Three's the lucky number

Now Divas can wine and dine in style at least twice a week-- Introducing Felt's Recessionista Menu, which debuts tomorrow.

Every Wednesday starting at 6pm, Felt (533 Washington St., Downtown Crossing) will feature this menu for Recessionistas (aka, Divas on a Dime):


$3 appetizers/$3 entrees/$3 desserts

The launch party's tomorrow night, and each week features as new theme. Taken from the event's facebook page, here are the following three themes:

May 13 :: BEAUTIFUL. Mirror, Mirror on the wall, who’s the fairest of them all? You of course! But who can’t use a little consultation every now & again? Tonight we’re featuring complimentary hair & skin consultations for all by Daryl Christopher Wellness Salon & Day Spa. One lucky lady will even be picked to enjoy an on-site makeover. We also have famed fashion photographer, Stuart Smith on-site providing instructions on how to look fabulous in photos—and who doesn’t want to look picture perfect every snapshot?

May 20 :: HOLLYWOOD. Put on your oh-so-chic oversized sunglasses, the bright lights of Hollywood are coming to FELT tonight. Our glamour girl guests will have the chance to audition to become the next reporter on NESN’s Dirty Water TV & sign-up for the 2009 Miss Boston competition. Each starlet will receive an exclusive pass to the FELT nightclub for Social Club Saturdays. Oh, and we haven’t even mentioned the Sex & the City, 90210 & Gossip Girl trivia that we planned…yes, that’s right—you know who’s the star tonight.

May 27 :: DANCE. This season, Dancing with the Stars made us want to shimmy, shake, dip & dance with that guy from The Sex & City movie. We didn't get him but we do have the professionals from Studio 665 coming tonight to show you a move or two. Complimentary dance lessons, fun dance music and no Bruno to judge? What more could you ask for? Except for maybe the free Smartwater for all those who choose to bust a move.

Wine and dine, on a dime

Boston's Winter Restaurant Week presents the perfect opportunity for a fine dine, on a dime. Week Two (out of two) began today and goes through Friday.

The wine at Bin 26 Enoteca (26 Charles St., Beacon Hill) certainly isn't $26/bottle-- as it is at Ivy Restaurant (49 Temple Place, Downtown Crossing)-- but during Boston's Winter Restaurant Week, a steal like such is easy to find at this enoteca (according to Bin 26's web site, "En-oh-TECK-a, a common term used mostly in Italy, refers to a place where one can find simple foods to accompany the wines served there").

3 courses, $33.09/person, for dinner at most of Boston's finest restaurants. This steal sure did swing at Bin 26. I started with a calamari salad (usually $13), the monkfish with almond butter (usually $26), and fresh handmade sorbet (usually $8). My $33 meal was not only a $47 value, but a delectable and satisfying high-quality meal with a close friend. The atmosphere was relaxing and intimate, and diners are surrounded with wine-corked walls and unique bottles; the bathroom's ceiling is decorated with upside down wine glasses, and the walls following there, paper-mached with bottle labels.

Choose your restaurants carefully, however. At some digs, such as KO Prime (90 Trement St., Beacon Hill) and Top of the Hub (Top of the Prudential Center, Back Bay), it's an obvious bargain; but for, let's say, sushi, or for tapas-- at Toro (1704 Washington St., South End) or example-- going with the usual menu may be a wiser (and more FRUGAL!) option.

Dime-worthy updates from the Pru

La Frugal Fashionista and the Value Vixen report on a Back Bay European chain store that's come and gone, Boston's ever-awaited Restaurant Week, and a crucial fashion find in the heart of Downtown Crossing.

Goodbye MNG, Hello Restaurant Week.

Boston Restaurant Week, Winter 2009

Nanette has come to town...

Disclaimer: Our technology was a lil' shaky on these posts, and the sound not truly Diva-worthy. These kinks will be worked out soon, my recessionistas!

An Ivy More Affordable than Los Angeles'

Where else can you order a bottle of Prosecco for $26 (other than, perhaps, Italy)?

What Diva doesn't enjoy a swanky dinner on the town with friends and a bottle (or two...) of vino? Don't be so quick to nix that joy of life (and sanity!) off your list. At Boston's Ivy Restaurant (49 Temple Place, Downtown Crossing), ALL bottles of wine (unless noted) are $26. If you prefer just a glass, any 6 oz. serving is $9. Ivy also features three flights, based on region. Each includes four progressive (two whites, two reds) 2 oz. pours, at $13. 

Ivy offers a selection of over 50 carefully-chosen wines-- all bodies. The Pinot Gris, Albarino, and Prosecco are my personal favorites.

Ivy's atmosphere is enjoyable, too. Elegant with a casual and warm Italian-influenced twist. Located in Downtown Crossing, Ivy is a weeknight hot spot, very less-frequented on Friday and Saturday nights. (If you'd rather not bump elbows with the rest of those employed in Boston's Financial District, you'll have no trouble snagging a table one of these nights.)

At Ivy, "family style" means more than affordably-priced bottles of wine. Start with a Per la Tavola-- meant to be served communally and priced for two people-- of Fondue, salad, or a cheese selection. Continue with a rustic and flavorful Primi Piatti-- a small plate, meant to be served family style. (Ivy recommends ordering two per person in your party. One piatti, paired with a side, is more than enough. To give your pallet more variety, order 1.5 per person-- 3 for two people, 5 for three people, etc.)  Ivy's sides are served a la carte as well, and come in heaping portions.  

Per la Tavolas range from $10-$16; Primis, from $6-$17; and Sides, from $5-6. Paired with a bottle (or two...) at $26 and a group of friends to share a meal, gossip, and check with, a Diva can't go wrong at Ivy.

For theatre-bound Diva, the restaurant offers a $30 theatre menu option--complete with dinner, wine, and tiramisu-- from 5 to 8PM each night.