For Wellington diners, Flavor South Florida offers a September excuse to trade the usual dinner routine for something new.

The regional promotion brings prix fixe menus to restaurants across the Palm Beaches and Treasure Coast, putting special-occasion meals within easier reach.

That matters when a night out can feel like a splurge before anyone orders dessert.

Wellington residents can make an evening of it in nearby communities or turn a meal farther north into a weekend outing.

Past editions have stretched from Boca Raton to Sebastian, with lunch, brunch and dinner offers at more than 100 restaurants.

Advertised menus have started at $25, although prices, courses and participating locations can change from year to year.

Check the current menu before heading out, especially if a particular dish or price is driving the trip.

For a Wellington-based dinner plan, Palm Beach Gardens and West Palm Beach offer options without committing to a longer drive.

Restaurants featured in previous lineups include Café Chardonnay in Palm Beach Gardens and Galley in West Palm Beach.

Anyone willing to venture farther can look toward Delray Beach, Boca Raton or the coastal dining rooms of the Treasure Coast.

Previous participants have ranged from neighborhood favorites to polished dining rooms, giving groups with different tastes room to compromise.

That variety is the appeal of South Florida restaurant month: a familiar destination can feel fresh when the menu changes.

It is also a chance to try somewhere new without planning an entire evening around an open-ended bill.

Ask whether the prix fixe menus cover all seatings, since lunch, brunch and dinner deals may differ.

Reservations are worth considering for popular dining times, and taxes, drinks or gratuity may be separate from the advertised price.

A little planning can spare diners an unwelcome surprise when the check arrives.

September dining promotions may draw attention to bigger restaurant districts, but Wellington diners benefit most when the choices fit their own schedules.

Pick a neighborhood, compare the current offers and let the meal provide the occasion.