Monday
Where: The Ludlow-Bromley Yacht Club. This was a fun surprise: It's a collection of boats and barges tied up on the river between the towns of Ludlow and Bromley. It's a marina, a bar and a casual restaurant. 860 Elm St., Ludlow, 513-291-8132.
The deal: Steak night. Monday is the kitchen's night off, so you're in charge. You pay $11.50 for a raw 8-10 oz. strip steak, a salad, a baked potato, bread, and an ear of corn and are pointed to the grill, where you cook the steak yourself.
The low-down: It's a good, substantial steak, though you won't get as great a sear on it as a restaurant kitchen can. The atmosphere's colorful, and it's right on the river. You can't beat the price point. Go with a group, get a bucket of beer - 10 for $5. The steak dinner is offered through Nov. 1, when the yacht club closes for the season.
Tuesday
Where: Laszlo's Iron Skillet in Newtown, which offers both traditional Hungarian and Middle European food, along with an extensive menu of homespun American. 6900 Valley Ave., Newtown, 513-561-6776, www.laszlosironskillet.com.
The deal: Two-for-Tuesday. Every Tuesday features a different list of three entrées priced $12-$14. Buy one, get the other one free. There's always one schnitzel included.
The low-down: I went with a friend who can't eat mushrooms or shrimp, which crossed all the specials off the list for her, but the chicken paprikash she ordered from the menu is often one of the entrées offered. I liked my chicken marsala. It had a mushroom sauce nicely touched with marsala, and along with a little penne Alfredo and warm poppy seed rolls, it was filling. The chicken paprikash was surprisingly spicy-hot, served with good spaetzle, although the chicken was a little mushy. As $6.50 entrées, they were a great deal.
Wednesday
Where: Pitrelli's in Mason, a cute family Italian place where the owner seems to know everyone who walks in the door. 312 Reading Road, Mason, 513-770-0122, www.pitrellis.com.
The deal: Couples night. Two salads, two entrées from a short list, a bottle of wine and a dessert to share: $49.50.
The low-down: If you add it up, this equates to getting a free dessert, so it's not a super deal, but it's a nice package. Pitrelli's sauce is very good, and I enjoyed my spaghetti with sauce and Italian sausage, and my husband liked the ravioli. We can't do a whole bottle of wine on a weeknight, but fortunately, you can take home the leftovers. And the choice of dessert now includes a little plate of homemade Italian cookies, as well as tiramisu or cannoli.
Thursday
Where: Daveed's in Mount Adams, one of the more serious restaurants in Cincinnati, where David Cook regularly does remarkable things with foie gras and scallops. 934 Hatch St., 513-721-2665.
The deal: Burger night. Cook serves an "ultimate gourmet burger" with truffle-infused french fries and a beer, for $16.
The low-down: It may be a lot for a burger, but it's not much for a meal at Daveed's. And this really is a super-burger, very refined, not your usual sloppy fat sandwich. On a Kaiser roll, the patty is very juicy, dressed with neatly folded Canadian bacon, a few green leaves, a lively spicy dressing. The fries are delicately crunchy and scented with truffle.
Friday
Where: Jag's in West Chester Township, a glitzy steakhouse; 5980 West Chester Road. 513-860-5353; www.jags.com.
The deal: Friday night is couples' night, with a special four-course menu for two at $69.95. The specifics change every two months. We tried the crab menu, which is offered through the end of September. It includes an appetizer, a salad and a filet mignon with a choice of crab accompaniments. Among the choices were crab Louis salad and crab legs.
In October, the deal will be similar, but is a surf and turf - you can add shrimp or scallops to the filet, and choose from first and second courses that include shrimp cocktail or lobster bisque. It's also half-price wine night, with selections from the list priced at 50 percent off. Or you can add a bottle of Robert Mondavi for $20.
The low-down: On paper, it seems like a good deal, essentially $35 each for three courses. But many dishes don't live up to Jag's fancy atmosphere. The crab bisque was unnaturally orange, the crab cake was in a harsh curry sauce, and the mashed potatoes were dry and pasty. The sushi wasn't bad, the crab Louis was nice, and the filet was certainly good, so go for this deal if you already know you like Jag's.
Saturday
Where: Beluga, in Hyde Park, 3520 Edwards Road. 513-533-4444.
The deal: Half-price sushi 11 p.m.-2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights.
The low-down: Beluga does some of the best sushi in town, so this was a no-brainer. We sat at the bar and stuck to mostly simple nigiri choices, plus one roll. The special Hawaiian fish list was not included, too bad. There was a constant beat from the overbearing techno music that defines the atmosphere here, so we didn't stay long, though we enjoyed chatting a little with the people sitting next to us - despite Beluga's reputation for being self-consciously hip, they were completely down to earth. It's a good deal, but only if you happen to be hungry late at night. The deal is also available Wednesdays 5 p.m.-midnight.
Sunday
Where: Grand Finale, Glendale, the Victorian house that's been Grand Finale for almost 35 years. 3 E. Sharon Road, 513-771-5925, www.grandfinale.info
The deal: Brunch, 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. isn't exactly news. Grand Finale's been doing it since 1975. It's a buffet for $15.50, or $7.50 for kids 11 and under. Reservations are required for eight or more. 513-771-5925.
The low-down: When some brunch buffets can cost well more than $20, this help-yourself-meal seems almost modest. This is a breakfast-style brunch, with no carving station, omelet chef or lunch dishes. It's priced just about right for that, and it becomes a bargain if you're a big eater. The buffet includes scrambled eggs, quiche, little sampler crepes, grits, poached eggs on artichoke bottoms, sausages, and - for a nice treat - fried chicken livers. The biscuits and gravy are genuinely good, which is a rarity. Servers will bring freshly made pancakes, Belgian waffles or sautéed mushrooms. The big Grand Finale desserts are scaled down to little bowls.
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