Feature

What Price Happiness?

Savvy restaurateurs trying to fill seats will stop at nothing—even cutting their prices. Eat early, eat late, or eat someplace where they don’t give you a check.

By Rob Patronite & Robin Raisfeld
Published May 21, 2005

1. Park Avenue Cafe
Through July 4, dinner guests arriving after 8:30 P.M. will be charged their age for a prix fixe dinner (with a $25 minimum and a $65 maximum). This is obviously a ploy to attract a younger crowd, which for once won’t mind being carded.
100 E. 63rd St., at Park Ave.; 212-644-1900

2. Wildflower
Monday night’s “pay what you wish” policy (beverages excluded) is easy on the pocketbook but hell on the conscience.
192 Bleecker St., nr. Macdougal St.; 212-475-2355

3. Cafe Topsy
Gunning for a local—and apparently unemployed—following, this cozy British nook offers residents of the 10014 and 10011 Zip Codes two-course meals for $10.14 or $10.11— but only during the very-early-bird stretch from 4:30 to 6:30 P.M.
575 Hudson St., nr. W. 11th St.; 646-638-2900