I love Trace and have had dinner there a few times. Their octopus is outrageous. I have yet to take advantage of their lunch because I never found myself in the area in the middle of the afternoon, but all that will change in just a few weeks…

While our Michelin restaurants might not fit into “Brokelyn” standards, if you order well they can be cheap. The best thing at Tuscany Grill is their grilled pizza, which is a great light entree for two. BF and I will go and get one of those, a bowl of escarole or sausage they advertise as “for the table”, and some club sodas. Romantic dinner for two at a high-end restauant for $30. I also remember them extending the dine-in Brooklyn special for a few months after it happened, like a lot of the restaurants around here did. Maybe next year there will be more deals to be had.

Trace also has a lunch during the week that’s very affordable. Same quality food as they have for dinner at a fraction of the price.

Lola’s just moved to the new location, so I don’t know if she’ll have her fabulous sidewalk sale racks. But I’ve scored amazing stuff from her for super-cheap, like designer coats for 80% off. I guess when you move here, you can ask her if they’ll be returning.

The Green Spa is pretty, but there are far cheaper spas in the neighborhood that have been springing up all over. Again, something you should check out once you’re here.

The two best deals around here are right next to each other on 87th and 5th. Grand Sichuan House, who’s been in all the papers, is delicious. You can get a lot of their authentic Sichuan entrees on the lunch menu for a fraction of the dinner cost, and they’re just as filling. I’ll order a few specials Sunday afternoon and pack them up for the week. Next door is the Lonestar bar and grill, where ten bucks will get you a beer, a ton of french fries and the biggest burger I’ve ever seen. And its delicious.

Welcome to the neighborhood! There’s lots of hidden gems to crow about if you just know where to look!

Thanks for your response and your opinion. I agree with you that I left out some really great restaurants but it wasn’t done so with the intention to not educate the public. In keeping w/ the Brokelyn tone, I put these suggestions together with the agenda of keeping things ‘on the cheap’. I’m confident you’ll agree that places like Tanoreen, Robicelli’s, Lola etc do not come in with a rating of “$”.

Yes, it is true that Bay Ridge has tons to offer and that is part of the reason why on the 26th of this month I will be an official resident of the 11209. I can’t wait! I love everything about the area and if given a 5 page spread with free reign to report all worth mentioning, I’d absolutely love to.

PS: As I mentioned in an earlier comment response I have been in and around Bay Ridge my full 31 years. My hair is big and I make no apologies about it.. Remember, just because something is not necessarily ‘in-style’ doesn’t mean it ceases to exist :)

How do you come here from another neighborhood and not try the ethereal food at either Tanoreen or Robicelli’s? Considering those two are the reason that we get pretty much all our “food tourism” from other neighborhoods and boroughs, you think they’d be mentioned. And what about Tuscany Grill or Elia, all Michelin suggested? Did you bother to check out all the cute independent boutiques like Lola’s? Aside from Owl’s Head, it doenst seem like you looked around the neighborhood, or researched it, at all.

By the way, Saturday Night Fever came out over 30 years ago, 6 years before I was even born. And no one in this neighborhood has had big hair since 1990. The look for the past 20 years has been straight with highlights. So you’ve had plenty of time since both those events to “research”.

Within walking distance to the waterfront are two options. The more affordable of the two is the Golden Gate Inn (3867 Shore Parkway) at around $115 a night and just a tad pricier at $153.00 via their Internet rate is The Best Western (3003 Emmons Avenue), which would be my pick.