San Diego Restaurant Week is returning to twice-yearly status. The first installment of 2022, dubbed “Savor the Spring,” runs from April 3 to 10.

COVID cancelled plans for the much-loved dining showcase in 2020. A full-blown SDRW tiptoed back into place September 26 to October 3, 2021.

The event is a chance for foodies (or would-be foodies) to sample dishes from restaurants they’ve never tried before. Or, visit eateries normally considered out of their budget.

How it works: The coordinated effort–presented statewide by the California Restaurant Association and in San Diego by McFarlane Promotions–allows the public to order from lunch and dinner prix-fix menus at collectively set prices.

Two-course prix-fixe lunch menus will range from $10, $15, $20 and $25 per person.

Three-course prix-fix dinner menus will range from $20, $30, $40, $50 and $60 per person.

As of April 1, the SDRW web site was listing 98 participating restaurants in the San Diego region, including 23 downtown. That number often swells as the start of the event approaches.

Note: Reservations are not required but are recommended.

Here’s a savory sampling of three downtown options:

$30 Lunch at Puesto

Tacos from Puesto at The Headquarters. (Facebook)

Puesto at The Headquarters is offering a two-course lunch for $30 per person.

Guacamole and chips options include: Classic, Puesto Perfect, Nogoda and Verde.

Diners get three tacos from this list: Chicken Al Pastor, Chicken Asada, Tamarindo Shrimp, Carnitas, Mushroom and Verduras.

Alcohol is extra: A Puesto Perfect Margarita is $12; four different cervezas are $6.

$40 Dinner at Farmer’s Table

Farmer’s Table, at night, in Little Italy. (Facebook)

Farmer’s Table in Little Italy is offering a $40 per person dinner option that includes three courses.

Appetizers on the list: A crab cake, burnt carrots, steak tartar and a soup of the day.

Main course options are: Stuffed sole, short-rib ragu rigatoni, artichoke ravioli, New York steak and a catch of the day (+$6).

For dessert, there’s a choice of limoncello cake and chocolate raspberry mousse cake.

$50 Dinner at STK Steakhouse

A ribeye at STK in the Gaslamp Quarter. (Facebook)

STK is located in the Gaslamp Quarter on the ground floor of the Andaz San Diego hotel. It’s three-course Restaurant Week offering is a $50 dinner.

Starter options: Burrata, Tuna Tartare Tacos (3) and Lil’ Brgs (sliders).

Entrees: Maple Rub Ora King Salmon, Wild Mushroom Risotto and Coffee-Rubbed 8-ounce Ribeye Steak (steak upgrades are available).

For dessert, choose from three Cheesecake Cones–freeze-dried berries, milk chocolate or Oreo crumble. SDSun