Another Hit in the Making

I will be visiting the little strip mall at the corner of Wilson and N. Quinn (in Arlington, VA) more often, and, no, it's not because some famous people were seen dining there recently. Michael Landrum, the genius behind Ray's the Steaks and Ray's Hellburger, will be opening a new seafood restaurant in the empty space where Ray's the Steaks used to be before it moved to Court House Station. This new restaurant, which will be called Ray's the Net, should provide the same great value as the others in the Ray's family. Ray's Hellburger offers 10 oz. burgers starting at $6.95, while Ray's the Steaks offers steaks on the caliber of Morton's or Ruth's Chris starting at around $25. I'm very pleased by Landrum's complaint in the linked website about the insane mark-ups on seafood. Let the good deals roll!

Recession Restaurant Deals in NYC

Given the high cost of living in New York City and the painful blow dealt to our wallets by the current recession, I thought it might be helpful to post some restaurant deals for those of us who enjoy fine dining but understand the concept of value. New York Magazine and BlackBook have compiled impressive lists of restaurants that are offering specials such as modified menus and prix fixe deals. My personal favorites are the restaurants in the Jean-Georges family. Nougatine offers an amazing three-course lunch (choice of any two plates and dessert) for only $24.07, and a delicious four-course dinner for $35. The dinner deal at Nougatine, which runs from 5:30-6:30 and 10-11 PM every day of the week except for Saturday, featured a roasted beet and Greek yogurt salad, salmon with julienne vegetables, roasted chicken, and chocolate cake with ice cream when I ate there last Sunday. An unintended perk of the dismal economy is that one can now eat at Michelin-star restaurants on a budget. A two-course prix fixe lunch at Jean-Georges is $28, with the option to add more courses for $14 each.