More Happy Hours

In my continuing search to bring you the best happy hours in San Diego County, I now will review three more restaurants. I hope you find something new and interesting here.

Iris (http://www.irisfoodandspirits.com/) is a wonderful restaurant in Carmel Valley. The restaurant is good for both lunch and dinner, but if you're in the mood for something light, try their happy hour. It takes place Monday-Friday from 4-6, and consists of the dinner starters at 20% off. Cocktails are also offered at a reduced price. To give you an idea of what you might have, here are a few of their starters at the reduced price: Carlsbad black mussesl in a tomato basil sauce $9, baked goat cheese with pesto, garlic and carmelized onions$8, tempura firecracker shrimp$8.75, crispy calamari$7, Asian baby back lamb ribs$8, grilled pizzetta (something like a pizza)$7.25. There's more, but you get the idea. Many choices, and very eclectic.

Zenbu is a new sushi and seafood restaurant in Cardiff by the Sea. It is beautifully appointed, and draws a very upscale clientele. Happy Hour is Sunday and Monday all night, Tuesday-Thursday, 5-7, and Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 11pm-1am. Most cocktails are $6, including sake, wine and mixed drinks. They have many sushi rolls and hand rolls to choose from, all ranging in price from $4 to $6. These include seaweed salad, California handrolls, shrimp tempura roll, and spicy salmon hand roll. Their fish is as fresh as can be. This is a nice new restaurant to enjoy for happy hour or a complete dinner.

Via Italia (http://www.viaitaliapizzeria.com/) is a wonderful restaurant for either dinner or happy hour. I have been going there for many years, first at the original location in Claremont Mesa, just off the 52 freeway, and for the past few years in Encinitas. They have recently added happy hour. It takes place every day from 3-6, and includes a wide array of appetizers, salads and pizza, and drinks. Prices range from $4-$8, so for less than $20 you can have a few appetizers and a drink. They have an antipasto, crostini with several toppings, bresaola (sliced beef), several pizzas, and many other options. Their food is delicious, and I have found the staff willing to accomodate as best they can. So here are a few more happy hours for you to try. I will soon have some more. There are so many out there, I could write about them every week and not cover them all.

Just a point of information. There is a difference between happy hour and early bird. Happy hour typically takes place between 4-6pm and consists of appetizers, salads, and drinks from the main menu at reduced prices. Early bird, on the other hand, is also early, usually 4-6, and consists of a complete meal at a reduced price. I haven't investigated early bird dinners in our area, but I will look into that sometime soon. In the meantime, continue to enjoy dining out, and keep trying new and unusual spots. We have so much to choose from.