Creative cocktails? Check. Light fare that is a bit more exotic than your standard pub grub? Check. How about indoor and outdoor seating with an upscale, lounge-like feel? Check again. If you’re in the mood for all of the above, then you’ll definitely want to head to Nine on Washington between 3^rd and 4^th.

Cleverly named after the sum of the digits in its address (333 Washington St.), Nine is a self-proclaimed tapas lounge and martini bar. With specialty drinks like pineapple and passion fruit mojitos, grapetinis, and cucumber ginger cocktails alongside Caribbean Asian fusion fare like scallop and chorizo skewers, crispy coconut shrimp, and chicken and jalapeno croquettes, Nine is like the sophisticated older sister of all the beer-and-burger bars on Washington.

 But while Nine’s atmosphere may be on the trendy side, its prices are not. Most tapas items are $12 or under, and most specialty drinks are $10. Plus, all margaritas are half-price Tuesday through Friday from 5 to 10 p.m.

 Here are some of my favorites from a recent visit:

• Chicken Satay with spicy peanut sauce
• Vegetable dumplings with sweet ponzu sauce
• Avocado spring rolls with a tangy dipping sauce
• Cadillac margaritas with Grand Marnier and orange juice

Enjoy.
@The Boken

Guest writer: Kristen Depken