Cheap and New York City don't really work in a sentence. If you said this to a random person on the street, they would probably laugh deep from their belly and think you were crazy. But here is the thing foodie chick readers, cheap DOES exist in Gotham. Let me clarify my idea of cheap. Buffets don't count. They are a big NO in my book. Yes cheap, but scary and gross. Also, I am not going to count the endless array of cheap salad shops, chipotles, pret a mangers, etc, etc, etc. They don't count in my book. Here is how I define cheap: delicious food with good ingredients and a nice wine list all under $25 bucks per person for dinner. This can be accomplished! I assure you! Here is my current list of cheap eats:
1) 'INO --> I have been coming here since they opened. Its the kind of place you always want to go back to time and time again. I have taken loads of friends here and even my dear mom who gave it two thumbs up. What I like so much about 'ino, is the hominess of the space, the awesome staff who always remembers me, and the most delicious food. I can't go here without always starting off with a glass of proseco. For $8 bucks a glass that is a steal. Depending on my company, I either have their antipasti plate or their Italian cheeses. Both are served with sullivan street bread and cost $12 bucks. If I don't have antipasti or the cheese, I definitely order bruschetta. Their butternut squash is divine as is their pesto. 1 bruschetta costs $3 bucks. I always order a panini except I doctor it up a little. My favorite is the mozzarella, basil pesto and pepperonata with caramelized onions added. SOOO good. Each panini is only $11 bucks. I am always too full for dessert but they have some very nice options including toasted bread with nutella! So, proseco + 1 bruschetta + a panini = $22 bucks!
www.cafeino.com
2) 'INOTECA --> This is owned by the 'ino people. I remember when I was at 'ino and they told me they were opening this place. I thought they were brilliant to do so. Considered one of the first restaurants that helped make the LES a dining destination, 'inoteca has been packing them in night after night. One of my favorite dishes, a shaved brussel sprout salad, is currently off the menu but I am hopeful it will return soon. When it was on the menu, it was around $8 bucks. 'Inoteca also serves proseco that is a must for anyone who likes the bubbly. My absolute favorite item on the menu is the "lasagnette di melanzane". Basically, this lasagna has no noodles and is made of eggplant and has onions, tomatoes, peppers, herbs, and parmesan cheese. I must tell you all that nobody makes a better melanzane in the city. I have ordered at many other fine establishments and have been utterly disappointed. Gemma to name one place that massacred such a lovely dish. 'Inoteca charges $12 bucks this entree. Ok, so I am a little over the budget with my order here. Proseco + brussel sprout salad + lasagna = $32 bucks. If I didn't have the bubbly I would be on the mark with a buck to spare! I have been here so many times that I have ordered practically everything on the menu. My other favs include their meatballs, the wagu beef panini, bruschettas, rice balls, mozzarella in carrozza, brick chicken, and their beet salad. You won't be disappointed here at all. Go at off times as prime time dining can make you wait a long time for a table.
www.inotecanyc.com
3) Alta --> I wish I could take complete credit for finding this place. But I can't. My friend Laura is responsible for finding this cozy hidden restaurant tucked in an adorable West Village townhouse. The menu is comprised of small plates that range from duck to pizza to cheese to potatoes. There is probably something on the menu for everyone. What is best is to go with a big group of people so you can try a bunch of different things. My absolute favorite is none other than the crispy brussel sprouts with fuji apples, crème fraiche, and pistachio nuts. I also love the fried goat cheese in lavender honey, the catalonian flatbread with mushrooms and cheese, the bacon wrapped dates and olives, and the Ricotta Parmesan Gnocchi. The wine list is equally impressive with lots of choices that don't break the bank. Depending on what you order, you could keep it at $25 or you might go a little over but it is well worth it. It should come as no surprise that I am a huge Top Chef fan and recently I saw Padma dining at Alta! Unlike 'Ino and 'Inoteca, Alta takes reservations and is GREAT for a group of people. Be warned that they only take cash and American Express!
