You know, there are a lot of restaurants in the Fashion Mall sphere that have Happy Hours (HH). The latest one we tried was Maggiano’s Little Italy, 3550 E. 86th St., Indianapolis. They hold HH from 3 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday in their bar or lounge areas. We’ve always enjoyed Maggiano’s when we come for dinner, so we were very interested in their specials for Happy Hour.
Their menu for Happy Hour features a more limited selection then some others we have experienced. Cocktails (a variety of three) are $8, while wine by the glass is offered for the same price. A Red Blend and a Pino Grigio from Italy plus Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, or Chardonnay from California are on their list.
Food offerings are even more selective. The menu on the web page shows just four appetizers –Two Frittés (Zucchini and Calamari), Stuffed Mushrooms (three), and Tomato Bruschetta. Each item is $8 and is a reduced portion. Check out the menu online at tinyurl.com/MaggianosHH.
We arrived to find a fuller parking lot than expected at 4 p.m. We managed to find a fairly close space, lucky on a brisk and windy late afternoon. Quizzically, the restaurant was empty for the most part. We told the hostess we had come for the Happy Hour and were allowed to sit wherever we pleased in the bar area, which was empty. She followed us with the usual stack of menu including the HH menu on a card. The bartender, Chris, greeted us at our table and asked if we wanted drinks – we did! Mrs K. got her Chardonnay and I ordered a Pinot Noir. Her wine was okay – improved by icing it down and my red was nothing special but still very good. Chris also brought us two portions of soft bread with butter.
The bar/lounge at Maggiano’s is at the front of the restaurant near the hostess lobby and it was very smartly decorated for Christmas. Lighted animals, trees, and boughs were everywhere. Christmas songs from the ‘40s and ‘50s played over the speakers. It really was a lovely environment and put us in a nice mood.
When it came time to order, we decided to try everything on the food menu except the Calamari. I like it just okay; my wife doesn’t prefer it at all. So it came down to the Zucchini, the Mushrooms, and the Bruschetta.
It turned out these were ALL very delicious menu items. The Zucchini was made with long slices of the vegetable, coated in seasoned bread crumbs and fried crispy, so that each bite gave you a nice crunch. It was delicious and was served hot with a creamy Lemon Aioli dipping sauce that added to the enjoyment. (Two staff members walked by and enthusiastically told us it was their favorite item on the menu!)
The Mushrooms were large-sized and served hot sitting in a flood of butter sauce, packed with a smooth stuffing, much like you’d have on Thanksgiving. They were very delectable. Finally, the cold dish, the Tomato Bruschetta, was offered heaped with chopped tomatoes, laced with a Ricotta & Pistachio Pesto. And the bread was soft, not toasted like you often get.
It was a feast in miniature. Make that a vegetarian feast in miniature.
We were very pleased by everything at Maggiano’s – the food, the wine, the price ($40 plus tip), the atmosphere. I was totally surprised that for the hour or so we were there, we were the only ones there for Happy Hour. It’s a very comfortable and worthwhile place to visit! We’ll be back.
Ken Klingenmeier offers this series of columns, called “A Seat at the Table,” wherein he reviews Indy-area restaurants – specifically their Happy Hour offers. Keep reading The Reporter for future restaurant reviews.