Last Sunday afternoon, the spring creeping Los Angeles weather dealt us another gorgeous day, so of course, I suggested hitting up a walkable happy hour to my guy. I had wanted to check out the happy hour at The Hart and the Hunter (wow, that’s some serious alliteration), so we hit Melrose Avenue and stepped into the Palihotel (the old WeHo hostel) on Halloway. A wood sign greeted us outdoors and confirmed that happy hour was indeed served Sundays through Thursdays, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Past hotel guests checking in, we stopped at the entrance of the Hart and the Hunter's indoor restaurant. It was quaint and small and the hostess/server offered us our choice of indoor or outdoor seating. We chose outside and passed three small would tables and benches until we reached the last and fourth open spot. Our server set down two menus and then walked away. Much to my dismay, there were no visible happy hour options in front of us. When she returned, I inquired about the happy hour and she said that they didn’t offer it over the weekend. I replied that I had checked their social media outlets to confirm there was happy hour and that there was a sign outside inviting people in with the happy hour information on it.
Five minutes later she returned with happy hour menus and said was new and got confused. Okay, so 10 minutes into our last hour of happy hour there and we were just getting menus. The Hart and the Hunter happy hour menu offers you different wine options: “decent wine” for $5 (normally $7) or “good wine” for $7 (normally $9). I opted for a “good” glass of Love Drunk Rose wine and my guy got a $5 24 oz Pabst Blue Ribbon Can. I also ordered the first few food options on the menu (because were famished from the long walk over).
Unfortunately, there are only 4 happy hour food options on their menu, but it only feels like there are 3 (they also have "craklins"). The first happy hour dish is a deviled egg for $2 each, but this same exact dish is also on the main menu for the same price. The deviled egg arrived loaded with creamy orange-yellow filling, enough visually, it seemed, to have the filling of three egg yolks, yet all of it was only stuffed into one half off an egg – and it was $2. Not my favorite option as you can see. I did however enjoy the other 2 appetizer options.
The $5 shishito peppers came out perfectly blisterd with the right amount of char and bathed with light oil and sea salt. I did bite into one of the friggin’ spicier ones of the bunch (shishito #4) though, so I left the rest of the bowl alone. The higher priced smoked trout option, $8, was packed with protein-rich munchies. The smoked trout was flaked and served mostly in its natural state without any crazy sauces and it was accompanied by crusty toast smothered with avocado smear and some pickled veggies (red onion, fennel). I liked the smoked trout plate because it left me satisfied, full and feeling guilt-free.
Our server didn’t check in on us for about 12 minutes, so my guy had to go in and ask her for another glass of wine before the happy hour ended. I tried the $5 “decent” Camp Chardonnay next and then we asked for the check. By that time, the patio had cleared out and we were able to enjoy our last round of drinks while the sunset slowly dimmed the light on our West Hollywood neighborhood.
The Hart and the Hunter’s happy hour, while not plentiful with options, still offers some decent menu and drink options. If you do sit outside, beware of street traffic sounds and sirens. I’m not sure if we’ll be back for the happy hour, but I hear the new $10 bottomless mimosa brunch on the weekend is pretty good, so we’ll let you know…
XXOO,
Maren
(323) 424-3055
FIND WEST HOLLYWOOD HAPPY HOURS!
