Mantra Bar and Grill Happy Hour Review

Mantra Bar and Grill is located in the Benson Area on 6913 Maple Street. Happy Hour is Monday thru Friday from 4:30 to 6:00pm. Mantra Happy Hour offers discounted bar plates and cocktails. Happy Hour is offered inside and on the patio.

Ever since I noticed the neon orange and green leaf tree in front of Mantra I've been dying to try them out. I just happened to pick the perfect day after work to enjoy myself out on their patio. First I statared off with Bliss Kiss $6 (Trader Vics, Chocolate Liqeur, Vanilla Vodka, Baileys Cream, and Hersheys Kiss). This drink was like a chocolate cake in a glass. All liquor and just delightful. Unfortuntely I was not able to finish because I had to drive home! Bliss Kiss is a good after dinner drink!

Next I had the Turkey Lollipops $6( Grilled ground turkey, with cilantro shallot dipping sauce. The turkey had a Mediterranean flavor and the cilantro sauce was the perfect pair. The only thing is I wish the pops looked more presentable, but other than that it was delicious.  

Crab Cake Poppers( lump crab meat, shrimp, onions, and celery with thai chili sauce). These things were the bomb ok! It came out hot and fresh, and you can tell there was crab inside the poppers. I do wish however that the celery was cut smaller, or left out entirely. The chili sauce has the kick and I liked how they gave you a lemon for a more refreshing taste. Every thing combined was like a magic in your mouth. 

I fell in love with the Lavosh. This lavosh had chicken, herb cream cheese, artichoke, green onion, tomato, and Havarti cheese. This thinner than flat bread dish was so delicious. To me it was like a guilt free pizza! I loved how the artichoke wasn't strong but gave it the acid it need, the cheeses was smooth and the breading was just right.


. I'll def be back to take my Granny and Mom! I loved how all their cocktails are discounted and not just certain ones. Overall, I'll give Mantra Grill 4 Smiles.

Little Espana (Rockbrook Village)

The little sister of Benson’s Espana tapas bar, Little Espana (11036 Elm Street, Omaha) brings some Spanish flair to Rockbrook Village. They offer a variety of tapas (small plates meant to be shared), light entrees (like the traditional paella), cocktails, wines and housemade sangrias. The Rockbrook location also offers brunch along with happy hour. Their $5 Spanish HH runs Monday through Friday from 4p to 6p. Tapas include cocas (Spanish flatbread), fried calamari rings, chicken empanadas with spicy aioli and more. House red and white wines along with their red and white sangria are also discounted to $5. Five days a week Little Espana offers $5 House Specialty Drink of the Day specials including Tuesday Rum Night with discounted Cuba Libres and Mojitos and Thursday Champagne Night with Spanish Fleurs and Spanish Mimosas.

I can never decide if Little Espana is actually bigger, smaller or the same size as the original in Benson. It definitely appears more spacious, with the bar in it’s own corner, albeit smaller than its sister version, and a great patio area. The decor is warm with less family photos, opting for stylized Spanish murals instead. Generally service is prompt with no huge crowds during HH. The day I visited I was the sole patron until about 10 minutes to 7 o’clock. Little Espana has a more condensed menu making selection a bit easier for novices to the tapas concept.

I always get the house red sangria ($5) that’s a nice mix of wine and juice. It’s never overpowering so you could definitely sip a glass or three in one sitting.

This visit I tried out the Spanish meatballs ($5: slow cooked in sherry tomato sauce, Montalban cheese and peas). You get a good amount for the price and the texture of the meatballs were perfect. I love the addition of peas in many of Espana’s dishes despite not being a pea fan. One miss was the sherry tomato sauce not being hot. When it arrived you could see some steam from the meatballs but upon taking a bite the tomato sauce was room temperature. Disappointing as they bring soft garlic bread to your table that’s perfect to dip in the sauce.

