Knowing that you and your friends will be drawing straws to see who hosts the viewing party, plenty of South Bay and LA restaurants are offering specials deals to make sure you don’t end up being the one that has to clean up this year. Pick the right spot, and everyone can watch the game in style and get a great discount on food and drinks along with the best seat in town for watching the game…and the commercials!

• Lazy Dog Café, Del Amo – Lazy Dog is serving their happy hour menu all day long for the big game. Check out our review of their drinks and food for an inside look of the deals at this spacious yet cozy destination in Del Amo Mall

Super Bowl 46 Brings Happy Specials ALL NIGHT LONG to Lazy Dog Cafe in Torrance.

• Chipotle – The folks that made build-it-yourself burritos mainstream are offering their gargantuan wraps for half price. Get up to 100 burritos of your choice  and pay for only half of them! You gotta plan ahead though; put your order in at least 24 hours in advance to make sure you can score this deal on game day.

• Bo’s Cigar Lounge – if you want to get a little smoky with your game watch party, check out Bo’s in Old Town Torrance.

• Patrick Molloy’s Halftime Challenge – On the beach in Hermosa, Patrick Molly’s is calling all Giants and Patriots fans to watch the game and step up for their halftime challenge and stein holding contest. Even if you don’t win, you scan score discounts at the bar during the entire game. The winners have first rights to the dance floor for the after party which starts as soon as the game ends.

• Redondo Beach 10K/5K – not everyone likes to sit on their bucket all day watching the game on the boob tube. Some folks actually run instead! If that’s you then the Redondo Beach 10k/5k is the place to be. More than 10,000 runners and spectators convene for this event to build up an appetite for their Super Bowl snacks. Check out http://www.redondo10k.com for details. Don’t forget your costume!

Costumes are a must for the Redondo beach Super Bowl 10k.

• Public School 612 – If you need to get outside of the South Bay, Public School 612 in Downtown LA has a great Super Bowl deal on deck. They’re offering their happy hour menu all day along with an all you can eat special: $10 gets you AYCE chicken wings, chips+salsa, and hot dogs. Call for more details: 213—623-1172.

The Fire Hydrant Tap at Lazy Dog Cafe, Torrance

Lazy Dog calls their afternoon discount session “Happiest Hour“. Sipping on the beer and cocktails, and nomming on the food during that time, I find it hard to disagree. You’ll find these discounts on weekdays from 3 to 6 PM. For dogs that like to party late, an evening session takes place Sunday through Thursday from 9 PM until closing time. Happy hour specials are only available in the bar area and on the patio.

Earlier this month, I shared some of the beverage offerings on Lazy Dog’s new happy hour menu. Today we’re taking a look at the happy hour food!

A Mini Food Festival of Happy Hour Appetizers.

Happy hour versions of their appetizers are attractively priced between $3 and $6. I say “versions” because the happy hour portion is about half of the regular appetizer. It’s all the better though, because at that price a few small plates make for a mini food festival of delicious samples.

• Spicy Buffalo Chicken Nuggets ($4): These bite-sized gems of yard bird are fried and dipped in a deep, almost glowing red sauce. The spiciness comes through but is not over bearing. If you find yourself reaching to fan your lips, though, don’t worry; they’re served on a bed of cool, crispy cole slaw made with buttermilk and blue cheese.

Buffalo chicken nuggets on a bed of creamy cole slaw.

• Loaded Baked Potato Hush Puppies ($3): This cousin to the dough-balls that they get their name from are like baked potatoes in a crispy shell. These filling little orbs are creamy on the inside and crunchy on the outside. For a beer pairing, ask for a big glass of Firestone Velvet Merlin to sip on while you hush these puppies.

Loaded Baked Potato Hush Puppies.

• Hawaiian Ahi Poke ($4): Just what you would expect and a little bit more: a crispy wonton topped with moist, well seasoned tuna, drizzled with a creamy sauce. Sesame seeds and green onions rounds out the flavors and add a finishing touch.

Ahi Poke gets cozy, nestled on a crispy wonton.

• Sweet Potato Tater Tots ($4): Crispy tater tots with a combination of sweet and savory. The sweet comes from the sweet potato base while the savory comes from a cumin flavor that sneaks in and adds a pleasant surprise of flavor. The result is a bar-food treat that will have you reaching back for another handful. Served with a mildly spicy jalapeño aioli.

