Happy Hour at E & O

The sign outside said "Pokemon inside--just kidding." So of course we had to check it out! Actually Angela had been here to E & O before for their great Happy Hour, so she just had to drag J.K. along to enjoy it with her.

But J.K. was also lured in (get it! lured! oh, pokemon joke) by their delicious menu options and excellent prices. Happily E & O didn't disappoint us. We picked the Pu Pu Platter off the menu which gave us the chance to taste a little bit of everything from house made taro chips and pickles to sliders, satay and short ribs.

Pu Pu Platter

Happy Hour menu-current as of Jan 2017

Their Pokemon Go message on the sign outside must have been a joke, because  two nearby businesses had lures going, so there were Pokemon inside, trying to share our drinks. Angela had the Sutter Punch from the happy hour menu, which didn't attract as many creatures. J.K. is the Master Pokemon Trainer of our duo.

Goldeen dropping into my gimlet

Venonat sad because gimlet is finished

Happy Hour at E & O is a great get away from the hubbub of Union Square and Chinatown. They serve lunch and dinner, but their happy hour is from 3-6. It's worth the extra planning to fit it into your schedule, or just make excuses the next time you have a visitor in town and take the day off to go check it out.

Lunch at the Beach Chalet

Tea Time had such a good time at the Pokemon crawl that we decided to enjoy another Pokemon outing, next to Ocean Beach, where there are lots of Pokemon to be captured. We started with lunch at the Beach Chalet, which is more expensive than our usual haunts, but well worth the expenditure due to delicious food, conscientious service and a classic San Francisco view of Ocean Beach. This lunch adventure included a big crowd of Poke Hunters outside the restaurant who always keep the lures on so the critters are attracted to the area.

After catching some critters we wandered upstairs to the Beach Chalet and even managed to catch a table for two next to the window! We perused the menu and decided to start with an heirloom tomato appetizer, which was a so good, it attracted some attention from our prey. (Eventually we'll get over taking photos of Pokemon in our food, but for now it's fun.)

Voltorb eyeing our appetizer

The bar had Margarita mix but no plain lime juice for her drink of choice, the Tequila Gimlet, so J.K. ordered this excellent Margarita, while Angela enjoyed a tall glass of their signature Pacific Punch cocktail. Tea Time Tip! Happy Hour at the Beach Lounge and Bar is M-F 3-6 and 9-closing. A great place to check out after dinner since most restos host happy hour only before the dinner hour.

  

J.K. ordered the lobster roll for her main course, but although our waiter told the kitchen she didn't want mayonnaise, they went ahead and served her a Massachusetts-style roll, made by mixing the lobster with mayo. In Connecticut, where J.K. grew up, lobster rolls are soaked in butter. Unfortunately, all the lobster at the Chalet is mixed with mayo in the morning, so while the kitchen made her a tuna tartare sandwich, the waiter brought her a bowl of New England claim chowder. Which meant Angela didn't have to share her soup in a bread bowl. Yes!

Tuna Tartare Sandwich with house-made potato chips

We were pretty full after all that food, but we couldn't resist the chocolate castle for dessert. Angela first tasted this delightful dessert at a Dark Dining event hosted by Taste TV. Tea Time always has room for Chocolate! The view at the Beach Chalet is also a classic. Ocean waves and a sandy beach just across the highway, so if it's a good day for walking you might even hatch an egg (or just get in some exercise).

All in all it was a great day for lunch and Pokemon hunting. The lures are almost always on at the Park/Beach Chalet and we overheard some hunters say it's even popular with the 2am crowd who can't sleep. You'll surely be able to be entertained, even if you're not into Pokemon Go. This little Squirtle is ready to share a smile and maybe even leftovers from the Beach/Park Chalet if you're willing.

