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