1114 North Pacific Avenue Glendale, California 91201 (818) 241-4542www.theneatbar.comtwitter.com/neatbarParking: Neighborhood parkingDays: Monday–Friday Time: 5-7:30pm Drink Deals: ½ off all drinks!Food Deals: N/AI think Yelp Commenter’s Gene E’s synopsis of Neat says everything you need to know: “Come here to get your beer boner on.” Ha! Okay, I didn’t go to get my beer boner on, but I did go to see what the liquor aficionado buzz was about. And I pretty much get it – very knowledgeable bartenders that are like Cocktail Whisperers – you give them a general idea of what you like and they craft a terrific cocktail. Simple! Also simple is the Happy Hour menu – ½ off every drink in the place from 5-7:30pm on Monday through Friday. That’s beer, wine,...

742 North Highland Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90038 (323) 203-0500 www.eatatstreet.com twitter.com/eatatstreet Parking: Limited neighborhood parking, $8 valet (behind the restaurant before 7 pm) Days: Monday–Friday Time: 5-7pm (M-Th); 12pm-7pm (Fri) Drink Deals: $5 Global cocktails, wines, and beer Food Deals: N/A  Life on the Street… Susan Feniger’s Street has re-structured its Happy Hour menu by lowering the price points on its re-designed food menu and removing the Happy Hour-priced small plates. Happy Hour drink deals remain the same ($5 specialty cocktails). The food prices are definitely more budget friendly if you’re having a dinner, but we are sorry to see the specially priced Happy Hour food items go. The good news is that the food + drink are still superb. Inspired by the flavorful cuisines of her...

Cliff's Edge is one of my favorite restaurants. It has amazing food, one of LA's most beautiful patios, and NOW great drink deals. Head back to the bar and you'll find "Nightly Specials" which include a $7 Bartender's Special, $6 wine, and $3 beer. The Bartender's Special is a wonderful hand-crafted cocktail which periodically changes. The best part is that the specials are EVERY night, ALL night!!! The last night we were there, the Bartender's Special was a Hibiscus Whiskey Sour and it was delicious!Bartender's Special - $6Along with the Bartender's Special, we thought we'd try some drinks off the regular cocktail menu. We were very impressed. All the drinks were well balanced and superbly made. Cocktail MenuGlasgow MuleGold Rush...

This past Sunday I was invited to check out the new brunch menu @ Lazy Dog Café. Since it's all the way out in Torrance, I decided to make a daytrip out of it and check out a few to-try spots (and revisit some longtime favorites) in one fell swoop.To start the day right, I brunched with Gourmet Pigs, Diana Takes a Bite & Gilmour Eats at Lazy Dog, a Southern California mini-chain with a contemporary American menu that has a few ethnic touches here and there (there was a whole section for wok'd entrees, and the brunch menu featured a Hawaiian Fried Rice & Chimichangas.)Even though we were supposed to try the new items, the thing that caught my...

4525 Wabash Ave Springfield, IL 62711 (217) 547-0011 www.bellamilanos.com Parking: Free Parking, but of course! Days: Monday NightTimes: All Night Long Drink Deals: $5 Martinis Food Deals: $5 AppetizersI guess you can just call my hometown of Springfield, Illinois the “Martini Monday Capital of the World!” Or not :)… but since Illinois outlaws any daily deals that encourage excess drinking within a specific timeframe, Springfield has embraced the Martini Monday, where, apparently, you’re just encouraged to drink all night instead!   I’d been to Osaka’s Martini Monday and hope to visit Ross Isaacs on my next visit, but for this April 2012 trip – with my ma-n-pa and sister-in-law, KB, in tow (brother PB had to stay home with the baby, sorry brother - though he did...

4525 Wabash Ave Springfield, IL 62711 (217) 547-0011 www.bellamilanos.com   Parking: Free Parking, but of course! Days: Monday NightTimes: All Night Long Drink Deals: $5 Martinis Food Deals: $5 AppetizersI guess you can just call my hometown of Springfield, Illinois the “Martini Monday Capital of the World!” Or not :)… but since Illinois outlaws any daily deals that encourage excess drinking within a specific timeframe, Springfield has embraced the Martini Monday, where, apparently, you’re just encouraged to drink all night instead!   I’d been to Osaka’s Martini Monday and hope to visit Ross Isaacs on my next visit, but for this April 2012 trip – with my ma-n-pa and sister-in-law, KB, in tow (brother PB had to stay home with the baby, sorry brother - though he did...

8788 Sunset Blvd.West Hollywood, CA 90069310.657.8100www.islacantina.comtwitter.com/IslaHollywoodParking: $6 Valet; Limited Street ParkingDays: DailyTime: 4-7pmDrink Deals:2-for-1 on All Drinks, priced from $8-$14 Food Deals: $4-7 select appetizersThis past weekend, JB & I were so pumped after seeing 21 Jump Street, we decided to keep the party moving to happy hour at Mirabelle On Sunset. We probably should have checked the site first because upon arrival we learned that Mirabelle is closed for construction. Never to let a few taped up windows stop us, we kept it moving to 2 doors down to Isla Cantina. I was well aware of Isla Cantina’s Happy Hour because they are constantly tweeting about their 2-for-1 deals. Not that there’s anything wrong with that! We wish more...

