Good things come in threes: A trio of Happy Hours has Laguna covered in more ways than one
By DIANNE RUSSELL
No matter where you live in Laguna, there is a Happy Hour within walking distance; North, The Village, and South, each with titillating libations and swoon-worthy fare. The Huffington Post says, “Happy Hour is a euphemism for that secret and festive hour.” I don’t know how secretive Happy Hours are (and we don’t want them to be), but the three we visited—Royal Hawaiian, Lumberyard, and Wine Gallery—were all festive, but distinct. Same town, different vibes.
Mellow out with a visit to the islands right here in Laguna
In North Laguna, Royal Hawaiian, which marked its 70th anniversary the end of last year, hails the return of the “Aloha hour.” And they make the most of it. One of the advantages of their Happy Hour is that it starts earlier than most, from 2:30-5:30 p.m., Wednesday-Sunday. An obvious invitation to make the most of the lazy afternoon hours.
General Manager Glenn Norton, commenting on the early start of their happy hour, says, “We have access when other don’t.”
Click on photo for larger image
Photo by Lynette Brasfield
Western Sour, refreshing with just the right amount of sweetness
The island décor transports one to the “Lei’d” back hours, soothing and mellow enough to relax tourists and locals alike. The afternoon Lynette and I visited, patrons trickled in, and slowly began to populate the seats.
To begin, Lynette sampled the Western Sour (with the prerequisite umbrella, orchid and pineapple chunk), an almost-forgotten classic with bourbon, falernum, and lime juice. She said it was delicious and not too sweet. My sauvignon blanc was fruity and very cold, which always gets kudos from me. Drink prices during Happy Hour are $3 off tropical drinks and $2 off house wines, beer and well spirits.
Glenn served up a combination of four appetizers, a bargain at $28; Ahi Tuna Poke, Shrimp & Scallop Spring Rolls, Coconut Shrimp, and Smoked Salmon Flatbread. The Ahi Tuna Poke was some of the best I’ve had (Lynette concurred), the papaya added just the right amount of sweetness to the silky Ahi, clean and fresh, and the Ponzu sauce and won tons were a superb accompaniment.
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Photo by Lynette Brasfield
4:28, Four appetizers for $28
A twist on traditional, the coconut shrimp wasn’t breaded, but coated with coconut, crispy but not overwhelming. The spring rolls, served with a lovely papaya rice vinegar sauce, were crunchy without being oily. And the smoky salmon was served on a thicker than usual herb-crusted flatbread, which was a great foundation for the cream cheese, capers, and chives. Creamy and salty, what goes together better?
As we feasted, Glenn filled us in on what’s happening at their Happy Hour. They’ve upped their mixology game with a bar consultant and incorporated a more Asian (Pacific Rim, Chinese and Japanese) inspired menu. The Hoisin ribs, with house BBQ sauce, are the most popular item on the Happy Hour menu.
And they are soon to have a new draw for locals and visitors alike. A tiki torch-lit patio in front will be open for business, a great stopping place for locals taking an afternoon walk.
Lumberyard is right in the middle of the summer action
As the sea gull flies, The Lumberyard is only 0.6 miles from the Royal Hawaiian and right smack dab in the middle of the village and action, especially during the Art Festival. During the summer, if one is attending the FOA or the Pageant on a weekday, this is the ideal spot to fuel up at Happy Hour before heading over to the Festival grounds.
The Lumberyard’s bar (the Happy Hour menu is available only at the bar) is a cozy and comfortable atmosphere with San Francisco cocktail bar vibes (and flat screen televisions). Happy Hour is offered Monday through Friday from 3:30-5:30 p.m. with $6 well drinks, chardonnay, cabernet & champagne, $4-$10 appetizers, salads and small plates, $5 draft beers, and $8 specialty cocktails.
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Photo by Lynette Brasfield
Lumberyard Planks and ceviche
The Lumberyard is housed in a charming historic building, and its fare is described as American dishes with a contemporary flair. And the Happy Hour plates reflect this mastery. I love zucchini, and The Lumberyard Planks presents it in the best possible way, panko crusted and without the grease and sometimes mushy texture of cooked zucchini. With a dip into the lemon aioli, every bite is perfect. We decided to stick with wine and ordered the house chardonnay, which was a nice choice for Happy Hour.
