The dreay days of late December and early January may or may not be times your thoughts turn to eating out. This could depend upon the amount of rich food you overindulged in at the holidays, or the amount of gift treats you’re hoarding to see you through to Valentine’s Day.

No matter–think ahead a half a month anyway. That’s when the first Ann Arbor Restaurant Week of 2012 kicks into gear, January 15-20. You’ll want to make reservations soon to take advantage of fixed-price special lunch ($12) and dinner ($25) menus at about 50 popular restaurants. Some of the casual eateries actually give you meals for two people for those prices.

Learn more and see some Restaurant Week menus already posted online at http://annarborrestaurantweek.com/ (it’s an incomplete website, however, so call the restaurants to be sure they’re offering what you set your sights on).

Four-course dinners at some higher-end joints will get your tastebuds watering with what they’re featuring, such as: quinoa-crusted sole, bourbon-drenched pork loin, and pasta with shrimp and bacon in creamy vodka tomato sauce….

MMMmmm… Happy New Year of dining.