Happy Hour at Darkalino's in Pioneer Square

November 19, 2023

Happy Hour at Darkalino's in Pioneer Square

We recently dined at Darkalino's, an Italian spot in Pioneer Square that's perfect for happy hour. They have a daily happy hour from 2-5! They're located in the former London Plane, a large and bright open space, with an upstairs area that also has tables. Darkalino's vibe is casual, but with upscale pasta and sides. There's also a sporty feel, since they have a big screen tv playing sports and even a wall with athletic shoes for sale.

If you love pairing a fruity Spritz with your Italian eats, then you're in luck at this joint. The happy hour menu has a $10 Darkalino's Spritz which has Prosecco, Aperol, Blood Orange, and soda. This was my pick, and I drank it with some Ragu pasta, which I shared with my husband.

Ragu pasta has beef and lamb with Rigatoni pasta. The pasta was cooked Al dente, so it was on the harder side, but I enjoyed it. The sauce looked underwhelming, but was a little spicy, which I didn't expect but I loved. Overall, the dish was warm and hearty, and the parmesan cheese on top gave it even more flavor.

We also shared the Goat Cheese which came with a pear mostarda, burnt honey, chili oil, and basil. The goat cheese was a light, whipped and creamy spread. The other elements made the cheese a little spicy and it was packed with flavor. It came with Focaccia bread, which we spread on top and dipped into the creamy cheese dish. My husband had a Dark Marg and we also shared a Nuovo Fashioned, Darlalino's take on an Old Fashioned.

Their prices are steep, even the happy hour prices. The servings aren't that big either, for the price. We came in for a very early dinner, and so we were happy sharing a dish and an appetizer. This would be a great spot to stop before a game or concert at Lumen Field or T-Mobile Park, which are just down the street.