Last for today’s review is my absolute favorite item at Little Espana: the solomillo fries ($5: house cute paprika fries, marinated sirloin, chorizo oil, spicy aioli, manchego cheese). This dish is amazing-- super tender sirloin cooked just right, hot and crispy paprika fries and super melty Manchego. The garnish also has a vinegary dressing that plays nicely off the dish. Every time I order this I 1) defeat the purpose of tapas because I don’t want to share and 2) immediately want to order seconds or thirds once done. If you try nothing else at Little Espana EVER, try the solomillo fries.

I give Little Espana 3.5 smiles. I like the location and LOVE the solomillo fries. Unfortunately I don’t have many other favorites on this location's menu and some of the carry over items just aren't the same (the potato omelette here is totally different from Benson’s and doesn’t have the cream sauce option). The fact that they offer HH and brunch does bring them up half a smile.

The Omaha Lounge

Located downtown, The Omaha Lounge (1505 Farnam Street) is a jazz and blues venue offering live music seven days a week alongside classic cocktails. Happy Hour is everyday from 4 pm to 7 pm and 10 pm to close. Specials include $2.50 domestic bottles, $3.50 import bottles, $4 well drinks and $5.75 glasses of house wine.

The interior is very intimate with cushy chairs throughout. The bar is located in the back with additional seating. A little dark which adds to the blues lounge vibe. On our visit both the waitress and bartender were new so I tried to overlook how long it took us to get a drink. The late night HH coincides with the last 30 minutes of the live music so there was a crowd when we arrived. The waitress didn’t actually come and id us or ask for our order until the last song of the set. It was another 10 minutes before she brought back my friend’s drink and verified what their well whiskey/bourbon was. Again as she was new I tried to be understanding, however by this point there were maybe six people in this lounge, four of which were already done drinking and didn’t actually need assistance.

Normally I stay away from well drinks but The Omaha Lounge’s wells aren’t the typical Barton’s you find at straight up bars. A whiskey sour with Jim Beam was worth the $4 even though I didn’t care for their sour mix.

The Omaha Lounge doesn't actually have food but you can "order in" from 801 Chophouse or Pickleman's. When we visited someone even had a Godfather's pizza. Would like to see them partner with Jazz Louisiana Kitchen as it seems like a perfect partnership.

Since the music was over and the crowd thinned out we only ended up staying for one drink. Didn’t really want to chance waiting another 10 minutes for another round in a near empty place. Overall I give The Omaha Lounge 4 smiles. Great after work stop for people and since the early HH doesn’t stop until 7 you don’t have to work downtown to catch it.

Also love that they offer live music seven days a week which makes it a great date night spot. Hopefully the service will get better as more of the staff adjust to the job.

Vino Mas (West Omaha)

Slightly beyond the hustle and bustle of 145th and Maple, Vino Mas (14450 Eagle Run Dr, Omaha) is a cozy wine retailer offering weekly tastings, over 16 wines and 20 beers and an impressive wine club. Happy Hour is Monday - Thursday and Saturday 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm. House wines are $5 which range from Sauv Blanc and Riesling to Cabernet and Malbec. Small bites like pretzels and hummus or cheese plates are also $1 off.

Vino Mas has the cozy wine store feel downpat while also providing enough seating strategically placed for small groups to unwind with some wine. Their outside patio is slightly small but I blame that more on location, the complex they’re in has very little outdoor space. Wine “accessories” intertwine the wine racks and the checkout counter/bar is large enough for their wine tastings. The staff is very friendly and helpful in picking just the right wine for your enjoyment.

When asked if I preferred red or white I answered both, but I lean more towards white wines in warmer weather. We settled on the Loscano Torrontes ($5: Argentina- aromas of pineapple, peach and orange. Flavors profile: lychee, tropical fruits, jasmine and spice). This isn’t a sweet wine, so if you don’t like dry I’d recommend their Riesling. Very crisp and hints of the jasmine comes out on the finish.

