The Appetite Stimulus Plan

A rose by any other name is still a rose, right?

Well, that would mean that Restaurant Week by any other name (and in the middle of November) would still be Restaurant Week, you'd think. Nope, this oddly timed version of the cheap dining celebration is taking on a whole new recession-themed spin, and they're calling it...



...the Appetite Stimulus Plan.

I think it's pretty cute, actually, but my personal sentiment is that the deal should be differentiated from the not-so-distant cousin Restaurant Week. The two feature $24 lunches and $35 prix-fixe dinners at various posh restaurants around the city--for three courses it's not bad, but I'm never terribly excited about the deal either. With drinks, tax and tip a seemingly affordable meal can easily have a non-affordable check.

For some restaurants, though, it's worth it. My picks for the Appetite Stimulus Plan? Cafe Boulud, Grayz, and perhaps Matsugen.

But those who aren't in the city can have some fun too--since the Appetite Stimulus Plan is sponsored by OpenTable, restaurants across the country are participating too. Check here for more details.