Happy Hour Hopper

HAPPY HOUR HOPPER: Tweed

POSTED: Tuesday, August 17, 2010, 10:14 PM

Filed Under: Booze | Dealage | Happy Hour Hopper

Photo | Rachel Burgos

WHERE YOU AT? Located just off 12th and Sansom, the still-very-new Tweed is within walking distance from City Hall, Market East and basically all of Center City. It's a modern space, with a metallic bar and what might the coolest secret TV set up I have ever seen their screen is hidden in an antique-looking mirror above the bar, and I didn't even notice it until the owner threw it on at 7:05 for the Phillies game. (A slightly more dining area is up the stairs.) There was a bouquet of fresh flowers at one end of the bar, and at every two seats a dish full of wasabi nuts and an almond/pistachio blend. One of the first things I noticed after I walked in was the gorgeous chandelier toward the front of the space it's jet-black, almost like black rhodium plating. So cool. WHAT'S THE SCENE? I got there at 5 on the dot, and was the lone patron for about 10 minutes before the downstairs filled up nicely with people trying to get their drink on. There were two tables full of suits and pencil skirt types, and a few tables of what looked like shoppers who were intrigued and stopped in. No one was obnoxiously loud by any means; everyone I saw seemed to be having a great time. There was bossa nova music playing softly in the background, which fit with the sleek vibe of the bar area. There really weren't that many people sidled up with me, but I believe it's because Tweed is that new to the happy-hour scene. The staff is straight-up awesome I enjoyed talking with the bartender about everything from pre-Prohibition cocktail history to what's on our current must-read book lists.


Photos \| Rachel Burgos

WHAT'S THE DEAL? Happy hour at Tweed runs from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday (excluding Wednesdays until the end of summer due to Center City Sips), with $5 cocktails and a special happy hour menu.

Photo | Rachel Burgos

For food, I ordered an appetizer trio tower (middle photo, left), featuring three stacked snacks for $12 as part of the happy-hour menu deal. I went with the seafood "salsa fredo" (above), a ceviche-type dish that was perfect for the hot-as-hell weather outside so refreshing, so great. Can't stop thinking about it. Also on our tower were salmon deviled eggs and the cheesesteak croquettes, both as tasty as they sound. My friend had showed up at that point so we ordered the lollipop chicken wings (below), because who doesn't love wings with their booze? They weren't as spicy as I'm used to, but were cooked perfectly nonetheless.

Photo | Rachel Burgos

Drink-wise, I very much appreciate that Tweed's cocktail list is so in tune with what particular fruits are in season in fact, I was handed a hot-off-the-press list with a few changes made to the specials mid-meal. For example, there was a drink made with fresh strawberries on the old menu, but on the new one, it was replaced with a "Sansom Street Smash," cachaca (Brazilian sugar cane liquor), grapefruit, and rosemary. (You'll have to order it to find out why it's got "smash" in its name.) For the amount of thought and care given to the cocktails, $5 per drink is a steal. Similarly, the food, both in presentation and taste, carried much more attention to detail than what its price tag reflected. Overall, I would suggest Tweed to anyone looking for an affordable and enjoyable happy-hour experience.

Michelle C.

Posted 2010-08-18 12:21:06

Same here - I stopped in so randomly one night for a bite and simply loved it.  Can't wait to try HH.

poncho

Posted 2010-08-17 18:54:42

I ate here once and have been looking forward to returning. I guess it will have to be for happy hour!

Tweets that mention HAPPY HOUR HOPPER: Tweed :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper -- Topsy.com

Posted 2010-08-17 17:49:54

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by DoHappyHour.com, Meal Ticket. Meal Ticket said: It's Tuesday  HAPPY HOUR HOPPER time! This week @negitron checks out @TweedPhilly: http://bit.ly/db1B5j [...]

Sara

Posted 2010-08-18 13:18:46

I've been here twice for happy hour now - including last night!  Sooooooo good.

