The Palm has a new $3.50 Happy Hour.
(Photo courtesy The Palm)

The Palm at the Bellevue has just introduced an all new “Prime Bites” menu of seven appetizers for just $3.50 each during Happy Hour.

The Prime Time Happy Hour runs Monday through Friday, from 5-7 pm and then again from 9 pm until close. But at the bar only.

Here’s the menu of appetizers that are just $3.50 each:

* Kobe Beef Sliders
bacon, lettuce, tomato and pesto aioli
* Filet Mignon Capri Sandwiches
imported mozzarella di bufala, tomato and basil with a balsamic aioli
* “Ultimate” Chicken Strips
panko and parmesan battered with sweet and sour chili sauce
* Mini Broiled Crab Cakes
mango salsa and chipotle tartar sauce
* Veal Parmigiana Sliders
Palm classic on a roll
* “Point Judith” Calamari Fritti
cornmeal dusted and tossed with lemon and cherry peppers
* Prime Cheese Steak
prime New York steak, caramelized onions and Vermont cheddar cheese

Also, Oysters on the Half Shell are $1 each and Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail are $2 each piece during the Prime Time Happy Hour.

Pretty solid Happy Hour deal right on Rittenhouse Row.

The Palm at the Bellevue [Official Site]

Time to make it count. (Photo courtesy Table 31)

Don’t look now, but it’s getting dangerously close to the end of summer.

Case in point: this Wednesday, August 25th, is the last Center City Sips of the season!

So make sure you take advantage. $4 cocktails, $3 wine, $2 beers and half-price appetizers at some of Center City’s best bars and restaurants, with some establishments even offering a 15% dinner discount after 7 p.m.

Center City Sips [Official Site]

Upstairs @ Le Bar Lyonnais

Want to enjoy a sophisticated happy hour without having to pay the sophisticated price? Head over to Le Bec Fin’s Le Bar Lyonnais for some fancy and low-priced cocktails and bar bites.

You’ll enjoy $6 specialty drinks like the Pink Lady, made with vodka, homemade grenadine and lemon juice. The price doesn’t compromise the mixture. The drinks are made strong, but the taste is perfectly mixed as to not be too overpowering. Accompany any drink with one of four $5 bites. You can nosh on delicious foods like Shrimp Tempura or Duck Rillettes without spending too much of your hard earned cash—I spent less than $15! And this isn’t typical bar food. There’s no grease, no plastic baskets and no question of taste.

This also isn’t your typical bar scene. Le Bar Lyonnais, located below Le Bec Fin, is dimly lit, with rich tones, candles and soothing French music pouring out of the speakers. The ambiance is laid back, classic and elegant, with a touch of mystery and romance any French establishment should have.

Happy hour is Monday through Friday, 5-7 pm.

Le Bec Fin
1523 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102
(215) 567-1000
www.lebecfin.com

The Upstairs 'Mezz' Bar @ Union Trust

Though I’d salivated every time I’d walked past, I’d never actually been to Union Trust Steakhouse before. I had never ventured inside the restaurant, housed in a former bank with magnificent vaulted ceilings, because I’d thought of it as a fine dining establishment with an extravagant atmosphere that I’d have to plunk down quite the pretty penny to enjoy.

Luckily I’m not thinking that way anymore, after stopping by for a happy hour that turned into dinner. The steakhouse has two sophisticated bars, one situated on the first floor amongst the tables of diners, and another on the mezzanine, a flight of stairs above the main level of the restaurant, which affords separation from the diners and a quieter, more intimate feel – along with fabulous overlooking views of the amazing space.

This upper bar is where Center City Sips takes place on Wednesday evenings – check it out for a great introduction to the venue. What I loved about Union Trust was how easy it was to sit down at the bar for a cocktail and then segue into a bunch of delicious appetizers that can fill you up and delight your taste buds while make you feel indulgent… all without breaking the bank.

A fan of fruity drinks, I wet my whistle with a Jalé Berry (pronounced like the actress), a berrylicious blend of blackberries, jalapeno, fresh lemon, and Bombay Sapphire. My boyfriend chose a John Daly from the formidable drink list, which anyone who likes Arnold Palmers will love: fresh lemonade mixed with earl grey infused Bluecoat gin.

