Doug C.
Yelp
Always on the lookout for a good happy hour, wife and I were going to see a show at Fox and this came up as nearby, which it is. They have happy hour drinks Monday through Friday from 3 to 6:30 PM and Saturday and Sunday 4 to 6:30 PM. This applies throughout the restaurant. The happy hour food, however, only applies to the bar, which is very unfortunate. The happy hour food is only from 3 to 6 PM Monday through Friday and 4 to 6 PM Saturday and Sunday. Bar is seat yourself (no reservations) but they take reservations for regular dining tables. They also apparently validate parking, but only in the parking structure around the corner, not the one directly across the street, which is where we unfortunately parked. Fortunately, the sports bar across the street was able to validate us after staff informed us, which was fortuitous.
On to the food and drink: all I can say it is it was all excellent. I try not to frivolously hand out five stars, but between the service and food, quality and price (with happy hour) it deserves it. Worst thing first - the hummus was not anything special and the worst thing we ordered, but was not terrible by any means. Comparatively, something has to be the worst. We ordered almost everything off of the food happy hour menu, wife loved the patatas bravas sauce - was dipping everything in it after. Has a nice spice, full of flavor, she wanted to know what was in it. Tuna tartare also excellent, so good we ordered two. Steak Montaditos were excellent, loved the whole pepper - maybe a green chile? Steak cooked perfectly. Chicken skewer also tasty, succulent, would have ordered another one if we weren't so full. Smoked salmon was pretty good as well. The garlic shrimp was delicious, we liked the brandy with pepper flakes.
Bartender was very friendly, busy but hard-working and didn't miss a beat on the service. She could use a barback - just saying. We were lucky enough to get 2 seats at the bar but on a busy night, I can see when this would not be feasible. I don't understand why happy hour food is only at the bar. I would also be curious what the portion sizes are compared to the "regular menu".
I opted for the red wine on the happy hour menu, which is excellent, I tend to prefer cabernets and by no means am I a sommolier. But I liked enough that I asked to take a picture of the bottle as you can see. Wife liked her Cosmo, but it was a bit on the sweet side depending on your preference. We both ended up going to the red wine.
Overall, I'd definitely be back but likely only with the wife for happy hour food. Getting more than two seats at the bar is likely impossible. I would come back with a large group for the happy hour drinks.