$35 for three courses sounds like a helluva deal. And that’s what Restaurant Week is built around. But say you want to go somewhere awesome without having to deal with the crowds, the restrictions and the stressed-out wait staffs that are also a part of Restaurant Week. Is that possible?

If you happen to find yourself at The Mildred, Mike Santoro‘s Bella Vista homage to cast-iron cooking, it is almost possible. I mean really, really kinda nearly possible. Like maybe if you borrowed a couple bucks or found a five-spot in your pocket that you forgot was there–then you could totally do it. And here’s how…

First, hit twice on the small plates menu.

Ricotta Gnudi $11

Marinated beets, hazelnut, Banyuls sabayon

Confit Potato with Pig Trotter $12

Watercress salad, grain mustard

Then make up a little ground by getting one of the share plates all for yourself.

Lobster and Cauliflower Gratinee $16

Pecorino and taragon

That will run you $39 which, yes, completely blows the challenge. But if you wanted to bring that down a couple bucks, replace the gratinee with the sweet potato tortellini with broccoli rabe and pickled date jus for $14 and you’ll be out the door for only $37. And seriously, I’m pretty sure you can find enough change to make up the $2 difference dinner at The Mildred and three courses at The Melting Pot between the cushions of your couch.

All Restaurant Week Coverage [Foobooz]

The Mildred [Official]