Squirtle hanging from a car bumper

Chocolate Garage

Do you live in the South Bay? Are you looking for a place to get unique chocolates? Check out the Chocolate Garage! We ventured down the coast on Caltrain one day to host a Meetup event during their open tasting event. Several bars were available for try and the employees were happy to help curate the tastings. Plus guests could bring wine, turning the event into a Chocolate Happy Hour!

Light to darkest was the suggested tasting menu.

There wasn't a large group for our event, but the little garage bustled with guests making purchases and enjoying coversation. Currently the Chocolate Garage is open for general tasting on Saturday mornings, but you're welcome to call and schedule a private group tasting. A tasting event could be a lot of fun for a birthday or bridal shower. The Garage is a very easy walk from Caltrain, so no excuses from the SF contingent.

Ferry Plaza Seafood-Happy Hour

We're ready for any adventure. And if that adventure includes oysters on the half shell, so be it. If they're fresh briny dollar oysters, all the better! Now don't wander over to the Ferry Building looking for this resto—you're gonna have to head to North Beach to find Ferry Plaza Seafood. You won't have to fight the crowds to get to their pretty little bivalves here, mostly because it's on a quiet corner and not a lot of worker bees get away until after 5. So on your next weekday off (weds-fri), head over to get your seafood fix at 3:30 and beat the ravening crowds.

We were both pretty hungry as we perused the Happy Hour menu, so we ordered the grilled charred edamame pods (tasty, but Angela likes grilled Fava Bean pods better) and the Salmon Rillettes right off the bat. When the waiter came back by we picked out the fries and oh, also, our first dozen. Angela enjoyed a decently priced glass of good quality sparkling as well.

We forget how many trays we ate—3? 4?

The oysters were delightful. Fleshy and full of flavor, unlike some past dollar oysters we have experienced (don't look for them on the blog—we try to stay polite). But the fries, the FRIES! Tell everyone about the fries. Obviously cut from actual potatoes, Ferry Plaza Seafood uses all the pieces and you get hot hot crisp crunchy salty yummy perfect with oysters Fries. Go for dollar oysters, but make sure to tell your server you want the fries.

before

after

BEST FRIES IN THE CITY

If you linger over your oysters, the band (a duo that evening) might start serenading you which is the perfect compliment to the lovely fishy decor and polite (not nosy!) servers. Check out this North Beach eatery for their Happy Hour treats or if you're craving a tasty seafood dinner.

decor

ambiance

tunes

Mission Bowling Club-It's Beer O'Clock

Welcome to Misson Bowl. Brought to you by the same team that created Mission Chinese (All hail Daniel Bowen, honoree this month!). Which, ahem, started in San Francisco, then branched out over to NYC to critical acclaim. This little alley has been around a little while, but Tea Time finally made time to get over there and try their Happy Hour! The regular dinner hour starts at 6, but there was still a number of beer drinkers, bowlers and grubbers all enjoying the awesome tunes and tasty food available starting at 4 O'clock. One awesome deal is the Burger which is $10 (normally $15 a bit pricey?) sans fries. Stephanie, Angela and J.K. managed to try most of the Happy Hour menu, and there were a few surprises.

One was the carrot salad. Angela keeps having this experience. She sees salad on the menu. She says, "hmmm, I like that vegetable, sounds like it would make a good salad," then she ends up with something completely different from the salad in her head. Which is sometimes wonderful, sometimes inspiring, or sometimes, just lettuce with a veg on top (which is usually tasty, but slightly disappointing). Perhaps it's because she thinks of salads like potato salad, or coleslaw which is like a salad, sans lettuce. Or maybe she expects a warm salad. Anyhow, onto the surprise Amaro Roasted Carrots Salad which featured heirloom type carrots, bloomsdale fresh spinach and crunchy maple buckwheat garnish with a brown butter finish. Seemed like a parm cheese grated on the top? The reason this roasted carrot salad came as a surprise was two-fold; it was served cold and the composition. Some of the carrots were big chunks, some where whole (but smaller in size) and it was all covered in a dusting of cheese. It was tasty, the carrots were full of flavor, and the maple buckwheat was pretty neat and inspiring, adding the extra crunch as mentioned in their description. However, Angela had the expectation of a warm roasted carrot salad, so she had that stuck in her head while eating...

