Guest Post by Caryn Donohue, Gramercy Correspondent

A few weeks ago Grub Street reported that Craft Restaurant would be serving up a recession-friendly menu on Fridays starting January 16. Damon Wise, executive chef of Tom Colicchio’s Craft Restaurants (head judge on Top Chef), is hosting Frugal Friday in the private dining room of Craft Restaurant, not the main restaurant (47 e. 19th Street). The menu consists of tapas-style dishes, wine and cocktails, all for under $10 a piece. This is an incredible deal for anyone who’s been dying to try Craft but couldn’t afford it.

Last week they even hosted this deal on Thursday, so my friend and I went to check it out. The menu is pretty electic, and there aren’t many “traditional” items, but that’s what makes it great and different. I’m sorry I don’t have any photos, but I can give you a run-down on what we ordered (and it was alot):

- 3 glasses of pinot noir ($6 each)

- 2 or 3 glasses of a white wine (not sure what he ordered) ($6 or 7 each)

- one delicious $10 cocktail that tasted like a spiked Starburst

- steak tartare (excellent! - $5)

- pork croquettes (standard, could get just as good anywhere, so don’t bother - $5)

- lamb “on a stick” (didn’t try it but he really liked it - $5 I think)

- salt cod fritters (amazing! and it came with a great tomato/roasted red pepper sauce - $5)

- fried quail with a quince chutney (very good, but just like fried chicken, so nothing terribly special - $8 or 9?)

- beef tongue with a tongue vinaigrette (I was really scared to try this, and I don’t know what made me so brave, but I agreed to it and I have to say, it was delicious! - $8 or $9?)

All of this for about $80 or so dollars - can you believe that? The portions were small, which is perfect for sharing a bunch of different items, and the food was delicious! I’m missing a lot of ingredients/sauces; I apologize for not having more details, but you really just need to go for yourself. I’m not sure how long this deal will last, so go on a Friday while you can.  Unfortunately (or fortunately as it could get booked fast) they don’t take reservations, but that wasn’t a problem at all last Thursday. My guess is that people didn’t know about it, because half of the tables were empty.

Oh, and the coolest part of the evening? Damon Wise was standing right there in the open kitchen window preparing our meal with a few other chefs. Anyway, go check it out - you won’t be disappointed.