New York Cheap Eats for New Year's Eve

December 26, 8:28 PMNY Ethnic Food ExaminerAimée Kligman

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Shish Kebab with rice

Things are tough all over. Most people I've talked to who live in New York are counting their nickels. Others are opting to have home parties with bring your own dish type of thing.

This goes back to my premise that you can have a perfectly wonderful meal if you stick to Tapas. You can either go to a restaurant that serves only tapas, or choose your ethnicity, and stick to the tapas or appetizer section of the menu. You will have more variety, and your wallet will thank you.

1. El Quinto Pino won the 2008 Best Tapas Restaurant Award. Drawback: place is tiny.Prices range from $3 to $15 per tapa. Located at 401 W. 24th St, cross street Ninth Avenue. They don't take reservations, but you might want to call ahead and see if they have a special menu for New Year's-Tel: 212-206-6900

2. Bun is Vietnamese and nothing in this restaurant costs more than $12. I am terribly partial to Vietnamese food, having been to Vietnam twice already. It's tough to find anything that isn't tasty. Bun means roll, and it's usually stuffed with something heavenly. Located at 143 Grand Street, cross street Lafayette. Tel: 212 431-7999 

3. Ali Baba is the home of heavenly kebab. Main courses average $11. You can preview the menu here. Their pide (flat bread from Turkey) is all you need. Located at 212 E 34th St - Btwn 2nd & 3rd Avenues. Tel: 212 683-9206 

4. Jeeb is a small, wonderful Thai restaurant with tasty bits, many under $5. Preview the menu. Fresh summer rolls are especially tasty. Located at 154 Orchard St - Between Rivington & Stanton Streets. Tel: 212 677-4101 

5. Bruschetteria will jazz up your idea of Italian bruschetta. Like avocado and red onion. Menu available for preview. They serve a couscous dish with basil pesto fresh tomato pignoli nuts and parmigiano for just $8.50. Located at 92 Rivington St - Between Orchard & Ludlow Streets. Tel: 646 415-8681

After dinner, walk around to work off those calories. The streets of New York are always humming.