EatDrinkDeals Names Best Happy Hours of 2011

Many other fine dining chains, such as Fleming’s and The Palm, join the list with great happy hours of their own.  And casual dining chains like PF Chang’s and Maggiano’s beefed up their happy hour menus in 2011.

Here’s our roundup of the best Happy Hours of 2011.

FINE DINING

1. McCormick & Schmick’s seafood restaurants wins our award for Best Happy Hour of 2011.  With appetizers from $1.95 to $4.95, you can dine in high style on a low price by going to the McCormick and Schmick’s bar during happy hours.    The menu varies by day and location but you can usually expect to find deals like Fish Tacos or Spinach Dip for $1.95, a half-pound cheeseburger for $2.95,  Buffalo Wings or Fish Cakes for $3.95, and Oysters Rockefeller or Peel and Eat Shrimp for $4.95.   More details in our story, McCormick’s Happy Hour.
2. Our number 2 pick for Best Happy Hour is Flemings, a high-end steak house where a normal dining bill would be $40 to $50.  But at their Happy Hour – called “5 for $6 till 7”  – you can dine on some of their best small dishes for $6.  Choose from 5 cocktails, 5 wines and 5 appetizers for $6.  This deal is good every day till 7 pm at the bar only.   Menu items include Roasted Mushroom Ravioli, Tenderloin Carpaccio, Chili Calamari, Seared Tuna and Jumbo BBQ Shrimp. There’s a sixth item, Prime Sirloin Burger More details in our story, Fleming’s Updates Happy Hour.
3. The Palm Restaurant also matched the competition with a high end happy hour.  During normal dining hours you can expect to pay $10 to $20 for appetizers and $30 to $50 for an entrée.  However, during Prime Time at the Palm, you can dine for $5.50 a plate. Items include Mini Broiled Crab Cakes, Prime Beef Sliders, and fried oysters.   More details in our story, Happy Hour at The Palm.
4. Morton’s Steak House, a high-end steak place with locations in 20 states, closes out our list of the best upscale happy hours.  Morton’s has a happy hour they call “Power Hour.”  Deals vary by location but most include $6 to $7 Bar Bites such as Petite Filet Mignon sandwich, Prime Cheeseburger, and Miniature Crab Cakes. Also get $5 beers, $6 wines, and $7 Cosmos.  More details in our story, Morton’s Happy Hour.

Those are the best upscale happy hours.  Other happy hours include these moderately priced places (in alphabetic order).

MODERATELY PRICED DINING

• Benihana Japanese Steak House has a Mon-Thurs happy hour with California Rill, Spicy Tuna and other rolls starting at $2.50 (price varies by location).  Also get half off many specialty items.  More details in our story, Benihana Lunch, Happy Hour.
• Black Angus Steak House has a weekday happy hour with beer, wine, and appetizers for $3.50 to $5.50.  More details in our story, Black Angus Happy Hour.
• Macaroni Grill unveiled a new Happy Hour in their bar and lounge from 3-6 pm weekdays.  Items  include $3 house wine, $3 draft beers, and $5 cocktails and pizzas.  More details in our story, Macaroni Grill Happy Hour.
• Maggiano’s Little Italy unveiled a new “Small Bites” Happy Hour in 2011.   During select times and days,  get discounts on small plates such as Mini Crab Cakes, Four-Cheese Ravioli Fritte and Meatball Ciabattinis.     More details in our story, Small Bites at Maggianos.
• Melting Pot fondue restaurants have happy hour specials at most places.  Specials vary by location. Details in our story,  Specials at Melting Pot.
• PF Chang’s enhanced their happy hour in 2011, renaming it Triple Happiness and adding traditional Dim Sum items to their Drinks and Street Fare menu.   Details in our story, PF Chang Expands Happy Hour.
• Ruby Tuesday has Happy Hour at the bar from 4-6 pm and 9 pm to close every day with specials like $2 off Bar Bites.   Details in our story, Ruby Tuesday Happy Hour.

In the fast food category, Steak ‘n Shake has the Happy Hour market all to themselves, with half-priced drinks and slushes every day from 2 to 4 pm.  More details in our story, 389,929 Happy Hour Items.

Here at EatDrinkDeals we’re hoping to see even happier Happy Hours in 2012.