Happy Hour Pre-Game

So, say you're heading downtown to see the PAC-10 Tourney tonight and you want to go out to eat before the game - but you just don't want to spend a fortune. In the past your options within walking distance of Staples were pretty limited and pretty expensive (The Palm, Engine Co 28, etc...)

But thanks to the wonderfulness that is LA Live you've now got more options to stuff your face and damage your liver before the game.

Granted, most of these places are pretty pricey during normal L.A. dinner time (7/8pm), BUT you and your amigos have gotta eat early anyway (since the game starts at 8pm) so YOU, my friend, can take advantage of Happy Hour pricing. And, as we know with LALive/Staples, saving every penny counts when you know you're in it for $20 parking and a $10 beer inside the arena.

Below is a list of Happy Hours at LALive - so you can get nicely full and toasted before you head over to Staples. The pre-game drinking will definitely make you a better fan, and if you're a Trojan - the drinking will make you a better heckler for those damned Bruins... 


THE FARM (M-F, 4 - 7pm)
Daily Drink Specials During Happy Hour

* M:$5 Martinis

* T:$4 Specialty Cocktails

* W:$3 House Wine

* TH: $2 Well Drinks

* F: $1 PBR

ROCK'N FISH (M-F, 3 – 6pm & 9pm - Close)

* $5 Cocktails

* $5 Wines

* $2-OFF Draughts

* $5-OFF  Select menu of Appetizers

YARDHOUSE (M-F, 3 - 6pm / Sun - Wed, 10pm - Close)

*  $3.50 Domestic Pints, $4.00 Craft/Import Pints, $4.50 Goblets

* $4.25 Well Drinks

* $5.75 House Martinis

* $2.00-off Wine by the Glass

* Select half-priced appetizers and pizzas

* $6.50 Sliders

ESPN ZONE (M-F, 4 - 7pm)

* Free Appetizers with Full-Priced Beverage Purchase (At select bars within ESPNZone)
* 1/2 Priced Appetizers (at all other bars within ESPNZone)

FLEMMING'S (M-Sun, 4 - 6pm)

“5-6-7” Bar Menu

* $6 Premium Cocktails (Five Options to Chose From)

* $6 $6 Appetizers 

* $6 Premium Bacon Burger

* $3 Stella Artois Lager

ROSA MEXICANO (M-F, 5 - 6:30pm)

* $5 Beers
* $5 Margaritas
* 1/2 Off Select Appetizers

KATSUYA (M-F, 4 - 5pm)

Special Happy Hour Menu at Bar Only
* $7 Cocktails
* $5 Hot Sake Carafe
* $5 Well Drinks
* $5 Rolls, Sushi, Rock Shrimp Tempura, and Crispy Rice

TRADER VIC'S (M-F, 3 - 6pm)

* $3-Off over 70 world famous cocktails

* $4 Beers

* $5 Ocean Vodka, Bacardi Rum

* $5 Select wines

* $5 Food Items

WOLFGANG PUCK

* NO HAPPY HOUR – LAME!!!!!!

High End Happy Hour

If you feel like swanking it up this week, check out the happy hour specials at Nobu on La Cienega.  Nobu's miso cod is probably one of my favorite dishes and to be able to get it at a discount makes it that much better. AND, the Nobu happy hour is offered from 6p-9p so no driving like a maniac in LA traffic just to make it there in time!

Here are the details - $6 wine, $7 mixed drinks and $10 speciality cocktails.  Plus a fairly decent sized list of cold and hot plates for anywhere between $7 and $12.  My picks (besides the miso cod of course): rock shrimp tempura, waygu tacos, and yellowfin tuna tataki.  A good place to head with a small group and share an assortment of plates.

The happy hour is only in the bar/lounge area up front but there are a good number of little lounge tables and I have never seen this happy hour super packes so seating shouldn't be a problem.  It is definitely not the cheapest happy hour around but for great quality food and swanky decor, it is a pretty good deal.

