Dr. Ink | Come On Get Happy!
A couple of enjoyable dinners washed down with various craft beers at Local Habit triggered me into returning for happy hour. But the bargains didn’t seem so set in stone at first.
When originally calling the restaurant to inquire about the details, the person who answered the phone didn’t know any of the specifics and asked me to call back later. I pulled up the website instead and voila: The beer, wine and food deals were clearly spelled out. Upon arrival, however, our waitress gave us a different rundown, saying that none of Local Habit’s cherished nibbles were discounted.
The good news is that she was wrong. And so was the happy-hour information printed inconspicuously on the regular menu that she gave us, which failed to mention that appetizers such as mustard-spiked roasted Brussels sprouts, Gouda mac and cheese and sausage boards drop down to $4.
From beer lists that are posted in chalk near the entrance and behind the bar, everything’s $1 off regular price. They feature an appealing mix of local and regional crafts that rotate regularly. However, a second waitress that took over wasn’t sure if the Julian Hard Apple Cider that my cohort ordered from the lineup qualified for the discount. After checking the computer at her work station, the result played in my friend’s favor.
With the softly flavored cider and a pint of icy Pistol Whip’d ale parked under our noses, plus an order of Gouda mac-n-cheese on the way, we became happy campers.
If you’re dropping in to decompress and save a few bucks, check the web site first at mylocalhabit.com, which currently shows the happy hour deals extending also to $9 beer flights containing six different pours of your choice.
The offerings included Belgian blonde Galaxy Defender by Monkfish, Campfire stout by Highwater and the aforementioned Pistol Whip’d by Noble Ale Works out of Anaheim. Yes, there are notable craft beers brewed outside of San Diego that exist for those who have become burnt out on the local standbys.
Local Habit’s interior is spacious despite its modest façade. The décor is earthy with a few splashes of bold color and a decent-sized bar toward the back. The layout provides the feel of both a restaurant and drinking establishment without one infringing on the other.
My RX for its happy hour, though, is to provide customers with a menu that specifically promotes the weekday deals and ensure that all wait staff become familiar with the program. There’s too much competition out there waving their specials in much louder ways.