I also tried the dip and chips ($5.95: creamy spinach dip with gluten free flax, quinoa, chia and brown rice popcorn chips). I was disappointed that the dip wasn’t my preferred oven baked melty cheese kind but the pop out of the fridge version. That being sad the brand they use is better than most of the ones I’ve tried. I also really enjoyed the popcorn chips, despite how healthy they were. Vino Mas doesn’t appear to have a kitchen so I give them a pass.

I also tried the Rotari Sparkling Rosé ($5: Italy- light touches of peach, cranberry and pink grapefruit segue to creamy foam and warm touches of baked bread). I enjoy rosé during the summer, basically the best of the reds I love with a lighter touch. This was by far the driest rose I’ve ever drank. The sparkling component was enjoyable and the cranberry notes hit me the hardest but I probably wouldn’t re-try.

I give Vino Mas 4 stars. I enjoyed the atmosphere and they had a good variety of wines to try. Would like a little bit more variety in the small plate offerings, especially since they have to compete with Blue Sushi being right next door.

Dudley's Pizza & Tavern

Located next to Aksarben Cinema in Aksarben Village, locally owned and operated Dudley’s Pizza & Tavern (2110 S 67th Street, Omaha) offers great pizza and friendly service. Happy Hour is Monday - Friday 3:00pm to 6:00 pm and Reverse HH is 9:00pm to close everyday. Specials include $1 off all draws and bottles, $3.50 well drinks, $5 8-inch one topping pizzas, half off select appetizers like fried pickles and sweet potato fries, and $3.50 wine by the glass. Daily specials include a Bloody Mary bar Sundays, Tuesday Pint Night and Tavern Trivia and Whiskey Wednesday.

The interior of Dudley’s is pretty straight forward. Sports bar feel in the bar area with tons of big screen tvs and pool tables; quieter in the dining room area. Nice selection at the bar and a patio for you to enjoy your pizza while people watching Aksarben Village goers.

I’ll let you in on a secret. I am a glutton for punishment. I know I don’t like IPAs but I keep trying to find one to change my mind. Deschutes’ Fresh Squeezed IPA ($4.85 for a 16 oz -- 6.4% ABV) did not do the trick. It was more citrusy than hoppy to my bartenders credit, but I just couldn’t do it. Thankfully she let me get another beer and didn’t charge me for the approximately six sips I took.

Boulevard’s Tank 7 Farmhouse Ale was a bit more my speed ($5.15 for a 12 oz -- 8.5% ABV). I enjoyed the citrusy grapefruit notes despite not likely actual grapefruits and the dry finish complemented the food I ordered.

I love Dudley’s pizza so I ordered an 8 inch sausage and black olive pizza ($5.75 -- additional toppings are 75 cents each). Generally I hate pizza crust but Dudley’s apparently has the magic formula that makes me eat it. Try it with the honey they leave on the table -- definitely a treat. Sometimes there’s too much cornmeal dusted on top but nothing a quick brush or shake wouldn’t fix. In the running for best personal pizzas in Omaha.

I also ordered the bacon-cheddar-loaded sticks ($4: “breadsticks” stuffed with hickory-smoked bacon, Dudley’s freshly grated cheese blend, topped with green onions and sharp Wisconsin cheddar. Served with ranch and classic red sauce). A cross between a loaf of bread and breadsticks, I expected a bit more bacon and cheese. Same dough they use for their pizzas but without the cheese and sauce, it was a bit lacking for me.

I give Dudley’s 2.5 smiles. Love their pizza but after trying two or three other menu items the pizza may be the only thing that brings me back. Would like a bigger beer selection, but thoroughly enjoy the environment and location.

