Lunch @ Balzac

The deal: Available Monday through Thursday, you can opt for either the two-course ($25) or three-course set lunch ($33). We really liked both our starter of French duck salad—which comes with generous servings of pan seared foie gras and duck breast chunks—and the crispy pork belly. The panna cotta dessert, however, was somewhat underwhelming. Choose the homemade ice cream instead and you’ll be in for a treat; chef Jean-Charles Dubois concocts different flavors all the time.

Why it’s worth it: Affordable French fine dining is no easy thing to find here, while frequent menu changes and a chef who’s not afraid to experiment make it a worthwhile escape from the office.