Nothing tastes as good as a bargain

SAVE MONEY -- eat out.

It might sound counterintuitive, and it flies in the face of advice tossed out by penny-pinching "experts" -- but they don't know what we know: where to find the best dining deals in town.

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FOR THE RECORD:
Wine deal: In some editions of today's Food section, an article about food and wine deals refers to a 2001 Chateau d'Yquem Sauternes offered by the glass for less than $30 at Campanile restaurant in L.A. The recommended dessert wine is a 2002 Chateau d'Yquem Sauternes priced at $20 a glass. —

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FOR THE RECORD:
Chef's background: An article about dining bargains in Wednesday's Food section said that chef Joe Anguiano of Murano Restaurant, Bar & Lounge had worked at Providence in Los Angeles. He has not. Anguiano has worked at, among other restaurants, Water Grill in Los Angeles. —

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Who says it's cheaper to eat in? We dare you to try to put together a perfect taco of long-cooked carnitas on a fresh, warm, homemade corn tortilla for $1.25 (oh, and have it ready five or 10 minutes after you decide you want one). Or make a fresh loaf of yeasty sweet honey bread for $1.75 (assuming you're an enthusiastic baker).

Feeding a crowd? Take the whole family out to celebrate a birthday with dinner and live entertainment for $15 per person (if you opted for a movie at that budget, no one would even get popcorn). Looking for a little luxury? Zero in on a French chef's $20 menuspontanée.

Restaurateurs are doing everything they can to keep us eating out -- why fight it? Once again, here's our annual guide to loving your meals and paying the piper with good cheer. Our Food section writers found dozens of delicious deals: terrific lunch specials, hidden wine-list treasures, remarkable prix fixe menus, let's-come-back happy hour offerings, off-night discounts -- and just plain value.



BURGERS, TACOS AND DOGS

1. Bowery Burger at the Bowery, $9. Looking for a burger for less than $10 but also want to enjoy it in a sit-down situation with some stylish Hollywood atmosphere? The Bowery on Sunset Boulevard has a juicy, meaty sirloin burger served on a toasted English muffin (which makes for a nice, not-too-bready bun). For $1 more, you can get it with Gruyère, cheddar or blue cheese. The Bowery, 6268 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, (323) 465-3400; www.theboweryhollywood.com.

2. Trio of beef sliders at Brix@1601, $12. In the South Bay, chef Michael McDonald turns out a trio of perfect beef sliders. Made with a loosely formed patty, these baby burgers are embellished with caramelized onions and nutty molten Gruyère. Three of them lined up in a row, their buns glazed a deep gold, are adorable. All they need is a glass or two of rouge from sommelier Caitlin Stansbury's smart wine list. Brix@1601, 1601 Pacific Coast Highway, Suite 175, Hermosa Beach, (310) 698-0740; brix1601.com.

3. El Taco Adobe's blackened mahi taco, $3. Stop in the middle of a hot afternoon and relax for a moment in this amusingly converted former IHOP, resplendent in pumpkin-orange paint with homey oilcloth-covered tables. The cooking is restrained, discreet even. Treat yourself to a mahi taco -- lovely spiced fish, diced tomatoes and shredded cabbage drizzled with a touch of crema and a few crumbles of cojito. Fresh, simple and sustaining. Taco Adobe Southwestern Grill , 1319 N. Main St., Santa Ana,(714) 543-2411.

4. El Taco Loco #3's taco de tripas, $1.25. How much happiness can you buy for $1.25? A whole lot, it turns out. At El Taco Loco #3, it'll get you a handmade tortilla taco. There are all of the usual flavors: chewy carne asada and cabeza, crumbly chorizo, crusty carnitas, melting lengua. But the star of the lineup is the tripas. Beef tripe is stewed until tender and richly flavored, then just before serving, it's crisped on the griddle for a little crunch. Wrap it in a warm, puffy, freshly made corn tortilla and spoon on a bit of fresh red chile salsa. It's better than half the foie gras dishes ever created. And you get to eat it in a veritable Sistine Chapel of taco-shop art. El Taco Loco #3, 1465 Magnolia Ave., Long Beach, (562) 437-6228.

5. Dollar Mondays at the Stand, $1. And then, how much can you buy for $1? On Monday nights, a buck buys you the Stand Dog -- a beef hot dog served steamed or grilled -- normally $3.50, with condiments such as mustard (yellow, deli or hot), ketchup, diced onions or tomatoes. Chips are 50 cents. If you want the Loaded Dog, that's $2.50 (regularly $4.25 ) with toppings such as chili, grilled onions, sauerkraut, or cheddar, Swiss or blue cheese. 17000 Ventura Blvd., Encino, (818) 788-2700; 2000 Avenue of the Stars, Los Angeles ( Century City), (310) 785-0400; 1116 Westwood Blvd., Los Angeles (Westwood Village), (310) 443-0400; 5780 Canoga Ave., Woodland Hills, (818) 710-0400; www.thestandlink.com.

6. Organic veggie burger at Bouchees Bistro, $6. Bouchees Bistro does it all: customizable burgers, Sunday brunch, even local delivery. And while there's no lack of proteins from which to build a burger here (Angus sirloin, turkey tenderloin and ahi tuna are all excellent options), the organic veggie burger is the smart choice. The fresh-ground patty is a tasty mix of garbanzo beans, roasted red peppers and seasonal vegetables. Add your choice of toppings such as shiitake mushrooms and green peppercorn "dijonnaise." Strapped for cash? Get it slider-size, a little $2.50 burger that's gone in no more than a few bites. Bouchees Bistro, 515 Long Beach Blvd., Long Beach, (562) 951-8222; bouchees.com.

ENTREES AT APPETIZER PRICES

7. Updated Italian comfort food entrees at Murano Restaurant, Bar & Lounge, $12. Every Tuesday, Murano's new chef, Joe Anguiano, formerly of Providence and New York's Montrachet, fashions a changing nostalgic menu of entrees at appetizer prices. Examples: house-made linguine and Kobe beef meatballs; house-made penne with spicy Italian sausage, onions and peppers; and eggplant panini with Laura Chenel goat cheese, roasted peppers and grilled onions (and more). Murano Restaurant, Bar & Lounge, 9010 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood; (310) 246-9118; www.murano9010.com.

8. Homey European dinners at Sabina's, $5.75. Nourishment-per-nickel, this is one of the best deals in town, though it is quirky in a very un-Californian way. Which is to say a generous plate of tiny, crisp cornichons is the vegetable portion of your meal. It's a Romanian thing. As are the terrific chicken schnitzel and an incredible meatball soup ($2.50). Pick from entrees including beef or chicken stew with mushrooms, paprika chicken or beef with dumplings, stuffed cabbage or bell pepper and a few schnitzels. Your $5.75 buys the named dish, maybe a side of potatoes, salad, a basket of bread and that plate of pickles. But arrive before 7 p.m; shortly thereafter, the couple who serve and cook are busy doing the dishes. Sabina's European Restaurant, 1253 Vine St., Los Angeles, (323) 469-9522.