In the past, appetizers were known as a way to add to a dinner bill with food that can be prepared slightly faster than the rest of the meal (unless it's chips and salsa) for people who couldn't wait for the entree to arrive. But in my mind and in the mind of the author of the Wall Street Journal article I read today, this idea has evolved.

Entitled How to Eat Out without Spending a Lot, the article looks at someone who isn't about to give up dining out, but has learned how to do so within her means. Such information is useful in the slumping economy, but it also draws me to some other thoughts about the value of reaching beyond tradition when dining out--whether price is an option or not.

Paul and I met Paul's folks for a long weekend in Atlanta a few years ago. Gerald and Kathleen had been there a few days before us and had found a darling little restaurant that had great ratings. They went there for dinner, but found that every entree was a meat dish that could not easily be prepared without meat. Always adventurous, and knowing from the reviews the food was quality, they selected a number of items off of the appetizer menu that were vegetarian. The dishes were such a hit, they brought us back a couple of evenings later and passed around about seven appetizers for our entire meal. The price was certainly cheaper than feeding four adults entrees, but more importantly, being creative allowed us a fabulous meal in an otherwise carnivorous restaurant. Sadly, I cannot for the life of me remember the name of the restaurant.

Likely, my favorite appetizer ever (next to chips and salsa) is the Crispy Green Beans from P.F. Chang's. Paired with the tofu lettuce wraps, I am perfectly content with these appetizers as a meal. Even adding one entree that we split, Paul and I can eat really well on a lower budget without sacrificing anything we like. Perhaps we don't bring home as many leftovers, but for the price, eating smaller portions at the restaurant really helps the wallet.

What hints and tricks do you have when dining out--either for maximizing a vegetarian experience or for keeping your budget in check?