Cvent

Hotels aren't the only ones feeling the economic crunch. As more and more people—event planners included—deal with having less money to spend, restaurants are starting to feel the strain as well.

In order to respond to diners' limited funds, many eateries are offering up "recession specials." For a wallet-friendly price, diners can enjoy anything from three-course dinners or lunches to combination appetizer and entree plates. From the $42 three-course lunch at New York restaurant Chanterelle to the $40 three-course dinner at the award-winning 1789 restaurant in Washington, DC, the cheap eats are sure to please even the most discerning foodie.

Meetings and events can benefit from the recession specials, too. For example, meeting planners can now take advantage of New York City's famed 21 Club's 10 private dining areas at a lower cost. From January 2, 2009 to March 31, 2009, the restaurant is offering 15 percent to 20 percent reduction to private dining groups.

It's easy to let a poor economy get you down, but it's clear that there are still plenty of opportunities for event planners to host first-class events within their budget. Investigate any recession specials at restaurant venues being considered for your next event.