It used to be that BYOB restaurants were a last resort for starving artists and college students, but in these tough times, bringing your own bottle (or five) is now considered a sign of intelligence. Luckily we live in a city that has BYOB options that range from Indian to French to Italian, so you can get your drink on for cheap no matter what kind of food you’re craving. Besides, ordering that $400 bottle of Latour just looks so gauche these days.

		Motorino 319 Graham Ave(Ainslie & Devoe Sts.) Williamsburg 718.599.8899 Brought to you by Bouley and BLT Fish alum Mathieu Palombino, Motorino is the newest addition to the Williamsburg scene, and judging from the crowd alone (which can include a line out the door), it’s already a hit. Take a seat by the wood fired brick oven and watch as the chefs work their magic to create mouth watering concoctions such as the mussels in saffron chili broth and the pugliese pizza. The wine store on the corner offers a five percent discount to Motorino customers—good news for those looking to share a nice bottle of red or pick up some champagne for their weekend brunch.
		Alto 11 E. 53rd St. (Madison & 5th Ave.) Midtown 212.308.1099 You may not be able to pronounce anything on the menu at this Midtown establishment, but you don’t have to know a thing about the language to enjoy the fresh pastas, which rival Babbo's for the title of New York's best. Superchef Michael White gives you the option of two prix fixe menus: three courses for $75 or four courses for $85. With no corkage fee for BYOB any night of the week, you’ll definitely be living la dolce vita here. They’ve wised up to the winos though—you can only bring one bottle per table, so plan on keeping it intimate.
		La Superior 295 Berry St. (S. 2nd & 3rd Sts.) Williamsburg 718.388.5988 Be forewarned that you’re not coming to this tiny Mexican spot for the ambiance—unless you count a single string of colored lights as décor—but for the authenticity, a small price to pay just to get some good taquitos in New York. Be sure to pick up a sixer of Mexi beers at the bodega on the corner and get ready to stuff yourself with queso fundido ($6.50), jalapenos rellenos ($6), and the ever popular cochinita pibil ($2.50), a taco filled with pork slow-cooked in banana leaves. If you end up indulging in too many Pacificos, just refresh yourself with an agua fresco or Mexican soda and you’ll be in to win it.
		Parigot 155 Lafayette St. (Howard & Grand Sts.) SoHo 212. 274.8859 Get your French fix for next to nothing at Parigot, where the prix fixe menu is a mere $16 for an appetizer and your choice of hanger steak, grilled chicken, or omelettes with fries or grilled salmon with ratatouille. There’s a small corkage fee for most of the week, but we still think your best bet is taking advantage of the no corkage fee on Mondays. With that kind of deal, you could even splurge on some country pate, escargot, or their charcuterie and cheese plates. Mon Dieu!
		Panna II 93 1st Ave. (5th & 6th Sts.) East Village 212.598.4610 Lights, lights everywhere! There’s never a dull moment at this East village spot, where if you can take your eyes off of the Christmas lights, chili pepper lights, and paper decorations, you’ll find a menu brimming with classic Indian comfort food such as dansak, Bombay chicken, and Khan Vindaloo. The $10.95 dinner special for one includes an appetizer, soup, paratha, condiments, main entrée and dessert, so factor in that bottle of wine and you’re looking at a drunken feast for under $20.
		The Orchard 162 Orchard St. (Rivington & Stanton Sts.) Lower East Side 212.353.3570 We’ve all been there before: got a hot date lined up but little cash in the bank. If you find yourself in this predicament, just hold out until Sunday night when The Orchard is BYOB with no corkage fee. Sure, you’ll have to spend a little coin on the eclectic cuisine, which includes everything from steak tartare flatbread ($14) to paella ($27), but your date will no doubt be impressed by the intimate atmosphere, and of course, your thriftiness.
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