Cheap & Fabulous Restaurants

By cheap I mean: 1.costing very little; relatively low in price; inexpensive: a cheap dress. [source]

The fabulous part is a more complex attribute. It can be the food, the atmosphere, the decor, or all three combined.

All entries in this list are highly recommended, with the caveat that without wine (alcohol in general) your check will turn instantly cheaper. But then part of the fun is gone. Appetizers, dessert, and coffee also add up...

1.Cafe Habana (17 Prince Street, Nolita) [Mexican]
Why: Trendy. Delicious, inexpensive food.

2.Bianca (5 Bleecker St., bet. Bowery and Elizabeth, NoHO) [Italian]
Why: Cozy and friendly. Hearty Italian food and inexpensive wines.

3.Fiore (284 Grand St., bet. Roebling and Havemeyer St., Williamsburg, Brooklyn) [Italian]
Why: Modern Italian. Great food and decently priced wines.

4.P.J. Clarke's (915 3rd Ave. at 55th St., Midtown East) [Burgers]
Why: A New York classic. The decor is great. The men's bathroom is said to be uniquely decorated.

5.Corner Bistro (331 West Fourth St. at Jane St., West Village) [Burgers]
Why: Another classic worth checking. A little dark.

6.White Horse Tavern (567 Hudson St. at 11thSt., West Village) [Burgers]
Why: It was the poet Dylan Thomas's hangout in the 1950's.

7.Soho Park (62 Prince St., SoHO) [Burgers]
Why: OK, a burger is a burger, but this "airy garage garden" is fun and it's always packed.

8.Big Wong King (67 Mott St., Chinatown) [Chinese]
Why: A Chinese friend took me there. It could be any other Chinese restaurant, but the food was really good. And cheap.

9.Jimmy's # 43 (43 East 7th Street, East Village) [Elaborate bar food]
Why: A basement bar with good, elaborate bar food. Cool.

10.Natori (58 St. Mark's Place, East Village) [Japanese]
Why: Inexpensive and always crowded with a Japanese clientele.

11.Shake Shack (366 Columbus Ave., Upper West Side) [Burgers]
Why: Delicious burgers and fries.

12.Burger Joint (119 West 56th St., Midtown West) [Burgers]
Why: Inexpensive and hidden behind the curtain in the atrium lobby of Le Park Meredien Hotel, it's a curiosity in itself).
---
Note: This list will be updated as I encounter new restaurants that are "cheap and fabulous".

(Photo: Cafe Habana)

Updated: January 26, 2010