Happy Hour | Tango: a place with perfect tempo

Tango Restaurant & Lounge doesn't fit neatly into any province. It skirts the edge of downtown and First Hill. And it sits on the corner of Capitol Hill, too far to be a part of any bar crawl along the main drag.

If you were to meet up for happy hour in downtown, First Hill or Capitol Hill, would Tango register?

I don't think so, either.

Overlooked and underrated, Tango, with its Spanish-South American theme, runs one of the best happy hours in this area — in the city, even.

Big, juicy meatballs with some heat. Sausage and cilantro pesto spread on thick, crunchy flatbread (best value at $5). And a mound of juicy cinnamon pulled pork with tortillas — some of the best bar food I've had in months.

The wimpy shrimp ceviche, I would pass on. And I would pass on the cocktails, which were either too sweet or too watery.

Ranging from $5-$7.50, the shared plates are a good deal given the portion size and quality.

Better still, happy hour runs until closing time every Tuesday.

Tango Restaurant & Lounge, 1100 Pike St., (Capitol Hill) offers happy hour from 4:30- 6 p.m. daily and until 11 p.m. every Tuesday when bar food cost $5-$7.50 and beer ($3), sangria ($4) and selected cocktails ($5.50). (206-583-0382 or tangorestaurant.com).

Tan Vinh: 206-515-5656 or tvinh@seattletimes.com