Local Beer, Patio and Kitchen

Off the beaten downtown path, Local Beer, Patio and Kitchen (902 Dodge St, Omaha) is a modern bar offering elevated comfort food sourced locally and 100+ craft beers from local Nebraska and Iowa breweries. Happy Hour is Monday - Friday from 3:30 to 6:30 (excluding nights there are events downtown). Discounted starters include things from poutine, their Local burger and soft pretzels. Drafts are all discounted dependent on their starting price point ($5 and under are $3, etc.) well drinks are $3.50 and beer bottles and cans are half priced.

Local has an open floor plan where you sit yourself. Large modern fixtures stud the exposed ceilings and the centerpiece is a wrap around bar. There’s a large patio with plenty of shared seating and a cool lounge area with a life-sized Connect Four wall! The waitstaff is very helpful when trying to navigate the extensive beer list and Local’s website even has an “If, Then” section that pairs common “mainstream” favorites with their local craft counterparts.

My friend and I decided to try their Bierrocks( $1 each: beerrock version has Nebraska beef, beer-braised cabbage, onions and spices) which were mini Runza buns. I don’t really care for Runzas because at a certain point the inside of the dough is mushy, but the size here made them edible. They came with Local’s “spicy” beer cheese sauce. Nice addition that elevated these bierrocks from knock-off Runzas. Two or three would satisfy anyone’s Runza itch.  

My first drink was the Empyrean Imperial Mango IPA ($4: 16oz). I really have to stop trying to make myself like IPAs. The mango didn’t overpower the hoppiness of this beer and I just couldn’t finish. It is however, a very light beer and great for sipping on Local’s patio if you are an IPA lover or convert.

My love of potatoes wouldn’t let me skip over the waffle fry nachos ($5: Mexican chorizo, housemade pico, black olives, jalapenos, sour cream and beer cheese). The actual waffle fries were super crispy and well seasoned. Thick enough to actually support the toppings and crispy enough to emulate a chip sort of crunch. The beer cheese was a great substitute for nacho cheese, having the same amount of space while having more depth of flavor. 

I had better luck with the Peacetree Blonde Fatale ($4: 8oz). Blonde ales might be my sweet spot summer beers as they are light and refreshing and essentially hop-free (as far as distinguishable taste). This has been on the beer list my last two visits but be warned, it does change periodically. If something really catches your interest, try it right away, especially given their reasonably priced flight option.

I give Local Beer, Patio and Kitchen five smiles. I love that they incorporate Nebraska in their food and beverage offerings, the patio is nice and I have to go back to play Connect Four. They are also one of the few if not only bars downtown that have off-street parking (although it is metered, almost had it all Local).

Black Oak Grill Happy Hour Review ....the REMMIXXX

 This is another REMMIIXXXXXXX (again in my Diddy Voice!) I had the pleasure of reviewing Black Oak Grill in Omaha, NE. Black Oak is located in Midtown at 220 S 31st Ave next to Crave. Happy Hour is Monday-Friday from 3-6pm and Saturday 11-6pm. Happy Hour is Bar only but don’t worry there is plenty of seating. Black Oak offers half-price draft beers, wine, and appetizers. Also five dollar fresh cocktails, house cocktails, and bar sliders. 

The last time I was here, I had the Flip and Sip Martini. This time I had the Frozen Jack N Coke ($5). To spruce it up a bit I asked for Cherry Grenadine and it was simply sweet and delicious. I perfect way to end a hot and humid summer day. I love that they added a generous amount of Jack and was able to make my drink perfect. I actually ordered two within my stay. 

For food, I started off with the Meatloaf Sliders with Fries. The French fries came out crisp and fresh and tasted like they been tossed with rosemary oil at the end. The slider was okay. The meat itself could use some seasoning. Alone it tasted a bit bland. On top of the slider is mashed potatoes and tomato sauce. Overall the fresh was the bomb but the slider really needed more flavor. 

I couldn’t leave Black Oak Grill without having their Chicken BBQ Nachos. Since my last visit, I noticed that they upgraded some of the ingredients. Added grilled tomatoes and more fresh veggies. You can’t really go wrong with it comes to their nachos. Cheesy, bbq, and chicken goodness on a plate. Can easily share with your partner or girlfriends. 