Raw Oysters @ Union Trust

If you’re the least bit hungry after tippling, do yourself a favor and order up some apps. You’ll get a basket of warm breads including Philly pretzels (with mustard!), ciabatta, and phenomenally delicious cheddar garlic biscuits.

There’s a great selection of both meat and seafood-focused food. You can never go wrong with raw oysters, especially the Latin “Smoked” Oysters, which magically carry the essence of BBQ and are topped with a dollop of avocado for added creaminess.

Salmon Carpaccio

Sticking to the raw fish, the King Salmon Carpaccio is a whole plate of delicately sliced fish with a pile of frisee salad in the middle, all topped off with soy truffle vinaigrette. You’ll never look at a piece of lox the same way again.

Bacon & Scallops

If you’re into both fish and meat, you have to try the scallops and bacon. Perfectly seared sea scallops (just the right combo of sweetness salty crispiness) come alongside cubes of bacon-ized pork belly. I savored each bite as long as humanly possible.

For the true meat eater (this is a steakhouse after all), the Kobe Short Ribs are unbelievably tender, falling apart into flavorful morsels at the mere touch of a fork. If you really want to feel like you’re eating a full meal in the fancy joint, don’t forget dessert (I recommend the s’mores, which are inspired by – but so much more than – the classic campfire treat).

With the fabulous appetizers and elegant bars at Union Trust, there’s no excuse not to turn them into an extremely classy dinner!

Union Trust
717 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 925-6000
www.uniontruststeakhouse.com

The interior bar at Sampan in Midtown Village. (Photo courtesy Sampan)

Every Monday to Friday from 5 to 7 pm, Sampan — Chef Michael Schulson’s modern Asian restaurant in Midtown Village (124 South 13th Street) — offers a great new happy hour deal.

The happy hour features a $2 menu of grilled snacks including satays, sliders and hot dogs, a daily-changing $4 cocktail special, and a number of additional signature cocktails, wines and beers, all priced under $10.

Sampan’s happy hour is offered at both the indoor bar and also at the new outdoor Graffiti Bar, a outdoor patio in the rear of the restaurant adorned with custom tags from local graffiti artists.

The $2 happy hour menu and specials offer a variety of items including six satays such as Korean BBQ Beef Satay with shortrib, bulgogi and kim chee and a Corn Satay with coconut, lime and togarashi; a Kobe Slider with Vermont cheddar; a Kobe Hot Dog with smoked mustard; a Chicken & Shrimp Spring Roll with crystallized ginger and cabbage; and a Chicken Dumpling with soy, sesame and scallion.

Cocktails, including the Vietnamese Fizz with vodka, lemongrass and lime and Mango Cardamom Sour with whiskey, lime and soda, range in price from $6 to $9. In addition, a daily changing beer, wine and cocktail special are available for just $4.

The Graffiti Bar, tucked away behind the restaurant, is equipped with a flat-screen television, a large communal table, ceiling fans, heaters and a custom all-weather covering that makes it a good spot even if the weather is less than cooperative. (Click here to check out a video of Michael Schulson grilling some of the happy hour snacks at the outdoor Graffiti Bar at Sampan.)

Sampan [Visit Philly]
Sampan [Facebook]

The Silk Road Summer Nights Music & Happy Hour Series continues every Wednesday evening through August. (Photos courtesy of the Penn Museum)

In anticipation of their upcoming Secrets of the Silk Road exhibition (opening February 5th, 2011) the Penn Museum (University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology) presents the Silk Road Summer Nights music series every Wednesday evening through the end of August.

From 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., enjoy the warm weather in the Penn Museum’s lush, scenic Warden Garden, sipping drinks and munching on light fare while listening to a diverse line-up of talented musicians from all over the world.

Admission is pay-what-you-want and select museum galleries will be open to explore throughout the evening. And as an added bonus, the garden provides free wi-fi!

Silk Road Summer Nights
The Penn Museum
Every Wednesday, through August
5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Silk Road Summer Nights [The Penn Museum]
University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology [Visit Philly]

The Kids Happy Hour features half-off discounts on Marathon’s popular kids menu, which includes “Kids Matzoh Ball Soup with chicken & veggies; the Big Kid Burger Sliders with Vermont cheddar; and Elijah’s Mac and Cheese.” All of these meals are served up with a side of fruit salad, and prices range from just $1.75 to $4.25.

