Guest Post by Cindi Kurczewski

With gas pushing $4 a gallon, think of this as your Spring Break staycation. The second annual Atlanta Hotel Restaurant Week (AHRW) runs from March 31 to April 7 and gives us a chance to eat like a well-heeled tourist at some of the city’s best restaurants that just happen to live inside some of the city’s best hotels. There are 10 eateries in this year’s lineup (full list below), each offering three courses for just $30 (excluding alcohol, tax and gratuity).

I was pleasantly surprised at the variety in the week’s menus. Most venues offer a choice between two or three appetizers, entrees and desserts, which almost leaves Spice Market’s just-one-choice-in-each-course menu in the dust. Cheeks are in this spring as BLT Steak tempts with braised veal cheeks and Livingston is doing a balsamic pork cheek. I’m also telling friends who were just talking about their lamb craving to check out the spring lamb ravioli at Room at Twelve Centennial Park.

Salmon fans will find it grilled (The Mansion on Peachtree, Room at Twelve Centennial Park and Lobby Bar and Bistro) roasted (Southern Art) and parmesan crusted (Paces 88 American Bistro). Park 75 offers scallops, Spice Market’s only entree is a thai basil cod, while BLT Steak includes a sauteed branzino, not found on its regular menu, in its AHRW options.

I’m a big fan of appetizers, so I plan to try the cauliflower soup at either Southern Art or Livingston, grilled asparagus with egg at Room at Twelve, the smoked trout salad at Southern Art and definitely the chicken and waffles with maple syrup and tabasco at Lobby.

Dessert? Oh, I couldn’t! Well, it’s included in the deal, so maybe the THIN apple tart at Eleven. Like the aftermath of any vacation, my staycation $30 indulgences will require some extra time on the treadmill.

Atlanta Hotel Restaurant Week’s website advises that reservations are highly recommended. Visit the site to check out the menus and book early to make sure you get in on this yummy event.

2012 Atlanta Hotel Restaurant Week participating restaurants:

* Park 75 at Four Seasons Hotel
* The Mansion on Peachtree
* Room at Twelve Centennial Park
* Livingston Restaurant + Bar (Georgian Terrace Hotel)
* Lobby Bar and Bistro (Twelve Hotel & Residences Atlantic Station)
* Spice Market (W Hotel Midtown)
* Paces 88 American Bistro (St. Regis Hotel)
* BLT Steak (W Hotel Downtown)
* Eleven (Loews Atlanta Hotel)
* Southern Art (InterContinental Hotel Buckhead)

About Malika

Malika is the author of Food Lovers' Guide to Atlanta and the founder of Atlanta Restaurant Blog. She is also a Digital Marketing and Social Media Consultant.