Happy Hours

***Happy Hour at Fogo d’Chāo, Midtown, NYC

Fogo d’Chāo has a daily happy hour (HH) all day long. I give this Brazilian steak house a 3-star rating, as you can easily make a meal for dinner from their abundant food offerings. That is, if you're okay with sitting in the bar or patio. We sampled some HH drinks, including two of the $10 Caipirinhas, the Brazilian national cocktail made with cachaça, sugar and lime. We sampled one with passion fruit juice and another with house-made hibiscus elixir and strawberries. We then switched to regular-priced martinis and old fashioneds ($16-19). I sampled the spiced marinated chicken breast sliders topped with arugula, tomato, and pickled onion with a mango [...]

By |2025-04-14T08:03:07-04:00October 3rd, 2023|Happy Hours, NYC Restaurant Reviews|4 Comments
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Happy Hour *½ Iris, Midtown, NYC

In continuing my Happy Hour hunt around the city, I met a friend at John Fraser's Iris midtown. [Please let us know if you have a Happy Hour for us to try and review!] We opted for everything on the limited menu besides fresh oysters (Mystic oysters, pink peppercorn mignonette, horseradish; 4 for $14) with a glass of the Greek white offered, Assyrtiko, Peloponnese, Greece 2020 ($12) We started with pikilia, a plate filled with small portions of tzatziki (garlicky cucumber yogurt), roasted eggplant, hummus and whipped feta with a puffed warm pita and endive leaves ($18) plus their spiced lamb flatbread ($10) that's always good. The other two options [...]

By |2023-09-24T11:14:29-04:00September 23rd, 2023|City Bites, Happy Hours, NYC Best Bites, NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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*Happy Hour Barn Joo, Union Square, NYC

I'm on a mission to discover worth-it happy hours (HH)in my greater hood.  My first time here, Barn Joo offered a grumpy hour from 11:30 am to 4 pm, which preceded their happy hour! Last time, I didn't try a HH cocktail as I was in the mood for an Old Fashioned. Barn Joo's was really good but didn't have the HH discount. So this time, I sampled their serrano margarita It was fine, just nothing I'd go back for. The only food specials are fresh oysters and cocktail shrimp, $10.50 for half a dozen. The service is consistently friendly. I ordered their bibimbap with spicy pork, which was even [...]

By |2025-04-14T08:03:16-04:00August 26th, 2023|Happy Hours, NYC Restaurant Reviews|2 Comments
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***Happy Hour at Vinateria, Harlem, NYC

At a champagne event earlier this year, I met a new friend who lives uptown, a short walk from Dame Yvette Leeper-Bueno Harlem Restaurant Vinateria. When I learned she hadn't been, we decided to meet there for happy hour.  I laughed as we bumped into two other Dames also there to enjoy Yvette's seasonal Italian and Spanish cuisine and wine. (A Dame, by the way, is a member of Les Dames d'Escoffier, a philanthropic woman's organization. Our mission is to inspire, advance and support women in food, beverage and hospitality to achieve excellence in leadership and philanthropy.) I started with their maple pecan Old Fashioned ($10) while my friend sipped [...]

By |2025-04-14T08:03:29-04:00August 6th, 2023|Happy Hours, NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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***Happy Hour at STK Midtown, NYC

When visiting friends wanted to meet midtown for a drink, I suggested STK Steakhouse's happy hour. It had been on my radar since my downstairs neighbor raved about the offerings. He was right. I laughed as I bumped into my friends on the street, looking for STK. Its Sixth Avenue address is confusing as the entrance is on 43. STK's happy hour, from 3 - 5:30 on weekends, is one of the best I've sampled recently. They offer good libations ($9) and lite bites ($3 - $9). That's only $9 each for a glass of Prosecco, a margarita and dirty martinis with three blue-cheese stuffed jumbo olives. The martini was [...]

By |2025-04-14T08:03:46-04:00July 23rd, 2023|Big Apple Life, Happy Hours, NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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Dames at Summer Happy Hour at Vinateria, Harlem, NYC

This summer, a group of Dames — members of Les Dames d'Escoffier — gathered at fellow Dame Yvette Leeper-Bueno celebrated Harlem restaurant, Vinataria, for a summer happy hour. While sipping our beverage of choice, we sampled: fried calamari with a paprika aioli ($14) bacalao (salt cod) croquettes with a chili aioli ($8) polenta fries sprinkled with Parmigiana Reggiano and served with a apicy dill aioli ($8) honey-glazed crispy Brussels sprouts with pine nuts and raisins ($9) crispy French fries with blue cheese and scallions ($9) marinated olives with hummus and bread While there, Yvette shared that she had just been honored with an Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator for [...]

By |2023-09-02T19:39:05-04:00August 26th, 2022|Big Apple Life, Happy Hours, NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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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
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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
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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 [...]

By |2023-09-02T19:39:51-04:00August 6th, 2021|Big Apple Life, Happy Hours, NYC Restaurant Reviews, Rambling|0 Comments
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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 [...]

By |2024-07-21T11:05:23-04:00May 6th, 2021|Big Apple Life, Happy Hours, NYC Restaurant Reviews, Other happenings, Rooftop|0 Comments
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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 [...]

By |2023-09-02T19:40:34-04:00January 8th, 2020|Big Apple Life, Happy Hours, NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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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 [...]

By |2023-09-02T19:41:00-04:00August 5th, 2019|Big Apple Life, Happy Hours, NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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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 [...]

By |2024-07-21T11:08:01-04:00November 4th, 2018|Big Apple Life, Happy Hours, NYC Restaurant Reviews, Rooftop|0 Comments
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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
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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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