FIVE THINGS TO KNOW TODAY: Restaurant Week in Somerville | Vacation Week Fun, and More

Local Spots offer big dining discounts for Restaurant Week:

The words “discount" and “chervil-encrusted Mahi-Mahi” don’t tend to wind up in the same sentence often--unless it’s Restaurant Week, when more than 200 area fine dining spots offer once-a-year specials. This year’s Week runs March 6-11 and 13-18 and reservations go fast, so call now. Somerville restaurants to try include: , Brunello Bistro,  and , or check out Elephant Walk just over the line in Cambridge. All will offer prix-fixe meals: 2-course lunch for $15.11, 3-course lunch for $20.11 and 3-course dinner for $33.11. A complete list of participating Greater Boston restaurants (with Restaurant Week menus) can be found here.

Half off at Flora in Arlington:

Or start your own “Restaurant Week” early. One of today’s Groupon deals is for $40 of food and drink at in Arlington for $20. Purchase by midnight tonight and it’s good for one year. Click here.

Vacation week fun:

For school vacation week Feb. 21-25, is hosting Cupcake Decorating Drop-Ins for children. Kids can stop in (with a parent) from 1 to 5 p.m. any day and decorate their own cupcake in the Kickass kitchen. First cupcake is free; additional cupcakes are $3 each. Aprons will be provided.

Looking for more to do this week and weekend?

We’ve got loads of ideas. Check out our for weekend and vacation week ideas for the whole family. See for nightlife tips. And check out this week’s for some great suggestions for keeping the kids entertained during cold weather indoors and out (and be sure to read the comments too, which have more great ideas). Or, as always, see our Events calendar.

Vote for your favorite boutique in Somerville:

This week’s Patch Picks question is What is your favorite boutique in Somerville? Post to the comments of the question , or e-mail your tip to deniset@patch.com and we’ll post the results on Thursday.