310 North San Fernando Blvd. Burbank, CA 91502(818) 848-8520 www.chadaka.comParking: Metered Street Parking and Various Burbank lotsDays: DailyTimes: 4-7pm (and 9:30-10:30pm at the bar on Sunday-Thursday nights)Drink Deals: $3 Beers; $5 Cocktails, Well Drinks, Wines by the Glass   Food Deals: $5-6 Appetizers After the crew Happy Hour’d at Burbank’s Wokcano, we moseyed Northwest on San Fernando Blvd. to visit work pal Miss P’s local Thai spot, Chadaka Thai. Miss P had only visited Chadaka for lunch and carry-out dinner before and highly recommended the quality of food. Luckily, Chadaka delivered on the Happy Hour front too! Having dined inside at Wokcano, we opted for a table on the small patio at Chadaka, enjoying the people-watching views on the boulevard and trying...

Spring may be here, but that doesn't mean I'm not making my regular Dr. Chocolate appointments. Here's a recent few that I've eaten (and one case, drank!)Vosges' Banana Victoria BarCost of Session: $6.99 for a 3 ounce barPhysician Marketing: "Grenadian nutmeg is freshly grated into dark chocolate before roasted walnuts and dried organic bananas from the big island of Hawaii are combined to create the Banana Victoria Bar. The flavors are reminiscent of pain d'epices, a French spice bread often served at the holidays. But, you will likely become so enchanted at first bite, you will be indulging in this bar year round."Patient's Notes: An evolved version of their (now discontinued) Organic Habana bar, I thoroughly enjoyed the flavor & aroma...

8284 Melrose Ave.Los Angeles, CA 90046323.951.1000www.philippechow.comtwitter.com/PhilippeChowParking: $6 ValetDays: DailyTime: 6-8pm, All Night on TuesdayDrink Deals: $4 Beer, $7 Well DrinksFood Deals: $7 AppetizersAs someone who has produced hidden camera segments for reality TV, I often think that when things get weird I may be in a hidden camera gag. Call it paranoia, I guess.  When I set out to check out a new Happy Hour at Philippe Chow, maybe the joke was on me, but there was no hidden camera reveal.RF-PR had informed us of a new All Night Happy Hour on Tuesdays night, so I decided to meet up there with HHT supporter, Junebug, to catch up on production goals and long-term dreams. It was a...

150 S San Fernando Blvd. Burbank, CA 91502818-524-2288 www.wokcanorestaurant.comtwitter.com/wokcano Parking: Free Street Parking (check the signs) and Various Burbank lots  Days: Daily Times: 3-7pm (Available in the Bar and Lounge Area) Drink Deals: $3 Sake Bombs, $3 Draft Beers, $3 Well Drinks, $4 House Red and White Wines Food Deals: Tons of Appetizers and Sushi and & Sashimi (from $3-$7.99)It came as a minor shock as I sat down to write this review – that neither JG or I had ever been to a Wokcano restaurant before my Burbank Mini-Happy Hour Tour on a Saturday afternoon in March. And I guess I’m surprised because I totally love small chain restaurants – still kind of mom & pop, but with a well-crafted and crowd-pleasing menu. And while...

My friends and I went on one of those 'just because' daytrips to San Diego earlier this month, and while we didn't check out anything new foodwise, it was pleasant to re-visit some of my favorite spots. Moreso given the unexpectedly sunny-yet-breezy weather down there.We started off with a brunch at Urban Solace, a North Park restaurant serving up contemporary American fare with a few eclectic twists. For the table, we shared the buttermilk cinnamon roll with cream cheese frosting and pecan butter sauce. While decadent, I'm surprised that this roll doesn't taste particularly heavy. The butter pecan sauce wasn't too sweet, and the frosting was whipped to an almost cloud-like frothiness.And even though I didn't feel particularly...

Last week I posted a sneak peek of the cocktail I'm serving for a St. Patrick's brunch with friends, so I figure I might as well blog about the brunch I whipped up for the occasion too.Along with the Irish-Italian-American, I also had bottles of Killian's Irish Red Ale & Guinness Extra Stout on the ready. And to give the on-time guests something to nibble on while waiting for latecomers, I bought a loaf of Irish soda bread (which apparently has its own preservation society) and some Kerrygold tub butter. Normally I don't keep salted butter around the house, but the salted, creamy Irish butter worked well with the dense, sweet & raisiny bread (and it didn't hurt that Fresh &...

