the BEAT of the week: dineLA restaurant week.

It's that fabulous time of year again: dineLA's winter edition of restaurant week. For two (!) awesome weeks in Los Angeles, you can have a taste of what some of this city's best restaurants have to offer in the form of discounted prix-fixe (and totally fulfilling) dinners and lunches.

My picks for this time 'round? Cliff's Edge boasts a super-romantic jungle-like patio hidden in the middle of Silver Lake, and now also has a new chef -- James Beard-nominated Benjamin Bailly, a la Fraiche and Petrossian. There's also the brand spanking new Short Order, the latest offering from Mozza's Nancy Silverton. And then there is the completely buzzworthy Picca, where you'll surely be pleasantly satisfied by the creative and tasteful offerings (do yourself a favor and order that delectably smooth avocado cocktail too).

dineLA deals apply now until Jan. 27, then Jan. 29-Feb. 3. Check out the entire restaurant list here, and let us know where you're planning on grubbing. Happy eating!

-- Chau Tu

Eat Out. DineLA restaurant week.

At long last, it is that time of year again. DineLA restaurant week is back in full force, and you better get your reservations in soon. Some of my picks for this year: Santa Monica's Josie Restaurant (as a fancy preview to the new and less expensive Josie Next Door), Lukshon (from the mind behind Father's Office), the buzzworthy Picca (don't miss the mindblowingly smooth Avocado Project).

Check out the whole list here, and happy eating!

dineLA restaurant week is Oct. 2-7 and Oct. 9-14.

-- Chau Tu

Advance Notice. dineLA restaurant week.

dineLA's restaurant week(s) is back for its winter edition! The two-week foodie extravaganza is hands down the best way to try and experience the best that L.A. -- and its amazing restaurants -- have to offer. It's prix-fixe menus (but you often get choices) at a discounted price, and so allows everyone the chance to indulge in places they usually wouldn't be able to afford.

The list was officially released yesterday, and can be seen here (click on the restaurant names for menus). Lunch ranges from $16-$28, while dinners are $26-$44. Some of my personal musts? The Bazaar by Jose Andres at the SLS Hotel, Susan Feniger's STREET (Kaya toast! Though not officially on the menu, must be tried), and insiders' fave Waterloo & City. Happy L.A. grubbin'!

dineLA restaurant week(s) takes place Jan. 23-28 and Jan. 30-Feb. 4. Make your reservations early, business gets busy!

-- Chau Tu

Eat Out. Dine LA.

L.A.'s restaurant week(s) is back! DineLA kicks off this Sunday with a whole slew of participating restaurants offering prix-fixe meals at discount prices. To note, though: prices have gone up from previous restaurant weeks; lunches now range from $16-$28, and dinners from $26-$44.

This is by far one of the best ways to enjoy L.A.'s amazing restaurant scene on a budget, so take advantage while you can! DineLA only applies Oct. 3-8, and Oct. 10-15, so make sure to make appropriate reservations and let your host/ess or servers know that you plan to opt in on the discount.

Check out the restaurant list here (many have the menus listed as well), and let us know about your favorites! Happy (fancy) grubbing!

-- Chau Tu

Do It. DineLA.

With so many wonderful dining options here in L.A., what's a foodie-on-a-budget to do? Wait for dineLA to come around again--which thankfully, is right now.

dineLA is L.A.'s restaurant week (actually, more like two weeks), when more than a hundred restaurants all over the city offer some of their best dishes at low fixed rates. The participating restaurants vary from the super fancy to the local neighborhood joint, but either way you're sure to get a good deal: two-course lunches for $16-$28 and three-course dinners for $26-$44.

On paper, it might still sound a little pricey (especially for us striving folk), but it's actually quite a lot of food (I doubt most people are throwing down for three full courses on a regular basis) and it's just a great chance to check out a place/dish that you normally wouldn't/couldn't. And even within the prix fixe menus, you'll get choices, so you can't complain about being restricted from the usual fare.

With so many eateries participating, it'll be hard for you to go wrong. Some of my personal suggestions?: Asia de Cuba (mojitos are delicious--although, N.B., dineLA prices don't include alcohol/drinks), Campanile, Katana, Luna Park (stay tuned tomorrow for a review!), and The Bazaar. Let me know where else is worth visiting in the comments, and happy eating!

dineLA is taking place now until Friday, Jan. 29, and from Jan. 31-Feb. 5.

-- Chau Tu