• Carrot Cake at Lazy Dog Cafe ($4.95): Have you ever wanted to finish up a happy hour with something sweet but are still in a happy hour price state of mind? OK, so this one isn’t on the happy hour menu but the price fits the bill. This dessert is a moist, dense cake served in a cute little skillet and comes packing plenty for two people for share. The shredded carrots and walnuts on top will give you backing to tell your mom that you ate your veggies. Don’t tell her about the Stone Porter though, that pairs perfectly with this cake.

The Carrot Cake isn't on the happy hour menu, but the price might make you spring for it anyway.

Stone Porter pairs nicely with the carrot cake.

Late Comers Get a Deal All Their Own

If the prospect of getting to happy hour by 6 PM doesn’t work with your schedule on the vampire shift, don’t worry; Lazy Dog is serving the same deals happy hour from 9 PM to close Sunday through Thursday.

Along with the same deals mentioned above, lazy dogs get a deal all their own in the form of the Late Night Burger, a quarter pound fixing for $5 only served after 9PM.

Better late than never! Late Comers can get the big burger for Happy Hour.

• Lazy Dog Café, Del Amo Fashion Center
  http://www.lazydogcafe.com
  3525 West Carson Street
  Torrance CA 90503
  (310) 921-6080

* Prices and menu items are subject to change without notice. Some items mentioned in this article were provided on a complimentary basis for the purpose of this review. This story was accurate when it was published and reflects the uninfluenced opinions of the reviewers.

Happy Hour Menu at Lazy Dog Cafe, Torrance

Known as Happiest Hour, Lazy Dog’s menu specials start at 3 PM Monday through Friday. Sunday through Thursday the party starts at 9 PM and goes until closing time. Happy hour specials are only available in the bar area and on the patio. While there’s plenty of room at the bar and on the heated patio, come early for the best seat selections if you’d like a view of the game on one of the TV’s mounted over the bar. Oh, and come thirsty!

• Sangria Sampler ($8.25): This one is a heck of an idea and a great deal for indecisive sangria lovers. Packaged in cute little mason jars, the sampler features three four-ounce pours of Pomegranate Red, Black Currant Rose, and White Peach sangrias. The rack even has tags to help you keep the different flavors sorted out. If you’re using the wine tasting method to go from the sweetest to the boldest of the bunch, I’d suggest starting with the peach, rounding the bend with the black currant, and finishing up with the pomegranate.
  

Sangria Sampler: Don't settle for one, try all three!

• Cucumber Martini ($6): This heady concoction was a crowd pleaser among the South Bay Foodies enlisted to give it a taste (thanks, Margaret!). The beverage combines Rain Organics Cucumber Lime Vodka, fresh cucumbers and mint, agave syrup, and a dash of sweet and sour. Martini purists might frown on the last two ingredients but a sip or two will have them changing their minds quickly. The layers of flavors in this cocktail give it a sophistication that will make you wonder why you aren’t wearing a tux or an evening gown…well, unless, you just roll like that.
  

The Well Appointed Cucumber Martini.

• Seasonal Mason Jar: This cocktail is served in a do-it-your-self shaker. In a full-sized jar, Veev acai spirits are mixed with seasonal ingredients – in our case it was basil, lemon, and cucumber – and shaken with ice until chilled. The result for this blend was an instant recollection of lazy summer days spent sipping lemonade. This cocktail changes with the seasons so options may differ. At the time we were sampling the basil-lemonade, a cranberry-limeade was in the works for winter featuring Veev, cranberry, lime, mint, and agave. I’ll be back for that one!

Seasonal Mason Jar Festuring Basil Lemonade with Vee Acai Spirits.

• The Craft Beer Sampler ($6): Fear not, beer lovers! Lazy Dog hasn’t forgotten about you. They’re still featuring their beer sampler that gives you four-ounce pours from six of the fifteen or more craft beers they have on tap. The only thing that makes this deal difficult is figuring out which beers to pick! I say bring along a friend, order up 12 different beers and have a mini-beer fest.
  

Craft Beer Sampler: Which ones will you choose!?

