Swanky Chandler venue oozes romantic ambience

By KELLY WILSON
Get Out

The spot: Tomaso's, 7131 W. Ray Road, Chandler

Happy hour: 4 to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday

The vibe: Somehow we picked another date restaurant for happy hour and again, we're with the wrong people (read: family members) to fully enjoy the romantic ambience. Happy hour is offered in the upscale restaurant's bar area where people in their 30s to 60s are sipping wine with appetizers or a main course on an early Friday evening. The restaurant's hot spot? Its beautiful patio which features a fireplace (for when temperatures dip below 60 degrees) and a large fountain. The food deals: Discounted appetizers

The drink deals: $2 domestic bottles, $3.50 well drinks and $5 house wine and premium cocktails

The review: The food is unbelievably good. The only downside is that the portions are too small. The smoked salmon carpaccio ($4.95) — thinly sliced smoked salmon with capers — is divine and bursts with flavor. This is our favorite happy hour appetizer. The herb breaded scallops ($4.95) are lightly breaded, taste delicious and come with a side of bread. The crispy and zesty calamari ($4.25) is the largest appetizer that we order and the best for sharing.

If we find ourselves in Chandler around happy hour time, we may very well return for another order of salmon carpaccio.

The inside scoop: Tomaso's features live entertainment on Saturday nights.

Info: and www.tomasos .com