May 8, 2009 6:10 pm US/Eastern
Meal Deals Sure To Bring A Smile To Your Wallet
MIAMI (CBS4) ―
The need for cheap eats and meal deals continues to grow as the nation's unemployment rate hits new highs. It's especially needed in South Florida, where finding a good meal for not a lot of money can sometimes be more challenging than navigating I-95 during rush hour.
One of South Florida's most celebrated chefs, Jonathan Eisman relocated his well known Pacific Time Eatery from Lincoln Road to a new hip spot in the Miami Design District last year. His new menu offers something for those of us with a limitless appetite for gourmet food, but not a limitless amount of money in our wallets.
Eismann offers 22 small plates on the menu that are half entrees that range in price from just $6 to $14.
"It allows the customer not to get locked into a $30 entrée," Eismann told
CBS4'S Lisa Petrillo. "You can select a $6, $7, $12.00 plate and for under $15 you can still get what you'd expect from a top restaurant and you can get out for under $20 or in some cases under $10."
There's an $8 salmon yaki and Jonathan's mouth watering signature hot and sour popcorn shrimp which together added up to just $19. And beginning this month, Pacific Time is offering a Sunday night date menu for you and your love, 3 courses for just $49.
If that's not exactly your cup of tea, you might try Area 31. It's located on the 16th floor of the new Epic Hotel off Brickell Avenue. The elegant eatery specializes in succulent seafood.
Chef John Critchley said diners can taste his food for less by coming in Monday through Friday from 5-7 p.m. for his delicious bar bites at $6 a plate, and only $5 a cocktail. "You can have a drink and a bite for under $12," said Critchley.
Here, along with a magnificent view, you can enjoy super ceviche, tuna tar-tar with yellow peppers and grated green apples, or a tasty crunch of frito misto.
Finally, if you're looking to take mom out for Mother's Day, you can take her to one of New York's hottest restaurants that's now here on South Beach, and it's affordable. It's called BLT Steak at the Betsy Hotel on Ocean Drive.
The super chic and expensive new South Beach eatery specializes in steaks, burgers and seafood. On Mother's Day, it is $24 a person, so you can treat mom like the queen she is.
So remember- when you want to dine big, think small, as in plates. Order a few, pay less, and enjoy the dishes prepared by some of the great chefs South Florida has to offer.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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