Hy's Steakhouse & Cocktail Bar has an extensive happy hour menu with plenty of drink options, including a daily mocktail selection ($8). And if you’re celebrating something (or just feel like pretending you are), all champagne and sparkling are 40% off! Here’s your excuse to splurge on a magnum of Moët or sip a glass of prosecco for just $10.20.

There are also more than a dozen food options offered at 30% off the listed price. Slightly confusing, yes. If they’re already printing a separate happy hour menu, why not just list the after-discount price? Who wants to do math when enjoying happy hour?

Having skipped Hy’s famous cheese toast ($14.95 reg; $10.47 HH) last time, I was determined to fix that mistake. The starter is exactly what it promises: two thick slices of white bread smothered in cheese and toasted until it’s a glorious greasy, melty situation. It’s good, but I think it’d be even better if it was garlic based.

The staff certainly keep busy, especially with items like the Caesar salad ($27.95 reg; $19.57 HH), which is prepared tableside. Sadly, Hy’s version is one of the most disappointing I’ve had. I appreciated the lightly applied dressing, but it was so flavourless it might as well have been plain oil and lemon. Where are the anchovies and garlic? Heck, even a pinch of salt?

Seasoning consistency is an issue. After such a tame salad their prime beef burger ($31.95 reg; $22.37 HH) swung in the opposite direction - unbelievably salty. Don’t even think about adding ketchup; the mayo alone is more than enough. I eventually removed the patty and ate pieces with the unsalted crispy fries to balance things out. Such a shame, because the thick patty could have been great in handheld form.

Our burgers also likely sat under a heat lamp too long. The plates arrived burning hot, I know because my forearm accidentally touched one. While the heat ensures nothing arrives cold, it also overcooks the beef to well done and makes the burger impossible to hold unless you move it to a side plate and wait it out. And if you want it as a cheeseburger? That’ll set you back another $4.95.

For dessert, the banana foster ($22.95) could use at least one more banana, since the caramelized fruit is the whole point. It’s quickly simmered in butter and brown sugar before being flambéed tableside with a shot of rum. Orange juice puts out the flame and adds a bright finish alongside a big scoop of vanilla ice cream. I didn’t expect to like the citrus, but it actually helps tame the sweetness.

Hy’s makes a classic key lime pie ($17.50) with a graham crust (too hard), a creamy citrus centre, and a generous swirl of whipped cream on top. It’s not mind-blowing, but it’s a satisfying version of the classic.

Their happy hour menu runs weekdays from 3-6pm, weekends from 4-6pm, and daily after 9pm. While not everything landed perfectly, Hy’s still offers one of the better upscale happy hours in Toronto - especially if you love a drink deal. Because who doesn’t want some bubbles to balance off business?