With a nice selection of cocktails and beers to choose from, it only makes sense to have an equally balance selection of happy hour eats as well. Stay tuned for a review of the grub that we paired with the drinks!

* Prices and menu items are subject to change without notice. Some items mentioned in this article were provided on a complimentary basis for the purpose of this review. This story was accurate when it was published and reflects the uninfluenced opinions of the reviewers.

The Counter is offering fans of Monday Night Football unlimited mini burgers and fries for just $15 per person. To sweeten the deal they’re even throwing in one beer.

Find more details on the pages of Finer Things LA – Unlimited Mini Burgers and Fries.

• The Counter
  http://www.thecounterburger.com/elsegundo
  700-A Allied Way, El Segundo, CA 90245 (Map)

The result is an open air dining and shopping destination that fits perfectly with LA vibe and style.

Santa Monica Place Courtyard by Kevin Labianco on Flickr. That is NOT a water slide on the right.

While the big B-Day celebration was last weekend, the restaurants are keeping the party going through August 14^th with a special event, The Taste of Santa Monica Place, featuring prix-fixe menus with $20 lunches and $30 dinners.

This includes ten featured restaurants on location including one that I sampled, True Food Kitchen (review coming soon!).  Check out the Santa Monica Place website for all of the participating restaurants and details.

If you just want to swing by and grab a drink or a quick bite after work, they’re lining up an event to fit that need as well.  The Summer SunSet Series is a collection of happy hours taking place on Wednesdays in August…as in TODAY if you are reading this on 8/10.

From 4 – 7 PM, you can enjoy happy hour at the restaurants on the third-level dining deck while grooving to the sounds of music played by KCRW DJs.  Sounds like a nice way to take in the sun setting over the Pacific!

OH, and take note: if you dine at one of the restaurants, you get three hours of free valet parking! Just park at any one of the three valet parking stations on Broadway, 4th Street, or 2nd Street.

The Taste of Santa Monica Place
http://www.santamonicaplace.com/Events/Details/39772

395 Santa Monica Place
Santa Monica, CA 90401

Happy Hour Specials at Red Robin in South Bay Galleria.

Known for reasonably priced gourmet hamburgers, Red Robin is wooing in week-night deal seekers with discounts on beer, wine, and well drinks in addition to appetizers in the bar area Monday through Friday.

The 9-5 crowd can catch specials from 3 -6 PM and night owls can catch the late happy hour from 8 PM – Close.  Closing times vary so call ahead before planning your late night run!

Red Robin Gourmet Burgers
redrobin.com
1815 Hawthorne Blvd.
Redondo Beach, CA
(310) 542-2488

This Wednesday, Hotel Maya is hosting their signature “Mojitos and Mutts” happy hour.  Well trained and leashed canines — along with their respective humans — are invited to visit the waterfront hotel to mix and mingle for a barking good time.

While the two legged folks sample mojitos made with 10 Cane Rum, puppies will be pampered with complimentary goodie bags with doggy snacks.

Event sponsor i Love Dogs has partnered with Hotel Maya to theme the event and promote social awareness.  The theme for July is “L.A. for LA”, “benefiting dogs and their owners in Louisiana who have been affected by the [Gulf of Mexico] oil disaster”.  Future themes include a fashion show and a Halloween party.

Mojitos and Mutts at Hotel Maya
6:30 to 8:30 PM on the last Wednesday of the month from now until October.

http://www.jdvhotels.com/hotels/losangeles/maya

700 Queensway Dr.
Long Beach, CA, 90802
562.435.7676

i Love Dogs

http://www.ilovedogs.com

The purpose of my visit was to learn more about Sashi’s happy hour, better known as “Sashi Hour”.   Late-shift workers and 9-to-5 types alike, please take note:  From now until Memorial Day happy hour prices are available from 5 – 10 PM in the lounge, Sunday through Thursday.

Sashi Hour Trios

Take a quick look at the Sashi Hour menu, and you’ll see that three is the magic number;  Each item on the Sashi Hour menu is served as a trio.

Available for $9, some of the small plates might seem out of place for a sushi joint.  You’ll find tacos, kobe sliders made three ways, and a tempura plate featuring shrimp, calamari, and chicken wings.  But the menu stays true to its roots with sashimi, robata, and hand rolls.

