Even occasional diners know that Mockingbird is one of the top restaurants in the city, but what most don’t know is that it has one of the best happy hour specials around. From Monday through Friday from 5:00 to 7:00, Mockingbird offers – just in the fairly expansive bar area – premium well cocktails, several different wines by the glass, and five different appetizers, each for just $5. Local and regional beers from Saint Arnold, Southern Star and Rahr are two for $5, while others from further afield like Sierra Nevada Pale Ale are two for $7.
The current crop of $5 appetizers is: Roasted Eggplant with goat cheese, pine nuts, and flatbread; Caesar Salad with white anchovy and truffled potato crouton; Mac & Cheese featuring mascarpone, white truffle oil, and a Parmesan crisp; Mussels à la Meunière with tomato, garlic, red curry and coconut milk; and Slow Braised Short Rib served with smoked cheddar mashed potatoes and spinach.
This food is excellent, as you would expect. The cocktails are expertly crafted. The service is informed and very professional, a far cry from most bar service. The setting is attractive and comfortable; a long L-shaped bar also has plush leather chairs and banquettes. Given the overall quality, happy hour is a tremendous value. I have indulged – that might be too strong of word as it is fairly easy on the wallet – each of the past two nights. Nicely, the atmosphere has been relaxed, immensely civilized and inviting.
There is a reason why Esquire magazine included it, or its bar area, actually, as one of the 25 bars highlighted in “The Best Bars of 2010” issue. Very fittingly, it was listed under the heading, “The Bar with Very Good Food.” The handsome bar does have first-rate food, which is complemented by an expansive array of spirits, a staff that can create superlative cocktails, and the restaurant’s fine wine list.
And, the restaurant itself is pretty good, too.
Mockingbird Bistro
1985 Welch (at McDuffie), 77019, (713) 533-0200
www.mockingbirdbistro.com
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