Not that we need an excuse to eat out in Suffolk, but it should be noted that Suffolk Restaurant Week — the spring version — has arrived.

Through next Saturday, diners can enjoy special menus, at affordable prices, at independently owned restaurants throughout the city. The city’s tourism staff does a terrific job of organizing Restaurant Week twice a year, encouraging locals to get out and enjoy a good meal or two, but also promoting the city’s culinary jewels to others in the region.

In reviewing the list of 17 participating restaurants, we’re reminded again of the wide selection of tasty cuisine available to Suffolk diners. There’s surely something to suit every taste bud.

Our newspaper is proud to be part of a partnership that added a fun twist to this spring’s Restaurant Week.

The first-ever Healthy Dessert Contest is the brainchild of the Obici Healthcare Foundation and Healthy People Healthy Suffolk, an initiative of the Suffolk Partnership for a Healthy Community. Ten restaurants — Cedar Point Country Club, The Plaid Turnip, Amici’s, Baron’s Pub, The Egg Bistro, Suffolk BBQ Co., Constant’s Wharf Grill, Mason’s Seafood and Chop House, Al Forno Pizzeria and Harper’s Table — have placed a healthy dessert on their Restaurant Week menus.

A panel of three celebrity judges will pick the best-tasting dessert, and the winning restaurant will receive a $2,000 cash prize, courtesy of the Obici Healthcare Foundation. The judges will also award a second-place prize for Best Presentation, with the winning restaurant receiving $1,500.

Finally, you, the diners, can have a say. Try out the competing desserts and cast your vote for your favorite at suffolknewsherald.wufoo.com/forms/restaurant-week-healthy-dessert-contest.

The People’s Choice Award carries a cash prize of $1,000 for the winning restaurant.

Learn all about the contest on Page 8A of today’s edition, or visit www.healthypeoplehealthysuffolk.org/2014healthydessertcontest.

Most important, let your favorite restaurants know how much you appreciate their offering healthy dessert options, and encourage them to keep doing so.