Happy Hour at Socarat, Midtown, NYC

Enjoyed another birthday celebration, this time at midtown's Socarat happy hour with a friend. During their daily happy hour from 4 to 6 pm, all tapas are half price. Some drinks, too, although we each opted for a vermouth-less martini ($17). We shared their Galician-style octopus ($10.50) in paprika oil with mashed potatoes and the grilled squid ($9) in garlicky oil, requesting both extra crispy. I'd recommend both as I would their grilled lamb chops topped with a chimichurri sauce with roasted white and purple potatoes ($10). Their shrimp arrived sizzling in hot olive oil with lots of garlic and a couple of chili peppers ($9). They were fine yet [...]

By |2023-09-02T19:39:24-04:00August 14th, 2022|Happy Hours, NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments

Happy Hour at Temerario, Chelsea, NYC + The Joyce (Not!)

We met at Temerario for a quick bite near the Joyce Theater where we were off to a contemporary ballet that evening. I knew the food would be good, having been before. We lucked out, arriving near the end their daily happy hour (4 to 6:30 daily) and quickly ordered. The sangria ($8) was good, as was the passion fruit margarita ($9) and the smoky & spicy one ($10). We shared guacamole topped with crispy quinoa and pineapple ($10) with chips, a huge quesadilla ($10) overstuffed with cheese and veggie-topped nachos ($10) with avocado, beans and chihuahua cheese. As we were finishing up, my friend got an email saying our [...]

By |2023-09-02T19:39:37-04:00January 15th, 2022|Happy Hours, NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments

Happy Hour at 1803, Tribeca, NYC

I met my friend at 1803 in Tribeca for its happy hour. Inspired by New Orleans and named for the year of the Louisiana Purchase, 1803 offers fare you might enjoy in the French Quarter. Although they had balconied seating, we opted to dine outside. We started with martinis to wash down the half-dozen charbroiled oysters ($15) served with sliced bread to sop up the Cajun butter. So good, I would have eaten another order! Not so the baked cheese-filled jalapeños ($9) topped with shredded tomatoes. What I liked better was the blacked Cajun shrimp ($9 for 5) with spicy aioli. Also good is the mini cheddar burger ($12) with [...]

Rooftop Happy Hour at STK Downtown, Meatpacking District, NYC

Once nice weather hits, rooftop cocktails are de rigueur. That's why we headed over to STK in the meat-packing district for a happy hour drink to celebrate my friend's birthday.  First things first. We ordered our cocktails (regularly $21, hh pricing $11), my friend selected their Spiced Watermelon made with Patrón Silver, St. Germain, watermelon, lime and jalapeño.   I ordered their Not Your Daddy's Old Fashioned made with a hearty pour of Woodford Reserve. The old fashioned has become one of my pandemic go-to cocktails. I'd recommend STKs. My friend ordered their beef tartare ($7) simply served in three crispy wonton-like cups for easy snacking. I tried their sauteed mini-salmon [...]

Happy Hour at Mi Garba, East Village, NYC

We were finishing the itinerary for our upcoming trip to Thailand and decided to go out in the hood for a glass of wine and a nibble. I had walked past Mi Garba early that afternoon when out doing errands. It looked inviting. We got there in time for happy hour  (from 5 to 7) each ordering a glass of their non-buttery Chardonnay (only $9). We shared the app of eggplant parmigiana and arugula and Asian pear salad with a balsamic reduction. I'd recommend the eggplant. Still hungry, we added an order of gnocchi in a Pomodoro (tomato) sauce. Mediocre at best as the gnocchi were a bit gummy and [...]

Looking for a Happy Hour? Try Le Colonial, Midtown, NYC

A friend was heading to theatre on 59th street and so suggested meeting for a drink during Happy Hour at Le Colonial on East 57th. The bar area is upstairs at this upscale (dark wood and red velvet chair) restaurant. During happy hour (5 to 8 pm) the classic cocktails, beer and wine are half price. Cocktails and wine are about $8, beer $5. I sampled their ”paper tiger” crafted cocktail served up, martini style, made with chili-infused vodka, cardamom syrup and lime. Quite good. When I go back, I will request a tad less sweetness. Only the drinks are half-price during happy hour. That said, when I return I'll [...]

Happy Hour at Landmarc, Time Warner Center, NYC + Javits Rooftop

Gotta love when cocktails and nibbles are reasonably priced, at least for NYC. After a visit with some friends to the gardens on the rooftop of the Javits center, we headed uptown for a drink.  Yes! there are 6.75-acre acres of green succulent plants atop the convention center, replete with 26 bird species, five bat species and honey-making bees- and they provide free tours. We toured as part of our Untapped Cities $10 a month membership. Noticing  Landmarc's happy hour, I ordered their Moscow mule made with Stoli, ginger beer and lime ($10), while my friends ordered the margarita grilled pizza ($10) from the bar bites menu.  The drink served in the [...]

Happy Hour at Boucherie, Gramercy Park, NYC

Boucherie, a French bistro, opened in the cavernous space where Florian, Park Avalon and others had been. This is the second outpost of this restaurant, the first located in the West Village, from The Group (Olio e Piu, Dominique Bistro and more). We walked by early one evening to grab a bite when we noticed the Green Hour from 4 to 7 listed on the menu that,  available in the bar area. We hopped on the high stools and ordered the burger ($12) a 6-0unce hand-formed portion of dry-aged Pat LaFrieda blend, topped with caramelized onions, aged gruyère, sliced tomato and lettuce on a brioche bun along with crunchy on the outside, steamy [...]

By |2023-09-02T19:43:12-04:00August 30th, 2018|Happy Hours, NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments

Happy Hour at Lotus Blue, Union Square, NYC

Not sure about you, but I love happy hour specials! I noticed a sign in the window of Lotus Blue when walking by, announcing their special pricing Monday to Friday 5 to 7 for the summer of 2018 and made a date to meet a friend there. I opted for their refreshing house spicy Margarita, a mere $6, made with mango juice. Unusual and delicious. With that, I chose two of their good specials, their scallion pancakes ($5) that were too bland for me even with their hoisin-based dipping sauce and their yummy spicy chicken cubes ($7), with a solid spice kick. I'd recommend the latter.   Lotus Blue Union Square [...]

By |2023-09-02T19:43:31-04:00August 26th, 2018|Happy Hours, NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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