We're near the end of January, but New Year's resolutions are still in the air. Perhaps you resolved to save more money, or to eat better, or to spend more time with friends and family. Here's another resolution that I think you'll enjoy -- and it might even help you achieve the others:

Let loose your inner epicure. Celebrate fine food and drink. Decide that when you go out, only the best will do.

The catch? Trade quantity for quality and be a little creative. Hit the town in high style but with only a moderate price tag.

First, evaluate how you spend your "fun" money and whether you can shift some over to your dining budget. Do you buy coffee every morning? Buy bottled water for the gym? Frequently go to the movies? Small savings may not mean much to your overall bank balance, but it doesn't take that many mornings forgoing your grande vanilla latte to create an ample dining budget.

A movie for two has become a pricey affair -- factor in popcorn, candy and drinks and you can easily spend $30. For a few dollars more you could indulge in a delicious meal at Eleven in the Strip District -- just sit in the bar or lounge and order off the tavern menu. Start with Fingerling Potato Chips with fleur de sel and truffled creme fraiche ($4). Then Lobster Ravioli with melted leeks and saffron-ver jus beurre blanc ($14). Your date might enjoy the Grilled Pizza with roasted tomatoes, guincale (cured pig jowl), picholine olives and house-made mozzarella ($12). Even after tax and a good tip, you'll have enjoyed a delicious meal in a beautiful setting for not much more than the cost of a movie.

Once you've set your approximate budget, gather information -- you might even discover some additional benefits along the way. Sign up for restaurant mailing lists, especially at expensive restaurants. They'll notify you about special events and sometimes give you a gift certificate for a free entree or dessert on your birthday.

A monthly newsletter led me to a fantastic holiday party at Seviche -- a $20 tasting of 10 tapas, as many servings as we desired.

Although it might seem counterintuitive, when restaurants have special events and dinners they often turn out to be less expensive ways to experience the restaurant's food, ambience and service.

Tonight, for example, Legume Bistro in Regent Square is holding its second in a series of farm dinners. The menu will feature corn, peaches, cabbage and more -- all in various states of preservation, of course -- from the family-owned Kistaco Farms in Apollo. The damage? Four courses for $40. (Don't forget, Legume is BYOB with a $3 corkage, which adds to your savings.)

Prix-fixe menus can often be a great deal. Le Pommier, another lovely French restaurant on the South Side, offers a four-course menu for $35 (before tax and tip) Mondays through Thursdays. A typical choice might consist of a country pate followed by a green salad and rabbit pot pie, and close with a luscious creme brulee.

Happy hour is a tried and true way to catch up with friends after work or cut loose with colleagues. Although the cocktail comeback hasn't quite hit Pittsburgh, that doesn't mean you can't be ahead of the trends. Find a beautiful spot, order one strong, succulent cocktail, and sip it slowly. Personally, I'd rather get exactly the drink I want and pay full price than get $2 off a mediocre martini.

Bar Nine, the separate bar room at Nine on Nine, Downtown, makes fabulous drinks, and its bar snack is certainly a cut above average -- popcorn drizzled with truffle oil.

Or perhaps you prefer beer? Go to the Sharp Edge Beer Emporium in Friendship, where Belgian beers are half price Mondays through Fridays from 4:30-6:30 p.m. This discount certainly helps offset the dreaded 10 percent drink tax. I particularly recommend Delirium Tremens, a hard-to-find Belgian triple that I have never seen for this price anywhere before.

Another Big Burrito event on my list? This one's actually a collaboration among Big Burrito, Dreadnought Wines and The Andy Warhol Museum. On the last Friday of every month, stop by the North Side museum between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. to sample four unique wines along with cheeses, fruits and other ideal wine accompaniments. Cost is $12 per person and includes admission to the museum, which is open until 10 p.m. on Fridays.

My last tip for saving money while experiencing all the city's culinary delights? Be flexible. If you love expensive restaurants but simply can't afford to eat a three- or more-course meal, there are other ways to soak up the ambience, service and cuisine.

Sit at the bar and order an appetizer as a snack. Eat dinner at home then go out for dessert. Split an appetizer, main course and dessert with a friend -- even if there's a split-plate charge, it's a much better deal than leaving with leftovers.

Go out to lunch instead of dinner. This brings most of the finest restaurants to a price range that many can afford, even if it's only for special occasions. The Capital Grille, Lidia's Pittsburgh, Bistro 19, The Sonoma Grille and Girasole are just some of the places that offer similar food and style for a lower lunch price.

Just one caution: Being on a budget is no excuse for leaving a poor tip. When deciding how much you can afford, factor in the tip, and try to be generous. The difference between 15 percent and 20 percent isn't going to mean much to you, but it goes a long way toward making servers feel appreciated.

This year resolve to seek out delicious food wherever you go and savor every bite. Life's too short to eat bad food.

Eleven, 412-201-5656; Seviche, 412-697-3120; Legume Bistro, 412-371-1815; Le Pommier, 412-431-1901; Bar Nine, 412-338-6463; the Sharp Edge, Friendship, 412-661-3537; the Sharp Edge, Crafton, 412-922-8118; Dreadnought Wines, 1-800-565-2816; Andy Warhol Museum, 412-237-8300; the Capital Grille, 412-338-9100; Lidia's Pittsburgh, 412-552-0150; Bistro 19, 412-306-1919; the Sonoma Grille, 412-697-1336; Girasole, 412-682-2130.