Per Se to debut à la carte menu to bolster salesPer Se to debut à la carte menu to bolster sales

Elissa Elan

NEW YORK Per Se, one of the city's most exclusive fine-dining restaurants, reportedly will try to beat back the effects of the financial crisis by offering an à la carte menu for the first time.

According to a report by The New York Times, the restaurant owned and operated by renowned chef Thomas Keller will begin offering a "salon" menu Wednesday in its 24-seat lounge area.

The new menu will feature seven to nine dishes that will change daily. Portion sizes will be larger than appetizers but smaller than entrees, and will be priced from $24 to $46, the Times reported. The restaurant will offer the menu at dinner only and will not require reservations.

Per Se, which specializes in tasting menus that cost around $275 per person, has suffered from declining sales like most restaurants have during the recession. According the Times, the restaurant also has seen a drop in private dining by financiers who have cut down on their high-dollar spending.

Thomas Keller's other restaurants include The French Laundry, Ad Hoc, Bouchon and Bouchon Bakery.

Contact Elissa Elan at [email protected].