The weather's sublime, kids will return to school next week or so, and you can just feel the glorious, lazy days of summer slipping away. Hopefully you have had a picnic or two, a beach getaway, or biking excursion to assist in the overall appreciation of out balmy months.

While this isn't outside (unless you snag a sidewalk cafe seat), you can enjoy the fruits of summer during this year's Metropolitan Washington Restaurant Week presented by the the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington. There is a wide range of restaurants and specialties and this is the perfect time to try out that new place you have heard raves about from your friends. You will get to sample three courses for lunch or dinner. The menus are often deduced from the normal daily fare.

You will want to book early, especially for lunches at some of the most popular spots.  A vintner bonus is the Taste the Wines of Chile contest that is running simultaneously with restaurant week. Explore Chilean Wines during Summer Restaurant week, vote for your favorite winery and participating restaurant at Tastechile2013.com and you could win a wine dinner for you and 9 of your friends at your favorite participating restaurant, courtesy of Wines of Chile. Wines of Chile will also be on hand to introduce you to new wines during your dinner.