Happy hour: Cafe Lago celebrates 20th anniversary with bar-menu deals

HAPPY HOUR |

Most restaurants don't last a decade, yet alone two, but here's Cafe Lago on its 20th anniversary, still making fettuccine and lasagna by hand every morning, still dishing out those applewood-fired pizzas.

This Italian standby, started by Carla Leonardi and Jordi Viladas on Oct. 10, 1990, celebrates its anniversary by introducing a happy hour: Some comfort food. Some old favorites in smaller portions.

Most stellar are the deep-fried pizza bites, which tasted like lighter beignets, only savory with salty Parmesan and a sweet tomato sauce on the side.

Its signature antipasto dish has been on the menu since its inception and is featured during happy hour. At $8, it's the restaurant's most expensive bar item, but still a good deal: a smorgasbord of 10 cheeses, cured meats, veggies and bruschetta.

The potato gnocchi, though, were inconsistent — pillowy on one visit, but overcooked and mushy on another. The sandwich options vary: muffuletta one week, and now its popular meatballs (through October).

It's not a long happy-hour list. But the bar snacks offer a glimpse of the fare that has drawn the devotees to this Montlake spot over the decades.

Cafe Lago, 2305 24th Ave. E., offers happy hour 5-7 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays with $4 small plates and an $8 antipasto plate. $4 wine, beer and well drinks (206-329-8005 or www.cafelago.com).

Cafe Lago will also offer free cooking classes Monday (butternut squash ravioli) and Tuesday (Bolognese sauce and fettuccine) as part of its anniversary special. Call the restaurant to sign up.

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