Jan Norris: Food and Florida

Cabo Flats, Palm Beach Gardens

Happy hours: 4 p.m.- 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, at the bar only

The crowd: Raucous and shirt-sleeved group of all ages, primed to do the Mexican Hat Dance.

Surrounds: Inside-and-out long bar, and several high-topped tables; lounge chairs on patio.

Barback: Dina got us in under the wire, since this popular Happy Hour was crammed, and ends promptly at 6.

The sips: All margaritas, wine, and well drinks are $5. Experience the Twilight “Blood Orange” margarita with Patron Silver, Citronage, and blood orange puree. All margaritas are made with hand-squeezed fresh fruits – refreshing and tasty. The Terrazas malbec was deep and rich.

The noshes: Anything on the appetizer menu is $5. Go for the rock shrimp popcorn “tempura style” with orange habanero aioli. Easy to pop on your tongue, and mouth-watering – stood up to our blood orange margarita. Carnivores: Order the beef empanadas with salsa Yucatan. The two-to-a-plate serving is great  for sharing.

Tunes or noise: Be prepared to shout. Loud music, close quarters, and street noise rule out whispering sweet nothings.

Rating: A good 4 out of 5 olives.

Cabo Flats

• 11701 Lake Victoria Ave., Palm Beach Gardens
• 561-624-0024; www.caboflats.com
  
• Open: Daily from 11:30 until “really late”

Carolyn Susman, a West Palm Beach reporter, covers happy hours in the area, giving the readers at JanNorris.com a look at where to go for great little plates, super sips and mellow music….after 5. Contact her at AfterFive@JanNorris.com