Overall, I give this Review Remix 4 Smiles! Black Oak Grills customer service is phenomenal and the drinks are always on point. The perfect place to come out and relax after a long day at work, or just a place to get together with your girlfriends. 

Old Chicago

With various locations around the US and in Omaha, Old Chicago offers assorted bar food, pastas and pizza alongside an extensive beer list. Happy Hour is Monday - Friday from 3pm-6pm, with daily late night specials from 10pm to close. Specials include crispy tavern bites, assorted appetizers like mozzarella cheese sticks or nachos grande and $1 off pints, $3 well cocktails, $4 OC iced teas or house wines and $5 U.S. or daily special tall drafts.

The interior is pretty standard no matter which location you visit. I stopped at one while I was in Aurora, Colorado and it was almost identical to the one up the street from my apartment. Lots of seating around the bar area, separate dining room that’s quiet and lots of sports memorabilia. Like I’ve said before, everything you expect from a “chain” brewery.

I tried one of this location’s specialty ½ and ½ beers. The Beachhouse IPA had both Dry Dock Apricot Blonde and Firestone Union Jack IPA. I really enjoyed this combo, the apricot blonde offset the IPA nicely and made it tolerable (not a fan normally).Great summer beer and I’m going to have to have my dad ship me some Dry Dock Apricot Blonde at some point.

I then tried the crispy jalapeno cheese ravioli ($3: creamy jalapeno cheese stuffed fried ravioli, sprinkled with parmesan and romano cheese and served with zesty pizza sauce). I really like fried ravioli and was excited to try this twist. The raviolis weren’t greasy and the sprinkled cheese gave it a nice crunch. The filling wasn’t very spicy which was quite disappointing and the flavor profile was weird after you dipped it in the pizza sauce. Worth an experimental try but probably wouldn’t get it again.

Next I had the pretzel bites ($3: freshly baked jalapeno pretzel bites served with beer cheese sauce) which were a huge disappointment. Despite being jalapeno pretzel bites they weren’t spicy at all. I could see little pieces of jalapeno but no spice transferred apparently. The beer cheese sauce was mediocre, more velveeta than any beer cheese I’ve ever had. The pretzels did come out warm and weren’t too hard. The “beer cheese” on the other hand was cold upon arrival.

I give Old Chicago 1.5 smiles. I’m game to try more of their beer selection and they had other food items I thought were intriguing. Would never get the pretzels or ravioli again however.

Jax Fish House (Denver)

Located in LODO, Jax Fish House and Oyster Bar (1539 17th Street, Denver, CO) has served fresh and sustainable seafood since 1996. They cater to the ‘Coast-less Communities’ with an impressive raw bar and hand crafted cocktails and beer. Happy Hour is 4pm to 6pm daily and all night long Mondays. Specials include $1.50 oysters, steamed mussels and a sea dog as well as discounted craft cocktails, seasonal tap sangrias, $1 off drafts, select wines for $6 and more.

My first impression of Jax was great. I was visiting family and brought them along so our party was rather large (six). Instead of forcing us to sit outside or wait and make a reservation the manager quickly put together a table for us. Not exactly the easiest task as this place really is a counter bar with table seating. Our server was super attentive and helpful and every table was covered in white craft paper. I’m sure it’s meant for easy cleanup but they leave crayons so I had to leave behind a masterpiece.

My first drink was the strawberry lemonade ($5: house infused strawberry vodka, lemonade) and while I’m not big on vodka I enjoyed this refreshing take on a summer staple. The lemonade wasn’t too tart and the infused vodka had a good strawberry flavor.

