicha, Yemiser Wot, Collard Greens, Baklava and Ethiopian Coffee
Vegetarian’s Delight $15
Includes: Yatakilt Alicha, Yemiser Wot, Yater Alicha, Collard Greens, Pumpkin, Salad, Tomato Fit-Fit, Baklava and Ethiopian Coffee

NGOMA
http://www.yelp.com/bi…
Call for Menu & Special

BUSBY’S / EL TORO CANTINA $17
http://www.yelp.com/bi…
http://www.yelp.com/bi…
Starter – Nachos
Entrée – Choose 3 Tacos + Rice & Beans
Dessert – Churros w/Vanilla Cream Sauce

ArtWalk: LACMA Margarita $5

CAYENNE CAFÉ $25
http://www.yelp.com/bi…
Call (or scroll down to thread post) for Menu & Special

ITACHO $28 (ArtWalk & Restaurant Week / Closed Sundays)
http://www.yelp.com/bi…
Appetizers / Choose One:
Nasu Miso- Sautéed eggplant  -or-
Green Salad
Entrees / Choose One:
Grilled Filet Mignon with red wine sauce -or-
Yu Ko Black Cod -or-
Age Dashi Tofu and Soba
Desserts / Choose One:
Mochi Ice Cream  -or-
Sorbet
Beverage:
Glass of house wine

**Please note restaurants will also be serving their regular menu during Yelp Restaurant Week. Mention you would like to take advantage of the Yelp Restaurant Week menu when making reservations. Some restaurants may not be open all days of the promo. Please check before you head out.

Mention Yelp and make your reservations at participating restaurants today!

via Yelp

From June 1st through 8th, local foodies and visitors can indulge in the best of Old Pasadena’s award-winning restaurants, and help feed those in need at the first ever Old Pasadena Restaurant Week. More than 25 of Old Pasadena’s finest restaurants have joined together to offer you several delicious options for three-course lunch and dinner menus at one great fixed price.

10% of event proceeds will benefit Union Station Homeless Services, celebrating 35 years of helping those in need.

A confirmed list of participating restaurants appears below. Please contact the restaurant directly for your reservation and any additional information. Check back shortly for more menu updates.

• Lunch $15 & $25
• Dinner $25 & $35

A few of those restaurants are: Cafe Bizou, Cafe Santorini, Elements Kitchen, Il Fornaio Cucina Italiana, La Grande Orange Cafe, Mi Piace Italian, Redwhite&Bluezz, Sushi Roku, Vertical Wine Bistro and Yujean Kang’s.

The Food (Subject to Change)

This year’s LA BBQ Festival will host 10 of the nation’s top pitmasters — more pitmasters means more food! New additions will hail from Texas, Chicago, and New Jersey. The 2009 lineup will wow the crowd with their unique, award-winning regional barbecue styles. This year’s participating pitmasters and their featured menu items include:

Bryan Bracewell, Southside Market & BBQ, Elgin, TX
Beef Brisket & Sausage & Pickles & Onions

Butch Lupinetti, Smack Your Lips BBQ, NJ
Pulled Pork & Smoked Beans

Joey Sutphen, Texas Thunder BBQ, TX
Beef Brisket & Coleslaw

Mike Mills, 17th Street Bar & Grill, Murphysboro, IL & Memphis Championship Barbecue, Las Vegas, NV
Baby Back Ribs & Beans

Jonathan Burrows, Mr. Cecil’s BBQ, Los Angeles, CA
Beef Ribs & cucumber/tomato salad

LC Richardson, LC’s, Kansas City, MO
Kansas City Spare Ribs & Baked Beans

Melinda Race, Bristol Farms, Los Angeles, CA
Chicken and Veggie Skewers

Each plate of barbecue will be $10.

Extras

To wash down your ‘cue, a variety of beverages will be available including, Coca-cola sodas, water, Anheuser Busch beers, and wine.

Beverages will be sold for $2 and up.

Sides and desserts will be $4 each.

For more Information www.labbqfest.com

For discounted admission $7.75 general or $36 VIP, go to https://www.goldstar.com/shows/223213

Please note admission only gets you in. Each plate of BBQ is $10.

Expires 3/28/09

Link for Coupon Here

Participating Restaurants:

L’Atelier $75 for 3 Courses
Craftsteak $60 for 3 Courses 
Diego $29 for 3 Courses
Fiamma $45 for 3 Courses
Nobhill $59 for 3 Courses
Pearl $49 for 3 Courses
Seablue $59 for 3 Courses
Shibuya $59 for 3 Courses
Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill $45 for 3 Courses

Click here for the Winter Tasting Menus brochure.

Must mention “promo” when making reservation.
Management reserves all rights.
Offer for winter tasting menus is valid through March 31,2009.

Here is another link for more booze and dining discounts (some are just for the NV locals).