The bar: Josef's Table

The vibe: There's a bit of Old World Europe located smack-dab in suburban Boca Raton, and it's a grand yet strangely comfortable place, courtesy of chef Josef Shibanetz, formerly of Josef's in Plantation, and co-owner Mel Lechner, a partner in similarly grand Pistache and a longtime fan of Josef's. The bar itself is gorgeously wooden with the kind of built-in cabinets (filled with some interesting liquors) that you'd buy a whole house just to have. The crowd is a mixture of well-dressed older folks dining on the Austrian-Italian house delicacies and Boca-ites having a bite after work. Also, the bar gets the most amazing light (and we don't just say that because it rhymes with "ite" and "bite").

The drink: The Sparkling Orange ($8) is kind of an exotic Manhattan (and Cocktail Culture particularly likes Manhattans!) featuring Solerno Blood Orange liqueur, prosecco and house-made bitters. We've never made our own bitters, and now we don't have to. The result is like a punchy, rich sunset. And it's pretty, too.

Other noteworthy libations: The gin-based Nineteenth Century French 75 ($7), also made with those wonderful bitters and sparkling wine, the Bloody Josef ($10), a winky take on the Bloody Mary, an impressive collection of after-dinner drinks, including some excellent ports and the Remy Martin Louis X Cognac, which starts at $60 for a half-ounce, $240 for 2 ounces and $1,350 a bottle (!). And check out the long, exotic beer list.

Bar bites: We liked absolutely everything, but check out the inventive, Old World-esque Bar Bite menu's melt-in-your-mouth escargot ($11), the grilled calamari ($10), and the veal brats in puff pastry ($7). And if you miss the Apfel Strudel ($8.50) in all of its flaky, creamy goodness, you'll be mad at yourself.

Deals: Daily happy hour is 5 to 6:30 p.m. Bar bites are all $5 per plate, with $4 house wines and micro beers. Well drinks are half-price.

Info: Josef's Table, 5030 Champion Blvd., Boca Raton; (561) 353-2700 .

T H E C O C K T A I L

The Sparkling Orange

3 ounces prosecco

1 ounce Solerno Blood Orange Liqueur

1 splash bitters

Combine all ingredients in a glass. Enjoy!