Times Like These: Craftsteak to Launch "Halfsteak"

Chelsea: First came Tom: Tuesday Dinner, then Damon: Frugal Fridays (which btw will be closed this Friday for a private event). Now, the latest news coming from the strategists within the Craft Empire: Halfsteak. Starting on Wednesday, the front section of Tom Colicchio's restaurant Craftsteak will be called "Halfsteak" and will serve a menu of small plates, sandwiches, "small pots", and yes, half orders of steaks, all priced under $15. Oh ho ho, but that is not all. They will also serve half pints, half cocktails, and individually sized desserts like cupcakes and ice cream sandwiches. We should note the betting lines are now open for guesses as to what Tommy C will come up with next. More details in the full press release below and a look at the menu:

This Wednesday, February 11, chef Tom Colicchio and chef de cuisine Shane McBride will turn the front dining room of Craftsteak into Halfsteak. A daily spot for casual eats and a lively scene, Halfsteak offers a menu with sections including snacks, leafy (salads), small plates, sandwiches and one pots. All dishes are under $15 and many are inspired by Shane’s Southern heritage, from fried oysters with smoked cole slaw, to chicken fried cod with hash browns & tartar sauce and chicken and lobster pot pie. The namesake dish is a half-portion of Craftsteak’s high-quality, dry-aged steak, served with hand-cut fries for just $14 1/2. Pastry chef Erica Leahy creates individually sized desserts including red velvet cupcakes and an ice cream sandwich of the day. To drink, Halfsteak serves half pints of beer for $4 and specialty cocktails such as the My Better Half for $7 1/2. The space has 44 seats, including 12 at the bar where two flat-screen TVs can be tuned to sports, the latest episode of Top Chef or events, such as the Academy Awards on February 22.

cocktails = $9
Half Cocked
Half Baked
My Better Half
Not Half Bad

half pints = $4
Victory, Prima Pils, PA
Blue Point, Toasted Lager, NY
Pork Slap, Pale Ale, NY
Smuttynose, IPA, NH
Tröegs, Rugged Trail Nut Brown Ale, PA

snacks = $6
Fried Oysters with Smoked Cole Slaw
Smoked Chicken Wings with White BBQ Sauce
Chicken Liver Mousse with Pickled Ramps
Lamb Spare Ribs with Cucumber Raita
Sliders with Balsamic Onions & Truffled Pecorino
Fried Mac & Cheese with Tomato Marmalade

leafy = $8
Arugula with Parmesan, & Meyer Lemon
Iceberg with Smoked Bacon & Green Goddess
Romaine with Truffled Pecorino & Creamy Garlic
Baby Greens with Roasted Beets & Sherry Vinegar

small plates = $9
Chicken Fried Cod with Hash Browns & Tartar Sauce
Duck Confit Omelet with Maitake Mushrooms & Fontina
Pig Trotter with Frisée, Apple & Ham
Merguez Sausage with Feta, Romaine & Grapefruit
Country Ham with Deviled Egg & Pickles
Fried Tripe with Roasted Tomato & Garlic Vinaigrette
Lamb-Leg Steak with Cauliflower, Almonds & Arugula
Wagyu Nachos
Coullote Steak with Bacon, Mashed & Spinach

sandwiches = $12
“halfsteak” Burger with Hand Cut Fries
Fried Oyster Po’ Boy with Creole Aioli
Brisket, Sauerkraut & Provolone Patty Melt
Grilled Cheese with Country Ham & Aged Cheddar

halfsteak with fries = $14

one-pots = $14
Chicken & Lobster Pot Pie
Pork & Beans
Bowl of Red with Corn Bread Croutons
Meatball, Gnocchi & Smoked Mozzarella Casserole

dessert = $4
Red Velvet Cupcake
Ice Cream Sandwich of the Day
· Sign of the Times: Announcing Damon Frugal Thursday [~E~]
· STROKE OF GENIUS: Colicchio Launches Friday Night All-$10 Menu [~E~]