If you’ve decided to cut back on expenses by giving up dining out, you might want to reconsider after you read about this special offer. Mela restaurants are offering their award-winning Indian Cuisine at a 50% discount during January. And no coupons are needed. Simply whisper, in a sweet voice, “50 % off” into your server’s ear. Perhaps this could become a January tradition for all London restaurants! And if you visit their website www.melarestaurant.co.uk, and click offers, you will also be able to print out a voucher for a free bottle of wine for a table of four.

To help you recover from holiday spending, many London restaurants have cut their prices so you don’t have to cut dining out from your budget. Carluccio’s new fixed-price menu offers two courses of genuine, regional Italian cuisine for just £8.50

This year’s Burns’ Night is extra special as it marks the 250th anniversary of the birth of Scotland’s favourite poet. And to celebrate, The Ubiquitous Chip, one of Scotland’s most established culinary institutions, is holding a wee swaree (bit of a party). The evening will start with a glass of Kir Royale followed by a five course meal and a dram of twelve year old Glenfiddich to toast the haggis as is traditional when it’s piped into the room. Musical accompaniment will be provided by Kathleen Sheridan who will lead the singing. The ceilidh will be led by Last Tram Tae Auchenshuggle, arguably one of Scotland’s best toe tapping ceilidh bands.

This January, Albannach, London’s contemporary Scottish restaurant, is offering each diner choosing from the great value daily set menu a half bottle of selected wine on the house. At just £16.50 for two courses and £20 for three, the seasonal menu includes starters such as sautéed ham hock and Angus veal hearts with pickled almonds; or North Sea herring with grain mustard potato salad and horseradish crème fraiche.

Short on pennies post Christmas, but still want to enjoy a meal out with friends? Easing your credit crunch worries, The National Café has come up with a fabulous new £10 dinner menu. For just a tenner, visitors to Oliver Peyton’s renowned café can enjoy a seasonal British meal along with a glass of wine.

If you feel that Lady Luck has passed you by of late, then why not begin the New Year by heading over to Just Oriental? Always an odds-on favourite, there’s now an additional reason to visit Just St James’ funky basement sister Lucky Dice Night. Every evening from 5th to 31st January 2009, guests simply need to throw a double six when they order their drinks and their beverages will be on the house. There is no limit to the amount of times you can play or win!

The Mediterranean diet is touted to be one of the healthiest diets in the world, so why not add Zizzi to the list of restaurants on your New Years’ Resolution eating plan. From 1st January – 28th February 2009, Zizzi’s is offering a three-course ‘menu della salute’ for £9.95, or a single course option at £6.95 for mains and £4.95 for starters. The healthy, hearty menu choices include Spaghetti Pomodoro, Risotto Funghi and Insalata Classica. The emphasis is on flavour and taste balance to show that nutritious food doesn’t have to be a culinary lull for diners who want to enjoy eating out.

This year, stick with your New Years’ Resolutions with the help of “Tossed”, the next generation of healthy eating venues around London. Tossed has devised three, 20-day Resolution plans which are fun and easy to follow. You can make choices from their on-line menu to go with the “Resolution Revolution” plan of your choice. Tossed counts the calories and nutritional content so you don’t have to, ditches mayo, and uses low GI carbs. But you won’t notice the sacrifices you’re making, because salads are packed with superfoods and protein.

Members of Farm Stay UK, the biggest farm accommodation organisation in the UK, are preparing to crack hundreds of eggs and fry thousands of rashers for Farmhouse Breakfast Week which takes place from 25th – 31st January 2009.