Posted by Rachel Burgos @ 10:14 PM Permalink | Post a comment

HAPPY HOUR HOPPER: Supper

POSTED: Tuesday, August 3, 2010, 9:29 PM

Filed Under: Booze | Dealage | Happy Hour Hopper

Happy Hour is a place to vent daily frustrations and unwind, a time to reconnect with friends and coworkers you dont mind seeing beyond the boundaries of Cubicle Land. Its is also the ideal time to score a deal on your favorite gustatives and gulpables. For this feature, Team Meal Ticket hops to happy hours across the land and files a report every Tuesday. Lets delve into it at Supper. WHERE YOU AT? A block down from the Magic Gardens and in the shadow of Whole Foods, we hop this week to the happy hour at Supper (926 South St), Mitch and Jennifer Prenskys urban farmhouse on South Street. It was sticky out so we opted to skip the sidewalk tables and take a seat at the bar inside.


Photos \| Anthony Sica

WHAT'S THE SCENE? This does not seem like a South Street bar. Quiet, relaxing and downright quaint, the open kitchen to our right distributed wafts of butter and herbs as patrons at the bar sipped wine and ate highly manicured, highly seasonal small and large not-as-small plates. The bar scene was healthy, with a mix of old and young, some in jeans and others in three-piece suits. A group of regulars sat at the end of the bar and were eager to discuss other happy hours around town, plus menu highlights. Jazz played over the speakers, the AC was ice cold and there was ancho-dusted popcorn on the bar. Were we seriously on South Street?

Photo | Anthony Sica

WHAT'S THE DEAL? Suppers HH runs Monday through Friday from 5 to 7 at the bar. Hor doeuvres are half-price, and there are specials on glasses of a select red and white wine, as well as a beer special. Our particular happy hour's choices were a Malbec ($4), a Chardonnay ($4) and Sly Fox Pikeland Pils cans for three bucks. The food is the real star at Supper, though. They're known for chef deviled eggs, and $2.50 gets you an assortment of daily flavors, like sriracha and pastrami-cured. Other standouts included duck-fat fingerlings with truffle mayo ($3), and the Eat This Immediately-worthy smoked chicken wings with birch beer and buttermilk ($3). Two generous crab latkes will set you back $3.50; housemade soft pretzels with green chile and beer fondue go for $2.50. If you happen to stay past the HH and want to explore more of Suppers menu with some frugality, check out the "Daily Harvest" menu, picked daily from Prensky's own Blue Elephant Farms. On our visit, $5 got you kale- and cream cheese-stuffed peppers, or for $8 there was the option of tricolor chard with barley risotto. It's a nice way to turn a happy hour hop into a meal and save some coin along the way.

Tweets that mention HAPPY HOUR HOPPER: Supper :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper -- Topsy.com

Posted 2010-08-03 16:44:08

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Leland Scruby and Mitch Prensky, Meal Ticket. Meal Ticket said: It's Tuesday  Happy Hour Hopper time! This week, Anthony Sica checks out @SupperPhilly: http://bit.ly/dyfDnu [...]

Rachel Burgos

Posted 2010-08-04 23:55:26

I LOVE suppers wings, I will most def be heading over for happy hour to enjoy them again.

Posted by Anthony Sica @ 9:29 PM Permalink | Post a comment

HAPPY HOUR HOPPER: Sampan's Graffiti Bar

POSTED: Tuesday, July 13, 2010, 9:16 PM

Filed Under: Booze | Dealage | Happy Hour Hopper


Photos \| Anthony Sica

WHERE YOU AT? This weeks Happy Hour Hopper brought us to Michael Schulson's rainbow-splashed slice of 13th Street, the Graffiti Bar (124 S. 13th St.). Open in Sampan's alley/courtyard space since spring, Graffiti Bar offers a more casual atmosphere than the slick color-changing-panel dining room inside. Out here there's a full bar and a long communal table that can also be reserved for dinner; a flat-screen makes this a chill spot for a Phils game. Sampan recently added an all-weather cover to the area, equipped with ceiling fans and heaters.

