DINING DEALS – WITH BEAUJOLAIS NOUVEAU The third Thursday in November is a big day for wine marketers. This is the day Beaujolais Nouveau is released. Many other wines from the Burgundy region, of which Beaujolais is a part, taste best after aging in their bottles for a number of years. But Beaujolais Nouveau is meant to be drunk immediately, and its promoters generate a lot of hype about its annual release.

This year that hype begins tonight, when fans and promoters of Beaujolais Nouveau will be popping corks as the clock strikes midnight.

Celebrations in Manhattan begin at L’Express (249 Park Ave. South at 20th Street, 212-254-5858). In Brooklyn the midnight Beaujolais Nouveau celebration is at Bacchus (409 Atlantic Ave., between Bond and Nevins streets, 718-852-1572).

Tomorrow the floodgates open, and some sort of special promotion is being held at many of the city’s French bistros. Some of the savvy marketers are making use of the attention given to inexpensive Beaujolais Nouveau and are offering deals on higher-end Beaujolais as well:

Le Tableau (511 E. 5th St. at Avenue A, 212-260-1333) is giving anyone who orders the $40 prix-fixe menu a free halfbottle of Beaujolais Nouveau.

Cafe Charbon (168 Orchard St., between Stanton and Rivington streets, 212-420-7520) is offering a free glass of Beaujolais Nouveau to each customer from 9 to 11 pm.

At Alouette (2588 Broadway between 97th and 98th streets, 212-222-6808) you can enjoy a free taste of the Nouveau paired with the restaurant’s coq au vin, or have the more prestigious Beaujolais Cru with pear 711 2172 778 2183poached in Beaujolais with vanilla sauce.

Le Jardin Bistro (25 Cleveland Pl., between Spring and Kenmare streets, 212-343-9599) is pouring bottomless glasses of Beaujolais Nouveau for $10 for anyone who orders a main course.

Capsuto Freres (451 Washington St. at Watts Street, 212-966-4900) is giving out free tastes of Beaujolais Nouveau at lunch.

Provence (38 MacDougal St., between Houston and Prince streets, 212-475-7500), will offer a prix-fixe menu for around $35 and also will present wines from about 10 Beaujolais producers.

Jean-Luc (507 Columbus Ave. at 84th Street, 212-967-6900) is launching a 10-day celebration, offering a free glass of Beaujolais Nouveau to each diner, starting on November 17th.

In Brooklyn, Bar Tabac (128 Smith St. at Amity Street, 718-923-0918) is celebrating with the Baby Blue Orchids, a band that plays 1920s-style jazz, from 7:30 to 11 while offering tastes of Beaujolais Nouveau.

And jolie (320 Atlantic Ave., between Smith and Hoyt streets, 718-488-0777 ) is offering a half-bottle of Beaujolais Nouveau for $12 with its $34 four-course tasting.

Finally, in the spirit of a wine that, despite all the attention, is affordable and unpretentious, Nice Matin (201 W 79th St. at Amsterdam Avenue, 212-873-6423) is offering a couple of cocktails made from Beaujolais Nouveau.

The Nouveau Fizz has muddled red seedless grapes, lemon juice, simple syrup, Beaujolais Nouveau, and gin or vodka, all topped with club soda. The Nouveau Martini is made from gin, lemon juice, grape jelly, Grand Marnier, and Beaujolais Nouveau, shaken with ice and strained into a martini glass. A little piece of toast spread with jelly is served on the side.

Mr. Thorn is food editor at Nation’s Restaurant News. He can be reached at bthorn@nrn.com.