Next was the gumbo fries ($5: aged white cheddar, andouille) which is Jax’s version of poutine. I would have liked the fries to be a bit more crispy, but the gumbo was a nice twist. The andouille gave this dish a more hearty base than their regular cup of gumbo, but the flavor was lacking real depth. I understand if some take that with a grain of salt as not everyone grew up eating authentic Louisiana gumbo as our server alluded to. Worth a try and extra points for creativity.

I also ordered a seafood dynamite slider ($2: pea shoots, pickled red onion) which was delicious. The remoulade wasn’t exactly spicy, but still worked. The actual slider consisted of a seafood mix which was fresh and not fishy or rubbery. Overall a good size for the price.

My second sip was their seasonal paloma ($5: seasonal infused tequila, grapefruit, grapefruit soda). I learned with this drink that I must stop forcing myself to try grapefruit. I wanted to like this drink just as much as I want to enjoy grapefruit in general, but it just isn’t going to ever happen. For that reason I can’t say don’t get this drink even though I didn’t love it.

To round out my visit I tried the bacon fat chicken wings ($9: guajillo chili sauce, cilantro crème fraîche) which sadly was the most disappointing dish of the night. I had very high hopes for these wings because bacon = greatness. The wings didn’t inherently have a bacon flavor nor did they evoke any bite from the chili sauce. The crème fraîche seemed out of place on the actual wing adding nothing of note.

I give Jax 4.5 smiles. The service is great and I love that their HH is daily. Everything I tried was fresh which is maybe the most important thing a fish house can offer but the chicken wings missed their mark and some of the risks they take (like the gumbo fries) could be executed a bit more deftly.

Plank Happy Hour Review Remiiixxxxxxx

\

This is the REEEEMMMIIIXXXXX *in my best Diddy Voice! For the month of June I'll be reviewing a few Happy Hour's that I've done in the past! First up is Plank Seafood and Provisons. Located in the heart of Old Market Omaha 1205 Howard St. Happy Hour is DAILY, Monday-Saturday 3pm-6;30pm. Sunday Noon- 8pm. Plank offers discounted appetizers and cocktails.

First on the list is the Redbeard's Rita ( Cabrito Silver Tequila, housemade Limoncello, fresh lime, simple syrup, and pomegranate. Besides squeezing the orange slice I couldn't taste much of anything. I was expecting a punch that pomegranate has and I didn't get that. Just reminded me of a old fashion margarita.

You can't come to Plank without having a few oysters! For $1.25 a piece during Happy Hour you can't go wrong. I loved the seasonal horseradish and ginger mignonette to pair! Absolutely great combination!

Next, Poutine Fries! For $5 you get natural cut fries, Wisconsin white cheddar cheese, and braised bacon gravy! I love their version of this Canada dish! The fries were nice and hot. Gravy had tons of flavor, and loved the freshness from the green onions! Great with your favorite cocktail. Just makes you feel warm and soft inside.


Last thing I had was the Petite Po' Boy Fish Sandwich (tomatoes, pickle, lettuce, and creole mustard). Two things that was unfortunate about this dish. 1. I forgot to take a picture. 2nd. I originally ordered the Shrimp Po' Boy but they gave me fish. I'm the type of person that doesn't complain much so I didn't mind. The waitress was kind enough to give me the Shrimp Po'Boy to go for free.

What I wish this Po' Boy had was texture and flavor! The fish itself was very bland. Tasted like they just rolled the fish in corn meal and flour with no seasoning. The bread was soggy from toasting with butter, the creole mustard tasted like the standard aoili. Quite disappointed in this dish ;-(

Overall I give Plank Seafood and Provisions 3 smiles! The prices are great, but from the dishes I tried flavor is much needed!

Julio's

With two Metro locations (123rd & West Center and 510 S. 13th Street) Julio’s offers Tex-Mex cuisine with homemade touches. Happy Hour is Monday through Friday from 3 pm - 6 pm with a Reverse 9 pm to 12 midnight option on Friday and Saturday. Specials include $2 soft tacos, $3 house margaritas, $6 nachos and more. The interior of Julio’s West Omaha location is welcoming with a large bar area and Tex-Mex decor. They have a small patio area, service is prompt and the wait staff is helpful.

