The Spot: Roaring Fork, 4800 N. Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, 480-947-0795 www.eddiev.com
Hours: June 1st kicked off RF's summer happy hour that runs in the saloon all night, every night, baby. Open to close, 4 to 7 p.m., 7 days a week.
Details: The Fork's Famous Frozen Margaritas (try the Huckleberry) are priced at $5, along with other fancy favorites like refreshing mojitos and classic martinis or manhattans. Well drinks and wines by the glass are also $5 and domestic bottles are $3.
Choose from three salads and tortilla soup priced at $6 and nine appetizer options that range from $6 to $10. Our knowledgeable and friendly server suggested some of the menu's "big hitters," including chips and fresh guacamole, yellow-tail tacos, rotisserie chicken flatbread, and mmm, a kettle of Green Chili Pork served with warm flour tortillas.
The taste and presentation of these dishes were equally wonderful and the green chili pork is habit forming with cheesy, meaty deliciousness that had us licking our fingers and scraping the bottom of the kettle it's served in.
RF gets graded after the jump.
The interior: Roaring Fork isn't your typical white table cloth dining experience, the staff is warm and the interior is inviting. The Saloon defines happy hour, packed wall to wall in a chic Old West interior were laughing regulars and smiling faces. We even witnessed hugs given to a few guests by one of RF's hospitable managers.
Cost: Chips and guacamole, fish tacos, chicken flatbread, green chili pork and three Huckleberry margaritas came out to $40 before tax and tip. Not bad for a full belly and a very full buzz.
Conclusion: For The Fork, happy hour doesn't mean limiting options and lowering standards on their exceptional food and drink, it just means killer prices. The Saloon offers a fun and classy environment and an extensive happy hour menu. Going off of the food and drink prices alone, Roaring Fork exceeded our happy hour expectations. Throw in impeccable service, classy digs, smiling patrons and complimentary spicy trail mix and consider this Happy Hour spot above average. Looks like it's the Dean's List for you, Sir RF.
Grade: A
