After what was a very long week, Dan and I hit one of our favorite Happy Hour spots, 5 Napkin Burger to celebrate the end of a long week, as well as some personal noteworthy accomplishments. Congrats Dan!
It's no secret that 5 Napkin features a 7 day Happy Hour from 4 p.m. - 7 p.m. and now also from 9 p.m. - close. This was news to us, and we'll definitely be taking advantage of this late night special on an upcoming weekend.
What I wanted to highlight here is something new that we tried, that was simply awesome. While most of us come to 5 Napkin for their exceptional burgers and fries, Dan and I dipped into their sushi offering during Happy Hour, which proved to be awesome. Even though I've heard good things about their sushi, I hadn't really tried it all that often. Dan mentioned that their hand rolls were great, so we got a few (quite a bit actually) and weren't disappointed.
Spicy Tuna Hand Roll - Although the image above is actually of their salmon hand roll, the spicy tuna looked very similar, only know that each roll was a lot bigger. In fact, I think almost double the size of the one you see above, which is the catering/party version.
First off, I love their shape - looking like neat little cones, the delicious contents are placed somewhat loosely inside, and they're pretty different than your traditional sushi roll, which is pretty tight and compact. The tuna is super fresh and found in generous chunks, flavored with spicy mayo, crunchy bright red roe and fresh, zesty cucumber. It's a filling bite, especially if you have about two or three or four!
Service and Cost:
I've never experienced anything but great service here, and that's certainly also the case during Happy Hour. All the waitstaff is attentive and the food is brought out in good time. Note that if you're pressed for time, you can get in and out of here in about a half hour to forty minutes, drinks and food included.
At $4 beers, $2 sliders and $2 hand rolls, you simply can't go wrong. Need I say more?!
3 Mmmms
5 Napkin Burger - 35-01 36th Street, Astoria, NY 11106
718.433.2727
N/Q Train to 36th Avenue
5napkinburger.com
As a huuuge fan of everything bacon, I felt it was my calling to spread the word of this awesome-sounding event that's happening tomorrow night at Rest-Au-Rant. I'm talking about their Beer & Bacon Happy Hour that they're starting up each first Monday of the month. What an ingenious idea, and although I don't know the full extent this bacon debauchery will entail, I'm about to find out. Catch me there tomorrow and we'll raise a glass to our favorite fatty delight. Here are the deets:
Beer & Bacon Happy Hour
Every first Monday of every month
From 4 p.m. - 2 a.m.
Featuring...bacon everything!
In the words of R-A-R - "even Mondays are better wrapped in bacon." I really can't wait!
Rest-Au-Rant - 30-01 35th Avenue, Astoria NY 11106
718.729.9009
N/Q Train to 36th Avenue
www.rarbarlic.com
Although I've written about their Happy Hour many a times, I've never actually been *embarrassed shrug.* Last night's rain date was a perfect way to finally try it, and you must be wondering why I'm talking about going to Happy Hour on the weekend. But...if you know a little bit about the offering here, you'll know they boast Happy Hour every day of the week (including weekends). No, your eyes don't deceive you.
Trying nearly everything on their menu, I did manage to have something new to me, which were the chicken wings. The other foods we ordered we've already experienced, but some of which I haven't yet written about. Here's what I thought:
Hell's Kitchen Wings - Loving that these babies were just 50 cents each, Dan and I split 10 of them. There's a reason they're called "Hell's Kitchen" and I don't think they're only talking about the neighborhood, as these are hot, hot, hot. Drenched in spicy bbq sauce, they're quite messy and you can't help but feel like a savage consuming them. But the flavor and the tenderness of the meat hold its own, and make this a very solid and filling way to enjoy happy hour. The wings are also a good, generous size and are nice to share with a partner you feel comfortable with. As I said, this dish is messsssy!
Veggie Slider - Dan was eager to get the veggie slider, as he remembers eating it at my re-launch party. Wowza, it was better than I remembered, not tasting like a purely veggie pattie, but a meaty, hearty one. Topped with 5 Napkin's signature sauce, they also use on the inside out burger (aka burger salad), it packed some creaminess and also tanginess from the thin-cut b&b pickles. I could've put down more than one of these, so veggie friends get ready for the goodness this brings!
S'mores Milkshake - While I've had this milkshake on various occasions, it continues to be a favorite, with its rich, creamy consistency and a perfectly burnt marshmallow on top. The flavors are simple as can be, but they're classically delicious, using really good quality ice cream as a base.
Service and Cost:
We were astounded at what a superstar our bartender/waiter was. There was just one for the entire bar, which seated more than 25 people. Our guy was hustling, serving drinks left and right, helping set food on the table and making those delicious shakes I just told you about from scratch. Like I said...superstar.
Costs are wonderfully inexpensive, due to the Happy Hour special, which offers $2 sliders, $4 drafts and $.50 wings. Our bill including a friend's drink, 3 sliders, 10 wings, an order of tater tots, and a milkshake was just $36. If that doesn't deserve 3 Mmmms, I don't know what does.
5 Napkin Burger - 35-01 36th Street, Astoria, NY 11106
718.433.2727
N/Q Train to 36th Avenue
5napkinburger.com
