Skip to main content2138 SE Division St., 517-0808, baravignon.com.
[WELL SUITED] Sometimes I like to imagine myself wearing a pantsuit and having a job that pays well enough to regularly order $20 entrees on a random Tuesday night. If this version of myself ever comes to life, you'll find me dining in this cozy open-kitchen wine bar. Bar Avignon's extensive list makes it easy to follow the motto on the back of the servers' T-shirts: "I will not drink bad wine." For those who have not yet achieved the pantsuit fantasy, I'd suggest going during happy hour. From 5 to 6 pm Monday through Friday, you can get a select number of wines and cocktails for $5 ($2 off the regular price) and half-orders of food for less than half the price. The menu items rotate daily, but there's usually a $7 mussels option with a white wine cream broth that will make you wish you had more than two pieces of garlic toast to sop it up with. The vegetarian option is a red pepper fettuccine ($18) with smoked mushrooms, corn and zucchini. Order dessert: Even if you're not in suit pants or a pantsuit, the market berry shortcake (a buttery creamy goodness) will make you feel all the richer.
Ideal meal: Go during happy hour and order the soup of the day ($4) with a half-order of mussels ($7).
Best deal: The "for sharing—or not" section of the menu has bigger helpings without the prices that go along with the entrees.
Pro Tip: Some of the veggies on the menu come from Broken Fence Farm, a nearby garden where restaurant staffers grow the food they serve.
5-10 pm Monday-Thursday, 5 pm-midnight Friday-Saturday, 5-9 pm Sunday. $$$.
WWeek 2015