A Little Spritz of Happiness

Salumeria 104 on Miracle Mile has long been known for its salumi – sliced Italian cured meats – served in an authentic-feeling trattoria-style restaurant. They now have a full liquor license, and what a difference that makes. Aperol Spritzes all day, every day, for only $4? Combine that with discounted cocktails, half-off wines, $6 beers, and appetizers under $13, and we’re sold.

APEROL SPRITZ AND CRISPY RAVIOLI WITH BURRATA FILLING

Salumeria has recently revamped its happy hour – which runs from 4 to 6 pm Monday through Friday – to go along with its new drinks menu. We tried the $4 Aperol Spritz and were delighted with its quality (and price). The Classic Negroni ($12) was another standout, with a sweeter taste than the usual bitter bite, which we loved. The lychee martini ($11) was also stellar, rounded out by Tito’s vodka, St. Germain, and a mix of lemon juice and lychee puree.

We were less impressed by the happy hour food. The zucchini fritte ($10) promised much – we were excited, given nearby Zucca’s much more expensive rendition – but it underdelivered flavor-wise; the fried zucchini flowers needed more seasoning, for sure. The gnocco fritto ($10) was tasty, but different than expected. We anticipated classic gnocchi – pasta-esque potato dumplings – but instead got a crispy ravioli. Still, with a nice burrata filling and a side of tomato sauce, we’d try these again any day.

One of the best parts of our evening was the warm heat lamps on Salumeria’s outdoor Miracle Mile patio. We visited on one of the “freezing” days this February and enjoyed our toasty outdoor snack as passersby looked on jealously.