Blue Plate Navigator: happy
(hour) meals | cartesian geography
THE GYPSY
During happy hour, this swanky Jetson-like lounge and
restaurant offers retro prices to go along with its decorating sensibilities.
For under $3, you can dive into a heaping Caesar salad with olive-oil
soaked bread, crispy Santa Fe chimichangas (with ground chicken and
black beans) or not-so-hot-your-tongue-turns-black Buffalo wings. Also
recommended are the garlic fries (vampires beware) and oyster shooters
to make you horny--that way you'll be ready when the hot trendies drop
by for a cocktail.
THE GYPSY, 625 NW 21ST AVE., 796-1859. 4-6:30 PM MONDAYS-FRIDAYS.
$1.75 DRINK MINIMUM.
MUU-MUU'S
If you prefer a more worldly experience, skip across
the street to Muu-Muu's, the hip joint next to Cinema 21. Buy an adult
beverage ($1 Pabst, $2 well drink or $2.50 microbrew) to qualify for
the unique menu. Homemade chips with hot crab-cheese dip; a softball-sized
Japanese rice ball (a lightly fried sphere of rice, chopped veggies
and salmon); and karate rolls with salmon and sprouts each cost $3.
For a buck less, you can get beef or chicken satay, or fries with sambal-ginger
ketchup.
MUU-MUU'S, 612 NW 21ST AVE., 223-8169. 3-6 PM MONDAYS-FRIDAYS.
ONE DRINK MINIMUM.
JAKE'S GRILL
Jake's is not the place for animal-rights fans.
As the taxidermic decor at this power-lunch headquarters will tell you,
the old carnivorous standbys rule. The big cheeseburger, messy Buffalo
wings, even messier BBQ beef ribs and cocktail meatballs with demi-glaze
are all vegetarian nightmares. Those sensitive to faunal issues can
choose bruschetta with provolone, tomatoes and basil; a tortilla roll-up
with roasted peppers, pesto and feta cheese; or a vegetable medley with
ranch dressing. Everything's $1.95, so you'll save dough even if a few
animals have to pay for it.
JAKE'S GRILL, 611 SW 10TH AVE., 220-1850. 3-6 PM MONDAYS-FRIDAYS, 9:30
PM-CLOSE MONDAYS-THURSDAYS, 10 PM-CLOSE FRIDAYS AND SATURDAYS,
3 PM-CLOSE SUNDAYS. $2 DRINK MINIMUM.
HUBER'S
The dark wood and vaulted ceiling of this venerable bar
provide a dusky locale for post-work noshing. Even the standard $1.95
menu seems classier thanks to the stained glass and Gothic arched mirrors
that surround you. As for the food itself, on a recent visit the barbecued
turkey pizza was a lightly spicy treat, though the salty artichoke-spinach
dip was too thin to grip the accompanying nacho chips. Fried calamari,
a hefty one-third pound burger and Szechuan wings are other good options.
HUBER'S CAFE, 411 SW 3RD AVE., 228-5686. 4-6 PM MONDAYS-FRIDAYS.
$2 DRINK MINIMUM.
McCORMICK AND SCHMICK'S
Arrive early, as the narrow bar area
of this oft-crowded seafood spot fills up quickly. We sampled a variety
of items from the $1.95 menu, while the bizarre "living painting" pianist
serenaded us. On the good side, the Mediterranean chicken skewers were
accompanied by a subtle peanut curry sauce, and the Bay shrimp and tomato
crostini was fresh and filling; on the down side, chicken wings advertised
as tandoori were more like Shake 'n Bake, while the salmon taquitos
had mere slivers of fish. Also available are a Cajun burger, Italian
sausage pizza, tasso polenta with creole sauce, sautéed mushroom
caps and more.
McCORMICK AND SCHMICK'S, 235 SW 1ST AVE., 224-7522.
1:30-6:30 PM AND 9:30 PM-CLOSE MONDAYS-FRIDAYS, 4:30-6:30 PM AND
9:30 PM-CLOSE SATURDAYS, ALL DAY SUNDAYS. $2 DRINK MINIMUM.
HARBORSIDE PILSNER ROOM
The waterfront view from the high wraparound
windows is nice, but cheap food is nicer, and the Harborside's version
of the $1.95 menu is more filling than some. The personal pizzas (three-cheese,
Italian sausage, sun-dried tomato or jalapeño) are larger than
average and made with a light, flavorful crust. The seafood gumbo with
rice, shrimp and scallions is also tasty and sated even my huge appetite.
Veggie and beer lovers will like the vegetarian chili made with Full
Sail's Imperial Porter, while those with simple tastes can go for the
jumbo pretzel.
HARBORSIDE PILSNER ROOM, 0309 SW MONTGOMERY ST., 220-1865.
4-6 PM AND 9:30 PM-CLOSE MONDAYS-FRIDAYS. $2 DRINK MINIMUM.
CAPT. BILLY BANG'S
Billy Bang's, tucked into the bottom floor
of the Water Tower shopping mall, is an amiably low-lit space to chill
after a long day of pushing pencils for the Man. The menu is limited
to the basics--burgers, Caesar salads, chicken quesadillas, mini pepperoni
pizzas and hummus with veggies--but the inexpensive and gut-warming
Bloody Mary made all other considerations irrelevant. There's also no
drink minimum, so you can spend your money even more shrewdly than usual.
(Hint: Buy another drink.)
CAPT. BILLY BANG'S, 5331 SW MACADAM AVE., 227-4663.
5-7 PM AND 10-12 PM MONDAYS-FRIDAYS. NO MINIMUM PURCHASE.
ROSE AND RAINDROP
This is certainly one of the better deals in
town. Not only will you find a great selection of beers from which to
choose, but the food is sometimes so good you'd pay twice the requested
$2.25. Favorites include the sweet and plentiful BBQ wings, grilled
chicken penne and fried oysters, but the Caesar salad is an occasional
letdown. The salon atmosphere of the Rose and Raindrop is friendly in
winter and comfier come summertime, when the gray skies are replaced
by the afternoon glow of a setting sun.
ROSE AND RAINDROP, 532 SE GRAND AVE., 238-6996.
4-6 PM AND 10-12 PM MONDAYS-FRIDAYS. $2.25 DRINK MINIMUM PER ITEM.
RHEINLANDER
Gustav's Bier Stube in the Rheinlander wins for my
favorite deal in town: Where else can you get fondue for $3.50? For
the same price, you can score schnitzel strips with fries and dip or
the "sausage trio" of bratwurst, bier sausage and the chef's special.
A mere $2.25 gets you one of the above three wursts on a bun with spicy
mustard. Since this is a German restaurant (complete with lederhosen-wearing
hosts), you gotta have a brew, and imports are just $3. Sausage, Späten
beer and Swiss cheese fondue for under ten bucks--what could be better?
RHEINLANDER, 5035 NE SANDY BLVD., 288-5503.
3-6 PM AND 10 PM-CLOSE DAILY (EXCEPT HOLIDAYS). NO MINIMUM.
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