Also a great place to star watch if you are as celeb-obsessed as I am, I think I have seen a celebrity everytime I have been to this place.

Nobu. 930 N La Cienega. www.noburestaurants.com/losangeles

Come Join Us!

Always wanted to meet V&K but can never seem to track down where we’ll be on any given night? (We like to stay mysterious like that…)

Or maybe you already know us, and thus know we are incredibly fun to drink with and that any night out with us is bound to be an adventure…

Either way: come drink with us tomorrow, we’ll be at EAST in Hollywood for their big ‘ol Socialite Happy Hour party!

We went here once before for a girl’s night/dinner, and while the normal menu wasn’t terribly overpriced, we are 10x as excited to return now that we know about their happy hour specials.

Here’s the details: 

EAST’s 5-6-7-8 HAPPY HOUR

(eerily similar name to the Street happy hour…)

$5 Valet Parking

$6 Specialty Drinks

$7 Menu Items

Nightly, 5pm – 8pm

Gotta love that Happy Hour lasts ‘til 8pm. Late happy hours mean we don’t have to leave early from work (thus making less money) just so we can save money on our drinking and eating habits.

If you do decide to join us in tomorrow night’s debauchery here’s a little tip: check out www.socialbuy.com/losangeles for a special discount coupon on drinks at EAST. Just $7 will get you $15 dollas worth of drinks tomorrow night. 

If you can’t make it tomorrow, don’t worry, you can still use the discount coupon all the way up to Mar. 10th 2011. But we gotta warn you - it won’t be as fun without us…

To all creepsters and stalkers: please disregard this invitation. We don’t want to  meet you. Please stay away. We tend to travel with a large entourage of really strong dudes who will beat you up at our beck and call... well maybe they arn't really strong.. but they are definitely dudes... we think...

I'll Have One of Everything!

Tapas are one of the best food concepts in the world. 

Tons of little plates of food, enabling one to sample a breadth of options from the chef – genius.

The Spaniards sure are smart (dude, they get to take siestas every day!)

  

When we feel like enjoying this smorgasbord of eats we like to hit up Tasca on 3^rd street. Yes, this place isn’t cheap, however there’s a pricing loophole that we like to take advantage of and it's called Happy Hour (duh.)

Tapas at Tasca are usually around $6 - $16 per plate (with full sized entrees available for around $25/ea), but during Happy Hour there is a special menu of dishes and drinks from $2.50 - $5.00/ea (including $3 Sangria – Yum!)

Best part of all this: Tasca serves their Happy Hour menu ALL NIGHT on Mondays.... I.E. Tonight... I.E. Call right now and make a reservation so you can enjoy this delicious, and discounted, food with some delicious, and discounted, wine or sangria.

Quick note: some friends went here on a rainy night last month and apparently Happy Hour is only available at the bar and on the patio – but if its raining, Happy Hour is JUST at the bar. Our recommendation: wait ‘til the weather is nice (like today) so you can ensure yourself a Happy Hour seat.

Tasca Restaurant and Wine Bar

8108 W. 3rd Street

323.951.9890

Happy Hour: 

Monday: 5:30pm - 10:30pm

Tuesday - Friday 5:30pm - 7:30pm

Parking: Valet or 3rd Street Meters

ONE DOLLAR WINE!!!

Never before have we seen such a generous Happy Hour offer on wine as this one. We feel spoiled by the opportunity to purchase $4.50 wine at Oak Fire, and gleeful when we learned of $4 wine at The Upper West, but nothing tops this one:

Starting tonight, Fraiche in Santa Monica introduces their Lounge Series. For one short hour, from 6:30pm-7:30pm, Fraiche will ‘pump up the vibe’ (my phrase, not theirs) with a live DJ while offering $1 drafts and $1 glasses of Red or White Bordeaux. Yes, ONE DOLLAR.

Holy crap I just fainted.

