San Diego Restaurant Week

Who doesn't love a great meal? September is the time to explore the many tastes that San Diego County has to offer, and San Diego Restaurant Week is the perfect week-long vehicle for sampling everything food-related.

Follow that up with Downtown San Diego's largest foodie event that celebrates its finest offerings, and you have a chance to eat your way through some of the top restaurants in Southern California. Come out and join the thousands of diners who will be perusing San Diego's dining halls, enjoy some wonderful food and make some new friends.

The immortal words of Julia Child perfectly surmised the reasons why: "People who love to eat are always the best people."

THE ANNUAL TASTE OF DOWNTOWN: FEED YOUR SOUL

September truly is San Diego's "It's all-about-the-food" month! The Annual Taste of Downtown is one of two wonderful opportunities to enjoy the city's beloved culinary experiences, throughout the neighborhoods of East Village, Gaslamp, the Financial District and in Horton Plaza.

The event is put on by the Downtown San Diego Partnership, which consists of more than 325 members who represent a variety of business sectors including real estate, start-up incubators, banking, law, defense, insurance, communications, technology, energy, tourism and hospitality.

This year's walking food tour/gorge-fest, sponsored by Scripps Health, is the biggest tasting event in San Diego. Happening one day only on Thursday, October 2, from 5 to 9 p.m., it is the most ideal way to sample Downtown San Diego's diverse culinary treasures, while learning more about the spectacular things that each of its unique neighborhoods has to offer.

Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 the day of the event, and you better come hungry because there are over 50 participating restaurants to explore! Walking is recommended (think calories burned), but if you're too tired to waddle your way through, there will be a complimentary shuttle available, to help you wend your way to and from each yummy neighborhood restaurant!

A wise person who also had a wonderful philosophy about food, said this: "If you really want to make a friend, go to someone's house and eat with him... the people who give you their food give you their heart." His name was Cesar Chavez.

For tickets and more information on the event and participating restaurants, go to mcfarlanepromotions.com or check out downtownsandiego.org

SAN DIEGO RESTAURANT WEEK

10 years and counting... It's a delectable anniversary worth demarcating, and San Diego is doing it in style in a culinary celebration called San Diego Restaurant Week from Sunday, September 21 through Friday, September 26.

As they say, "You better come hungry" if you plan to participate in this twice-yearly foodie event showcasing the diverse and upcoming culinary talents of local chefs from the over 180 participating restaurants involved. Each one features delectable appetizers, enticing entrees and delightful desserts - representing every corner of San Diego County.

All involved will offer a three-course prix-fixe dinner menu for just $25, $35 or $45 per person and/or two-course prix-fixe lunch menus for only $10, $15 or $20 per person, depending on the dining destination selected. Featured bistros and their Restaurant Week menus are available online to preview and though it is recommended that diners follow the prix-fixe offerings, it is not required to participate and regular menu items will be available at most restaurants.

To make it even easier, no passes, tickets or coupons are required for this scrumpdillyicious dining waltz through the best that our local restaurants have to offer, from Del Mar to Downtown. Simply show up to your favorite participating eatery of choice during the week and enjoy the special prix-fixe menus offered within.

Fair warning; it is highly recommended that diners contact participating restaurants to make reservations directly through their individual websites. For all the foodie details beforehand and while you're en route, be sure to download the San Diego Restaurant Week Android or iPhone app.

Now, if we can only keep the number of pounds gained, below the anniversary count, it might be more pleasurable to be a little less guilt-ridden. Though, we don't think the pleasure part is going to be much of an issue!

For more information on the event and a list of participating restaurants and bars, or to make advance reservations, go to sandiegorestaurantweek.com