Adults can enjoy the usual happy hour offerings, which includes “$3 select draughts, $5 glasses of red and white wine, [and] $6 select Marathon Concoctions.”

Now, along with the dining deals, from Monday, June 28th to Friday, July 2nd, Marathon is hosting a number of events and promotions to raise funds for Alex’s Lemonade Stand. They’re serving up Harvest Squeeze Lemonade at $2.50 that week, with 100% of the proceeds going towards ALS.

Other events include two happy hours at the Marathon at 1818 Market Street. On June 29th, they’ll host an extended Kids Happy Hour (til 7pm), with 100% of lemonade sales going to Alex’s Lemonade Stand, and are giving away a free take-home cup with every lemonade purchase. On July 1st, they’re serving lemonade cocktails, and again, proceeds go straight to ALS.

For a list of locations, visit Marathon’s official website.

Marathon [ www.eatmarathon.com ]

Octopus Ceviche @ Thirteen

With Center City Sips going strong, The Terrace at 13 is getting ready for summer with a new seasonal menu. Chef Judson Branch debuts new dishes that are the perfect sampling of summer flavors, like the refreshing Octopus Ceviche, served cold, with cilantro, lime and avocado ice. During the 5-7 pm happy hour, these delicious appetizers are all under $10.

Red & White Sangria @ Thirteen

It doesn’t just stop at the plate. A number of new cocktails are also on the menu. Try Branch’s famous red or white sangria, which is served in glasses or pitchers. The sangria, served with fruit, is invigorating– a perfect summer sip.

All cocktails, including The Candy Man, a sweet martini made with Skyy Raspberry Vodka, Simple Syrup, club soda and decorated with a wax-candy stick or lollipop are $4. Wines and bottled beer are served for $3 per drink, while draft beer is $2 per glass or $7 per pitcher.

The menu isn’t the only thing at The Terrace that makes it a summer hot spot. The venue is swank, with sofas, high patio furniture and glass tables. It’s sophisticated and fun, offering live performances on Wednesdays by Crystal Cheatham, who sings popular songs and cool originals. The Terrace is open and breezy with a view of Reading Terminal Market, a chic spot for enjoying chilled cocktails in warm weather in the heart of Center City.

Thirteen at the Philadelphia Marriott [Official Site]

The beautiful Terrace area at the Four Seasons (Photo courtesy the Four Seasons)

The Swann Lounge at the Four Seasons Hotel has introduced a new outdoor happy hour that’s perfect for summer.

Located on the hotel’s picturesque terrace surrounded by gardens and fountains, the Swann Terrace Happy Hour runs Monday through Thursday from 4 – 7 p.m.

The terrace is a beautiful place to go to relax after a day at the office or after a day of visiting nearby attractions and exhibitions like Cleopatra and Late Renoir. And the happy hour makes it all the more enticing.

The Swann Terrace Happy Hour features $7 glasses of wine; a menu of $7 small plates featuring items like grilled shrimp, fried oysters, and tomato bruschetta; as well as $9 summer cocktails, such as a Cactus Margarita, a Pomegranate Pearl, a Pimms Cup, and a Paloma & Maker’s Mint Julep.

Today’s sunny 80-degree weather makes it a perfect opportunity to check it out for yourself.

Four Seasons Philadelphia [Visit Philly]
@ Four Seasons Philadelphia [Twitter]

Another view of the Swann Courtyard at the Four Seasons (Photo courtesy the Four Seasons)

Standing in Front of Fish on 17th and Lombard

I was distraught when Little Fish, my favorite BYO in Bella Vista, shut its doors. Fortunately, though, I won’t be deprived of what I consider to be the best seafood in the city. That’s because the chef of Little Fish, Mike Stollenwerk, recently opened a larger restaurant, Fish, at 17th and Lombard.

A full dinner at Little Fish or Fish costs more than I can spend on a regular basis, so I used to think of the restaurants as only for special occasions. But, to my delight, Fish started offering an exceptional splurge-free happy hour that can brighten my after-work mood any day of the week. In addition to its 47-seat dining room, Fish also has an intimate bar next to its open kitchen, which is perfect for casual tippling and nibbling. The happy hour menu is small but rotating, and everything I tried met the level of perfection that I’d hoped for.