On top of their Lounge Series, Fraiche also offers a ‘Gourmet Hour’ from 5:30pm – 6:30pm. The Gourmet Hour menu includes tastey food items (like $5 Meatball Sliders, $4 Arancini),  as well as $4 Cocktails, $4 Wine, and $3 Beers.

So basically you should show up at 5:30pm to drink and eat for cheap-ish, and then continue to drink for NEXT TO FREE from 6:30-7:30pm while you listen to some ‘hot beats’ (again my phrase, not theirs.)

Pretty sure you could leave spending less than $20 and still consume TONS of wine.

Fraiche - Santa Monica

312 Wilshire Blvd

310.451.7482

Gourmet Hour (Mon-Sun): 5:30pm-6:30pm

Lounge Series: 6:30pm-7:30pm

Note: Gourmet Hour also available, Mon- Sun, at Fraiche Culver City

Hump Day Steak Special!

BLT Birthday Event

Love steak and looking for something to do tonight? Head to BLT on Sunset (how very swank of you), to join in their birthday celebration!

Tonight, in honor of the birthday/anniversary of the original BLT in NY, the steakhouse has amazing deals on drinks, sides, dessert, and most importantly on their steaks.  Cocktails/sides/dessert are all $3.03 and steaks/entrees are $33.03.  Now that if that isn't a finer thing deal then I don't know what is.

According to the restaurant reservations are HIGHLY recommended so make your call now.

And if you can't make it tonight, BLT also has a great happy hour nightly from 5-7pm featuring $5 cocktails, appetizers, beer and wine.

BLT Steak. 8720 Sunset Boulevard. (310) 360-1950. http://www.bltsteak.com/

Classy Cocktails

The Varnish 1 Yr Anniversary

There seems to be a lot of buzz in the last year around mixologists – fancy pants bartenders who make amazing cocktails. Mixologists aren’t serving up your standard vodka sodas and jack and cokes, they take bartending to a whole new level and have perfected the art of the cocktail, layering many ingredients and flavors.

There are many spots around town to try some of these cocktail creations including the Roger Room, Seven Grand, the Tar Pit and The Association to name a few. And tonight, one of the best, the Varnish, celebrates it’s one year anniversary.

Now, I’m not usually a fan of overpriced cocktails that have flowers and weird ingredients floating around in them, but the Varnish is worth checking out. Especially tonight, since they will have free Beefeater punch and baked goodies from newly opened Babycakes.

The party starts at 7pm tonight and they will have live jazz music as well. So if you find yourself downtown or looking for something to do tonight, head over!

The Varnish. (located behind Cole’s).118 E 6th St. (213) 622-9999. http://www.thevarnishbar.com/

We Put the 'ASS' in Class

I love the combination of fine cheese and champagne. Something about spending time with a friend, enjoying a great cheese plate with a glass of Veuve Cliquot, makes me so infinitely happy.

Wine, Cheese, and Tapenade at Froma (From SquidInk)

 

Unfortunately this love of mine is rather expensive. I've tried to imitate it at home and, though the Champange is far less expensive this way, you lose the economies of scale on the cheese that the restaurant can offer. You also lose the ambiance and the people watching. It's just not as special when you're enjoying a brick of cheese while watching Horatio take on and off his sunglasses on CSI Miami. 

However, during an amazing walk through WeHo on Sunday afternoon I found the perfect solution to this expensive habit of mine: Froma. 

Froma is a tiny gourmet market on Melrose. They sell all sorts of tapenades, olive oils, wines, etc...  They also have a handful of bar seats (maybe seven total) for you to sit at and enjoy their menu of salads, sandwiches, and delicious gourmet bites.

I've been to here once before for lunch and it was delicious, though I'd say a little pricey for a salad. But I've been enticed to return as they are now offering a key element of the FinerThingsLA bible: Happy Hour. 