Whole roasted carrots served cold with spinach salad.

 Angela was gifted the Mission cookbook one Christmas (Thanks Snackreligious!) and ever since her intro to the cult of Misson Street food, she's been thinking about their burger technique. All those meat tubes lined up in a row, surely it must be different, right? This burger picture looks a bit more rare than the mouthfeel, because J.K. is the raw meat eater in our duo and so Angela ordered meduim rare. (J.K.'s waiting for meats to be irradiated, so mostly abstains from bloody feasts--aside from beef carpaccio.) Instead she opted for the Jerk Pork Shoulder sammie which was both beautiful and delish. Once Stephanie arrived, she also opted for the Pork Shoulder, plus we ordered the Mushroom Fritters. These also surprised Angela, she had a picture of larger bits of mushroom with less bread. 

Pink tubes of meat, perfectly aligned.

Pork Sammie with Fries

Another view, see how they pack in the pork!

Mushroom Fritters with ranch type dip.

MBC would be a great place for a birthday party or friendly get together. There are lots of kinds of beers available. Plus it comes in Big Pitchers. If the banging balls get too loud and drown out the rockin' tunes, just head out onto the front patio and admire some bicycles while you relearn how to talk in normal tones.

Looking out from the bar to the bowling lanes.

Even the decor is in theme!

Mixed drinks And beer, plus a wine list...

Lots of personal touches here such as golden bowling pins, moss, etc.

Fun bicycle art!

Their geenery theme continues outside on the patio.

Bicycle parking... on the patio! Your ride will be admired by all.

Mission Bowling Club has another great trait that will bowl you over. They donate money every month to local non-profits! When you order a marked menu item, MBC will donate a portion of that price into a pot which will go to a non-profit. Supporting local youth, PBR sponsored league nights, original art and a place to play a game with friends? Plus drinks and food? When you need it all in one spot, Mission Bowling Club has you covered for Happy Hour, or dinner. A tip from Tea Time: Happy Hour isn't crowded, but make sure to make a reservation for dinner and especially on the weekend. Please! let us know if you get the Duck!

Mayes-- The Happiest of Hours

Happy Hour for Tea Time may not always mean a cuppa plus a scone this fall. Bring on the oysters, wine and fire at Mayes Oyster House on Polk street. We spent several very happy hours here, tasting their dollar oyster offerings. They have special prices from 5-7 every day (Sunday 5-9!). Yes, even weekends! Their drinks are worth it too, with house wine and champagne only $5 for a goblet. They offer discounted food as well as the $1 oyster platters.

Tea Time gets cozy by the fire!

Their oysters are good quality, and Mayes offered 3 types on their platter during this visit. Tea Time didn't catch the name of each, but they lived up to their descriptions. One set of 4 was sweet and delicate on the palate. Another was more briney with a hint of sea air drifting up from them. The middle ground was held up as well, by the third kind. All were a treat. A great splurge! These oysters came with your choice of three sauces to splash on your bivalve if you wanted to enhance it. If you're more of a purist there are also lemon wedges.

One dozen

Two dozen

Three! 36 oysters made up this Happy Hour feast.

We spent the time chatting, plotting and story telling with friends. It was worth every penny. Do you like raw seafood? Are you lucky enough to live somewhere that seafood is accessible and edible? Tea Time hopes to hit up a few more dollar oyster joints in this jukebox town, so stay tuned!

