Image by Rob Shenk

Another D.C. Restaurant Week is upon us. Three course lunches and dinners are on offer for $20.09 and $35.09, respectively. It’s an event that’s either loved or loathed by dining out enthusiasts. Restaurants cling to the promotion as way to get butts in seats during the peak of the slow season. Some diners are grateful for the bargains and excuse to try somewhere new, while RW haters out there feel rather strongly about their amateur hour complaints.

The dinner deal dropped significantly in value last year when the price point went up by $5; after tax and tip, you’re hovering around $50 a head, drinks not included. But that price jump only further highlighted the steal that can be a Restaurant Week lunch. I wrote this past winter about a string of in and out lunches around town. Don’t worry about reservations. A solo or small party can almost always at least find space at the bar, and if you pick a nearby spot and grab dessert to go, you can be in, out, and back at your desk in an hour flat.

We’ve selected four downtown lunch picks for the week. Go ahead: embrace your inner-power luncher. Just get back to the office before your boss starts wondering where you’ve gone.