dining out

Retail sales were flat in April from a month earlier as Americans spent less on things such as clothes or sporting goods but increased their spending at bars and restaurants.

Bob Bob Ricard, the luxury London restaurant, is one of the first to try cutting 25 percent off menu prices during off-peak times to attract more budget-minded customers. And it seems to be working.

As the country reels from its financial crisis, a new restaurant, run by a Catholic priest, lets paying daytime customers foot the dinner bill for homeless people to dine with dignity — and style.