Brick and Mortar Onigilly

We've been enjoying Onigilly onigiri for several years, visiting their food cart and booths at various events from Off the Grid to the SF Street Food Festival. We really admire the way they've made their business become reality! The idea is straightforward and simple, yet we can see how it has evolved since we ate our first rice ball standing in line a couple years ago at the Street Food Festival waiting to try the dish next door, and now it's turned into a lovely cozy restaurant on Kearny street helping FiDi workers get something tasty and healthy for lunch. (open 11am-3pm)

The space is bright and inviting with a few small tables for eating in, and a bench for people waiting on to- go orders. Angela was a bit paranoid about the line when she rode up on her bike, but it turns out that once you are in the doorway, you're next to order. It makes total sense to put the register next to the door, which allows customers inside room to move around instead of fighting for elbow room with those waiting to order. Props on this floor plan! However, it also makes the line look long, even though our wait to order was short. Food delivery time was quick. You can definitely make lunch here happen in under an hour and not feel rushed.

They have a couple different order options now. Our group all got the "Onigillly" which is three rice balls with salad and some edamame on the side. A full meal. They have onigiri flights to choose from or you can create your own. Other patrons had the bowls which looked delicious; they arrive with salad or rice featuring the onigiri toppings of your choice.

Angela ordered her own set of 3 with a side of seaweed salad. Unagi, Chicken Teriyaki and Salmon graced her plate. The Unagi was savory and tender, the sauce is her favorite. Flavorful organic chicken is put to good use with Teriyaki and rice surrounded by the savory seaweed wrapper. Gently cooked Salmon and rice paired with homemade pickled ginger (ooo, Swap idea!) was a delightful taste sensation.The seaweed salad was the perfect complement to western leafy greens. The portions were generous (perhaps slightly more so than the food cart?).

JK got the Seafood Duper trio which featured the Unagi (broiled freshwater eel with sweet soy), Tempra [sic] Shrimp (honey soy dipped tempura fried shrimp) and Kani (Canadian Snow Crab meat mixed with lemon agave aioli) Onigiri. Unfortunately she didn't realize that this had aioli, which seriously detracted from the taste of the crab for her, as JK does not like mayonnaise. Next time she will order  two shrimp or two unagi or maybe something entirely different for her third onigiri. This plate also had salad with Miso Dressing, edamame and house pickled ginger.

Beth enjoyed these three Onigiri; Bacon (cooked bacon with garlic butter, sake and chili sauce), Hijiki Seaweed (soy braised seaweed strings with shredded carrots) and Miso Tuna Salad (cooked wild albacore mixed with miso aioli; the miso didn't help this one, even though Beth likes mayonnaise), along side her salad, ginger and edamame.

Right now Onigilly is still in it's "soft opening" phase and the three of us each received surveys as first time customers. When we return and bring the survey they will give $2 off our order. A good deal! Onigilly is choosing to show their roots with pride by displaying their story as art on the walls. The actual art is pretty interesting, too.

Do you enjoy rice? What's your favorite topping?  Would you take rice balls for lunch? Onigiri are quite easy to make at home, but it's nice to eat out and enjoy some professional cooking so try out Onigilly today or tomorrow. Considering their business smarts they should be around a long time.

UPDATE: Onigilly has posted the changes they chose to make after reading their customer surveys and taking the  comments into consideration. You can check out their new and improved menu online, or just stop by the store! I'm hungry just thinking about it. Yum!

UPDATE:  April 2013
Happy Hour Visit

Sake Sangria FTW!

Edamame with a delish garlic sauce!

Dead Soldiers

Octopus Takoyaki! Hot crispy outside with fishy bonito flakes sprinkled on top.

Who can resist clams in a bowl?

Golden Beet Salad. The pink stuff tasted amazing.

Unagi handroll, well, they call it a 'taco'. We call it real tasty.

The happy hour menu at Onigilly is seasonal, but if you're up to date by following twitter/facebook, they let you know what's new in the resto. The Sake Sangria is a treat and something you can make at home for sushi parties. Great inspiration to the home entertainer. Our favorite twist was the garlic edamame. If you want a happy hour snack, get them. The service was great too! Onigilly is here to stay. Yay!