With 21 days and 120 restaurants participating in Houston Restaurant Week, it's nearly physically impossible to try out every bargain-priced meal. (Though if anyone wants to attempt it, we'll eagerly read the blog.)

Whether you're into rock star chefs, choice-friendly menus, over-the-top style, trying something new or people watching, here's your cheat sheet for the best places to make reservations for the marathon, which started Sunday and runs through Aug. 21.

1. Best place for people watching: 51Fifteen

There was a time when I thought no one ate in the hidden cafés inside high-end department stores. Then I went to Mariposa in Neiman Marcus and found an hour-and-a-half wait. I'd expect an even better crowd of ladies who lunch and the men who love them at 51Fifteen, the newly rehabbed spot inside Saks Fifth Avenue, plus bistro dishes like baked escargot feuillettes. Runner-up: The Remington.

2. Best place to expand your culinary horizons: Feast

Undoubtedly one of the best restaurants in town, Feast has been hurt by its reputation for nose-to-tail cooking. While they may be delicious, the average diner is apparently none too keen on entrails. But Feast has so much more to offer than just the uncommon cuts, and a tasting menu is just the time to figure out with this amazing place is all about. Feast also has up to seven options per course — more than almost any other restaurant week menu. Runner-up: Indika

3. Best place to be a carnivore: Del Frisco

There are steakhouses a-plenty on this list, but many stick to the salad/strip steak/chocolate script. Del Frisco's offers more choices when it comes to steak cuts and seafood — even lobster tail. Runner up: Frank's Chop House.

4. Best place to taste the goods from a big-name chef: RDG

Yes, it's a society magnet, but don't let that fool you. Robert Del Grande is still the man when it comes to elegant Southwestern cuisine, and at $35 for three courses a it's significantly cheaper than dinner any other month. Runner up: Haven.

5. Best place to dine without busting your budget: Mark's

Make no mistake, the well-executed, traditional American cuisine at Mark's is consistently worth every penny. But the tony prices limit those of us with tight budgets to trips only on special occasions — that is, until restaurant week comes around. Bonus: It's offering both lunch and dinner. Runner up: Eddie V's.

6. Best place to dine in style: Brennan's

Dining is an experience for all the senses, not just your taste buds. With the new post-hurricane makeover, Brennan's dining rooms are the perfect mix of modern and traditionally Southern. And the turtle soup and bananas foster are both on the prix fixe menu. Runner up: The Foundation Room

7. Best place for lunch: Hugo's

Lunch is a great addition to restaurant week, but many of the restaurants participating keep menus short and save their best goodies for dinner. Not Hugo's, which is serving up five succulent entrees and a trio of desserts to choose from. Runner up: Canopy.

8. Best place to take a vegetarian: Yelapa Playa Mexicana

Restaurant week menus offer slim pickings for the meat-averse (unless you really like salads). Yelapa has two dinner courses that focus almost entirely on vegetarian fare, and every course has at least one veggie option. Runner up: Arturo's Uptown Italiano

A list of participating restaurants can be found here, and menus, here.