While there’s been plenty of accolades for the food at the nearly one-year-old Mío restaurant on Vermont Avenue in McPherson Square — Tom Sietsema gave his meal there a generous two and a half stars, and Washingtonian’s food critic called Executive Chef Stefano Frigerio’s swordfish a “knockout” — it’s gone almost completely under the radar for something else it does remarkably well: happy hour. Mío’s combination of inventive, well-made cocktails and ever-changing menu of delicious, small plates is complemented by a relaxed modern atmosphere that suits both business folks, wheeling and dealing over martinis, and lowly reporters and admins, desperate for a reason to branch out of their usual $3-beer haunts (no offense, Post Pub).

Now, here’s something atypical for a happy hour review — talking about the food first. There is a singular and delectable reason for this: the cone. “The cone” is my affectionate nickname for a buratta-stuffed sweet cone topped with olive tapanade, known to be re-ordered more than once during our own five-o’clock meetings there. The salty mozzarella, aged three-weeks to perfection, is piped into a sweet, wafer-thin cone and topped with savory olives for a contrast of flavors largely unexpected for happy hour fare. “The cone” and a handful of other small plates on the menu of happy hour offerings are just $6 apiece and, so far, nothing has disappointed. Fried, yet grease-less avocado wontons, artichoke and parmesan philo triangles and Mio’s own Mediterranean twist on a chicken satay should also be on your list.