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Deals Thu Jun 23 2011
Happy Hour Around Town
I've been noticing more and more happy hour specials around town -- and not just your typical "$10 pitchers and 10 cent wings" type of deals, either. Specially priced small plates and even some petite entrees seem to be increasingly available in the pre-twilight hours between work and sunset. Perhaps it's because patio season is upon us? Or perhaps just because restaurant owners feel like if you're working inside for 8 hours when the weather is so gorgeous, you probably need at least a drink? In any case, as I am a cheap young working stiff as well as a lover of fine foods, I appreciate the availability of upscale after-work snacks for less than I usually pay for River North lunch. For your after 5 planning, here's a round-up of just some of the happy hour specials around town (after the jump)...
Devon A stalwart of the fancy happy hour scene, River North's Devon features two temporal windows for discounted grazing on seafood-focused appetizers like lobster tamales and charred tuna tartare, as well as daily drink specials, with happy hour from 4 to 7pm and again from 9 to 10pm during the work week. They also have a "fashionably early" 2-course prix-fixe menu available between 3 and 5pm if you're out of work in the late afternoon with a big appetite.
Fleming's The River North location of this national steakhouse is currently offering a "5 For $6 'Til 7" bar menu, which is exactly what it sounds like: five possible appetizers (like tenderloin carpaccio and Fleming's prime burger), five fancy cocktails and five wines by the glass, each priced at $6 and served seven nights a week.
Chalkboard A new feature this summer, the Lincoln Square fine dine will offer a "6 under 6" spread of small plate versions of experimental dishes that may soon make it to the main dinner menu, such as traditional-style house pate and tom yum chicken wraps, as well as cheese selections and organic sangria -- all priced at $6 and available from 5 to 6pm.
People Lounge Wicker Park's tapas spot, People offers select tapas for only $5 each from 5 to 7pm, Sunday through Thursday, as well as daily drink specials with a rotating menu of mojitos, margaritas, and sangria, as well as PBR and Estrella. To see if you're be snacking on empanadas or goat-cheese stuffed dates, you'll just have to go and see what's on tap(as) that particular night.
C-House Marcus Samuelsson's Streeterville upscale seafood enclave already has a bar menu of small plates and bites, but from 5 to 7pm, Sunday through Thursday, you can get 25% off the bar menu of such bites as inventive takes on mini yellowtail tacos and lobster rolls, as well as oysters, cheeses, charcuterie, and smoked fish.
D4 If you're looking for more of an Irish pub vibe in Streeterville, D4's special menu of small plates like baked brie, curry chips and mix and match sliders is available from 4 to 6pm, Monday through Friday, with weekend windows of happy hour pricing as well.
