So many restaurants, so little time! Feeling overwhelmed by the wealth of options presented by Restaurant Week? Here are five strategies to get you out the door and to the table.

Try restaurants that you usually save for special occasions. Or try dishes that you've never heard of while it's affordable to experiment. Take a drive and find fine dining farther afield. You've been eating at the same five places for far too long. If you're a bargain hunter, there are some excellent deals just waiting for you to dig your fork into. And while dinner is nice, how about breakfast, brunch or lunch? 

Forbidden Fruit

Use Restaurant Week's deals to enjoy restaurants that have ended up on the "too expensive" list. Like E.B. Green's, where this week $20.16 will get you 10 oz. of prime rib or chargrilled salmon. If you're in the mood to splurge, spend $40.16 for a 2 pound lobster or a 28 oz. prime rib - both great deals. Other special occasion places that are affordable this week are Daniel's, the Asa Ransom House, and Proper, where you can choose between bass or braised beef served with delightfully different, locally sourced ingredients, and the apps are complimentary. I'm going for the lobster.

Try It. You'll Like It

Get out of your rut and try some new and unusual flavors. Lebro's house-made banana pepper ravioli with roasted red pepper sauce is calling my name, as is Schnitzel & Co.'s lobster spaetzle - three courses for $20.16. Or stop by the Shadow Lounge for creole baked meatloaf. Comfort food with a twist. Head to The Mess Hall on Ridge Road in Lackawanna for parsley jerked pork cheeks or oxtail pierogi. Wow!

Smoke on the Water in NT is offering southern fried green tomatoes and New Orleans style gumbo, and these are just two of the apps! Also in NT, Webster's lists asparagus & pea soup with pistachio and bacon crumble. Follow that with beef bourguignon or reisling braised pork shank, and finish up with beignets. Oh my. 

The Riverstone Grill on Grand Island lists a bacon and gouda stuffed meatball smothered in Blue Moon beer cheese bolognese on a pile of crispy lemon pepper fries. Really? Or head to my favorite WNY restaurant: Seabar. Choose Chef Mike A's Sushi Surfboard or really take the plunge and indulge in "Hawaiian Tombo with Golden Pineapple Salsa, and Hibiscus Glaze Chocolate and Peanut Butter Crunch." Amazing.

Off the Beaten Path

It's getting warmer and sunnier by the minute. How about a road trip? The Rust Belt on Lakeshore Road in Blasdell offers a salad, pan-seared salmon over grilled pineapple, an espresso creme brule, and a glass of wine. For $20.16. Dina's in Ellicottville has elk tenderloins on the menu. They're $40.16 but it could be well worth it. Where else do you find game on the menu? The Log Cabin in Corfu has a fairly traditional menu (steak, chicken, ribs) but comes with a great view of the falls. 

Bang for the Buck

I checked with Jeannette, a relentless bargain hunter. She actually sits down and researches Restaurant Week offers, and she's been in the biz for more years than she'd like me to mention. Her top pick this year is Osteria. Great app choices, entrees like osso bucco, and your choice of calories - wine or dessert. The Cornerstone in Clarence and Potters Field (choose from 11 apps and 20 entrees!) also made her list, as did Polish Villa II and the French Pub, which I can attest to. I had the surf & turf for $30.16. Yes!

I am going to add the venerable Adam's Rib to her list because they include a glass of wine to go with my prime rib. And how about Alton's, which is also including both wine and dessert. I'm considering the char-broiled lamb chops for $30.16. Get two meals and two adult beverages for just $20.16 at the Buffalo Brew Pub, or indulge in Faroe Island Salmon at the Lenox for just $20.16.

Morning, Noon, not Night

Too many restaurants to try, too few evenings left? Tavern 414's two-for-$20.16 lunch selections includes a B.E.L.T. (fried egg. Bacon. arugula. sriracha mayo on a toasted baguette) and a skillet mac & cheese. Does it get better than that? Cabaret's $20.16 two-fer includes beet salad and Asian shrimp taco options. Just a tad healthier.

Or do brunch, truly a Buffalo tradition. Soho Burger Bar is offering Sunday Brunch for Two for $20.16:  Your choice of two brunch entrees, one side to share, two cocktails, and two desserts. Pssst - they're serving brunch until 4:00pm.

You can even go out to breakfast and get a Restaurant Week deal.  Both The Family Tree on Niagara Falls Boulevard and Milo's in Williamsville (owned by the same folks) will serve up two souvlaki breakfasts with the works, and throw in two tall glasses of their fabulous fresh squeezed OJ for just $20.16.

Dessert Cafe is remaining true to their name. Enjoy two drinks and two desserts for $20.16. And if you don't have time to go out to eat, Kentucky Greg's has you covered. Do a take-out BBQ dinner for $20.16. Note that a whole peanut butter pie can also be had for $20.16. More dessert. Good grief.

Buffalo is blessed with more independently owned, non-chain eateries than perhaps any other city of its size in the nation. Restaurant Week is just a reminder to support them. Since this is such an enjoyable endeavor, let's do it year round. Use these five fun filters to help choose great places to dine well beyond Restaurant Week. Compared to prices elsewhere, our local restaurants are a bargain all year long. 

Think social. Eat local.