Predetermined , multi - course restaurant dinners can go by many gens inNew York City : prix fixe , chef ’s selection , omakase , dégustation . “ Tasting menu ” is by far the most pop nickname , and perhaps the most synonymous with “ passing expensive . ” But it does n’t have to be that way .

In fact , affordable tasting menus still outnumber their exorbitantly price kin . Masa ’s $ 1,000 - plus dinner party - for - twoprice tag is shameful because it ’s an outlier . Paying less than $ 100 , and sometimes even less than $ 50 , is achievable , not to remark more economically wakeless . Nobody ’s trying to claim these restaurants arecheap , just cheaper . And they all declare oneself some of the good tasting menu in NYC for under $ 100 .

Sugarfish

Price:$28A lot of NYC omakase is aspirational . “ I ’ll leave it up to you ” carte du jour can runhundredsof dollars . Add a sake geminate and BOOM – you ’re a source in a style piece about why millennials will never own home plate . It ’s probably best not to ask how they do it , but Sugarfish ’s “ Trust Me Lite ” choice include edamame , tuna sashimi , albacore sushi , salmon sushi , yellowtail sushi , peewee sushi , and a toro hired hand roll for $ 28 at dinner and $ 23 ( minus the yellowtail snapper ) at lunch . With rules regarding how to sauce , Strategic Arms Limitation Talks , and eat your fish , you know this place means business .

L&B Spumoni Gardens

Price:$50-$70 / personA eating place older than your grandparent and perhaps well known for its outdoor pizza and meth cream counter service of process than okay dining may not be your go - to for a fancy dinner party , but hear us out . Inside L&B ’s dining room , the Chef ’s tabular array leave for groups as little as two ( and as big as 200 ) to fill up on a custom four - course tasting menu ( $ 50-$70 / somebody , depending on selections ) with nonna - approved options include baked boodle , “ alimentary paste - bilities ” like penne alla vodka , daily meat specials , and a sweet platter pile with cannoli , spumoni , and more sugary treats that may make you care you defend back a little on the first , second , and third courses .

Empellon

Price:$38The best time to visit fancy taco chef Alex Stupak ’s emporium of lofty tacos is during lunch period on weekdays or Sunday night , when $ 38 have you a three - path prix fixe . prefer from starting motor , like the sticky Timothy Miles Bindon Rice tamal with racy duck , a roster of greatest hits tacos ( intend fish tempura and duncish - cut Viscount St. Albans reading ) and Insta - well-disposed sweet that reduce through the heat of all that salsa you load up on the main course .

Pig & Khao

Price:$59Chef Leah Cohen offers a $ 55 / person , five - course tasting menu at her southeasterly Asian restaurant Sunday through Thursday . Expect a range of Thai and Filipino inspired dishes , like papaya salad with crispy taro , spicy behind - wangle sum and crispy Malayan - style fried crybaby . These are generous portions of excellent food without the typicalprix fixepretense .

Mission Chinese

Price:$45-$99Deciding what to order at Mission Chinese can palpate likeMission : insufferable , so get out the work to the kitchen with a sample menu option . pair ( who love leftovers ) can go for the $ 45 / person “ quick mission dinner ” which includes Chongqing crybaby wing , a attic cup of tea , salt cod fry rice , mapo tofu , and broccoli beef brisket ( a vegetarian translation of the tasting fare is also assist ) . Larger groups can embark on the banquet - flair “ suggested ” menu for $ 65 / person , which includes a larger range of dish . Don your stretchy pants for the “ feast , ” which , at $ 99 / person , adds country - fried lamb titty or a whole Pisces , and dessert to the equation .

Babu Ji

Price:$62Instead of argue with your tablemates over which curries , koftas , and tandoori chops you ’ll share , prefer into Babu Ji ’s chef ’s option . The colourful restaurant ’s capable kitchen will send out circle after one shot of racy , creamy dishes , well enjoyed with a $ 24 beer or $ 34 wine pairing . Plates are presented in a no - filter - well-disposed rainbow of delights , end with homemade cardamom , honey , and pistachio kulfi – a creamy popsicle - similar sweet that could easily put Mister Softee out of business .

ATOBOY

Price:$46Expect excellent service in a relaxed environment at this “ cursory mulct - dining restaurant , ” where three dishes of your choice , plus Elmer Rice , will run you less than a Ulysses S. Grant . It is n’t a try fare in the stern sensation , but it ’s low-priced and permit you blend - and - jibe 15 varieties of Korean style tappa bark like yellowtail with kombucha , gim , and radish ; octopus with mango , mojo verde , and fermented dubu ; and pork paunch with Gang doenjang , Enoki , and fennel .

Contra

Price:$89Years after its 2013 opening , reserving a coveted seat in Contra ’s dining room is still arduous than scoringHamiltontickets . The nightly rotating six - form bill of fare of local , seasonal ingredients – think scallop with radish and chestnut tree , befool with onion plant and murphy , or veal with mushroom-shaped cloud and Spinacia oleracea – stay in demand as much for its price as its menu . An truncated prevention menu runs $ 48 , if you may nab one of just eight seats .

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Empellon

Courtesy of Empellon

sugarfish

Noah Fecks

Empellon

Courtesy of Empellon

Pig & Khao

Pig & Khao

Mission Chinese

Mission Chinese

Babu Ji

Babu Ji

Atoboy

Atoboy

Contra

Courtesy of Contra