Happy Hour at Anthology
Monday, February 9, 2009 11:57ANTHOLOGY
1337 INDIA ST., LITTLE ITALY; (619) 595-0300
Rundown: Just look for the blue neon script above Anthology‘s glass doors and enter a three-story, live-music beehive, a world of boomers and dapper drones from S.D.’s financial district.
Owner Howard Berkson brings something of an industrial aesthetic to this Little Italy spot, noted for its jazz line-up, but welcoming Broadway rockers like Duncan Sheik (“Spring Awakening“), too.
The deal: There’s no cover for happy hour, so hoof it up three flights of concrete stairs to the mezzanine. An elevator escort is available.
Before the show, during a recent happy hour (Tuesdays through Fridays, 5:30-7:30 p.m.), there were three types of discount drinkers: the dark-suited youngish men and their poised, halter-dressed dates; the sensible empty-nesters having a night out; the dressy casual gals who wouldn’t be seduced by Anthology’s 18-foot-long fireplace tonight — all the men were taken.
The discount drinker doesn’t get a break on Anthology’s expansive wine list: $6 house wines only. Same price for Tsingtao beer and well drinks. The $8 house margarita made with Pepe Zevada could be mistaken for a low-proof limoncello. It’s got lots of sunny citrus, little kick.
Not to be missed: The discount menu changes, but the recent happy hour highlight was the $7 Asian style beef with wonton crisps and chipotle cabbage. The beef was sweet, rare, tender, and heftier than a minor happy hour nibble.
And commend Anthology on its parking sitch: $5 valet, and $6 in the lot across the street. But leave the bar by 7:30 p.m. or pony up the cover for the show.