Cafe La Boheme Cooks Up 'Fun Bites' at Happy Hour Prices

Situated right off of bustling Santa Monica Boulevard, would be easy to miss. The exterior looks like a medieval fortress with a gray stone facade and sculptural light fixtures. However, as soon you as step through the doors, you won't forget it.

The interior of the restaurant, which underwent extensive rennovations in 2007, is stunning with intricate chandeliers hoisted from vaulted ceilings and brilliant crimson walls. The restaurant also has a lovely, private patio with fire pits. This would be the perfect place to spend a warm summer evening, sipping cocktails and wine and nibbling on their Asian-inspired nosh.

Of all their offerings, Cafe La Boheme's Happy Hour is one of the most enticing. Stop by any day of the week from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and you will likely find the bar and lounge packed with a mellow crowd, all eating and drinking to their heart's content.

The Happy Hour features a special martini every night for a mere $7. Last week, it was a take on a margarita, served in a martini glass with or without salt. This was not your noxiously sweet, out-of-a-bottle margarita. All the flavors—from the citrus to the tequila, and yes, the salt—were in balance, and without the ice to water it down, it was more concentrated.

There are plenty of drinks at great prices to please everyone. In addition to the night's martini special, they also offer draft Guinness, Bass, and Drake's Hefeweizen for a bargain $4, and House Red Wine, House White Wine, or Red Sangria for $5. 

The extensive Happy Hour menu offers their "Fun Bite" appetizer selection at half-off the normal prices. With over 16 options, most priced for only $3-5 with the reduction, it's hard to choose.

Favorites include the "Maryland Crab Cake" ($4), a crispy, tender, good-sized bite served with creamy remoulade and a corn, baby tomato, and arugula salad; the "Crispy Fried Calamari" ($4), a large place of lightly bettered squid accompanied by a serrano aioli; and the "Filet Mignon Tacos" (three tacos for $6) presented on small corn tortillas with cilantro, minced onions, and sides of spicy salsa and guacamole for garnishing. 

Craving something on the side to top of the meal? Then try the "Shoestring Fries" ($3) which come either herbed or spicy; the "Four Cheese Mac & Cheese" ($4); or for a healthier option, add a simple green salad off the regular menu ($6). With so many choices, you simply cannot go wrong.

So next time you are in the mood to hit up Happy Hour, check out Cafe La Boheme. Your stomach and your pocketbook will thank you.