During typical hours of happiness (4-7pm) Froma has a small menu of gourmet bites. Items include parmesan & herb-dusted fries ($3), 2oz Kobe beef burger sliders with mixed greens ($4), and the La Burrata: a gourmet plate that includes burrata cheese, pesto, tapenade, and toast ($6). They also have a menu of fine wines ($5 Glass), Proseco ($5 Glass), and Yanjing Beer ($4 Glass). Yum Yum Yum.

La Burrata + Proseco ($11 total) is definitely a worthy replacement for my typically expensive cheese plate + Veuve.

So suck it up for an evening, put away the flask, and enjoy a gourmet Happy Hour for once. It won't break the bank and you'll feel so much classier (even if you do end up down the street at the Snake Pit at the end of the night).  While you're there please don't drink too much and make a bad name for FinerThingsLA - that is not a CLASSY thing to do and, as you know, we here at FinerThingsLA are all about class.

Froma on Melrose

7960 Melrose Av. Los Angeles, CA 90046
Open Monday-Saturday 9AM to 9PM / Sundays 10AM to 7PM

Happy Hour: 4pm - 7pm Daily

"Where everybody knows your name"

Our group of friends has always wanted a place like MacLaren’s on How I Met Your Mother (or as we more familiarly call it – Himym). For those who are old as dirt and don’t get the Himym reference – think Cheers. 

How I Met Your Mother

In a perfect world we’d all live in the same building and all meet downstairs at the local bar, nightly. But alas we are spread across the city and all have different spots we like to haunt – most of which are close to our own apartments so we don’t have to worry about DUIs.

But when we all do meet up on weeknights for a drink – we almost always go to Oak Fire Pizza.

We each have our own reasons for loving the place: V and I love their happy hour (50% off pizzas, apps, beers, wines, mixed drinks) and consider it one of the best deals in town. Our buddy Drew (who’s birthday is today!) loves it because one of the hostesses mercilessly flirts with him. My guy Mike likes it because there are lots of flat screens and they are always tuned into sports. For those of us who live in WeHo - we love it because can walk/stumble home after dinner.

Long story short – it’s our meeting place.

So if you’re looking for a great happy hour spot after work come join us at Oak Fire. We’ll even be there tonight for Drew’s Bday – just look for the rowdy group that’s disproportionately male.

Cheers!

Oak Fire Pizza (Formerly Stone Fire Pizza)

829 North La Cienega Boulevard

Happy Hour: 4pm - 7pm

Recommended Pizzas: Four Seasons, No-Name, Perfect Pie, Chicken Pesto

VandK’s Sausage-Fest Adventure at Big Wangs

Somehow, and I still don’t know how, we got conned into going to the new BigWangs downtown on Saturday night. While others were enjoying the delicious foods (and long lines) of LAFoodFest, we were enjoying beer and mediocre bar food with our usual crowd. This 'usual crowd' tends to consist of V, about 12 dudes, and me… i.e. a sausage fest.

The beers were good (and in some cases gigantic). The chicken-wrap-thing I ordered was a 4/10. The sampler platter was typical bar food so I’ll give it a 7/10. The wings, however, were a big hit with the guys (see a trend here with these guys?) The Rochester sauce, and the fact that the wings were actually boneless (and thus less wings than they were balls of chicken meat), was a crowd pleaser that night. 

Note: Keeping our guys happy is important, as it means we have leverage the next time we want to try out a ‘less than manly’ new establishment in the future.

However I wasn’t totally sold on Big Wangs until I ventured into the bathroom. There upon the wall, framed above the sink, was a sign showing the happy hour specials… And they are great:  

Oh how easily we are swayed by Happy Hour deals….

Plus, because of the crowd we roll with, I’m pretty sure we will have no choice but to return here in the future. At least now we’ll know what times to go so we can save some moolah!

Seriously Good Cheap Eats.

...like seriously.


If you are looking for quality Mexican food on the cheap, you must go to El Carmen in West Hollywood. El Carmen has long been a favorite of ours and everything on the menu is $10 and under. Including drinks! In fact, the only item that actually makes it up to a $10 price point are their margaritas.