The Sashi Hour drinks are pretty standard with discounts on sake, well drinks, draft beers, and house wine.  You might turn your head sideways, though, when you see the beer trio which features Sapporo, Asahi, and Hoegaarden.  Yes, Hoegaarden!  Apparently this Belgian wheat beer with slightly citrusy flavors pairs nicely with Asian cuisine.  I was always drinking it with brats so I never would have known!

Dinner that Feels Like Vacation

Of course, there was more to explore at Sashi than just happy hour.  When I walked into Sashi, I felt like I was taking a step out of the daily grind and into some sort of vacation spot.

Just inside the front door, the lounge stretched out in front of me.  To the left was the host stand and beyond that was a dining room and  sushi bar.  The lounge was arranged living room style with several pillow covered couches, low tables, and lamps.

As guests entered and left, they were greeted warmly by the staff.  Taking a look at the crowd enjoying the place, I noticed it was a pleasant mix of South Bay diners.  Some after-6 types were enjoying drinks at the bar with their ties loosened.  A family — complete with a toddler in a stroller — was relaxing on one of the couches while enjoying dinner.  The wall behind the bar, illuminated by a huge pink light, bathed everything in a warm, rosy glow.

Everything's Rosy at the Bar in Sashi's Lounge.

Diving Into Dinner

After a few moments of soaking in the vibe of the place, I met with Greg (one of the owners) and Jacqui (one of the managers).  They made me feel at home and put me in the care of Whitney, one of their top-notch servers.  I was a bit overwhelmed with the menu so I asked her about some of her favorites.  After a brief discussion, I put my experience completely in her hands and asked her to surprise me.  Little did I know, I was in for a treat!

I started off with a drink from their specialty cocktail menu.  Growing up as a kid in the south, I lived for those summer days where I could pick blackberries off the bush and eat them right away.  So it was without hesitation that I went with the Black Mamba ($12), a savory and sweet Grey goose cocktail with black berry, rosemary, and a hint of citrus.

The Savory and Sweet Black Mamba Martini.

To get into the meal, Whitney started me off with a small bite, the Gindara ($5),  grilled Alaskan black cod on a skewer, marinated in sweet miso.  The fish was tender, moist and had a wonderful grilled flavor.  The miso was almost plum-like and complemented the fish nicely.

Sweet Miso Marinated Black Cod

Next up was one of Sashi’s signature dishes, cripsy rice and spicy tuna.  After tasting it I realized that this crispy rice wasn’t the average snap, crackle, and pop!  The dish consisted of pan fried cripsy rice topped with spicy tuny and serrano pepper.  Pleasantly chewy and crispy at the same time, the texture of the rice was an experience by itself.  The heat of the mildly spicy tuna was rounded out by the serrano pepper for a one-two punch of subtle and then stronger heat.

Pan Fried Crispy Rice topped with Spicy Tuna and Serrano Pepper

The headlining entree was an out-of-this-world Rainbow Roll (price unavailable).  Wrapped in “tuna, salmon, yellowtail and fresh seasoned fish”, the roll might have come across like any other rainbow roll.  But it was the  crispy eel and cucumber inside the roll — instead of california roll style crab or shrimp –  that made this roll a stand out.

Rainbow Roll with Eel and Cucumber

Having trusted Whitney all this time to guide the meal, of course I put my faith in her for dessert.  She suggested one of her favorite dishes, a chocolate soufflé made from scratch.  Unfortunately it takes about 30 minutes to make and I wasn’t able to hang out much longer.  I  promised to come back for the soufflé and enjoyed another selection which was probably almost as decadent; a brownie served with green tea ice cream and passion fruit whip.

The brownie was moist and had a nice density.  The mild chocolate flavor was not overly sweet and gave way to the nuts inside.  Jacqi, the manager, mentioned that the nuts vary with the chef’s choosing and might be almonds, chashews, or macadamias depending on his selection.  What really set the dish off, though, was the passion fruit whipped cream and home made green tea ice cream.  The smooth and delicate ice cream and the light, airy whip, added a playful fruitiness to the already chocolaty and nutty dish.

Dessert Goes Nuts With a Brownie from Heaven.

Iron Chef?  Been There, Done That

Of course, I have to give a shout to the chef behind the menu at Sashi.  Taste a few dishes and you might think that Chef Makoto is worthy enough to cook in The Food Network’s Kitchen Stadium on Iron Chef. Well, you’d be right!

