Bargains on the menu

They sear a platter of thinly sliced marinated beef ribs ("kalbisal jumulruk," $17.95) over a real charcoal brazier at Everyday Good House (5501 N. Front St., at Olney, 215-276-7942), where along with the greens used to wrap the meat into crunchy bite-sized packages, there is an impressive selection of pickled banchan nibbles to bolster the meal.

Value prix-fixe menus and notable specials

The weekday "recession menu" of three courses for $30 at Caffe Casta Diva (227 S. 20th St., 215-496-9677) is a great enticement to revisit this recently remodeled Italian BYO.

Pumpkin (1713 South St., 215-545-4448) serves an ambitious New American five-course prix-fixe for $35 on Sunday evenings.

The four-course menu prix-fixe for $35 at Cochon (801 E. Passyunk Ave., 215-923-7675; www.cochonbyob.com) has evolved into an everyday fixture at the pig-centric French BYOB.

Contemporary Southern cuisine arrives in three courses for $30 on Sunday nights at Marigold Kitchen (501 S. 45th St. (at Larchwood); 215-222-3699; www.marigoldkitchenbyob.com).

The four-course "Turista Menu" for $32 at Modo Mio (161 W. Girard Ave., 215-203-8707) is one of the city's best deals for inventive Italian-inspired small plates.

Four courses of some of the region's most sophisticated French cooking are available weeknights from $29.95-34.95 at Rouget in Bucks County (2 Swamp Rd., Newtown, 215-860-4480).

The $12.50 "Catalan Express" menu at Amada (217 Chestnut St., 215-625-2450) is a great way to sneak a bargain-lunch peek at one of the city's hottest dinner reservations, with a stunning gazpacho, a Spanish meat-laden sandwich, and a dangerously addictive side of fries drizzled in smoky aioli.

The $1 Bluepoint oysters put "happy" on the half-shell at Happy Hour at Coquette Bistro (700 S. Fifth St., 215-238-9000; www.coquettebistro.com) every day from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

The La Colombe espresso shots go on 75-cent special at Cafe Loftus (136 S. 15th St., 215-988-9486) right in time for the afternoon home stretch, weekdays from 3 to 6 p.m.

The dark brew of Peet's Coffee at ING Direct Cafe was recently lowered to a caffeine bargain of $1 for a 16-ounce cup (1636 Walnut St., 215-731-1410).