There’s nothing more satisfying than a delicious meal at a great price. Sorry snickers you don’t cut it, but dinner at an established New York restaurant during restaurant week sure does! My doting husband surprised me with a birthday dinner at the Tribeca Grill. I’m embarrassed to say that I had never heard of it (my apologies Mr. De Niro!), so I became a tad skeptical on our way downtown. However, when we arrived to the quiet street block on a late sub-zero Wednesday night to find that the dining room was packed (always a good sign) I knew we were in for a treat!

Now, for those of you that don’t know, restaurant week takes place twice a year. Many of New York’s finest restaurants participate and offer a special menu at a fraction of the usual cost. It gives us New Yorkers the opportunity to experience these culinary gems that we may never otherwise try. There’s less financial risk involved, but possibly less reward: the quality of the food can be compromised and your server can cop an attitude once you’ve placed your order from the other menu. This was not the case for us at the Tribeca Grill. My husband and I were completely satisfied with our three course meals at $35 a pop and our waiter couldn’t have been more cordial or professional.

I had the octopus salad to start, followed by the black truffle cavatelli, and finished with the chocolate hazelnut mousse cake. Mmm Black truffle and chocolate hazelnut in the same meal? Treats indeed!  My hubby was equally pleased with his choices which included the spiced chestnut soup, venison, and the New York style cheesecake. Was it the best meal we’ve had in New York? No. But we devoured a delish meal at a steal while enjoying each other in a warm ambiance and being served by a pleasant waiter. An enjoyable dining experience overall.