Queen’s Feast, Charlotte’s restaurant week, is approaching quickly. Friday, Jan. 18, through Sunday, Jan. 27, participating restaurants around Charlotte will offer a three-course, prix fixe dinner for $30 or $35 per guest. With 133 restaurants participating — more than a dozen of which are first-timers — and just a little over a week to take advantage of the deals, how do you make the most of it?

With a little planning and organization, you can enjoy and take full advantage of this special week. So pour a cold brew, open up your shared Google calendars with your family and friends, and let’s start planning Queen’s Feast like a pro.

Step 1: Do your research

True rookie mistake: picking a restaurant on a whim! Take a look at the entire list of participating restaurants first and see if there are any listed that have been on your must-try list. Take the time to look over their menus, too. Do they look like something you want? Do not pick a restaurant because you heard their cornbread and duck confit was unforgettable; most likely, that dish is not on the prix fixe menu.

If you have dietary restrictions or allergies, this is the time to decide whether the restaurant is a good fit. Other things to consider: Is there an area of Charlotte or somewhere outside of the city you have been wanting to visit? Do you see any unique experiences or collaborations that are tailored just for Queen’s Feast? For example, NoDa is collaborating with TIN Kitchen, turning the brewery into a pop-up restaurant for the week. List the restaurants that peak your interest.

Step 2: Make a robust shortlist  

Time to narrow down your options. Look over your list and see if there are any repeated cuisines or styles of service. Do you have a lot of restaurants in one neighborhood? Is it all heavy hitters, with food that is going to send you into a food coma and give you diner’s guilt come Monday, Jan. 28? Weed out the repeats and try and narrow down a shortlist that has a mix of cuisines, gets you into different neighborhoods, and leaves you fulfilled, not guilty. Make a backup list in case your top picks cannot offer you the reservation you desire.

Step 3: Secure your reservations

Go out more than once. Try to hit three to five restaurants in the course of the ten days. Diversify your company, too. Make a date night, try a sibling night or parents night, and definitely make at least one night a friends night. Pick the right days. Start earlier in the week and build up to the weekend. Try kicking off your week on Sunday, then make reservations for Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. When deciding which restaurants to go to and when, look at the surrounding places. Is there a restaurant on your list near that bar you’ve heard great things about? Go early and grab a drink before dinner. Plan an early dinner near some local shops and go shopping afterwards. Make the evening more than just dinner.

Step 4: Remember restaurant week etiquette  

Try not to go into these restaurants with your food critic hat on. Minimize the urge to review your experience on your trusty review app or blast your opinion all over social media. Restaurant week is not a normal week for restaurants. There is a lot of work involved to offer a regular menu in addition to a Queen’s Feast menu. You are walking into a restaurant that is preparing and running a unique service on top of their normal day-to-day operations. Trust the restaurants and know they have your best interest in mind and that hospitality is at the forefront of their business. Please go into these restaurants with grace.

Step 5: Enjoy the experience

Make the following your objectives for the night: 1) enjoy the company you are with, 2) experience a new restaurant’s vibe and pulse, 3) ask to see their regular menu for a future visit, 4) order cocktails and see what their bar program is all about, and 5) tip a little more than 20 percent on the $30 or $35 per person meal. Remember, your server is working as hard as any other night, even though the bill is discounted.

With these tips and some thoughtful planning you can enjoy Queen’s Feast and make the best of the week. Make memories, try new food, and explore new areas of Charlotte like a pro. For participating restaurants and their full menus, visit CharlotteRestaurantWeek.com. —Justin Burke-Samson