OK, you're probably thinking, how can $45 per person (not including tax and gratuity) qualify for a Bargain Bytes post? If it's for a three course dinner at Fearrington House, that's how, where the normal price for the same prix fixe meal is $69.

They're calling this offer the Winter Interludes special, and they're offering it through March 21.

Here's the fine print: You must mention "Winter Interlude" when reserving by phone, or note in the comments box when reserving online. Excludes Saturdays and Valentine's Weekend.

To celebrate the launch of dinner service, Spize Cafe is offering its dinner menu at a 20% discount on November 20-21. The menu will feature Thai fondue hot pot and small plates, and the new bar offering will include Asian beers and a selection of organic wines.

Jibarra is featuring a fall happy hour special, with $3 appetizers at the bar from 5-7pm.

That's in addition to daily ongoing specials such as half price bottles of wine on Sunday nights. Check out the full schedule of weekly specials here.

On Tuesdays and Wednesdays from now until Halloween, kids (10 and under) in costume eat free at Skylines Cafe.

Also, these weekly bargains continue to be offered at Skylines: 

* Wednesdays: half price bottles of wine

* Thursdays $5 martinis, with live music from 7:30-9:30pm

From October 1-15, Sandwhich in Chapel Hill is offering a prix fixe meal deal: $9.99 for your choice of sandwich, cup of soup or chips, bottled water or house beverage, and the restaurant's signature Antidepressant Chocolate Chip Cookie.

Not bad for a shop whose sandwiches have recently garnered praise from Bon Appétit and Vanity Fair magazines.

Looking for a fine dining experience on a budget? Savoy has a number of options, depending on what that budget is. The restaurant is now offering three prix fixe meals, priced at $25, $37 and $49.

Savoy is also offering a coupon on its Web site, good for a $30 business lunch for two. It's valid Tuesday-Friday from 11:30am-2pm, through October 30.

If you've never been to this hidden gem in North Raleigh, here's your chance to sample the wares.

Next week, August 31-September 4, J. Betski's will offer food and drink specials throughout the week. Here's the schedule:

Margaux's has extended its popular Summertime prix fixe special through September 15. 

The offering changes with the market, but recent highlights have included lobster summer salad, grilled Berkshire pork tenderloin with dried fruit chutney, and key lime pie.

That's three courses for $24.95. Get it while you can. 

That's right: The coffeehouse known for French press pots is jumping on the espresso bandwagon. (French press fans needn't worry. 3Cups isn't discontinuing that method of brewing.)

On Monday, August 24, 3Cups will begin offering cappuccino, latte and other espresso variations. To give customers a preview (and baristas a chance to practice), they're serving free espresso shots from 12:30-1:30pm, August 18-22.

Every Wednesday is half price wine night at Lucky 32 in Cary. That applies to nearly the entire selection of 132 wines by the bottle and 75 by the glass. The only exceptions are wine flights, sparkling wines and reserve wines.

Now that's a good reason to celebrate hump day if I've ever heard one.