Once again my New Year’s Resolutions (like many peeps) will start off with:
#1. Lose Weight.
#2. Save $$$$

You’re on your own for #1 but I’ve got a great way to kick-start #2. ( Scroll down for an unbelievable offering on Jan. 14th.)

The eighth annual Dine About Town San Francisco returns Jan. 15-31, 2009. Diners may select from more than 100 Bay Area restaurants, each offering prix-fixe lunches for an incredible $21.95 and/or dinners for $34.95, exclusive of tax and gratuity. Dates and times of participation vary by restaurant. A la carte menus will also be available. The tempting Dine About Town list just came out on the San Francisco Web site and you’ll want to be sure to check it twice. Some good ones that I’ve got my eye on are the newish Epic Roast House ( normally a wallet-buster), a special lunch cruise aboard the Hornblower, or at Luce, with Chef Dominique Crenn, who Esquire magazine named Chef of the Year 2008.
Reservations are encouraged and may be made online through a partnership with OpenTable.com. American Express is the preferred method of payment for Dine About Town. Information is also available by calling 415-391-2000.

And now, for the Best Dining Deal of 2009…

Try before you buy, have a good time and support a good cause. On Jan. 14 you’ll be able to meet Dine About Town featured chefs at a launch party in The Cellar at Macy’s Union Square beginning at 6 p.m. With a $20 donation to Meals On Wheels, guests will receive 10 “tasting tickets” to sample offerings from Cafe Andree; Campton Place Restaurant; Chez Papa Resto; Colibri Mexican Bistro; Daffodil; Fish & Farm; First Crush Restaurant, Wine Bar & Lounge; Level III; Market Street Grill; Roots; and XYZ, as well as meet Dine About Town featured chefs. The evening also includes a cooking demonstration by Jake des Voignes, executive chef at Fish & Farm, moderated by “the tablehopper” Marcia Gagliardi and author of Foodie 411, a weekly insider’s blog on the SFCVB’s food and wine micro-site TasteSF. Legendary American wines from the Napa Valley will be poured and guests will receive a keepsake ‘Only in San Francisco’ wine glass. But hurry– Space is limited and reservations are required by Jan. 11.