We’re all being frugal these days. Good thing you don’t have to pay a fortune to eat out.
Published July 2008
By Christiane Lauterbach
Everyone should master the art of dining on a budget. You may not be ready to pay $25 for an entree—a conservative average in most upscale restaurants—but with a bit of ingenuity, you can spend the same amount or less (drinks, tax, and tip not included) on an entire meal in places ranging from fairly upscale to cozy, adventurous, and fun.
Learn the pitfalls (avoid that bottled water at all costs; look for the fine print about extra charges for sharing entrees), and go at it with gusto. The following list should encourage you to stint creatively.
TOP FLR
There should be a dozen more places like this hip neighborhood restaurant opened by young people who know how their contemporaries like to eat and hang out. Killer bartenders will pour you a good glass of wine. What to order: mussels in coconut lime soy broth ($9) and grilled hanger steak with shallot demi-glace ($12). If you want dessert, split a bitterweet chocolate terrine with lemon olive oil and fleur de sel ($7).