Now that summer is over and the crowds are gone, it’s time for locals to enjoy Truckee/Tahoe all to themselves. One of the best ways to do that is to take advantage of the area’s many happy hour deals, which offer diners a way to sample some of our restaurants’ small dishes and drinks on the cheap. Moonshine Ink staff rounded up some of their favorite happy hour appetizers for your affordable dining pleasure. So saddle up to the bar and get happy.
With the same head chef for more than 15 years, Cottonwood consistently turns out quality happy hour food and drinks at reasonable prices.
The deals aren’t bargain basement — $1 or $2 off drinks and $3 to $4 off food. But if you frequent restaurants to enjoy the kind of food and ambience you can’t readily replicate at home, Cottonwood is well worth the price.
My favorite happy hour special is the Caesar salad ($10) — heaping hearts of romaine tossed to perfection with just the right balance of citrus, freshly grated parmesan cheese, and garlic. And you don’t have to mix it yourself; you just pick up a leaf and enjoy.
On one of those perfect Indian summer afternoons recently, a friend and I noticed that five other patrons were enjoying the same finger salad on the deck overlooking downtown Truckee.
The staff are super friendly, accommodating early birds and even offering us the list of ingredients for their famous 16-oz. French margarita ($6), a blend of Herradura Silver tequila, Cointreau, Gran Marnier, Rose’s Lime Juice, and sour mix.
Happy hour runs daily from 4:30 to 6 p.m. and features free live music on Thursday and Friday nights. Every Thursday though the end of winter (excluding holidays), Cottonwood offers acoustic live music in the fireplace room and all-night happy hours. And, as owner Mike Blide points out, any winter storm warning is an occasion for all-night happy hours at Cottonwood. Info: 10142 Rue Hilltop Rd, Truckee, (530) 587-5711 ~ Jackie Ginley
Wolfdale’s Cuisine Unique dinner menu can seem out of reach for those with tight pockets, but the restaurant’s happy hour deals are a steal. Its Hawaiian ahi tuna poke cones ($6) are served in a handmade pinched ceramic bowl filled with sesame seeds, the four petit cones standing upright like mini ice-cream cones. The wasabi cream gives it just the right kick. I frowned when my husband ordered the pork belly spoons ($6), but they turned out to be my favorite appetizer of the night. The guacamole and the smoky meat together were reminiscent of a taco, minus the tortilla. None of these teaser plates on their own are enough to fill you up, but combine a few together and you just might make a meal. The happy hour menu also includes soups and salads ($5) and small plates such as truffle fries ($6). Wash it all down with draft beer ($3), wine on tap ($5), or well drinks ($4). Happy hour runs every day except Saturday from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Info: 640 North Lake Blvd, Tahoe City, (530) 583-5700 ~ Melissa Siig
If you’re seeking a fresh and delicious happy hour menu, Drunken Monkey is a fantastic choice. Monkey Cups ($6) are one of the restaurant’s more popular items. The two crispy wonton bowls feature a generous serving of their muddy garlic ahi, a splendid concoction of muddled green onions, chopped cilantro, caramelized shallots, red chili flakes, preserved black beans, fresh ahi, and of course, garlic, which is mixed with cabbage, carrots, bell peppers, and green onions. The ahi mixture is served in two crispy wonton bowls and topped with daikon sprouts. Dragon Ballz ($4), also quite popular, are a tempura fried unari pouch stuffed with crab, spicy tuna, avocado, and rice. The happy hour menu items range from $4 to $8, and beverages include hot sake and Sapporo draft ($3), house wine ($5), and a specialty Shochu cocktail ($7). The happy hour menu is currently available Tuesday through Thursday, from 3 to 6 p.m., but is due to change shortly, allowing locals more opportunity to enjoy. Info: 11253 Brockway Rd, Ste 105, Truckee, (530) 582-9755, drunkenmonkeysushi.com ~ Emily Dettling