AND they have a daily happy hour, which makes this place even more affordable if that is even possible. Food and drink specials that bring you down to the under $5 range – can’t beat that. Their happy hour includes $4 margaritas, $3 Tecate, and snacks like quesadillas and ceviche for $4.

El Carmen specializes in different types of tequila that you can taste in one of their tequila flights (which start at 4 tastes, these flights will however put you above the $10 range).  They also have some not-so-standard margarita flavors like ginger cilantro and a spicy margarita made with jalapenos (kinda scared of that one).

The decor here is not to miss either- think Nacho Libre - but in a cool way, not in a Jack Black kind of way (nothing against the guy, I happen to love School of Rock) - with Mexican wrestling paraphernalia adorning the walls.

All in all, it is a great place to head to that won't break the bank but will get you blackout.  Just a warning, the place is tiny so don't show up in a large group and try and get their early - especially if you are looking to catch the happy hour.

El Carmen. 8138 West 3rd Street.(323) 852.1552

Monday Night Specials!

It's Monday, back to the daily grind. Especially hard after a weekend in Vegas. Sigh. At least there are a few specials around town to help you forget that there are still 4 more work days left to go.

If you are in the Hollywood area, head to Geisha House on Mondays - all food is 50% off. I know Katsuya opening in Hollywood has kind of stolen Geisha's thunder, but the food here is still just as good as ever. And at 50% off it will taste even better. The black cod in miso is amazing, as is the miso glazed rock shrimp. I think I just really like miso glaze. Call ahead to make a reservation and remember the discount is only applied to food.


If you find yourself in Beverly Hills, Nic's Martini Lounge has a Monday night special as well. They extend their happy hour today to last all night. The happy hour includes $7 martinis and appetizers, or a $21 3-course meal. The entrees for the meal rotate weekly but some of the menu items featured are western fried chicken (yum!) and shrimp scampi. You can call ahead for details on this week's menu and should call to make reservations.



Geisha House. 6633 Hollywood Boulevard. (323) 460.6300
Nic's Martini Lounge. 453 North Canon Drive. (310) 550.5707

Hump Day Happy Hour!

Now that the LOST premiere is finally past us (thoughts anyone? I was just happy to get to see Jack's scruffy face again), we can get back to our weekday boozing schedule.

If you are looking for a fun happy hour to try tonight, head to Tinto's in West Hollywood for $5 tapas.  The deal is actually Monday-Wednesday so it is not hump day specific but it will the the last day to catch it this week. 

They have a selection of tapas for $5 and $6 glasses of sangria.  The place is usually on the pricier side so this is a great bargain especially if going with a group of friends, you can order an assortment of tapas and share (that's what tapas are meant for anyways right?).  Their $5 tapas last from 5pm - 11pm so you don't have to rush there right after work which is also a plus.

Just 2 more days to Friday!

Tinto Tapas. 7511 Santa Monica Blvd. (323) 512.3095

Super Bowl: Super Specials

Go Saints!

With the Super Bowl coming up (Yay Reggie!), it is only appropriate that we include a post on some great Super Bowl events around town. You can head to the regular sports bar spots (Cabo, Q's, Barney's, Busby's) where I'm sure they will have drink specials or take a trip to Culver City for some great deals at Rush Street and Gyenari.

Rush Street has always been a favorite of ours, really great burgers and nice atmosphere.  For Super Bowl Sunday, Rush St has a special Super Bowl menu and drink specials all day (including $4 draft beer).  They will also have kareoke and the best part, a beer pong tourney after the game is over (so you can relive your college glory days...then again who am I kidding, we've been out of college for 3 years and still play beer pong). Rush St is equipped with 10 TVs and will have the sound on throughout the restaurant so you won't miss a thing. The place will probably get crowded so call ahead to make your reservation!

