Premature attempt to acquire recipe for cheaper menu option (5,4)
I believe the answer is:
early bird
'cheaper menu option' is the definition.
(as in an early bird option on a restaurant menu)
'premature attempt to acquire recipe' is the wordplay.
'premature' becomes 'early' (similar in meaning).
'attempt' becomes 'bid' (bid is a kind of attempt).
'to acquire' indicates putting letters inside.
'recipe' becomes 'r' (abbreviation in medical prescriptions).
'bid' enclosing 'r' is 'bird'.
'early'+'bird'='EARLY BIRD'
'for' is the link.
(Other definitions for early bird that I've seen before include "One who rises before others" , "Worm catcher?" , "One up with the lark" , "Chorus singer" , "one up at dawn" .)