www.altarestaurant.com
4) Kefi --> This Greek taverna made me like Greek food again. There are a lot of high end Greek restaurants in NYC but the cheap options weren't so good until Kefi arrived...or came back depending on how you know the place. The restaurant comes from the dynamo chef Michael Psilakis who has taken our city by storm. His high end Greek restaurant, Anthos, is one of the best in the city. He recently opened a Gastro Pub called Gus & Gabriel on the UWS that needs to work out some kinks still. Kefi on the other hand, is a well oiled machine that cranks out delicious food at the most affordable prices. Opened at a new location on the UWS, Kefi serves Greek food for both lunch and dinner. The Greek salad is delightful. Not your typical take but rather an inventive re-creation that puts the D in Dill. The spread selection includes tzatziki, eggplant, red pepper, and fish roe all served with perfectly baked pita bread. The Chicken Souvlaki sandwich with tzatziki on pita bread is really nice and a good value as it comes with a side Greek salad and chips for $11.95. The sheep's milk ravioli with brown butter is heavenly as is the sheep's milk dumplings with a spicy lamb sausage. All are priced in the low teens. Kefi also serves great fish dishes with lots of fresh herbs like the grilled swordfish with tomato, olives, and cauliflower. On a recent visit I had the hanger steak with broccoli rabe and it was awesome. Perfectly cooked and so full of flavor. The wines by the glass are so reasonable for NYC ---$6 bucks for a nice house red! Kefi is great for all occasions and party sizes. They do take reservations and they are on open table! Kefi will definitely fit in your budget.
www.kefirestaurant.com
5) Otto --> Who doesn't like pizza, cheese, and wine? Otto began the pizza revolution that has taken over NYC and is taking over America. The idea of serving pizza in a nice setting with an extensive wine list was the brainchild of none other than Mario Batali . On many occasions I have popped into Otto and Mr. Orange clogs himself was sitting at a table stuffing a pizza in his mouth. Otto is where I began my love affair with truffle honey and coach triple cream goat's cheese. Otto is also where I have seen tons of celebs like Holly Hunter, Michael Moore, and Spike Jonze. Otto is also very special to me as a dear friend of mine who has since passed away loved it too. My go-to pizza at Otto is the goat cheese with whatever vegetable they are pairing with it. I typically also order some of their cheese so I can get the truffle honey. It's all about the honey! I also like their balsamic marinated brussel sprouts (duh) and their eggplant caponata . If you don't like a pizza on the menu they will make you whatever you like...but I doubt you would have that problem! Otto also serves a few pasta dishes but they are really small servings and haven't been good in the past. Stick with the pizza. Otto takes reservations and can be really busy so book well in advance. Otto also has wine classes that are really fun. Check out their website for more info! The pizzas range between $7 - $14 bucks and all the pastas are around $10 bucks. The starters vary but you can get the brussels for $4 bucks! Otto is definitely affordable and keeping to $25 bucks is easy.
www.ottopizzeria.com
Bottom line: Check out all these places and let me know what you think. I love them all for different reasons. Eating in NYC doesn't have to be so hard! In a few months I will revisit my list and give you an update! Happy [cheap] Eating!
1) 'INO --> I have been coming here since they opened. Its the kind of place you always want to go back to time and time again. I have taken loads of friends here and even my dear mom who gave it two thumbs up. What I like so much about 'ino, is the hominess of the space, the awesome staff who always remembers me, and the most delicious food. I can't go here without always starting off with a glass of proseco. For $8 bucks a glass that is a steal. Depending on my company, I either have their antipasti plate or their Italian cheeses. Both are served with sullivan street bread and cost $12 bucks. If I don't have antipasti or the cheese, I definitely order bruschetta. Their butternut squash is divine as is their pesto. 1 bruschetta costs $3 bucks. I always order a panini except I doctor it up a little. My favorite is the mozzarella, basil pesto and pepperonata with caramelized onions added. SOOO good. Each panini is only $11 bucks. I am always too full for dessert but they have some very nice options including toasted bread with nutella! So, proseco + 1 bruschetta + a panini = $22 bucks!
www.cafeino.com
2) 'INOTECA --> This is owned by the 'ino people. I remember when I was at 'ino and they told me they were opening this place. I thought they were brilliant to do so. Considered one of the first restaurants that helped make the LES a dining destination, 'inoteca has been packing them in night after night. One of my favorite dishes, a shaved brussel sprout salad, is currently off the menu but I am hopeful it will return soon. When it was on the menu, it was around $8 bucks. 'Inoteca also serves proseco that is a must for anyone who likes the bubbly. My absolute favorite item on the menu is the "lasagnette di melanzane". Basically, this lasagna has no noodles and is made of eggplant and has onions, tomatoes, peppers, herbs, and parmesan cheese. I must tell you all that nobody makes a better melanzane in the city. I have ordered at many other fine establishments and have been utterly disappointed. Gemma to name one place that massacred such a lovely dish. 'Inoteca charges $12 bucks this entree. Ok, so I am a little over the budget with my order here. Proseco + brussel sprout salad + lasagna = $32 bucks. If I didn't have the bubbly I would be on the mark with a buck to spare! I have been here so many times that I have ordered practically everything on the menu. My other favs include their meatballs, the wagu beef panini, bruschettas, rice balls, mozzarella in carrozza, brick chicken, and their beet salad. You won't be disappointed here at all. Go at off times as prime time dining can make you wait a long time for a table.