If Rush St is too packed you can also walk next door (or maybe its a couple doors down), to Gyenari. Gyenari is not your typical sports bar but they will be having a Super Happy Hour in honor of Sunday's big game.  In their lounge, Gyenari will have $10 Korean BBQ special (YUM), and $2 bottles of Hite.  They will be showing the game on the plasmas in the lounge as well as on a 100 inch screen in the dining room.

If you know of any other great Super Bowl specials, feel free to leave us your comments!

Rush Street. 9546 Washington Boulevard. (310) 837.9456
Gyenari. 9540 Washington Boulevard. (310) 838.3131

$4.99 Pitchers - 'Nuf Said

My brother went to Washington State University – a school in the middle of nowhere: Pullman, Washington. Because of its rural locale things are cheap in Pullman. I’ve heard outrageous stories from the bro of $2 beers and $3 pitchers being sold at Denny’s (yes Denny’s!). Unfortunately to take advantage of these amazing prices you must live in Pullman. Not worth the trade off.

Los Angeles is far more expensive - $4 beers are a steal in this city.  But I'll let you in on a little secret: it is possible (I swear) to drink like a WSU undergrad in Los Angeles.

Where you ask?: Gyu Kaku's Happy Hour. During these 7.5 joyous hours (exact hrs. vary by location) pitchers are $4.99 each. Single beers are $.99/ea and there’s a menu of tasty food at Happy Hour prices ($1.99 - $4.99 per item for plates of marinated and ready-to-cook meats and veggies.)

When we went last week we were so impressed by the cheapness of the pitchers that we immediately ordered three pitchers for the four of us to share. Hey, it was 6:15pm so we were in a rush to get orders in and three pitchers was still only the price of one drink at XIV. As it turns out the pitchers were bigger than expected and our eyes were bigger than our livers so we ended up canceling one of the pitchers before it came out. Either way, 2 pitchers of beer, 2 large hot sakes, 4 miso soupss, and 12 plates of food later we had had our fill of food and booze and left sated and happy (at around $25/pp total.) 

Gyu Kaku has locations all over but the one we hit up on Friday was on Pico, near Westside Pavillion. The hours of happiness vary by location but the one on Pico has happy hour from 12pm – 6:30pm, and then again from 9:30pm – 10:30pm (M-Th, its 10:30pm – 11:30pm on F/Sat). If you're not familiar with their set-up (and thus grossed out that I mentioned above ordering uncooked meat), Gyu Kaku is a Japanese BBQ spot that brings you the marinated meats and veggies and then you cook your own food at your table over a little grill.  So now ya know. 

Check out their website for each location’s hours and pricing. 

http://www.gyu-kaku.com/ca/index.htm

Just another manic Monday..

To help you get over your case of the Mondays, head to La Boheme in West Hollywood for their Monday Wine Bar.  Every Monday from 6:30-9:00pm on the patio, they will offer a selection of wines paired with appetizers.

It is $20/person, but they do have a special if you have a party of 4, with 3 paying patrons the 4th gets the whole deal for free.  But to take advantage of that you must make a reservation ahead of time for your group.

In addition on Mondays, La Boheme has half off all bottles of wine and they will waive a corkage fee if you are dining in the restaurant. They also have a great happy hour nightly, from 5:30-7:00 ($4-$5 beer and wine + half off selection of sandwhiches and appetizers).


La Boheme. 8400 Santa Monica Blvd. (323) 848-2360.

Hump Day Specials!

Burger Bargains

TGIW? Just 2 more days left until Friday...and 6 more days left until the premiere of LOST.  I know that is irrelevant to this blog but I can't wait.  If you don't feel like watching the State of the Union tonight, there are some great burger and beer specials around town.

Kings Road Cafe in West Hollywood has $10 burger and beer night, where you get your choice of a regular, veggie or salmon burger + a glass of the beer on tap. Pretty good deal considering it's hard enough to find a $10 beer in West Hollywood.  They also feature live music on Wednesdays.  Be warned you might have to wait a bit, it is a small place and fills up quickly.  Not good for large groups.