I started with the peach margarita ($4) which was very refreshing. It came in a nice glass but was a bit smaller than I expected. Wasn’t super strong but the waitress only charged me $3 for it.

I ordered the queso dipsters ($3: house queso dip and chips) which I really enjoyed. Finally a queso that doesn’t taste like Velveeta and doesn’t turn into a rubbery blob when cold. I love Julio’s homemade tortilla chips, but this visit half the plate had regular store-bought type chips.

My soft taco ($2: ground beef, cheese, tomatoes, lettuce and guacamole) was a nice size and had lots of filling. I was surprised they included guacamole inside but it was a good choice for me as I love guac. You may want to ask for it to be left off if you feel differently, they don’t ask if you want it beforehand.

Finally I had a small order of the Works nachos ($8: ground beef, refried beans, homemade chips, jalapenos, cheddar cheese, sour cream, tomatoes, guacamole and black olives). This thing was not small, but literally a mound of gooey cheese and chips. It’s almost impossible to tear apart by hand as the cheese causes everything to stick together. It . Is . DELICIOUS. The chips are just the right thickness to support everything on the plate. For $8 you can even split this between a meal and snack for later. And they don’t skimp on the other ingredients in favor of lots of chips and cheese.

I give Julio’s 4.5 smiles. All of the food was delicious but I was a little disappointed with the margarita. Great HH prices for the amount of food you get.

Leadbelly (Lincoln)

Leadbelly, located in Lincoln’s Haymarket (301 N. 8th Street), offers Contemporary American Cuisine. Happy Hour is Monday - Friday from 3p-6p, Friday and Saturday 10p-close and Sunday until 5p. Theirs is a drinks only HH with $1 off tap beer, $3 Rumplemintz and Fireball shots, $1 off wells and $4 Jameson.

The interior of Leadbelly is nice. A lot of wood and a large bar with open seating. Although it has a “hipster” reputation because of their food offerings and the wait staff, every time I visit the place is filled with older couples/friends and families. It’s a little dark in here which seems to be a restaurant trend currently. The patio is nice and wraps around two sides of the restaurant.

I tried both my usual Jameson and Ginger here as well as a Jameson Pineapple. Both great drinks for $4 and they didn’t skimp on the booze so you don’t have to order more than two or three if you’re looking for a buzz.

Even though it wasn’t on special I also got an order of guacamole and chips ($5.49: includes housemade salsa and white cheddar; choice of crisp corn or flour tortillas). The chips had a nice crunch to them and tasted homemade. The white cheddar was an interesting addition, didn’t think I’d care for it at first (I’m a bit of a guacamole purist) but it was a nice, mellow addition to the flavor profile. Their appetizers are reasonably priced so I recommend trying them out, even without any discount.

I give Leadbelly 5 smiles. I’m a bit biased since I love Jameson, but their other specials cater to most bar-goers as well. Their HH is straight to the point, perfect for those days where you just need a drink or two.

Fleming's Steakhouse

Flemings Steakhouse Happy Hour Review

Fleming's Steakhouse is located at 140 Regency Pkwy in Omaha, NE. Happy Hour is every day! Yes, happy people every day from 5 to 7pm and 8 to 10pm (Monday thru Saturday). From 5 to 7pm (aka 5 $5 till 7,) offers 5 selections of wine, cocktails, bar plates and desserts. From 8 to 10pm (aka 8 $8 till 10) offers 8 selections of wine, cocktails, and bar plates. Happy Hour is located at the bar only.

Fleming's Steakhouse is a fine dining restaurant in the Regency Omaha area. Upon entering the establishment, I was taken aback of how dark the dining area is. Each table had candlelight, and a dim spotlight for you to see your meal. Perfect for the “romantic date night” or simple solo meal to refresh your mind with a glass of wine. I so happen to do the solo meal. It was my favorite one to date.