Photos | Anthony Sica

WHAT'S THE SCENE? It was empty for the majority of our stay, but a couple more people were making their way outside as we wrapped up. The inside bar was populated with suit-and-tie types getting out of work, whereas the Graffiti Bar, I think, appeals more to a younger crowd. Bartender Meghan's iPod provided the soundtrack on this evening; she was also well-versed in the food and drink options and made spot-on recommendations for beverages and small plates. And that all-weather cover proved its worth fast when the sky opened above us, keeping us dry throughout the storm.

Photo | Anthony Sica

WHAT'S THE DEAL? Sampan isnt exactly cheap, so this happy hour running Monday to Friday, from 4 to 7 offers a chance for anyone to sample small bites off the menu for two dollars a pop. Satays are the main draw, but Kobe hot dogs, Kobe sliders, spring rolls and dumplings round out the HH menu. Winners among our group were the scallop and corn satays as well as the bulgogi, some of the best Ive ever had. There are specials on cocktails, too, topping out at $9 for a Classic French Martini, but considering the freshness of the components in the $6 Vietnamese Fizz or the $8 Mango Cardamom Sour, you should buy into something a bit more exotic. Pints of Asahi Dry are available for $9, while a pitcher will put you back $27. Other drafts include Stoudts American Pale Ale ($6/$18), Flying Fish Summer Ale ($7/$21), and Brooklyn Brown Ale ($8/$24). And although not on the HH menu, check out the daily soft serve ice cream flavor. They run a chocolate and a vanilla variation every day; during our visit they offered Nutella and Blueberry Pop Tart. The trio of tiny cones is a perfect way to end a hop.

Tonight: Twitter launch party at Sampan :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper

Posted 2010-10-13 09:41:57

[...] from the grill, special raffles and music from DJ KGURU. Sampan has also upped its happy-hour game (check out our summer Happy Hour Hopper on the Graffiti Bar). Now on the menu is a HH-size version of Schulson’s signature edamame dumplings for $4, a [...]

Rolf

Posted 2010-07-13 16:37:38

Interesting concept for fusion.. well written article.  Bolgogi looks banging

Rachel Burgos

Posted 2010-07-13 16:54:25

Awesome write up! I had no idea this place existed (whoops). I must try it out soon.

Tonight: Felicia D pours at Sampan :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper

Posted 2010-08-09 17:20:50

[...] is guest-bartending tonight at Sampan (124 S. 13th St.), whose open-air Graffiti Bar was the subject of a recent Happy Hour Hopper. From 5 to 7, check out specials like $2 kobe sliders and chicken/shrimp spring rolls and $4 [...]

Posted by Anthony Sica @ 9:16 PM Permalink | Post a comment

HAPPY HOUR HOPPER: Xochitl

POSTED: Tuesday, June 29, 2010, 11:10 PM

Filed Under: Booze | Dealage | Happy Hour Hopper

WHERE YOU AT? Headhouse has plenty of highlights — Pizzeria Stella, Bodhi Coffee, pubs like the Artful Dodger and the Dark Horse — but we're of the opinion that Xochitl (408 S. Second St.), with no disrespect to CafÃ© Nola, put the Second-and-Lombard square on the map as a dining destination. The Mexican restaurant, which even predates the wildly popular Headhouse Square Sunday farmers market, was a smash under chef Dionicio Jimenez — but he left in February to helm El Rey, and owners Steve Cook and Mike Solomonov took the opportunity to revamp both the interior and the food. New chef Lucio Palazzo now cooks a menu that's more casual than the O.G. incarnation, in a space that's a touch less stuffy and a touch more kitschy (peep the "loteria" El Diablito and El Gallo playing cards stenciled on the wall).

