Twins Happy With Pier W's Happy Hour

Many of our fellow restaurant enthusiasts are familiar with the Cleveland landmark: the stylish and venerable Pier W, where the incomparable view, impeccable service, and inspired menu make any occasion special. We Taster Twins have dined there many times for lunch, brunch, and dinner in the elegant surroundings and enjoyed the pampering immensely. Simply stated: Pier W stands alone as a top-tier dining venue.

For those looking for a more casual experience, Pier W offers an appealing option of Happy Hour in the lounge, where many of the offerings on the pared-down menu are half-priced and most of the wines and well drinks are also specially priced. In the beautifully lit lounge, anchored by a glowing bar, the drinks are the center of attention, followed closely by the tempting culinary offerings.

The festivities begin promptly at 4:30 p.m. and the small lounge area fills up very quickly with the staff resorting to European-style seating arrangements. No seat goes unfilled, which makes for a great opportunity to meet and greet new people. Fortunately, we are very social and enjoyed sharing our table with a friendly couple. Through the glass enclosure, the quiet formal dining area appears in stark contrast to the crowded, gregarious ambiance in the lounge. The Happy Hour service is much less precise than that to which we are accustomed beyond the partition. The lounge differs markedly from the rest of Pier W, in all ways except the exceptional quality of the food.

Starting with the luscious lobster bisque or the heavenly clam chowder, the food at Pier W is an absolute pleasure. Our favorite appetizer is the blue cod taco trio, where warm, delicious cod is nestled in crispy won ton shells, perched on beds of creamy guacamole. We also love the wonderful short rib pierogies, which are hearty and satisfying. Our brother thoroughly enjoyed his perfectly prepared salmon burger. Other tasty choices included hearth-baked flatbread, margherita pizza, and a tempura cod sandwich. When these excellent preparations are followed by a trio of sorbets or creme brulee, it makes for a remarkable evening out in a bustling atmosphere.