Looking for something slightly classier than dining hall food?

Treat your taste buds to a delightful meal during the Downtown Raleigh Restaurant Week.

This week only, August 24- 30th, the Downtown Raleigh Alliance is putting on a weeklong showcase of Downtown Raleigh’s finest foods.

The restaurants participating in this event will deliver their three course meals for a fixed price of $20 or $30.

From American cuisine to spicy Cajun, there is sure to be food to please anyone’s palate.

For those looking for a laidback atmosphere for dinner, the Irregardless Café offers not only tasty food but also live jazzy entertainment.

The Café is famous for its fantastic whole food options, catering to vegetarians and vegans.

“It’s for anyone enticed to get out of their regular routine,” Arthur Gordon, Irregardless Café owner, said

“Our food is already good,” Gordon said, “and when you add live entertainment it creates a win-win situation.”

If you are looking for more than just a meal, then check out the Red Room, a tapas lounge.

General Manager Joseph Ervin of the Red Room realizes that the usual cost of a meal at his restaurant may not always appeal to college students.

“The average cost during regular service is $40,” Ervin said. “The bargain’s great because it’s great food for half the money.”

While the food they offer is quite filling, be sure to leave room for their Thursday night salsa dancing.

Popular with many State students, the Red Room offers free salsa lessons from 9-10 p.m. and dancing space after 10 p.m. until close.

518 West is another favorite of restaurant goers.

Luis Fuentes, 518 West manager, always tries to stay abreast with the downtown scene.

“The Raleigh association makes us aware of different events,” Fuentes said. “We just contribute the best we can.”

With foods such as lobster salad, tenderloin and blueberry cobbler, Fuentes also adds that he tries to gear his restaurant as a connoisseur restaurant to college students.

Although most of the restaurants already have a lot of reservations for next week, the 26 participating places encourage everyone to come out to eat.

Supporting the local food scene and getting a great steal on the prices are only a few of the positives of taking part in next week’s downtown festivities.