www.inotecanyc.com
3) Alta --> I wish I could take complete credit for finding this place. But I can't. My friend Laura is responsible for finding this cozy hidden restaurant tucked in an adorable West Village townhouse. The menu is comprised of small plates that range from duck to pizza to cheese to potatoes. There is probably something on the menu for everyone. What is best is to go with a big group of people so you can try a bunch of different things. My absolute favorite is none other than the crispy brussel sprouts with fuji apples, crème fraiche, and pistachio nuts. I also love the fried goat cheese in lavender honey, the catalonian flatbread with mushrooms and cheese, the bacon wrapped dates and olives, and the Ricotta Parmesan Gnocchi. The wine list is equally impressive with lots of choices that don't break the bank. Depending on what you order, you could keep it at $25 or you might go a little over but it is well worth it. It should come as no surprise that I am a huge Top Chef fan and recently I saw Padma dining at Alta! Unlike 'Ino and 'Inoteca, Alta takes reservations and is GREAT for a group of people. Be warned that they only take cash and American Express!
www.altarestaurant.com
4) Kefi --> This Greek taverna made me like Greek food again. There are a lot of high end Greek restaurants in NYC but the cheap options weren't so good until Kefi arrived...or came back depending on how you know the place. The restaurant comes from the dynamo chef Michael Psilakis who has taken our city by storm. His high end Greek restaurant, Anthos, is one of the best in the city. He recently opened a Gastro Pub called Gus & Gabriel on the UWS that needs to work out some kinks still. Kefi on the other hand, is a well oiled machine that cranks out delicious food at the most affordable prices. Opened at a new location on the UWS, Kefi serves Greek food for both lunch and dinner. The Greek salad is delightful. Not your typical take but rather an inventive re-creation that puts the D in Dill. The spread selection includes tzatziki, eggplant, red pepper, and fish roe all served with perfectly baked pita bread. The Chicken Souvlaki sandwich with tzatziki on pita bread is really nice and a good value as it comes with a side Greek salad and chips for $11.95. The sheep's milk ravioli with brown butter is heavenly as is the sheep's milk dumplings with a spicy lamb sausage. All are priced in the low teens. Kefi also serves great fish dishes with lots of fresh herbs like the grilled swordfish with tomato, olives, and cauliflower. On a recent visit I had the hanger steak with broccoli rabe and it was awesome. Perfectly cooked and so full of flavor. The wines by the glass are so reasonable for NYC ---$6 bucks for a nice house red! Kefi is great for all occasions and party sizes. They do take reservations and they are on open table! Kefi will definitely fit in your budget.
www.kefirestaurant.com
5) Otto --> Who doesn't like pizza, cheese, and wine? Otto began the pizza revolution that has taken over NYC and is taking over America. The idea of serving pizza in a nice setting with an extensive wine list was the brainchild of none other than Mario Batali . On many occasions I have popped into Otto and Mr. Orange clogs himself was sitting at a table stuffing a pizza in his mouth. Otto is where I began my love affair with truffle honey and coach triple cream goat's cheese. Otto is also where I have seen tons of celebs like Holly Hunter, Michael Moore, and Spike Jonze. Otto is also very special to me as a dear friend of mine who has since passed away loved it too. My go-to pizza at Otto is the goat cheese with whatever vegetable they are pairing with it. I typically also order some of their cheese so I can get the truffle honey. It's all about the honey! I also like their balsamic marinated brussel sprouts (duh) and their eggplant caponata . If you don't like a pizza on the menu they will make you whatever you like...but I doubt you would have that problem! Otto also serves a few pasta dishes but they are really small servings and haven't been good in the past. Stick with the pizza. Otto takes reservations and can be really busy so book well in advance. Otto also has wine classes that are really fun. Check out their website for more info! The pizzas range between $7 - $14 bucks and all the pastas are around $10 bucks. The starters vary but you can get the brussels for $4 bucks! Otto is definitely affordable and keeping to $25 bucks is easy.
www.ottopizzeria.com
Bottom line: Check out all these places and let me know what you think. I love them all for different reasons. Eating in NYC doesn't have to be so hard! In a few months I will revisit my list and give you an update! Happy [cheap] Eating!
