Fri. Aug.  17

 Early August. The dog days of summer. Perhaps you're on the Cape. Perhaps you're at Tanglewood. And that's at least part of the reason Boston Restaurant Week exists this time of year. (Well, it happens twice a year and, guess what, the other time it's pretty durn cold out, generally speaking.) Now, what Restaurant Week means is that 153 restaurants in the Boston metro area are offering three-course prix-fixe meals. Lunch is $20.07. Dinner is $30.07. (Oddly enough, these prix-fixe meals have gone up a penny since last year. Must be inflation.) Are they a good deal for you? Yes. We're not saying that you should abandon your beachfront abode in Truro and race into Beantown, but if you're here take advantage of restaurants you might be hesitant to try because of the usual prices (or whatever) and remember they all have air-conditioning. Where to go? There are so many choices - Azure, Davio's (in photo), Top of the Hub, L'Espalier, etc. - we're just going to have to refer you to the website below, where you can click through and get menu and direction info. Today, Friday Aug. 17 is your last chance.

www.restaurantweekboston.com www.bostonchefs.com