Happy Hour Goes Seriously Gourmet at Froma on Melrose

Traditionally, Happy Hour hasn't been the best time for gastronomes to find appealing early evening snacks. But at Froma, a small gourmet wine and food shop on Melrose Avenue in the Fairfax district, the Happy Hour menu offers plenty of stellar options.

"We wanted to bring in neighbors by offering them something affordable and good," says Francine Diamond, an owner at Froma and a Canadian-born sommelier. "Happy Hour brings an atmosphere of joy to this place. People get excited and want to stay for more than just one thing."

Brooke Burton

Brooke Burton

From 4 to 7 p.m., Froma features a small bites menu that showcases low-cost gourmet dishes: Parmesan and herb-dusted fries ($3), two-ounce Kobe beef burger sliders with mixed greens ($4), and the La Burrata: burrata cheese, pesto, tapenade, and toast ($6).

While dining, you can pick up a bottle of Yanjing beer for $4 or a glass of Primitivo from Italy ($5), or Prosecco ($5) -- a good paring for the Brushectta Francese, a toasted baguette slathered with a duck and pork rillette ($4). Order La plat de fromage, and Diamond or chef Patty Kim will create a selection cheeses and accoutrements.

During Happy Hour, diners can purchase bottles of wine and the makings for dinner from Froma's well-stocked shelves. Find imported Italian foods: a bag of Umbrian pasta, a can of sweet Pomodorini sauce, and a wedge of Montasio (a fresh, mountain cow's milk cheese).

Froma, 7960 Melrose Ave.; (323) 653-3700.

Brooke Burton is also the author of Foodwoolf.com.