Lynette raved about the Lamb Meatballs, ample orbs mixed with rice, cumin and parsley, atop cauliflower puree. “These are fantastic,” she said, scooping up a little puree with each bite.
Although based on Lynette’s compliments, I would have thought the meatballs were the most popular item, our waiter said that the most ordered dish during Happy Hour is the BBQ Pork Sliders.
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Photo by Mary Hurlbut
BBQ Pork Sliders, most popular item on Lumberyard’s Happy Hour menu
Wine Gallery, a Happy Hour with a unique and inviting vibe
Heading down south, the atmosphere at the Wine Gallery is cozy and inviting with a focus on satisfying wine aficionados as well as foodies. Not only does Wine Gallery succeed in pleasing the palates of their patrons, it also displays a selection of art pieces on its walls to please the eye. It’s not called Wine Gallery for nothing.
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Photo by Marrie Stone
Art and French Fries pleases palate and eyes
“We are excited to bring our depth of knowledge and passion for great wine and food to Laguna Beach. Our goal is to give locals and visitors alike a place to relax and enjoy the area’s one-of-a-kind charm in a warm and comfortable setting,” states Wine Gallery. And they achieved their vision. Seating areas (a long table on one side and secluded more private tables on the left) surround the bar, which anchors the inviting space.
Chris Olsen, the co-founder/owner, is a warm and gracious host and makes sure he gets around to all the tables to see how everyone is doing. Casey, our server, was welcoming and attentive.
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Photo by Marrie Stone
Oven Roasted Meatballs
On this outing, Marrie Stone joined me. Although we’re close friends, in some areas of food we differ. I’m a vegetarian and she is a serious carnivore. She orders the meatballs and red wine, and I order the cheese pizza and white wine (but I did steal some of her French fries, not on the Happy Hour menu, and she wanted to steal the picture behind us on the wall).
Winter Happy Hours are Monday-Saturday (an advantage since it goes through Sat) from 5-7 p.m. Chris explains that the hours are going to change and Happy Hour will soon run from 4:30-6 p.m. The menu includes: $2 off all wines by the glass, $8 keg wines red & white, $5 Pilsner on draft, $8 Margherita & Calabrese Pizzas, 1/2 off pizza of the Day, $5 Off Oven Roasted Meatballs and WG Burger.
Marrie and I were both happy with our wine selections. She commented on the Alamo Creek Happy Canyon, “It’s deep and complex with an easy finish.”
I had the Henri Bourgeois Sancerre Sauvignon Blanc, and it was crisp, fruity and wonderful!
The Oven Roasted Meatballs are wood-fired with a red wine tomato sauce and made with mozzarella, parmesan, and served with the house bread. Marrie described them as, “spicy and awesome,” with more than enough sauce for bread sopping.
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Margherita (on left) and Calabrese, two Happy Hour pizzas
My Margherita pizza was heavenly, thin-crusted with house made mozzarella, organic tomato sauce, basil, tomato, olive oil, and The Wine Gallery offers full size pizzas for Happy Hour, enough for two (or one very hungry person).
This appears to be a place locals and visitors have taken to heart. Although Marrie and I arrived on a Wednesday just after 5 p.m., and were some of the first customers for Happy Hour, when we left, the restaurant was filled with a lively crowd, clearly enjoying all the Wine Gallery offers.
Happy Hours, something for everyone, and where to go
No matter what your mood, food hankerings or libation desires, this trio of Happy Hours has it all. It’s just a matter of which part of town strikes your fancy.
The Royal Hawaiian, 331 N Coast Hwy, www.royalhawaiianlb.com, 949-715-1470.
The Lumberyard, 384 Forest, www.LBLumberyard.com, 949-715-3900.
The Wine Gallery, 1833 S Coast Hwy, #110, www.winegallerylaguna.com, 949-715-8744.