HAPPY HOUR ON THE CHEAP
Pizza Rock
1020 K St., Sacramento
(916) 737-5777
Hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, 11 a.m.-midnight Wednesday and Thursday, 11 a.m.-3 a.m. Friday, 10:30 a.m.-3 a.m. Saturday, 10:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday
Happy hour: 3-6 p.m. daily
The real steal: Select from $3 draft beers and well drinks, and $5 select wines by the glass and martini cocktails. Snacks are $3, $5 and $7.
For $3, try Italian fries, green beans or three meatballs. For a few bucks more, Pizza Rock offers calamari, garlic bread, Buffalo chicken wings or a personal, one-topping pizza. At $7, you can enjoy meatball or chicken-Parmesan sliders with fries or a specialty personal side pizza such as the River City Ranch or quattro formaggio.
The vibe: Brick walls, an exposed kitchen in the back and a wood-fired pizza section at the front of the restaurant give the place a relaxed feel. The restaurant includes six flat-screen televisions and front-patio seating, so you can watch TV or watch the people walking on K Street.
The restaurant's ceiling offers a twist on one of the world's most famous works of art. Pizza Rock's version of Michelangelo's Creation of Adam, from the Sistine Chapel, includes an electric guitar.
The most eye-catching aspect of the restaurant, however, is the Peterbilt truck that hovers over the bar and serves as a DJ booth.
Signature drink: The $5 Bloody Orange Martini Cocktail is a house favorite. It is made with Absolut Mandrin vodka and then shaken with Cointreau and fresh blood- orange purée.
Bathroom break: The men's and women's bathrooms offer fun, distinctive looks. The men's room sports graffiti-style art depicting musicians. The women's bathroom has a red-and-black speakeasy décor.
Something extra: In 2007, chef Tony Gemignani won a prestigious prize for his pizza margherita at the World Pizza Cup competition in Naples, Italy. The margherita pizzas at Pizza Rock are made from his award- winning recipe. Every detail is the same, from the sea salt Gemignani used to the Cirigliano wood-burning oven from Italy.
Wild Vines and Brew
6508 Lonetree Blvd., Rocklin
(916) 913-9463
Hours: 3-9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 3-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Happy hour: 3-7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday
The deals: Everything is discounted on weekday afternoons at this wine bar, which opened in June and offers locally crafted beers, Sierra foothills wines and small plates such as homemade hummus, antipasto and grilled vegetables. A larger plate is offered on Fridays and Saturdays. It changes weekly.
Monkey Bar
2730 Capitol Ave.,
Sacramento
(916) 442-8490
Hours: 11 a.m.-midnight Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m.- 2 a.m. Friday, 8:30 a.m.-2 a.m. Saturday, 8:30 a.m.-midnight Sunday
Happy hour: 3-6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 3 p.m.-midnight Wednesday
The deals: Choose from $2 well cocktails, select draft beers and $2 Budweiser in a can or bottle. Pitchers are $8. House white and red wines are $3. Thai noodle salad and sliders also are $3.
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