I love Basso Cafe Restaurant Bar in Norwalk, Connecticut. I like hanging out at bars, with no screens to distract you. Here, the lighting is low and because it's small, chatting with bartender Jeff Hodson couldn't be nicer. We shoot the breeze about everything - from bourbon, gin and vodka brands to botanicals, savory cocktails and how his homemade ginger beer is doing. He lists cocktailsI have never even heard of. Occasionally he will let me sample his latest creation before adding it to the menu.

I visited last week and Jeff was working on Valentine's drinks. I personally struggle with fruity concoctions but said nothing. I didn't need too, he read my body language and swiftly replaced my French Kiss with a classic, strong and excellent Manhattan. When I want to drink booze, I want to taste it.

So, despite being 42 years old and loving to drink cocktails, I still can't make a decent one. Thank goodness for places like Basso!

Basso Cafe Restaurant and Bar serves happy hour food and drinks - (the Mediterranean food is exceptional) - Tuesday to Friday from 11am -12pm and 4-6pm. Everything on the menu is under $10. Sometimes owner / Chef Renato Donzelli will join us at the bar, and we chat about food and Latin influences.

Fun, exceptional value and consistently good.

Basso Cafe, 124 New Canaan Avenue, Norwalk, Connecticut / 203 354 6566

http://www.bassobistrocafe.com/Menu

Jeff Hodson - Chili Crush