Tough times doesn't require giving up dinners out

In this tough economy can you have your cake -- at a restaurant -- and eat it too?

CBS 6 News set out to find out whether you can still enjoy eating out on a budget.

 Really, it's not as if you're cutting it out of your plans completely.  One diner at Salty's Pub in Halfmoon says "No, because I think I work hard all week, I think I deserve it!"

   But you're more cautious with your dollar.

Another diner at Latham's Olde Shaker Inn says "We don't go out for lunch anymore.  We're saving quite a bit, it's saving us 15 dollars for lunch."

  We asked Thom Wallace, owner of Olde Shaker, "How hard is it to get customers in, in a tough economy?"

   "Hard!!" Wallace said emphatically.

   That means restaurants are angling for your business.  Back in May, when gas prices started spiking, the Olde Shaker Inn came up with this deal:  a Friday-night 4-course meal for two.  Each person gets four plates (no sharing) for $39.99.  They do a 3-course meal on Sunday afternoons for $15.99 per person.  They're not money makers, says Wallace, but it means they won't lay off staff.

   "It does keep employees employed and expose the restaurant to those who maybe wouldn't be going out," says Wallace.

   Keeping staff is a real concern.  Scott Wexler, President of the Restaurant and Tavern Owners Association tells CBS 6, with the price of food and supplies going up, some restaurants feel the only way to make ends meet is to cut waitstaff. 

  Others cut advertising---but Wallace says that's a mistake.

  "We're advertising now more than in the last 4 years, " he says, "Just to let people know we're out there."

   But at Salty's Pub, business is thriving.  "I'm up 15 percent over last year, " says chef/owner John Marzilli.  Still he advertises free lunch or dinner with another entrée and discounts for groups.  He tries to make it easy for customers who might be cutting corners elsewhere.

   "Not buy a boat, not go on vacation," he explains, " but people have to eat."

    In addition to scouring the newspaper ads, clipping mailed coupons and getting an entertainment book, we also came across a nifty website at www.restaurant.com, where you can get value for your dollar.

   Here's how it works: You type in the zip code where you want to dine and up come participating restaurants.  You send them 3 dollars, they'll send you back a 10 dollar gift certificate.  You send in 10 dollars, they'll send back a 25 dollar certificate.  On certain holidays or with special promotions you can get a 25 dollar certificate for just 3 dollars!

   Looks like for now, "value" is the buzzword, or as one Salty's Pub diner puts it "Sure, you want to go someplace where there's high quality food at reasonable prices."