Happy Hour for Mormons

We Mormons have a somewhat paradoxical relationship when it comes to dietary habits and eating out. We love to trumpet the healthy results of living sober and tobacco free but point us in the direction of the nearest chuck-wagon buffet and watch us go to town on the stronganoff or meaty casserole. I think that's why certain restaurants resonate within the Latter-Day community. We devour the portions and the faux "upscale" dining experience of the Cheesecake Factory. We dive into the healthy portions of sweet pork at the Cafe Rio. We'll double up the double-double at the In-And Out. In short, we like our food, we like it in family sized portions, and we like it cheap.

Let me make a recommendation to all of you folks within the covenant. This suggestion marries the value that you crave with some tasty meals that you covet. It might require that you step outside of your meat and potato comfort zone. It will force you to leave the suburban ease of the nearest Chil's in favor of the more urban cosmopolitan haunts. But here it is. Drive into downtown and sample the happy hour cuisine of one of the local restaurants.

Happy Hour?

Yessir, you got it right. Look beyond the traditional connotation associated with the word and think with me. After I make my case you should agree with me that this is a rich culinary vein that has not really been mined by the Mormon community. Here is the simple dining formula.

1. Opportunity to try great new food at fancy new restaurants.
2. Opportunity to get that food at exceptional prices.
3. Get it all done early so that you don't need to pay much for your babysitter.
4. Wonderful opportunity for you to observe the debauchery "great and spacious" world that you can use for future Sunday School lessons.

Case in point. Jodi and I recently went to Trader Vic's in the upscale, boutique part of Scottsdale. On a typical night you would expect to pay between $30 and $60 per person. Great food, yes. But not worth the hassle when you've got to put three kids through little league soccer and Applebee's is running their "Two for $20" promotion. Enter Happy Hour. We dine at 6pm and we eat Duck, Gourmet Burger, Virgin MaiTai, and Hummus all for $18. That's how you eat.

So every week you try a new place. You get some incredible dishes. You broaden your horizons. And since you don't drink you end up getting some great deals.

Olive and Ivy is our current favorite place. Take a look at the top of menu. Now picture all of those great dishes and appetizers at $3-$8 a pop. Now we're talking.

So go ahead. Take the drive downtown. Try some fancy new dishes. Live it up. Consider it a missionary experience....no consider it a wonderful opportunity to broaden the sensibilities of your under worked palates.