I know, I know... tomorrow green beers and Irish car bombs will be all the rage for St. Patrick's, but instead of a drink that's (artificially) green to the point of frightening or one that's as crazy un-PC as hell, why not celebrate it with a little class? You can go easy-but-chic (and brunch friendly) with a Guinness Black Velvet, or in my case, the Irish-Italian-American . . . a Manhattan twist utilizing ingredients from the three distinct-yet-intertwined cultures and traditions.Of course, since it *is* St. Paddy's -- feel free to have a little fun and name this drink after your favorite Irish-Italian-American (here's the few I recalled & tweeted from the top of my head)Ingredients:2 oz Irish Whiskey (Jameson...

In case you hadn't heard, there's uh... kinda this major boozing holiday coming up tomorrow! In honor of this most Saintly of Patrick days, here's a couple terrific round-ups of where to get your shamrockin' booze on:-- Finer Things LA "St. Paddy’s Day 2012" - These girls know their deals! -- marpop "St. Patrick’s Day in LA & OC" - She's the culture that pops!-- And a very important news story from CBS Local - "Best Bars Serving Green Beer"-- Fantastic breakdown of St. Pat's on the Sunset Strip - including this bash at Rock & Reilly's that we keep hearing about!If you'd rather stay in for the holiday, hurry and get your order in at Bristol Farms before 3pm...

WelcomeMixology 101, a refreshing open air (when the weather allows!) bar sitting atopthe Bath & Body Works at Farmer’s Market! The view is primo supremo and the cocktail concoctions offer a “whateveryour pleasure” respite from a shop-til-you-drop excursion to the Grove.    Mixology 101is the fancy sister-bar to its neighboring Planet Dailies, a Las Vegas-basedeatery owned by the Planet Hollywood team. Both Mixology 101 and Planet Dailiesfocus on the fresh vegetables and fruits available from the Farmer’s Market –how’s that for a nice little sustainable ecosystem?!   Also nice isthe insane cocktail menu curated by master bartender Salvatore Calabrese (aka The Maestro) and his head bartender, Joseph Brooke from the Next Door Lounge andThe Edison. For our special pre-opening visit, we...

Welcome Mixology 101, a refreshing open air (when the weather allows!) bar sitting atop the Bath & Body Works at Farmer’s Market!  The view is primo supremo and the cocktail concoctions offer a “whatever your pleasure” respite from a shop-til-you-drop excursion to the Grove.    Mixology 101 is the fancy sister-bar to its neighboring Planet Dailies, a Las Vegas-based eatery owned by the Planet Hollywood team. Both Mixology 101 and Planet Dailies focus on the fresh vegetables and fruits available from the Farmer’s Market – how’s that for a nice little sustainable ecosystem?!   Also nice is the insane cocktail menu curated by master bartender Salvatore Calabrese (aka The Maestro) and his head bartender, Joseph Brooke from the Next Door...

Lambeau Field1265 Lombardi Ave.Green Bay, WI 54304www.packers.com/lambeau-field/curlys-pub.html No visit to Green Bay is complete without a stop at Lambeau Field!Parking: Free at Miller EntranceDays: Monday-FridayTimes: 5-7pmDrink Deals: $2 off Draft Beers, $1 off Rail drinksFood Deals: No food dealsNightly Specials: --- Sunday: Build your own Bloody Mary; Draft Beer Specials--- Monday: Burger Blitz & Draft Picks (4-10pm)--- Tuesday: $2 Tuesdays, including $2 Sliders, Fries, and Select Beers --- Friday: Fish Frydays and other specials Special Note: Game Day Hours – For home Packers games, Curly's is open to game ticketed guests only during specific hours. Non-game ticketed guests can enter Curly's through the Miller Brewing Co. gate entrance 45 minutes after the conclusion of the game. Quick recap: I was visiting...

210 S Broadway Green Bay, WI 54303 (920) 445-0440 whitedogblackcatgb.com  Parking: Free Street Parking (gotta love the Midwest!) Days: Tuesday-Thursday Time: 4-6pm Drink Deals: 3 Domestic Beers for $4; 2 Single Shot Rail Mixers for $5; Buy One Shot, get 2nd half-offFood Deals: Nada on the Food Deals Nightly Specials (from 7pm-Close): --- Tuesday: Any Import $3 with purchase of Dinner Special; $4 Pinnical Flavored Pints--- Wednesday – All You Care to Drink House Wine for $10; $2.50 Bud and Bud Light Bottles --- Thursday – $2 Pabst Bottles; $3 Jameson or Michael Collins Shots; $4 (call) Whiskey Pints When friends and colleagues asked where I was going for my short February vacation, they got a kick out of the answer… “Green Bay, Wisconsin.” No offense to Packer Land,...

I might not be able to handle 30 hamburgers for 30 days straight or even cope with six courses of lamb in one sitting, but over the past few months I've had a dalliance, possibly an infatuation, with lamb burgers. Compared to its way more common beef patties, ground lamb burgers, with its tender-yet-lean texture and sweet-gamey flavor, are just so much more elegant and sophisticated . . . akin to turning that simple little black dress into a chic outfit with the right accessories. Speaking of accessories, I find that lamb burgers are often adorned with more daring veggies, sauces and cheeses (I guess chefs figure since they're already using an eccentric meat, why not push the envelope on everything...