Chef Morimoto and Chef Makoto at Sashi*

Chef Makoto has served as Iron Chef Morimoto’s sous-chef in 13 battles on the Food Network.  When Morimoto comes to LA, he often visits Sashi to hang out with his protege.  Watch out for Makoto on Food Network as he takes on an Iron Chef in his very own challenge.

I have to extend a big thank you to Greg, Jacqui, Whitney, Chef Makoto, and the rest of the staff at Sashi.  I  had a wonderful time dining with you and look forward to returning soon.

* Photo credit for Morimoto/Makoto goes to Sashi MB. Food and beverages in this review were provided compliments of Sashi Sushi + Sake Lounge.

On Wednesday, March 17, everyone in the South Bay becomes Irish!  From sunrise to sunset, the streets of our beach cities are likely to be packed with green-clad leprechauns chasing rainbows and pots o’ gold.

Here are a few suggestions to get your St. Patty’s Day celebration going.

Harry O’s, El Segundo
http://www.harryoselsegundo.com

“Let out the Irish in you!  If Guinness and Irish Car Bombs are your thing, you’ll feel right at home at Harry O’s. “  Look for St. Patrick’s day specials all week long.  Happy hour all day Monday – Wednesday and 4-7 PM Thursday-Friday.

(310) 322-2255; 226 Standard St, El Segundo, CA

Bluewater Grill, Redondo Beach
http://bluewatergrill.com

Celebrate the luck of the Irish all day Wednesday with these and other specials:  $3 Guinness or Green Draught Beer by the Pint; Guinness Beer Battered Fish & Chips for $12.95 at lunch or $15.25 during dinner; $5 shots of Jameson or Bushmill’s Whiskey.

(310) 318-3474‎;  665 North Harbor Drive, Redondo Beach, CA 90277-2004

Daily Grill, El Segundo
http://www.dailygrill.com

All week long, Daily Grill is serving up hand-carved corn beef sandwiches during lunch for $12.95 and any draft beer for $4. On St. Patty’s Day after 4 PM, they’ll be serving the traditional favorite corn beef and cabbage.

(310) 524-0700; 2121 Rosecrans Avenue, El Segundo, CA 90245

Whole Food’s Market, Plaza El Segundo
http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com

If you think there might be too many leprechauns in the streets, have your own celebration at home with St. Patty’s Day goodies from Whole Foods. They have specials on their own including: Plowshare Stout, a “slightly sweet, rich delight of a beer has chocolate and black coffee flavors with a creamy vanilla character”; Beer-Infused Dubliner Irish Cheddar with Stout, a “12-month-aged cheese…double-milled with Irish Stout”; and corned beef briskets ($5.99/lb). Check with the staff for cooking suggestions and receipes.

(310) 333-1900; 760 South Sepulveda Boulevard, El Segundo, CA 90245-4717

For a more detailed list of what’s going on at the regular South Bay haunt’s like Hennessey’s, Sharkeez, and Patrick Molloys, check out this page at South Bay Events.

Have a safe and happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Photo Credit: marco

Mediterraneo is located just yards from the Hermosa Beach ocean, but the waves found in this authentic restaurant come straight from the European Seas, bringing to shore the freshest seafood and ingredients.

You don’t have to make a sole decision because the assortment of tapas will satisfy your hunger for variety and allow you to get your fill of this universal spice. These small platters define delicious, and the mixture of cultural dishes include chicken brochettes, a potato omlette, grilled sausage with grapes, bruschetta, seafood salad, caprese, hummus, and baba ghanouch.

Sail into these bright blue waters, where the happy hour tide comes in between the hours of 5pm-7pm, Mondays through Fridays. This current carries half price draft beer, half price red and white house wine, and two for-one-tapas. You don’t want to turn your back to this ocean on Tuesday nights, because the two-for-one tapa deal will keep your finances and appetite afloat until closing.

Experience a coastal phenomenon at Mediterraneo, and get splashed with a multitude of spices and a rippling happy hour!

Mediterraneo

www.mediterraneohb.com
73 Pier Ave.
Hermosa Beach, CA 90254
310-318-2666

Photo credit:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/southbayguido/