ALL ABOUT FOOD: Good food without breaking the bank

The holiday season is over…Phew! Well, almost over, since the bills haven’t even started to come in yet. With your bank account at its lowest and dining out at its priciest, eating at home appears to be the only affordable alternative; but if you’re at all like us, it simply isn’t a realistic option. We would rather go into debt than give up this crucial sybaritic pleasure. So in order to avoid this terrible fate, we have immersed ourselves in extensive research for your benefit and our own.

After endless hours, slaving over a hot computer, we have made the following discoveries right here in town. You may already know about some of these but we hope many of them will be new to you.

Restaurants are striving to stay in business within this faltering economic climate by offering a variety of discounted options, including: early bird specials, prix fixe dinners, Locals Only and bar menus. Eat out during the week and stay home and cook on the weekends for the best possible deals. We think you will find some very good bargains, along with good food.

EARLY BIRD DINNERS

 The Beach House, 619 Sleepy Hollow (949) 494-9707, 4:30-6:30 p.m. every day

9 entrées plus bread and butter from $11.95-$19.95 (lobster)

 The Cottage, 308 N. Coast (949) 494-3023, 5-7 p.m., Monday- Friday

3 entrées at $12

 French 75, Hwy 1464 S. Coast Hwy (949) 494-8444 every day, Monday- Friday 5:30-7 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 5-7 p.m.

3 courses, limited menu, $34

 Hennesseys, 213 Ocean Ave. (949) 494-2743, 4-7 p.m., Monday –Friday

5 entrées $10

 Olamendi’s, 1100 S. Coast Hwy (949) 497-4148, 4-6 p.m., every day

4 entrées with rice, beans and salad for $9.95

 The Royal Thai, 1750 S. Coast Hwy (949) 494-8424, 5-7 p.m. every day

3 courses, limited menu at $14.95

 Sorrento Grille, 370 Glenneyre St. (949) 494-8686, 5:30-7 p.m., Sunday-Thursday, locals only

3 courses, limited menu, $30

 The White House, 340 s. Coast Hwy (949) 494-8088, 4-6 p.m. every day

7 entrées plus soup or salad and bread at $12.95

PRIX-FIXE MENUS

 Partners Bistro, 448 S. Coast Hwy (949) 497-4441 every day

3 courses, salad, salmon or steak, dessert, $21-$23

 Sage On the Coast, 7871 East Coast Highway, Crystal Cove Promenade (949) 715-7243 Monday-Wednesday

4 course pre-set tasting menu $30 with wine pairings $40

 Sundried Tomato, 361 Forest Ave. (949) 494-3312, Monday-Wednesday

3 course pre-set menu plus wine $35, premium wine $50

LOCALS ONLY

 K’ya, La Casa del Camino, 1289 S. Coast Hwy (949) 376-9718, Mondays

Small plate menu 25% off

 Mosun Sushi Saki Bar, 680 S. Coast Hwy (949) 497-5646, Wednesdays and Fridays

50% off food only

 Picayo, 610 N. Coast Hwy (949) 497-5051, Tuesdays

Entrées 25% off

OTHER SPECIALS

 Beach House, 619 Sleepy Hollow, (949) 494-9707, every day 4:30-closing

Early bird menu (see above) served in the lounge

 Bluefin, 7952 Pacific Coast Highway, Crystal Cove Promenade (949) 715-7373 every day 11:30-1:30

Omakase lunch, five courses $35

 Hush, 858 S. Coast Hwy (949) 497-3616, Sunday-Wednesday 5-10 p.m.

Thursday-Saturday 5-midnight

Bar menu, $10-$18

 Mosun, 680 S. Coast Hwy (949) 497-5646

Monday, All you can eat $19.95

Sunday and Thursday, sushi rolls, 18 choices $5

 Romeo Cucina, 249 Broadway (949) 497-6627

Thursdays, Family night, 30% off on pizza and pasta

Sundays, kids eat for free

It’s good to support your local restaurants — it keeps them in town. It’s good to eat early — it’s healthier. It’s good to take the whole family out to dinner — the family that plays together stays together, and it’s good to try small plates, you might actually find something new and wonderful.

ELLE HARROW and TERRY MARKOWITZ owned A La Carte for 20 years. They can be reached for comments or questions at themarkos755@yahoo.com