Brasserie Ten Ten

We've gone to happy hour at Brasserie twice in the last week, and had rather different experiences. The first time was super, which is why we returned so soon. The service was great, and Finlandia cosmos and martinis were just $5. They also have deals on beer, wine, and cocktails. "Snacks" are $1, $2, $3, and $5, and are much larger that one might expect for the price. We had WAY more food than we needed, and with two rounds of martinis we were only out $35.

When we returned yesterday, we were rather disappointed. The service was not nearly as good. Plus, the cosmos were $6.75 each for the EXACT drink I had last time. I asked, and the waitress claimed that she'd never seen them for $5. Also, our onion rings were way late and they offered to comp them (we didn't ask), but when we got the bill they were on there. So we had two questions about the bill, and even though I asked nicely, the waitress seemed to take offense (I didn't ask to have prices adjusted or anything, and said I was happy to pay more for my drinks). It's your job as a waitress to serve the customer, so don't get angry when I ask questions. Generally speaking, though, the food is great and it's a nice restaurant. I did notice that it's noisy in there, so I might not go for the romantic upscale dinner that seems like a good idea otherwise.

Happy hour is 7 days until 6:30, Brasserie is on Walnut across from the St. Julien.

Aji

Yesterday, Rex and I went to Aji (on Pearl, east of the pedestrian mall) for happy hour. We are, quite obviously, happy hour junkies. We went for the mojitos and empanadas, which we know to be consistently good. The same bartender is always there for the 7-days-a-week happy hour from 3-6, and we really like him. He mixes up a great $4 mojito (two and I wasn't sure I could walk back to the car yesterday), and they come in flavors like strawberry and occasionally madras. The empanadas are $3.50 for two small ones, and they have shrimp, poblano, and beef varieties. All three are my favorite. Happy hour also offers discounted ceviche, the whitefish being the recommended selection (I've had it, it's tasty). Aji also offers a more comprehensive non-discounted menu if you're too hungry for just the empanadas. All-in-all, I love Aji and keep going back for more.

Cantina Laredo

Cantina Laredo is a relatively new upscale Mexican restaurant in the 29th Street shopping center. Rex and I went for happy hour, to see if any good deals were to be had. We were seated in the bar area, with menus promising happy hour deals from 4-7, but no indication was given as to what the deals might be. After waiting 5+ minutes, someone dressed like a manager finally came over (realizing that we had been overlooked) and we asked what the happy hour consisted of. He told us that is was margaritas and wine. That's all he said. We asked for prices, and he had to go ask the bartender. Not off to such a good start. Anyway, we ordered $5 house margaritas (discounted from $8), and some queso (no food discounts for happy hour). Both were pretty good, but the service was not great (not great at all), and the regular menu was quite pricey. I think it will have been our last, as well as our first, visit. We can get far better Mexican at cheaper prices at Casa Alvarez or Efrain's.

The Med

The Med is a local favorite for happy hour in Boulder, and with good reason. The tapas range in price from $1 to $5 or $6, and are double delicious. It's a mix of Spanish, Italian, and Greek food (hence the name). My favorite is the baba gannoush, served with warm flatbread. Yesterday, Rex and I tried the lamb meatballs (yummy) and the shrimp cocktail (with wasabi pesto!), much to our delight. We also had the fried polenta, which is relatively new to the menu and also very tasty. I've yet to have a bad experience at The Med, and I'm there nearly every week. The cheap, small tapas mean you can try nearly everything.

Drinks are discounted only a little for happy hour. House wine is $4, Sangria is $4 ($4.50 for white), beers are about $3.50, and I don't think cocktails are discounted at all. The service is always good.

Happy hour at The Med is 7 days a week from 3-6:30, and they have an awesome patio.

Bacaro

On Tuesday, Alex and I decided to brave the worst service in town (and possibly the country) to have happy hour at Bacaro on the west end of Pearl St. Luckily, the big waiter wasn't there, meaning we could actually order food, and possibly receive it, within the hour and a half we had left of happy hour. Ambitious, I know. Anywho, I had forgotten about the $3 glass of house champagne, and so had a couple of those. Alex had beer, but we both usually have a few of their outstanding house cocktails/martinis, which are a bargain at happy hour. Because of my gluten-free/dairy-free phase, we avoided the $2 ounces of chevre that we love, and the pear and arugula pizza. We instead ordered chicken skewers (which came with mashed potatoes!), grilled artichokes (yummy!), kalamata olives, and tuna tar tar (that's how they spell it). The service was pretty bad, as usual, and I was overcharged by one glass of champagne that I ordered but never received, but the food, like always, was delicious and affordable. You do truly need an hour and a half for happy hour because it's so slow, but if you've got the time, and are burned out on other places, it's a good bet. Plus, the patio is nice, and great for people watching in the summer.

Happy hour at Bacaro is 7 days a week until 6:30 pm.