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Business & Tech

Dine Out For Less

Celebrate fall by going out for a delicious meal without breaking the bank.

Going out for meals can take a toll on your budget. Here are some ideas on how to optimize your dining dollars.

  • Save up to 70 percent or more-during special promotions-on gift certificates purchased at Restaurant.com. Your favorite restaurant may not participate in the deep discounts on the site, but you mind find a new favorite-or several-if you dare!
  • From Oct. 16-20 and Oct. 23-27, dozens of Seattle area restaurants will participate in the popular Seattle Restaurant Week promotion. Over 150 restaurants – including Mercer Island's own Bennett's Pure Food Bistro – will offer three-course $15 lunches and $28 dinners. Most of the menus are posted online, so you can try your favorite dishes at a fraction of the regular price.
  • Family Friendly Dining can be fun, entertaining, and reasonably inexpensive. Some good options to consider are: The Islander-Kids eat free on Sunday night, with purchase of adult entree; Mo's Pizza-get 15 percent off if you place your order between 2 – 4pm (with coupon); and  where servings are generous and your 11th meal is free.
  • Throughout the greater Seattle area, Happy Hour menus abound. From 4 – 6pm and 9 – closing, many of the top restaurants feature "bar menus" and discounted wine, beer and well drinks. Split a few appetizers, with a friend, and both your belly and your budget will thank you.
  • Go to your favorite restaurant and save calories and money by sharing a large salad and an entree. Or, order take-out from your favorite restaurant and pick it up on your way home. You'll save the money you would've spent on a tip-typically resulting in a 15 – 20 percent savings.
  • Purchase a discounted gift card to a restaurant – at a fraction of the regular price – at plasticjungle.com, anniesbid.com or abcgiftcards.com. These are just a few of the several sites online that offer discounted gift cards.
  • Yelp and other websites, such as Snoopf.com offer various dining deals in the area. Yelp also provides research and review restaurants, so you can gain some insight into whether or not you might want to sample a new cuisine or new eatery.
  • Now, the tough question is "What's for dessert?" Problem solved. Yo Mercer is offering 20 percent off any purchase with a ValPak coupon.

So, you really can take pleasure in dining out without busting your budget, but you do have to be mindful and use your resources.

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