Caroline on CrackThe Place: Tin Roof Bistro, 3500 North Sepulveda Boulevard, (310) 546-6180.
The Hours: Every day from 4 to 7 p.m.
The Deal: $2 off wines, beers, cocktails, pizzas and salads in the bar and bocce court only.
Tin Roof Bistro's bocce court/patio.; Credit: Caroline on Crack
The Digs: Yes, there is a bocce court at this wine bistro located near Manhattan Beach Village mall. The non-regulation bocce court serves to separate the patio of wicker furniture and Santa Barbara Mission-style architecture from the mall parking lot. Inside the restaurant, there's a 20-foot-long bar backed by a wall of triple mahogany arches as well as a dining room with a suspended tin ceiling and hanging Edison light bulbs. The decor is casual and quirky with mismatched pictures on the wall, colored lanterns and huge wooden riddling rack with wine bottles jutting out askew. Farther back in the restaurant is a display kitchen and a seating area known as the wine library. Outdoor seating is available in the courtyard out back. The crowd is a mix of mall patrons, beach locals and those dressed up for a night on the town.
The Verdict: Although there is an extensive wine list and cocktail menu, as opposed to the beer-focused menu of sister restaurant, Simmzy's in Manhattan Beach, the happy hour discount of $2 isn't much of a deal when you're talking $12 cocktails and pizzas. However, the quality of both is excellent. The Manhattan Beach Manhappy, a satisfying Manhattan, pairs nicely with the Plain Jane pizza. So you wouldn't trudge through Sepulveda Boulevard rush-hour traffic to get here for the deal so much as for the menu and a mean game of bocce ball. The best part is if you get a little too happy during the happy hour, the mall is located within stumbling distance of the bar for hours of window shopping.
Overall Grade: B-
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