WHAT'S THE SCENE? Plenty of Xochitl happy hours we've hopped into in the past have been packed, but yesterday the joint was a ghost town (ciudad fantasma?) at 5:30 in the evening. Servers decked out in their dope Numero Diez futbol jerseys (where can we get one?) traipsed across the floorboards while oldies ("Can't Hurry Love," "The Wanderer") wafted through the peaceful bar side; a crestfallen and thankfully muted Andy Roddick whined about another Wimbledon failure on the TVs. A few other folks drifted into the restaurant while we were there, but we had the high-backed bar stools mostly to ourselves for this particular happy hour.

WHAT'S THE DEAL? The restaurant offers an evening happy hour every day from 5 to 7 p.m. — draft beers come down to $3 (they're typically $5) and house margaritas will set you back $5 instead of $8. (They also do a late-night happy hour Thursday to Saturday, from 10 to midnight, in the cozy downstairs lounge.) Xochitl's draft system was down for maintenance yesterday, so they applied the same $3 deal to cans of Modelo Especial (usually $4). Xochitl's bartenders make some of the best 'ritas in town (the speed with which they juice the living hell of limes is slightly hypnotic), so that should be your main focus here. Our only disappointment with this HH is the lack of a food component (how about $2 off tacos or something like that?), especially considering how good Palazzo's grub is. Peep the octopus/morcilla sausage skewers, plated atop a smear of jawsome black garlic mole.

Jesse C.

Posted 2010-06-29 21:37:49

"Peep the octopus/morcilla sausage skewers, plated atop a smear of jawsome black garlic mole" Holy crap, that looks amazing! I hope they step up their food HH game real soon. Last time I checked Aki offered 1/2 price apps and 1/2 price specialty cocktails, and select bottles of wine for HH. The apps were solid, but I would skip the rolls.

poncho

Posted 2010-06-30 11:52:47

They def should offer happy hour deals on food.  It's kinda lame they call it a happy hour and only feature 2 "deals"

Notes from the Weekend: July 12 :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper

Posted 2010-07-12 14:37:02

[...] (408 S. Second St.), site of a recent Happy Hour Hopper hit-up, was poppin’ off early Friday evening — sat at the bar with a few folks for margaritas and a [...]

Posted by Drew Lazor @ 11:10 PM Permalink | Post a comment

HAPPY HOUR HOPPER: North Star Bar

POSTED: Tuesday, June 22, 2010, 10:58 PM

Filed Under: Booze | Dealage | Happy Hour Hopper

WHERE YOU AT? There's not a whole lot around the North Star, on the corner 27th and Poplar in an almost exclusively residential segment of Fairmount. While it's known to most as a music venue, the North Star doubles as lively yet down-to-earth pub, dressed up with tons of antique booze-company signs (some framed, some not), Philly sports swag, show posters and assorted bric-a-brac. A couple older-looking TVs that do the trick. "Oh yeah, I've heard this song somewhere" on the music tip. Grabbed a seat with some friends at a well-worn corner table and hunkered down for pints galore.

WHAT'S THE SCENE? Neighborhood. Folks wandered in fresh out of work, waved hi to people they knew, chatted it up with the staffers they were most friendly with. Lots of smiles and chuckles and pats on the back. In a word, comfortable. A complete stranger approached our table to check out our new camera and some helpful advice on where to buy lenses for cheap; turned it out he worked as the person who rigs up high-def movie cameras on zipcords across canyons to capture footage of dudes hopping gaps on dirtbikes and stuff. Nice dude. Got wrapped in some ridiculous stories being told at our table so didn't get much of a chance to chat up anyone else, but our server was sweet and showed up at all the rights times.

WHAT'S THE DEAL? The deal is dope as shit, that's what it is. Every single day — Monday to Sunday, yeah son — it's half off all draft beers and well liquor, plus 25-cent buffalo wings, from 5:30 to 7:30. Happy happy happy! (The poster promises that HH is "eight days a week," then is sure to point that that's a "not so obscure" music reference.) North Star's draft list is pretty mainstream, meaning it won't make extreme beer geeks drool or anything, but it's solid enough — I downed two Dogfish Head 60-Minute IPAs, tore through a dozen wings and left the joint less than $10 poorer. Badass. Though the bar's a bit far-flung for us from home and work, North Star's happy hour is one we'll most definitely hop back to.

