Fine dining for less

Photo credit: Urbanite

Le Cirque Cafe and Wine Bar is a more relaxed alternative to the main dining room.

By Alexis Korman

Special to amNewYork

Who says you have to give up haute cuisine in hard times? With upscale eateries offering exclusive recession deals and lower-priced prix-fixes — diners can splurge, without spending a ton of dough.

Craftsteak

85 10th Ave., at 15th St.,

212-400-6699

The front dining room of Tom Colicchio’s meat-centric eatery has transformed into “Halfsteak,” boasting a menu with items priced at $15 or less. The namesake dish is a half-portion of high-quality, dry-aged steak served with hand-cut fries for $14.50. Note: They don’t take reservations.

Anthos Upstairs

36 W. 52nd St.,

212-582-6900

In March, chef Michael Psilakis and restaurateur Donatella Arpaia opened the 48-seat Anthos Upstairs on the renovated second floor of their modern, upscale Greek eatery, Anthos. Bargain-hungry diners can choose from a variety of affordable dishes, such as sheep’s milk ricotta dumplings with leeks, baby spinach and feta butter fondue ($10). By-the-glass wines are $5-$10.

Le Cirque Café and Wine Lounge

151 E. 58th St., 212-644-0202

This legendary and luxurious restaurant is best known for its power-dining crowd, but the Café and Wine Lounge is reserved for more casual, affordable dining. This area features special prix-fixe menus for both lunch ($28) and dinner ($35) that change monthly. Jackets are not required (a first for the restaurant) and customers have been known to wear (gasp!) blue jeans.

Philippe Chow Express

469 Sixth Ave., btwn 11th and 12th sts., 212-929-8949

Chef Chow’s scene-y uptown and TriBeCa spots are known for celebutante clientele, but the same high-end Chinese dishes are available for bargain prices at Chow’s “Express” location in the West Village. This lesser-known eatery features a similarly dazzling dining room, decked out with sleek red banquettes. The “Express” menu includes a two-course lunch special for $14.99.

Per Se lounge

10 Columbus Circle,

212-823-9335

Considered by many to be Manhattan’s top restaurant, Thomas Keller’s elegant but pricey Per Se (the nine-course tasting menu is $275 per person) now offers an a la carte “Salon Menu” in its 24-seat lounge area. Changing daily, this reduced-priced menu features seven to 10 dishes priced at less than $46 (that includes service). Reservations aren’t required, but jackets are.

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