The Early Bird Gets the Tequila Worm

There was a time when going out to dinner at 5 p.m. was a practice reserved solely for Metamucil-swillin’, golden-age types. But them tides are changing, folks – today’s hip diners are taking the tables back from the Q-Tips. Why? First off, eating early is healthier: Nine out of ten New Times staffers agree that an early dinner is better since eating late lends to pack on pounds. Second, it’s much more fun. That tenth New Times-er? He eats dinner at happy hour too, but because it gives him more time to drink in excess (he has problems, frankly). The good news is, whether you fall into category A, category B, or a little of both, you’re in luck, because Rosa Mexicano’s (11701 Lake Victoria Gardens Ave., Palm Beach) Dinner at Dusk is an early bird’s dream.

Each night from 5 to 6:30 p.m., the upscale, Mexican eatery will offer a select prix-fixe menu featuring goodies such as flautas de pollo with salsa pasilla de Oaxaca, salmon en manchamanteles (a tropical fruit mole), and tacos de pescado (grilled, daily-caught white fish served with red bean-chorizo chili and fresh corn tortillas). Dinner includes those mains and more plus a starter for just $17.99 per person. And to satisfy the liquid-seeking contingent, Rosa still offers its Noches Calientes happy hour – with half-priced pomegranate margaritas and sangrias, plus $3 beers – weekdays from 5 to 7 p.m. in the bar and lounge. Call 561-625-3120, or visit www.rosamexicano.com.
Mondays-Fridays, 2008