Times are tough, I know, so if the current state of the economy has got you - or your expense account - down, the Ventana Room at Loews Ventana Canyon Resort has an opportunity to live it up. But just this month.

Executive Chef Marc Erhler has put together a menu where the AAA five-diamond-rated restaurant is offering five courses for $55 from among a chef’s selection of light, seasonal items. The menu will vary but only goes until the end of June.

It’s also worth noting the Ventana Room has lowered prices on the wine list by 25 to 50 percent. And that’s a permanent change.

"We’re competitive in price with all the well-known wine bars and fine dining restaurants around town now," said Maitre D’ Hotel Michael Scherzberg. "Guests will be very impressed."

Finally, the Ventana Room is taking a longer summer vacation this year. It will be closed starting July 5 and reopen Sept. 9.

Normal hours for the Ventana Room are Tuesdays - Thursdays from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

• Ventana Room at Loews Ventana Canyon Resort, 7000 N. Resort Drive - www.loewshotels.com/en/Hotels/Ventana-Canyon-Resort/Dining/Overview.aspx - (520) 615-5494.

Pick a day, Acacia has a summer special

Acacia chef and owner Albert Hall is featuring summer specials each day of the week, except Saturday.

The two I find most interesting are Fiesta Wednesdays and B&B Thursdays. For $9 on Wednesdays, diners can enjoy sous chef Yenny’s tacos al carbon (three of them) or a "lonely burro," with beans, rice and a cold cerveza. On Thursdays, $9 buys a half-pound burger and an artisan crafted beer. Both specials are served in the bar all evening starting at 4 p.m.

Call the restaurant for the rest of the specials.

• Acacia, 4340 N. Campbell Ave. in St. Philip’s Plaza - www.acaciatucson.com/ - (520) 232-0101.

Toast to a good cause

There’s an opportunity next week to taste the pleasures of wine and raise money for charity at the same time.

During CataVinos’ wine tastings June 26, 27 and 28, owner Yvonne Foucher will contribute $1 from each tasting to Youth On Their Own, which serves students in grades 8 through 12 who, through no fault of their own, lack a stable home and parental involvement in their lives.

Tastings cost $10 per person, or $8 with a wine purchase in the store. All wines in CataVinos are priced at $15 or less per bottle.

• CataVinos, 3063 N. Alvernon Way - www.catavinoswines.com - (520) 323-3063.