Boston restaurant week: March 17-22 and 24-29

With more than 200 participating restaurants in the Boston area participating it is hard not to notice that Restaurant Week (or should I say weeks) is about to start, running from March 17-22 and 24-29th.  Three course dinners cost $38.13 and $20.13 for lunch.   If this is your first time making reservations during Restaurant Week, consider the following tips or guidelines.

– Not all participating establishments are worth visiting. Restaurants serve 3 courses from a Prix Fixe menu for $38.13.  If most of the restaurant’s main plates are less than $20.00 you are not likely paying more than you would normally and being forced to order from a limited menu.

– Restaurant Week is designed to bring crowds into restaurants during a time that is normally quiet.  To avoid the crush and not compromise on the service, make reservations for Monday or Tuesday; it’ll be a better experience for you.

– Select a restaurant you have never had a chance to visit. Use the opportunity to explore new places.  You may be pleasantly surprised and discover a new favorite.  There certainly are a lot of new options here in the South End.