Prosecco Time 

It’s 5:30 and you’re dying to get out of the office after a craptastic day. The last thing you want to do is slog through insane highway traffic and then slave over a hot stove for your dinner. Might we offer a suggestion? Head over to cute and romantic restaurant Blu La Pizzeria del Sole, and pull up one of the outdoor seats on the cobblestone street. Every weekday between 4:00 and 7:00 p.m., it’s Prosecco Time, when you can drink your employment blues away on the cheap.

In case you’re not up to speed on Prosecco, it’s a variety of vino from the Veneto region of Italy. Think fruity, fun, sparkling, and -- at Blu’s price of $3.50 a glass -- affordable. The restaurant also offers lots of other varieties for the same happy-hour price, so if you’re a Riesling kind of dame or a Chianti type of guy, you can have those instead. Not to worry, beer-swilling philistines: Blu has your back too. Two-buck Tuchers, Warsteiners, and Sam Adams will bring a smile to your face as you enjoy your gourmet pizza dinner. There are also five-dollar special appetizers available during these magic hours, and the piadina al prosciutto goes perfectly with an early-evening buzz (trust us). It’s the kind of place you can typically wander up to, but call 305-666-9285 if you’d like to make a reservation. — By BY PATRICE ELIZABETH GRELL YURSIK