There are now so many economy-inspired dining deals that you can enjoy a cut-rate meal any night of the week. Or every night of the week: We've taken our favorites and mapped them out in a handy, printable calendar.
Monday: Hill Country
As the weather continues to tease, head to Hill Country to indulge your summer fantasies and fill up on Texas-style barbecue. On Mondays, $30 covers all of the brisket (your choice of lean or moist), pork ribs and chicken and sides you can consume. And for an extra $20, you'll get a six-pack of Texas's prized Lone Star beer to keep you company. 30 W. 26th St. (between Fifth and Sixth aves.); 212-255-4544 or hillcountryny.com (Special offered Mondays from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.)
Tuesday: Matsugen
Of the massive deals Jean-Georges offers across his empire, our favorite is the $35 six-course prix-fixe menu at this minimalist Tribeca restaurant. Offerings stretch from unctuous kampachi sashimi with spicy ponzu to the standout soba, made daily on the premises. 241 Church St. (at Leonard St.); 212-925-0202 or jean-georges.com (Special offered daily during dinner service)
Wednesday: Cabrito
Forget cold pizza: Cabrito has the best deal for a late-night snack. Until midnight, you can take a seat at the bar for a PBR and your choice of any taco, including the namesake goat belly, and pay just $8. 50 Carmine St. (between Bedford and Bleecker sts.); 212-929-5050 or cabritonyc.com (Special offered daily from 4 p.m. 7 p.m. and from 10 p.m. to midnight)
Thursday: Del Posto
Sit in the Enoteca, where you can choose any four courses for $35 (this deal isn't publicized, so mention it to your server). Start with the spicy broccoli-rabe salad or fried calamari with capers and butter sauce. Split the orecchiette with lamb ragu and finish up the hands-down dessert standout: the lighter-than-air, orange-scented bomboloni. 85 10th Ave. (at 15th St.); 212-497-8090 or delposto.com (Special offered Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 5 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.)
Friday: Damon Frugal Fridays
This weekly pop-up restaurant doesn't take reservations, so show up early to secure a spot in Craft's private dining room. There, chef Damon Wise has created a menu of small plates and cocktails, all priced under $10. Skip the underwhelming "meat on a stick" offerings, but don't miss the fried chicken wings with Cabrales dipping sauce. If you're willing to step outside your comfort zone, the kitchen shows mastery with exotic ingredients like beef tongue and duck heart. 47 E. 19th St. (at Park Ave.); 212-780-0880 or craftrestaurant.com (Special offered Fridays from 5:30 p.m. to midnight)
Saturday: Alto
BYO has never been this good: Midtown's Alto has suspended its hefty $60 corkage fee indefinitely, so now is the time to pull out that special bottle you've been saving to pair with chef Michael White's refined Northern Italian cuisine. 520 Madison Avenue (at 54th St.); 212-308-1099 or altorestaurant.com (Special offered daily)
Sunday: Irving Mill
Carnivores will jump at chef Ryan Skeen's Sunday menu, a seven-course love affair with meat, for $45. Courses include Irving Mill specialties like pork toast and house-made sausages. The menu briefly breaks away from pig adoration to reveal dainty sweetbread ravioli and fried-rabbit cassoulet, but ends properly with a pork-rind Rice Krispie treat. 116 E. 16th St. (at Irving Pl.); 212-254-1600 or irvingmill.com (Special offered Sundays during dinner service)
