Recently Mrs. K joined a group of women that, on the first Wednesday of each month, meets at a local restaurant for Happy Hour. They enjoy experiencing a new place, a special discounted food and drink menu, and the social aspect.
Her enthusiasm for the event made me want to try the idea for ourselves, so recently – on my birthday week – we headed out to partake in what I have found to be a popular feature of local dining. Most restaurants have a Happy Hour to explore – and they are all different for the most part.
Our first venture was actually one we had tried before. On Wednesdays at Bonefish Grill, 4501 E. 82nd St., Indianapolis), half-priced Bang-Bang Shrimp is offered. If you haven’t tried this dish, it consists of a generous mound of lightly breaded, lightly fried shrimp, tossed in a mildly spicy sauce. Priced at around $7, we find it is great with a side salad ($6) or a bowl of chowder ($6 cup/$7 bowl) and the small loaf of bread which is served with a tasty dipping oil. Add a glass of wine, which is a discounted part of the daily Happy Hour fare, and we have a very satisfying albeit early supper.
Ken & Mrs. K enjoyed this Bang Bang Shrimp at Bonefish Grill. (Photo provided)
Bonefish Grill offers a daily “Social Hour” menu of foods and drinks from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. – “every single day.” The special menu consists of a nice selection of small plates between $7 and $9, plus an array of “irresistible cocktails” priced at $7. (On Mondays they have $5 martinis and $5 margaritas.) Prices off beers, premium wines and select spirits are also available. You can view the menu online at tinyurl.com/BonefishGrillMenu.
We ate in the bar area, which is comfortable with booths and long tables. Light music plays and quiet TVs above the liquor shelves show afternoon sports shows. My one criticism of this restaurant is that the table heights seem to be a bit over what is normal. Mrs. K almost has her chin on the edge of our booth table. But the wait staff is attentive and pleasant and we belong to the house Rewards program and get a benefit every so often.
The next night, to celebrate my birthday, we headed to Seasons 52, located at 8650 Keystone Crossing at the Fashion Mall in Indianapolis. This is a place we long have wanted to visit, and the occasion of my birthday was just the right moment.
According to our columnist, the Roasted Tomato Flatbread at Seasons 52 was delicious. (Photo provided)
Seasons 52’s Happy Hour is from 3 to 6 p.m. and they offer an interesting menu. Three $8 small plates are offered (a lamb, a tuna, and a goat cheese spread) as well as a $14 Flatbread and Sip selection. We opted for the latter, getting the Roasted Tomato and the Pesto Chicken and Fresh Mozzarella Flatbreads. Both were generous portions and both were just delicious. The wine we chose were top level – Mrs. K chose the Narrative Chardonnay, and I got a Santa Julia Pinot Grigio. Both were excellent and second glasses were only $7.
There are three other Flatbreads on the menu that we mean to try another time. Philly Cheesesteak, All-Natural Pepperoni, and Chipotle BBQ Shrimp all sound very interesting.
Seasons 52 has a very comfortable bar area with a circular bar and plush booths around the outer edges. We went early and the place started filling up around 4:30 or 5 o’clock. Our server Nicole was just great, and when we were ordering dessert cups (they offer a unique and varied selection of small creamy/cookie/nutty combinations for $5) she found out it was my birthday and comped my dessert – bringing it out with a flaming candle on the top. (No singing – thank goodness!)
You will find the Seasons 52 Happy Hour menu at seasons52.com/happy-hour.
Both of these establishments are well known for their menus, and going for Happy Hour was a good way to spend an early evening together having a light dinner and a glass or two of wine. Mrs. K and I have decided to do a Happy Hour adventure somewhere every Wednesday night.
Ken Klingenmeier offers this new series of columns, called “A Seat at the Table,” wherein he will review Indy-area restaurants – specifically their Happy Hour offers. Keep reading The Reporter for future restaurant reviews.