Much like they do in other cities (usually with some charitable overtones), a selection of downtown restaurants will be offering special, 3-course, $30 dinners for the week of January 12-18.

SF has done this for several years and their restaurant participants offer lunch as well as dinner menus, but this is a good start. I’ll probably take the opportunity to introduce my husband to Ella and we’ll hit Frank Fat’s ’cause those Honey Walnut Prawns are addictive like crack. I’m not entirely convinced the special menus are the best value, but they should help introduce more people to downtown options.

Other participating restaurants:

4th Street Grille
58 Degrees & Holding, Co.
Brew it Up!
The Broiler Steakhouse
California Fat’s Steakhouse
Chanterelle
Chops Steak, Seafood & Bar
Dawson’s at the Hyatt
Ella Dining Room & Bar
Esquire Grill
Fat City Bar & Grill
Frank Fat’s
Gaylord India
Mason’s
McCormick & Schmick’s
The Melting Pot
Morgan’s at the Sheraton
Restaurant 55º
Rio City Cafe
Sakura Sushi & Teppan Grill
Spataro
Three Monkeys Restaurant

Click here for contact information and menus. Enjoy!