Ashley

Posted 2010-06-23 10:35:41

This is a great deal! Half of 60 minute? Awesome.

Ticket Stubs: Meal Ticket Weekly Recap, June 21-25 :: Meal Ticket :: Philadelphia City Paper

Posted 2010-06-25 17:06:16

[...] Happy Hour Hopper heads to Fairmount for an amazing deal at North Star Bar. [...]

Posted by Drew Lazor @ 10:58 PM Permalink | Post a comment

HAPPY HOUR HOPPER: The Continental

POSTED: Tuesday, June 15, 2010, 11:22 PM

Filed Under: Booze | Dealage | Happy Hour Hopper

WHERE YOU AT? Come on son, it's The Continental! Stephen Starr's very first restaurant, on the corner of Second and Market, opened in 1995, but it's never featured a happy hour — until last Monday, when they quietly rolled one out. (Perhaps to get some use out of theeir new draft system.) While the long-running martini bar's kitschy, shoutout-to-Shag phosphorescent lounge-lizard thing surely felt fresher 15 years ago (Best Picture: Forrest Gump), the place still hops from noon to night, so they're doing something right. Hell, what is the point of even attempting to describe The Continental when you can just watch this TV commercial?

WHAT'S THE SCENE? Since happy hour here is just seven days old, the scene could be described as "us." There was no one around, really. One or two other folks trickled in while we were finishing up (happy hour's available in the back of the restaurant only, which features abundant bar and booth seating), but we were lone-rangering it for a minute there. Bartender Christine was a total sweetheart and walked us through the deals ...

WHAT'S THE DEAL? ... which are actually pretty exceptional. Weekdays from 5 to 7, they offer $3 beers, $4 wines by the glass, $5 cocktails and $1, $2 and $4 eats. We ordered up a Yards Philly Pale, a glass of white and some sort of mojito/martini hybrid (if we're being real, you're not really gonna find us messing with the mixed drinks, no thank to you a Tang-coated rim), plus four bites — a crispy chicken dumpling and a Viet summer roll (a buck a pop) and sesame cracker-topped ahi tuna tartare and lobster mac (two bucks a pop). Christine made it clear from the outset that the prices directly reflect the portion sizes — each of the eats, classified as "tapas bites" here, came in precious little soup spoons. These dishes aren't going to win any commendations for originality (one local chef we know is fond of referring to this style of grub as "white boy Asian food"), but we always haul out props where props are due: Everything tasted fresh as hell and we could see ourselves dropping five or so bucks a couple spoons every so often. Strong work. Happy hour for two, with multiple drinks and multiple bites, rang in at under $20.

Tweets that mention HAPPY HOUR HOPPER: The Continental :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper -- Topsy.com

Posted 2010-06-15 19:02:50

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Philly City Paper, Meal Ticket. Meal Ticket said: HAPPY HOUR HOPPER is back, this week at The Continental (yes, that Continental): http://bit.ly/abg1Hs [...]

poncho

Posted 2010-06-15 21:01:22

Thank you for making me realize that commercial exists.

Posted by Drew Lazor @ 11:22 PM Permalink | Post a comment

Southwark's boozy happy hour menu

POSTED: Wednesday, June 9, 2010, 12:21 AM

Filed Under: Happy Hour Hopper | Menu Time | Philly Beer Week 2010

In lieu of Happy Hour Hopper today (back next week!), here's a tip for y'all for tomorrow: For the second year in row, Southwark (701 S. Fourth St.) has put together an inspired happy-hour menu highlighting the beers from breweries they host for Philly Beer Week. Tonight, for example, chefs Sheri Waide and Nick Macri tipped their hats to Southampton with a salmon dish cured in the brewery's white ale. The menu, which is entirely priced below $10, will be available from 5 to 7 p.m. until this coming Saturday, June 12. More highlights (Dogfish Head ice cream!) after the jump. Nodding Head Grog-braised short ribs with pickled baby zucchini Littleneck clams steamed in Philadelphia Brewing Co. Kenzinger, shallot, tomato and dried chili butter broth Crispy pork belly with Sly Fox Rt. 113 IPA mustard Southampton White cured salmon with cucumber and sugar snap pea salad Lancaster Milk Stout snail fritters with green garlic aioli Dogfish Head Black & Blue ice cream sundae with chocolate sauce and pretzel praline

