Dining out on a Friday or Saturday night is for amateurs. The kindest servers are eager to turn your table to ease things up for the hostess who has a line forming out the door, scaring away passersby with the possibility of a 45-minute wait.  

Restaurants are thrilled to see your handsome face early in the week. Not only are you much more likely to actually get a reservation on a Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday, but that’s when the best deals are yours for the eating (and drinking). After a weekend entertaining friends and family, let someone else do the serving. Here are two ideas to get the conversation started. What are your favorite early week dining finds?  

MONDAY

Glasshalfull, Carrboro – Wine by the bottle is half price Monday nights at Glasshalfull. Split an order of fries and a bottle of something sparkling with a pal. Will just one glass be enough? No worries, you can take the bottle home if you can’t manage a second.   

TUESDAY 

Jujube, Chapel Hill – A few weeks ago Charlie Deal launched Tuesday Tapas, a selection of small plates right-sized for experimenting and sharing. The price works too, these petite treats typically range between $6-$9. The recent shaved Johnston County ham with Mango for $6 was calling my name, but since the specials change weekly, be sure to call the restaurant in advance for the current menu, (919) 960-0555

Now, those are my thoughts. What are yours? Comment below!