Jean-Georges, 1 Central Park West, (212) 299-3900, www.jean-georges.com, is the capital of a group of New York City restaurants created by star chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten. It offers a $24 lunch menu and a $35 early and late dinner.
Michael Jordan's Steak House, 23 Vanderbilt Ave., (212) 655-2300, www.theglaziergroup.com, perched on the mezzanine overlooking the great hall at Grand Central Station, has a $24 lunch and a $35 dinner. Both offer New York-style cheesecake for dessert and meat, of course: at lunch a petit filet mignon and at dinner an 8-ounce version of the same cut of meat.
The Modern, 9 W. 53rd St., (212) 333-1220, www.themodernnyc.com, on the ground floor of the Museum of Modern Art, is an elegant showcase for Alsatian chef Gabriel Kreuther, formerly of Jean-Georges. On weekdays until 6:30 p.m. he offers a four-course prix-fixe menu for $65 in the formal dining room overlooking the MOMA sculpture garden. The menu features changing selections that have included foie gras terrine and sesame-roasted guinea hen.
Nice Matin, 201 W. 79th St., (212) 873-6423, www.nicematinnyc.com, a popular Upper West Side spot with plenty of sidewalk tables, has an early-bird prix-fixe dinner menu (5 to 6:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays) that includes three courses for $35. Choices include grilled salmon, French Midi-style pistou soup and creme fraiche panna cotta.
The Park Room, Helmsley Park Lane Hotel, 36 Central Park West, (212) 371-4000, www.helmsleyparklane.com, has a Bailout Business Lunch that includes two choices of soup, salad, sandwich and dessert, with nonalcoholic beverage, for $14.
Tao, 42 E. 58th St., (212) 888-2288, www.taorestaurant.com, an Asian fusion spot midtown decorated like an Ang Lee martial arts epic, has a three-course lunch for $24.07 and a $38 dinner prix fixe (5 to 7 p.m. and after 11 p.m.) that features such favorites as pork pot stickers, pad Thai noodles and wasabi-crusted filet mignon.
21, 21 W. 52nd St., (212) 582-7200, www.21club.com, the famous former speak-easy -- featured in shows as diverse as Truman Capote's "Breakfast at Tiffany's" and an episode of "I Love Lucy" -- has a $24 lunch special and a $35 three-course prix fixe at dinner. Selections vary, but have included spring lamb and classic creme brulee.
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susan.spano@latimes.com
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New York's Restaurant Week
For more information, check out New York Magazine's "Recession Specials: Your Definitive Guide," www.nymag.com/daily/food/2008 /11/recession_dining.html.
About New York City Travel, www.gonyc.about.com/cs/ restaurants/a/restaurantweek.htm, has a full list of restaurants participating in Restaurant Week and a link to a useful article titled "Tips for Enjoying Restaurant Week."
