NYC Restaurant Week 2019's Best Deals

NEW YORK, NY — New Yorkers looking for a high-end meal at a decent price this winter are in luck. Starting Jan. 21, some of the city's buzziest restaurants will be participating in the annual NYC Restaurant Week event, which touts three-course lunch menus for $29 and three-course dinner menus for $42.

The "restaurant week" name is a bit of a misnomer. The event actually runs for more than two weeks from Jan. 21 to Feb. 8.

"NYC & Company is delighted to once again celebrate the dining capital of the world with NYC Restaurant Week," Fred Dixon, president & CEO of NYC & Company, said in a statement. "The three-week program offers visitors and New Yorkers a fantastic way to explore countless cuisines and at the same time, discover 41 distinct neighborhoods across the five boroughs."

More than 350 restaurants, located in all five boroughs, are participating in NYC Restaurant Week, so settling on a destination is a little daunting. But for thrifty diners looking to get the most out of those $29 or $42, Patch is here to help.

Check out a full list of participating restaurants — and make your reservations — here.

Here are some of NYC Restaurant week's best values:

21 Club:

Where: West 52nd Street between Fifth and Sixth avenues;

Offers: Monday-Friday lunch for $26 and dinner for $42. No Sunday offers;

Value play: The ritzy 21 Club may be the best deal of NYC Restaurant Week. Grab your best dinner jacket (it's required) and feast on a three-course dinner menu that features dishes such as a goat cheese ravioli starter and Berkshire pork loin. Regular dinners at the 21 Club run $95 per person for a four course menu, so more than half that price for one less course is a great value.

Perrine:

Where: East 51st Street and Fifth Avenue;

Offers: Monday-Friday lunch for $26 and dinner for $42. Sunday brunch for $26 and dinner for $42;

Value play: The Upper East Side french spot is offering different menus for both lunch and dinner. With and extra course included in the dinner menu, it's probably the better deal. Most dishes at Perrine cost more than $16, the price difference between lunch and dinner on NYC Restaurant Week. For the best value, go for the beef short ribs, which cost $42 on Perrine's normal diner menu.

Nobu Downtown:

Where: Broadway between Dey and Fulton streets;

Offers: Monday-Friday lunch for $26;

Value play: Here's one for the work lunch crowd. Impress your boss by snatching a reservation at Nobu, where lunch items usually exceed the $26 that gets diners two courses during NYC Restaurant Week. Some excellent values on Nobu's restaurant week menu include the tuna sashimi salad ($28 on the normal menu) and the black cod and eggplant miso ($42).

Nougatine at Jean-Georges:

Where: Central Park West and Columbus Circle;

Offers: Monday-Friday lunch for $26 dinner for $42, Sunday dinner for $42;

Value play: The more casual (but stil high-end) sister restaurant to world-renowned Jean-George is a bit of a surprise participant in NYC Restaurant Week. The restaurant is using the same menu for lunch and dinner, so if you don't have a sweet tooth opt for the $26 lunch for a better value. Pairings such as the sea trout sashimi and wild gulf flounder with potato ravioli are a steal for $26.

Maiella:

Where: Long Island City, Queens;

Offers: Monday-Friday dinner for $42, Sunday dinner for $42;

Value play: Maiella represents the best value outside of Manhattan this NYC Restaurant Week. The Italian spot is offering a burrata starter, which usually runs $18 on its dinner menu, so diners can get some great value with just a first course. The cheapest pasta and entree dishes at Maiella generally cost $26.

Photo courtesy NYC & Company