Our (happy) hour of need
Picks that will keep your tummy full and your wallet pleased
By Lisa Snider 03/06/2008
I once had an employer who was a faithful observer of Friday happy hour and expected all of his minions to follow suit. When the lemon drop shooters were lined up at my inaugural TGIF as the new girl, the boss cheered, “Bottoms up!” So, eager to oblige, I grabbed the closest one and shot it back … and swallowed the lemon, too. My friend still remembers me turning blue. I haven’t been fond of lemon drops since. But I am fond of a good value, particularly when it comes to the after work food and drink scene. This list spans the county in search of good, cheap bar grub and beverages that won’t obliterate your paycheck.
Regal’s in Ojai puts their own spin on happy hour every Tuesday and Friday. On Tuesday nights from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m., customers get to taste 10 different wines for only $5.
On Fridays they ramp it up, and from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., they feature $4 drafts from their 12 taps of handcrafted brews, $5 pizzas and hot soft pretzels, 2 for 1 wine tastings and no corkage fee on any of their 1,000 bottles of wine in the store. Owner Joby Yobe summed it up well when he said, “I think this is a happy hour that makes us unique!”
Regal's Wine & Spirits, 655 E. Ojai Ave., 646-1700, www.regalswine.com
At the swanky Brooks in Downtown Ventura they’re all about old-school. “We’re bringing back the old cocktails from the 50s and 60s.” manager Joe Elford said. Every Tuesday through Friday from 5 to 6:30 p.m., Brooks offers well drinks for $6, including traditional favorites such as the Manhattan and the Tom Collins. Small plates are $6 to $8 and include tempura fish and chips or crispy beef ravioli.
Brooks, 545 E. Thompson Blvd., 652-7070, www.restaurantbrooks.com
Free food is the draw at Pirates in Oxnard, with the purchase of two drinks, that is. But the drinks are cheap! Drafts and domestic bottled beer are $3, well drinks are $4.25 and on Tuesdays, Coronas are just $2. During happy hour, which runs Monday through Friday from 4 to 7 p.m., the complimentary food offerings may include tacos, chicken wings, or hot dogs and chili. If that doesn’t do it for you, the appetizer menu is half price.
Pirates Grub & Grog, 2450 S. Victoria Ave., 984-0046
The faithful followers of Ric’s in Camarillo know they’ve got a good thing going Monday through Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. Well drinks, house wine and bottled beer are $4 and draft beer is $3. Drink specials run $5 and include apple and lemon drop martinis, as well as their most popular cocktail, the Ric's Specialty Martini, made with vodka infused with locally grown strawberries. Appetizers, including crispy coconut chicken and jalapeño onion strips, are half price.
Ric’s Restaurant and Sports Lounge, 2500 Las Posas Road, 389-9919, www.ricsrestaurant.com
Mall shoppers and area nine-to-fivers can indulge at Dakota’s in Simi Valley from 2 to 6 p.m. any day of the week. Bar specials include $3 domestic bottled beer, $4 drafts and imported bottled beer, $5 house wine, $5 well drinks, $6 Red Bull vodkas and $2 off cosmos and lemon drops. Featured premium drinks like the Bacardi Limón mint mojito and the Poire Bliss pear martini run $8 to $12 and are not discounted, but are generously poured at 7 ounces. John Yu, general manager, promises, “We give you the bang for the buck!” Appetizers include the popular tri-tip sliders, three for $9, the gourmet taquitos for $7 and their trademark “irresistable onion” for $4.
Dakota’s Steakhouse, 1555 Simi Town Center Drive, #565, 582-1700, www.thegreatsteakhouse.com
So now when that whistle blows, you’ll know just where to go. Just don’t swallow the lemon!
Lisa is a local food and wine writer. Read her other columns at www.FindingOjai.com.
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