Tweets that mention Southwark's boozy happy hour menu :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper -- Topsy.com

Posted 2010-06-08 20:51:27

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Matt Simpson, Meal Ticket. Meal Ticket said: Southwark's put together a @phillybeerweek happy hour menu. @DogfishBeer ice cream, @NoddingHeadBrew shortribs, more! http://bit.ly/9lwu9c [...]

The end is nigh: Philly Beer Week 2010 Closing Weekend Picks :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper

Posted 2010-06-11 18:21:39

[...] From 5 to 7 today, it’s your last chance to get your hands on the brewery-inspired happy-hour menu at Southwark. Details here. [...]

Posted by Drew Lazor @ 12:21 AM Permalink | Post a comment

HAPPY HOUR HOPPER: MidAtlantic

POSTED: Tuesday, June 1, 2010, 8:48 PM

Filed Under: Booze | Dealage | Happy Hour Hopper

Happy Hour is a place to vent daily frustrations and unwind, a time to reconnect with friends and coworkers you don't mind seeing beyond the boundaries of Cubicle Land. It's is also the ideal time to score a deal on your favorite gustatives and gulpables. Although my work scenario has me behind a kitchen prep station rather than a desk, I can appreciate HH just the same. For this feature, I'll hop bar by bar to HHs across the area and report back to Meal Ticket every Tuesday. If you've been to this week's featured HH, tell us about it in the comments. I want recommendations for future trips, too! Let's delve into it at MidAtlantic.

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WHERE YOU AT? I've got to be honest, I've stayed away from University City for my happy-houring because I was fearful I'd be consumed in a crowd of obnoxious, barely 21-year-old kids-gone-wild. Now that school's out I felt it would be a bit tamer and their antics wouldn't crush a good time at MidAtlantic (3711 Market St.). Situated at street level in the Science Center building, MidAtlantic's got major space, including an outdoor patio and a roomy bar separated from the equally spacious dining room by a rustic, wooden communal table. With such a vast assortment and such nice weather I weighed my perching options, but that was short-lived — my duty as Happy Hour Hopper is best fulfilled at the bar, this time atop a backless stool pulled up to a 15-seat metallic surface, with a great view of the beer walk-in and red-white-and-blue-stained wood-paneled wall behind it. WHAT'S THE SCENE? As hopped out of my cab I heard mufflings of Frank Sinatra's "My Way" and feared it was coming from the restaurant. (I wasn't in a Rat Pack mood.) After spinning a few circles looking for a speaker I could kick my foot through, I saw a man zip down Market Street on his motorized wheelchair, mic-in-hand. A West Philly sighting of Sonny Forriest Jr.! After not being able to produce evidence of last week's three-man wonder and Prince-wannabe sightings, I learned my lesson and snapped a photo. Things inside were much more serene. Aside from employees it was just me on the premises, but I was soon joined by my HHH partner-in-crime, a few repairmen savoring sips after a job and a few corporate coworkers doing the same. I confessed my initial reservations about U-City happy hours to the âtender, Joe, and he reminded me of the nocturnal habits of college students. I forgot how cool it is to sit in your matchbox-size dorm room for 7 hours, get wasted then wander around campus. My comments may or may not have annoyed/upset/offended the guy flying solo next to me, who conspicuously got up and relocated to a high-top table. Was it something I said? WHAT'S THE DEAL? Initially, Joe told me three select drafts (Kenzinger, Stoudt's and Lionshead) were on special for $3 each in addition to two wines (Pinot Grigio and Shiraz) and two cocktails (Root Tea Julep and Skukyhill Fish House Punch) for $5 each during MidAtlantic's happy hour that lasts 4:30 to 6:30 every Monday to Friday. Enter Manager-Who-Made-My-Day: He tells Joe to offer all draft pours, excluding the Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA (dammit), for $3. WHOO! This week's draft list included the aforementioned plus Brooklyner Weisse, Dock Street's Royal Bohemian Pilsner and its Rye IPA. For research's sake I tried the Root Tea Julep then finished off with numerous Rye IPAs. I'm a sucker for hops.

