Word reached me today of some interesting deals in the world of local food. They just keep coming. Thanks, Recession!

Ping on the Cheap

In what they call a response to “non-stop demands” from their patrons, Ping will be serving an “Early Menu” from 4 pm - 5:30 pm, Monday through Saturday, beginning tonight. Everything on the menu—skewers, bao, ramen, cocktails—is priced at $5 or below.

The folks at Ping seem to have a strange aversion to the term “Happy Hour,” but never-the-less a happy hour will be welcome here, considering the largest criticism of Ping I’ve heard so far is that the bill has a tendency to get very large, very quickly.

Three Restaurants for $30

NE newbies Lincoln, Belly, and Ned Ludd have teamed up to offer a passport of sorts. Diners can purchase a card for $30 at any of the above restaurants redeemable for one appetizer and a glass of wine at each eatery. It’s like a ready-made food crawl. The card can be used in one day or can be saved and used over time.

Country Cat Throws In Some Booze

Montavilla’s own Country Cat Dinner House is offering nightly specials Monday through Thursday that, joy of joys, include delicious booze. Consider the PBJ: $10 bucks will get you a pork sandwich, baked beans, and a jigger of Jack Daniels. It’s as if they turned Steve’s vacation into a meal.

Hit the jump for Ping’s full Early Menu and the rest of the Country Cat specials.

Ping's "Early Menu"

steamed pork bun: house made steamed bun
stuffed with sweet shredded pork. 3

chicken breast skewer: grilled with soy, mirin, sake
and sesame oil, served with sour japanese plum sauce and shiso. 2 each

red potato skewer: salt roasted and grilled, served with spicy mayo sauce. 1.50 each

wild—caught gulf prawn skewer: brined, grilled, served with vietnamese sea salt and lime. 2.50 each

ju pa bao: macanese style pork chop bun.
pork loin chop fried in pork fat and served
in a soft roll, unadorned. 5

spicy mama ramen: thai instant ramen soup noodles
doctored with tamarind, fish sauce and chilies, with muu ding (bouncy pork), prawns, yu choy and a poached egg. 5

drinks
singapore sling: 5
shochu cocktail: 5
pomegranate gin rickey: 5
well drinks (one liquor + mixer): 5
draft beer of the day: 3
house sake: warm or chilled. 4

Country Cat Deals

Monday is Heritage Burger & A Draft Beer - $12
Tuesday is PB& J (Pork Sandwich, Baked Beans & A jigger of Jack) - $10
Wednesday is a Dozen Wings & A Draft Beer - $12
Thursday is Fish fry & A Draft Beer - $13