Scrumptious plates and cool cocktails, courtesy of the classiest steakhouse in town.

Wearing a shirt and tie? Shirt with no tie? Tie with no shirt? All but the last will get you into one of the swankiest happy hours in town at The Metropolitan Grill — where the atmosphere is rich, but the food and drink are whatever you want it to be. Of course, pants are preferred and shoes required.

The Met is regarded by many as the best steakhouse in the city, and their happy hour is a perfect opportunity to get a taste of the place before sitting down for a full-fledged experience. It’s easy to be intimidated by the photos of celebrity guests — and knocked unconscious by all the Murphy’s Wood Oil.

Must-Have Grub: For many selections, three is the magic number: three items (like beef dip sandwiches with au jus, beer-broiled prawns or raw oyster shooters) for $3. The rest of the menu is $6 a plate, including bacon-wrapped tenderloin skewers and the killer Works Burger with cheddar, Swiss, caramelized onions and thousand island.

Must-Have Libations:  To order food there’s a one drink minimum. For $13, you can feel like James Bond and sip on a Vesper (Hendricks Gin, Chopin Vodka and a touch of Lillet) — or emulate his lifelong enemy with a Dirty Russian (Standard Russian Vodka, olive juice and blue cheese-stuffed olives). I chose the Stone Sour (Kentucky Whisky, sour mix and OJ, on the rocks with an orange twist) to help with my burger.

Happy Times: Monday to Friday, 3 — 6 p.m.

The Metropolitan Grill  |  820 2nd Ave., Seattle  |  (206) 624-3287