Some More Sambuca for your Buck

This week, I braved the snow to meet a friend for Happy Hour at Sambuca in The Gulch. It's been much too cold to think about going outside, but I had started to get a little stir crazy. What better way to cure the cold mid-week blues than cheap, delicious food and drinks?

I am a big fan of bargains. I'm an even bigger fan of establishments that offer Happy Hour specials on Fridays. Sambuca has both, plus a swanky, comfortable lounge area in which to imbibe. During "Rush Hour" as they call it, drinks and small plates and pizzas are 1/2 price from 4:30-6:30. Yes, 1/2 price! Plus their small plate menu boasts 16 different options and four varieties of pizzas. Priced anywhere from $4.50-12.50, these dishes are a steal on special. Where else can you get Shrimp & Crab Rangoon, Seared Tuna, Goat Cheese-Stuffed Artichokes, or Buca Beignets (Italian meat and cheese melted inside a sweet, flaky crust--yum yum!) for roughly $5?? I challenge you to find somewhere else that does it better.

A word of advice: arrive early. Don't dawdle after work, or you might have trouble finding a seat. No one wants to miss happy hour specials because they couldn't get a table in time, right? I will mention that in light of Arctic-tundra that has been Nashville this week, the lounge was relatively empty last night. But this meant we got our food and drinks quickly.

Last night I opted for a glass of Malbec, but once the warm weather hits I want to try some of Sambuca's creative cocktails, like the Cucumber Pineapple Crush, Call A Cab (made with Firefly Sweet Tea vodka, tequila, gin, rum, and Coke), Hibiscus Sangria, or the Double Standard (made with chocolate vodka, vanilla, and cherries). The thought of those drinks should warm anyone right up! Is it summertime yet????

The End Notes:

• Happy Hour specials from 4:30-6:30 every weekday make it easy and affordable to enjoy Sambuca's atmosphere and fare without the hefty price tag. Be thrifty in style!
• Arrive early to secure a good seat. If you ever need an excuse to leave at 5 on the nose, Sambuca's Rush Hour is a great reason to rush out of the office.
• Valet parking right outside makes it easy (and affordable) to visit The Gulch.
• I hear Sambuca's lunch specials are great too...