I'm a fan of restaurant.com. If you read this blog or my column with any regularity, you knew that. Currently, if you use the discount code COOK, you can get 80 percent off. That means you can pay $2 for a $25 gift certificate. I just got a $25 certificate at Nick & Eddie in Minneapolis and Joe Senser's in Eagan for $2 each, and a $10 cert at Ecopolitan for 80 cents.
What"s the fine print? I have to spend $35 at the restaurants with the $25 cert. Big deal. But at Nick & Eddie, even alcoholic beverages can count toward the total. The expiration is one year from today--not a problem. At Ecoplitan I have to spend $20. For all of the certs, the dining party has to include two or more people and it can't be take-out.
If you want to talk about onerous restrictions, try buying the $50 certificate. Yes, it will only cost you $4 during the 80 percent off sale, but the minimum purcahse is usually $100. Read the restrictions before buying. Here's another: Check your bill because many of these restaurants now include an 18 to 20 percent tip.
I think these deals are better than the new ones such as Groupon or Adilitydeals.com, which typically save you 50 percent. Their advantage? Many are different restaurants than you can find on restaurant.com, such as Al Vento.
