Probably more like 2.5 stars, but as one of the cutest looking places on this desperately-trying-to-be-"hot" new stretch of East 4th street, I wish them the best!
I'll start off by saying again that the place is very cute and festive, and seemed to be one of the more "happenin" places on the block for Thursday night happy hour. The bar area inside is cool because the whole front wall opens up as a window and you're up high, so you have a nice view of the street, people watching, etc. Very nice atmosphere. The chips and salsa, which were delivered promptly as soon as we sat down, were delicious -- thick greasy chips just how I like them, and a nice fresh chunky tomato-y salsa.
Beer, margaritas, and sangria were on special for $5 during the happy hour. The sangria was a little disappointing. It was served in a tall glass (like a water glass) and didn't contain any fun little fruit chunks that seem pretty customary in a sangria. However, the flavor was more than decent and I managed to gulp mine down in no time!
When we asked what appetizers were on special for happy hour, the waiter quickly rattled them off in a bored way. If it's so much trouble for the waiters to list the specials, why not put them on a handy little HAPPY HOUR MENU that the customers can read for themselves? Just a thought!
Most of the happy hour offerings sounded pretty boring: cheese quesadilla (come on, throw some chicken or veggies in there!), queso dip, fried calamari, empanadas, and "sopes." Naturally, I had to ask what was in the empanadas and what the heck are sopes. Unfortunately for me, the empanadas were of the shredded pork variety (again- why couldn't they offer several kinds, e.g. one with chicken?).
I believe the sopes were described as a corn cake topped with black beans, guacamole sauce, and cheese. Whatever the corn thing was, it was nearly impossible to cut through with a knife, and would have been way too messy to eat as "finger food."
The place could be better, but could be worse. I'd go back more for the atmosphere than for the food itself.