As a recession-minded answer to Tom Colicchio's lavish bi-monthly Tom: Tuesday Dinner, the chef is partnering with his executive chef, Damon Wise, on a series of Friday night dinners, called Damon: Frugal Friday. Again making use of Craft's private dining room, the Friday night program will feature a menu of dishes and drinks entirely under $10, cooked and pimped live in-person by Chef Wise. If you're doing the math at home, that's a 10-course meal for $100; or a 7-course meal with three drinks for $100. The mystery of how this is a smart business decision aside, it's an unmistakable boon for eaters. And per the official details, "The format allows Wise the chance to depart from the Craft style and experiment with a casual menu of his own creation -- one that’s ideal for thrifty times." The program starts this Friday, 1/16, and reservations aren't accepted. Expect dishes such as, "small pizzas, food in a jar, meat on a stick."

If this is the start of a crosstown movement to make more mass use of private rooms, there might be a glimmer of hope for 2009 after all. At D:FF, go early and brace for massive crowds—until next week, when the program takes over the entirety of Craftbar. This very last bit just our guess.