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Bargain Bites

August 11, 2004

Spaghetti on the cheap

If there's anything better than eating well, it's eating well on the cheap. Here are some of our favorite places where you can get a deal on a meal.

MANHATTAN

Artepasta. This is serious bargain eating at a sidewalk cafe in the Village. There's a prix-fixe dinner menu: $12.95 for appetizer, main course, and dessert. Mains include pastas, like spaghetti with meatballs, or pork medallions with a sauce of capers, pancetta, and anchovies. Weekend brunch checks in at $11.95 per head, and includes dishes like a ham-and-cheese frittata, several variations on the eggs Benedict theme -- even pancakes. Plus, all the mimosas you can swallow. (81 Greenwich Avenue; 212 229-0234)

Boulud. Even the ritzy Daniel Boulud is offering a break. Lunchtimes on Tuesday through Friday for the rest of the summer, there's a $20 three-course lunch, with mains that change by the week but might include roasted organic chicken or a grilled fish. (20 East 76th Street;. 212-772-2600)

Schiller's Liquor Bar. Cousin of Pastis, sister of Balthazar, Schiller's is a hottie all by itself. What makes it even better: They keep the prices down. Consider: Pastas go for $12 or so. There's a steak sandwich at $14, grilled salmon at $16, and a very tasty $11 cheeseburger. Oh, and did we mention the $6 wine? (131 Rivington Street; 212-260-4555)

Burger Joint at Le Parker Meridien. If you like burgers, this is the place. A well-grilled cheeseburger goes for $5.50 (add an extra $1.50 for a plate of delish fries). It gets pretty crowded and the decor is nothing to write home about, but the price is right. (119 West 56th Street; 212-708-7414)

BROOKLYN
Schnack. The burgers are little, but oh-so-tasty, and they're only 99 cents apiece. You don't want that, you can have a Sabrett's or even an entree plate: Turkey schnitzel goes for $5.95; fish and chips are $7.50. The weekend of the 13th, you can ward off evil with the garlic special: glazed ribs and greens, for a mere $8. (122 Union Street; 718-855-2879)

Blue Star: Take in dinner and a movie on the cheap. Feast on blue crab, Bluepoint oysters, and Pabst's Blue Ribbon -- for a buck apiece -- then hustle across Court Street and catch a $5 movie at the Cobble Hill Cinema. Available Tuesdays and Thursdays only. (254 Court Street; 718-858-5806)

Thomas Beisl. There's a nice mix of casual and elegant at this Austrian bistro hard by BAM. On summery nights, the garden is the place to be, and on Mondays, the house is offering an $18.98 prix fixe, with entrees like goulash or a grilled fish -- or a vegetarian plate. Whatever you do, don't skip dessert. (25 Lafayette Avenue; 718-222-5800)

Frannys. There are those who claim this is now the best pizza in Brooklyn. We couldn't say. But it sure is tasty, and with pies ranging from $9 to $13, the place qualifies as a bargain. There are crostini and calzone for those who don't want pizza, and sorbettos and gelatos for dessert. On weekends, you can have a drink in the backyard garden. (295 Flatbush Avenue; 718-230-0221)

BRONX

Johnny's Reef. The real reason to head for this cafeteria-like little place is that it perfectly illustrates what City Island is all about - -maybe it even illustrates what summer is all about. The menu offers up classic fried or steamed seafood --and not much else: shrimp, clams, oysters served on paper plates, for about $10 or $11 a plate (including an order of fries). Then head out to the deck - -oh, and don't forget to pick up an icy cold beer on your way. (2 City Island Avenue; 718-885-2086)