Source Global Tapas
5540 Douglas Blvd. Ste. 110, Granite Bay
(916) 772-3900
Hours: 4-10 p.m. Tuesday, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. and 4-10 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday, closed Monday
Happy hour: 4-6 p.m. Tuesday- Sunday
The real steal: At two bucks a pop, Source's mini tapas are tiny, tempting morsels. The dishes draw from influences the world over, all the while ensuring the ingredients are gathered as locally as possible – the restaurant's tomatoes are even grown just beyond the edge of its back patio. Some interesting flavors to try: fig, prosciutto and blue brie skewers; paella balls made with seafood and chorizo and seasoned with saffron; and the sliced baguette, served alongside a pomegranate, pine nut and chevre cheese spread.
The vibe: There is a nice balance between the upscale and the casual at Source. Located within the posh Quarry Ponds shopping center, it's at once family-friendly and ideal for date night. This blend manages to feel welcoming to all, rather than alienating to either. The service is spot-on enthusiastic, knowledgeable and friendly without feeling insincere or oppressive.
Signature drink: The house sangria, $3 per glass during happy hour, is refreshing. The flavors are complex and fruity, but without the overwhelming sweetness inherent to the drink. The red wine's flavor comes through strongly, and it has just a hint of effervescence. Unlike other sangrias, Source's is served neither over ice nor with chunks of fruit floating about, but looks rather just like any other glass of red wine, just much colder.
Take a seat: The bar is tiny, with just a few seats, but Source's happy hour prices are also valid on the patio, so head on outside. The back patio offers an uninterrupted view of the shopping center's namesake Quarry Ponds. The side patio is a better location for people-watching, though it catches much more late-afternoon sun.
Bathroom break: The tricky-to-find restrooms are through the curtains in the main dining area. If you feel a little bit like you're sneaking into a back room, you're heading in the right direction.
Alternative libations: If you're a locavore, the small-but-mighty happy hour beer selection might hold some appeal. Auburn Alehouse is represented with its hoppy Gold Digger IPA. Loomis Basin Brewery's pale ale also makes an appearance alongside Sudwerk's Hefe Weizen and Mai Bock, straight from Davis. Each glass is $3.
Something extra: Every Wednesday at Source is paella night. In addition to the full tapas menu, the restaurant offers diners a special treat. For $20 per person, they serve up a large bowl of paella, freshly prepared in their massive 3-foot paella pan, along with the choice of either a glass of sangria or one of their beers. It all begins at 7 p.m.
Grange
926 J St., Sacramento
(916) 492-4450
Hours: 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11:30 a.m.-midnight Friday and Saturday, noon-10 p.m. Sunday
Happy hour: 3-6 p.m. Monday-Friday
The deals: Several drinks, from wine by the glass to a selection of quality craft cocktails are available for $5 a pop, including the Ice Monkey (raspberry-infused rum, Cocchi Americano, lime and chamomile-infused bitters) and the Joy of VEEV, made with Veev acai liquor, rosemary, blackberries, lemon and agave. If you're in the sharing mood, try the white sangria, made with white wine, vodka and fresh fruit, or the Brazilian – Leblon cachaça, Veev acai liquor, cucumber, mint, grapefruit and agave – for $20 per pitcher. Individual glasses are $5. Beer fans can try Sacramento's very own Ruhstaller 1881, an amber ale named for the founder of Buffalo Brewery (today the location of The Sacramento Bee), for $3 per glass. While you're indulging, sample some of Grange's much talked-about menu: marinated olives are $5, the daily street tacos are $2, and the seasoned picnic fries and house made potato chips with blue cheese are $3 each.
Woody's Grill and Bar
2316 Watt Ave., Sacramento
(916) 485-4886
Hours: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-midnight Friday
Happy hour: 4-7 p.m. and 9 p.m.-close Monday-Friday, all day Saturday and Sunday
6502 Lonetree Blvd., Rocklin
(916) 789-7808
Hours: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.- 2 a.m. Friday, 11 a.m.- 10 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.- 9 p.m. Sunday
Happy hour: 4-7 p.m. every day
The deals: Appetizers are $2 off. Nearly a dozen choices include the salty-sweet pulled pork quesadilla made with caramelized onions and gooey Jack cheese; crispy Tex Mex spring rolls made with chicken, black beans, red peppers, Jack and corn; and crispy fried coconut prawns served with "sassy apricot horseradish" dip. Chips and salsa are complimentary, one of those little extras that really end up adding a welcoming feel to a place that Woody's provides more like second nature. Drinks are also on special, with large margaritas and Long Island iced teas at $4.50, $3 well drinks and house wines and Mondo beers (22 ounces) for the price of pints. Additionally, each day of the week features a different drink bargain, such as a reduced-price margarita or a Bloody Mary. That particular special runs all day long.Do you know of a bar that has amazingly good deals on drinks and food? Share the scoop with The Bee, and we'll highlight it as part of this new Night Life feature. Email sacbeenightlife@gmail.com.THIS WEEK'S FEATURED BARGAIN
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