Johnny Garlic's
10505 Fairway Drive, Roseville (916) 789-2000 johnnygarlics.com
Hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday; the bar stays opens an hour past the restaurant's closing.
Happy hour: 2:30-6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 p.m.-close daily, 2-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, all NFL games
The real steal: Whether you choose to enjoy happy hour during a weekday afternoon, over the weekend, while watching an NFL game, or during late night, you can enjoy the same deals. Appetizers are $5 each with popular options such as the Key lime calamari and garlic fries. For a dollar more there are several varieties of wood-fired mini-pizzas. Cocktails are $4 each, while the house wines are $4 to $5, and beers range from $2.50 to $6.50. You can also add a shot of Jack Daniels or Herradura Blanco to any draft for $3.50.
The vibe: The dining side of this laid-back, family-friendly restaurant is filled with plenty of booths and tables. Neutral-colored walls are covered with painted canvases in shades of red, orange, yellow, and hints of black. The copper flowerlike hanging lamps dangling overhead add a slightly romantic feel and look as if they were made of a delicate fabric.
On the other side of the restaurant, the bar is filled with granite-topped high tables, three flat-screen TVs playing sports and one playing owner Guy Fieri's Food Network shows. A view of the open kitchen lets you enjoy your favorite drink while watching your dish be prepared.
A patio should be ready by the time warmer weather hits us, where you can enjoy your meal outdoors.
Signature drink: The $4 house favorite cocktail during happy hour, the El Jimador margarita, is served on the rocks with a house-made sweet and sour, Cointreau and fresh-squeezed lime and orange juices, for a strong citrus base and a burst of orange in every sip.
Alternative libations: "Guy's Big Bite" Food Network show always pairs a main dish with a drink. The food and drink special draws on those pairings and are changed about once a month. For example, sangria glazed shrimp was featured with a drink called From Russia with Love (Stolichnaya vodka, orange, watermelon, apple, and peach liqueur, topped with sweet and sour).
Something extra: You might just recognize owner Guy Fieri, thanks to his two Food Network shows: "Guy's Big Bite" and "Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives" (a.k.a. "Triple D"). While at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Fieri one day told his friends about how he would someday own not just one but three restaurants. He named them that day: Johnny Garlic's, Tex Wasabi and Russell Ramsay's Chop House. He went on to open each of them. Russell Ramsay's Chop House is closed; however, Fieri still has five Johnny Garlics and two Tex Wasabi locations (one in Sacramento).
HAPPY HOUR ON THE CHEAP
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 Night Life. Email sacbeenightlife@gmail.com.Zindagi Indian Bistro 213 E St., Davis
(530) 231-5018
Hours: 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. daily
Happy hour: 3-6 p.m. daily
The deals: All draft beers on tap as well as all bottled beers are $3 and wine by the glass is $2 off. Appetizers range from $3 to $4 each. Popular munchies include the papri chaat, fish pakora and vegetable or chicken samosas. An $8 lunch special (11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.) changes daily. Each day seven pre-selected items are offered in smaller entree portions.
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