If you find yourself in Echo Park there is a $5 burger special at The Park restaurant. The Park offers a 6 oz sirloin burger or a veggie burger, no beer included sadly, but you do get a choice of a side along with your meal.  For $5 that beats the Big Carl (also known as the Hot Carl haha) combo at Carl's Jr so you really can't complain.

Lastly, this isn't really a special but you can order a burger so I think it counts? Every Wednesday night at 7pm and 9pm is Bingo night at Hamburger Mary's in West Hollywood.  Hosted by Bingo boy and his drag queens, so if you don't play for the other team make sure you are secure enough in your manhood to attend.  $20 for ten games, all proceeds go to charity.

Kings Road Cafe. 8361 Beverly Boulevard. (323) 655.9044
The Park. 1400 Sunset Blvd. (213) 482.9209
Hamburger Mary's. 8288 Santa Monica Blvd. (323) 654.3800

Arriba, Abajo....

....you will end up Borracho

New Happy Hour spot!  Opening today (soft opening, I believe), is a new restaurant/bar on Sunset: Borracho Cantina.  It is located closer to sunset plaza, near Ketchup, in the spot formerly occupied by Tony's Steakhouse.

Borracho literally means drunk in espanol, and I am already sold on this place for that fact alone.

They have daily happy hours from 3-6pm AND a late night happy hour again from 10pm-1am.  A perfect spot to grab a late bite and drink before heading out around the Sunset area. The menu sounds like a new twist on classic Mexican favorites, including pomegranate guacamole with queso fresco (how good does that sound?). And if you are in the mood to watch Mark Sanchez in all his glory this weekend, they have 10 tvs on the patio so is a good place to catch the game as well.


Borracho Cantina.  8570 W Sunset Blvd. (310) 289 8809. www.borrachocantina.com

Friday Feature: Bottomless Mimosa Guide

TGIF, we have made it through another week! Although nursing a hangover is making it difficult for me to even think about a mimosa, let alone BOTTOMLESS mimosas, I must go on.

This week's bottomless mimosa pick is Rockwell in Silverlake....for the hipster in all of us. Make sure to wear plaid or the waiter will spit in your food.  On Sundays they have "Rehab Brunch" from 10a-3p, with bottomless mimosas for $15/person with purchase of an entree. And the food here sounds amazing (lemon ricotta pancakes, creme brulee french toast...yum!).

The Rockwell is located in the back of the Vermont restaurant, and is open air and the perfect place to enjoy a lazy Sunday morning.  There is a tree in the middle of the bar which is kind of cool. And they have a DJ as well, which is an added plus.

It is also a good place to check out for Happy Hour, weekdays from 5-8p and a Saturday happy hour from 4-6p.



Rockwell VT, 1714 N Vermont Ave. www.rockwellvt.com

Ichi Ni Son...

Sake Sake Bomb!

I am a little hesitant posting this, but only because I love this place and seeing as there is already a long wait for tables, I'd rather not be forced to wait any longer by letting all of you in on this spot. 

If you like sushi and more importantly if you love sake, then Hara's sushi place on the Westside is a must-go. Hara's has a daily happy hour from 4:30-9:30 (so you are not rushing to get there by 6 or 7 like most happy hour spots), during which the sushi and all sake and beer are half off; and since their booze prices are already cheap to begin with, during happy hour they are practically giving it away. The sushi is good as well, it's no Katsuya but for the price you can't beat it.

Just be warned, the place is tiny and the tables are packed right next to each other. So if your group indulges in a little too much sake you might be getting dirty looks from the table seated 2 inches away (which happens to us frequently - but seriously, who comes there to eat a quiet sushi dinner when you can get sake for pennies??)

And another tip, the place is always crowded, and they do not take reservations, so I would recommend getting their early or dropping a friend off to put your name on the board. The waiter that mans the seating board is not easily bribed as we have found from experience. And try not to arrive with too large of a group or you will never be seated.

Hara Sushi.  12222 Wilshire. http://www.harasushi.com/