Chicly Cheap Eats

Get your fingers ready to make those rezzies---Bethesda Row Spring Restaurant Week is fast approaching with bargain-priced three-course meals ($15 and $30) from April 26-May 2. Participating restaurants on the Row are: Redwood, Mon Ami Gabi, Raku, Assaggi, Parker's, Le Pain Quotidien, Jaleo and Lebanese Taverna--not a dud in the bunch. Before or after you dine, be sure to stop in the great indie shops lining Bethesda Row: Ginger, Pink Palm, Bella Italia, Waygoose, Urban Chic and Wear It Well, to name a few. Okay, what are you waiting for?? Make that call! Need more? Here are some special week-long menu samplings:

$15 Lunch at Raku includes your choice of:

1. Mesclun Salad or Ginger Pumpkin Soup

2. Japanese Hamburger Steak; Korean Grilled Spicy Chicken; or Sushi Assortment

3. Croissant Pudding or Chocolate Cake

$30 Dinner at Mon Ami Gabi includes your choice of:

1. Petit Salad; Chicken Liver Mousse Pate; Warm Brie Cheese; or Soup du Jour

2. Steak Frites; Lemon Chicken Paillard; or Seared Salmon

(...and the best for last...)

3. Warm Flourless Chocolate Cake; Chocolate Mousse; or Sorbet du Jour

Ok, if you're still not completely convinced, try this on for size. One lucky diner will win a $200 dinner certificate. Visit www.bethesdarow.com to register to win.

Bethesda Row Restaurant Week!

Another can't miss!! There is so much going on around town my head is swirling, so I'll calm myself with food. A primal delight we can get for much less during Bethesda Row's Restaurant Week, which runs Sept. 21-27. Bethesda Row has no shortage of great restaurants. Check out this list of participants: Assaggi Mozzarella Bar, Austin Grill, Delhi Dhaba, Lebanese Taverna, Le Pain Quotidien, Mon Ami Gabi (a fave), Raku (another huge fave), Tara Thai...plus a fall makeover party at bluemercury and shopping happy hour at Urban Chic. A two course lunch is $12; three-course dinners are $30. Amazing. Book at individual restaurants or when available at opentable.com.