Special Meals for One

When Chef Ed Brown opened his New York City restaurant Eighty One this past Spring, the feedback we received was that meal portions were too small and the prices too big. And so, like many chefs, including Suzanne Goines of restaurant Lucques in Los Angeles, Brown's quick fix was a cheap Sunday evening gourmet prix fixe.

Sunday Suppers is not a new concept, in fact Goines has been serving up cheap eats for years and it's even the title of a cookbook she authored a few years back. But as chefs and restaurant owners try to stay alive in the tough times, Sunday may just become the new Saturday. Though the list continues to grow, here are some special Sunday Supper discounts we found nationwide for which it is worth leaving the house:

Eugene's, Atlanta: It's all about comfort food at Eugene's, where diners can indulge in butternut squash soup, scrumptious fried chicken and vanilla bean poundcake all year round. There is plenty more to choose from, including a braised pork osso bucco. At $29 for a three course meal, this is southern comfort at its best.

Noca, Phoenix: Situated in the in the Biltmore Plaza, Noca, which stands for North of Camelback, opened to rave reviews in the summer with its modern American cuisine offerings prepared by Chef Chris Curtiss. For now, only on Sundays, Noca is offering a three-course dinner called the Simple Supper for $35. The offering is a salad, choice of entree from fish, meat and vegetable, and dessert

Cafe Levain, Minneapolis: This affordable neighborhood bistro serves up a Sunday supper special for meat lovers AND vegetarians. At Cafe Levain you never know what's in store as the menu changes weekly, but some samples include a potato soup with mirepoix, gnocchi with roasted grapes and white asparagus, roasted Kadejan chicken and truffle oil and crispy Arctic char with mussels, fingerling potatoes, fennel, and tomato broth. The vegetarian 3-course option is $20, the version with meat is $25.

Ansill Food & Wine, Philadelphia: Though this cozy eatery offers small European plates for sampling, it features a French prix-fixe on Sunday. Chef David Ansill used to run a much-loved French BYO called Pif, and here he serves up a three course tasting for $40. Plus you get special BYO privileges.

Craigie Street Bistrot, Boston: For a later night bite out, Chef Tony Maws cooks for your table, either a $39.99 four-course or $54.99 six-course menu after 9:00 p.m on Sundays. The menu selection is at the chef's whim with impromptu dishes that may not be on the regular menu. And there are two versions "The Surprise" (which may contain meat and fish) and "Vegetarian".

Opera, Chicago: Contemporary Chinese fare is what you will find at this quintessential Chicago outpost. And on Sundays, Opera offers a three course dinner at $28.95, where diners can choose ANY appetizer or salad, ANY entree and ANY dessert off the regular menu. Crisp main lobster spring roll, slow roast pork tenderloin without eating it out of the carton, just imagine!

Zuppa, San Francisco: The modern Italian restaurant offers a four-course menu for $40 on this one night a week. And going old school, each month Nick Cozza, the restaurant's sous chef, focuses on foods from a different region in Italy and serves up classic dishes using his grandmother's recipes.

Burnt Toast, Boulder CO: Chef Heston Blumenthal invites the public to join in on a multi-course meal and one glass of red wine, all for $17.95 every Sunday night. This one's an intimate affair, but if you're bold and living in Boulder you will find it is a great chance to meet new people because everyone (including even the chef and staff) dines together around one communal table.