Tweets that mention HAPPY HOUR HOPPER: MidAtlantic :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper -- Topsy.com

Posted 2010-06-01 22:01:44

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by MarieDiFeliciantonio, Meal Ticket. Meal Ticket said: It's Tuesday — HAPPY HOUR HOPPER time! This week @luckyporkchops makes a go of it at @MidAtlantic3711: http://bit.ly/ar7pGK [...]

Posted by Marie DiFeliciantonio @ 8:48 PM Permalink | Post a comment

HAPPY HOUR HOPPER: Bar 210 at Lacroix

POSTED: Tuesday, May 25, 2010, 9:07 PM

Filed Under: Booze | Dealage | Happy Hour Hopper

WHERE YOU AT? I've eaten dinner at Lacroix (210 W. Rittenhouse Square) on a few occasions, each time arriving early to relax at the bar and warm our insides with a few drinks. To me, the bar is an extension of the restaurant, but to the Rittenhouse Hotel it's considered its own entity, which was made clear when they launched Bar 210 in 2008. (I wonder if we'll need to go through a customs-like checkpoint to transfer our drinks and tab now?) I waited for a friend and her co-workers (finally, some stereotypical classic happy hour company!) to join me. There were only 10 seats at the bar and four small two-tops behind it, which didn't leave us many options, but I secured a spot at the corner of the marble bar so that we could somewhat face each other if we swiveled our rattan seats just right. Sitting alone for a while gave my mind ample time to wander, and when I gazed at the candle-lit walls with long hanging mirrors, I pictured myself in a cavern below a castle. Then a sailor walked in and it was time for a drink. WHAT'S THE SCENE? The sailor wasn't part of my fantasy, he was really there. Although, upon closer inspection, he wasn't really a sailor but a man in the midst of an identity/wardrobe crisis. Billy Idol, Clint Eastwood or Captain Stubing â what's it gonna be, sir? I wonder what Colin Powell would say? (He was giving a speech down the hall and I hoped he'd stop by and I'd get him a drink. Maybe two since the deal was so good.) After I shook off the three-man-wonder sighting, my mates and I chatted it up with a few couples, singles and out-of-towners in for a conference. Then another guy, who I dubbed The Artist Never Formerly Known As Prince, came in with his mom. Unlike our confused singer/cowboy/sailor, this guy knew his endgame: to one day become Prince's stunt double. If it weren't for the 60something threesome that walked in looking for trouble and their way back to Palm Beach we'd have sat right next to this dude and no doubt hit it off. We relinquished our seats so the trio could sit together and we moved to one of the two-tops with nap-inducing, cushioned seats. WHAT'S THE DEAL? I was in a beer mood and was bummed when I saw none on special. My spirits fizzed back up after a few sips of the Moscow Mule (vodka, ginger beer, lime) in a super-chilly copper mug, priced at half of its usual $12 damage. Bar 210's happy hour stretches Monday to Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. and features half-priced cocktails and two wines (usually a Sauvignon Blanc and a Cabernet Sauvignon) for $5. Embarking on one of my lushier HHs, I sampled almost half the cocktail menu in two hours, including the Blackberry Bourbon, Kiwi Caipirinha (my favorite) and a Ciroc Martini with frozen grapes. Between drinks #1 and #2 I was presented a teeny, edible "thank you" in the form of a honey- and truffle-glazed chicken wing served over a pear and carrot slaw. I like to think I'm special but bites are offered to every happy hour guest every day. Other than the gratis grub, there are no specials on food but there is a very reasonably priced gem-filled bar menu priced from $4 to $8.

