Increasingly, we’re getting the feeling that what steakhouses and foie gras were to last year, recession specials will be to this one. One of the better ones we’ve come across is the Continental Midtown‘s new Martini Hour, which started on Monday and runs daily from 5-7pm on all three floors. Here’s what you get:

For $4-$6, guests can snack on a variety of sides and small plates, including:

Hummus and Pita
Steamed Edamame
Szechuan Shoestring Fries
Tofu Chive Dumplings
Orange Chile Glazed Calamari
BBQ Chicken Quesadilla

For $3-$6, guests can stylishly sip on wines by the glass (Redwood Creek Cabernet/Pio Pinto Grigio), beer (Miller Lite/Kenzinger), and signature cocktails as:

Buzz Aldrin
Pomegranate Daquiri
Squirt
Grape Crush
Champagne-O-Rama
Smirnoff Martini

For anyone who’s ever winced at a three-digit Continental cocktail tab, this is like a heatwave in the middle of winter. But guess what: We’ll take it!
Continental Midtown, 1801 Chestnut Street. (215) 567-1800