I attended the 8 for $8 till 10 Happy Hour. I loved how they have Happy Hour every day and offers it twice a day. To start, I had the Peach Harvest Mule (Svedka peach vodka, Fever Tree ginger beer, lush tropical aromas balanced with bright stone fruit, and ginger spice). I loved how the drink came in an actual mule cup and the taste…. amazing. First you get a splash of peach then boom the ginger! The ginger did not empower the drink.

For food, I started with the Ahi Tuna Tacos (3 pieces). Absolutely delicious. Every single bite you get tons of flavor. My favorite was the shell. It reminded me of a cantina shell and it had lime and other citrus flavors baked in. The tuna was fresh and the daikon root vegetable was the perfect topping. What I didn’t like was the fact that the lime they left for garnish was stone dry. Took tons of pressure to release the juice.

Secondly, was the Short Rib Empanadas paired with poblano cream sauce. Unfortunately, it reminded me of a southwestern egg roll.  Also, the outer crust was a little hard for my liking.

Last but not least, Warm Cinamon-Dusted Donuts paired with homemade lemon curd and blueberries. A great way to end my experience at Flemings. The donuts were hot and fresh. I do wish it had a little bit more cinnamon. The donuts with the fruit curds were divine. I actually ate the blueberry one by itself.

Overall, I give Flemings SteakHouse 4 Smiles. Great food and awesome selections!

Firebirds Wood Fired Grill (VillagePoint)

Located in VillagePoint, Firebirds Wood Fired Grill (17415 Chicago Street, Omaha) offers Rustic American food to enjoy while catching up with friends or colleagues. Happy Hour is from 4 pm to 6:30 pm Monday through Friday in the FIREBAR and on their impressive patio. Specials include bar bites such as crispy mahi tacos and tenderloin sliders, $2 off draft beer, $4 well drinks and $5 FIREBAR signature martinis, margaritas, cocktails and select glasses of wine. Some of their signature drinks are seasonal so expect great, fresh flavors.

The FIREBAR’s interior is a little dark. Lots of wood paneling, a pretty sturdy fully stocked bar and impressive fireplace make it feel cozy and warm. The patio is very open, perfect for the summertime as it faces away from the freeway. Worth the jaunt out to VillagePoint.

I ordered a Blood Orange Negroni ($5: Bluecoat American Gin, Solerno Blood Orange Liqueur, Aperol and Carpano Sweet Vermouth) which the bartender warned was very strong (more accurately he skeptically asked if I liked strong drinks, because 5’3 140lb women can’t possibly want strong drinks. Insert side eye). Again this signature drink was a seasonal selection, so the blood orange liqueur was a great addition to this negroni (pretend we are in California). I’m more of a whiskey/bourbon girl but this drink slightly converted my stance on gin. Would have liked a touch more Aperol but overall, a great choice.

For my first bar bite I ordered the pretzels and Samuel Adams beer cheese ($5). I’m not crazy about pretzels in general but I love beer cheese. This particular dish inspired the opposite feelings. I really liked how soft these pretzels were and they were a good size. They also weren't drowned in salt. I didn't really like the beer cheese. It gave me a weird aftertaste, but I’m also not crazy about Sam Adams as a standalone beer.

Next were the Cajun BBQ shrimp ($6). These were huge and you get six of them so definitely worth the price. Super juicy as well. The BBQ sauce had a bit of kick to it, would have liked a bit more as it was “Cajun” BBQ. The toast that accompanies it was so delicious by itself, I almost wanted to ask for more.

I give Firebirds 5 smiles. They had a great variety of drinks and I love the seasonal component to many of them. The shrimp were delicious and I love their patio. I excuse the beer cheese since I’m not a Sam Adams lover, someone else may find this delicious. Next time you get off a bit early during the week, consider heading out West for a phenomenal happy hour.