Where to get the best deals : Restaurant Week

Restaurant Week is the time to try the New York City restaurants you always wanted to go to but didn't want to pay full price for. The 3-course prix-fixe $25 lunch and $38 dinner deal runs Feb. 16 - March 6.

Here are our picks for the best deals, based on quality, the Restaurant Week menu from the restaurant and the popularity of it on a day-to-day basis.

21 Club

This classic midtown eatery is yummy and just really fine to dine at. For Restaurant Week, they will be serving special menus for lunch and dinner. Dishes include: Head-on Maya prawn with tomato-eggplant chutney, Lamb bolognese, redwine-braised short ribs with parsnip puree and caramel banana sundae. Reservations: 212-582-7200.

All'onda

Chris Jaeckle has had quite a year with All'onda, his West Village modern Italian restaurant that just launched a ramen dish. (So good, and it's available on the Restaurant Week lunch menu!) He also was awarded the Eater Chef of the Year award in 2014, so he's doing a lot of things right. Restaurant week dishes include: chicken liver crostini, ricotta cavatelli, short rib with saffron risotto for two and bucatini with smoked uni and breadcrumbs. NOTE: these are all the classic dishes on All'onda's menu. What a steal! Reservations: 212-231-2236.

Barchetta

Dave Pasternack's restaurant devoted to fresh and delicious seafood will be participating in dinner only for Restaurant Week. Dishes include: crudo del mercato (3 unique tastes of seafood), zuppa di pesce and Scottish salmon with puntarella-walnut pesto. Reservations: barchettanyc.com

The Cecil

Noted Harlem restaurant the Cecil is doing a special Restaurant Week dinner special with dishes including: ginger squid with chili peanut sauce,
Roasted Poussin Yassa with curry coconut sticky rice and jasmine rice pudding with roasted persimmons. Reservations: thececilharlem.com/reserve

Costata

Grab a Restaurant Week lunch at Chef Michael White's Italian-influenced steakhouse Costata. Definitely dine on beef, that's our advice! Menu items include: beef carpaccio with crema di funghi and artichokes, sirloin flap with bearnaise and vanilla panna cotta with citrus. Reservations: costata.com

DB Bistro Moderne

Daniel Boulud's delicious and trendy bistro is serving special Restaurant Week menus at lunch and dinner. Dine on delicious menu items including: a charcuterie tasting, miso-glazed cod, lamb terrine with carrot couscous and brown butter roasted pear with mascarpone mousse. YUM. Reservations: dbbistro.com

Gotham Bar & Grill

This renowned and ever-popular Union Square eatery from Chef Alfred Portale is taking part in Restaurant Week at lunchtime. The produce-driven and seasonal restaurant will offer menu items including wild striped bass crudo with pickled vegetables, pan seared halibut, crispy Moroccan spiced quail and vanilla custard. Reservations: http://gothambarandgrill.com

Le Cirque

A New York City landmark, Le Cirque oozes charm and history. The classic French eatery is participating in Restaurant Week with both lunch and dinner menus. Options include: agnolotti with black truffle ($15 supplement), prawns cassoulet and Creme Brulee Le Cirque. Reservations: lecirque.com

Lafayette

Andrew Carmellini's french eatery has been popular since it opened two years ago, and Restaurant Week is a great time to get in and simple some dishes. They will participate at both lunch and dinner. Menu items include: celery root soup with toasted hazelnuts, skate à la Grenobloise, duck confit and saffron riz au lait with fresh persimmon, pomegranate, pistachio. Reservations: 212-533-3000

Lincoln Ristorante

Jonathan Benno's highly-regarded Lincoln Center restaurant is doing lunch for Restaurant Week with delicious menu items including: pan-roasted sturgeon with oyster mushrooms, saffron pasta with peekytoe crab and sea urchin and garganelli with pork and mushroom ragu. Reservations: 212-359-6500.

Tavern on the Green

The storied Central Park restaurant reopened last year and experienced some hiccups but things have been looking up since Chef Jeremiah Tower took over a few months ago. Restaurant Week specials will be offered at both lunch and dinner, and dishes include salmon tartare with black pepper and fennel creme fraiche, roast half chicken with portabella mushroom potato gratin and dark chocolate mousse. Reservations: tavernonthegreen.com

Il Mulino Prime

The newer version of the classic Il Mulino will host Restaurant Week specials at both lunch and dinner. Menu items include: beef carpaccio with mustard greens, short ribs ravioli with butter and sage, NY Strip or Filet Mignon and chocolate cake. Reservations: 212-226-0020.