Everyday Eats: Happy Hour Tapas at Cafe 21
Erin Jackson
If you love a deal on great grub as much as I do, you might get a buzz just reading Cafe 21‘s new happy hour menu, featuring 21 different tapas, all for $4 apiece. From crepes stuffed with spinach and feta, to skewers, sausage kufta, duck wings, and even dessert, there’s so much to love that you should really bring back-up.
One item you’ve got to try is the spinach crepe with mozzarella, feta, and pesto. It’s gooey in some bites, salty in others, and that flaky outer edge is killer. There’s also sweet and savory chicken version that’s sprinkled with sugar and served with apricot jelly, but I’d stick with the spinach.
Everyday Eats: Happy Hour Tapas at Cafe 21
Erin Jackson
Four bucks is a total steal for this four cheese rosemary fondue, which comes with sliced pear and crostini soldiers for dredging through the melted Brie, Fontina, rosemary Romano, and truffle Pecorino cheeses. It’s a large portion that’s great for sharing, just be sure to do so with friends, because double-dipping is highly encouraged. Other winning dishes include the chicken lemon rosemary skewers with spicy ajika sauce swirled with goat cheese aioli, and the lamb sausage kufta: juicy little meatballs served with a creamy dipping sauce.
Drink deals are well represented, too. Draft beer is $3, and house sangria is $4.50 a goblet. If you’re going that route, it’s best to get a flight ($10.50). With six different fruit and herb infusions on offer, you’ll want to sip and sample multiple flavors.
Everyday Eats: Happy Hour Tapas at Cafe 21
Erin Jackson
Don’t think you’re done yet. The expansive list of tapas ends with three options for sweets: a seasonal bread pudding, a fruit and cheese board, and my pick, a seductive flourless chocolate cake. It’s intense enough that you only really need a few bites, and at $4, totally irresistable.
Happy Hour runs from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. daily at both locations (750 5th Ave in the Gaslamp and 2736 Adams Ave in University Heights).
