Coming out of a whisky tasting, where we tried pretty much everything and did not utilize the spit bucket; we were now looking for something to eat between now and our next event. And seeing as it was happy hour, we decided to head over to Hy’s for one of our favourite drunken craves. This is their cheese toast, which would be on discount during this time. Plus, there is no better way to curb a bit of tipsiness, then with some comforting gourmet eats.
Without any reservations, we were directed to the upstairs bar, where we grabbed a couple of seats by the bar and our order was taken by the bartender that manned it.
To be honest, the prices aren’t all that cheap, even for happy hour, but at the same time you aren’t getting basic wings or fries. This was fine dining quality food made causal.
Kept warm under a covering of tinfoil, the cheese toast is exactly what we wanted. Grilled on both sides for an even char, this is white bread sandwiching stringy cheddar cheese. The only thing my inner child wanted was a tiny tomato soup on the side to dip into. However, I would settle for an additional order, which we didn’t finish, but did serve as a great leftover 8am breakfast for me the next day. This cost us $8.50 per order now and $11.95 regularly.
The Prime Beef Sliders were generous slices of beef well seasoned and left a little pink. It could have used more freshness and some acidity with some frisée and mustard. I did like the buttery sweet bread and its ability to soak up excess jus and flavour. Its recipe was also used in the rolls below. At $17.50 for the three sliders, this was just under $6 each. At that price it didn’t feel like a happy hour menu item. I would expect $4 a slider else where.
The mini lobster, crab, and shrimp rolls we fragrant with dill and sweeter with plenty of lobster meat and cream. At $26.95 for the plate and $9 each, once again I did not feel I was saving, but indulging instead.
Similarly, the Seared scallops and maple hickory bacon was on the pricier side at $25.95 for the order and over $6 per skewer. Tasty enough with a meatier chew thanks to the thick cut bacon, but the pork overpowered the buttery scallop, which was what you were paying for.
Overall, a tasty enough interim dinner, but we did not save during happy hour. Especially as we also grabbed a couple of their happy hour featured cocktails that was essentially an Old Fashioned at $11 each. I would return for happy hour again, but then only order the grilled cheese and plenty of it.
Hy’s Steakhouse & Cocktail Bar
637 Hornby St, Vancouver, BC V6C 2G3
(604) 683-7671
hyssteakhouse.com
