Princeton on the Cheap – Fine Dining Edition

Princeton is fortunate enough to have a variety of dining experiences from grabbing a slice of pizza to savoring a Grand Tasting menu consisting of 20-plus courses. It’s easy to find an inexpensive casual meal. The challenge is to find something to eat at a fine dining restaurant that won’t break the bank for cost-conscious customers. Here’s how those with champagne tastes on a beer budget can navigate the Princeton restaurant scene.

Agricola – The extensive Afternoon Bar Menu stretches Happy Hour, which starts at 2:30 PM and ends at 6 PM. Food ranges from $5 – $19, beer is $5, wine is $7, and cocktails cost $8.

Despaña – Authentic Spanish tapas for $7 – $14 each for lunch or dinner. Up to 10 tapas are offered for under $10. Some order about three to four tapas each, but light eaters are fine with just two tapas.

Eno Terra – Their weekday Pranzo a Presto, an ever-changing express 3-course lunch, is priced at only $22 and is quite delicious. You get a choice of a soup or salad, a fixed main course, and dessert. Order it with a glass of wine for an extra $5 per glass.  Couples could go out for lunch instead of having a date night.

Mediterra – They have a Happy Hour offer Monday-Thursday, 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM, or after 9 PM and weekends after 10 PM at the bar. Order $2 tapas only in the Tavern (the BEST deal in town). After 9 PM on Monday – Thursday, many of their wines are only $7 per glass.

Mistral – This restaurant strictly serves small plates. Prices range from about $7 – $20 each. Many order about three to four plates each, but light eaters be satisfied with two plates.

Peacock Inn – Their Happy Hour bar menu offers four small plates ranging from $10 – $12, plus you can indulge in a small portion of their famous Sautéed Ricotta Gnocchi for $18. A selection of three wines cost $9 and seven cocktails are priced from $9 – $10. Available Monday – Friday from 5 – 7 PM.

Witherspoon Grill – Their Cocktail Hour is one of the best deals in town! It’s offered Monday – Friday between 3 – 6 PM only at the bar. You can get tasty snacks like Duck Fat Potatoes, Shrimp Ceviche Tacos, and Lamb Lollipops for only $3 – $6. Draft beers are $3, wine by the glass cost $4, and Mojitos, Sangria glass, and a Dark & Stormy will only set you back $5.