Judy Mac

Posted 2010-05-25 16:40:13

What... no photos of the Prince look-a-like and his mom for your readers? Great entry.

HAPPY HOUR HOPPER: MidAtlantic :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper

Posted 2010-06-01 15:48:59

[...] A West Philly sighting of Sonny Forriest Jr.! After not being able to produce evidence of last week's three-man wonder and Prince-wannabe sightings, I learned my lesson and snapped a [...]

Posted by Marie DiFeliciantonio @ 9:07 PM Permalink | Post a comment

HAPPY HOUR HOPPER: Chifa

POSTED: Tuesday, May 18, 2010, 9:06 PM

Filed Under: Booze | Dealage | Happy Hour Hopper

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WHERE YOU AT? Last week, I was invited to a media unveiling of the new happy hour menu and outdoor dining patio at Chifa (707 Chestnut St.). My last visit was in the restaurant's opening months, so I was surprised to note the change in scenery. In addition to the six tables arranged on Chifa's sidewalk, the front dining room has undergone a restyle: Inserted along the banquette are wooden posts draped with transparent white curtains that create groupings of tables. The new setup creates a bit more privacy. I was happy to see the most stunning visual element of the room still remained: the blue and white ceramic vases propped on individual shelves. The bar, positioned opposite of the cabana-like seating, has room for 10. WHAT'S THE SCENE? I can't provide an all-the-way accurate take on the crowd at Chifa's HH due to the fact that this was a media event packed with bloggers, tourism professionals, writers and their guests. (Jose Garces himself was in the house, mingling his way around the room.) Obviously this won't be what you'll uncover at every Chifa happy hour, but regardless I can say that the scene is lively and the food and drink selections are served up by a friendly, attentive staff. WHAT'S THE DEAL? Chifa, Garces' Peruvian-Cantonese hybrid, serves the happy hour crowd Monday to Friday from 5 to 7 p.m., offering a menu priced in the $4-$9 range. We inadvertently ended up by the back of the room, which, in most instances, puts you close to the kitchen. Good move on our part because we had first dibs on the goods heading for the masses: soft, melty pork belly buns, tangy Ecuadorian ceviche, Vietnamese spring rolls with peanut sauce drizzle and crisp scallion pancakes. These nibbles were ideal for HH — small enough so not to ruin dinner but flavorful enough to satiate. We paired a few specialty cocktails with our samplings, but if that's not your bag, there's beer and wine on the menu, as well (Garces enjoyed a glass of white). I like it hot (see HHH: Farmicia) so I had a couple Spicy Margaritas ($6) with Thai chili garnish. We also sipped on the Lychee Sangria ($5) and Freseca ($6).

Ashley

Posted 2010-05-18 16:27:29

I love the idea of a happy hour hopper! Keep it up.

Justin Manne

Posted 2010-05-19 09:00:36

Another great write up... really enjoying this!

Sarah

Posted 2010-05-19 13:19:14

Check out the happy hour at Sampan.  They host their happy hour from 4 pm - 7 pm nightly...including weekends and serve $4 cocktails and a $2 menu.

Notes from the Weekend: May 24 :: Meal Ticket :: Food Blog :: Philadelphia City Paper

Posted 2010-05-24 14:37:07

[...] St.), where we ate small plates until we ballooned. I'd been thinking about the Spicy Margarita since my last HHH so I downed one of those along with some pickled veggies, big eye tuna ceviche, pho and arepa with [...]

Posted by Marie DiFeliciantonio @ 9:06 PM Permalink | Post a comment

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Founded in October 2008, Meal Ticket is a City Paper blog about food, drink and assorted other things that make you go mmm. We do recipes, interviews, restaurant news, commentary and much more. We don't do restaurant reviews here — those are handled in print, mostly by our critic (and Meal Ticket contributor) Adam Erace. Got a tip, question, thought or concern? Just want to say hello? Please shoot a note to caroline@citypaper.net.

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