Wow! What a fabulous job. I am a former Brooklynite, and current resident of New Jersey. I find that I am not in touch with all the great spots like I was years ago. Thanks for taking the time to post this info.

thanks Aduchamp1, awesome list! Also, there are scores of "fancy" restaurants doing recession menus now that offer items for under $10, like Tom Colicchio's Craftsteak in the Meatpacking Dist.

We did a little piece about 4 of the great deals out there: http://www.fodors.com/news/story_3289.html

NY Magazine has a massive compendium of recession specials (call to make sure they're still on): http://nymag.com/daily/food/2008/11/...on_dining.html

rosetravels -- my fave budget meal on the UWS right now is the stylish Greek resto Kefi: http://www.kefirestaurant.com/ It offers a good-value, 3-course prix fixe dinner for $16.95. Now that's what I call a recession special!!

Erica D

Glad you thought the list was helpful.

Erica_D - Thanks for adding more to this! I have a reservation at Kefi for tomorrow night :) It's been ages since I've had a good Greek meal.

I second Lamarca on 22nd & 3rd. It's my neighborhood place and they always come through with great food. All meals come with a side salad and fresh bread.

For a good Greek meal in a srestaurant that does not serve gyros try Pylos on East 7th Street,

http://maps.google.com/maps?source=i...&ct=result

I will be taking my daughter up there in 2 weeks to look at colleges and LOVE this list!!

Thanks!!

I'll be there in 2 weeks. Thanks for the list.

Awesome of you to write this. We'll be there in June and this will help a bunch. Thanks.

Thank you, it is appreciated,

Aduchamp1, thanks for this very interesting
and helpful information.

You are welcome.

Good lord, this is a gold mine. Thanks so much for the information, I'm sure it will be put to good use by many. Any recommendations for saving on drinks? I'm sure the best idea is to drink less, but I notice that at many restaurants in New York, a big chunk of my tab is for beverages, especially when they run $6 to $10 a pop.

Thanks again.

Wow -- what a great list! Thanks so much for taking the time to compile it.

This is a great list!! We live in NYC, and my husband is in law school so we're definitely on a budget. While we cook a lot at home, we do go out sometimes and have found plenty of places we enjoy. Here are a few!

First, a general tip: if you're here in the spring or summer, take your meals outside!! This is a great way to stay on budget and soak up the city. Go to a deli and buy a few sandwiches, or order a pizza to go, then sit on a park bench (or bring a little blanket with you and have a picnic).


Midtown

In general, 9th Avenue is your best bet for budget-friendly options (especially for pre-theatre dining).
We love Pietrasanta and Hourglass Tavern, and have also enjoyed Tacocina (great margaritas!), Cara Mia and L'Allegria.

Empanada Mama is a great choice for a casual meal, as the empanadas are each about $2. Yummy plantain chips and guacamole as well.

Divine Bar is a great tapas and wine spot, perfect for a group (especially girlfriends!). It has a loungey atmosphere, and you can buy "flights" of wine to try. Definitely get the baked brie, it's fantastic.

In the summer, without fail, you can find me outside at Blockheads. They have very cheap margaritas ($3) and reasonably priced chips, nachos, etc. Not gourmet cuisine by any means, but a nice way to enjoy a beautiful NYC afternoon.

UWS
We're both UNC grads, and frequent Brother Jimmy's (an ACC sports bar). This is definitely a casual spot, great to watch a game and have some Southern food. They have a midtown location too, near Penn Station.

Fred's is one of our favorite spots, for both brunch and dinner. Cozy, casual atmosphere, definitely a hit with locals.

Others we like are Gabriela's, Prohibition, and Carmine's (budget-friendly for a group). Popover Cafe and Good Enough to Eat are other good brunch spots.

If you're here during nice weather, our very favorite lunch is to go to Zabar's, buy a few prepared dishes, and take it to the park (Central or Riverside). They even supply plastic silverware and napkins for you.

Upper UWS (Columbia area)
Pisticci is one of our favorites, at LaSalle (around 123rd). A lesser-known little Italian spot, really cozy and cute.

We also like Havana Central, and it's huge so you rarely have to wait for a table.

There are some other good spots in this neighborhood (they're on our list!) around 113th, so it's worth just walking around, and if you're a Seinfeld fan take a peek at Tom's Diner.

A few other random spots:

Corner Bistro, West Village: a very old restaurant with some of the best burgers in the city. This isn't fancy; you go there for a casual time, and you should be prepared to wait. However, the line for tables is conveniently adjacent to the bar, where you can enjoy $2 McSorley's Ale (and other things).

Old Town Pub, near Union Square: another place with great burgers, and also grilled cheese. The beautiful first floor has a mahogany bar and tin ceiling. For any Mad About You fans out there, the exterior was used for Riff's Restaurant.

S'Mac, East Village: We'll make a pilgrimage to this place every so often. It serves all different types of mac 'n' cheese (my husband likes the "cheeseburger macaroni," I've had one with gorgonzola). Again, a casual spot, but cute and definitely only in NYC!


Another general note:
Consider buying gift certificates from Restaurant.com. You can buy $25 gift certificates for $5 (or if they're on sale, sometimes as cheap as $2). Some of the restaurants I've listed (Fred's, Havana Central, Prohibition) participate in the program.