Cocktails @ Fish

Kick off happy hour with a specialty cocktail for just $6. All of them are springy and-fish-friendly. The guava margarita is made with fresh puree, the pink lemonade with Stoli is tasty, sweet, and refreshing, and the limon mojito is perfect if you don’t want something quite as sweet or pink. There are also bottles of craft beer for just $3 a pop as well as a couple of wines. The vinho verde is an effervescent white wine made from green Portuguese grapes, and is wonderful alongside the seafood.

Oysters Served Up @ Fish

You have to order up some raw oysters for just a dollar each. There were two west coast varieties and an east coaster on the menu the evening I stopped by. I decided to try them all, and they came arranged in a specially made ice-filled trough. Served with a delicious mignonette of shallots and vinegar, they were tangy, creamy, and cool. The East Point, from Delaware, was nice and plump, but my favorite was the Chefs Creek from British Columbia. If you want to spice up your oysters a bit more you can opt for a shooter – there’s a “spicy bloody” oyster shot as well as a “chilly” shot with cucumber sorbet and lemon.

The best deal on the happy hour menu has to be the shockingly cheap $5 “snacks.” My favorite dish from Little Fish, the Blue Bay mussels in a coconut, panang curry, and lemongrass sauce, make an appearance here. The super-plump shellfish have a wonderful spice that creeps upon you. The whole soft shell crab, atop a bed of fennel slaw, is also mighty tasty, as well as being hearty. I have to get back to Fish for a full dinner once I save up the dough, but until then I’ll be frequenting this delightful happy hour!

Fish
1708 Lombard St, Philadelphia, PA 19146
(215) 545-9600
www.fishphilly.com

Meritage's Dining Room

Meritage Restaurant recently announced their new Spring Tasting Menu, five courses of delicious delicacies. The full menu includes:

Chilled Cucumber Soup
with ginger citrus salmon crostini and Yuzu crème fraiche

Seared Diver Scallop
with shrimp ravioli, sautéed spinach and a lemongrass beurre blanc

Roasted Black Bass and Asparagus Flan
with sautéed pea shoots and Meyer lemon emulsion

Grilled New Zealand Lamb Chops
with fricassee of fiddlehead ferns and asparagus crushed potatoes

Flourless Chocolate Torte
with raspberry sorbet, rhubarb sauce and a sesame tuile

The dinner runs $45 per person, with an optional wine pairing (one class for each course!) available for $29.

Along with the new Spring menu, Meritage also launched their daily Happy Hour. The Rittenhouse Square restaurant will be dishing out $5 wines by-the-glass, $5 sangria, and $3 Lager bottles from 5pm to 7pm, with an ever-changing assortment of $5 snacks.

If the Kobe beef-stuffed grape leaves end up on that snack menu, get them. So delicious.

Meritage Restaurant & Wine Bar
500 S. 20th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 985-1922
www.meritagephiladelphia.com

Inside Pub & Kitchen, Photo by M. McClellan

According to a press release from Pub & Kitchen, the Rittenhouse gastropub plans to brave the Winter snow warnings and open tomorrow at noon to accommodate winter-effected diners.

They’ve got a special menu planned, and will be serving up $3 Bloody Mary’s from noon to 3pm. During Happy Hour, the pub will dish out $2 bar snacks, $3 Yards Brawlers, and $3 Stoudt’s Pilsner.

Check out tomorrow’s full menu after the jump. Stay warm!

Pub & Kitchen
1946 Lombard Street, Philadelphia, PA 19146-1411
(215) 545-0350
www.thepubandkitchen.com

Wednesday, February 10th, Opening at Noon

Noon – 3pm
$3 Bloody Marys

Happy Hour
4pm – 6pm
$3 Yards Brawler BRAWLER
$3 Stoudt’s Pilsner
$5 Glasses of Wine
$2 Bar Snacks

Winter Market Salad ($10)
young arugula, persimmon, toasted pine nuts & pomegranate

Windsor Burger ($12)
homemade bacon & english cheddar

Cheese Plate ($14)
{el trigal manchego : boucheron : cashel blue}, pear membrillo & truffle honey

Wild Mushroom & English Cheddar Omelet ($10
mixed greens, toast & potatoes

Potato Hash ($13)
chicken confit & fried farmer’s egg