Hubby surprised me with a happy hour outing recently and we landed on a stool at Durant's bar mid-week where we enjoyed the finest blended Old Fashions, delicious beef sliders packed with pickles on a pretzel bun and fried mushrooms that are like nothing you've ever tasted before (I know you're thinking "but they're just fried mushrooms"...don't be so foolish, these deep fried delights are superb).
I've been here a handful of times on business lunches, dinners and happy hours. The Crab Louie salad is what you expect, as is the Chicken Caesar, the French Dip is amazing (rivals Houston's) and save room for the Strawberry Shortcake, which is just enormous and looks boring but somehow you inhale it all.
I fully expect to make this stop a regular on the happy hour circuit. Sure, it's jam-packed with business tycoons and gold-diggers who practically bump you out of your stool as they lean over to see if your husband's wearing a wedding ring...but just sit back and enjoy the show that is Durant's.
On a budget but still want a snack? Order a beer, which is generously garnished with salami and cheese. Can't beat that.