Eating Through Happy Hour at the Lazy Dog Café

Located on the east end of Del Amo’s outdoor “Lifestyle” section, the Lazy Dog Café is a hot spot for shoppers looking for upscale food and drinks in a relaxed, laid back atmosphere.

Lazy Dog calls their afternoon discount session “Happiest Hour“. Sipping on the beer and cocktails, and nomming on the food during that time, I find it hard to disagree. You’ll find these discounts on weekdays from 3 to 6 PM. For dogs that like to party late, an evening session takes place Sunday through Thursday from 9 PM until closing time. Happy hour specials are only available in the bar area and on the patio.

Earlier this month, I shared some of the beverage offerings on Lazy Dog’s new happy hour menu. Today we’re taking a look at the happy hour food!

Happy hour versions of their appetizers are attractively priced between $3 and $6. I say “versions” because the happy hour portion is about half of the regular appetizer. It’s all the better though, because at that price a few small plates make for a mini food festival of delicious samples.

• Spicy Buffalo Chicken Nuggets ($4): These bite-sized gems of yard bird are fried and dipped in a deep, almost glowing red sauce. The spiciness comes through but is not over bearing. If you find yourself reaching to fan your lips, though, don’t worry; they’re served on a bed of cool, crispy cole slaw made with buttermilk and blue cheese.

• Loaded Baked Potato Hush Puppies ($3): This cousin to the dough-balls that they get their name from are like baked potatoes in a crispy shell. These filling little orbs are creamy on the inside and crunchy on the outside. For a beer pairing, ask for a big glass of Firestone Velvet Merlin to sip on while you hush these puppies.

• Hawaiian Ahi Poke ($4): Just what you would expect and a little bit more: a crispy wonton topped with moist, well seasoned tuna, drizzled with a creamy sauce. Sesame seeds and green onions rounds out the flavors and add a finishing touch.

• Sweet Potato Tater Tots ($4): Crispy tater tots with a combination of sweet and savory. The sweet comes from the sweet potato base while the savory comes from a cumin flavor that sneaks in and adds a pleasant surprise of flavor. The result is a bar-food treat that will have you reaching back for another handful. Served with a mildly spicy jalapeño aioli.

• Carrot Cake at Lazy Dog Cafe ($4.95): Have you ever wanted to finish up a happy hour with something sweet but are still in a happy hour price state of mind? OK, so this one isn’t on the happy hour menu but the price fits the bill. This dessert is a moist, dense cake served in a cute little skillet and comes packing plenty for two people for share. The shredded carrots and walnuts on top will give you backing to tell your mom that you ate your veggies. Don’t tell her about the Stone Porter though, that pairs perfectly with this cake.

Late Comers Get a Deal All Their Own

If the prospect of getting to happy hour by 6 PM doesn’t work with your schedule on the vampire shift, don’t worry; Lazy Dog is serving the same deals happy hour from 9 PM to close Sunday through Thursday.

Along with the same deals mentioned above, lazy dogs get a deal all their own in the form of the Late Night Burger, a quarter pound fixing for $5 only served after 9PM.

• Lazy Dog Café, Del Amo Fashion Center
  http://www.lazydogcafe.com
  3525 West Carson Street
  Torrance CA 90503
  (310) 921-6080

* Prices and menu items are subject to change without notice. Some items mentioned in this article were provided on a complimentary basis for the purpose of this review. This story was accurate when it was published and reflects the uninfluenced opinions of the reviewers.