McCormick & Schmick's

I was flying home to Seattle a few years ago on Alaska Airlines and as a promotion they handed out to all their passengers a $50 gift certificate to McCormick & Schmick's. "Wow!" I thought to myself, "$50! I could eat like a queen!". My friend Justin and I decided to hit up the one on 4th ave. in Seattle. $100 later (not including the gift certificate) we stumbled out of the restaurant stuffed, but bewildered on how we were going to pay our rent next month. We knew we were in trouble when it stated on the menu that the prices were fixed for that date. I had never heard of the term "Market Price" before that cold day in July.

Yes, it's cold in Seattle in July...get over it.

If only someone had told me that they have some of the BEST happy hour deals, I would have been able to keep my apartment. So good, in fact, that they offer it at two different times during the day. I know what you are thinking...chain restaurant, ew...but seriously, give them a shot.

From 3:30pm to 6:30pm then from 9pm to 11pm you will find $1.95 menu items including a full 1/4 lbs cheeseburger and fries, beef skewers and salmon spring rolls to die for. Drinks are still pretty much full price, but the food is worth it.

I recommend the restaurants on Rodeo Drive and in El Segundo. I was turned off by the bar in Downtown L.A., as was my friend Jen unfortunately, thus causing her to veto any attempts by me to get her to meet me there. Damn those foodies!

McCormick & Schmick's, various locations throughout the U.S.

The List

To date, here is the list of reviewed happy hours by region:

Miracle Mile
Marie Callender's Grill

Santa Monica
The Penthouse @ the Huntley Hotel
Monsoon Cafe

Hollywood
Joseph's Cafe

South Bay
Mediterraneo
McCormick & Schmick's

Beverly Hills
McCormick & Schmick's

Los Feliz
Vinoteca Wine & Beer Bar

Mediterraneo, Hermosa Beach

Bill and I discovered this little tapas gem on one of our "I don't want to drive all the way into L.A. let's stay in the South Bay just once" kinda moods. Located on the pier in Hermosa Beach, Mediterraneo is a find in the middle of a frat boy haven. Sushi style menus are handed out upon arrival and to order one must write in the amount of each item one is choosing. Hand this over to the bartender and in minutes (literally) you are rewarded with a buffet of tasty little tapas. From Polpette (tiny little meatballs in a spicy tomato sauce) to Chorizo Bilbao (grilled spanish sausage with grapes) to an amazing Spicy Black Bean Hummus, you won't be disappointed. And the best part is Monday through Friday from 5 to 7 select tapas are 2 for 1 and drink specials are $2 draft beer (the good stuff, no bud light here) and $3 house wine (one white and one red and last I heard the red was a Malbec). Follow the link to the full menu.
On the downside, like I said before this is a frat boy oasis with tons of sports bars crowding your views of the ocean, parking can be a bit tricky, the bartenders are way surly (which after a couple drinks becomes a bit charming) and it's all the way the hell in Hermosa Beach.
I promise you, however, that if you make the trek down it will be well worth it.

Mediterraneo 73 Pier Ave (Cross Street: Hermosa Avenue)
Hermosa Beach, CA 90254

Monsoon Cafe

Ahhh...Monsoon. My go to happy hour in Los Angeles. Located on the ever-so-touristy 3rd St. Promenade in Santa Monica and part of the Global Dining family, Monsoon has a happy hour menu guaranteed to leave your belly and your wallet happy.

Happy hour takes place daily between 4pm and 7pm. Select beers, wines, cocktails and assorted sushi rolls are available for under $5. I am in the process of getting the menu and will post it as soon as I can.

The outside patio provides a full view of the spectacle that is the Promenade. If the no legged man doing acrobatics or the blonde girl from Kentucky singing pop songs and doing cartwheels or the little old man singing "Achy Breaky Heart" over and over again doesn't provide enough entertainment for you, stop by on Wednesday nights where after 7pm Monsoon provides free salsa lessons and live bands after 10pm.

Monsoon Cafe 1212 3rd St Promenade (Cross Street: Wilshire Blvd)
Santa Monica, CA 90401